"I'm thankful I have this opportunity to help others receive the gift of education. I have watched this little college grow and become a vital part of my community, the state and the region." -Kenneth E. Swain

IT'S FINALLY GOING TO HAPPEN.
For the past decade, a new science building has been among the most pressing needs at Coastal Carolina University. The soaring growth of the marine science program in the 1990s strained the capacities of the R. Cathcart Smith Science Center and spawned a mobile home park of spillover faculty offices and labs nearby. The acquisition of the building that now houses the Coastal Science Center on the University's "east campus," across Highway 501, alleviated the situation considerably by providing a new home for the marine science, computer science, and psychology/sociology departments.

But the strain continues. The three fastest growing majors at Coastal Carolina University in the past year have been biology, sports science and psychology—all science programs, and the first two are headquartered on the main campus.

Fortunately, the prospect for proper science facilities at Coastal got a dramatic boost last year. First, the University initiated a tuition bond for building projects that will provide funding for a number of campus constructions. Then, one day in July 2008, the University's advancement office received a telephone call that would ultimately determine the name and the purpose of the new building.

From the Drawing Board: Architect's rendition of Kenneth E. Swain Hall, which will be situated adjacent to the R. Cathcart Smith Science Center.

Kenneth E. Swain, a retired pharmacist of Myrtle Beach, had read an article in the Sun News about the University's decision to split the Spadoni College of Education into two schools, separating the traditional teacher education function from the group of majors relating to health education. Although he had no formal ties to the University, as a longtime Myrtle Beach resident Swain had watched its progress with a sense of local pride. A great believer in education, and in health education particularly, he decided to look into the possibility of making a donation to the program. His phone call led to a campus tour the next day with Scott Joyner, a major gifts officer in the Office of University Advancement, who introduced him to key administrators.

Swain, known by friends and family for his innate humility, compassion and quiet generosity, was impressed with the vision of campus leaders. Discussions with Gib Darden, director of the new School of Health, Kinesiology and Sport Studies, and Michael Roberts, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, about the potential of the health sciences at Coastal led Swain to make a significant commitment. He prefers not to disclose the amount of his gift, which is one of the largest in the University's history.

"I have been blessed," he said at the groundbreaking ceremony for Kenneth E. Swain Hall, held in February 2009, "and I'm thankful I have this opportunity to help others receive the gift of education. I want to see Coastal Carolina University prosper. I have watched this little college grow and become a vital part of my community, the state and the region. I grew up here, and I am proud of the role this university has played in the growth of Horry County."

Best Friends: Swain with AKC Champion Sun Fun Sandy and Sun Fun Starfish.

Swain was born in Brunswick County, N.C. His family moved to Myrtle Beach in 1937 and opened a 22-room guesthouse, the Brunswick Inn. Swain graduated from Myrtle Beach High School in 1945 and the University of South Carolina School of Pharmacy in 1950. After service as an Air Force officer in the Korean conflict, he worked as a pharmacist, a realtor and as an environmentalist for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for 19 years, retiring in 1988. Swain is a lifetime member of Myrtle Beach Masonic Lodge No. 353, Scottish Rite of Charleston and Omar Shriners. In recent years he has devoted his time and energy to his church and to his hobby, breeding Pomeranians. One of his dogs, "Sun Fun Sandy," was an American Kennel Club champion in 2002.

A BUILDING WITH A PLAN.
The plans for Kenneth E. Swain Hall, a 40,000-square-foot building expected to be completed in 2011, incorporate an approach to teaching and learning that reflects Swain's aspirations for student achievement.

"In our conversations with Mr. Swain it became plain that in addition to his interest in health science, his background in pharmacy made him very keen on the importance of basic science—biology and chemistry," said science dean Michael Roberts. "The idea of building a bridge between these worlds—community health and basic science—is something that really resonated with Mr. Swain. It made sense that the building that will bear his name should put this idea into practice."

The floor plan of Swain Hall was designed to encourage a climate of academic interchange, with health science classrooms and labs sharing the first floor with biology and chemistry areas. The physical structure also promotes a strong connection between teaching and research activities, according to Roberts. On the second floor, for example, the genetics teaching lab is across the hall from the genetics research bases.

"It sends a message that at Coastal Carolina University there is no barrier, no gap between teaching and research," said Roberts. "Swain Hall demonstrates an integrated vision, with teaching, research and outreach meaningfully connected in one structure."

An unforeseen benefit of this approach is that it makes the University eligible to compete for grants from government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for programs that tie science to community. "Without Mr. Swain's donation the building would have had a totally different purpose, and this advantage would have been lost," said Roberts. "Since we had already identified a revenue stream to pay for construction, Mr. Swain's gift is not paying for bricks and mortar, but for what is inside the building—the programs and the resources that support them."

Earthmoving: Breaking ground for the Swain Building are (left to right) President Dave DeCenzo, Tom Savory (architect), Alan Clemmons, Billy Alford, Kenneth Swain, Alexis Skelly (student), Tom Wooten, Provost Rob Sheehan, Robert Rabon and Dean Michael Roberts.

The majority of Swain's gift will be used to fund endowments and scholarships. The Swain Scholars program was initiated in the fall 2009 semester. The first class comprises four students—two from the health science area and two from biology and chemistry, respectively. Each Swain Scholar receives a $5,000 scholarship annually for three years, and the program has a community outreach component.

Anticipating the growth of the institution and the sciences, University leaders envision the need for two more large science buildings in addition to Swain Hall. The three adjacent buildings were planned concurrently, but Swain Hall, which will face Chanticleer Drive between the Smith Science Center and the Wall College, will be the flagship building of the group.

The selfless gift of one very private man will touch thousands of students, who will in turn touch thousands of others through their work in the health industries. "Most of all, as a pharmacist, I want this gift to help students who study health science," says Swain, "and then for those students to help our community."