By Ann Gill (M.A., ’76)
Allan and Janet Eddy have an enduring relationship with CSU. Allan earned two degrees from the University, and all three of their children attended: Cheryl (B.S., ’91; M.S., ’93); Sandra (B.S., ’93); and Tom. In addition, Janet and Allan retired from CSU and have volunteered with the University for many years.
The couple graduated from Grand Junction High School and Mesa Junior College. Allan then served three years in the Army. Nineteen days after he and Janet were married in 1962, he deployed to Iran, where he served for a year while Janet completed her degree at Mesa.
When Alan’s service in the Army ended, the GI Bill had just passed. The couple moved to Fort Collins and Allan completed a business administration degree. After going through the in-person registration process, he wrote a paper on how to improve the card registration system. When he presented this information to the Registrar, he was hired part-time in that office. After graduating in 1969, Allan accepted a full-time position with the Registrar, beginning his career as well as a graduate program in business. He describes this period as “three-quarter time in school; full time in the office.” He and a team developed CSU’s first computer-based registration system in 1968, telephone registration in fall 1990, and RAMweb registration in 2000. He proudly recounts working “with every University president from Bill Morgan to Tony Frank” over his 30-plus years in the Registrar’s Office. Even after retirement, they called him back to help implement the current registration system.
Janet was a medical transcriber for area doctors, coordinated the preschool and children’s choir at their church, worked part-time in the CSU Benefits Office, and drove a school bus for Poudre R-1. She then returned to CSU full-time at the Health Center and retired after working at the Alumni Center from 1993 to 1998. She organized and supported the Alumni Band from 1994-2004.
Leading their volunteer activities was the CSU Marching Band. Janet was the band secretary, and Allan served as announcer. Referred to as “Mom” and “Dad,” they traveled with the band to the Air Force Academy, Tucson, El Paso, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, San Diego, and Honolulu as well as to Denver Broncos games. The band also performed at the Polynesian Cultural Center, twice at Disneyland, and at the Freedom Bowl in Anaheim.
The Eddys have enjoyed their life membership in the Alumni Association, saying, “It is like the ribbon has been tied on the package.” They salute the staff, who “make us feel like we still have a connection with the University.” Allan and Janet love CSU and its “feeling of camaraderie.” It is “a friendly place. People feel, and are treated, like family.” Their grandchildren love visiting “Ram Land.” One grandson recently announced he would be pursuing an MBA at CSU: “Grandma, I am going to be a Ram!” This amazing couple also established the Janet and Allan Eddy Family Scholarship. They have tied ribbons on CSU, and we are grateful for their many significant contributions.
