The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Celebrates 45 Years of Philanthropy and Academic Excellence

Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, marking a legacy of excellence and innovation to health care education, research and practice. Throughout its history, transformational philanthropists and partners have helped build and shape the College to meet the evolving needs of health care and nurture the next generation of nurses.

The College’s namesake and former nurse, Christine E. Lynn, provided a landmark $10 million gift to Florida Atlantic in 2001. Combined with matching state funds, Christine’s donation supported the construction of a facility, featuring a practice wing, ample research space, and harmonious design reflective of the College’s caring philosophy. Her gift also expanded academic programming.

Christine’s commitment to the local community’s health care and nursing education excellence
at Florida Atlantic established a lasting legacy. Serving as lead philanthropist for the Christine E. Lynn Center for Caring, Anne Boykin Institute for the Advancement of Caring in Nursing and Nursing Assistant Scholarships, and other initiatives, Christine remains steadfast in her support to the field.

“South Florida is fortunate to have the College of Nursing, as it benefits everyone in the region by bringing qualified nurses into area hospitals and health care settings,” Christine said. “Nurses are the lifeblood of the health care system.”

A generous gift from Louis and Anne Green, also matched by the State of Florida, helped relocate the Memory and Wellness Center to the Boca Raton campus in 2004. Renamed the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, the unique building houses a diagnostic clinic, dementia-specific adult day center, and provides counseling, education and research activities. The Center also hosts practicum experiences for nursing, medicine and social work students to foster career preparation and nurture compassionate care for the community they will serve in the future.

In 2022, Holli Rockwell Trubinsky and Joseph Trubinsky pledged $10 million to create the Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean in Nursing, naming Dean Safiya George, Ph.D. as the first recipient. Establishing one of the largest endowed nursing deanships in the country, the Trubinsky’s transformational gift ensured a tradition of exceptional leadership in the College of
Nursing.

“Through my work as a nurse and having served on the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Advisory Board, I am acutely aware of the importance and impact nurses have in health care,” said Holli. “Ensuring FAU’s ability to recruit and sustain extraordinary leaders who will train future generations of nurses is a priority and passion.”

The College of Nursing is grateful to its many donors and partners in philanthropy throughout
the years. The generous support from foundations, community health systems, alumni, friends, Advisory Board members, and Caring Hearts Auxiliary members have paved the way for
the College’s future. These collective efforts, combined with talented educators, researchers and students, contribute to nationally ranked programs, address the region’s nursing shortages, and equip the next generation of nurses to meet the changing needs of health care delivery.

To learn more about how Florida Atlantic is addressing the growing need to train more health care workers and improve health outcomes for all, as well as how Transcend Tomorrow: The Campaign for Florida Atlantic University is providing scholarships that propel student success, visit transcendtomorrow.fau.edu.