Wright State’s Robert Sweeney honored by state commission for Latino affairs

Robert J. Sweeney with his mother, Veronica Sweeney, at an Oct. 17 awards gala organized by the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs and the Latino Empowerment Outreach Network.

Robert J. Sweeney, executive vice president for planning at Wright State University, was honored by the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission for supporting and advancing the interests of the Hispanic community.

Sweeney, Ph.D., received the Nuestra Familia (Our Family) award during a gala in Columbus on Oct. 17.

“I’m very proud of the award,” he said. “I genuinely appreciate how the community has embraced me.”

The Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs partnered with the Latino Empowerment Outreach Network (LEON) in presenting the LEON Awards and the 34th Governor’s Distinguished Hispanic Awards. The awards recognize and honor individuals and organizations who serve as role models for Ohio’s growing Hispanic community by virtue of outstanding achievements in their profession or in community service.

Sweeney was nominated for the award by Tony Ortiz, Wright State’s associate vice president of Latino affairs, and Wright State student trustee Ryan Rushing.

He was recognized for his role in Welcome Dayton, the Wright State University’s Office of Latino Affairs and the Latino Dream Team, and the effectiveness of their programs.

Sweeney, secretary of the Wright State Board of Trustees, helped create the Office of Latino Affairs and form the Latino Dream Team, a proactive group of Dayton-area Latino organizations whose mission is to preserve the culture of Latinos and assimilate them into the fabric of the community. The group has taken the lead in addressing education, health care, economic and quality-of-life issues relating to the Latino community.

“He gave us a strategic plan. He gave us the direction that was necessary,” said Ortiz. “He is considered part of the family.”

From left, Tony Ortiz, Robert J. Sweeney and Ryan Rushing.

Ortiz is a member of the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, which advises the governor, Ohio General Assembly and state government agencies on matters affecting Hispanic Ohioans by issuing reports, proposing programs, commenting on legislation and conducting policy-related research.

Sweeney said his passion for community service comes from the culture of community service at Wright State and the effectiveness of its programs and from community service being instilled in him by his parents.

“This recognition at the gala was even more special because my mother was able to accompany me to the event,” he said.

Sweeney received a B.S. in 1977 and M.B.A. in 1979 from Wright State and his Ph.D. in 1985 from the University of South Carolina. He taught at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., and at Marquette University in Milwaukee before returning to Wright State in 1989.

LEON was established in 2000 as a network and a collaboration of individuals, organizations and agencies dedicated to building a healthy Latino community in central Ohio through the development and support of programs that educate and empower Latinos. The organization focuses on health, education, advocacy and outreach.