Commitment to adult education
A bequest from late community leader Josephine “Jo” Lynam has established two $7,000 scholarships for women attending the University of New Brunswick.
A lifelong educator, Dr. Lynam took a special interest in encouraging adults who return to school after a period away. She requested that her gift of $260,000 benefit strong academic female students, aged 25 years or older, who are in financial need, with preference given to single mothers.
“It’s not easy for adults to go back to school,” said Kathy Waugh, associate registrar, undergraduate awards at UNB.
“Scholarships like this one help financially and they also validate the student’s efforts. Knowing that someone believes in her makes a great difference in deciding to continue her degree program.”
Dr. Lynam’s gift is being matched 50 cents on the dollar by the Province of New Brunswick through the New Brunswick University Opportunities Fund (NBUOF). The first two scholarships will be awarded to students in September 2010 to students beginning their third year.
Helping others fulfill their dreams
Wendy Dionne, Dr. Lynam’s niece, described how these scholarships are characteristic of her aunt.
“Jo was constantly maneuvering behind the scenes to find ways for others to fulfill their dreams. She would nudge people forward, making them believe in their capacity to change their lives.”
Dr. Lynam graduated from UNB with a bachelor of arts in 1941 and from McGill with a master’s in education five years later. Over the span of her career, she taught in various public schools and worked for the New Brunswick Department of Education, the federal government, Algonquin College and the New Brunswick Department of Continuing Education.
In retirement, Dr. Lynam became heavily involved in countless community organizations including Pine Grove Nursing Home, the Third Age Centre, and Learning Unlimited, an educational program for seniors. She was committed to UNB, serving on the Alumni Council and working with the Elderhostel program. A member of the Canadian Federation of University Women for more than 30 years, she received the CFUW Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
In recognition of her volunteer contributions, she was a recipient of The Governor General’s 125th Anniversary Medal and The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. In addition, she received an honorary degree from St. Francis Xavier University in 1985 for her life work in adult education.
Inspiration through example
“As one of our largest undergraduate awards, the Josephine Lyman Scholarships will reward two of our most deserving students every year,” said UNB President Eddy Campbell.
“Along with being encouraged to continue their studies because of the scholarship, I think recipients will be inspired by Jo’s truly impressive life achievements.”
Established in 1785, UNB is one of the oldest public universities in North America. One of the top five comprehensive universities in Canada, according to Maclean’s magazine, UNB has more than 12,000 students from more than 100 countries. As the largest research institution in New Brunswick, UNB conducts 80 per cent of the province’s university research. The university has more than 3,500 faculty and staff, and an annual operating budget of more than $160 million. UNB’s two main campuses are located in Fredericton and Saint John, N.B.
