U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced the appointment of H. Patrick Swygert, president of Howard University, as chairman of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Capital Financing Board. His term runs through September 2004.

"Patrick Swygert's distinguished career in law and as president of two universities, one a premiere HBCU, make him distinctly qualified to head the HBCU capital financing board," said Paige. "I welcome his advice and counsel on building projects to strengthen and renew the nation's HBCU campuses and academic facilities."

The HBCU capital financing program provides financial insurance through a designated bonding authority to guarantee academic construction loans to qualified HBCUs. The nine-member board advises the secretary on the capital needs of HBCUs and how to best meet those needs through the capital financing program. In FY 2002, the program issued $82 million in bonds to HBCUs for capital projects related to construction, research and housing.

Swygert became the 15th president of Howard in 1995, the fifth African American to serve as the university's chief executive officer. Under his leadership, Howard has undergone major growth and development, including the creation of the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library, the School of Law Library, and the University's iLab, a technology learning center comprising more than 200 computer workstations, distance learning classrooms and a Webcasting facility. Swygert was also instrumental in forming a unique partnership between Howard University and Fannie Mae to revitalize the LeDroit Park neighborhood around the campus.

Prior to his presidency at Howard, Swygert served as president of the University at Albany, State University of New York, from 1990 until 1995.

Swygert had been associated with Temple University in Philadelphia since 1972, holding a number of positions there, including: acting dean of the Temple University School of Law (1977); special counsel to the president (1980-82); vice president for university administration (1982-87); and, finally, executive vice president of the university (1987-90).

In addition to his academic career, Swygert has held several government positions. He was special counsel to the Merit Systems Protection Board in 1979 and general counsel to the U.S. Civil Service Commission from 1977-79.

Swygert has been a visiting professor and lecturer to universities in Africa, Israel and Europe. He is the widely published author of articles and publications on higher education and legal issues and works with numerous public and private organizations as a member of the board or in another leadership capacity. His many awards include the Washingtonian of the Year award in 2000 by Washingtonian Magazine and the Equal Justice Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Swygert is a member of the bars of the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and New York.

He and his wife, Sonja, have two sons and reside in Washington, D.C.

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