Lynn University

The school first opened in 1962 as Marymount College, a women's junior college founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM). In 1963, the first class was welcomed at Lynn, consisting of 96 women. From 1963 through the early 1970s, Marymount College underwent significant changes, including the addition of the institution’s first male population and campus expansion. Even with these changes, the college faced financial hardship and announced its closure by May 1972.^[2]  

With an interest in purchasing books from Lynn’s library, Donald E. Ross, who at the time was working for Wilmington College, visited the institution and was so inspired by the school he decided to stay and help it succeed. A period of transition began, and the school was placed under the control of a lay board, and Donald E. Ross was named president.^[2] During his early years as president, Ross secured an agreement with Wilmington College and increased enrollment by 36%.

In 1974, the university's name was changed to the College of Boca Raton.^[2] The college was granted accreditation at Level II in 1986. In 1988, it was accredited at Level III. During this time, it was transformed from a two-year school to a four-year college with a master's program.^[2]

In September 1991, the board voted unanimously to change the institution’s name to Lynn University in honor of its benefactors. That same year, Donald Ross assembled a strategic task force to create a pathway for the future success of the university. In 1992, Lynn launched a $19.5 million fundraising campaign to support the university. Ross had already opened American College Dublin in Ireland, which allowed students to study abroad. Two years later, the fundraising campaign raised 113% of its goal, providing the university the funds to bring on academic programming, construction, and more.  

On July 1, 2006, Ross retired after 35 years as the university's president; Kevin M. Ross succeeded his father in office. That same year, Lynn hosted its first-ever Founder's Day to honor Donald Ross and his wife, Helen.^[3] Additionally, the university launched the Lynn 2020 strategic plan, which was designed to keep the university moving forward for years to come.^[4]

On January 12, 2010, two days into Lynn University's humanitarian trip, called "Journey of Hope," a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti, devastating the island and taking the lives of four students and two faculty members.^[5] Each year, the university honors the victims with a ceremony at the Remembrance Plaza—a structure built to honor those lost. Because of that fateful day, the university community dedicates time to hep those in need through many service-oriented projects.

On October 22, 2012, the university hosted the third and final 2012 U.S. presidential debate between U.S. president Barack Obama and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney concerning U.S. foreign policy. The debate was held at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson World Performing Arts Center and was moderated by journalist Bob Schieffer of CBS News.^[6]

Thanks to Apple's mobile technology, Lynn has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School since 2014 for innovation in learning, teaching and campus environment.^[7] Faculty-produced e-books replaced traditional textbooks, saving students up to 90% on textbook costs. In 2016,^[8] Lynn elevated the mobile learning program by providing all undergraduate day students and faculty with an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. By 2026, Lynn expanded its program with the introduction of MacBook Air.

In 2017, the university established the social impact lab—now the Karen S. Lynch Center for Leadership and Social Impact—as an experiential space where students and professionals leverage business to drive positive local and global change. That same year, Lynn acquired the Digital Media Arts College (DMAC) and integrated it into the Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn College of Communication and Design.

The Lynn 2020 plan, completed ahead of schedule in 2018, delivered impactful achievements, including nationally recognized Dialogues core curriculum, the Citizenship Project—a four-week community engagement program for first-year students—and a three-year accelerated bachelor's degree. The university also raised over $100 million and transformed the campus with enhanced technology and nearly 200,000 square feet of new facilities.

In 2018, Lynn University reimagined the university's path using design thinking, established bold priorities and launched the Lynn 2025 strategic plan. The plan build upon the university's achievement, engaging students, alumni, employees and supporters to elevate and expand its mission.

By 2025, Lynn celebrated the successful completion of its strategic plan, marked by increased overall enrollment, higher undergraduate retention, the integration of innovative technologies, enhanced curriculum and well-being programs, expansion of athletics and residence halls and the continued growth of a tight-knit campus community.^[9] As part of its Lynn 2025 strategy, the university raised and secured another $100 million to invest in Lynn's future, strengthened its endowment to over $50 million, invested in championship athletics, and added another 200,000 square feet to enhance student housing, health and wellness.

Lynn University's athletic teams are known as the Fighting Knights. The university is an NCAA Division II institution, the college's athletic teams participate in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC). Lynn University teams have won a total of 25^[15] NCAA and NAIA national championships, and 47^[15] Sunshine State Conference championships. Men's varsity sports are baseball, basketball, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, swimming,^[16] cross country and track & field.^[17] Women's varsity sports include basketball, golf, and lacrosse.^[18]

• Joseph Abruzzo – Democratic member of the Florida Senate
• Gülşah Akkaya – Professional basketball player
• Jean Alexandre – Professional soccer player
• Tal Erel – Baseball catcher for the Israel national baseball team
• Kendra Erika – Musician
• Scott Gordon – Professional soccer player
• Svetlana Gounkina  – Russian golfer; multiple Russian national champion; bronze medalist in the World Golfers Championship
• Maha Haddioui – Professional golfer and Olympian from Morocco
• Tommy Kahnle – Professional baseball player
• Lisa Kerney – Former ESPN broadcaster
• John McCormack – College baseball coach at Florida Atlantic
• Tim Melia – Professional soccer player
• Jared Montz – Professional soccer player
• Melissa Ortiz – Former player for the Colombia women's national football team
• Sherrexcia Rolle – Bahamian attorney and VP of operations and General Counsel of Western Air^[19][20]
• Ronald L. Rowe Jr. – Director of the United States Secret Service, 2024–2025
• Rachel Wolfson – Comedian and stunt performer