Each year, the Shields School of Business presents the Dare-to-Dream Award to a deserving African American student working toward his or her undergraduate degree within a program offered by the School.
The 2025 recipient of the award is junior Marketing major KJ Swain from Hamilton, Ohio.
The award honors the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the values of service, equity, justice and selflessness. The winner is awarded $500 that is intended to be used for academic expenses.
In addition to pursuing a Marketing degree at Saint Francis, Swain is also a member of the Red Flash men’s basketball team. He transferred to SFU after spending two years at Xavier University.
Multiple professors nominated Swain for this year’s award, noting his politeness, classroom presence, generosity and hard-working attitude.
“He stands out as someone who is so grateful,” said John Miko, Associate Dean of the SSOB. “A lot of people said so many great things about him, and my experiences with him have shown them to be true. He’s a great young man.”
The Dare-to-Dream Award was introduced in 2021. Swain is the fifth recipient of the award.
“We wanted to do something in conjunction with Martin Luther King Day to honor one of our minority students,” said Miko.
The award is funded by SFU faculty, staff and alumni. Swain was selected for the 2025 award from a field of five nominees.
“It’s a combination of not just scholarship, not just grades, but of leadership in the School of Business,” said Randy Frye, Dean of the SSOB.
“Nominees’ personalities and the way that they conduct themselves are also considered,” said Frye.
