Commitment to community hallmark
Staff Spotlight on Francis J. Schweigert, Ph.D.,
new assistant professor to the College of Management

-- Jo Gordon

The brief description he had provided was scant help in discerning Francis J. Schweigert, Ph.D., new associate professor for the public and nonprofit administration office of the College of Management, from the other male patrons of the busy Midway coffee house on that unseasonable and blustery October morning.

At least three other men were scattered around the room that could be said to be one of millions of white guys with thinning hair, graying beards and wire-rimmed glasses. Plus, there were the hats and scarves hastily brought out of storage to contend with the cold to further complicate identification.

It was the animated conversation that the woman behind the counter launched into upon the arrival of one man that provided the much needed clue. The woman had been a model of efficient friendliness—making coffees, plating scones and muffins, giving back change—all the while engaging the customer in a bit of conversation.

But now her whole attention became focused on filling in this new arrival on the progress she had made on a project (a proposal or some similar draft) that she had apparently sought his advice on.

The man’s freely shared expertise and supportive coaching was the give-away—this had to be the person whose curriculum vitae documents more than 30 years of commitment to community and education.

Schweigert’s dedication to working for the common good has led him professionally to such varied nonprofit endeavors as spearheading the organization of Cabrini House, a community-based program providing transitional housing for the homeless founded in the ‘80s, and to the multi-state work he recently completed in poverty reduction as part of the Northwest Area Foundation.

At Metropolitan State University, Schweigert is, in essence, continuing to work in poverty reduction on a more individual level.

"Higher education can be a great lever for reducing poverty," he said.

Metropolitan State students coming predominantly from an underserved portion of the public have the opportunity, he said, "to help pave the way, not just for themselves, but for the community."

That Metropolitan State has reached out to the community, uses the community as an educational partner and recognizes that people learn in a lot of places and a lot of ways besides the classroom is inspiring for Schweigert, he said.

Schweigert further explained how the whole idea of learning from one’s work is very central to his whole understanding of education.

His notions about education have been fostered by the work he has done in the community at large and within nearly every major college and university in the metropolitan area.

His four children (with the exception of the son presently studying sociology at Macalester College, Schweigert’s alma mater) had to look to the East and West Coasts of the country to find schools that their father did not have a tie to. Schweigert was quick to point out that all his children attended public high schools.

"They’ve all surpassed me long ago [in service to society]," he said. "They’re more inspiring, more committed and better looking."

Even now when his professional focus has turned again to teaching, community is still his driving force. Schweigert will continue working on such tasks as co-chairing the District Councils Collaborative on the light rail line through the Central Corridor (University Avenue line).

As a longtime resident of the Midway area, he looks to having his neighborhood being not just an area the line runs through, but something the line serves, he said.

This kind of reciprocal relationship between the community and the institutions that serve it is one area that Schweigert would love to work on at Metropolitan State during his tenure.

"They are not plans but dreams at this point," said Schweigert, who would like to see the university partner with efforts in the local community.

"I would love it if the university was seen as a powerful resource of knowledge in the metro area. That the knowledge that is held there is put to work not just in educating individuals at the university, but in working with local groups to solve local problems."

Schweigert is already working on it.

He started at Metropolitan State Fall 2006 teaching "Topics in Public Administration: Public ethics for public and nonprofit professionals" and "Nonprofit Management Foundations."

Come Spring 2007, he will be teaching the public administration capstone and "Strategic Management of Information in Public and Nonprofit Organizations."

"Anyone in my classes will find that they will work very hard," Schweigert warned. "I think that’s how they learn."

But Schweigert’s enthusiasm for his subject and his engaging style would make it pleasurable work indeed.