Vern Swansen
1916-1992
Vern Swansen was a gifted architect, published artist, and a beloved Cal Poly professor. His work is now preserved and curated by the Daedalus Chapter of Alpha Rho Chi.
Vern Swansen was born in Oregon and raised in Pasadena, California. As a young man, he attended the University of Southern California where he joined the Andronicus Chapter of Alpha Rho Chi and received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree. After practicing in southern California, Vern moved up the coast to Santa Barbara where he was reminded of the climate and topography of Greece, his favorite travel destination. From 1961-1971, he served as President of the Santa Barbara Art Association and as the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Curator of Education. Vern received his Master of Art from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland in 1975. After returning to the states, Vern taught at Santa Barbara City College for some time. Once again, Vern traveled up the coast to San Luis Obispo where he taught architecture, architectural history, and watercolor at California Polytechnic State University.
In 1987, he received the Faculty Merit Award from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. Vern’s passing in 1992 left a void in the hearts of all who knew him.
Vern was instrumental in the formation of the Daedalus Chapter and served as our faculty advisor for many years. He left an imprint upon all whom he met, and still, after his passing, his compassion continues to reach out even to those who never knew him. In Vern’s passing, the Daedalus Chapter was bequeathed a generous sum of money and approximately 4,000 paintings. It is our charge to use the money to benefit students at Cal Poly and make Vern’s artwork available for the community to enjoy.