During her nearly 12 years at NMC, Cyndy has taught a wide range of nursing subjects and served in various administrative positions.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Cyndy grew up in surburban Chicago.
During her high school years, she played the French horn in her high school marching band.
From her early childhood, Cyndy knew she wanted to be a nurse. Following graduation from the College of Wooster in Ohio, Cyndy completed her nursing training at Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and received an MSN from Wayne State Univesity in Detroit, Michigan.
To view Cyndy’s work experiences and places one needs a world map.
First as a floor nurse in San Francisco and then as a Peace Corps volunteer in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
This was followed by an appointment as assistant professor of nursing at Arizona State University.
For many years Cyndy worked with CARE in Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh,Sudan, Uganda, and Pakistan.
Later assignments with International Medical Corps found her again in Sudan.
Cyndy’s specialty has been nursing education.
However she has been a “jack of all trades.”
Cyndy’s sister Jo Bloom notes, “Cyndy also worked in a cholera epidemic, community development, women’s development programs, flood relief — and whatever else needed to be done.”
A list of Cyndy’s favorite things includes bird watching and cats.
Her Saipan family includes three cats.
In her earlier years, Cyndy enjoyed playing tennis, skiing and sailing.
Many Saipan residents will remember her significant contributions to PAWS and as an active member of the CNMI Over the Reef Yacht Club.
Cyndy has been active in Girl Scouts since elementary school days and been instrumental in helping develop and train CNMI scout leaders.
A devout Christian, Cyndy has served a decade as lay leader of Saipan’s Immanuel United Methodis Church and President of IUMC’s United Methodist Women.
Along with others UMW members, she helped develop a program to provide layettes for mothers of new-born infants at CHC.
Bud Carroll, one of IUMC’s former Pastors recently wrote, “Cyndy Tice has continuously received perfect scores with Three C’s — concern, care and compassion. Her faithfulness to Christ and His church are second to none. While tiny in stature, she is a giant human being.”
IUMC’s founding pastor Barbara Grace Ripple recalls, “Cyndy could smile in the most ‘unsmiling’ conditions and she was always willing to do whatever needed to be done. A tremendous gift to the world!”
During her years at NMC, Cyndy received several teaching awards.
Earlier this year was selected to receive the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Wooster.
NMC President Carmen Fernandez praised Cyndy’s achievement, “We congratulate and thank her for bringing such distinction to the college.”
In typical fashion, Cyndy’s response was: “I’m truly humbled by this recognition. I have always enjoyed my profession and teaching it to young people. To be recognized for doing what I love is a wonderful thing.”
Cyndy will be living in Las Cruces, New Meixco with her sister and brother-in-law.
While there may be no yacht clubs in Las Cruces, there are plenty of Girl Scouts, cats, churches and people in tremendous need. Cyndy has her work cut for her!
On Sunday, June 14, IUMC Pastor JJ Matsumoto and members will be honoring Cyndy in their regular worship service, followed by a brunch at the church.
Friends, students and colleagues who have known and worked with Cyndy during her years in Saipan are welcome to attend the 9:30 a.m. worship service and remain for brunch. For more information, call Pastor JJ Matsumoto at 322-6158.
