Iris Swanson, College Trustee, Dies

Iris Swanson, president of the Saddleback Community College District Board of Trustees and a longtime resident of Orange County, died Wednesday at UCI Medical Center in Orange from complications related to cancer. She was 66.

Swanson, who was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1985, was one of the original employees of the Saddleback Community College District.

A resident of San Clemente for 25 years, she retired from the district in 1983 after working 15 years as executive assistant to five chancellors and 20 trustees. She taught business science courses part time at Saddleback College for two years after her retirement.

Friends and colleagues said Swanson was known for her devotion to her family and friends, as well as being a dedicated board member.

“Iris Swanson’s contributions to the SCCD during the past 25 years have been substantial and lasting,” said Harriett S. Walther, vice president of the Board of Trustees.

“As a member of the board, she was always well-prepared, thoughtful and student-focused,” Walther said. “She took her responsibilities seriously, acted in accord with her principles and was willing to accept criticism for decisions that were unpopular but necessary. Mrs. Swanson applied the same energy and dedication to all aspects of her life.”

District Chancellor Richard Sneed said Swanson was an “outstanding board member.”

“She brought to the position years of dedication to the community and the unique experience of more than 15 years of service to the district as a classified staff member, manager and instructor,” he said.

Swanson was active in many community groups, including the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and the Parent-Teacher Assn., and was a statewide leader in community college development. She also served on state and county commissions and task forces.

Most recently, she was a member of the Community College Educators of Older Adults, Southern Section; the California Elected Women’s Assn. for Education and Research; the American Assn. of Women in Community and Junior Colleges; Saddleback College Friends of the Library and the Soroptimist International of Capistrano Bay.

In 1990, the Soroptimist group honored Swanson as its Woman of Distinction for outstanding contributions to the community. In June, 1992, she ran unsuccessfully for the state Assembly in the newly created 73rd District.

Last month, in recognition of her service and support, the Board of Trustees awarded Swanson an honorary associate degree at graduation ceremonies at Saddleback and Irvine Valley colleges.

Swanson was born in Blue Jacket, Okla., and moved to Southern California nearly 50 years ago.

She is survived by her husband, Lester; sons Steven and Michael Swanson; a daughter, Cheryl Smith; daughters-in-law Diana and Lizabeth Swanson; and six grandchildren.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at San Clemente Presbyterian Church, 119 N. Avenida de la Estrella. Graveside services will follow at El Toro Memorial Park, 25751 Trabuco Road in Lake Forest.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a scholarship fund at Irvine Valley College or Saddleback College in her memory. For donations, make checks payable to the Irvine Valley College Foundation or the Saddleback College Foundation in memory of Iris Swanson.