Anne Barrett Swanson and David K. Swanson

“When do I start?” was Anne Barrett Swanson’s reply when Jean McSweeney, O.P., Academic Dean, asked her to fill in on a chemistry class at Edgewood University in 1979. Anne had been working in a cancer research lab and was determined to succeed in the academic classroom where some hadn’t even given her the chance.

As a child, Anne was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (commonly known as brittle bone disease). Her mother made sure she was not overlooked for well-deserved opportunities in school, and she made sure Anne had the chance to attend college while others doubted her ability to achieve.

Not only did Anne earn her bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University, she and her husband David met there through Calculus and Honors Physics. They married as undergraduates, later moving to Madison to pursue their doctorate degrees at the UW. When Sister Jean’s request came around, Anne found her lifelong calling in higher education at Edgewood University.

After nearly a decade at Edgewood University, Anne continued her role in academia, ultimately retiring as Dean of Natural Sciences from Sonoma State University in California, where she and David still make their home.

In 2018, Anne and David returned their attention to Edgewood University when they chose to steward two of Anne’s life passions: (1) the study of the natural sciences, and (2) empowering those with accessibility needs to succeed. They established multiple ways to maximize their giving in these areas. Anne and David established annual funds to immediately support students in those areas. At the same time, they made initial gifts to establish The Anne Barrett Swanson Accessibility Endowment and The Anne Barrett Swanson Natural Sciences Endowment, both of which will grow in perpetuity through their generous future estate gifts.