Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating Students in PreSchool Through Grade 12
Educating Students in PreSchool Through Grade 12
News Detail
David Swensen, Ph.D., Past Parent and Former Trustee
Past parent and former Trustee David Swensen, Ph.D., who has been a longtime supporter and friend to Hamden Hall, has died from cancer.
David was the head of Yale University’s endowment and was credited as having helped reshape how institutions manage their money.
“I am sad to learn of David’s passing,” said Head of School Bob Izzo. “He was a treasure to our school community in so many ways. Our condolences go to the Swensen family, especially David’s son Tim, who graduated from our halls in 2012.”
David joined the Hamden Hall Board of Trustees in the fall of 2009.
“Because of my love for education, I’ve devoted my professional life to advancing educational institutions. I’m honored to work with Hamden Hall, where my son Tim is an enthusiastic 10th grader,” said David of his being named to the board.
At Hamden Hall's 2013 Commencement, David was honored with the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools Award. Tim Swensen presented his father the award during the graduation ceremony.
In his professional life, David obtained almost legendary status for revolutionizing how institutions manage their money. He was called the “architect” of Yale’s model of endowment investing and was written about in myriad articles and publications during his nearly 35 years at Yale.
“Swensen has raised an entire generation of endowment CIOs in his image and explained Yale’s strategy to the world in his hit book. Yet the greatest institutional investment machine of modern times, though much imitated, has almost never been replicated,” stated Leanna Orr in an article published in Institutional Investor.
A statement released by Yale President Peter Salovey noted David as a “legend among institutional investors.”
“A natural teacher, he prepared a generation of institutional investors who have gone on to lead investment offices at other colleges and universities, further extending the scope of David’s influence,” said Salovey.
Prior to joining Yale in 1985, David spent six years on Wall Street – three years at Lehman Brothers and three years at Salomon Brothers. He also authored two books: Pioneering Portfolio Management: An Unconventional Approach to Institutional Investment and Unconventional Success: A Fundamental Approach to Personal Investment.
Hamden Hall Board President Joyce Lujic, who worked with David on various subcommittees under the realm of the Board’s Resource Management Committee, said David’s stewardship with regard to Hamden Hall’s endowment and investments was invaluable.
“David’s knowledge and fiscal acumen helped us navigate critical decisions for our school’s future,” said Mrs. Lujic. “His guidance was unparalleled, and our school benefited from his investment expertise.”
To read David's obituary, please click here.
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
