The estate of former University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County chemistry professor Jennifer Eddy has gifted $240,000 to the local campus.

According to her friend, colleague and former dean, Aural Umhoefer, Eddy was a beloved member of the UW-Baraboo faculty for nearly 30 years.

“I’ve known Jenny since 1965. She was a very good friend,” Umhoefer said. “She was a wonderful instructor, always putting her students first.”

During her career at UW-Baraboo, Eddy was recognized with three teacher of the year awards.

Eddy was 78 years old when she died in November 2014 at the Reedsburg Area Senior Life Center. Her bequest, one of the largest in the campus’ history, will be used to purchase new chemistry research equipment and pay transportation costs for faculty to attend professional science conferences, according to a release from UW-Baraboo.

“Professor Eddy made her mark on this campus, not only with her generous bequest, but with the impact she had on her former students who still remember her,” said UW-Baraboo Dean Tracy White.

One of those students is Richard Kilmer, a 1974 graduate of the Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, who met Eddy in the fall of 1969.

“I was a freshman at UW-Baraboo/Sauk County campus and fresh off the farm. I would never have made it through freshman chemistry class without her help and friendship,” he said in an email. “She was an amazing teacher and friend.”

Kilmer went on to a career in pharmacy. He credits his career, in part, to her encouragement.

“I doubt if I could have completed all of the chemistry needed for this career without the basics I learned from her,” he said. “I will always remember her help and kindness.”

Eddy was a lifelong educator, and earned bachelor of arts and science and master of science degrees from Bemidji State University. She taught chemistry at Bemidji State, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and UW-Baraboo from 1969 until her retirement in 1997.

Eddy also is remembered as a gifted artist. She donated her expansive photo collection to the UW-Baraboo/Sauk County Library where it is being digitized.

“This generous contribution from Eddy’s estate will help ensure that our campus continues to provide an outstanding education to our students,” said Charles E. Clark, Campus Executive Officer and Dean at UW-Manitowoc.

“Miss Eddy was one of the outstanding educators who helped build our campus during its formative years by creating an atmosphere of award-winning teaching, professionalism, and individual student support and growth,” said Tom Neal, professor and chair of the chemistry department. “We plan to invest this bequest so that we can draw upon the funds for years to come. Her gift, like her work here, will leave a lasting legacy.”