The Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund directly benefits those communities seeking to participate in the Newly Elected Officials Course by awarding scholarships to reduce the cost of the course tuition for communities with financial difficulties. Offered every two years on a scheduled corresponding with municipal elections, municipalities interested in applying for the scholarship should contact the Local Government Academy at 412.237.3171.
Contributions to the Michael P. Lynch Scholarship are tax deductible and can be made at any time. Municipalities are invited to join the Leadership Circle-a program supporting the Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund by municipalities for municipalities.
On May 14, 2009 the annual "Promoting Excellence" Golf Outing will raise funds for the Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund.
For more information about the Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund, Local Government Academy programs or to become an Advocate for Good Government, contact Susan G. Hockenberry, Executive Director, at 412.237.3171 or via e-mail at shockenberry@localgovernmentacademy.org.
A STORY OF LEADERSHIP - Michael P. Lynch
“My wife Joan and I came to the Pittsburgh region in the fall of 1968 to work and raise a family. After various positive community experiences, I sought the office of Mayor of Monroeville and had the privilege of serving 3 terms.
During that experience, it became apparent that the partnering of municipal services with community resources afforded unlimited opportunities to improve the quality of life of our residents while encouraging broad based citizen, business and government cooperation. It also became clear to me that the role of local government was critical to the daily life of its citizens, and further that its performance as one community in a family of communities defined by a county and a region impacts the future of the county and region.
Combining these ideas, I was enthusiastic when asked to join other local elected officials to work on the creation of a resource that would increase the efficiency and effectiveness of local government. This collective effort resulted in the Local Government Academy and I was honored to serve as chairman of the Academy for 17 years.
The growth and success of the Academy is a credit to the quality and availability of its programs and the close collaboration between government, academic, civic and business leaders which occurs in order to develop and market timely of programs of current interest.
A unique and important by-product of the Academy’s classes is the lasting personal relationship developed among officials from communities throughout our region which opens lines of communication and create opportunities for cooperation.
Unfortunately, its is often difficult for communities of limited financial resources to take advantage of the training provided by the Academy even though these communities in particular would benefit greatly from the services of the Academy.
I am deeply gratified that the Academy has honored me by naming the scholarship program the Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund. The return on investment in this Fund is measured not only in the improved performance of a deserving local government, but the value of this improved performance to our region. Your tax deductible contributions to the Fund is an investment in the future."
