From school to career to marriage, their True Blue ties never fade

It would be hard for Meg and Mike Lynch to overstate the impact that UB has had on them, from their educations to their careers to their family.

They met in 2008 as graduate students in the School of Social Work. They learned together, worked on projects together and developed a friendship that blossomed.

Now married with three children and both established professionals in their field, the couple have never broken their True Blue ties.

As a psychiatric social worker and field educator with Erie County Medical Center, Meg has worked with many UB student interns.

“We’ve actually hired most of our students from UB,” says Meg, who feels — all alumni bias aside — that UB students stand out. “There’s a high level of expectation that comes from the UB School of Social Work. It’s just a totally different ball game from a lot of the other programs,” Meg says.

Mike took his connection to the school even further, jumping at an opportunity to apply for a clinical faculty position.

“I had a day-and-a-half-long campus interview and a colloquium in front of all of my old professors, who were on such a pedestal for me, and still are,” recalls Mike. “So that experience of presenting to them and trying to become a peer was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done — and one of the most rewarding.”

Now he finds inspiration in his students.

“I’m continually surprised by the amount of experience and insight that they have, especially as young students. It really keeps me going to hear a room full of MSW students so passionate about social change, to be able to witness their resilience and support them along their journey. I think it keeps the passion lit for me.”

Though their own days as UB students may be behind them, the university’s influence continues to be strongly felt.

“My experience at UB really shaped who I am. It really allowed me to explore my interests and see everything that’s out there so that I could settle on the right path,” Meg says.

“UB has been the host for some of my most challenging moments, but challenging in a good way, where it pushed me out of my comfort zone and stretched me,” Mike says. “Every time you do that, you are more capable for the next challenge.”