Alum Eric Swanson Pledges $30,000 to Support Arts and Engineering at Amherst Regional High School

Source: Amherst Regional Public Schools

In response to budget challenges facing the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, alumnus Eric Swanson has pledged a generous $30,000 donation to support the studio arts, performing arts, and engineering programs at Amherst Regional High School (ARHS).

Swanson has served in academic, entrepreneurial, industrial, government, and nonprofit organizations working on advanced technologies, including inter-satellite laser communication, high-speed fiber optic networks, and biomedical imaging. He collaborated in the discovery of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a groundbreaking imaging technology that has transformed diagnostics in ophthalmology, cardiology, and other medical fields. Swanson is a co-founder of five start-up companies and has received numerous awards for his contributions, including the presidential National Medical of Technology and Innovation. 

On a recent visit to ARHS, he visited some classrooms and was inspired by what he heard from some of the teachers and students, and saw clearly the budget challenges affecting them. Reflecting on his donation, Swanson said, “I am grateful for the education I received in Amherst and wanted to ‘pay it forward’ in a small way to say thank you to all the great teachers and administrators I met along the way.”  

The only stipulation on the donation was that each department head meet with their team to determine, collaboratively, how these funds can best support the needs of their students.  

Superintendent, Dr. E. Xiomara Herman, stated, “Eric’s generosity is a powerful example of alumni impact. His gift ensures that our students continue to thrive in both technical and creative fields.