Heritage High School’s first principal remembered as a leader

Heritage High School’s first principal Jim Swisher had a near-impossible task — start a new school, and essentially a new part of the community.

His passion, dedication and organization helped create what is now described as Pioneer pride. Swisher, who died Jan. 1, was remembered by many in Lynchburg this week as a devoted leader and father.

His son, Capt. Todd Swisher of the Lynchburg Police Department, said his father impacted many young lives at the helm of Heritage. Swisher was a student there during his father’s tenure; his father’s last year at the school was the year he graduated.

“I think my dad really loved what he did. He really poured himself into his work … He had a vision of where he wanted that school (Heritage) to be and he worked toward that,” Swisher said, adding his father had “quality people” working beside him.

Swisher said his father had plenty of fond memories of working with students and faculty. Before heading up Heritage, Jim Swisher was Sandusky Middle School principal, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School associate principal and Robert E. Lee High School assistant principal.

Those in the trenches with Jim Swisher remember him as a firm, fair leader who set an example for others. Many in Lynchburg credit him with bringing fragmented neighborhoods together post-annexation and leading the way in forging school spirit at the new school.

Al Coleman, Lynchburg City Schools’ director of secondary education, said Swisher was his first principal. As a Sandusky Middle School English teacher, Coleman said he learned a lot from Swisher, who remained a lifelong friend. Coleman also accompanied Swisher to Heritage when it opened in 1976.

“It’s a real opportunity to start a new school and he helped create that just by his personality,” Coleman said. “I think that we were pioneers, that we were starting something new, that it was an opportunity to forge an identity. He involved everyone who was willing to participate.”

Swisher spent 10 years at Heritage before leaving in 1986 to work at the school division’s central office. He retired in 1991.

Coleman remembers Swisher as a good leader and good friend. Outside the halls of Heritage, the two would play golf. Coleman said one of his favorite memories is walking with Swisher down the 5th fairway at Winton in Amherst County. Coleman asked when Swisher would officially receive his doctorate, and Swisher replied, “right about now.”

Coleman said that’s just the type of person Swisher was. He would rather play golf with friends then walk across a stage to get his diploma. He wasn’t one comfortable being the center of attention, Coleman said.

“He didn’t want any of the light shining on him, but he fought hard for that school. We always knew he was always working as hard as he could to support what we were doing at Heritage,” Coleman said.

Before Heritage opened in September ’76, Coleman said he remembers Swisher trying to get the school ready for the first day. During Labor Day weekend, Coleman said Swisher could be found in the gym parking lot screwing desks together.

Former Heritage High School assistant principal Whit Clark, who is now a truancy officer for the city schools, also recalled Swisher trying to ready Heritage for opening day.

Clark and Swisher were longtime friends and colleagues who first worked together at Robert E. Lee. Clark said Swisher organized work parties of students and parents to help unload boxes at the new school.

“That’s how we came together,” Clark said. “It was a true community effort and it was organized by him.”

Clark said Swisher could get people to do things they did not think possible.

“We all came together and we all bought into this. We’re all pioneers and we were all are doing something brand new,” Clark said. “He was our leader. He was a good man.”