Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 18, 1993                   TAG: 9309180095
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

VIRGINIA TECH ANNOUNCED FRIDAY THAT ITS NEW

The appointment is a promotion for Swiger, interim dean for the past 22 months, and concludes a lengthy search.

"He has done an excellent job in his role as interim dean and has fully proven his ability," said Tech Provost E. Fred Carlisle.

Swiger received an open-ended appointment as interim dean on Jan. 1, 1992, when James R. Nichols stepped down and a replacement campaign began.

Initially, a search committee received more than 50 applications, but had difficulty filling the post.

Tech officials say state budget cuts have hampered efforts to fill top administrative positions.

In 1992, the Virginia Farm Bureau endorsed Swiger as dean, praising his experience in agricultural teaching, extension services and research.

Yet Tech didn't offer Swiger the job for another 15 months, although the Farm Bureau asked the university to make his appointment right away without spending additional time or money on the search.

Swiger came to Tech in 1980 to head the animal science department and became associate dean in 1986. He received his bachelor degree from Ohio State University and master's and Ph.D degrees from Iowa State University.

Swiger has been cited for his work in animal genetics and was responsible for research on campus and at Tech's 12 agricultural experiment stations while he served as associate dean.

Without mentioning budget cutbacks or shortfalls in his acceptance statement, Swiger did pledge to maintain the college's "most important programs."

Of Swiger, Tech President James McComas said, "He has served ably as the captain of the ship during recent budget storms."