Communications

External Affairs Division

Dalton President John O. Schwenn to Retire this December

Atlanta — May 5, 2014

Dr. John Schwenn thumbnail
Dr. John Schwenn

John O. Schwenn, who has served as president of Dalton State College since March 2008, has announced that he will retire this December 31, 2014.

During his six-year tenure as president of Dalton State, Schwenn has driven the expansion of bachelor degree programs offered from 6 to 17, led efforts that have increased retention and graduation rates, expanded the College鈥檚 physical presence into Gilmer County and developed the College鈥檚 first residence hall, which opened in 2010. Also during his tenure, faculty and student research has increased.

鈥淧resident Schwenn has provided productive leadership for Dalton State College,鈥 said 嗨碰视频 Chancellor Hank Huckaby. 鈥淗e has worked to ensure the College鈥檚 critical access mission while also balancing the region鈥檚 workforce needs through the identification and development of targeted bachelor degree programs. His tireless efforts on behalf of the College and its students have served northwest Georgia well and his leadership will be missed upon his retirement.鈥

While maintaining Dalton State鈥檚 mission as one of the 嗨碰视频鈥檚 13 access institutions, Schwenn鈥檚 presidency has resulted in a significant increase in the number of full time students and the number of students pursuing bachelor鈥檚 degrees. Currently half of Dalton鈥檚 approximately 5,000-student population is enrolled in one of the institution鈥檚 bachelor programs.

The region’s Hispanic population has been on Dalton’s State’s radar under Schwenn’s leadership. The percentage of Hispanic students enrolled at the College has increased from 10.8 percent in fall 2007 prior to his arrival as president to 19.3 percent in fall 2013.

Dalton State students now have access to theater and music programs as well as athletics, with nine teams competing in nine sports, plus the addition of men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer in 2015.

Under Schwenn鈥檚 leadership, the campus has seen major changes in its appearance. In addition to the introduction of residential housing, Wescott Hall has been renovated, a bell tower named for former president Jim Burran was privately funded and constructed, a parking deck was constructed, a facility for athletics was purchased and renovated, a recreational gym was renovated and a new science building will open this May. This summer, renovation will begin on the Tech Building for use by the health professions program.

Prior to being named Dalton State鈥檚 president, Schwenn was vice president for academic affairs at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan.

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