Bloomsburg Alumna Lynette Luckers ’01 Establishes Professional Experience Grant to Honor Late Father, Cleveland Luckers Jr.

A daughter’s tribute transforms a father’s passion into student opportunity

by Luke Wilson '24

Dr. Lynette S. Luckers, a 2001 Bloomsburg graduate, has pledged a generous gift to create the Cleveland Luckers Jr. Memorial Professional Experience Grant (PEG), a tribute to her father’s legacy that will empower students pursuing careers in media, journalism, and communications.

This generous gift will support Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg students from the Philadelphia area, with a focus on aiding students of color who demonstrate hard work and determination but may lack resources or recognition.

“We’re honored to celebrate Cleveland Luckers Jr. and his contributions to communications,” said Jerome Dvorak, Director of the Bloomsburg University Foundation. “Through this grant, Lynette is transforming her father’s memory into a lasting legacy, inspiring students to pursue their dreams with courage and ambition.”

Lynette earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work at Bloomsburg, where she was deeply engaged in campus life as a resident advisor in Elwell Hall, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, and a participant in the Student Senate and Black Culture Society. Her transformative experience at Bloomsburg inspired a career in higher education.

After graduating, she followed a mentor’s advice to continue her studies at Shippensburg University, earning a Master’s of Science in Counseling in 2004. Lynette then held advisory roles at Miami University in Ohio and Shippensburg before returning to Bloomsburg as the Assistant Director of Diversity and Retention. In May 2019, she achieved another milestone by earning her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from East Stroudsburg University.

“Returning to Bloomsburg as an employee felt surreal,” Lynette said with a laugh. “But this university laid the foundation for my professional path, provided incredible mentors, and opened doors I’ll always be grateful for.”

Her commitment to mentorship and diversity, shaped by her work with programs like Act 101 at Shippensburg and collaborations with colleagues like Dr. Irvin Wright at Bloomsburg, fueled Lynette’s passion for making a difference in students’ lives.

At the heart of Lynette’s philanthropy is a deep reverence for her late parents, whose values of family and service guide her every decision. After losing her mother to kidney failure in 2018, Lynette founded the Marion Luckers Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about kidney disease in Black and Brown communities, provide resources for affected families, and dispel myths about organ donation. “It was my way of processing my mom’s loss,” she shared. “My parents, married for 35 years, adopted me and gave me a life filled with love and opportunity.”

Following her father’s passing in September 2023, Lynette sought a meaningful way to honor his memory. The result is the Cleveland Luckers Jr. Memorial PEG, a tribute to his trailblazing career as one of Philadelphia’s few Black photojournalists at the time. A 1973 graduate of the Philadelphia College of the Arts with a BFA, Cleveland worked at Channel 48 for several years before joining WPVI-TV Channel 6, where he spent 23 years capturing history through his lens. His work included iconic moments such as the Presidential Inauguration and the Three Mile Island incident. Beyond his professional achievements, he mentored countless Black and Brown photographers, sharing his wisdom and fostering their success.

“My dad believed in the power of experiences beyond the classroom,” Lynette said. “He gave me educational opportunities, summer enrichment programs, and a love for learning.” Through this grant, Lynette ensures that students receive the same kind of transformative experiences her father championed.

Cleveland Luckers Jr.’s dedication to his family and community left an indelible mark, and today, Dr. Lynette Luckers continues his legacy as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist through her private practice, SoulGood Healing. Her work, like her father’s, is defined by compassion and a commitment to uplifting others.

The Cleveland Luckers Jr. Memorial Professional Experience Grant advances The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us toward its $100,000,000 goal. To learn more or contribute, visit https://giving.bloomu.edu/the-campaign-for-bloomsburg-it-starts-with-us.