Dr. Jane Earley

Dr. Jane F. Earley was born August 3, 1939, to William Stevenson “Steve” Earley and Frances Keith Earley and passed away August 1, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems Hospital in Mankato, Minnesota.

A community celebration of Jane’s life and impact will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 2 pm in the building named in her honor, Earley Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato, in the Ted Paul Theatre.

Jane grew up in Traer, Iowa, graduating from Traer High School in 1957, and then went on to earn her undergraduate degree in English from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her master’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota; and her Ph.D. in American Literature from Northwestern University in Chicago.

Jane F. Earley came to Mankato in 1969 to teach English at Mankato State College, as it was then known. Because of massive budget cuts resulting in most liberal arts departments being cut in half in the early seventies, she moved into administration as Mankato State transitioned to university status, becoming an assistant dean of Arts and Sciences in 1974, associate dean in 1975, acting dean in 1976 and dean of the new College of Arts and Humanities in 1977. She remained in that position until retiring from Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 2009, except for 2001-2002 when she served as interim vice president of Academic Affairs.

Jane was a board member of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences from 1977-82, served as president of the CCAS Board in 1980-81 and also chaired the National Conference for Academic Deans in 1979-80. In 2004, the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences honored Dr. Earley for her long years of service as a leader and mentor of college deans across the country.

From 1977 until her retirement, she served as a consultant evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association. She was a member of the Minnesota Humanities Commission from 1983-89 and served as its chair from 1985-86. She was a board member of the Minnesota Association of Colleges and Employers (ACE) network for women from 1983-91, served as its chair from 1988-91, and also served on the Minnesota News Council and Minnesota Women in Higher Education. For many years, she participated in the Bush Collaboration for Faculty Development and was its chair in 1991. She presented at many national, state and regional associations over the years and also served on the Board of Trustees of Coe College, her undergraduate alma mater, for several decades.

Through all of these activities, Jane continued to love fountain pens, Gene Stratton Porter novels, navy blue suits, silver pins and watching figure skating.

Dr. Earley was a devoted supporter of the Theatre and Dance program and missed only a handful of performances in over 50 years since she arrived at Minnesota State Mankato until the last couple years due to failing health. She could always be found in the green room after a performance congratulating the student performers and giving insights and encouragement on how to continue to grow in their roles. Dean Emerita Earley was honored by the university in 2011 with the rededication of the theater building as the Earley Center for Performing Arts in honor of her immeasurable contributions over her career as one of the longest-serving deans in US history.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, brother Keith Earley and his wife Lois. She is survived by her sister Ann Earley (Bob Siemer), of Chesterfield, Missouri and niece Diane (Jon) Panfil, of Waukee, Iowa and nephew Mark (Suzanne) Earley, of Cedar Falls, Iowa and their children and grandchildren. Her memory is also carried by the countless number of students, faculty, staff and administrators with whom she worked and mentored over the years.

Memorials may be made to Minnesota State University, Mankato Foundation to support her endowments in Theatre Arts and English or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Mankato Mortuary, Mankato, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements. 507-388-2202 www.mankatomortuary.com