Lique Scholarship Online Application

Drawing of Vince Lique

Chances are you may never have heard of Vince Lique. Yet, he was a true community leader, cherished friend, and yes, a hero to a great many people. He was a man who loved life deeply, who understood the extraordinary gifts that simply living each day to the fullest will bring, and who remained committed to the overriding principles of justice and equality. Vince led by example and with compelling vision. Much of his professional energy focused on protecting the rights, meeting the needs, and celebrating the richness and diversity of the roles that elders and people with disability can play in our society. Vince was an inspired champion of meaningful social change.

When Vince Lique arrived as the new Executive Director of Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) in the fall of 1982, the Agency’s staff numbered about 50 and its annual budget was less than $2 million. Today, 42 years later, the agency employs a staff of over 200; its annual budget is more than $50 million. This extraordinary growth is testimony to the foresight of a visionary leader and dedicated advocate for senior citizens throughout the community and beyond. As one co-worker affirms, Vince “worked passionately at many levels to redefine people’s understanding of elder needs and the way in which we honor and serve them.”

As the Agency evolved, Vince never lost sight of its true mission—to meet the needs of those in the greatest need—and he demanded that all people be treated with dignity and respect. These principles are the foundation upon which GLSS was built, and they will continue to guide the Agency into the future. Vince “taught us compassion first, bend the rules if you must, but make sure when a person in need reaches out, that [we reach] back with a warm and gentle hand,” a colleague remembers.

Vince was not only instrumental in growing GLSS but also in advocating for other human service agencies and organizations. He was never satisfied with “what is,” but focused on the “what ought to be.” Because of Vince and his colleagues, many more seniors in our community are now less likely to face unwanted nursing home placements when they become frail and can, instead, get the supports they need to remain in their homes. As a tireless advocate for elder rights, Vince would be the first to tell you that more work is needed on this front. And while he, himself, preferred to work quietly and behind the scenes, Vince was also the recipient of many awards acknowledging his remarkable contributions.

In addition to his passionate commitment to the work of human services, Vince also loved cooking, partying, being a father, golfing, politics, traveling around the world, and music - Bob Marley’s “One Love” being one of his favorite songs. One friend reflects that part of Vince’s enjoyment of these activities was that they “led him further and deeper into life.”

On March 20, 2006, Vince Lique died. His loss was felt deeply throughout the Agency, as well as throughout the Greater Lynn community and regional elder and human service agencies with which he had worked closely during his 35-year career. Those who knew Vince now honor his legacy by continuing the work we shared with him inspired by the vision he shared with us.
 

  • Applications open on January 2nd, 2025.
  • Applications due by end of day Friday, April 18th, 2025.