Archie C. Swindell is the recipient of the 2012 Jacqueline B. Nixon Community Service Award for his many years of “Giving Back to the Community.” The award was presented to Swindell at the annual City of Groton Day celebration on Aug. 3.
As a symbol of the award each year, the Community Service Award winner is presented a Hitchcock arm chair.
Groton Utilities named the award The Jacqueline B. Nixon Community Service Award to commemorate Mrs. Nixon’s service to her community. Jackie, as she was known to most, operated a food pantry in her residence for 24 years. She distributed food on a regular basis to many needy families. Jackie passed away July 6, 2004, after a brief battle with cancer. Groton Utilities created the award in 2004 during its 100th anniversary year.
Bob Zuliani, who nominated Swindell for the award, says “Archie is a recognized professional who has contributed countless hours for the Groton Community and continues to contribute up to this very day.”
“His list of civil and community programs are endless,” he says.
Swindell has proven to be the classic man for all seasons. His experiences include many areas of community service, including education, governmental service, history, music and the arts.
His educational contributions range from serving on the Groton Board of Education, including two years as the Board’s chair, to his many years on the Groton Representative Town Meeting (RTM), includes chairing its Education Committee.
His involvement with education extends to his service on the Board of Directors of LEARN, the Regional Educational Services Center for southeastern Connecticut. Again his leadership abilities surfaced during that tenure, as he was chair of the Board for two years.
While his past is filled with many accomplishments, he stays active to this day. He is a current member of the building committee for the Marine Science Magnet High School in Groton, which is operated by LEARN.
Since his retirement from Pfizer in 1995, Archie has been a statistical consultant. This has not stopped his proactive community service. He serves on the Board of the Avery-Copp Museum in the City of Groton, is the treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Early Music Society and is the Administration Committee Chair for the Friends of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony.
He has also contributed his time and intellect to New London Landmarks, the Friends of Fort Griswold and Art on Groton Bank.
During his professional, career Swindell was employed at Pfizer Central Research from 1970-1995, including positions and duties as a consultant, an Associate Director, a Principal Research Investigator and Research Investigator.
Earle A. Williams was the recipient of the first annual Jacqueline B. Nixon Community Service Award. Other winners of the award are: Robert “Bob” Leeney, Mimi Orkney, Lillian “Lil” Hansen, Sarah Stanley, William “Bill” Welsh, Jr., Alfred Restivo, and Robert “Bob” Austin LaFrance.
The Selection Committee concluded that, of the nominations received, Swindell met or exceeded the established criteria for the award, citing his tireless efforts in volunteering his time to give back to the community.
The award honors a member of the community who has contributed his or her time, energy and resources to make the community a better place in which to live and work. The nominee’s contributions to the community should make other
Citizens describe the nominee as generous, committed, and other similar admirable qualities, which exemplify “service.”
