Reynolds Memorial Scholarship honors memory of NIU chemistry professor The letters, calls and e-mails started coming into the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry within days of the death of former Northern Illinois University Professor Rosalie Reynolds.   A resident of Sycamore, Reynolds died Aug. 13, 2000, at the age of 74.   Although she retired from NIU nearly two decades ago, Reynolds left an enduring impression on her former students.   "She was never, ever too busy to sit and talk chemistry with any student," said Cal Chany, who received his bachelor's degree in chemistry at NIU in 1977 and his master's degree in 1980. "She was also never too busy to counsel and give advice to troubled students. If a student took the time to get to know her, she was a friend."   Like Chany, many former students shared fond remembrances of their chemistry professor. Many also wanted to know how they could honor her memory.   In response, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has established the Rosalie Reynolds Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will assist junior and senior chemistry students who have indicated an interest in pursuing a teaching career. Female students will be given first preference.   "Rosie was an outstanding teacher with a strong empathy for students," said Jim Erman, chemistry chair. "She made a tremendous positive influence on a large number of students' lives."   Reynolds served on the NIU faculty from 1961 to 1981. She was the first woman granted tenure in the department and was recognized for her devotion to teaching in 1968, when she was awarded the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.   "She touched a lot of people," said Michael Spires, the chemistry department's coordinator for recruitment and public relations. "She was well known because anybody who was a chemistry major took her organic chemistry class, as did many students pursuing careers in such fields as nursing and biology."   Chany, now an assistant professor at Rush Medical Center, is a member of an ad hoc committee of faculty members and alumni who knew Reynolds and helped establish the scholarship.Working with the NIU Foundation and the Office of Development and University Relations, the ad hoc committee over the next two years aims to raise $10,000, the minimum needed for an endowed scholarship. Nearly a third of that sum has already been raised.   The scholarship is a fitting tribute to a woman who not only taught students, but coached them. She took Chany under her wing when he was a senior. Later, she and her husband Joe offered Chany a personal loan so he could go on to graduate school.   Chany declined the loan and instead paid for graduate school with money earned through a teaching assistantship. "Still, how many instructors believe enough in their students to take that risk?" he said. For more information on the scholarship, contact Michael Spires at (815) 753-1133.   More news ...