A look around a person’s office can reveal much about the individual, his personal values and priorities.  Such is the case with Matt Swanson, President of the CSU Stanislaus Foundation.  A lifelong resident of Turlock and deeply involved in family, church, and community, Swanson has garnered much public recognition and numerous awards, yet not a single plaque hangs on his office walls. “They’re around here somewhere, in the closet, I think,” he states without abashment.

The president of a dozen companies, advisor to political candidates, entrepreneur, and a founding member of the Turlock Business Council, Swanson has just two items on his desk, besides his computer: his date book and his Bible.  The walls are blank; on a credenza appear photos of rock guitarists and classic guitars.

University President Ham Shirvani tapped Swanson in 2008 to lead the CSU Stanislaus Foundation, whose sole responsibility is raising private funds for the University. When asked about the positive impact his leadership has had, he demurs, giving credit to a group of committed individuals “who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work that is necessary” to advance the University. As difficult and competitive as the fundraising arena has become, he says, “We need to be aggressively fundraising, bringing people together, making connections for the common good.”

The father of four, with the eldest soon entering college, Swanson believes that CSU Stanislaus is “an untapped resource; a jewel. It’s hard to imagine how much our town and region would lose if the University was not here. Think about it,” he continues, “the CSU is the largest public university in the world. Therefore, it – and we – have the ability to change the world.”

A key strength of Swanson’s is his ability to unite people and mobilize them to achieve a common objective. For example, working with the City of Turlock, Swanson was instrumental in creating the Westside Industrial Specific Plan (WISP), a 2,600-acre project to accommodate and nurture the development of a major industrial/commercial center in Turlock’s west side. The project could mean hundreds if not thousands of jobs for the area, and Swanson wants people to know “that the University is here to train your workforce.”

As focused as he is on moving CSU Stanislaus forward, Swanson still makes time to be creative. He is a devoted musician – a singer and guitar player who has rubbed shoulders with the likes of B.B. King and Ace Frehley, lead guitarist for KISS. His creative side also found expression in The Creation Lab, a company that produces recordings, books, and the five-time award winning documentary, “Turlock: A Historical Documentary” created for the city’s centennial celebration.

It is vital, in Swanson’s view, that he and others project passion for the University. “Tough times can be the catalyst for positive change; we can create opportunities from challenges.”  In his vision for the future of CSU Stanislaus, “The University will be seen as a portal connecting people to jobs and success, a place to connect to businesses in the region. With more support, we could establish endowed chairs and create new programs that will be essential to grow the Valley’s economy. An example might be food technology, so that the Valley is not just processing commodities but creating products. He sees opportunities for “new partnerships with the College of Business Administration, in technology, marketing, business, and finance.  We want the University to be seen as a partner in finding solutions to business needs of the region. We need to establish a culture of hard work. We also need to reach out to alumni, who have accomplished much through the education they received from CSU Stanislaus and are now in a position to give back to the University.”

Swanson plans to continue in his role as Foundation President for the foreseeable future. “I’ll be here awhile longer; there is still work to be done.”