Former Dean of the College of Letters & Science Rodney Swain was many things – a thoughtful leader, diligent researcher, dedicated teacher, devoted husband and father – but above all, he was kind.
“He cared very deeply about individuals,” remembered Pat Kissinger, who worked closely with Swain for many years as an assistant dean. “He knew his job was to be the shepherd and the keeper of the greater good.”
Swain passed away on Christmas Day, 2025, at the age of 65. He served for six years as the Letters & Science Dean from 2011-17, guiding the College through some of its most challenging moments and overseeing many of its triumphs, before stepping down to return to teaching in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences.
“Through all of his difficulties, he was a kind, considerate gentleman,” said Ann Dredge, who joined the L&S administrative office as Swain’s assistant during his final year as dean. “He tried to find middle ground. He put things in perspective. He could look at the larger question and get to the gist of it, which is really rare.”
Swain completed his PhD in psychology at the University of Southern California and later joined the UWM faculty in 1997. He was well-known in academic circles and worked with prominent researchers over the years, though his most recent research interests centered on the effects on exercise on the function and structure of the brain and the impact of those changes on learning and cognition. He was also the long-time Chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Swain was quickly promoted to an associate dean and was later chosen to oversee the entire College of Letters & Science.
“This was his home,” said Associate Dean of Social Sciences Jim Moyer. “He really adopted Milwaukee and the university.”
And Swain made sure that others felt as welcomed in the city as he did. Moyer’s favorite memory of Swain is their first meeting: When Moyer was hired at UWM and flew in to take the position, Swain was waiting to meet him at the airport.
“When I arrived at MKE, he was standing there with a sign with my last name on it because we hadn’t met before,” Moyer laughed. “You see it in movies with important people getting off the plane … and getting off the plane and him standing there with a big white sign that said ‘Moyer’ is probably my most amusing memory.”
Over the years, Moyer, Swain, and other members of the Psychological & Brain Sciences Department took numerous fishing trips together. Swain also developed close relationships with his colleagues in the Dean’s office, caring for them and their families during difficult times. He leaned on them when times grew difficult for the College.
That attitude continued even after Swain stepped down to rejoin the faculty. Distinguished Professor Karyn Frick, associate chair of the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, pointed to his role as a mentor and teacher.
“Rodney and his students always strived to keep their research on the cutting edge by forging interdisciplinary collaborators throughout campus that allowed them to use the latest in imaging technologies to visualize the effects of exercise on the cerebral neurovasculature,” she said.
And, Frick added, “In our department, Rodney was valued for his insightful perspectives on science and academia, and beloved for his kindness, gentle humor, and the twinkle in his eye and wide smile when making a particularly juicy point. He will be greatly missed.”
Swain’s obituary asks that everyone who mourns his passing to “Please gather, eat good food, drink something that brings you happiness and share stories. Basically, have the kind of party he would be eager to attend.”
By Sarah Vickery, College of Letters & Science