Hoya Staff Writer Friday, August 25, 2006 Lindsay Anderson/The Hoya Director of Student Programs Martha Swanson, who first came to the Hilltop in 1984, announced her reitrement, effective in June 2007, this summer.

Director for Student Programs Martha Swanson announced last month that she will be stepping down from her position after 23 years working with Georgetown student organizations. Swanson will remain in office until June, when her term expires, and said that staying on for the rest of the year will give her peace of mind and ensure a smooth transition. Swanson was hired in 1984 as an account clerk to look after finances for student groups in what was then known as the Office of Student Activities. Three years later, she was promoted to assistant director of student activities. Swanson said that the Office of Student Affairs planned to select Associate Director of Student Programs Erika Cohen-Derr, who returned this summer from maternity leave, as her successor. During her time in the student affairs office, Cohen-Derr has advised GUSA and New Student Orientation. Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson would not confirm that Cohen-Derr has been named to replace Swanson. “It is premature to talk about final plans for next year,” he said. During her career, Swanson often served as a bridge between administrative concerns and student initiatives. In the early nineties, Swanson worked with GUSA leaders to promote expanded communications technology, such as the introduction of the then-budding technology of electronic mail to campus. In 1994, Swanson supported efforts to increase the range of the university’s student radio station. Fifteen years before, in 1979, President Tim Healey, S.J., had sold the radio station to Washington, D.C., for $1 following disagreements with WGTB advertising practices. Swanson supported Media Board funding for the station. A year later, Swanson was promoted again and became the associate director of student programs, a position she held until 2003 when she became director of student organizations. In July, she received additional duties as director of student programs, overseeing all student organizations such as New Student Orientation, as well as the student organizations, including the Senior Class Committee and Student Activities Commission, which she had previously led. Working her way up to the senior position in that office, she has seen the office change its name twice and many generations of students come through her door. Swanson said that her decision to retire was a personal one. “If I could do my job as a part-time job, I would,” she said. “I want to be able to do things while I’m still relatively healthy.” Swanson said that she hopes to travel more with her free time after her retirement.