Swains give UNCW business school $1 million gift

The UNCW Cameron School of Business recently received its largest gift, said Larry Clark, dean of the business school. Local real estate developer and entrepreneur H. David Swain and his wife Diane gave $1 million to the university to support economic research and business development services at the business school.

Although the Swains intended to give their gift anonymously, Clark visited them twice to convince them to give publicly. The center for business and economic services, which has bridged the university and the business community for nearly 30 years will be named in the Swain’s honor.

“David and Diane share our pride in UNCW, our commitment to supporting sustainable economic growth through high-quality education, and our dedication to creating the best business school possible,” Clark said.

The Swains’ gift will support the growth of programs at the center. Currently, the center is working on a model with the North Carolina State Port Authority to predict shipping volume, building a database of angel investors in the southeast for early-stage entrepreneurs, enhancing a North Carolina economic database, and partnering with Coastal Carolina University’s Wall College of Business to present a joint economic summit in Wilmington on March 9, 2010.

David Swain has constructed and managed apartment complexes and retail centers and developed restaurants and financial institutions through his company, Swain & Associates for the past 35 years.

“Education plays a big role in our family,” Swain said, noting that his mother and wife were teachers. “As a businessperson, I’m always looking for the biggest bang for my buck and I'm getting it here,” Swain said about his gift to the university.