New college president meets his colleagues.

Published 12:22 am Saturday, January 26, 2008

It’s going to be an eventful year for John Schwenn.

He officially begins work on March 1 as Dalton State College’s fourth president in its 40-year existence.

His wife, Judy, will remain in Kansas until the end of June as she finishes teaching high school and prepares for their daughter’s wedding on June 21. Another daughter will get married on Oct. 18.

A busy 12 months for Mr. Schwenn?

“It is, for sure,” he said.

Schwenn was in Dalton on Friday to meet with college officials and introduce himself to members of the community along with local media. In November the state Board of Regents named Schwenn, the vice president for academic affairs at Emporia State University in Kansas, DSC’s next president to succeed Jim Burran, who is retiring next month.

From his visits to the campus, Schwenn said he has been impressed with the quality of Dalton State.

“I’d honestly have to say that I have not found very many weaknesses,” Schwenn said. “I don’t have any preconceived idea of what it is. Part of what I want to do in the first month or so is talk to as many people as I can and get opinions, get feelings, get impressions. From there, we can determine what are the things that we really need to work on, what do we need to improve.”

Schwenn will arrive during a major transformation as DSC continues a move to becoming a regional university. During the past 12 years, enrollment at the college has grown from 3,000 to more than 4,500.

The DSC Foundation recently wrapped up a $20 million capital campaign to provide financial resources to strengthen academic programs, expand the campus, enhance student opportunities and bring the campus and community together. Construction on a 75-foot bell tower and academic quadrangle is expected to begin this year and will serve as the first brick and mortar project through the foundation’s “Fulfilling the Vision” fundraising campaign. Schwenn talked about the possibility of building dorms and facilities to accommodate on campus living, as well as reviving intercollegiate athletics.

He believes he has the temperament to lead the college into a new era.

“I’m a good people person,” Schwenn said. “I have the interest of the students always in the forefront. I think that we are here to serve students and create an educated citizenry. I think I do that well. I think that I’m a good leader. I think that I will be able to help Dalton State get to the next level where people want it to go.”

Schwenn has been with Emporia State University since 1989, when he was hired as an associate professor and associate chair of the Division of Psychology and Special Education in the Teachers College. Within three years, he was appointed department chair, then, in 1994, associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies and research, a position from which he has provided leadership to the university’s faculty in all disciplines. Emporia State University has approximately 6,500 students, including 2,000 in graduate programs.

Before his arrival at Emporia State, Schwenn taught at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., from 1976 to 1989.

Schwenn has three grown children and two grandchildren. He said leaving those grandchildren, who live in Kansas, will be the toughest part of the move south.

In his free time — or what free time he has — Schwenn enjoys reading fiction, playing golf and gardening.

“Up until now, I have done a lot with flower gardening and working in the yard,” Schwenn said. “I’ve always enjoyed that, but it’s something that more than likely will end.”