September 29, 2004
Purdue honors Boeing executive for career, support of university
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue alumnus David O. Swain, executive vice president of The Boeing Co. and chief operating officer of Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems, has been awarded the Order of the Griffin – one of the university's highest honors.
President Martin C. Jischke presented the award to Swain during a President's Council event on Sept.11 prior to the Purdue-Ball State football game. The Order of the Griffin award is given to individuals for outstanding service to Purdue who go beyond the call of duty to benefit the university, Jischke said.
"The Boeing Co. is one of Purdue's greatest allies in the support for higher education," Jischke said. "Dave has been instrumental in fostering a close bond between Purdue and Boeing for which we are truly grateful."
Swain is a native Hoosier, born in Lebanon, Ind. He resides in St. Louis with his wife, Linda.
In 2003 Boeing gave Purdue a four-year, $1 million grant focused on providing women and minority engineering and business students with opportunities for continuing their education through a variety of academic scholarships, programs, organizations and projects that support student development.
Boeing's grant to Purdue is part of an educational partnership with the university that helps support academic scholarships, programs and projects in computer science, business and the College of Engineering.
Prior to his current position, Swain served as Boeing's executive vice president and chief technology officer within the office of the chairman. Appointed to the office of the chairman in March 2002, Swain led the effort to establish and implement a strategic technology vision.
He also provided strategic guidance to Boeing's emerging new businesses, Connexion by Boeing and Air Traffic Management, in addition to overseeing Boeing's key technology organizations – Boeing Phantom Works, Boeing Ventures, the Intellectual Property Business and External Technical Affiliations.
Swain earned his bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue in 1964. He also has been awarded honorary doctorates in engineering from Purdue and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Purdue honored Swain as the Outstanding Aerospace Engineer in 1999, and in 1993 he was named a distinguished engineering alumnus. In additional to his awards from Purdue, Swain is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
He also serves on the board of trustees for the St. Louis Science Center.
Writer: Jesica E. Webb (765) 494-2079; jwebb@purdue.edu
Source: Pam Ritter, director of corporate relations, (765) 494-2733; pritter@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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