Eric and Mary Kay Mace

The Ryanne Mace Memorial Scholarship was established by Eric and Mary Kay Mace in honor and memory of their only child, Ryanne, who tragically lost her life on February 14, 2008. Ryanne Mace, a 19 year old sophomore from Carpentersville, was an honors student studying psychology with the intention of attaining a doctorate-level degree and working in the field of counseling. As a student, she studied French, had played violin in the symphony orchestra at Dundee-Crown High School and was an avid reader sometimes juggling four or five books at a time. Ryanne was known and well liked by faculty members at NIU who described her as a young woman who was intellectually engaged, highly motivated, outgoing, and friendly. Ryanne was interested in studying mental illness. She was always friendly and laughing- just a really good kid. Ryanne’s family and friends will always remember her as a funny, kind, intelligent and compassionate young woman. It was her goal to dedicate her life to helping others be better than they thought they could be. The intent of this scholarship is to help others who embody the spirit and strength in character that Ryanne exemplified as a student and most importantly as a person. Despite being taken before her time, Ryanne’s desire to help others will be fulfilled even in her absence. Her family and friends have established this scholarship so that her legacy will live on.