Michael D. Sweazey Appointed Director of Campus Safety

Michael D. Sweazey, director of the Office of International Safety and Security at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, joins Kenyon as director of campus safety on July 1, 2019.

As director, Sweazey will lead the Office of Campus Safety, charged with ensuring the 24/7/365 safety and security of students, faculty, staff, visitors to campus and College property in support of Kenyon’s educational mission. Among other duties, the director supervises a professional staff that delivers services in an equitable, cooperative and inclusive manner befitting Kenyon’s diverse community; maintains relationships with outside agencies such as the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and College Township Fire Department; and leads the Kenyon Emergency Preparedness Team.

“We feel very fortunate that Michael is joining the Kenyon community, especially at a time when our campus safety needs are growing in complexity,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Meredith Harper Bonham ’92. “His background in working with people from diverse cultures and communities from around the world will be a particular asset. From our very first conversation with Michael, we were taken with how easily he connected with members of the committee, especially our students.”

Sweazey entered the world of higher education when he joined Kennesaw State in 2015, overseeing the safety and security of faculty, staff and students traveling internationally.

Previously, he spent 25 years with the U.S. Secret Service, rising to the rank of Assistant to Special Agent in Charge for the Atlanta field office, coordinating and managing investigations of threats against assigned protectees up to and including the president and visiting heads of state.

Sweazey holds a bachelor of science in sociology, with an emphasis in criminal justice, from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee.

“I’m extremely excited about having the opportunity to join the Kenyon College community,” Sweazey said. “It was quickly apparent that Kenyon is a unique and special place, and that is one of the reasons I consider myself very fortunate to be named the director of campus safety. I have a passion for providing a safe and secure environment for the students, faculty, and staff of the College, and to provide them the support I can for them to thrive.”

Sweazey was selected by a committee chaired by Bonham and that included Kim Cullers, nurse practitioner and associate director of health services; Niranjan Davray, director of information technology services; Jake Fisher ’20; Grant Hall ’20; Dane Heuchemer, professor of music; Samantha Hughes, civil rights/Title IX coordinator; James Jackson, director of student rights and responsibilities; Justin Newell, assistant athletics director for NCAA compliance and operations; and Charlotte Smithson ’19.

Sweazey replaces Bob Hooper, who will retire on Sept. 1, 2019, after working with Sweazey to ensure a smooth transition for the campus safety office. Hooper came to Kenyon in 1985 and served as a campus safety officer before becoming the director of campus safety in 2007.

“I would like to congratulate Director Hooper on his upcoming retirement and recognize the success he and the campus safety office have had in developing an effective and positive relationship with those they serve,” Sweazey added. “With the support of Director Hooper, the members of the campus safety office, and the rest of Kenyon, I look forward to providing the most enriching and safe environment possible, and for me and my family to become members of your community.”

Prepared by the Office of Communications
May 22, 2019