For over three decades, Dr. Jane Cavender has been a cornerstone of Elizabethtown College’s Biology Department. Known for her high standards, her deep care for students and a laugh that can brighten a room, Cavender has shaped not just future scientists, but lifelong learners. Now, as she reflects on her final semester before retirement, she does so with humility, heart and a sense of humor as sharp as her scientific mind.

“The first year was disastrous!” she admits, laughing. “I was fresh out of graduate school and my expectations were unrealistic. For a three-hour lab, I actually designed a three-hour exam!”

It’s a candid start to a conversation filled with insight. In those early days, Cavender taught how she was taught—fast-paced lectures, chalkboards and transparency sheets. But a turning point came when she attended a conference on collaborative learning. “It was life-changing,” she said. “I integrated discussion and my go-to technique became ‘Think-Pair-Share.’”

Technology played a role too. 

“When PowerPoint was invented, it was a game-changer. Students loved it because it was so new,” she said. “But what really revolutionized the way we teach biology are the scientific videos that let us see how proteins move and work inside cells.”

It’s clear that Cavender’s journey as a teacher has been one of continual learning. While her passion for biology took root in high school, she never imagined she’d stay in academia for 32 years. “I’ve always loved biology—it was the one science that always made sense to me,” she said. “I thought I’d stay at the bench, doing research, but teaching students became just as fulfilling.”

Fulfilling might even be an understatement. Over the years, Cavender has mentored hundreds of students in the classroom and lab. Her summer research teams are etched into her memory not just for their experiments, but for the bonds they formed. 

“Behzad, Christina, Michelle and Ashley were my first ‘big’ lab team,” she recalled. “Then there were Viola, Chris, Kevin and Kyle—four completely different personalities who worked together like magic. They laughed constantly, but they did amazing science.”

Some students even lived with her family after graduation while transitioning between careers or schools. “It’s a family joke,” she said, “but my kids formed great relationships with so many of them. Jamie, Jen, Mel, Megan, Rosemarie, Frank, Anushka—the list goes on.”

While Cavender has seen her share of academic success, what she’s most proud of isn’t tied to grades or test scores. “I feel proud that I’ve helped students find their passions and pursue their dreams,” she said. “I hope I taught them how to learn. Watching them grow into incredible adults—it feels like watching your own children grow up.”

She also credits starting the Scholarship and Creative Arts Day (SCAD) as one of her proudest accomplishments. The program gave countless students a structured, research-intensive experience to prepare them for graduate school and beyond.

But what does she hope students remember most?

“That I cared about them and their success,” Cavender said. “Yes, I was demanding. But I wanted them to be ready—really ready—for the next chapter, whatever that looked like.”

In an age where professors often balance research, grading, advising and countless meetings, Cavender never lost sight of the human element. Her career has been about building relationships, igniting curiosity, and creating a learning environment where students felt challenged and supported.

Now, as she prepares to leave the classroom behind, her impact remains woven into the fabric of the college—and the lives of those she’s taught. Her students, many now scientists, doctors and educators themselves, carry forward her legacy of rigor, resilience and heart.

And for Cavender, the greatest reward has been watching them thrive.

“I’ve loved it all,” she said. “Every class, every challenge, every student. It’s been the joy of my life.”

If you would like to show your appreciation before Dr. Cavender leaves Elizabethtown College, consider writing her a note. You can drop it off or slide it under her office door at Lyet 244 before the end of the semester.