Alum's gift lifts Purdue aviation technology
sky-high
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A Purdue University
alumnus today (Thursday, Oct. 14) pledged $3 million toward
a new aviation technology building and renovation of another
historic classroom/office building where Amelia Earhart hangared
her plane at the Purdue Airport.
Scott M. Niswonger, of Greeneville, Tenn.
, an air cargo executive, announced the gift and issue a challenge
to his alma mater to raise the rest of the $6 million for
the project.
The announcement is part of a 10-day celebration
that focuses on ways Purdue is improving education and helping
the state of Indiana as part of the university's strategic
plan and $1.3 billion fund-raising campaign.
"Purdue consistently ranks as one of
the finest departments of aviation technology in the nation,"
said Purdue President Martin C. Jischke. "The generosity
of alumni like Scott Niswonger will assure that the department
will be able to build on its preeminence and continue to educate
the most qualified students in the field."
The historic Aviation Technology Building
that will be renovated is more than 70 years old. It originally
housed part of the airport operations and administration,
including the terminal and a hangar where Earhart prepared
her last airplane before leaving Purdue on her ill-fated flight
around the world. The plans for the new building will be formulated
once the renovation costs are determined.
School of Technology Dean Dennis R. Depew said the new construction
will focus on student learning. Its addition, he said, will
allow the school to move aviation education into the future.
"Even before the days that Amelia
Earhart lived and taught on this campus, Purdue has been at
the forefront of aviation education and research," Depew
said. "This new facility will allow us to update the
way we teach our students and ensure that the department continues
to be one of the best."
The new project will provide increased technology
in classrooms to enhance students' learning environments and
provide more effective space for faculty and student collaboration.
"The new building will also provide
an impressive new front door for the department that will
be in keeping with the world-class quality of its programs,"
said Thomas Q. Carney, aviation technology department head.
"Among other important features, the
project will include space for collaboration on important
new discovery and engagement initiatives with faculty from
other departments in the School of Technology and across Purdue."
The facilities also will house the department's
administrative and counseling offices, and faculty and staff
offices, in addition to the new classroom facilities.
Niswonger said he is grateful for the education
he received while at Purdue, and he is proud to show his appreciation
by contributing to the education of current and future students.
"Purdue's Department
of Aviation Technology continues to turn out graduates
at the top of the field," Niswonger said. "I owe
much of my success to the comprehensive aviation education
I received at Purdue, and I am proud to be a part of helping
provide that education for the next generation of the industry's
leaders."
At the announcement, Niswonger also received
a Pinnacle Award, which is among Purdue's highest honors given
to individuals and organizations in recognition of philanthropic
gifts to the university.
Niswonger is chairman and CEO of Landair
and Forward Air corporations, which he founded in 1981 with
a $2,000 investment. Under his direction, company revenues
have grown to more than $350 million annually.
The company provides level truckload operations
to the air cargo industry. Prior to going public in 1993,
it was recognized for three consecutive years by Inc. magazine
as one of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies
in the United States. It also was named Entrepreneurial Company
of the Year by Coopers and Lybrand accounting firm in 1988.
Forward Air has been recognized in numerous years by Forbes
magazine as one of the Top 200 small companies.
Niswonger earned an associate's degree from
Purdue in aviation technology in 1968 and a bachelor's degree
in business administration from Tusculum College in 1987.
Besides being a certified airline transport pilot, he also
is a graduate of the United Airlines Training Academy in Denver,
Colo., and has completed Flight Safety International courses
in high-altitude meteorology and high-speed aircraft.
He received an honorary doctorate from Purdue
earlier this year and is a member of the School of Technology
Dean's Executive Council.
Niswonger is a trustee at Tusculum College in Greeneville,
Tenn., and a board member and honorary alumnus of Eastern
Tennessee State. He is a founding member of Junior Achievement
in Greene County, Tennessee, and was recognized with the organization's
Distinguished Graduate Award in 1994 and inducted into its
Hall of Fame in 1999.
Niswonger's gift is part of the $1.3 billion
Campaign for Purdue. The seven-year campaign was announced
three years ago.
Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073,
mholsapple@purdue.edu
Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708,
mcjischke@purdue.edu
Dennis R. Depew, (765) 494-2552, ddepew@purdue.edu
Thomas Q. Carney, (765) 494-9954, tcarney@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists : Broadcast-quality video can be obtained
by contacting Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu
, or Jesica Webb, (765) 494-2079, jwebb@purdue.edu
.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Steve Dalton, a Purdue sophomore in professional flight technology
from Canton, N.Y., soars above campus on a student training
flight. The professional flight program is one of the aviation
technology department's three programs that will benefit from
expanded teaching facilities in the new Aviation Technology
Building. Purdue officials on Thursday (Oct. 14) announced
a $3.5 million lead gift for the facility from alumnus Scott
Niswonger. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
A publication-quality photo is available
at http://ftp.purdue.edu/pub/uns/+2004/avtech-flightlesson.jpg
To the News Service
home page
|
