Dr. Ron L. Swain (RLS) Award for Social Justice

Dr. Ronald L. (Ron) Swain, BA'70; MEd '72 from Duquesne University, also earned the Doctor of Education Degree from The George Washington University in 1987. Dr. Swain's professional career spans four decades in higher education administration beginning in 1970 as Assistant Resident Director at Duquesne University and culminating as Senior Advisor to the President of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Prior to joining the Presidential Team at Southwestern, Dr. Swain served as President of Wiley College, the oldest Historically Black College west of the Mississippi River.

Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Swain has been a leader and advocate for racial and social justice. A native of Macon, Georgia, Swain arrived at Duquesne in the fall of 1966. His involvement in student organizations, included the Duquesne Union, Student Congress, the Third Alternative, Residence Life, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. - Omicron Psi Chapter.

Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968, Swain, as a junior, organized and coordinated a University/Community-wide Black/White Conference at Duquesne. This event brought together University leaders — administrators, faculty, and students along with Community leaders — from the Hill District, Homewood, and East Liberty to explore issues of local racial injustice. Out of this Conference and other activities of the time, an emphasis was placed on enrolling more African American students, offering African American-oriented courses, hiring black faculty members, and creating the Counseling and Learning Department for Black Students. In addition, there was a call to hire more African American workers at the College Hall construction site.

After earning his degrees at Duquesne, Swain embarked on a professional journey dedicated to enriching the educational opportunities for African American youth. In 1972, Swain continued his professional career at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. From there he moved to Shaw University, the oldest Historically Black College in the southeastern United States, where he rose through a series of key administrative positions, eventually serving as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Planning. After planning and executing a major capital campaign at Shaw, he went on to serve as National Director to complete Campaign 2000 at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). As an Educator, Dr. Swain has encouraged all his students, especially African Americans and other Students of Color, to aspire to and achieve their full potential.

Beyond his professional higher education endeavors, Dr. Swain has been a strong community builder and adheres to Dr. Martin L. King's concept of the "Beloved Community." Swain has provided leadership in areas of community building including affordable housing, economic development, job creation, and youth development. Most recently, after the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Swain organized and convened the Courageous Conversations - Georgetown Movement with a mission "to promote a culture of justice and compassion in Georgetown for people of all races; and economic, religious and ethnic identities." The movement's current theme is based on the African Masai tribal greeting, Kasserian-ingera "and How are the children?" Swain says, "Working together, may ALL our children be well!"

Ron is married to the former Chrystle A. Bullock since 1973. They have an adult son, Ronald Jr. who lives in Beijing, China.