Dr. Philip Swan earned his A.B. in mathematics and economics from Bowdoin College in 1964 and his PhD in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1967. Dr. Swan then went on to become an assistant professor of economics at Boston University from 1968-1974. After spending six years in academia, Dr. Swan joined the IBM Corporation and in 1993 was named as their Chief Economist. A position he held until his retirement in 2011.
During this time, Dr. Swan served as a member of the U.S. Census Economics Advisors Committee from 1997-2003. From 1999-2000 he was the chair of the Business Economists’ Advisory Group to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris. Dr. Swan also served as a member for the Industry Advisor Group, Council of Economic Advisors from 2002-2011.
In addition to Dr. Swan’s many career attributes, he has also been very involved in his community. He has served as a driver safety instructor, the chair of the Endowment Funds Advisor Committee for the First Presbyterian Church, Stamford, a volunteer on the Stamford Hospital Surgical Unit, and a tax preparation aid for the AARP Program.
Scholarship Eligibility
Dr. Philip L. Swan Economics Student Support Scholarship (up to $2,000)
Eligibility: A currently declared Economics student who has completed at least one full-time semester at UIUC. Students must be participating in unpaid internships or similar professional development experiences and must show that the funds would help support their ability to pursue these opportunities.
Application: Submit the scholarship application cover sheet, a résumé/CV, two essays, and a copy of your offer letter or proof of your unpaid internship/professional development experience. In the first essay (100-500 words), describe your unpaid internship or professional development experience. How does this opportunity relate to your Economics major, and how does it support your future educational or career goals? In the second essay (100-500 words) explain how the funding would help you make the most of your internship or professional development experience?
APPLY NOW - Deadline Sunday, March 29, 2026 (11:59pm)
Step 1: Application Cover Sheet: Fill out this scholarship application cover sheet (print or save document). This cover sheet must be submitted with your application materials.
Step 2: Email your application
When emailing your application, you will include the application cover sheet, a résumé/CV, and required essay/s saved as 1 single file. Submitted file should be saved as Last Name, First Name.
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