Distinguished Service Award

Trine University alumnus John Anderson, second from left, receives the Distinguished Service Award from Trine president Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D. At left is Trine vice president for development Kent Stucky. At right is Col. George Higginson, president of the university's Alumni Association.

John Anderson receives Distinguished Service Award

John “Tux” Anderson’s journey first started by sea on a flagship in the Gulf of Tonkin and continues today on land in a small city in Wisconsin.

Anderson, a 1974 business administration graduate, came to Tri-State College after working as an interior communications electrician on a flagship in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War.

“On December 22, I was in Yokosuka, Japan. By January 2, I was in Alwood Hall,” he recalled.

Anderson is receiving the Distinguished Service Award, which is given each year to an alumnus who has performed outstanding professional service to society.

While at Tri-State, Anderson, who was endearingly called “Tux” by friends, served as president of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and was involved with Interfraternity Council. He also took multiple transportation and labor law classes, which set him up for career success upon graduation.

In early 1975, Anderson got a transportation and shipping job offer from Schweiger Industries in Wisconsin.

“I got a call from a fellow that was the director of fleet operations,” Anderson recalled. “He had called down to Tri-State knowing its reputation and asked about some prospective employees. The rest is history.”

Anderson worked for Schweiger Industries Inc. for 11 years. He received the management achievement award from Fleet Owner magazine for being one of the first fleets to secure freight on a for-hire basis after governmental deregulation of the industry in 1980.

After industry changes and career moves, Anderson and his friend, Steve Weissman, formed W&A Distribution in 1990. They started with 12 employees, some equipment and the open road in front of them. The company now boasts 55 road tractors and 140 trailers.

While staying busy with work and his family, Anderson also made time for community service. He served as the chairman of the Fort Atkinson Vocational and Technical Scholarship Committee and raised money for the cause. Today, the committee gives 10 to 12 scholarships every year. He also has been an active Lions Club member and recently received a distinguished service award.

Anderson also serves on the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association Board of Directors, the Fort Atkinson Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board, the Alpha Sigma Phi National Foundation Board of Directors. He is a past member of Alpha Sigma Phi Alumni Corp. and current member of the Trine University Alpha Sigma Phi Chapter House Corporation at Trine University that is currently engaged in a $1 million capital campaign to build a new chapter house on campus.   

“In accepting this award, one of things I really hope Trine never loses is its commitment to veterans,” Anderson said. “This school afforded me the opportunity to succeed.”

 

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