Finding New Peaks: Professor Jane Varley Brings a National Honor Home to Muskingum

When Dr. Jane Varley, longtime professor of English at Muskingum University, received an email from a former student in the summer of 2024, she had no idea it would lead to one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.

The email came from Dr. Hugh Martin '08, Assistant Professor at the United States Air Force Academy. He forwarded an announcement for a one-year Distinguished Visiting Professor appointment, inviting Varley to consider applying and asking her to share the opportunity with colleagues. At first, she had no intention of applying herself, but after she circulated the information to others, the email lingered in her inbox.

“Every time I thought about deleting it, I found myself asking, ‘Why not me?’” she recalled.

That question led Varley to apply, and ultimately earn, the prestigious year-long appointment. During the 2025-26 academic year, she joined the faculty of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, teaching honors students and collaborating with faculty from across the country.

For Varley, the experience was both a professional challenge and a chance to test herself in a new environment.  

"I knew I would have to bring my A game," she said. "I learned that I could do it. It's one thing to have confidence, but another thing to carry through on a big goal and bring excellence to every single class period."

At the Academy, Varley taught honors students among what she describes as the “best of the best.” Accustomed to working with students from a wide variety of backgrounds and academic abilities, she found herself in classrooms filled with exceptionally driven cadets who consistently produced outstanding work.

Yet amid the military precision and rigorous expectations, she discovered opportunities to do what she has always loved most: connect with students through literature, conversation, and creativity.

While she admired the Academy’s culture of rigor and excellence, the year away also deepened her appreciation for what makes Muskingum unique.

Varley missed the familiar walk from her home on Montgomery Boulevard to Cambridge Hall, conversations with colleagues across disciplines, and the personal relationships that define the Muskingum experience. Most of all, she missed witnessing students’ growth over time.

"Our superpower is the people we have," Varley said. "We're the right size for forming deep and lasting relationships, and we have the right kind of atmosphere to keep working on our human connections."

The experience brought an especially meaningful full-circle moment. Varley was warmly welcomed by the English faculty at the Academy, who were already familiar with her and Muskingum because of Martin, the former student whose email first sparked her interest in the opportunity. Working alongside him as a colleague was rewarding and affirming.  

For alumni, it's a familiar story: the relationships built at Muskingum often continue long after graduation and can open new doors.  

Outside the classroom, Varley embraced life in Colorado, where views of Pikes Peak greeted her each morning. The landscape became a source of inspiration during a milestone year as she celebrated her 60th birthday.

"To look at something so majestic every morning was inspirational," she said. "I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity."

Now back at Muskingum, Varley returns with fresh perspectives, new experiences, and an even deeper appreciation for the place she has called home for two and a half decades. While the appointment was a remarkable professional honor, it ultimately reinforced what she values most about Muskingum.

"The opportunity was a lifetime experience," Varley reflected. "But my sense of belonging is here."

For Muskingum, Varley’s appointment represents more than a personal achievement. It highlights the quality of the University’s faculty, the impact of its alumni network, and the national reach of a community that continues to shape lives far beyond campus.