Robert Swenson ’39, the founding president of Cabrillo College, died Dec. 31, 2007, at the age of 89, in Santa Cruz, Calif.
Swenson was a naval officer in World War II before moving to Santa Cruz County, Calif., with his doctorate in education from Stanford and a dream to start a community college. From 1959 until 1977, Swenson served as the founding president of Cabrillo College, helping to shape it into one of the top community colleges in California. He later became the executive director of the Western Association of Colleges and Schools, an accrediting body for community colleges.
He is survived by his wife, Frances; six children; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister.
