Jane Swinney receives Order of Omega’s Distinguished Faculty Award

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Jane Swinney — Design, Housing and Merchandising's Associate Professor and Department Head — received a Distinguished Faculty Award from the Order of Omega on April 6. After a selection process based on student nominations, one representative from each of OSU’s colleges and school is chosen.

Her teaching is in the area of retail management and profitable merchandising analysis. Her research on small business and family business has been published in numerous journals. Swinney was named DHM department head in 2016 after serving as program coordinator for the merchandising degree option, graduate program coordinator, associate department head, internship coordinator for apparel design and production and merchandising and interim department head.

“I have been teaching merchandising here in DHM since 2000. Because I have retail experience, I have a particular love of teaching retail math and running a business profitably,” Swinney said. “I believe it is important to help students see a link between the information they are receiving and what they will do with their life upon graduation.”

Swinney earned a bachelor of science in textiles and clothing from Colorado State University, a master’s degree from Iowa State University and a doctorate of philosophy in Human Sciences from Oklahoma State University.

As the College of Human Sciences representative to the University Assessment and Academic Improvement Council, she is highly engaged with the assessment of student learning and has served as the assessment coordinator for the department at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2007, Swinney received the OSU Regents Distinguished Teaching Award. Currently she is serving as President of the American Collegiate Retail Association.

“Students are truly the best part of my job. I am very pleased to have received this award,” Swinney said.

Order of Omega is a leadership honor society for members of fraternity and sorority organizations. The organization recognizes juniors and seniors who have exemplified high standards in the areas of scholarship, leadership, involvement within their respective organization and within Greek Life, the campus and local community. Members are selected from the top 3% of students at each institution.