The Mabel and Harvey Lynn Award was established in honor and memory of the parents and in-laws of Dr. Robert Lynn and former chancellor, Dr. Naomi Lynn. Dr. Naomi Lynn was the first Hispanic woman president of an American public university, and she served during the transition of the university from Sangamon State to the University of Illinois. Preference for awarding the Mabel and Harvey Lynn Scholarship is given to full-time freshmen and sophomore applicants in good academic standing.