10/11/99

College Dedicates Niswonger Commons, Recognizing Local Leader's Donations

By EUGENIA ESTES
Courtesy of The Greeneville Sun

L-R: President Tom Garland, Niswonger, and former president Robert E. Knott before the unveiling of the Niswonger portrait in the campus living room of the Niswonger Commons	...and after. More pictures of the dedication and open house are available here.

Tusculum College on Friday dedicated its $12.5 million Scott M. Niswonger Commons, thanking and honoring Niswonger, who had donated a large percentage of the funds used for the building's construction.

A dedication ceremony in front of the Commons was held honoring Niswonger, a 1987 alumnus of the historic college, for his approximately $6 million in gifts to the college, including donations toward the renovation of the Simerly Student Union and the adjacent athletic center.

Also honored were the individuals, businesses, and corporations which have provided substantial gifts to the project, including Alpine Industries, Inc., for which the college's new gymnasium is named.

Twenty-seven different individuals and companies were recognized in the evening's activities. Plaques have been placed throughout the Commons honoring the benefactors that made the project possible.

Tom Garland, the college's interim president, expressed appreciation to each donor for a "facility that has already transformed the campus.”

An institution is fortunate, in its history, to have a "friend come along with the interest, commitment, and generosity . . . to transform it," Garland said.

In Tusculum College's case, that friend has been Scott M. Niswonger, he said.

He Has 'Given So Much'

As Niswonger has prospered in his business, he has "given so much" back to the community, Garland said.

Niswonger is chairman and the largest shareholder of Forward Air Corporation, Landair Corporation, Logistics Technology, and Warehouse Logistics. All four companies are based in Greeneville.

His total of approximately $6 million in gifts to the college has made him the largest individual donor to the college in its history of more than two centuries, Garland said.

Niswonger's charity doesn't end with Tusculum College, but extends to his church and to service organizations within the community, Garland said. "His example of citizenship and stewardship makes all of us proud to call him friend," he said.

As general chairman of the Tusculum College 2000 Campaign, Niswonger and other benefactors worked to ensure the completion of the most ambitious capital campaign in the college's history, exceeding the $20 million goal by $3 million, Garland said.

Part of that effort has resulted in the "magnificent structure of new construction and blended renovation" being dedicated, he said. "This facility is second to none in providing services to our students."

Niswonger Responds

Niswonger said he was honored to serve on the college's board of trustees with so many people who have given to make Tusculum College what it is today.

Giving should always be a priority, Niswonger said. "Most of us plan to wait to do significant giving, but the mission of Tusculum College with its civic arts program, molding of future teachers, and other disciplines, simply couldn't wait," he said.

He noted that the late Andrew Carnegie, the famous industrialist and philanthropist, once said that the man who dies rich dies in disgrace, because he knew that providing for improvement in education would lead to a better society, and so it is with Tusculum, Niswonger said.

He stated that he and his family try to give wisely and that, he said, has meant finding institutions and organizations which in some way support children or help people help themselves.

Niswonger said he believes in bringing the art of business to giving, that is, "doing as much good with every dollar as possible, which means finding special opportunities and partnering with those already doing a good job. True giving is not an economic exchange, but a catalyst for additional giving."

A portrait of Niswonger and a plaque recognizing his achievements were also unveiled in the Commons' student center. The plaque outlines Niswonger's contributions to the college and community.

"The Niswonger Commons serves as a daily visual reminder of Mr. Niswonger's life, which exemplifies the civic arts virtues of citizenship, Christian character, and service to others," a portion of the plaque reads.

Two-Phase Project

The Niswonger Commons' construction was completed in two phases. The first phase included a $6.4 million sports center including the Alpine Arena, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a fully-equipped athletic training facility, as well as locker rooms, classrooms, and the campus health center.

The second phase involved a new two-story structure in front of Pioneer Gymnasium, which was also extensively renovated as part of the project, as well as major renovations and improvements of the Simerly Union student center.

The new construction includes offices for the campus minister and dean of students; a spacious bookstore and post office; a radio and television station; the telecommunciations center for the college; an expanded and renovated dining hall; a new conference center; and a President's Dining Room for special meetings and formal dinners.

See more pictures of the dedication and open house