Dr. Swift was an internationally known expert on electron microscopy, chromosome structure and function and the use of DNA to study evolutionary relationships.  He was a co-founder of the American Society for Cell Biology, and helped launch the Journal of Cell Biology, which became the Society’s official journal.  Among other honors, Dr. Swift was a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

A memorial service is scheduled at Bond Chapel, on the University of Chicago campus (click here for a map) on Saturday, January 31, 2004 from noon till 2:00 p.m. A reception in Swift Commons will follow the service.

A Lasting Legacy

On the occasion of his sixty-fifth birthday, his students and colleagues established an endowment to support a distinguished lecture or prize at the University of Chicago in Dr. Swift’s honor. 

At the time they wrote: “This endowment is intended as a lasting thank you for the important influence that you have had on all of our lives.  We value the high standard of scientific scholarship that we learned from you, as well as your enthusiasm for and knowledge of many frontiers in biological research.   We have learned from you about the simple personal pleasure that comes from knowing that experiments are well done.  Above all, we value the friendship and support that you have extended to each of us over the years.  With this endowment, we wish to share with future generations at the University of Chicago the honor we have felt to be your students, colleagues and friends.”

The family can think of no better way to remember Dr. Swift than to support this lecture series.  Should you wish to contribute to this fund, please make donation checks payable to: The University of Chicago.

Donations can be sent to:

Hewson Swift Lecture Series
Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology
Room 1106 CLSC
920 E. 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637

Should you need any additional information please call (773) 834-3372.