Alumna of the Year

Wenona Jones Switzer

Wenona Jones Switzer, 2024 Alumna of the Year, was the first female in the southeastern United States to become a field agent for the Internal Revenue Service. Mrs. Switzer was named to the Outstanding Young Women of America, in addition to receiving several superior performance awards by the IRS.

Born and raised in Guntersville, Alabama, Mrs. Switzer graduated from Marshall County High School (now Guntersville High) in May 1960. After paying her way through college, Mrs. Switzer graduated from Jax State with the highest honors with a double-major in Business and English. While at Jax State, Mrs. Switzer was named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities,” served as Dorm Counselor in Pannell Hall, was the Editor of the Student Directory, President of Phi Beta Lambda, an officer in Sigma Tau Delta, an officer in Kappa Delta Pi, State Treasurer of Phi Beta Lambda, a member of the Mimosa Staff, Miss Mimosa Candidate, Senior Class officer, and placed in the Top 5 in the nation for “Miss Future Business Executive” through national Phi Beta Lambda.

In addition to her career accolades, Mrs. Switzer served her community of Huntsville, Alabama in multiple ways. She was the first female trustee in church history at First Baptist Church Huntsville, serving three terms as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. She also served two terms as President of the Historic Huntsville Foundation and was President of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild, Charter member of the Gothic Guild, President of the Huntsville High School Parent Teacher Association, President of the Jones Valley Elementary Parent Teacher Association, and chaired two major fundraisers for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra—the Crescen-Dough Auction and Silver Tea. Mrs. Switzer was also appointed to the Mayor’s Advisory Board for Huntsville City Schools. She served as an officer in the Huntsville Museum of Art Guild, Huntsville Botanical Garden Guild, Tennessee Valley Genealogy Society, Alabama Constitution Hall Village, Azalea Garden Glub, Greenwyche Garden Club, Twickenham Town Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Constitution Hall Village Society. She also served as a Little League Baseball Pitching Coach.

Mrs. Switzer married John Bowman Switzer on April 29, 1967 in Huntsville, Alabama and they celebrated their 57th anniversary this year.