Former Faculty Member Remembers Viterbo Students

Diane Foust retired in 2013 after a long and illustrious career as a music professor at Viterbo University. Now, she and her husband Jim Nelson are giving back to the university and its students by including both in their estate planning.

“I want to provide scholarship help for students,” said Foust, who designated her estate funds to do just that. “I was once one of those students who couldn’t have gone to college without scholarships.”

Foust was named Viterbo’s Teacher of the Year in 1996. Teaching and working with students were her favorite parts of her Viterbo career, she said. In addition to her work in the classroom, Foust founded and directed the acclaimed 9th Street Singers.

“The arts are important at Viterbo,” she said. “I’ve had excellent colleagues who are passionate and good at what they do. And I’ve had wonderful opportunities I wouldn’t have had at other places—conducting orchestras, directing musicals, teaching certain courses, and having the chance to perform myself.”

Foust and her husband created a music scholarship several years ago. Their estate planning allows them to designate that the additional funds they leave Viterbo will be used entirely for student scholarships. Foust said it feels good to give and help others, and she recommends others to do the same.