The MHS Science Department Fund

This fund was started in 2011 by Morton High School Science Department Head, Mr. Scott Lynn. The purpose of the fund is to provide annual grants to support the purchase of equipment; defraying the costs of participating in science related activities, competitions, etc.; and other science related activities or purchases.

"A strong Science education program is key to helping our students develop problem-solving skills in a world that is increasingly more scientific and technological," said Morton High School Science Department Head, Mr. Scott Lynn.  He started the MHS Science Department endowment fund with a $1,000 donation of his own in 2011, and then held several school fundraisers over the years to help grow the fund,

Then in 2015, a former student of Mr. Lynn's, who had become a successful doctor, made a donation of $10,000 to the fund.  The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, included a note for Mr. Lynn, thanking him for instilling the love of science in the donor, causing him to pursue a career in medicine.  What a beautiful way to say thanks. 

MORTON - R. Scott Lynn, 63, of Morton, passed away, Saturday, May 30, 2020, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on May 17, 1957, in Peoria, Ill., to Robert and Patsy (Henninger) Lynn. He married Mary Strickland on August 16, 1980, in Morton. Scott is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn of Morton; two sons, Patrick Lynn of Urbana, Ill. and Jeffrey (Miranda) Lynn of Indianapolis, Ind.; one sister, Vicki (Gary) Horn of Morton; one brother, Craig Lynn of Mission, Kan.; and his step-mother, Vernetta Lynn of Lafayette, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Kevin Lynn in 1983 and one nephew, Jesse Horn in 2019.
Scott was a 1975 graduate of Morton High School, where he wrestled. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's of science degree in teaching biology. From 1980 to 1985, he taught biology and coached football at Girard High School in Girard, Ill. In 1987, Scott then continued his teaching career at Morton High School in Morton, Ill., where he taught biology and coached wrestling, football and girls' golf. Scott obtained his National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 2002. He received his master's degree from Saint Xavier University in 2003. After 35 years of teaching, Scott retired from Morton High School in 2017.
As a family, when we think of Scott's interests, his children were the top and most important to him. Some of his intellectual interests included his extensive collection of fossils and his study of the Civil War. Scott loved to travel, so some of our best memories include fishing and golfing trips and especially all the mini golf challenges. We can't think of Scott without remembering his love of food - meat, crustaceans of all kinds and Mountain Dew. And, of course, his office is a montage of every John Wayne film ever made.

By giving to the MHS Science Department Endowment Fund through the Morton Community Foundation, the science program is benefited forever. Donations are invested over time. Earnings from the MHS Science Department Endowment Fund are used to support the purchase of equipment; defray the costs of participating in science related activities, competitions, etc.; and other science related activities or purchases in the future. The initial gift—and all future earnings from a gift—is a permanent source of capital, helping do good work today and into the future.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to this endowment fund, please click the button below for online donations. Or, you can mail a check to 135 S First Avenue, Morton, IL 61550.