Jane Hays

We remember The Rev. Jane Hays for her extraordinary philanthropy and support to elevate the Iliff School of Theology. Rev. Hays paved the way for women serving in ministry, and she was one of the first women to be ordained to the ministry in Denver Presbytery.

Rev. Hays joined the Iliff community in the 1970s when she started her MDiv program at the age of 55 after raising her family. After graduating from Iliff, she led at the Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Lakewood, Colorado. She served the church until her retirement in 1995, and she continued as a congregant for years following.

Rev. Hays held strong and loyal ties to Iliff, and she supported the school through her gifts for more than 33 years until her passing in 2017. Throughout those years, she funded the Spirituality & Spiritual Life Endowment, which provides financial support to the Dean of the Chapel to offer courses, retreats, and programming that focus on teaching spirituality and spiritual practices. Dean of the Chapel and Spiritual Formation, Cathie Kelsey shared, "It is entirely because of Rev. Hays gifts and the way she shaped the understanding of them that Iliff established the position of Dean of the Chapel and Spiritual Formation. Rev. Hays was very interested in encouraging congregations' involvement in working with people in their immediate communities to create justice."

When Rev. Hays passed in late 2017, she left a significant gift to support Iliff in numerous and lasting ways. She generously funded the Presbyterian Endowed Scholarship, which was established in 1986 and supports students preparing for ordination in the Presbyterian Church. This scholarship has already supported over 20 students since its founding and will now continue to offer meaningful scholarship support to students for years to come.

Rev. Hays and her spouse, William Hays, also left Iliff funding to use for areas of the greatest need and to advance Iliff's future strategic plans. The Hayses supported nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado and the Denver metro area, and their hearts and impact are remembered greatly in all of the areas they served.

At Iliff, Rev. Hays is remembered for her dedication, generosity, and leadership. Through her legacy commitments, she made a transformational impact on the future initiatives to support the advancement of students with courageous theological imagination to serve as change agents within the places they live and serve. Iliff President Tom Wolfe shares, "I am grateful for the generous life of Rev. Jane Hays. Her commitment to Iliff, the spiritual formation of its students and particularly her support of women coming into ministry has enriched the church. Her legacy lives on at Iliff."