Jan Johnson LaFever

is honored with a Brick from the Division of Religion and Humanities.

August 2, 1931 - June 7, 1998

Jan LaFever is a heroine to those who have taught with her and studied under her. An Occidental graduate (class of 1953) with an M.A. in English from WSU, she taught at WSU for 16 years and then at Friends University until cancer forced an early retirement in 1997. Jan's teaching displayed her intellect, compassion, concern for her students individually, and determination to teach through using content that enlarged students' understanding of their diverse, multicultural world. It also displayed her religious faith. The year before she retired she received the Outstanding Teacher award from Friends.

Of special interest to Jan were international students learning to write English. She had them to her home regularly, befriended them, and exhibited great interest in their countries and cultures. Jan was always on the look-out for people who needed a friend - especially new faculty, staff, and students. She kept a prayer list that included dozens of people and prayed for her students by name daily. She listened attentively to people, remembered what they told her, and inquired later about the specific people or situations they had mentioned. Her friends and acquaintances were amazed by her thoughtfulness. During a low time in her chemotherapy, Jan wrote to a colleague who was trying to complete her Ph.D a note of encouragement, typical of Jan.

Jan LaFever also is a heroine in the way she has balanced her commitment to family with her own career. Jan and John LaFever are one of those all too rare couples who love each other and by extension the world with a passion and good humor that never seems to flag. Their three children - Brad, Kent and Renee - reflect their parents' enthusiasm and love; Renee and Kent following their mother's profession.

Jan was born in Wichita on August 2, 1931, to Harold and Ruth Johnson. Upon graduation from college she married fellow Wichitan John LaFever who she had met at East High. John loved golf. Jan didn't. But because it was important to John, she decided to learn to like the game so it would be something they could do together. She became an avid golfer, serving as past president of the Wichita Women's Golf Association.

While John was in the Air Force the LaFevers lived in Phoenix and St. Louis. Later, while living in Kansas City, they started a house church in Overland Park, which in the spring of 1998 began construction of a formal church building. After John's retirement, Jan and John volunteered as counselors assisting couples to get control of their personal finances through reflecting together on their values and on scripture in order to plan in a spirit of caring how they would use their money. This Crown Ministry has been particularly important in a time characterized by rampant debt and living beyond one's means in the U.S., patterns that have caused many marriages to falter.

When Jan contracted cancer, she and John used her remaining time to witness to others with their lives, extending hospitality to the many people who wanted to visit with Jan, and continuing their disciplined study of the Bible and active prayer life. Indeed, perhaps this most marks why Jan LaFever is a heroine to us, for she has consistently let the love of Jesus shine through her into the lives of those who have come into contact with her. Her efforts to follow her Lord have affected many lives and helped intellectuals attracted to her intellect to set aside skepticism about faithfulness. Jan's life has been a testimony to the riches that come to those who live in faith, love, and charity. That is why we, her colleagues in the Division of Religion and Humanities at Friends University, want to salute her as our heroine.

Submitted by Dr. Gretchen Eick, Friends University

entered September 11, 1998