Viterbo first-generation student Kelsi Craker ’20 greatly struggled with the transition to college life. More rigorous academic expectations combined with a bout of homesickness had her seriously reconsidering her future at the university.

Fortunately, Craker’s academic advisor just happened to be Jane Eddy, the director of the Academic Resource Center (ARC), or as it was formerly known, the Learning Center.

“Jane was there for me every step of the way through these struggles as a resource, mentor, and a friend,” Craker said. “I went to her whenever I had a rough day and needed support, and she was always the first person to help me celebrate my successes.”

Thanks in large part to the encouragement and assistance she received from Eddy, Craker overcame that initial adversity and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Today she works as an RN at Reedsburg Area Medical Center, and she and her husband Keith recently welcomed their second child.

“Our relationship evolved into a special friendship,” said Craker, who even spent time as a work study student and a peer mentor in the Viterbo Academic Resource Center. “Jane attended my wedding and was one of the first people I contacted after the birth of my son. I am so thankful that my educational journey included her.”

Craker’s story is a typical one since Eddy began at Viterbo as an academic, personal, and career counselor in 1985. Eddy retired from the university June 30.

“I’m ready for the next step in my life,” Eddy said in June about her decision to retire. “It was a difficult decision because to this day I absolutely love what I do.”

What Eddy did in one form or another during her 38-year career was assist students, whether it was on the individual level, securing the all-important federal TRIO grant (the funds from which make the ARC possible) several times as a “committee of one,” bringing $9 million to the university, overseeing the services and staff of the ARC, teaching a wide variety of classes, or serving in various campus leadership roles.

“I feel good to my core about Viterbo,” Eddy said. “We live out our mission with students and it shows. I have absolutely loved the engagement with students. They bring such an energy and a unique perspective on life. Being part of that has been such a gift.”

The underlying goal was the same, but things certainly looked different when Eddy arrived at Viterbo almost four decades ago from her hometown of Washington, D.C. Her department’s “offices” in Murphy Center were spaces separated by file cabinets. There was no air conditioning. Shag carpet adorned the floors. Her first real office was a recently converted men’s restroom.

“Somehow we made it all work,” Eddy said. “We were dependent on the members of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration as volunteers to make budget, and I was blessed to develop special friendships with many of them.”

The number of students the ARC served over the years grew exponentially. When it was created in 1978, the ARC provided tutoring to approximately 30 students. In 2022–23, the eight staff members of the ARC provided tutoring and numerous other services to 85% of all undergraduate students. In recent years, that figure has reached as high as 97%.

“On average, 99 percent of students who receive tutoring are retained (attend the next semester),” Eddy said. “And Viterbo first-generation students who have utilized TRIO grant services have been retained at a rate equal or exceeding the university’s overall retention rate. That is outstanding.”

For Eddy, the biggest reward comes at graduation when she sees the students she helped walk across the stage to receive their diploma. Many worked as tutors themselves, in what Eddy has described as “a truly robust circle of giving.” She credits those student tutors, and especially her staff, for the success of the ARC.

“The outstanding staff is the reason the ARC is able to do all that we do so well and reach so many students,” Eddy said. “They give and then give some more.”

Eddy was presented with a retirement gift from her staff with the inscription “Never underestimate the difference you made and the lives you touched.”

“We thought that was a good attempt at expressing the impact Jane had at Viterbo,” said 30-year colleague Melissa Growt, assistant director of the ARC. “She has been the only supervisor I’ve had in my professional career and is one of the reasons why I have stayed at Viterbo so long. She’s been supportive but also willing to challenge me to take on new responsibilities. I could always go to Jane with questions and for guidance, knowing I would receive sound advice. She has given that same support to many faculty and staff members over the years.”

Wedding invitations, birth announcements, and life update emails from former students have been commonplace over the years. Eddy has also had children of alumni she remembers utilize the services of the ARC. A few of these students have mentioned how she had helped their parent years ago.

“I had to get out of here before the grandchildren come through,” she laughed. “It is both gratifying and interesting how life goes in a circle like that. My career has been truly rewarding.”

One thing is for certain, Eddy will stay busy in retirement. “I’m not a sitter,” she laughed. “Retirement means I’ll be able to play as much as I want. I’ll take time to decide what the next step in my life is going to be. I greatly enjoy spending time with my grown children, grandchildren, and visiting extended family who live on the East Coast. The ocean is my happy place.”