Dr. Lynne Simpson

Dr. Simpson – Curriculum Vitae »

Education Background

PhD, University of Massachusetts

MA, University of Massachusetts

B.A., Washington and Jefferson College

Courses Taught

• Capstone: Tragedy Evolving
• Composition & World Literature I & II
• Modern & Contemporary Drama
• Renaissance Poetry & Drama
• Shakespeare
• Survey of British Literature I & II
• Women’s Literature

Professional Interest

• British Literature
• Drama
• Renaissance Literature
• Shakespeare

About Dr. Simpson

I am a native of Pittsburgh (Go Steelers!) who resides in Greer and considers Walt Disney World my ‘home away from home.’ I enjoy a good laugh, a good book, and anything chocolate. Indeed, I keep a stash of candy in my office—for medicinal purposes only—should you require some! My hubby, Dr. Greg Goeckel, is a professor of mathematics at PC, and we are the doting and always delighted parents of Zachary Charles. I am also the proud step-mother of twins: Julia Goeckel, a 2013 graduate of PC, and Philip Goeckel, who serves in the US Army and is married to the lovely Jennifer Culbertson Goeckel.

I graduated summa cum laude from Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania where I majored in English and Business and Economics. College was transformative for me: I was the first in my family to complete a four-year degree. I wanted to be a professor myself, and teach at a place where the liberal arts and personal relationships mattered; therefore, PC felt like home from the minute I arrived back in 1996. At PC I was appointed an inaugural Student Life Fellow from 2006-2008, and I continue to work closely with Campus Life. I also happily serve on the Writing and the Women’s and Gender Studies Committees. I enjoy leading student travel to England and Italy—and taking my son along too. When he touched down in London for the first time at the age of three, he promptly shouted for the entire plane to hear, “Hey! Jane Austen lives here!”

My students consistently comment on my great passion for literature, which I hope is contagious and a source of motivation. If nothing else, I advocate appreciation of literature for its essential beauty and richness. A good book explores the fundamental questions of human existence, and through these questions, I encourage my students to examine their own lives through writing and class discussions. The latter are very important to me. I maintain a challenging but supportive, hopefully even nurturing, environment for learning. No PC students would tell you that “Dr. S.” is an easy professor, but I bet they wouldn’t tell you that I don’t care or am ever unenthusiastic either!