David E. Sweet

David E. Sweet, (1933–1984), academic, was the founding president of innovative Metropolitan State University and later president of Rhode Island College, where he spearheaded the Leadership Rhode Island program and presided over the college's evolution from a normal college into a multipurpose college.[1]

For other people named David Sweet, see David Sweet (disambiguation).
David E. Sweet
Born(1933-07-09)July 9, 1933
Holyoke, Massachusetts
DiedSeptember 16, 1984(1984-09-16) (aged 51)
Providence, Rhode Island
EducationA.B., Drury College, 1955
A.M., Duke University, 1958
Ph.D., Duke University, 1968
OccupationAcademic
College Professor
College President
EmployerDuke University
Ohio University
Illinois State University
Minnesota State College System
Metropolitan State University
Rhode Island College
Spouse(s)Arleene Pachl

Early life and education

David Emery Sweet was born July 9, 1933, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the son of Adrian John Sweet and Elsie King (Jocelyn) Sweet . He received his BA degree from Drury College in 1955, and his MA (1958) and his PhD (1968) from Duke University, where he was an instructor in political science and faculty adviser of the Christian Science Organization on campus.

Career

Sweet was an instructor at Ohio University for the year 1959-1960 and then served as an associate professor of political science at Illinois State University, 1960-1969. From 1969-1971 he served as vice chancellor of the Minnesota State College System.[2]

In 1971 he was chosen to become the founding president of Metropolitan State College, an innovative non-traditional institution in St. Paul, Minnesota, which evolved into Metropolitan State University.[3]

In 1977, Dr. Sweet left Metro State to become president of Rhode Island College. During its tenure there, he spearheaded the Leadership Rhode Island program and presided over the college's evolution into a multipurpose college granting bachelors as well as master's degrees in many fields. [1]

Family

David E. Sweet married Arleene Pachl on June 4, 1954. They had two children.[2]

Death

David E. Sweet, a Christian Scientist, died on September 16, 1984, in a Providence, Rhode Island hospital after suffering an apparent diabetic seizure and cardiac arrest. He had been sick for the previous week or so but had refused medical treatment because of his religious beliefs.[1] He was buried with his parents, Elsie King (Jocelyn) Sweet, (1897–1982) and Adrian J Sweet (1903–1963) in Spring Grove Cemetery, Florence, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.[4]

Memorials

David E. Sweet has been memorialized in the following ways:

  • Leadership Rhode Island established the annual David E. Sweet Award.[5]
  • Rhode Island College's David E. Sweet Center for Public Policy is named for him.[6]
  • Rhode Island College's dormitory Sweet Hall was named for him.[7]

See also

References
  1. Dr. David E. Sweet, 51, Dies; Head of Rhode Island College - New York Times
  2. Who Was Who In America, Vol. IX, 1985-1989. Willmette, Illinois: Marquis Who's Who, Macmillan Directory Division, 1989, p. 349
  3. Metannrp.Qxd
  4. Find A Grave David E. Sweet
  5. Leadership Rhode Island
  6. David E. Sweet Center for Public Policy
  7. http://www.ric.edu/Residential-Life/halls_sweet.php Sweet Hall dormitory

David E. Sweet at Find a Grave

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