Curtis "Doc" Swanson
WMU Alumnus, Associate Professor, Professional Engineer, Aircraft Pilot and Mechanic
WMU College of Aviation Hall of Honor Class of 2014
Born and raised in Illinois, 鈥淒oc鈥 began flying at fifteen, receiving his PPL by seventeen. Graduating from the University of Illinois, Institute of Aviation with an A&P license, he entered WMU to complete his aviation education. At WMU he received his BS and MS. Received his Ph.D. from UVa. After 31 陆 years, he retired in 1999 as an Associate Professor in the College of Aviation. While at WMU, he focused on curricula, course, and laboratory equipment development. He was instrumental in forming the Department of Aircraft and Automotive Engineering and served on many university committees. He served on numerous industry boards including SAE International, TRB, AIAA and AABI, while also acting as a Technical Expert for Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys and a FAA Designated Mechanics Examiner. 鈥淒oc鈥 also helped develop the FSc and BSc degrees in Aviation Management at London Metropolitan University, London, England. After returning to the College of Aviation as Interim Faculty Chair, he and his wife, Sylvia, 鈥渞etired鈥 to Florida in 2007, becoming a Lead Systems and Propulsion Engineer for the Piper Altaire jet.