Retired special agent creates scholarship fund for children, grandchildren of agents

By CHRYS BULLARD
Office of University Development

CHAPEL HILL -- Children or grandchildren of retired FBI agents can attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on scholarship, thanks to the generosity of retired special agent Lindian J. Swaim of Durham.

"The caliber of the agents I worked with and their dedication to the security of this nation mean a lot to me," the 86-year-old Swaim said. "I wanted to lend a helping hand to any of their children or grandchildren who want to attend Carolina."

Swaim made his $200,000 donation in the form of a charitable gift annuity. After his death, the principal will endow the Lindian J. Swaim Sr. Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be awarded to applicants based on academic achievement and financial need. Should no children or grandchildren of retired FBI agents identify themselves as candidates for the scholarship, students who are U.S. citizens and residents of the states of North Carolina or South Carolina are eligible.

Preference will be given to applicants who overcome significant obstacles to attend college.

"One of my favorite quotes is by Abraham Lincoln: ‘Judge a person not by what he accomplishes, but by what he overcomes,’ " Swaim said. "I envision that the applicants for this scholarship will have persevered in order to get to college, and that’s the kind of person I want to help."

Swaim graduated from the University of Alabama, but his ties to UNC are deep. His son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and three grandsons attended the university. Swaim watched as two of his grandsons, David and Adam Miller, were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa on the same day.

"I’m real proud of them, and I have two more grandchildren eager to go to Carolina," Swaim said. "We just love UNC."

Swaim’s gift counts toward the Carolina First campaign goal of $1.8 billion. Carolina First is a comprehensive, multi-year private fund-raising campaign to support Carolina’s vision of becoming the nation’s leading public university.

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Office of Development contact: Candace Clark, (919) 962-3967