Jim Sweeny

JA Inc.

Laureate 1984

Jim entered Princeton University from Plainfield (NJ) High School after a chance meeting and encouragement from Lefty Davies 1916, the Alumni Council secretary. Having participated in Army ROTC, Jim entered World War II alongside many classmates. He served as a field artillery officer from 1940 to 1945, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel.

During his long career as National Program Director for Junior Achievement, he helped thousands of teenagers learn the fundamentals of American business, and many kept in touch with him throughout his life. One of Jim’s major accomplishments was expanding the national conference from 60 participants in 1948 to more than 3,000 in 1977. Junior Achievement awards a scholarship in his honor each year.

Jim retired to Westport, Conn., where he was president of several local charities and was also active in the Saugatuck Congregational Church.