It’s a picturesque scene: a young boy holds his father’s hand while pulling a toy train down a tree filled park sidewalk. The caption just below the black and white photo reads, “Wherever he goes…Blue Cross protection is there.” This 1962 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota ad is one of many that have been pulled from the archives as the company celebrates its 90^th birthday this year. The nostalgia it evokes has many thinking about the past, including the ad’s star, Scott Swenson.

“I was only about 3 or 4 at the time of the photo, so I don’t remember being in it,” Swenson says, adding that the image brings back plenty of other childhood memories for him.

Swenson, now in his sixties, grew up in a family of nine children. His mom signed him and his siblings up for several ad agencies in the 1960s. Scott was the only child who made it into any ads, modeling for about half a dozen in total. “I was also in some Dayton’s ads, and I did a TV commercial, but this Blue Cross ad is the only one that’s still around,” Swenson says.

Swenson’s mom brought him and his siblings to various TV shows in the early ‘60s, including Romper Room, Roundhouse Rodney and Lunch with Casey. “There were a bunch of TV shows kids could be involved in,” Swenson says, “She kept us active, and I think that’s part of why I’m so involved now.”

Today, Swenson is Drake Bank’s chief banking officer, and his life is still intertwined with Blue Cross’ history. He is highly involved in the Eagan community – where he lives now, and where Blue Cross is based.

“I ended up moving to Eagan with my wife, Carol, 37 years ago. We moved and got married the same week,” he says.

Swenson has been a past president and a member of the Eagan Rotary Club for upwards of 30 years.

His history with civic engagement also includes helping to plan the Eagan Sesquicentennial in 2010 and chairing Eagan’s Fourth of July Funfest for three years.

Additionally, Swenson is the past chair elect of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the past president of Eagan Citizens for Crime Prevention. This year, his community involvement extends into the City of Minneapolis as the 2023 Commodore of the Minneapolis Aquatennial.

“I encourage people to look for ways to get involved. Those organizations really allow for connectivity for those making a difference,” he says. “I’m really grateful for all the things that have happened in my life, and I’m excited to keep giving back.”

While his modeling career didn’t last long, Swenson is glad to be part of Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s 90-year history. He shares the advertisement with friends on social media from time to time and looks back on the experience fondly.

“At the end of the day, it’s a cute story,” Swenson said.

*Editor's Note: Copy from the 1962 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota reads, "Wherever he goes…Blue Cross protection is there. Whether he goes walking with his dad in a tree-filled Minnesota park or he travels to some far-off land…Blue Cross will be beside him, ready to assure the finest hospital care coverage. It's always ready to help pay the hospital bills wherever you and your family travel…even if you move to another state or retire. Just show your Blue Cross card at your nearest hospital (over 179 Blue Cross hospitals in Minnesota alone)…and the hospital will do the rest. A truly reliable traveling companion wherever in the world you go, Blue Cross is always there…when you need care!"