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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
10/21/2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES-The Catholic Student Organization affiliated with Northwestern State University honored five people during Homecoming celebrations Oct. 16. Kevin and Annie O'Neal Lynch were honored as Alumni of the Year, the first couple honored as such by the CSO. Laypersons of the Year were Joan and Russell "Buddy" Gahagan Jr. and the late Liz Carroll.
During a CSO reception, Mr. Lynch surprised his wife by announcing the creation the Annie C. O'Neal Lynch Scholarship in the College of Nursing with an endowment of $100,000. Of those funds, $50,000 has been earmarked for Holy Cross Church, the largest donation ever made to the 95-year-old church.
The donations "will make a difference in the experience of students and a difference to Holy Cross Church," said Don Barker, chairman of the pastoral council for Holy Cross.
"Mr. Lynch's generosity not only honors his wife, it will enable deserving students to enter a career of helping others," said Director of Alumni Affairs Chris Maggio. "The endowment to Holy Cross will ensure that a student leaves Northwestern equipped not just with knowledge, but with spiritual strength."
Mr. Lynch, who graduated from NSU in 1961, stressed the importance of serving others and thanked people who helped him during his college experience. Mrs. Lynch earned a degree in nursing at NSU in 1960. They are active members of St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
David Deggs spoke about Carroll, assistant director of Student Activities from 1987-99, who was a mentor and friend to thousands of students. Melanie McCain accepted the award on behalf of her sister.
Mr. and Mrs. Gahagan, who are both alumni of NSU, talked about the importance of the CSO in the lives of students and the importance of Holy Cross Church in their own lives.
"It's because of people like the Lynches, Liz Carroll and the Gahagans that students attending Northwestern can have a meaningful experience, both academically and in their faith," Maggio said.