Katherine Goeppinger

Katherine Goeppinger taught journalism at Iowa State College from 1935 untill 1960. She saw many changes in the department from the depression days through the war years and on toward the age of telecommunications, but there was no change in her devotion to the skill, ethics, and honesty of the journalistic craft.

The small department which I knew in the late 30s included such mentors as Blair Converse, Ken Marvin, as well as Kay. Students put out the daily newspaper, The Student, the humor magazine, The Green Gander, and The Homemaker. They worked on The Farm Journal, and Better Homes and Gardens, magazines of The Meredith Publishing Company in Des Moines. It was fun. Kay was always there laying out demanding assignments, counseling, being a literate and sophisticated friend.

Katherine Goeppinger graduated from Iowa State College in 1924. Before returning to the college in 1935, she was director of home economics for Midwest Utilities in Chicago, The Monarch Electric Range Company, and New York Consolidated Edison Company. She was an editor at Curtis Publishing company in Philadelphia and assisted in putting out several cook books. Thus she gained extensive experience in writing, advertising, public relations, business, and editing.

When she came to Iowa State as professor of journalism, she brought wide knowledge of the use of home economists in many areas as well as in journalism. She had academic and business contracts all over the country. Her graduates were ready to confront the job market prepared in such practical matters as writing resumes, conducting interviews, and answering the rigorous expectations of employers for them to have wide knowledge and viewpoint as well as writing proficiency.

Katherine took a leave of absence in 1940 to assist with editorial work at the Bureau of Human Nutrition and Home Economics, USDA in Washington, D.C. She served summers on the teaching staff of The Drexel Institute and The Home Economics Business Seminar in Chicago. Every year at Thanksgiving she went to New York City to see a round of plays and meet with friends.

She retired from teaching in 1960. She was married to Leslie Hansen in 1966. He died in 1978.

Katherine's many professional and social affiliations include:Home Economics Women in Business, American Home Economics Association, National Press Women, American Association of University Professors, American Association Press Women, Pennsylvania Home Economics Association, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Theta Sigma Phi, Mortar Board, and Pi Beta Phi.

Paver Inscription:

"Katherine
Goeppinger
Journalist
Teacher Friend
ISU 1935-1960"