Cynthia “Cindy” Reynolds (1957-2012), known to her children as “Mia,” was a 13-year employee of Syracuse University and veteran of the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of sergeant. In her memory, her colleagues and friends at the University have established the Cynthia Reynolds Memorial Fund for Veterans through SU’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). Reynolds passed away Feb. 4, as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident.
The memorial fund will provide the IVMF with opportunities to support veterans and their families who may be experiencing difficulties transitioning to civilian life following service. The institute will use the fund to provide resources for, including but not limited to, educational training, equipment, course materials, visiting lectures and other initiatives.
“The founding of the institute in June 2011 builds upon the University’s long and established record of serving the military, veterans and their families. When I began my work with the IVMF, I talked to Cindy following our ribbon-cutting event last November, and she spoke very passionately about becoming more involved with the IVMF and had planned to volunteer with us in some capacity prior to her passing,” says Jaime Winne Alvarez, IVMF director of media relations & communications and a former colleague of Cindy’s in SU’s Division of Advancement and External Affairs (AEA).
In addition to her service to country and dedication to the military, Reynolds held a variety of exceptional professional talents, ranging from the arts to technology. She was a successful illustrator and CAD administrator, and eventually focused on information technology, first with O’Brien & Gere in Syracuse, which became a springboard to an enduring IT career.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from SUNY Empire State College in 1999, she joined SU that June, where she flourished as a member of the IT team in AEA. Respected and admired for her knowledge, dedication and patience by executives and administrative staff alike, she earned the abiding affection of all with whom she worked.
The contagious optimism, caring, honesty, sense of humor and warmth that endeared Reynolds to colleagues and friends were exceeded only by her boundless love for her family, especially her daughters, Sophia and Olivia.
To make a gift to the Cynthia Reynolds Memorial Fund for Veterans, visit the online SU Giving site; call toll-free at 1 (877)2GROWSU (247-6978); or download a donation form from the giving site and return by mail to the Office of Development, Syracuse University, 820 Comstock Ave., Syracuse, NY 13244-5040. SU faculty and staff have the option of giving via payroll deduction. Go to myslice.syr.edu and sign in with your NetID and password, then click “SU Online Giving” under “Employee Services.”
In addition, friends and colleagues of Reynolds will be embarking upon an “Oranges to Apple Bike Ride,” beginning on Aug. 30. They will travel from the SU campus to the University’s Joseph I. Lubin House in Manhattan. According to Reynolds’ AEA colleague Adam Stone, the ride will help them to remember Reynolds and raise awareness of her memorial fund. Those who wish to donate to the bike ride may add “bike ride” to the note section of their check or online gift to the Cynthia Reynolds Memorial Fund for Veterans. For more information on the ride, contact Stone at adstone@syr.edu or 315-443-2135.
