David Holmes Swinton, PhD

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Dr. David Swinton received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from New York University in 1968; a Master of Arts in Economics in 1971 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from Harvard in 1975. His professional experiences include: Director, Southern Center of Studies in Public Policy at Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia; and Dean, School of Business at Jackson State University.

Swinton has published articles in the National Urban League’s The State of Black America, and journals such as American Economics Review, Journal of Urban Analysis, and The Review of Black Political Economy. He has also provided expert testimony on African American economic issues at local and national levels. In 1998, Swinton became the first African American Chairman of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. He has served as an Economic Advisor to the National Urban League, and member of the Board of Economists of Black Enterprise Magazine. He has served on and chaired many non-profit boards.

In 1994, Swinton was elected the 13th President of Benedict College. He has overseen the accreditation of seven schools and programs, has renovated and refurbished all existing campus facilities and has acquired over 120 acres of new land for campus use. He oversaw the construction or acquisition of new campus facilities, including Benedict’s athletic complexes, six dormitories and a dozen other new buildings. He led redevelopment of the neighborhood immediately surrounding the College.

Swinton’s honors/awards include: the NEA’s Samuel Z. Westerfield Award; Lifetime Achievement Award in Education; Order of the Palmetto; and induction into the SC Black Hall of Fame. Swinton served as the primary negotiator for MSIs/HBCUs for the 2014 Title IV Issues for the U.S. Department of Education. He also served as the UNCF Member President. He is married to Patricia Lewis Swinton. They have six children and 16 grandchildren.