Gladwin Lynne receives Lions International President Award

By Anna Jauhola
Gladwin Lynne likes to see others succeed rather than brag about his own achievements, an impulse that has its roots in his teaching career.
Lynne, who resides in Lake Bronson, is a long-time member of the town’s Lions Club. He recently received the second-highest honor the international service club bestows upon its members – the International President Award.
“I don’t like getting awards,” he said, noting he was surprised to have received it. “I’d rather see someone else get an award. When I was teaching, I had students who would go to the international science fair. … And I’d be all happy and cheery when that happened. And they’d win a big award. I’d rather see someone else receive awards. I like to see other people’s achievements. That’s part of the reason I serve in the Lions Club.”
Lynne has been a Lions member “off and on” since 1965. He taught science for 30 years in Warren, along with a handful of years in Carson, N.D. He moved to Lake Bronson in 1973 and commuted to Warren for work. During the summers, he served in a different capacity working at Lake Bronson State Park and also served as assistant park manager for a while before he was park manager at East Grand Forks.
He said some may feel it’s strange he went into a career where he didn’t make much money. But, he finds more gratification in serving others.
“I think there’s other things you can gather from life besides money, and one of them is working with people,” he said. “I think that’s a great thing to do.”
Lynne is not only president of the Lake Bronson Lions Club, he is also an associate member of the Warren Lions Club, District 5-11 Hearing Foundation Trustee and is working on the D-Feet walk for children who need cochlear implants.
For all these, and other reasons over the years, the District 5-11 Governor Kevin Reich nominated Lynne for the International Presidents Award. Reich is a member of the Red Lake Falls Lions Club.
“He said it’s an award for people in the trenches,” Lynne said.
As far as those looking for a service club or a way to volunteer, Lynne hopes people will consider Lions International.
“It makes you feel good, you’re helping people. And the Lions motto is ‘To Serve.’ I believe in that,” he said.