University of North Georgia Receives $3M Gift

The University of North Georgia has received a major gift of $3 million from a couple who graduated from the school.

In a press release, the school announced alumni Stewart Swanson, ’85, and Carol Barnette Swanson, ’86, provided the funds.

The university said the gift is a “major step toward UNG’s vision for a state-of-the-art STEM facility, also known as the STEM Excellence Center.”

“In today’s rapidly growing economy, our region and state need college graduates who have a strong foundation in science, who can integrate information across disciplines, and who are critical thinkers and problem-solvers,” President Michael P. Shannon said. “This new facility is a top priority to serve future STEM students, and we are deeply grateful to Stewart and Carol Swanson for supporting our mission.”

The STEM Excellence Center will replace Rogers Hall, which was built in 1948 and currently houses the physics and chemistry departments.

Stewart Swanson is a computer science graduate, a previous ROTC cadet, and a recently retired technology sales executive.

He currently chairs the STEM Advisory Board for UNG’s College of Science & Mathematics and serves on the Board of Trustees for the UNG Foundation.

Swanson said he and his wife are proud to contribute to UNG President Shannon as he and his team hand sheepskin batons to 18,500 deserving UNG students solely for their benefit and their future success.

More than of quarter of entering UNG freshmen are STEM majors, and the new facility will be designed to anchor UNG’s program delivering transdisciplinary teaching and intentional communities of STEM majors, according to Dr. John Leyba, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics.