Naomi Lynn served as President of Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois from 1991 through 1995. In that year the university transitioned into the University of Illinois at Springfield, part of the University of Illinois system. Lynn skillfully oversaw that transition, becoming chancellor of UIS. As part of that transition, she also supervised the school's transition from a two year (junior and seniors only) to a four year program with increasingly robust graduate programs as well. Lynn was the nation's first Hispanic woman to head a public university. She was a champion of women’s rights and became a leader and mentor for women and minorities in academia and the larger community.
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Influences in her early life leading to career in higher education
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Experiences in higher education in Kansas, Georgia and Illinois as a minority woman
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Transition from Sangamon State to the U. of Illinois-Springfield, a four-year institution
Photos
Caption
Robert and Naomi, 1962, pose for a family picture in Tennessee, with daughters, Judy, Mary Lou, and Nancy.
Where:
Tennessee
When:
1962
Ownership:
Narator's Photo
Caption
The first time a woman in Congress married another member, Representatives Andrew Jacobs and Martha Keys, received national coverage. Naomi served as their matron of honor in Topeka, Kansas in 1976.
Where:
Topeka, Kansas
When:
1976
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
In the late 1980’s Naomi was invited to participate in the Women in Civil Rights National Conference. Pictured with Naomi are Rosa Parks (on the left) and Coretta Scott King (far right). (Narrator’s photo)
Where:
Unknown
When:
Late 1980's
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
In 1988, Naomi initiated and chaired the program for the ‘Women and the Constitution’ Conference, celebrating 200 years of the Constitution; the conference highlighting the recent failure of Equal Rights Amendment.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1988
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Naomi served as the Dean of the College of Public and Urban Affairs at Georgia State University while living in Atlanta, Georgia in 1989.
Where:
Atlanta, Georgia
When:
1989
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Published in 1990, the book is an outgrowth of the Women and the Constitution: A Bicentennial Perspective conference held in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the first to provide an understanding of women’s early political contributions to our country and Constitution.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1990
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Sangamon State University hosted a traditional Christmas party, 1992. Pictured at a university Christmas party are Naomi and Bob with two of their granddaughters.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1992
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Naomi Lynn, pictured shortly after becoming president of Sangamon State University (SSU), Springfield, IL, 1991. She was the first woman president of SSU.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1991
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Naomi Lynn serving as the president of SSU, utilized her skills and leadership to lead the transition of SSU into the University of Illinois system.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
circa 1991
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Pictured in 1992, Naomi and her husband, Bob, entertained Robert Reed (of the Brady Bunch) and his wife, in their home for a private reception in his honor. (Narrator’s photo)
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1992
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Governor Jim Edger congratulated the school’s championship NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes) soccer team in 1993, with coach Aydin Gonulsen and President Naomi Lynn on hand.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1993
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Naomi rides with Aydin Gonulsen, the first Athletic Director and Head Soccer coach at Sangamon State University after winning the 1993 National Championship by the SSU Prairie Stars.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1993
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Naomi Lynn and bipartisan supporters at the signing ceremony with Gov. Jim Edgar in the State Capitol, on June 12, 1995 making Sangamon State University the University of Illinois at Springfield. She received a pen from Gov. Jim Edgar to commemorate the signing of the legislation.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
June 12, 1995
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
The Lynn family gathers for a family picture at Naomi’s retirement reception at the University of Illinois at Springfield on April 7, 2000.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
April 7, 2000
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Naomi is pictured with the Master of Ceremonies A. Wayne Penn, UIS Provost and Vice “Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UIS at the Naomi B. Lynn Retirement Reception, April 2000.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
April 2000
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Naomi is featured in the book, Outstanding Women in Public Administration, 2004 signifying the contributions of eight women leaders, mentors, and pioneers in Public Administration.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2004
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.