Learn more about Rev. Knott
Rev. Dr. Catherine Knott is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She previously served congregations in the United Kingdom and the Chicago area, and also served as a hospital chaplain in Evanston, Ill.
She lives on campus with her husband and three very friendly terriers.
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
What are your most essential job functions? Three job functions/why I’m useful for students: a) creating opportunities on campus for moral and spiritual formation through worship, service projects and various programs b) assisting faith based and service based student organizations as a staff resource, c) serving as a presence in the classroom by teaching courses and d) connecting the College with the larger Presbyterian Church (USA), my denomination and Hanover College’s church denomination-affiliate. Fun fact: John Finley Crowe, Lake Lambert and I are all graduates of one sort or another from Princeton Theological Seminary. I bear the distinction of having enjoyed air conditioning in the dorms.
What sort of things can students seek your help with? Students can find me helpful for questions on faith, life, major events, etc., and may also seek me out to look for service based or faith based programming on campus. No matter their tradition or conviction, I’m happy to be of service.
What did you do prior to Hanover? I’ve served congregations in the Chicago area and abroad in Scotland. Immediately prior to Hanover, I was a full time Ph.D. student at Garrett in Evanston, IL. I also had several part time jobs during that time, serving as a family chaplain in a local congregation, an on-call chaplain in the Northshore University Healthcare System, and as an adjunct professor at Garrett, a United Methodist seminary.
What do you love about Hanover? I love the natural beauty and the view from The Point. It never ever gets old. Scenic Drive also reminds me a lot of the NC mountains. I chose to be here because I’m a minister who digs academic settings.
What’s your favorite place on campus or in Madison? I enjoy walking over by Broadway Fountain in Madison, and looking at all of the historic homes downtown.
Where have your (international) travels taken you, and what has been your favorite place? I lived in Scotland for several years, serving a congregation in Oban. I enjoyed visiting different parts of the U.K. while living there, and would go to Spain if I needed sunshine. I’ve also enjoyed service trips to Malawi and Jamaica, and once had to retreat from a stampeding elephant on a safari in South Africa.
If you could visit one place in the world, where would it be – and why? Visit One Place in the World: I’d love to be walking right now on the Isle of Kerrera, just off the coast of Oban in western Scotland.
What are some of your interests, and what sort of things keep you busy? I love walking three loud and obnoxious terriers, reading British literature, singing, cooking, re-arranging literal and figurative furniture.
What’s your pump-up song? Blondie’s “One Way or Another” was my dissertation theme song.
What’s something that your coworkers might not know about you? I have a peculiar tolerance for very spicy foods—and I grow my own peppers. I also take classical voice lessons, and am learning operatic technique (I’m a high soprano).
Is there anything that you’ve always wanted to do but never have? Probably a pet unicorn. Prospects aren’t good, I’m afraid.
What advice would you give to students who are beginning their college careers? Take your time. You’ve been gifted with a journey of personal exploration, and it’s okay to muddle through it a bit.
What’s your favorite way that you get to help/work with students? Alternative Winter Break trips; these are week-long excursions to do service work (repairing a home after a natural disaster, connecting with the homeless population in a major urban area) and to live in community together (cooking, cleaning, fellowship) during the time allotted for Winter Break (end of February).
Does ministry run in the family? Nope, they’re mostly lawyers…but the Presbyterian Church (USA) was founded by a former attorney, so it works.
Education
B.A. in english, University of North Carolina – Greensboro
M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary
Th.M. in pastoral theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in theological ethics, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
