Flag Lowering for David Swanson

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) flag will be lowered on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in memory of David R. Swanson, director of the Holland Computing Center and a research professor of computer science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

David was 53 at the time of his death. He had served as director of the Holland Computing Center, with locations at the Peter Kiewit Institute on UNO's Scott Campus and UNL's Schorr Center.

Below is a portion of the obituary featured on UNL's website, written by the Lincoln Journal Star, about David's passing. Our thoughts and condolences are with David's loved ones during this difficult time.

David R. Swanson, 53, director of the Holland Computer Center and research professor in computer science and engineering, died following a two-vehicle wreck on Aug. 11 in rural Minnesota.

Swanson started working at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln on Feb. 1, 1999. He advanced to director of the Holland Computing Center in 2005. Under his leadership, the center has grown to include 16 staff, who provide services, including computing support for campus departments, data analytics and storage, training, education and consulting.

During Swanson’s tenure, the Holland Computing Center assisted in a number of significant research studies, including a groundbreaking review of gravitational waves streaming from a 1.3 billion-year-old collision of black holes; modeling that showed water-repellent surfaces can improve ice removal; cracking the code into what makes a bestselling novel; and allowing musical groups the chance to practice in real-time from studios in Lincoln and DeKalb, Illinois.

“Words cannot adequately describe the immensity of this tragedy and loss,” Chancellor Ronnie Green said. “While we have lost a dedicated and talented colleague and friend, I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and depth of loss for the Swanson family. Please keep them in your thoughts.”

The full obituary can be found on the Lincoln Journal Star website.