Culture

Podcast Ep. 52: Aviation Alum, Philanthropist Scott Niswonger on Purdue’s Lifelong Impact

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Scott Niswonger, founder and chair of the Niswonger Foundation, which was established to make a positive and sustainable difference in education in Northeast Tennessee.

After graduating from Purdue, Scott (associate in Applied Science Aviation Technology ‘68, honorary Doctorate of Technology ‘04) founded both Landair Transport, Inc. and Forward Air Corporation, and is the lead benefactor for the Niswonger Children’s Hospital, which is home to one of only eight St. Jude affiliate clinics in the world.

Scott embodies Boilermaker spirit and innovation — whether it’s creating jobs and employing more than 9,000 people in a rural area of Tennessee or changing high school students’ lives with the Niswonger Foundation.

Listen in to hear how Purdue’s unique flight curriculum propelled Scott to where he is now. Plus, you don’t want to miss his stories on why giving back and investing in his community has been rewarding beyond measure.

When she was a student in Purdue’s Brian Lamb School of Communication, Kate envisioned a career in broadcasting. She spent a few years as a news reporter before she fell in love with podcasting. Her optimism, enthusiasm and natural curiosity pervades every part of “This is Purdue,” the official University podcast she writes, hosts and produces.

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