Wayne Basler

Wayne Basler’s name is one of the most familiar on the campus of East Tennessee State University. The child of two teachers, he learned early the value of education and has continually enriched the educational experience of ETSU students.

The Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence for the Integration of the Arts, Rhetoric, and Science allows the College of Arts and Sciences to bring to campus visitors who have demonstrated excellence in “an academic discipline, in a performances field, in public service or in a profession, who will aid students in integration and connection of various fields of study.”

The AFG Industries Chair of Excellence permits a designated faculty member in the College of Business and Technology to encourage entrepreneurship and business development, assisting both students and the region’s business community.

In addition, Basler created an incentive scholarship program for technology students and the Basler Challenge Course, featuring 50-foot Alpine towers which provide physical and mental trials for participants, developing leadership and team-building skills.

The former director and president of AFG Industries, Inc., received a bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering from Iowa State University. He served in the U.S. Air Force, assigned to the Air Research and Development Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, and attained the rank of first lieutenant.

After working as a research engineer for Alcoa, he was hired by Ford Motor Co. as a research engineer, glass development manager, and production manager. In 1972, he was hired by Guardian Industries as their director of technical development. Five years later, he became president of Fourco Glass Co. in West Virginia, and in 1978 he returned to Kingsport when his company merged with ASG Industries to form AFG Industries, Inc.

The recipient of ETSU’s prestigious George L. Carter Award in 1998, he was named an Honorary Alumnus in 2002. He has served as president of the ETSU Foundation and as a board of visitors member for the College of Applied Science and Technology, now part of the College of Business and Technology. He is a true philanthropist, loyal to ETSU, and generous with his time and resources.

Basler is the father of three children, Eric, Janell Basler Green, and Peter.