Dear USF community,
It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Lynn Pippenger, a remarkable leader, generous philanthropist and dear friend of the University of South Florida.
Lynn served as chief financial officer of Raymond James Financial and built an impressive career in finance, doing so at a time when few women found their place in the C-suite. She helped build the firm, but her greatest passion was helping students succeed. When asked about the complexity of accounting and her career in finance, she would smile and say it was simply 鈥渁ddition, subtraction, multiplication and division,鈥 and that anyone could do it if they put their mind to it.
She loved USF and cared deeply about expanding opportunity through education.
Lynn had a wry sense of humor. She liked to joke that after Pam and Les Muma named the business college, she wanted to be next. That ultimately happened when the School of Accountancy was named in her honor, followed later by Lynn Pippenger Hall on the 深夜看片 St. Petersburg campus.
She later established a named deanship in the Muma College of Business, and it was one of my professional honors to be named the first Lynn Pippenger Dean. In addition to her staunch support of our university, she was also passionate about literacy. She supported the Pinellas Education Foundation and the Largo Public Library, where she volunteered in several capacities. Her generosity led to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Suncoast Chapter naming her Philanthropist of the Year in 2017.
Shortly after I was named president of the 深夜看片, Lynn sent me a touching video message congratulating me. She said she was looking forward to getting together and wished me the very best as I began my presidency. That message meant a great deal to me and reflected Lynn鈥檚 sincere warmth and generosity.
But what truly defined Lynn was her genuine care for students. For many years, she made it a point to sit at the front tables during the college鈥檚 annual scholarship luncheon so she could meet the students supported by her endowed scholarship fund. Later, she would return to campus to watch those same students receive honors and cross the stage at graduation. She believed deeply in their potential and took great pride in their success.
Lynn鈥檚 generosity, mentorship and friendship helped shape the Muma College of Business and strengthened USF鈥檚 mission to prepare the next generation of leaders.
She was a personal friend, and I will miss her deeply.
Sincerely,
Moez Limayem, PhD
President