Contact: Maridith Geuder
Dave C. Swalm
Former Brookhaven resident Dave C. Swalm believes in giving back to his community and his alma mater.
Through a recent $5 million commitment to Mississippi State University, the 1955 chemical engineering graduate hopes to set an example for others while providing significant assistance for students from his hometown who are beginning their higher education.
He has established a scholarship fund for Brookhaven students choosing to major in any technical field at MSU. "I hope this will prompt others to make investments in the education and future careers of students from their own hometowns," Swalm explained.
His latest scholarships will provide $2,500 annually to each qualifying student. The major gift also will assist the university in reaching its $400 million goal for the recently announced capital campaign titled "State of the Future: The Mississippi State Campaign."
Founder of Texas Olefins, a Houston, Texas, manufacturer of petrochemicals, Swalm since 1988 has made donations to his alma mater totaling more than $20 million.
After having worked his way through MSU, he was hired by Dow Chemical following graduation. He subsequently held positions at Texas Butadiene and the Steuber Co. before investing his entire savings of $6,000 to found his own company in 1968.
He sold Texas Olefins for $500 million in 1996.
Among his earlier generosity to MSU was a $14 million gift that made possible a 100,000-square-foot chemical engineering building and a school of chemical engineering that now bears his name. Other contributions support scholarships, faculty development programs and laboratory equipment.
"Dave Swalm sets an example of generosity and public service that few can emulate," said Dennis A. Prescott, MSU vice president of external affairs. "He has made lasting contributions to the quality of higher education at Mississippi State and to opportunities for students in Mississippi.
"With this most recent gift, Mr. Swalm challenges others to invest in the future of the students in their own communities," Prescott added.
Through the Swalm Foundation he created in 1979, Swalm also has provided more than $30 million to support programs for early childhood education, victims of child abuse and survivors of domestic violence, among others.
Mississippi State recognized his many contributions by awarding him an honorary doctor of science degree in 2000.
For more information about the Swalm Scholarships, contact Amy Cagle of the MSU Foundation at (662) 325-1006.