In the early 1970’s, God reached down and opened the spiritual eyes of an unchurched girl in Romeoville, IL, after a friend invited her to an Awana program held in a local church. Before long, she was also riding the bus to attend Sunday school and later became actively involved in the youth group of that same church. Through the generosity of five families in that church, she was able to attend a local Christian school for her sophomore year before returning to her public high school to complete her final two years. When that same Christian school made plans to drive to BJU for the Fine Arts Festival in her senior year, they arranged for her to travel with them so she could visit the campus, even though she was no longer a student. From the moment they drove onto the campus, Jane Smith had a deep peace that BJU was where God wanted her to be. At the time, she couldn’t have dreamed that she would spend five decades studying and serving here. As Jane reflected on her professional career, she still marvels at “how God led every step of the way” in orchestrating so many opportunities to grow and serve here.
Jane’s parents were initially reluctant to allow her to attend BJU since she was offered a 4-year pre-med scholarship to an Illinois university due to her high-school accomplishments in science. When they learned that the scholarship could still be deferred for a year, they finally acquiesced. Majoring in Humanities at BJU, Jane focused on English, German, and history. She threw herself into her studies and the many leadership opportunities that were available to her. Because there were no scholarships available at that time, Jane worked the maximum student hours on campus in a variety of jobs. Though Jane never became a medical doctor, she has touched the hearts of thousands in the alternate path God had for her.
Upon graduation, she was asked to remain here as an English GA and had her introduction to teaching which she immediately loved as she worked with freshmen. Her social skills and mind for details made the master’s degree in Pupil and Personnel Services a natural choice as she had a desire to go into school counseling. One of her professors in this program, James Deuink, encouraged her to join the Records Office staff after completing this graduate degree and to serve as his assistant. In this capacity, she worked at the front counter, where she had to understand the many different jobs and tasks in the department.
Three years later, her skills were needed down at Bob Jones Academy High School, as there was some transition in administration and an expanded role for the guidance office. This led to 13 years of fruitful service with middle and high school students. Jane loved those years as she developed relationships with so many teachers, students, and their parents. She was a frequent substitute teacher and taught several full semesters when teachers had to be away. It was also during this time that she began offering driver’s education, a business she continued for 21 years, training everyone from adolescents to senior citizens. One would imagine these sessions probably contained as much life coaching as driving instruction!
Her time at BJA drew to a close when she was called back to the University to assist with field placements for candidates in the expanding teacher education programs. In addition, she began to teach some graduate courses like Tests and Measurement and Pupil and Personnel Services as well as teaching a mini-course in Guidance to undergraduate students in the School of Education.
When the university created the Freshman Seminar program in 2014, Jane was asked to split her time with the School of Education to get this program off the ground. After developing the first-year advisors’ role, she transitioned into the newly created role of transition advisor and also directed the University’s Writing Center down the hall.
Out of this grew the recognition that BJU could be doing more to help our students establish their careers. Jane was appointed Director of Career Services and took active measures to get out into classrooms to engage with and serve students with internships, resume creation, and interview coaching.
In 2019, Jane returned to a full-time position serving future educators. The School of Education had created a new division, the Division of Child and Family Studies, focusing on non- certification educational careers. This new and growing division required multiple internships for each student, justifying the need for a Director of Field Experiences. Jane was a natural fit, having served in a similar capacity for teacher candidates just a few years before. Since that time, she has worked with faculty to expand and improve these learning experiences and has been the instructor for Ed 499 Clinical Practice-EXP, the student teaching experience for nine different certification programs. Between the two divisions in the School of Education and Human Services, Jane placed over 75 students each semester.
Jane’s “extracurricular” activities have been almost as numerous and varied as her positions over the years. Whether playing Audrey the country wench in As You Like It, an angel in Faust, a guard in the faculty basketball game, or participating in the faculty bake-off Bible Conference fundraiser, Jane has not shunned the spotlight. She did win the bake-off, by the way, and has the trophy to prove it!
So what is ahead for Jane? This summer, she will be serving at Mt. Lou San Bible Camp, a small ministry near Harrisburg, PA, where she has enjoyed many other summers of ministry. After that, she hopes to do some traveling and also subbing in the Greenville County School District. In this capacity, she will no doubt touch bases with our many graduates serving faithfully in area schools.
Her students down through the years knew that Jane was always ready with a hug, some chocolate, and a word of encouragement. Her Woo! Hoo! may still be echoing in the hallways after she is gone, but even when it fades, they will still remember her faithful example of joy in serving God.
It has been her philosophy through the years to make a daily choice to be joyful. In her words, “If you have to get out of bed in the morning, you can at least be happy.” Even when she is facing a difficult day, she takes time to thank the Lord for the day that is ahead and asks for grace to find joy in her circumstances. That’s certainly a lesson worth learning!
If you would like to say a word of appreciation to Ms. Smith for her work at BJU, a Padlet has been created where you can share a quick note, photo, or recording to say thanks.
