Karen Knudson

College of Arts and Sciences
Ph.D., 2016, Purdue University
M.A., 1999, University of Richmond
B.A., 1991, Olivet Nazarene University

Dr. Knudson joined Olivet's faculty in 2001. Currently, she teaches courses in college composition, general education literature, British literature, and special topics in literature. Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales are favorite texts to read and teach. She enjoys trips to the United Kingdom with student groups and exploring the places associated with famous English, Irish, and Scottish authors.

Her Ph.D. concentration was in medieval literature, and the topic of her dissertation was the figure of King Solomon in Middle English literary texts. She is a member of the Conference on Christianity and Literature and is currently researching the role of King Solomon in medieval vernacular Bibles.

When she's away from campus and classroom, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Grace, and their dog, Sugar. The fellowship of friends at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene is especially meaningful to her.