UW-Superior names new academic building Swenson Hall
in honor of longtime benefactors James and Susan Swenson

The University of Wisconsin-Superior’s new academic building will be named Swenson Hall in honor of James and Susan Swenson, alumni and long-time university benefactors whose $5 million gift played a critical role in making the building possible.

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved UW-Superior’s request to name the building at its monthly meeting March 6 in Madison.

“I can’t think of a better tribute to Jim and Sue than to name this building for them,” UW-Superior Chancellor Julius Erlenbach said. “Over the years they have been enormously generous in providing student scholarships and in supporting construction of the university’s Health & Wellness Center in 2003. Their gift toward our new academic building was vital in enabling the project to gain state approval. They play a critical role in furthering education at UW-Superior, so it is truly fitting that this state-of-the-art education building bears their name.”

Both natives of Superior, Jim and Sue Swenson have used their Swenson Family Foundation to give back to their hometown by supporting education. They strongly believe in the importance of education in helping young people in the area achieve their dreams and play a role in the country's future.

“UW-Superior is an important educational asset that provides an affordable liberal arts education to people of all ages. We’re pleased to be involved in the construction of a building that’s important to fulfilling that mission,” the Swensons said.

Jim Swenson has been a member of the UW-Superior Foundation Board of Directors since 1998. The Swensons have been honored by the UW-Superior Alumni Association as Alumni of the Year, and last fall were named Outstanding Philanthropist of Orange County, California.

UW-Superior’s Swenson Hall will be a 144,000-square-foot building constructed on the northwest corner of campus. The building will include 21 classrooms and labs with the latest learning technology and flexible layouts. It will house eight academic departments and several offices for student services.

Final state administrative and design approval for Swenson Hall will be sought this spring. Construction is anticipated to begin in February 2009 and completion is expected in fall 2010. The project is expected to cost $32 million.

UW-Superior is Wisconsin's Leading Public Liberal Arts College, preparing students for lifelong learning and offering solid career preparation. A member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, UW-Superior offers more than 30 undergraduate academic programs as well as graduate, continuing education and distance learning programs.