In 1995, the Hillsdale College business office placed an ad in the newspaper for an accounting assistant. Carole Jacobus saw the ad and decided to apply. She had taken business classes at Spring Arbor University and moved to Hillsdale when she married.
Jacobus is retiring tomorrow after 19 faithful years of service. Her 19 years at the college are a part of the 1000+ years of service of current faculty and staff, totaled at the end of last year.
“It’s been wonderful working at Hillsdale College,” she said. “I always used to tease and say I was going to stay here until they carried me out.”
Jacobus recalled her years at the college only with fondness.
“I really did pray that God would send me to a place that would have some kind of conscience,” Jacobus said.
She had been unhappy because of the uncaring and immoral environment of previous jobs until Hillsdale.
Over the years, she has worked with Kathy Caldwell, director of the business office.
“She is on time. Her tenacity at resolving problems is amazing. She gets along well with her co-workers as well as with the entire campus,” Caldwell said. “I don’t know a person on campus who can’t come in here and get Carole involved in a problem and have her on their side in solving something. She’s been really a good employee.”
“If I can’t solve it, I’ll pray for you,” Jacobus added.
Together, they have worked to help students through the business side of their educations.
“I can’t tell you how many students I’ve helped that haven’t had the money to pay and I have worked with them and got them through here,” Caldwell said. “A couple I didn’t know if they were gonna make it, but they did.”
She also said that the caring and patient attitude that Jacobus has brought to the office is invaluable.
“Carole has done a lot of listening,” Caldwell said. “She asks the questions, but she is very good at listening, too.”
Iona Kopp, aide to the business office director, has worked with Jacobus for the past nine years. She said by email that Jacobus has helped her to excel in her work and to be detailed and thorough.
“Carole has always had a positive outlook on any new task that has been given to her. She is very dependable and dedicated,” Kopp said. “Carole is a people person who works well with everyone here in our office and greets faculty, staff, and students every day.”
And though the office will miss Jacobus, Kopp said she is excited for Jacobus to have time for her family.
Jacobus said the people, students, and relationships she has built are the reason she has stayed for 19 years.
“Kathy’s wonderful to work for,” Jacobus said. “She has a way of giving you constructive criticism without you feeling demeaned by it. And it helps you to grow.”
“Don’t let that get around, OK?” Caldwell said.
Both women said they have faced challenges on almost a weekly basis in the attempt to make the college better for students. They said they applauded President Larry Arnn’s care and concern for students.
