Members of the Northwest Vista College Business Council and Friends of the Arts came together on Oct. 4 to celebrate Lynne Dean’s service to the college as director of NVC Institutional Advancement. She passed away unexpectedly Aug. 24.
At the event, Lynne’s husband, Robert Dean, said Lynne loved her job and despite being ill, she looked forward to coming to work and often saw it as therapy when she wasn’t feeling well. Lynne’s contributions not only included leading the NVC Business Council and FANS, but coordinating the annual Employee Giving Campaign, and other college-wide activities such as commencement and Wildcat Days.
The purpose of the NVC Business Council is to help create opportunities for success through collaboration, partnerships, mentorship, marketing and financial support. The NVC FANS was created as an arts membership and support organization to provide resources and funding for scholarships for fine and performing arts students, bring visiting artists to campus, and give the college financial resources to buy artwork for an NVC permanent collection.
During the event, San Antonio Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda read a Distinguished Citizen Award honoring Lynne, and Commissioner Karen Harris of the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women read a resolution celebrating Lynne’s contributions to the college and her community. Both documents, along with the Texas flag, which was flown at the Texas capitol, were presented to her husband and her daughter, Kristen Dean.
Shelah Simmons, Ph.D., of Genesis Professional Solutions, and president of the NVC Business Council, said at Lynne’s funeral the pastor told a story that stayed which reference how Lynne developed a passion for giving.
“Lynne’s parents in the late 1960s sold their family farm so that their daughter could attend the University of Texas in Austin,” Shelah said. “That sacrifice birthed her passion to pay it forward not only in scholarship giving, but of herself to those around her. We, at the Business Council, are thankful that we are the recipient of Lynne Dean’s giving.”
Mimi Duvall, president of NVC FANS, said Lynne helped to provide guidance to NVC Fine Arts faculty when it came to the many ideas the FANS group came up with.
“Lynne was “always there, always!” said Mimi. “She gave a louder voice to the arts.”
Northwest Vista College President Dr. Baser referred to Lynne as the “little giant” because during Wildcat Days or the Employee Giving Campaign, she was like a humble general managing behind the scenes.
To read more about Lynne and her life, go here. Lynne’s family and friends have established a scholarship in Lynne’s name and donations can be made at the following link: https://www.alamo.edu/about-us/offices-departments/departments/foundation/donation-form/
- Designate amount
- Under “designation,” select “Use Where Needed Most/Annual Fund”
- Click on “Tribute Gift” and Designate “This gift is in Honor Of”
- Type Lynne Dean
- Follow the remainder of the steps
