In Memoriam: Mark Swanson

Mark D. Swanson, a former UALR assistant dean who established the Artspree performing arts series and the Community School for the Arts, died Sunday, Nov. 13, in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minn. He was 80. Swanson worked at UALR from 1979 to 1991, directing the community outreach of the college and developing a number of extracurricular and non-credit continuing education classes. He also held a concurrent position as education director for the the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, developing curricula and study guides for symphony youth groups performing in the public schools. During his 12 years in Little Rock, he sang in several choirs, including Westover Hills Presbyterian, Christ Church Episcopal, and St. Andrew Catholic Cathedral. He also served as a cantor at B’nai Israel Temple and worked with the Arkansas Chamber Singers. Prior to coming to UALR, Swanson was responsible for operation and support services at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. He loved classical music and sang in several church choirs and synagogues, the Showboat in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, as well as the Bach Society where he served as manager. A veteran of the Navy and 1969 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Swanson is survived by a brother and three sisters. A celebration of his life will be held in the spring. For more information, contact the Thomson-Dougherty funeral home at 612-871-4407.