Patti Swannack, Vice President for Administrative Services, will be retiring after the spring 2021 semester. Swannack currently oversees facilities management, campus planning and construction, human resources, student employment, and the Monmouth University Police Department (MUPD).
“I truly can’t tell you how quickly the time has gone,” Swannack said, reflecting on her 46 years at the University. “It’s been incredible. I really believe that if people work hard, they can really advance themselves. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would end up being Vice President. A lot of it’s being in the right time and right place, but a lot of it’s hard work.”
The University has performed over $325 million in construction and renovation projects under Swannack’s leadership, according to Monmouth’s website. These include installation of the largest solar energy system in higher education east of the Mississippi River, construction of four residence halls and three academic buildings (McAllan Hall, the Plangere Center, and Rechnitz Hall), renovation of the Edison Science Building and Guggenheim Memorial Library, restoration of the Great Hall, construction of the 70,000 square-foot Monmouth Park Corporate Center in 2013, and oversight of the OceanFirst Bank Center, the University’s largest construction project.
Swannack joined Monmouth’s human resources department in 1975 and was promoted to director of human resources and executive director before assuming her current position in 1994, according to the University’s website. During her tenure, Swannack also received a bachelor’s degree in management from Monmouth University in 2002.
The Vice President decided to retire after this semester because the University is currently in between renovation projects. “I would hate to be involved in the middle of a project and retire,” she said. “That’s why I thought it was a good time.”
Most recently, Swannack has been working with President Patrick Leahy, Ed.D. to create a more student-friendly space in the Great Hall by adding a coffee bar and expanding the number of seats on the first floor, with an anticipated completion date of summer 2021.
Beginning in 2006, Swannack’s supervision of the solar energy system on about 13 campus buildings has saved millions in utility costs for the University, therefore allowing funds to be allocated to other on-campus projects. “Our utility costs are flat. We have added a half a million square feet, and our utility costs are what they are 15, 16, even 17 years ago. I think that’s a win,” Swannack said. “I’ve always instilled in my staff to save money, because every dollar we spend is tuition dollars. When we do that, we could put that money into a student activity, an academic class, or hiring a faculty member. And I think that’s really important.”
President Leahy said that he believes that Swannack’s influence on the University will be felt for decades to come. “VP Swannack has tirelessly dedicated her entire professional career to Monmouth University, and when she retires in June, she will have left an indelible imprint on virtually every square foot of our beautiful campus,” he said. “Since first joining the University over 45 years ago in an entry-level position, VP Swannack has charted pathways to professional success at Monmouth not only for herself, but also for countless other women under the
University’s employ. We all owe VP Swannack a debt of gratitude for her loyal service to Monmouth, and for her pioneering efforts to promote gender equity across the University community.”
Kara Sullivan, Assistant to The Vice President & Special Projects Coordinator, has worked alongside Swannack for the past 22 years, an experience she describes as exhilarating. “Under Patti’s leadership, the transformation and beautification of the campus is astounding,” Sullivan said. “She has served the Monmouth University community tirelessly. The lives she has impacted are countless. It is difficult to imagine a Monmouth University without her. I wish her a healthy, happy and well-deserved retirement.”
Swanneck reflected on her staff, saying, “[Monmouth] is a great place. The faculty are phenomenal, and I’ve had a staff that’s unbelievable. I could not have done anything that I’ve done without all of them that have my back.”
“It has been such a pleasure working for Patti during the 24 years of my career here at Monmouth,” said Tim Orr, Construction Manager for Campus Planning and Construction. “I have seen first-hand how dedicated she has been to making Monmouth the best higher education institution it can be. Her unfailing support of her staff, Monmouth’s Students, and the rest of the University community has always been evident and appreciated. I will be forever grateful for all the support Patti has given me and all that she has taught me during my time under her direction. She will be sorely missed and always remembered for her loyalty to Monmouth University and its mission.”
Michael Wunsch, Director of Compliance for Administrative Services, said that Swannack paved the way for and inspired others to work hard. “For the last six years I’ve worked for Patti, she has been a great boss, a dedicated leader, and an amazing mentor,” he said. I cannot thank her enough for the important role she has played in my career at Monmouth. She always has a clear vision of what we need to do to succeed as a University and her focus has always been to ensure the students have a positive experience. Her presence will surely be missed.”
“My policy has always been an open door,” Swannack said. “I see some of my staff members two or three times a day, let alone a week. I talk to every single department head that reports to me on a daily basis, if not more frequently. I’m here to help them and work with them to get whatever we have to get done. I know that some folks are really, really sad that I’m leaving.”
As an Ocean Township resident, Swannack plans to spend her retirement reading and visiting the beach after her last day on June 30.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth University
PHOTO TAKEN by Anthony DePrimo
