MU | F e a t u r e s
President Switzer and her husband, Professor Dave Switzer,
are both retiring this year; (above center) Switzer gets a hug
at the press conference announcing the $35 million Lilly
In April, the Board of
Trustees renamed the
Union the Jo Young
Switzer Center. Students
have started to call it,
affectionately, “The Switz.”
Endowment grant as Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and
Dr. Jane Henney ’69 look on; Switzer poses with Tihitina
Dagnew ’10 at commencement; and Switzer’s family gathers
for her inauguration ceremony in 2005.
What people say about Jo Young Switzer
“As a student here, I had the good fortune to
study with many outstanding teachers, but Jo
was simply the best. She set the standard to
which I aspire. In my years as a professor, Jo
has been my mentor, my boss and my friend.
She inspires us.”
MU Professor Tim Ogden ’87
“I remember Jo Young Switzer as a student,
professor, academic dean and president.
Her character, honesty and integrity are of
the highest quality. She’s all about helping
students. Manchester is stronger and more
spiritual because of her.”
Dave Friermood, retired staff member
“I’ve had the pleasure and honor of working
for more than 20 years with, and then for,
16 |
Jo Young Switzer, someone who I deeply
respect and admire. I’ve appreciated all that
I’ve learned from her, her mentoring, and her
friendship.”
Dave McFadden ’82, president-elect,
executive vice president and dean of the
College of Pharmacy
“Jo is simply the best. Intelligence,
judgment, vision, efficiency, communication,
compassion, warmth, humanity – she is
the complete package. I have been blessed
to work with wonderful people in higher
education, but Jo is head and shoulders
the best university president I have ever
encountered.”
John Zeglis, MU trustee and retired president,
AT&T; chairman and CEO, AT&T Wireless
“Jo listens carefully in a conversation, hearing
so much more than your words. She responds
with genuine understanding and wisdom to
the message of your heart.”
Carol Lindquist ’72, sister
“Jo is such a gifted communicator. I am very
grateful for her work with the Northeast
Indiana Regional Partnership. She continually
elevates our thinking and makes us better.”
Mike Packnett, CEO, Parkview Health
“She seamlessly fuses humility, quick wit,
graciousness, and that Manchester warmth
with deft decision-making. An incredible
leader. A phenomenal woman.”
Tihitina Dagnew ’10, Harvard Law School ’14