NDSU alumnus Steve Swiontek received the prestigious NDSU Development Foundation 2012 Service Award during a recognition banquet Oct. 4. The event was held in conjunction with 2012 Homecoming festivities.
Swiontek, BS ’77, economics and military science, Honorary Doctorate ’06, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to NDSU, the foundation and the NDSU Alumni Association.
Swiontek is the chairman, president and CEO of Gate City Bank in Fargo, and a native of Edgeley, N.D. He is a member of the foundation’s board of trustees and served as Alumni Association president from 2001 to 2003. In addition, he was chair of the NDSU Presidential Search Committee in 2010, and a member of the 1998 NDSU Presidential Search Committee. He also served as NDSU student body president in 1975.
“From the moment I met Steve, I’ve been impressed by his passion and his enthusiasm for NDSU,” said NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani. “Steve exemplifies a level of sincerity and passion for his university and community that really, in my experience, it would be hard tofind a parallel for.”
Ryn Pitts, foundation board vice president, described Swiontek as a dedicated leader. “In looking at everything that Steve has done for NDSU, it’s a long list,” she said. “He has a deep and textured understanding of the Alumni Association and the Development Foundation. He brought to us a superb new president in Dr. Bresciani, (and he’s) very supportive of Bison Athletics. It’s hard to find an area that doesn’t have the imprint of Steve Swiontek on it.”
Jim Miller, executive director of the NDSU Development Foundation, said Swiontek loves his alma mater. “He has demonstrated that in almost anything he has done to provide assistance to us,” Miller said. “When he was president of the Alumni Association, he was a very effective spokesperson for the graduates of the institution. He’s continued that active involvement with the foundation board, and he has really helped the organization grow and mature through his leadership.”
Swiontek was a state legislator 1976 to 1984, and he served on the Fargo school board from 1985 to 1991. Swiontek’s past honors include the 2007 North Dakota Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Award and being named the American Diabetes Association 2006 Large Business“Person of the Year.”
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.