Olivet College will commemorate its 164th year by celebrating Founders’ Day Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Olivet Congregational Church United Church of Christ. The program, featuring Olivet College President Don Tuski, Ph.D., and Al Swain, a 1978 Olivet graduate, is free and open to the public.

After earning a bachelors degree in sociology from Olivet College, Swain began a career that is truly reflective of the college’s academic vision, Education for Individual and Social Responsibility. Immediately following graduation, he began working for the Capital Area Community Services Job Club, teaching disadvantaged youth job readiness skills. He then returned to his high school alma mater, the Michigan School for the Blind, to be a Kurzweil Reading Machine instructor.

In 1981, Swain joined the Capital Area Center for Independent Living, most recently serving as their associate director. His primary responsibilities include community advocacy, collaboration with community partners, peer mentoring, fund development, public relations and responding to a significant number of information and referral requests. Swain speaks internationally on disability awareness, diversity and having a positive self-image.

Olivet was founded in 1844 by congregational missionaries led by “Father” John J. Shipherd and was one of the first colleges in the United States to admit women and minorities. In 1859, a state charter was granted, and in 1863, Olivet graduated its first class, which consisted of three women.

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