NORTH MANCHESTER — Manchester University celebrated when it dedicated the Harry H. Henney ‘35 and Jeanette Henney Department of Education in early Sept. 2019.

The new Henney Department of Education results from an endowment by Dr. Jane Henney and her husband Dr. Robert Graham. Henney is a native of Woodburn and a 1969 Manchester alumna. She was the first woman to serve as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Pictured, from left to right, Dr. Robert Graham and Dr. Jane Henney ’69

The new department “is a game-changer,” said Professor Heather Schilling, Education department chair and director of the Teacher Education Program at Manchester University.

Schilling noted Henney’s action aided in exponentially increasing the impact of Manchester University’s teaching program.

“[Henney’s] vision and belief in the work we do empowers education majors,” Schilling said.

Henney’s contribution to Manchester University allows its teaching program to consider opportunities it could not previously afford, claims Schilling.

According to Schilling, the gift could be used in a number of ways:

The new education department could create a fellowship for a current classroom teacher who would consult with the department on its curriculum and teach a methods course.

Henney’s gift allows for opportunities to offer students more focused clinical experiences, perhaps field trips or extended stays. Financially, the department would cover transportation and related expenses, achieving the ultimate goal of providing authentic learning experiences for Manchester undergraduates.

Thirdly, the gift would allow the department to create collaboratively with exemplary classrooms, provide access to materials and serve to enhance authentic learning experiences for both students in preschool through high school and undergraduates in the program at Manchester University.

Jane Henney’s father, Harry, was a lifelong educator in Woodburn. Her mother, Jeanette, was a professional secretary. She worked as such for many years in the East Allen County Schools. She dreamed of becoming a teacher, but the Great Depression left her family without resources to send her to college.

Pictured, left to right, Jeanette Henney and Harry H. Henney ’35

Realizing that college was not in the cards for her, she redirected that dream to her children.

“None of [us children] had any doubt that she would do anything possible to see that we had that opportunity [to attend college],” said Jane Henney of her mother.

When Henney was accepted into medical school, she lacked the means to pay for it.

“It was Mom who emptied her funds…and told me she would see that I was able to go,” said Henney.

Henney later reimbursed her mother.

However she claimed that no amount of money would ever fully repay for what the elder Henney’s provided, “…a strong set of values, work ethic, a desire to serve and a commitment to the community,” Henney said.

Henney added that the endowment will honor her parents’ deep commitment to educating those who are called to the noble profession of teaching.

Jane Henney and Robert Graham have long supported programs at Manchester University. The endowment for the teaching department originated as a gift years ago to sponsor an annual lecture at the institution. The pair also made a generous donation that allowed the University to name the Emerson and Evelyn Niswander Department of Biology.

“We have the opportunity to lift up a profession, teaching and educating, that fulfills Manchester’s mission of graduating persons of ability and conviction who improve the human condition,” said Manchester University President Dave McFadden.