March 27, 2012

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Jerol Swaim, president of Williams Baptist College, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. After 48 years of service to Williams Baptist, Dr. Swaim has announced his retirement. Although he will no longer be on campus every day, his influence will be felt. Dr. Swaim started his career at Williams Baptist as a professor of history, government and economics. In 1973 he became Academic Dean of the college, and has also held the titles of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Executive Vice President. In 1995, he agreed to become the fifth president of Williams, a role he has filled since that time. Dr. Swaim is stepping down after presiding over a transformation of the Williams campus. Since the late 1990s, nearly every building on the campus has either been newly constructed or extensively renovated. Under Dr. Swaim, Williams Baptist has expanded its academic offerings, as well as its academic reputation. It broke into the top tier of US News & World Report college rankings in 2010, and climbed in the rankings again this year. Mr. Speaker, today we honor Dr. Jerol Swaim for his 48 years of service to Williams Baptist College and the countless lives he has changed.