Dr. F. Swonigan

Howard F. Swonigan graduated from Lincoln High School. He earned a BS degree from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO, in 1952, and his MS degree, in 1956, at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, IL. In 1974, Dr. Swonigan graduated with a PhD in Educational/Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Dr. Swonigan taught and/or collaborated on projects and teams at various universities, including SIU, Carbondale, IL; Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA; University of WI, Madison; Central State University, Wilberforce, OH; and Wright State University, Fairborn, OH. Dr. Swonigan's career afforded him the opportunity to instruct, lead, and collaborate with people from a variety of backgrounds, an aspect of his livelihood about which he was enthusiastic and appreciative.

Dr. Swonigan married his wife of 61 years, Ethel Matthews Swonigan, on December 25, 1954. They were blessed with 2 sons, Howard Timothy and Mark Anthony, and a daughter, Tami Teresa. They raised their children in Illinois, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio in "university towns," with an emphasis on appreciation of education, equality, diversity, family, and empowerment. Dr. and Mrs. Swonigan often traveled with their children to spend time with their relatives, including participation in annual family reunions held across the country. They instilled in their children the belief that anything can be accomplished with hard work, faith in self, and the support of family, friends, and the Lord.

When Howard married Ethel, he gained additional family. Howard enjoyed being a brother, uncle, cousin, and eventually grandparent (great, great-great, etc.). Howard enjoyed spending time with his in-laws, sharing stories and barbecuing tips, encouraging the younger generations to set goals, to get an education, and to pursue, with dedication, their dreams.

Dr. Swonigan , Howard to his friends, greatly enjoyed fishing and barbecuing, finding both to be therapeutic, welcomed challenges. He saw both as opportunities to share camaraderie, be creative, and appreciate the nuances of each. He took his time in mastering his "craft." Some would say he was better at one than the other, and those of us fortunate to sample the goods know which one was which. ;)

Dr. Swonigan was a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and his lovely bride, an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman, through and through. Ethel was also a proud member of The Links organization. They were, to their daughter, "a Power Couple," making time for the numerous social and philanthropic engagements related to their organizational memberships. Through these associations, they made lifelong friends, a network of people across the country, many of whom they considered brothers and sisters.
Howard had a way of engaging people, described as regal, thoughtful, kind, intelligent, and respectful. He made people feel special, that they deserved his focused attention, that they were seen and mattered, and welcomed.

Dr. Howard F. Swonigan was one of a kind. He was a good person, a loving, tolerant, and patient father, a wonderful role model, an inspiring educator, a pioneer, an invaluable human being, a person of substance and integrity, and someone who you were proud and grateful to know, and honored to call your friend. He will be missed. Some comfort is found in knowing that he has joined his "Butterfly", and is breathing easily, having her by his side once again.