The Students/ Academics
Dick Flynn cares deeply for the students of Springfield College. He and Jani invite them to events at the President’s residence to get to know them and to recognize their accom- plishments. He knows them by name, attends their athletic contests and theater perform- ances, and is not at all hesitant to deliver fatherly advice. “Make wise choices,” he tells first-year ice cream social attendees.
of major programs for undergraduate and graduate study and first-class facilities to support these programs were essential. A considerable expansion of student program- ming—academics, recreation, and more—occurred during his tenure. In addition to offering bachelor’s degrees
in more than 40 majors and master’s degrees in 15 fields, new in-demand programs were implemented. Additionally, an opportunity for undergraduate students to showcase and
Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Sciences and rehabilitation Studies. “The program is thriving today as a result.” The resources available to students to help
them achieve academic excellence also have been greatly enhanced and, in addition to the new construction and major renovations of academic facilities, include the enrichment of academic support services at all 10 campuses. These encompass the creation of the Academic Success Center on the Springfield
“Our goal of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body will never diminish in relevance or go out of style.”
celebrate their scholarship was created with establishment of the Scholars in Action Program. “Dr. Flynn recognized the
Richard Flynn surveys the campus.
“The choice you make today impacts your success tomorrow. And, this applies throughout your entire life.” Former student trustee Tyler Hilbert told
The Student newspaper in 2010, “[Dr. Flynn] really feels like a proud papa when he’s with his students, and that’s not only with student government members and student leaders on campus, but the student body as a whole. He treats all of us like his surrogate children, and that carries over with Mrs. Flynn, as well. They really view us as 2,400 children of theirs and they will do anything for us.” Springfield College has long been known
for its tradition of folks saying “hi” to each other when walking across campus. It’s a tradition to which Dick Flynn subscribed early, particularly with the students. It is no surprise, then, that each goal or improvement he has sought to accomplish has been to better the experience of the students. Strong academic programs and support
services at Springfield College were a priority of Flynn’s from the start. He realized that to assure academic excellence, a wide selection
10
Flynn talks with students at the farewell event they held for him in April.
value of, and need for, a change in the physical therapy curriculum from a master of
science to doctor of physical therapy degree, and he championed our proposal through the Springfield College Board of Trustees as well as the Massachusetts Board of Higher education for approvals,” says David Miller,
campus, enhancement of library services, and the institution of an educational technology support system. Most important among the resources is a strong and expert faculty whose members are nationally and internationally recognized as experts in their disciplines, approximately 85 percent of whom have earned the highest degrees attainable in their fields. All of these undertakings reflect Dick
Flynn’s commitment to preparing thoughtful and active citizens who care deeply about the pressing issues facing our society today, and who possess the skills, experience, and determination necessary to create positive change in the lives of others. The president’s 14-year tenure at
Springfield College directly coincides with the lifespan of the communications/sports journalism major in the Humanities Department. “The program has grown exponentially during this period of time, and we have greatly benefited from the resources his administration has been able to allocate to the major,” says Margaret Lloyd, Ph.D., chair of the Humanities Department. “Dr. Flynn is genuinely student-oriented and unambiguously has a great love for the College. He has worked tirelessly throughout his tenure, with a resolute leadership that will benefit generations of students to come.” Anyone who has heard Flynn speak has
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