2013 Assembly Joint Resolution 7
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of former University of Wisconsin-Stout chancellor Robert S. Swanson.
Whereas, Robert S. Swanson was born on October 3, 1924, in Superior, Wisconsin, and died on January 27, 2013, at the age of 88 from complications due to Alzheimer's disease; and
Whereas, Robert S. Swanson enlisted in the armed forces in December 1942 and served in an anti-tank company in France and Germany, receiving the Bronze Star and ending the war as a platoon sergeant; and
Whereas, Robert S. Swanson was discharged from the Army in April 1946 and returned to the Stout Institute, receiving both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the university that would become UW-Stout; and
Whereas, Robert S. Swanson received his doctorate from the University of Minnesota in 1955, while working for UW-Stout; and
Whereas, Robert S. Swanson dedicated his adult life to UW-Stout, spending more than 40 years at the school, holding positions as professor and administrator from 1950 to 1972 and as the school's sixth chancellor from 1972 to 1988; and
Whereas, as chancellor, Robert S. Swanson oversaw major academic, enrollment, and physical changes on campus, while reaffirming and also redefining the institution's historic focus on applied learning and accomplishing his goals with a strong work ethic and congenial nature; and
Whereas, during the tenure of Robert S. Swanson, two undergraduate majors, several master's programs, and six minors were added, especially in new areas focused on serving industry, business, and the human services fields; and
Whereas, the physical campus was expanded from 113 to 118 acres with six new buildings, including the library, Heritage Hall, Applied Arts, and Memorial Student Center, with several buildings being renovated and expanded, including a $4.4 million addition to Johnson Fieldhouse; and
Whereas, in November 2007 the library was renamed to honor Robert S. Swanson, and today the building is known as the Robert S. Swanson Library and Learning Center; and
Whereas, Robert S. Swanson was active in the Menomonie community, serving as president of the Menomonie Rotary Club and president of the Menomonie School Board, as well as being a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America; and
Whereas, Robert S. Swanson in 1992 was named Menomonie Citizen of the Year by the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce; and
Whereas, Robert S. Swanson, with the assistance of his father, built the family home on the east side of Menomonie which he tended to, added to, and remodeled every other year well into the 1990s; and
Whereas, Robert S. Swanson was the loving husband of Margaret "Penny" Swanson, also a UW-Stout graduate, and the beloved father of Curtis, Ronald, Steven, and Marcia; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the life and public service of Robert S. Swanson, mourn his passing, and extend their condolences to his family and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Robert S. Swanson's wife, Penny, and their children, Curtis, Ronald, Steven, and Marcia.
