Dr. Rekha Srinivasan’s passion in organic chemistry and belief in undergraduate education made her the first recipient of the newly endowed professorship, The James Stephen Swinehart Fellowship. Dr. Srinivasan was recognized during our Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Academic Awards Ceremony this past May.

This new endowed professorship is named after the late James S. Swinehart, PhD (ADL ‘50) who discovered his life’s passion when he enrolled in his first organic chemistry course at Western Reserve College. Dr. Swinehart went on to receive an MS at the University of Cincinnati and a PhD from New York University. During the next 27 years, he taught the large lecture and laboratory courses for organic chemistry at SUNY, Cortland. Dr. Swinehart believed strongly in the value of a broad liberal arts education, especially courses in foreign languages, math and the sciences. He was a proponent of healthy living, often cited as “professor/athlete of the year,” and, was adored by students, appearing in the student newspaper under the column, “My Favorite Professor” for having “changed my life.” He was a dedicated faculty member with a passion for teaching.

This exceptional gift, made by his wife Ann and their daughter, Dr. Susan Cholette.