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Freeman Volunteer of the Year Award

This award is named for Robert Mallory Freeman, a former VIMS Council member and supporter who passed away in 2004. Bob was chairman of Signet Bank in Richmond until 1996. He was active with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Virginia Environmental Endowment, among many other community leadership activities. At VIMS, Bob was interested in oyster restoration, advancing research with cutting-edge scientific equipment, and helping to leverage resources like VIMS research vessel Pelican.

The winner of Freeman Award for 2009 is Dr. Maurice P. Lynch, better known to friends and colleagues as "Mo."

Dr. Mo Lynch.

Since his retirement from VIMS as a distinguished Emeritus Professor, Mo Lynch has also been one of VIMS' most stalwart volunteers helping to lead tours of VIMS, showing an enthusiastic knowledge of the Institute, serving on committees such as the Annual Fund Board and Auction Committee, and leading an Alumni outreach effort resulting in increased alumni participation.

After graduating from Harvard College as a Biology major, he served as a Navy Seal. He became so enamored with being "waterlogged" that he decided that Marine Science might be the career for him. So off he went to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Mo graduated with his M.A. from the School of Marine Science in 1965 and his Ph.D. in 1972.

Dr. Lynch joined the full-time staff at VIMS in November 1971. He headed the Divisions of Biological Oceanography, Special Programs, and Marine Resource Management and served as Virginia's Sea Grant Director from 1976-1980. From 1984 to 1989 he served as the Director of the Chesapeake Research Consortium, an organization of the leading research institutions in the Chesapeake region. From 1992 until his retirement, he managed the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERRVA).

Currently, Dr. Lynch serves on the Hampton Roads Sanitation District Commission, an 8-member board appointed by the governor of Virginia. Their vision is for future generations to inherit clean waterways. Mo Lynch has served VIMS as an engaged student, distinguished professor, outstanding administrator, and now as a valued volunteer!

Mo, please accept this certificate as our appreciation of your dedication, loyalty, and efficiency while volunteering at VIMS.