Janice Eisenhart portrait unveiled

“My sister would be unbelievably embarrassed and honored,” said Nancy Artis ’73 after unveiling an oil portrait of her sister, Janice Eisenhart ’70, during a ceremony held April 4, 2018.

“I was in tears when George [Low] told me about the plan to do this, and I’m in tears now,” Artis continued. Eisenhart, who passed away in 2010, served as a children’s librarian for 38 years with the Prince William County Public Library.

“We’ve been working for over two years to make this portrait happen,” explained George Low, Dean of the College of Business and Economics. “When asked why we wanted to create a portrait, I say that we can honor Janice with more than just a name on a door. Her life was inspirational, so she deserves something that inspires.

“We hope that this room and this portrait will inspire future generations of Radford University students and instill in them a love of learning and of reading,” Low continued.

The portrait, painted by internationally renowned artist and Radford University art professor Z. L. Feng M.F.A. ’89, will hang in the Janice Eisenhart MBA Library in Kyle Hall. “This room adjoins the Nancy Eisenhart Artis Executive Conference Room.,” said Low. “It’s only fitting that the sisters are side-by-side once again.” The Janice Eisenhart MBA Library was named in recognition of a gift Nancy and her husband, Pat, made in 2011 in honor of Mrs. Artis’ late sister.

“She was a lover of children and instilled a love of reading in children,” Artis said. “My sister was only about this tall,” she continued, her hand barely four feet off of the floor. “Children were her niche. She read to children, who in turn brought their children, who then brought their children.”

The portrait is accompanied by a plaque, which reads:

Janice Eisenhart 1947-2010

The MBA Library was named to honor Janice Elaine Eisenhart, a 1970 graduate (BS in Library Science). Janice served as a children’s librarian for 38 years with the Prince William County Public Library, and was passionate about sharing her love of reading with children, traveling and singing with the Manassas Chorale. Loved by all who knew her, she was a special person who exemplified qualities of faith, energy, empathy, determination, dignity and grace.