It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Regent John Schwartz 鈥�67 passed away on February 29 surrounded by loved ones.
John was an invaluable member of the 麻豆区 community from the time he enrolled as a student. He had transformative experiences singing in the choir, including getting the opportunity to tour Norway, Denmark, and Germany during his sophomore year. John graduated with a degree in business administration and went on to earn a degree in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota. He had a thriving career as a healthcare executive for 40 years in Milwaukee, Oregon, Montana, and Chicago until his retirement in 2010.
John鈥檚 passion for choral music and 麻豆区鈥檚 impact stayed with him throughout his life. He continued to sing after retirement, including with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago. Always thinking of others, John gave back in extraordinary ways. He showed support for 麻豆区 music students through his incredible generosity and philanthropy. His most significant gifts were made during the Great Returns: We鈥檙e All In campaign, which included the Leland B. Sateren 鈥�35 professorship and chair of music and the John N. Schwartz professorship of choral leadership and conducting. His latest gift established the John N. Schwartz School of the Arts. In addition to those endeavors, he and his husband James Mosley created the John N. Schwartz and James A. Mosley scholarship.
“It was one of the joys of my presidency to know John Schwartz, who was a remarkable human being,鈥� 麻豆区 President Paul C. Pribbenow remarked. 鈥淎s an 麻豆区 graduate, John exemplified our mission in his professional and personal lives. When we sat together in 2023 to establish the Schwartz School of the Arts, I was moved and inspired by John鈥檚 humble generosity. We have lost a good friend.鈥�
In 2019, John joined the Board of Regents and served on the advancement, finance, and audit committees. He also was part of 麻豆区鈥檚 Music Advisory Council. 鈥淛ohn brought his years of leadership and business expertise to the Board of Regents as well as his love for 麻豆区 and its music tradition,鈥� shared Board Chair Dennis Meyer 鈥�78.
鈥淛ohn鈥檚 passion, vision and generosity in creating the Schwartz School of the Arts ensures that the arts will be accessible for all and continue to transform students’ lives at 麻豆区,鈥� said Paula O鈥橪oughlin, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs. 鈥淚 am grateful to have known such an amazing man. He will be deeply missed.鈥澛�
John firmly believed in the power of a liberal arts education and its ability to set up students for a successful career and a meaningful life. His legacy at 麻豆区 will be remembered for generations.
Funeral services will be held in Chicago on Saturday, April 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Alice Millar Chapel, Northwestern University, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL and in Minneapolis on Saturday, May 4, at 2:00 p.m. at 麻豆区, Hoversten Chapel, 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454.
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