FAU Receives $5 Million Gift for Schmidt Family Athletic Complex

Florida Atlantic University officially announced a $5 million gift from Christine E. Lynn today to name The Christine E. Lynn Sports Medicine Center within the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence. This marks Lynn’s first contribution to FAU’s Department of Athletics. The Lynn Sports Medicine Center will provide FAU student-athletes with an environment in which preventative treatment and post-competition healing will be at the forefront. It will include specially designed areas for pre-habilitation, rehabilitation and hydrotherapy treatments, as well as offices for training staff. When a student-athlete requires additional care, rooms will be available for FAU team doctors to provide necessary medical examinations and treatments. Over the past 30 years, Lynn has supported nursing, healthcare and education with unwavering dedication, said FAU President John Kelly. “Christine Lynn understands the importance of quality healthcare and has demonstrated a personal commitment to enhancing community healthcare resources while supporting education,” Kelly said. “FAU has enormous potential and continues to be an irresistible draw for the best and brightest students. Lynn’s philosophy strongly aligns with FAU’s mission.” Lynn’s philanthropic efforts have provided much to the University, including a generous $10 million gift to fund and name the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing building in 2001, as well as various other gifts to the College of Nursing; the College of Business; the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine; the Louis and Ann Green Memory and Wellness Center; and FAU’s peace studies program within the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. “I’m delighted to make this gift in honor of my friends, Dick and Barbara Schmidt, who have done so much for our community and have committed to a state-of-the-art facility, the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence, here at FAU,” Lynn said. “And I’m excited to have the Sports Medicine Center named after me. As a former nurse, I believe everyone should have the best of care.” Lynn currently serves as chairman of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Board of Trustees, and is the former chairman of the board of Lynn Insurance Group. She is a 2013 recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, given to a distinguished American citizen who exemplifies a life dedicated to community service and who makes a better world for all. Lynn has been awarded honorary degrees from FAU, Lynn University, Stetson University and the American College of Dublin. Among the many other honors she has received include the Outstanding Philanthropic Award for Leadership from Rotary International and the International Humanitarian Award from the American College of Dublin. The Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence will play a central role to elevate FAU’s academic standing and will benefit students in all academic programs, including those not associated with athletic programs. The facility received initial funding of $16 million from the Schmidt Family Foundation, the largest single gift in FAU’s history, along with a $1 million gift from FAU benefactor Eleanor R. Baldwin. The Complex will be constructed adjacent to FAU Stadium. In addition to the Christine E. Lynn Sports Medicine Center and a student-athlete academic and leadership center, the state-of-the-art facilities also will include the Eleanor R. Baldwin History and Traditions Hall, as well as centers for strength and conditioning, health and wellness and an indoor training facility. “FAU’s student-athletes, coaches and staff are humbled by Christine Lynn’s generosity,” said Pat Chun, vice president and director of athletics at FAU. “Not only has she transformed our local community and University through her philanthropy, but she is a wonderful example on how to make a difference. Her gift will impact current and future student-athletes and for that we are thankful.”