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TO SALUTE DR. DAVID HOLMES SWINTON, PRESIDENT OF BENEDICT COLLEGE IN COLUMBIA, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO EXTEND DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, AND TO OFFER BEST WISHES FOR A SATISFYING AND REWARDING RETIREMENT.
Whereas, since 1994, Benedict College has enjoyed the benefit of the dedication, experience, and leadership of Dr. David Holmes Swinton, president of the college, who soon will retire; and
Whereas, as the thirteenth president of Benedict College, Dr. Swinton oversees all areas and departments of this 147-year-old institution, which boasts a student enrollment exceeding 2,280. The college's enrollment has more than doubled since the arrival of Dr. Swinton. As a result, Benedict has one of the largest undergraduate populations of the twenty private institutions in South Carolina. Recently, Washington Monthly magazine ranked Benedict as one of the "Top 10" colleges in the nation to promote social mobility, cutting-edge research, and community service; and
Whereas, born in Connecticut, the young David moved at an early age to Timmonsville with his family and later lived in New York City. In 1968, he received a bachelor's degree in economics from New York University, followed by a master's degree and doctorate in economics, both from Harvard University. He is well known for his scholarly writings, most notably his analysis of the economic status of African Americans. His works also have been published in such professional journals as American Economics Review and Review of Black Political Economy. Dr. Swinton was recently nominated to be a primary negotiator for 2014 Title IV Integrity and Improvement Issues by the U.S. Department of Education; and
Whereas, in 2004, Dr. Swinton wrote "The Economic Impact on African Americans After Brown," which was published in ...And Miles to Go Before I Sleep by the University of South Carolina Institute for Public Service and Policy Research in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. In 1998, Dr. Swinton became the first African-American chairman of the board in the history of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Swinton has served as economic advisor to the National Urban League since 1980 and has been a member of Black Enterprise magazine's board of economists since 1990; and
Whereas, his honors and awards include membership in Phi Beta Kappa and the Coat of Arms Society and honors in economics from New York University. This Ford Foundation Fellow received a Harvard Graduate Prize Fellowship, the State of South Carolina's Order of the Palmetto, and an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the University of Bridgeport. In 2007, Dr. Swinton was inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame and in 2014 was selected to appear in the 2015 South Carolina African American History Calendar. On February 3, 2017, the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission honored Dr. Swinton with the inaugural Leon Love Lifetime Award in recognition of the notable, successful, and lasting contribution he has made to preserve African-American history and culture in the Palmetto State; and
Whereas, Dr. Swinton finds strength for his labors in the strong support of his family: his lovely wife, the former Patricia Lewis; their six adult children; and sixteen grandchildren; and
Whereas, the House, appreciative of the dedication and leadership Dr. Swinton has bestowed on this great State, takes great pleasure in wishing him all the best as he enters retirement, and the members trust he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, salute Dr. David Holmes Swinton, president of Benedict College in Columbia, on the occasion of his retirement, extend deep appreciation for his many years of distinguished service, and offer best wishes for a satisfying and rewarding retirement.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. David Holmes Swinton.
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