Duff was key figure in development of RSU-Pryor campus
By Jeanice Davis
Assistant Editor
The former director of the RSU-Pryor campus, Jane Duff, 77, died on Monday, April 19.
“She was instrumental in developing the Pryor campus,” said RSU President Larry Rice, who hired Duff as an assistant when he was Director of Academics there. “She was there every step of the way.”
Rice described Duff as a true partner.
When Rice left in 1991 Duff was made director of the Pryor campus. She held this position until her retirement in 1997.
Duff encouraged her husband, Jack Duff, to teach as an adjunct at the Pryor campus.The Duffs worked as a team, doing whatever was necessary, from maintenance to teaching, said Rice.
“They were such a blessing to the Pryor campus,” Rice said.
Even though Jane Duff was key to the development of the Pryor campus she never wanted publicity for her hard work, said Rice.
Duff was one of those unique individuals who comes along and really makes a difference, he said. He added that she was his friend and a strong colleague with a warm personality and a strong work ethic.
“She had a wonderful relationship with all of the faculty and staff at Pryor. She was beloved by all,” said Rice.
Duff attended Pryor schools and graduated in 1950 from Pryor High School.
She was married to Jack Duff in Pryor on Aug. 29, 1952.
She attended Anderson College in Anderson, Ind., as well as West Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Neb.
Duff lived in both Broken Bow, Neb., and South Bend, Ind., where she worked at Indiana University.
She moved back to Pryor about twenty years ago.
After returning to Pryor she was hired by Rice, who was then the associate Director of Academics at the Pryor campus, as his administrative assistant. Rice was asked to establish a RSU campus at Pryor in 1985.
The original campus was located on the grounds of the Whitaker Education and Training Center. It is here that he hired Duff in January of 1986.
Later, Duff lived across the street from the Pryor campus.
In addition to her involvement with RSU, Duff spent time traveling and visiting family.
She also spent time golfing and hiking, and was involved with church activities.