Hall of Fame
Dr. David Holmes Swinton is the 13th president of Benedict College. As president, Dr. Swinton oversees all areas and departments of the 146-year-old Institution with a student enrollment that exceeds 2,200. Recently, Benedict College was ranked one of the Top 10 Colleges in the nation to promote social mobility, cutting edge research and community service by Washington Monthly magazine.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Dr. Swinton moved with his family to Timmonsville, South Carolina at an early age where he attended the Brockington School. He moved to New York City at 12 years of age and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn. In 1968, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from New York University; in 1971, he was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Harvard University; and in 1975 he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Economics from Harvard University. Dr. Swinton is renowned for his scholarly writings, most notably his analysis of the economic status of African Americans.
Dr. Swinton is well known for his strong support of the Benedict College athletic teams. Among his long list of accomplishments at Benedict College, Dr. Swinton returned the Tiger football program after a 29-year absence, revived the marching band, as well as started new golf and tennis programs. Under his direction the college has implemented the first of three phases to develop a multi-million-dollar state-of-the-art sports complex, which features an 11,000-seat football stadium as its centerpiece
