Morningside Connect

Marty Knepper Class of 1972

One could say that going to college is a circle of life in itself. You venture out to find an education, spend four years constructing bonds with professors and friends, and after the time is up, you venture out into the world with a degree in hand to start again. Hopefully, you never quite lose those bonds that were created during your time at Morningside College.

Marty Knepper is a Morningside College 1972 graduate. She was heavily involved with campus life. Knepper was in multiple honors organizations and play performances, and she was a resident assistant and an orientation director, plus more.

After graduating from Morningside College, she headed out with her degree in hand to continue her education and get her M.A. and Ph.D. in English. After receiving them, she started out into the world of teaching. Knepper started teaching at Southeastern Community College in Keokuk and then moved on to teach at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. When Morningside College had an opening, Knepper took it.

“Having a job here was a big incentive!” said Knepper. “But, even before I returned as a faculty member, I kept up with friends, former faculty members, and the college.”

Knepper not only teaches English but also chairs the English and Modern Languages Department. She is the faculty advisor for Alpha Lambda Delta, a freshman honor society.

“I always enjoy advising and mentoring students and seeing all the wonderful things they do with their lives after leaving Morningside,” said Knepper. “I also enjoy programming events on campus and working to create strong academic programs.”

She fondly remembers her time her as a student along with her newer memories as a teacher.

“I remember wonderful theatre friends and experiences,” said Knepper. “I remember meeting my husband, John, early in my sophomore year during a moratorium march protesting the Vietnam War.”

Her newer memories are filled with Friday is Writing Day, trips to Spring Green for classical plays in the woods, and her Composition and Communication class on Harry Potter.

“What pleases me most is that, while any small private college faces threats to its existence on various fronts, Morningside has had strong leadership in fiscal management, admissions, academics, and institutional advancement to keep us strong and growing,” said Knepper. “The campus is more beautiful than ever before in my memory.”

Knepper has enjoyed serving on national, state, and community boards along with writing about popular culture topics. She recently co-authored a book with John Lawerence called The Book of Iowa Films.