Joe Lynch ’44, who has attended every Wesleyan football game except one since graduating, will receive the Baldwin Medal at commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 23. The medal is the highest mark of honors bestowed upon an alumnus who has extraordinarily impacted the University and the greater society.
The medal is a tribute to Judge Raymond E. Baldwin ’16. Baldwin was the only man to have held the offices of Connecticut governor, U.S. Senator and chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court.
“For Wesleyan and for his community, Joe Lynch is the consummate ‘helper,’ and this award is appropriate on its merits. It is doubly appropriate in light of his service to, and long friendship with, the late and great Raymond E. Baldwin ’16 whom the Medal honors,” said Director of Principal Gifts to the University John Driscoll.
Lynch’s services to Wesleyan include acting as the University’s primary legal advisor from the late 1960s to early 1990s.
“[During this time he] not only advised effectively on Wesleyan’s relationship with the local community, he also quietly, and without reimbursement, helped numerous Wesleyan students who had brushes with local law enforcement,” Driscoll said.
“He has served as an attorney on many university matters and has helped the university forge strong and mutually supportive ties with Middletown,” said Judith Brown, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
Lynch served as the Class of 1944’s Agent for the Annual Fund and as chair of his class reunions.
His impact on the University was not only constructed through his offices. Lynch is well known as one of the most enthusiastic and involved Wesleyan alumni. He was recognized as the Wesleyan Fan of the Century in 1999 and at his thirtieth reunion in 1977 as the Distinguished Alumnus.
As for the one stain on his record of attending football games, Driscoll provided an explanation on Lynch’s behalf.
“His doctor told him he couldn’t attend that one. As Joe recounts, ‘I didn’t go to the game, but I got a new doctor,” Driscoll said.
Lynch’s influence extended beyond the campus walls.
“Everybody knew Joe was ‘Mr. Wesleyan’ in this area,” Driscoll said. “Whenever he was in town on Sunday, you could count on going over to Joe’s and join other walk-ins from all walks of life for a breakfast done by Joe behind the grill.”
“He is a warm and wonderful person,” Brown said. “Recipients are selected by an ad-hoc committee of the association consisting of the Chair of the Alumni Association, an Alumni-Elected Trustee appointed by the Chair and the President of Wesleyan University.”
The Alumni Association only bestows this honor when they deem a recipient worthy; it is not an annual award. However, in the past few years the medal has been given more frequently. It was first awarded in 1981 during the opening convocation of Wesleyan’s Sesquicentennial. Last year’s recipient was Theodore Shaw ’76. Several other honorary degrees will be presented during the 2004 commencement ceremonies, including three doctor of humane letters awards.
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