“I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me I am stronger for their courage, I am wiser for their words I am lifted by their longing for a fair and brighter future I am grateful for their vision, for their toiling on this Earth.”
— Joyce Johnson Rouse
When Lawrence “Larry” Lynch ’81 reflects on his new role as the chair of The University of Scranton’s Board of Trustees, the lyrics of songwriter Joyce Johnson Rouse come to mind. The verse is fitting, he explains, because thanks to his predecessors, a strong foundation was set in place to build upon. And he sees only better things ahead.
“I’ve been served up a nice platter, so to speak,” Lynch said. “I’ve become chair at a bright spot in the University’s history. Scranton is doing amazingly well: It’s a very competitive, high-quality institution that will continue to attract and retain bright students and faculty, and it is supported by strong alumni, parents and friends.”
Lynch succeeded Christopher ‘Kip’ Condron ’70, H’03, who completed five years of service as chair last year. But Lynch has helped to shape the University’s path through many years of dedicated service and increasing responsibility, beginning with when he was student government president. He later became involved with his local alumni group, and subsequently served as president of The Scranton Club of Philadelphia. From there, he was elected a member of the Alumni Society of The University of Scranton’s Board of Governors.
When Lynch was asked to join the Board as a trustee, he said he was honored to have the chance to serve. He began his first Board term in 2009.
A partner in the financial services sector at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Lynch is one of nine children, six of whom attended Scranton. The Princeton, New Jersey resident and his wife Keli have five children, ranging in age from 14 to 28. His position currently spans PricewaterhouseCoopers’ New York and Philadelphia regions, though his job has taken his family to Paris for assignments twice over the years.
Before he accepted the trustee chair position, Lynch said he wanted to make sure he could manage the time required to do the job well, but conversations with other Board members convinced him he could manage it. He added that he is thankful to his wife for her support of his decision to take on the additional responsibility required of him in his new leadership role.
He is now thrilled to work alongside University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.
“It’s a real learning experience for me. Being a trustee is one thing and chairing the Board is another — I have to provide that leadership,” he said. “But I truly enjoy supporting Fr. Quinn and his team as best I can.”
Lynch said he’s always been comfortable being involved in the world of education, and that’s where he devotes a lot of time. (“I even married a schoolteacher,” he said with a smile.) He believes his love for education began with his parents.
“My parents were very big on education. They stressed that it was very important, and they wanted all of their children to have a good one,” he said. “They felt the best education was a Catholic education, and you could not do better than the Jesuits, so I enrolled at Scranton. I’ve been forever grateful to them for that.”
In addition to his service at the University, Lynch has served on the board of the Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, and while living overseas, chaired the board of Marymount International School of Paris. He is also a board member of the International Insurance Foundation, and has served as a board member of the French American Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia chapter, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Social Services.
Fr. Quinn feels the Board of Trustees is in excellent hands under Lynch’s direction.
“Larry is a thoughtful leader who has a long history of volunteer service to the University,” he said. “His strategic focus and inclusive style will serve the University well as we move to the next chapter in our history.”
Lynch said his desire to stay involved with his alma mater “just feels natural.”
“The University has been an important part of my life,” he said. “It’s that intangible feeling many others describe. There’s a sense of community — it’s a very warm, caring, nurturing environment. It was that way as a student, and it’s that way for me now.”
