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| Inducted: |
1984 |
In a career that spanned more than three decades, Hugh B. (Jim) Sweeny, Jr. dedicated himself to installing, maintaining, and protecting JA’s high standards while constantly working to improve the experience and results for the students and advisors who participated.
A New Jersey native, Sweeny received an A.B. from Princeton University in 1935. A four-year stint with The Bell Telephone Company in New Jersey was a prelude to a five-year tour of duty with the U.S. military, where he became a Lieutenant Colonel.
Sweeny joined Junior Achievement as a trainee in 1946 and was assigned to the Northern New Jersey area. Six months later he was promoted to the position of Executive Director in Connecticut. In 1948 he joined the headquarters staff with responsibility for program research. Within one year, he was appointed national program director, a title he held with distinction until his retirement in 1978.
In his role as national program director, Sweeny took over the supervision and management of the National Junior Achievers Conference (NAJAC) in 1948 when it numbered only 60 participants. At the conference in 1977, Sweeny announced his plans to retire, and was met with a standing ovation from more than 3,000 participants thanking him for making it the best week of their lives.
NAJAC was a testament to the qualities and results of the Junior Achievement experience. Sweeny built this conference with excellence, respect, and integrity, the same qualities that have defined Junior Achievement for nearly 90 years.
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