Michael D. Swords is a retired professor of Natural Science at Western Michigan University. He has written extensively about general sciences and anomalous phenomena, with a particular focus on parapsychology, cryptozoology, and ufology. Swords was also an editor for the academic publication, The Journal of UFO Studies, and is a board member of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies.
He completed his B.S. from the University of Notre Dame in 1962 and went on to study biochemistry at Iowa State University, where he earned his M.S. He later received his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1972. As a ufologist, Swords is recognized as an authority on the Condon Committee and has been featured in various television specials discussing the history of the U.S. Military’s UFO investigations.
Early Life and Education
In 1962, Michael D. Swords completed his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) from the University of Notre Dame. Following this, he pursued his studies in biochemistry at Iowa State University, where he achieved his Master of Science (M.S.). Furthering his academic journey, he attended Case Western Reserve University and earned his Ph.D. in 1972.
Career
- Academic Role: Michael D. Swords served as a professor of Natural Science at Western Michigan University. He was recognized for his teaching excellence and even received a Teaching Excellence award in 1978.
- Research and Publications: Swords has made significant contributions to the fields of general sciences and anomalous phenomena. He has a keen interest in parapsychology, cryptozoology, and ufology. He took on the role of an editor for the academic publication, “The Journal of UFO Studies.”
- Ufologist: As a ufologist, Swords is considered an authority on the Condon Committee. He has been prominently featured in various media, including the prime time 2005 television special “Peter Jennings Reporting: UFOs — Seeing Is Believing.” In this special, he discussed the early history of the U.S. Military’s UFO investigations, including references to Project Sign and Project Grudge.
- Affiliations: Michael D. Swords is a board member of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies. He is also associated with various professional organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Association of University Professors, and the Society for Scientific Exploration.
Throughout his career, Swords has been dedicated to exploring and understanding both the general sciences and the more mysterious and unexplained phenomena in the world.
Impact on Ufology
Michael D. Swords, a retired professor of Natural Science at Western Michigan University, has left an indelible mark on the field of Ufology. His academic background and rigorous approach to the subject have elevated the discourse around unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena.
Swords’ contributions to Ufology are manifold. As an editor of the academic publication, “The Journal of UFO Studies,” he played a pivotal role in ensuring that the study of UFOs was approached with the same scientific rigor as any other discipline. This journal provided a platform for scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts to share their findings, theories, and observations, bridging the gap between anecdotal accounts and empirical research.
Furthermore, as a board member of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, Swords was at the forefront of promoting systematic research into UFO sightings and encounters. His association with the center underscores his commitment to understanding the UFO phenomenon from a scientific perspective.
Swords is also recognized as an authority on the Condon Committee, a group that investigated UFO reports in the late 1960s. His insights into the committee’s workings and findings have shed light on the U.S. government’s stance and approach to UFOs during that period.
FAQ
Conclusion
Michael D. Swords, a distinguished academic and retired professor of Natural Science at Western Michigan University, has carved a niche for himself in the realm of Ufology and general sciences. His rigorous approach to the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena has elevated the discourse around these subjects, bridging the gap between anecdotal accounts and empirical research. As an editor of “The Journal of UFO Studies” and a board member of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, Swords has championed a scientific and methodical approach to Ufology. His affiliations with renowned institutions and his contributions to the field underscore his commitment to understanding and demystifying the UFO phenomenon.