VITA

(abridged)

• Ph. D. in Comparative Literature (minor in Philosophy)    University of Redlands (in cooperation with Claremont Graduate University) 
                                          
• M. Ed. in Education (post-doctoral) Counseling/Therapy
  University of North Texas

• A. B. in English
  University of California, Riverside

        Languages:  Latin and German

Organizational Memberships: Texas Association of Creative Writer Teachers, Poetry Society of Texas, UTD Creative Writing Group,  Script Works

HONORS - Twice Selected as President's Scholar (NLC)

                   Invited Commencement Address (NLC)

                   Minnie Stevens Piper Professor of Excellent

                          for the State of Texas

                   2011 Texas Senior Poet Laureate       

CURRENTLY -  Faculty for SMU (Fine Arts and Humanities) in the Masters of Liberal Studies Program, teaching the craft of writing stage plays, poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. . .also, literature and the interdisciplinary course entitled The Human Experience. Faculty advisor for Creative Writing Concentration in the Masters of Liberal Studies Program.  Pony Express(ions) , Executive Editor (Online journal for SMU's MLS students, alumni, and faculty).   Dr. Swaim has just concluded eight years of teaching graduate and undergraduate courses for the University of Texas at Dallas. 

FORMERLY - Founding Director of the North Lake Community Center for Writers.  Additionally, Associate Dean of Summer, International, and Special Programs for University of Redlands, followed by  Founding Dean of Undergraduate Studies for Alfred North Whitehead College of the University of Redlands.

  -  Acting  roles include:  King Arthur in Camelot, Senex in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,  a  British Colonel in Black Comedy, and others. Voice over/narration for national museums.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES TAUGHT:

Freshman Composition/Rhetoric, American Literature (Beginning to Modern), British Literature (Beginning to Modern), World Literature (Beginning to Modern), German Literature in Translation, Honors Literature, Writing of Stage  Plays, Writing of Poetry, Writing of the Short Story, Writing of the Novel, The Teaching of Poetry -- Introduction to Humanities -- Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, Logic -- Introduction to Psychology

GRADUATE COURSES TAUGHT:

Seminar in John Donne, Seminar in John Milton, Seminar in the Renaissance, Seminar in Dramatic Literature, Seminar in Playwriting, Seminar in the Writing of Poetry, and Seminar in the Writing of the Short Story, The Human Experience, Creating the Memoir, Creativity: Historical and Personal

WIDE-RANGING PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

As an actor, writer, educator, and administrator, Gary Swaim's breadth and depth of work spans both years and venues.  He was selected as a Minnie-Stevens Piper Professor of Excellence by the state of Texas, one of ten such professors selected each year from among all colleges and universities in the state. His plays have received productions in both California and Texas.  His poetry has been published, extensively, in significant journals across the United States. He also has a chap book of poetry published (Rider of Asses). Additionally, he has a number of credits for the publication of his short stories.  Gary Swaim is highly skilled in the presentation of creative writing workshops and is available for these presentations (all genres) throughout the calendar year.  See the subsequent   Contact page should your institution wish to enjoy his services.