Margaret Cynthia Warning

Honored by the Klopp family

Our family would like to honor Dr. Margaret C. Warning in the Plaza of Heroines at Iowa State University.

Margaret was an educator at ISU from 1955 - 1980. Dr. Warning, who had degrees in Sociology and Home Economics, came to Iowa State to chair the Textiles and Clothing department in 1955. Since that time, she has taught in the classroom and out traveling widely to such faraway places as New Zealand India and Malaysia. In 1988, she earned a degree in English and has become a published poet.

One of the greatest gifts that Margaret has given is an example of how to celebrate the moments in life. She shares those moments in her first book of poetry, Every Last Thing, which she generously gives to family and friends. Margaret is a wonderful encourager. She encourages people to look within themselves to find the strength and energy to accomplish what needs to be done. She has a wonderful energy for living and teaches through example that one is never beyond the joy of learning.

Margaret has a continued commitment to education, continually encouraging and mentoring others and learning new things herself. She is an avid reader and reads several books a month. Margaret has an adventuresome spirit, making an African safari on one occasion.

Margaret is the epitome of hospitality and a wonderful conversationalist. Through the years, family members as well as many other students have been welcomed with food and a quiet study spot at her home. Dr. Warning, known as "Aunt Market" to family members, has always been a cherished addition to family gatherings. Her stories about her travels and life continue to entertain and teach others.

Margaret is a spiritual person who shares her quiet faith with close friends and family. She treats others with respect and continues to encourage others in their pursuit of learning. To nominate Dr. Margaret C. Warning to the Plaza of Heroines because she is foremost an educator.

Mrs. Orlan M. Klopp
Ann & Calvin Klopp and their children: Diana, Jana & Daniel Klopp
Marlene & Albert Myers and their children: Dawn & Judd Zulgad
Leisa & Brian Osterhaus
Kurt Myers and Kraig Myers
Joanne & Larry DeLong and their children: Jeffrey DeLong and Jennifer Delong

6/9/95

Honored by the Department of Textiles and Clothing

Dr. Margaret Cynthia Warning was born November 1, 1914. She holds a B.S. in English from Morningside College, a B.S. and M.A. in home economics from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. in sociology with a minor in textiles & clothing from Michigan State University; the latter being granted in 1956. After retirement from the Iowa State University faculty in 1980, she returned to student life and received an additional M.S. in English from Iowa State University in 1988, with special emphasis in creative writing and poetry.

Her early career was as a high school home economics teacher in Snoqualmie, Washington and as an instructor and assistant professor at University of Washington. She was appointed head of the Textiles and Clothing department at Iowa State University in 1955 and served in that role until 1973, but always enjoyed teaching more than administration. She taught courses in history of costume and in the social-psychological aspects of dress. She was active in several professional organizations, including the American Home Economics Association (now the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences) and the Association of College Teachers of Textiles and Clothing (now the International Textile and Apparel Association).

Dr. Warning received the Mary B. Welch Distinguished Professorship in Home Economics at Iowa State University in 1976. Dr. Warning was interested in international work and was on foreign assignment in Baroda, India in 1961-1963 to assist in establishing a graduate program in textiles and clothing. In 1978, she was a visiting professor at the University of Otago Dunedin, New Zealand. Throughout her lifetime she traveled widely, visiting Asia, South America, Africa and Europe, continually seeking information about textiles and clothing that she could bring to Iowa State students.

In the 1990s, her poems have been published in Lyrical Iowa, a volume published by the Iowa Poetry Association. She continues to write and currently resides at Northcrest Retirement Community in Ames, IA.

7/1/96