Charlie and Fran Switzer both served in the U.S. Navy. The couple met in the military and still understand the challenges of service members.
For that reason, the Switzers recently donated $12,500 to the Pensacola State College Alumni Association to establish the Veterans Endowed Scholarship. The alumni association matched the Switzers’ donation to establish a $25,000 scholarship.
“Fran and I discussed this unique matching opportunity, and as Lifetime Alumni Association members, we agreed to make the donation for a scholarship,” said PSC alum and longtime College supporter Charlie Switzer at the check presentation ceremony on June 4.
“We wanted to do something to help veterans and their children and other dependents. It was a way for us to give back to those who give so much to our country,” said Switzer, who served eight years as a weatherman in the Navy.
Hailey Lotz, the College’s executive director for Development, Alumni and Athletics, expressed gratitude for the gift.
“This new scholarship will help PSC student-veterans and their dependents attain the dream of a college education,” Lotz said, noting that student-veterans and their dependents made up over 10 percent of PSC students during the 2022-2023 academic year.
“The Veterans Endowed Scholarship will become the Alumni Association’s 20th endowed scholarship. I am so thankful to Charlie and Fran Switzer for choosing Pensacola State College and helping our veterans and their families.”
Fran Switzer, a yeoman in the Navy and PSC alumna, recalled the couple’s days as students at the College.
“We were a young couple with a young son, and Pensacola State helped us so much. There was daycare available, and the professors were outstanding,” she said.
The first scholarships will be awarded in Fall 2025, and recipients must be a U.S. military veteran or a spouse, child or dependent of a veteran. Scholarship awards will be based on financial need, and recipients must be full-time or part-time PSC students.
For more information on the Veterans Endowed Scholarship or PSC Alumni Association scholarships, email Lotz at hlotz@pensacolastate.edu.
Pensacola State College alums and supporters Charlie and Fran Switzer established the Veterans Endowed Scholarship on June 4. Pictured is Fran Switzer, left, presenting a check to Hailey Lotz, the College’s executive director for Development, Alumni, and Athletics. On the back row are, from left, PSC Alumni Association President Lane Harper, Charlie Switzer, PSC Alumni Association Vice President Mike Thomas, and PSC President Ed Meadows.