Westfield State is always at the heart of a family gathering for Cameron Swan ’19, as his father, aunt, uncle, cousin, and brother are all proud graduates. “I never knew what kind of value Westfield State had until I got here. It’s absolutely incredible,” Swan says.
Swan is a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in business management and writing. When he’s not studying, he sings for the Night Owls a cappella group, gives campus tours for prospective students, and is an executive board member of the Student Government Association. He’s in the Honors Program, and is a member of the Psi Chi National Honors Society. In the fall, Swan was elected by the student body to the Westfield State University Board of Trustees as a student member. “I wanted to sit on the board because I see it as a way in which I can give back to and even improve the University that has done so much for my family,” Swan says.
Swan’s first tangible memory of Westfield State was during a drive down Western Avenue with his father: “My dad pointed as I saw Scanlon and Parenzo halls, and said, ‘That’s where I went to college.’” His dad, Christopher Swan ’85, majored in political science. He was followed by Cameron’s aunt, Eileen Swan Rockwal, ’91; uncle Mike Rockwal, ’90; cousin Andrew Swan, ’13; and brother Connor Swan, ’16.
“My family would not be the same as it is today if it had not been for Westfield State,” Swan says. “My parents met when my dad was studying at the University, and my aunt and uncle met here, too.”
Swan recalls moving his brother into Lammers Hall and noticing the scaffolding on University Hall while under construction. He later lived in the new dorm for two years. “I believe this initial connection to the University through my dad, aunt, and uncle really put Westfield State on the map for my cousin, brother, and me long before we thought about other colleges,” he adds.
“I firmly believe that a Westfield State University education has enormous value,” Swan adds. He says the University was the right fit for him and his family members. “This speaks volumes about the college, that so many students, even from the same family, can pursue such different opportunities!”
Swan plans to pursue a career in business and attend graduate school for industrial organization psychology. Currently, he’s the recruiting intern for Behavioral Health in Springfield. He was asked to return to The TJX Companies Inc. in Framingham as buying intern for the second consecutive summer, where he buys merchandise for the company to sell. “It’s a very fast-paced environment. The job of the buyer is to predict the newest trends, and a psychology background works very well.”
Swan feels his experiences and education from Westfield State University will lead him into the future well prepared. “Westfield State instills a drive for success and a passion for accomplishment in its students and alumni,” he concluded.
