Dec. 12: Retirement reception will honor Lori Swinney

Lori Swinney, Digital Learning Specialist with the Teaching Transformation and Development Academy (TTaDA), will be honored for over 26 years of service to UND at a retirement reception from 3-4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, on the third floor of O’Kelly Hall.

Lori started at UND in February 1993 with the Academic Media Center (AMC) as manager of the audio/video area of the department.  AMC was redesigned a year later and became the Center for Instructional & Learning Technologies (CILT).  Lori served as the director of CILT from 2009 through December 2018, when the department was restructured and her position and others became a part of TTaDA.  Lori completed her B.S. in Psychology and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Teaching & Learning, with a focus in Instructional Design & Technology, all from the University of North Dakota.

Throughout her time at UND, Lori became known as the go-to person for everything from classroom technology and learning space design to instructional design and faculty development in areas of teaching and learning.  Under her leadership, many classrooms were redesigned and enhanced with technology to promote active learning and increase learning effectiveness.   She has been instrumental in bringing many academic technologies to UND and always advocates for improving the quality of systems and services provided to students, faculty, and staff.

Over the years, Lori led and participated in many groups and committees, where she shared her expertise and ensured all perspectives (faculty, staff, and student) were included in decisions.  Whether in her role as the director of CILT or as an adjunct professor, Lori’s strong dedication and passion for teaching and learning has always been evident in her work.  In recognition of her many accomplishments, she was honored with a UND meritorious service award in 2007.

Lori is an inspiration to many of the employees, colleagues, students and faculty who know her.  Her knowledge, dedication, and caring demeanor will be greatly missed at UND.

Please join us in thanking Lori for her dedicated service and wishing her well.