Applications are now open for the second round of the Jon & Tina Lynch Family Promoting Civility Scholarship Fund | Institute of Political Science

October 18, 2024 – Karessa Weir

Sophomores are invited to apply for the Jon & Tina Lynch Family Promoting Civility Scholarship Fund, designed to inspire MSU students who want to give back to their communities. And this year, they have double the chance to receive a $1,500 scholarship because the Lynch family has doubled the number of scholarships it will award.

The Lynch Family Scholarship grew out of memories of when Tina and Jon Lynch were together as students at Michigan State University. They walked along the banks of the Red Cedar River and talked about their future and how they would give back to the university where they met.

“Back then, we would take walks in the neighborhood across from Rather Hall and along Red Cedar and dream about what life had in store for us. Even back then, we hoped that one day we would be able to give something back to the place that had given us so much,” said Tina. “For our family, Michigan State is more than a school – it is our home.”

More than 30 years later, the Lynchs, both College of Social Science graduates and Midland residents, fulfilled that dream when they endowed the 2023 Jon & Tina Lynch Family Promoting Civility Scholarship Fund. For 2024, the family has expanded the program to two scholarships worth $1,500 each.

The funds will be used to support students who are involved in their community and to promote civil discourse, Jon explained.

“This foundation aims to support research, education, training or community engagement activities that promote and emphasize civility in public discourse by helping college students develop the courage to take responsibility for inventing the future “The goal is to increase their effectiveness by promoting and participating in civil discourse on important and sometimes controversial issues,” said Jon.

Spartan Green is an integral part of the Lynch family. Their fourth child graduated from MSU this spring, adding six graduates to the family: Jon David, class of 2017; Taylor, Class of 2019; Stefanie, class of 2021; and Connor, class of 2023.

The first recipient was awarded in the spring of 2024 to then-senior Liz Armstrong. Armstrong graduated with a degree in political science with minors in law, justice and public policy. She is currently completing her second year in the Linked Master of Public Policy program.

“We are excited to have Liz as part of the Linked BA-MPP program. Her commitment to civic engagement and building inclusive, healthy communities through policy aligns with the Lynch Family Scholarship values ​​of being informed, caring and engaged,” said MPP Program Director Erika Rosebrook.

This year, the application deadline for the scholarship is November 17, 2024. Further information can be found at Here.