National Economic Association
Promoting Economic Growth

David Swinton
President
Benedict College

Education:

B.A. in Economics (with Honors), New York University 1968; M.A., Ph.D. in Economics, Harvard University 1974

Q: How did you become interested in economics?

A: Dr. Swinton's initial choice of his undergraduate major was based on a delicate balancing effort to both fulfill his life goal and to obtain gainful business sector employment that would finance his undergraduate education. His life goal was to make an impact on public policy addressing the economic status of blacks. This goal was set when he was a child growing up in New York City, in the South Bronx. He saw and lived through economic disparities.

Growing up in the Civil Rights era only strengthened his commitment to this goal. The job market in 1963 was quite different from today's market. There was no active affirmative action policy. Banks and insurance companies were major business sector employers. Yet, very few blacks were hired by these employers. He had to convince employers of his potential. Economics was a social science and philosophy-oriented major, yet it sounded like a buisness oriented major. Using a strategy of conveying his interest in econoimcs, Dr. Swinton was able to convince Metropolitan Life Insurance Company to hire him in an insurance trainee program. He was only the second black person that Metropolitan Life had hired in such a position.

Dr. Swinton has found that with a professional degree in economics he is able to speak with authority about issues of interest and concern to African-Americans. While the income he receives from his diverse activities is respectable, he considers the primary advantage of the profession is that he is paid to work on issues that he enjoys. He has written numerous articles on racial disparities in economic status. He has testified before the Civil Rights Commission and before Congress regarding minimum wage legislation and the concerns and needs of black families. For years he prepared an annual analysis of the economic status of African-Americans for the Urban League. When government reports are released regarding the economic status of African-Americans he receives national calls asking about his evaluation of the reports. His views on reducing racial disparities in ownership and community development are reflected in several bills currently considered before Congress.

Dr. Swinton is frequently quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and in the local and regional press. He has appeared on local and national television, including a recent appearance on "McNeil Lehere." He credits his professional choice of economics as the reason he is able to speak with such authority. He perceives economics as a discipline that is given the authority to provide answers and insight on the most crucial questions for our society. More African-Americans should be involved in these discussions, debates and policy decisions.

Q: What have been the major highlights of your career?

A: Dr. David Swinton is the President of Benedict College in Columbia, SC. As President, Dr. Swinton oversees all areas and departments of the 127-year old Institution whose enrollment exceeds 2,000. Under the direction of Dr. Swinton, Benedict has become the fastest growing college in the United Negro College Fund. He instituted a 25-million dollare campus renovation plan and returned Tiger football after a 30-year absence. Dr. Swinton has also used his background in economics to help Benedict become one of the most financially stable private institutions in the country.

Before being named Benedict's 13th President, Dr. Swinton was the Dean of the School of Business at Jackson State University. As dean he was responsible for planning the academic program, management of financial resources and fund raising for the School. Prior to this position, he was Director of the Southern Center for Studies in Public Policy at Clark College (Atlanta) and Founding Director of the Minorities and Social Policy Program at the Urban Institute (Washington, DC). In both these positions, he was responsible for creating a research agenda on racial disparities in national economic life. Dr. Swinton was a member of the group of black economists who organized the National Economic Association and its journal, Review of Black Political Economy. He currently serves on the Board of Economists for Black Enterprise magazine.

Q: What insights do you have for those considering a career in economics?

A: Economics is a Social Science and has its biases. The biases one starts with affect the conclusions one reaches with economics. It is essential that we have more bright, young African-American economists with their set of values and perspectives and sensitivities and knowledge about the African-American community. Otherwise, economic analysis will not take into account all sides of critical societal issues.

Dr. Swinton's advice for those interested in the profession of economics is to obtain strong mathematics, analytical, reasoning, and communication skills. Economics uses a lot of mathematical models that are abstract and based on assumptions that may conflick with ones perception of reality. Intellectual confidence is essential in those instances. Dr. Swinton perceives that mastery of economic models is similar to a union card that gets you accepted in the profession. He suggests that students should not be afraid of the math and should ignore the myths that make people afraid of economics. It is an excellent profession that provides a good standard of living and allows one to make a valuable contribution. If you prepare well, you will have excellent prospects for the intermediate future.