Award-winning IVCC journalism and English instructor honored

A plaque honoring retired IVCC journalism instructor Dr. Rose Marie Lynch was unveiled at Thursday’s board meeting. In her remarks to the board, Lynch deflected all credit to her mentor, the late Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg. photo IVCC

OGLESBY- The Illinois Valley Community College board honored Dr. Rose Marie Lynch Thursday night for the landmark contributions she’s made to the college since arriving in 1970. Board chair Jane Goetz unveiled an 18 x 24 plaque topped with a photo from the 1970s of Lynch and mentor Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg.
Goetz then read the plaque text: “Illinois Valley Community College expresses its profound gratitude to two of its preeminent humanities leaders: Dr. Rose Marie Lynch and her mentor, Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg.
“Hired by Dr. Weeg in 1970, ‘Rosie’ went on to become an award-winning IVCC journalism and English instructor over a 32-year career.
“As executor of Dr. Weeg’s estate, Rosie skillfully handled the largest gift in IVCC’s history, a $1.2 million bequest. IVCC named its beautifully-refurbished auditorium the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre in 2017.
“We will always remember and cherish Rosie for her continued role in that unprecedented donation and for the countless other kindnesses she graciously performed for IVCC and its students.”
The plaque will be displayed near the entrance of the Weeg Cultural Centre.