Karen Swenson

Karen Swenson passed away on Friday, August 1 at the age of 73 at her home in Christiansburg, Virginia. Born on November 22, 1951, she was the eldest daughter of S. Don Swenson and Ruth Haight Swenson. She grew up in Utah with her parents and her three younger siblings, and she finished her final year of high school in Oregon.

Karen was an anthropology major at Portland State University. She earned her B.A. in 1976, three years after becoming a mother, and in 1979 she was certified to teach English as a second language, which she did in Kent, Washington. At that point, her interests turned to English literature and language, and she earned an M.A. at Portland State. She earned a second M.A. at Cornell University, where she went on to complete a Ph.D. in English, following the Medieval Studies Program curriculum, in 1987. She was a specialist in Old Norse, medieval, and Renaissance literatures, and in mythology, fields in which she later published two books and many articles. In addition to French and German, she developed proficiency in six ancient and medieval languages.

In 1988, Karen accepted an invitation to join the faculty of Virginia Tech’s English Department. Here she emerged as an early advocate for innovative uses of technology in humanities education, designing and collaborating on important grant-funded projects with broad impact on undergraduate education. In 2009 she was awarded a Master Online Instructor certificate by Virginia Tech’s Center for Distance and Distributed Education.

Karen was a versatile, humane, and caring professor, loved by her students for her skill in bringing ancient cultures and languages to life, for her empathy and wholehearted investment in student success, and for the impressive tattoo on her arm of a dragon, the fearsome monster of many an ancient text. Although many of her students went on to win accolades and awards, Karen gave her unfailing attention to average students, inspiring in many a life-long love of literature. Similarly, Karen was a helpful and generous colleague, always happy to share lectures and notes with colleagues tackling new courses.

Karen retired from Virginia Tech in 2022. She was determined to make retirement a time of fulfillment and growth, re-dedicating herself to her lifelong passions: cultivating a beautiful flower garden; playing musical instruments; teaching classes and leading a discussion group in VT’s Lifelong Learning Institute; self-reflecting though writing; caring for her two cats; refining her yoga practice; learning new things, going new places, and having new experiences. She was a voracious reader and she read widely (she loved a good detective novel or science fiction story). She loved crafts, and she crocheted beautiful afghans as gifts to others. She was part of an ongoing bid whist card group for decades (she loved puzzles and games) and she is remembered as a wonderful card player, both wily and generous in play. She was a beloved friend in a circle of people who will miss her on a daily basis, as will her daughter, Rivka.

Karen is survived by her beloved daughter, Rivka Swenson, who is an Associate Professor of English at Virginia Commonwealth University, two sisters (Jane Swenson and Sue Swenson), a brother (Colonel James Swenson), and a host of friends. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg, Virginia.