Kathy is a long-time resident of the Illinois Valley, where she and her late husband Lew raised seven children. Kathy received a Master of Arts degree from Southern Oregon College (now Southern Oregon University) and her Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Oregon. She also spent a year at University of CA-Berkeley pursuing her interest in religious studies. Kathy currently teaches a world religion class at Rogue Community College, having semi-retired after teaching literature and writing for thirty years there. Kathy sat on the board of the FourWay Community Foundation for over ten years, and has enjoyed doing volunteer work in the community. She brings to the Institute a strong sense of community, a deep love for the area, and a commitment to establishing common-ground among the region’s citizens.