Alumna, athlete, wife, mother. When Anne Marie Connolly (née Van Casteren) ’14, ’16 first set foot on Lynn University’s campus as a student, she saw that it was different than other institutions. She was a student-athlete looking for a university where she could succeed academically and athletically. In her first week of meeting her coaches, teammates and professors, she knew she had chosen the right place.
“Coming to Lynn I didn’t know what to expect,” said Anne Marie Connolly. “But the moment I walked around campus, I felt like I was at home.”
Lynn is special to so many; it’s not surprising Anne Marie feels the same way. It’s where she grew personally, professionally and met her husband, Travis ’16. Today, Anne Marie is the communications and marketing manager for the City of Boca Raton. She credits the knowledge and skills she received at Lynn for her professional accomplishments, and she wants all current Fighting Knights to receive that same guidance.
A student’s success
Anne Marie’s story is one of inspiration and admiration. As a student, she helped represent the women’s softball team and served as a journalist, resident assistant and community advisor. She began her college career in 2010 when she received a softball scholarship from Lynn. A Palm Beach Central High School graduate, she was excited to start a new chapter. She met her goal of excelling academically and athletically and became a mainstay on campus.
Anne Marie worked on the university’s student-run publication iPulse and became a student ambassador for Admission. She played women’s softball for three years and became one of two representatives for the university’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She graduated magna cum laude in 2014, earning a bachelor’s in multimedia journalism, with a minor in public relations. She then went on to earn her MBA in marketing, media management from Lynn in 2016.
“Anne Marie was a star student and athlete who took advantage of all Lynn had to offer,” said Meagan Elsberry, assistant dean of students. “But above all, she acted as a mentor and role model for our students. You could always count on her.”
Outside the classroom, Anne Marie caught the eye of a fellow Fighting Knight. Travis Connolly was smitten with his soon-to-be bride from the moment he saw her. “I just remember thinking, I need to meet this girl,” said Travis. “So, I finally got the guts to introduce myself. And it paid off.” Travis, who majored in business administration and management at Lynn, also had a love for Lynn and was admired for his “can-do” attitude.
“We were both so lucky to have the support of our coaches, staff and faculty when we were students,” said Anne Marie. “And we appreciate everyone who helped us along the way.”
A bright future
Anne Marie forged many relationships as a student, one of which paved the way for her next role. After graduation, she returned to Lynn as a professional to the institution she loved. Lynn’s Executive Director of Career and Alumni Connections, Barbara Cambia, hired Anne Marie as programming and student engagement coordinator, further deepening her ties at Lynn. In the role, she planned events, including the career and internship fairs, the Alumni Shadowing program and more. Along with Cambia, she built the foundation of the career development department and made the department what it is today.
“Anne Marie was a vital part of our department. Her work ethic and ability to pivot on any task made her invaluable,” said Cambia.
Anne Marie flourished as a young professional in the career center. One task she loved was promoting the university to outside corporations and organizations. “I thoroughly enjoyed talking about Lynn and the unique things the university was doing,” said Anne Marie. “It’s easy to talk about something you love so much.”
Taking what she learned from her role in the career center, Anne Marie landed the role of public relations specialist in 2018 for the City of Boca Raton, where she informed the public and local media on happenings within the community. By 2021, she was promoted to communications and marketing manager, implementing city-wide communication plans.
“So much of what I learned in my studies and in my work in Career and Alumni Connections prepared me for the role I have now,” said Anne Marie. “I can’t imagine being where I am without that knowledge.”
Lynn blue, through and through
Today, Anne Marie, Travis and their one-year-old daughter live in Boca Raton. As Lynn alumni, the couple give their time to help the university support the next generation of Fighting Knights. They regularly mentor student-athletes and talk to classes about the professionalism they gained from Lynn. They attend alumni events, such as Alumni Weekend, the holiday party and more. They enjoy mingling with their former classmates and networking with other alumni.
The Connollys also donate to the university’s greatest needs, which often includes student scholarships and campus updates. “Every time we come back to Lynn, there’s something beautiful being built, and students are doing amazing things,” said Travis. “I am happy to contribute to my alma mater so that today’s students can have more than I did.”
Want to support Lynn, too? Join the Connollys on Giving Day.
