Scott Swinton, professor in Michigan State University’s Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, or AFRE, has been named a University Distinguished Professor.
“It’s a huge honor because it’s given based on the evaluation of other distinguished professors at MSU,” Swinton said. “It’s awarded to people who have basically spent their careers at this university. In that sense, it’s a really special honor.”
The MSU Board of Trustees awards University Distinguished Professor honors to select faculty members whose achievements have garnered national and international recognition, have superior teaching skills and an impressive record of public service and scholarly achievements.
“I'm very excited about the selection of Scott Swinton as a University Distinguished Professor at MSU,” said AFRE chairperson Titus Awokuse. “He is an excellent and accomplished scholar who is globally recognized for his many outstanding intellectual contributions to the field of agricultural and applied economics. He is also well-known for his exemplary citizenship and service as a servant-leader.”
Swinton has been at MSU since 1991, when he joined AFRE as an assistant professor. He served as the associate chairperson for AFRE from 2011-16. In 2015, Swinton received MSU’s William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award, given for outstanding total service to the university.
“Scott is a role model for others in our college. His dedication to students, his colleagues and his college are exemplary,” said Ron Hendrick, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “We are a better college and university because of Scott’s contributions.”
Swinton’s research focuses on how to create better-performing agricultural systems. He concentrates on crop pest, pollination and nutrient management, economic and environmental impacts, technology and teaching. He has worked in Latin America and Africa on agriculture and natural resource management.
Swinton has authored over 90 journal articles, edited three books, written 25 book chapters, and contributed to two National Academies of Science volumes. He has also advised nearly 30 graduate students and received approximately $4.5 million in external and internal grant funding.
Swinton is involved in many professional organizations, including the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, or AAEA, of which he is outgoing past president. During his tenure with AAEA, Swinton lead the creation of a new publication on teaching resources in applied economics, worked on initiatives to better reach and include women and minorities, and helped implement a professional code of conduct and anti-harassment policy.
