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Lock Haven University unveils portrait at homecoming weekend

As part of Lock Haven University’s Homecoming activities, a special portrait by Dr. May White Dwyer was unveiled as a tribute to Robert and Dolores Lynch. The painting will be permanently on display in the Stevenson Library in the second floor Media Center.

On hand were a number of former students of the social work program, Kappa Alpha Psi and the Black Student Union. Each of the students offered stories of how the Lynches provided them with the basis to succeed in all areas of their lives. University president, Michael Fiorentino Jr., commented “together Bob and Dolores Lynch made this community a better place and touched the lives of all those they encountered. They both positively influenced generations of students and they encouraged their colleagues to do more to serve others.” President Emeritus Craig Dean Willis also was on hand to assist with the unveiling and praised to the work of the Lynches, providing an overview of their accomplishments.

Dr. Robert Lynch served as assistant to the president and director of social equity during his time at LHU from 1969 to1998, as well as director of the LHU community choirs and orchestra. He retired in 1998 as administrator emeritus. Early in his career, Dr. Lynch founded the community orchestra and chorus, acting as the conductor and director for both groups. In 1970 he founded the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education, and established the annual Robert D. Lynch Student Leadership Development Institute to provide additional leadership opportunities to students.

As a Rotarian, Lynch served as president of the Rotary Club of Lock Haven and Governor of Rotary International District 737, as well as many other supporting roles. Lynch passed away on March 25, 2010.

Dolores Cruse Lynch began teaching at LHU in 1969 and served as the director of the social work program from 1970 through 1999. She actively obtained and maintained accreditation for the social work program through the Council on Social Work Education. She served in various capacities on the Lycoming-Clinton County Office of the Aging Advisory Council, the Community Nursing Services Board of Directors, and the Lycoming-Clinton County Mental Health-Mental Retardation.

She received assistant professor emerita status from the sociology-anthropology-social work-geography department upon retirement in 1999. Dolores Lynch continues to live in the Clinton County area and actively serves at in the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bellefonte.

The artist, Dr. May White Dyer, is a distinguished professor emerita from the art department. She taught from 1974 to 1996. Dyer served as the department chair and boldly advocated the promotion of the arts in the community.

The university is home to many of Dyer’s artistic renderings of the beauty of the area. Dyer currently resides in Lubbock, Texas.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

Lock Haven University unveils portrait at homecoming weekend

As part of Lock Haven University’s Homecoming activities, a special portrait by Dr. May White Dwyer was unveiled as a tribute to Robert and Dolores Lynch. The painting will be permanently on display in the Stevenson Library in the second floor Media Center.

On hand were a number of former students of the social work program, Kappa Alpha Psi and the Black Student Union. Each of the students offered stories of how the Lynches provided them with the basis to succeed in all areas of their lives. University president, Michael Fiorentino Jr., commented “together Bob and Dolores Lynch made this community a better place and touched the lives of all those they encountered. They both positively influenced generations of students and they encouraged their colleagues to do more to serve others.” President Emeritus Craig Dean Willis also was on hand to assist with the unveiling and praised to the work of the Lynches, providing an overview of their accomplishments.

Dr. Robert Lynch served as assistant to the president and director of social equity during his time at LHU from 1969 to1998, as well as director of the LHU community choirs and orchestra. He retired in 1998 as administrator emeritus. Early in his career, Dr. Lynch founded the community orchestra and chorus, acting as the conductor and director for both groups. In 1970 he founded the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education, and established the annual Robert D. Lynch Student Leadership Development Institute to provide additional leadership opportunities to students.

As a Rotarian, Lynch served as president of the Rotary Club of Lock Haven and Governor of Rotary International District 737, as well as many other supporting roles. Lynch passed away on March 25, 2010.

Dolores Cruse Lynch began teaching at LHU in 1969 and served as the director of the social work program from 1970 through 1999. She actively obtained and maintained accreditation for the social work program through the Council on Social Work Education. She served in various capacities on the Lycoming-Clinton County Office of the Aging Advisory Council, the Community Nursing Services Board of Directors, and the Lycoming-Clinton County Mental Health-Mental Retardation.

She received assistant professor emerita status from the sociology-anthropology-social work-geography department upon retirement in 1999. Dolores Lynch continues to live in the Clinton County area and actively serves at in the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bellefonte.

The artist, Dr. May White Dyer, is a distinguished professor emerita from the art department. She taught from 1974 to 1996. Dyer served as the department chair and boldly advocated the promotion of the arts in the community.

The university is home to many of Dyer’s artistic renderings of the beauty of the area. Dyer currently resides in Lubbock, Texas.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

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