The Switzer and Reilly families established this endowment in 1998 in memory of Anna Lamar Switzer. Anna Ashley Lamar was born on September 11, 1900, in Valdosta, Georgia, and moved to Pensacola in 1903 where her father, a banker, soon founded what would become Lamar Outdoor Advertising. She married in 1924 and traveled extensively during her husband’s 45-year naval career. When they retired in Pensacola, Mrs. Switzer continued her close association with the Navy, became a community and political activist, and a local patron of the arts. Mrs. Switzer was the first woman named to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation Board, was a life member of the Pensacola Historical Society, a past president of the Pensacola Art Association, and an honorary trustee of the Pensacola Museum of Art. She wrote The Lamar Heritage, published in 1972. Anna Switzer died March 27, 1998, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery with her husband and sons.
Two renewable full-tuition award (up to $1,500) given annually to incoming freshmen for Fall/Spring semesters. Student must demonstrate financial need and be enrolled full or part-time as an art major in one of the Visual Art Department’s degree programs (Art Studio, Graphic Design, Multimedia). Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Student must be a United States citizen or resident alien. Student must be a graduate of an area high school (Escambia/Santa Rosa counties.) Portfolio of work should contain 10-15 examples of artwork, matted or appropriately presented (frames not required), as a sheet of 35mm slides or both.
The Anna Lamar Switzer Scholarship will cover tuition, fees and/or books.