Friends and colleagues of Minnesota leader Tom Swain call him “a model for our times and for generations to come.” To honor this public servant’s 80th birthday, they established the Thomas H. Swain Fellowship in Public Leadership at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. The scholarship is awarded to students entering the Master of Public Affairs program who intend to study civic engagement or public leadership. The mid-career degree program is designed for practicing professionals who want to broaden or strengthen their knowledge of public affairs and leadership.

"Preparing students for public leadership is at the core of the Humphrey Institute’s mission. As director of the Master of Public Affairs program, I regularly meet with mid-career women and men who have a passion for public service. This program brings out their potential and gives them new opportunities. Nearly all these students have families, jobs, and community commitments. The Swain Fellowship makes it possible for a few of these future leaders to be recognized and get the financial assistance necessary to become masters of public affairs. It is one of the only financial awards available for this program making it that much more important." ~ Gary DeCramer, Master of Public Affairs program director

"Lots of people give financial support and donate their time, but they don’t always see the benefits. One of the great treats for me in taking part in this program has been to meet with recipients, get to know them, and talk about what they want to do. These students truly are Minnesota’s future leaders, and this program makes a difference. This fellowship is helping folks become better citizens and better public leaders." ~ Tom Swain

Thomas H. Swain Fellows, 2001–2006

Amy Arcand, 2006
Executive Director, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization

Tina Baribeau, 2004
Records Unit Manager, St. Paul Police Department

Ellen Bryer, 2002
Principal, Cumberland Partners, Limited

Rich Cairn, 2003
Program director, Hampshire Educational Collaborative

Gwendolyn Freed, 2005
Vice President for Marketing and Communication, Gustavus Adolphus College

Julie Green, 2006
Founder, Sister to Sister

Elizabeth Glidden, 2002
Minneapolis City Council member

Sherri Knuth, 2005
Opinion Editor, Minnesota Lawyer

Emily Puetz, 2007
Global Learning Consultant, Reinventing Leadership

Daniel Rodriguez, 2004
Ombudsperson, St. Paul Public Schools

Laura Williams, 2003
Program Coordinator, Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault

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