| Dr. Rose Marie Lynch, an English and
journalism instructor at IVCC, has been named the 1999
Illinois Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation
for the Advancement of Teaching. Lynch, who has been on the faculty at IVCC since 1970, was selected for the national award from among 27 nominees from universities and community colleges in Illinois. |
 |
"I am very honored," said Lynch. "For IVCC to express their faith in me by nominating me for this award was very gratifying. Being selected is a bit overwhelming."
Jean Goodnow, president of Illinois Valley Community College, who nominated Lynch for the award said, "Rose Lynch is a leader both on our campus and in our community. She richly deserves this national recognition for her hard work and dedication to teaching.
"Dr. Lynch embodies the ‘students first’ standards for which community colleges are renowned. She has given so much to our students, our staff and community and asked so little in return. We are proud to have her on our faculty," Goodnow said.
Both current and past chairmen of the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts praise Lynch.
"Rosie was the first faculty member I met when I began here as a part-time theatre director some 23 years ago," said Giacomo Leone, chairman of the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts. "I was impressed by her at that time, and my impression has only been solidified and enhanced over the years. Besides being very capable, competent, and professional, Rosie is an always respected friend. Her objective and sage comments make this place a little better. She is definitely a part of the fabric that makes IVCC what it is. I am thrilled that she was chosen for what is a well-deserved award."
Former division chairman Dr. Mary Weeg said, "When we interviewed Rosie almost 30 years ago, we said as she walked out the door, 'this one's a winner.' Years later, when she ran the local 10K race, one of our friends made a sign reading 'Rose Marie Lynch is a winner.' We were right all along, and I'm just delighted now that a lot of others are realizing it too."
Lynch has garnered many honors while on the faculty at IVCC. She received the Connections 2000 Award for Integrated Module Projects from the Illinois State Board of Education in 1993 and 1999. She also has received teaching awards from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association and a merit award for outstanding service to both the college and community from Illinois Valley Community College.
Lynch is actively involved in the Tech Prep program, serving as a team leader. She incorporates active learning techniques in her classroom and helps mentor new faculty.
For 29 years, she has served as adviser to The Apache, IVCC’s award-winning college newspaper. The Apache also was the first community college newspaper in the state to be available on-line.
Lynch has been a member of the American Federation of Teachers, local 1810, since 1970, and she has served in every major office in the union including President and Chief Negotiator.
"A great many people have helped, challenged, supported and taught me over the years including my students, fellow teachers, IVCC support and administrative staff, my teachers, and my family. I owe them a lot," Lynch said.
"My teachers, from elementary through graduate school opened the windows to the world for me and inspired me to join their ranks," she said. "And my mother pushed me to get a good education so I would have a better life than she and my father, both the children of immigrants had. She made school so important to me that I never left."
In addition to her numerous school-related activities, Lynch has served on the board of education at LaSalle-Peru Township High School since 1985 and has been the president of the board of the Illinois Valley Food Pantry since 1988.
Lynch earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind. in 1964 and 1965 respectively and a doctorate in English from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. in 1975.
The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education assembled two preliminary panels of judges to select the finalists for Professor of the Year. Nominees, 27 of them in Illinois, were evaluated in four areas: impact and involvement with undergraduate students, scholarly approach to teaching and learning, contributions to undergraduate education within the institution, community and profession and support from colleagues and students.
The Carnegie Foundation then convened the third and final panel which selected the winners, with 44 state winners announced this year.