With a $5 million gift to Mississippi State University,Brookhaven native Dave Swalm was able to “double dip” by helpinghis alma mater and future generations of students.

The commitment will provide $2,500 annual scholarships toselected Brookhaven High School or Brookhaven Academy students whomajor in a technical field at MSU. Twenty BHS and five BA studentswill be chosen for the scholarships starting with the 2005 fallsemester.

Swalm, a 1955 MSU chemical engineering graduate, said he wantedto do something to help Brookhaven. With his gift, he said, he wasable to help students with scholarships and continue to help MSU byencouraging good students to go there.

“Things have turned out well doing this,” the 1950 BHS graduatesaid Wednesday during an appreciation luncheon in his honor at theState Room.

Several speakers praised Swalm for his willingness to helpstudents.

Dr. Michael Ware, president of the Lincoln County MSU AlumniChapter, said affording a four-year college is difficult. He saidthe scholarships represent a good opportunity to help cover thoseexpenses and a once-in-a-lifetime chance for many students.

BA Headmaster Dr. Miller Hamill agreed. He said the finances area big challenge in today’s market and the scholarships will amotivating factor that can enhance opportunities for students.

Lea Barrett, Brookhaven School District superintendent, saidSwalm’s gift will help the sun shine on a brighter future for manystudents. She said Swalm has had a tremendous career and all thehallmarks of success.

“His legacy is an even greater measure of who he is,” Barrettsaid.

Swalm is founder of Texas Olefins, a Houston-based manufacturerof petrochemicals. He sold since company for $500 million in1996.

Since 1988, Swalm has made donations to MSU totaling more than$20 million.

Among his earlier generosity was a $14 million gift that enabledthe construction of a 100,000 square-foot chemical engineeringbuilding and school that bears his name. His latest gift furtherassists MSU in reaching its $400 million capital campaign currentlyunder way.

MSU President Charles Lee said there are many elements to gowith Swalm’s generosity. He said Swalm is caring.

“He has not forgotten his roots, and he has not forgotten thiscommunity, either,” said Lee, while also saying Swalm is concernedabout building and making things better, giving back and settingchallenges.

To be eligible for the scholarships, students must maintain a3.0 grade point average in high school. Students must also maintainthat average at MSU while majoring in a technical field.

Several students in attendance Wednesday were appreciative ofSwalm and his gift.

“It means a great deal to have an opportunity for ascholarship,” said Chip Wells, a Brookhaven Academy junior who,like Swalm, plans to major in chemical engineering at MSU.

BHS senior Cynthia Tamasco, who plans to study engineering atMSU, said the scholarships will ease the financial burden for manyfamilies and lessen the need for student loans.

“I think it’s very generous,” Tamasco said.

Swalm said he was hopeful that his gift may “start the ballrolling” by encouraging others to help their schools orhometowns.

“This might be the start of something really big, I hope,” Swalmsaid.

To students, Swalm encouraged them to remember their roots andtry to give something back to help others.

“The community can always use it,” Swalm said.