Commencement Speaker

Dennis Lynn has devoted his career to teaching and to supporting the lives of individuals and families. Since joining OSU-Cascades, he has had a profound impact on its campus community and culture, embodying what it means to teach with generosity.

He was recognized in 2019 with OSU-Cascades’ annual Teaching Excellence Award. And he delivered the “Last Lecture,” in 2017 and 2018, a tradition where a faculty member is selected by graduating students to present a final lesson as they conclude their academic studies. In 2024, he delivered the inaugural “First Lecture” to OSU-Cascades faculty as they prepared for the academic year.

Prior to joining OSU-Cascades, Lynn served as development director of the HIV Alliance in Eugene, Ore. Prior to that, he taught and served in leadership roles at colleges in Nebraska, California and Oregon. Lynn earned a master’s degree in counseling and family life from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. in human development and the family from the University of Nebraska. He served on the board of the United Way of Deschutes County from 2010 to 2014 and has volunteered at Family Kitchen in Bend.

Lynn will retire from OSU-Cascades at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.