Bill Text: SC H3939 | 2015-2016 | 121st General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Dr. David Swinton
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-14 - Introduced and adopted [H3939 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2015-H3939-Introduced.html
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO CONGRATULATE DR. DAVID SWINTON, PRESIDENT OF BENEDICT COLLEGE, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY AT THE HELM OF BENEDICT AND TO THANK HIM FOR HIS TWO DECADES OF DEDICATED SERVICE.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that this year marks the twentieth anniversary of Dr. David Swinton's service as president of Benedict College; and
Whereas, in preparation for his career, David Swinton earned his bachelor's degree in economics from New York University, followed by master's and doctoral degrees in the same subject from Harvard University; and
Whereas, as the thirteenth president of Benedict College, Dr. Swinton oversees all areas of the historically black college, which is attended by more than two thousand four hundred students. Benedict's students and other admirers praise Dr. Swinton as a "down-to-earth" administrator who has spearheaded many improvements. They also are pleased at the way he opens the college to the community and with his innovative leadership, which has focused on improving campus life for students; and
Whereas, for this nearly one-hundred-fifty-year-old institution, established in downtown Columbia in 1870, Dr. Swinton's tenure has been defined by building and expansion, including the restoration of historic structures and construction of a multimillion-dollar sports complex, outreach into nearby neighborhoods with community development efforts, and growth in both the student body and degree programs; and
Whereas, more specifically, during his tenure Benedict's enrollment has more than doubled; the number of majors has increased from twenty-one to thirty-four; the school revived Tiger football after a twenty-nine-year absence, returned the marching band, and began golf and tennis programs; the school has been named a "Top 10" producer of physics bachelor's degrees among African Americans nationally since 2005; and several programs have been nationally accredited. Further, using federal grants, Benedict has renovated several dilapidated houses, built a business-development center to support economic growth in the Midlands, and created a community-development program to partner with local businesses and provide job training to participants; and
Whereas, known for his analysis of the economic status of African Americans, including the National Urban League's "The State of Black America" in 1983 and again each year from 1989 through 1993, Dr. Swinton researched, and wrote about, the economic impact on African Americans of the landmark decision that ended segregation in the nation's public schools, Brown v. Board of Education; and
Whereas, Dr. Swinton's influence reaches from the city level to the national arena. He served as the first black chairman of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce board (1998), helped preserve investment in the only minority-owned bank in the State (1999), and has served as economic advisor to the National Urban League since 1980; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Dr. Swinton has upheld as president of Benedict College, takes great pleasure in wishing him well as he continues to lead this fine institution. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. David Swinton, president of Benedict College, on the occasion of his twentieth anniversary at the helm of Benedict and thank him for his two decades of dedicated service.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Dr. David Swinton.
