The Niswonger Foundation was established in 2001 to make a positive and sustainable difference in education in Northeast Tennessee. This dream was envisioned by Scott M. Niswonger, who founded Landair Transport, Inc. and Forward Air Corporation. These companies were the first two Greeneville-based companies to be taken public in the history of Greene County, Tennessee. Jointly, the companies have combined annual revenue of over one-billion-dollars and employ more than 5000 people.
With the success of his two companies, the philosophy of “Learn-Earn-Return”™ was created. Using the innovative model of having a private, for-profit logistics company, Landair Transport, support a not-for-profit educational foundation, the goal of bringing rigorous, relevant, and cost-effective programs to public education became a mission. Fundamental to the success of the Niswonger Foundation has been a clear focus on removing constraints to educational innovation and problem solving, thus allowing local school systems to better provide for student needs. By building school programs that are research-based and sustainable, the Niswonger Foundation has become a recognized voice for educational reform in the State of Tennessee, while nurturing the next generation of leaders.
The School Partnership program provides support for Pre-K-12 and higher education initiatives. Our partnerships are designed for the specific challenges of rural education. This program has a focus on supporting the high schools in our region with a plan for preparing students to be college or career ready. This effort gained national attention resulting in the receipt of an “Investing in Innovation” (i3) grant, and an Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
And with all your getting, get understanding
Proverbs 4:7
We know of no other Scholarship and Leadership program like ours in the United States. Niswonger Scholars are the region’s best and brightest future leaders. They have been given the opportunity to attend the college or university that will best prepare them for success in their field of study, while participating in our four-year leadership program. What makes our program unique is that these students committed to return, within seven years, to Northeast Tennessee to work in their chosen career one year for each year they received our scholarship. It is our desire that by enabling these students to pursue their academic passion and by cultivating their leadership abilities, they will return to their “roots” and live, work and serve.
The Niswonger Foundation was established in 2001 to make a positive and sustainable difference in education in Northeast Tennessee. This dream was envisioned by Scott M. Niswonger, who founded Landair Transport, Inc. and Forward Air Corporation. These companies were the first two Greeneville-based companies to be taken public in the history of Greene County, Tennessee. Jointly, the companies have combined annual revenue of over one-billion-dollars and employ more than 5000 people.
223 North Main Street
P.O. Box 1508
Greeneville, TN 37744
(423) 820-8181
(423) 588-5933