Welcome to the Gerald W. Lynch Theater
Since opening its doors in 1988, the Gerald W. Lynch Theater has served as a premier cultural destination and an invaluable resource for the arts in New York City. The Theater is a proud member of CUNY Stages, a consortium of 16 performing arts centers located on CUNY campuses throughout the five boroughs, as well as the CUNY Dance Initiative.
Over the years, the Theater has hosted an impressive array of renowned festivals, performances, and special events, including Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival and White Light Festival, the New Yorker Festival, Mannes Opera productions, the World Science Festival, and the acclaimed revival of Mummenschanz.
The Gerald W. Lynch Theater has also welcomed numerous live and televised events, such as David Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Inside the Actors Studio, Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concerts, Comedy Central Presents one-hour specials, the American Justice Summit, the New York City Mayoral Democratic Debates, and the launch of Jay-Z’s REFORM initiative. Today, the Theater continues to serve as a distinguished venue for premiere galas, conferences, international competitions, graduations, and a wide range of cultural and community events.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY) and an internationally recognized leader in education for justice, serves more than 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students representing over 135 countries. The College offers a distinctive blend of liberal arts and professional studies, preparing students to become ethical leaders, critical thinkers, and engaged citizens in an increasingly complex world.
Through its teaching, scholarship, and research, John Jay approaches justice as both an applied science and a humanistic pursuit. The College is committed to advancing knowledge and fostering meaningful dialogue around society’s enduring aspirations for fairness, equality, human dignity, and the rule of law. By combining academic excellence with a strong dedication to public service, John Jay empowers its diverse community to address contemporary challenges and contribute to a more just and equitable society.
Who was Gerald W. Lynch?
Dr. Gerald W. Lynch served as the third president of John Jay College of Criminal Justice and remains one of the most influential figures in the institution’s history. Born in Manhattan on March 24, 1937, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from New York University. After joining John Jay as a psychology professor in the mid-1960s, Dr. Lynch rose through the ranks, serving as Dean of Students, Acting Dean of Faculty, and Acting President before being officially inaugurated as President in March 1977. During his 28-year tenure, the longest presidency in the College’s history, John Jay’s enrollment doubled from approximately 7,000 to 14,000 students, and the College established the nation’s first doctoral program in criminal justice in 1980. A respected scholar and educator, Dr. Lynch also lectured extensively throughout the United States and across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and the former Soviet Union.
One of Dr. Lynch’s defining achievements came during New York City’s fiscal crisis of 1976, when CUNY was required to make significant budget cuts and several campuses faced consolidation or closure. John Jay College was among the institutions at risk. Determined to preserve the College’s independence, Dr. Lynch led a passionate campaign that united students, faculty, alumni, and influential leaders in government and law enforcement. He also implemented nearly $3 million in internal budget reductions to help safeguard the institution’s future. His leadership ultimately helped John Jay remain an independent college while continuing to grow and thrive. For his unwavering dedication and decisive action during this critical period, Dr. Lynch is widely remembered as the “savior of John Jay,” and his legacy continues to shape the College’s commitment to justice, education, and public service.
“A student at John Jay College in the 1980s, I was often amazed at President Lynch’s uncanny ability to recognize many a student traversing the campuses between the 59th St. and 56th St. and how he would often stop, chat and take an active interest in their progress.”
Adam Brill (Former John Jay Student)
Gerald W. Lynch and his legacy will never be forgotten. It is the theater’s honor to be named after him.