In Remembrance: Donna Swaim
Donna Swaim, a revered teacher and mentor whose 50-year University of Arizona career stretched across campus from humanities to medicine to athletics, passed away in November 2020. She was 86.
From 1964 until her retirement in 2014, Swaim taught courses in English, humanities and medical humanities, and religious studies. She also served as a Faculty Fellow in the athletics department and in Native American Student Affairs, and over the years she led students on 24 study abroad trips.
“Donna Swaim is one of the most beloved teachers in the entire history of the University of Arizona. For 50 years, she opened her students’ minds to a bigger world. The best teachers leave a lasting impact on the lives of their students, and Dr. Swaim changed the lives of thousands,” says Alain-Philippe Durand, Dorrance Dean of the College of Humanities.
Memorial donations can be made to the Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies at humanities.arizona.edu/give/donna-swaim or to the Donna Swaim Memorial Endowment at crowdfund.arizona.edu/DonnaSwaim.