Martha Kime Piper
Martha Kime Piper was both beautiful and intelligent. She also had an affable personality and a winning manner that drew others to her. So it is understandable why she was voted “Most Popular” girl in the Class of 1949 at Andrew Lewis High School. She left behind an enviable record of scholastic activities that included: Secretary, Senior Class; Beta Club; Latin Club; May Queen; Maid of Honor; Head Cheerleader; Annual Staff; Student Council; Senior Mirror; and basketball.
After high school she attended Roanoke College, but it was in 1960 that she earned a B.A. degree at Elmhurst College in Illinois, followed by an M.S. degree from the University of Kansas in 1969, and a Ph.D., from the University of Texas at Austin in 1973.
From 1968 to 1972, that she served as Director, Elementary Science Programs for Shawnee Public Schools in Overland Park, Kansas. Her work drew praise in coordinating science programs in 50 elementary schools, developing a TV training program for science and math teachers, and directing 50 “telelessons” for upper-level elementary students.
In 1973 she joined the University of Houston-University Park, as a full-time member of the faculty in the College of Education and was awarded tenure in 1977. In 1981, she was promoted to full professor. While with the College of Education she served in many capacities including: Coordinator, Elementary Teacher Preparation Programs from 1974-1979; Chair, Science Education Program in 1975 and 1979; Director, College of Education Undergraduate Program and University of Houston Certification Officer in 1979; Chair, Faculty Senate in 1980; and Director, College of Education Student Service and Academic Affairs 1980-81. In every position held, significant improvements were made under her leadership.
In 1981 she was named Special Assistant to the President for Academic Affairs and, in July of 1981, was made Interim Chancellor, University of Houston-Victoria Campus, and, in March 1982, was named Chancellor, University of Houston-Victoria. During her tenure as Chancellor, UH-Victoria was granted official legislative recognition and significantly expanded and improved its facilities, including the Communications Center, Small Business Institute, Technical Center for Teachers, Petroleum Training Institute, and Child Care Drop-in Service for Children of UH-Victoria Students.
On June 2, 1986, she became the eighth President of Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and the first woman president of a four-year public institution in the Carolinas. As a member of the third generation of her family to be associated with Winthrop, she promptly led in developing a five-year plan for the College and took a leadership roll in the educational assessment movement in South Carolina. She also implemented the offering of Winthrop’s master’s degree in fine arts and liberal arts together with the opening of the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
She served the State of South Carolina as: Vice Chairman of the “Commission on the Future of South Carolina”; was an active member of the Attorney General’s Task Force on Drug Abuse; and a member of the Task Force on Economic Development. She became the first woman invited to join the Kiwanis Club at Rock Hill and in February of 1988 was named South Carolina’s Career Woman of the Year. She was a Trustee of Roanoke College and a recipient of the Roanoke Medal. After a short illness, Dr. Piper died on April 24, 1988. With her passing the nation lost one of its truly great and innovative educational administrators. She was survived by a daughter, Penna, and a son, Mark.
In further recognition of her outstanding career achievements, Dr. Martha Kime Piper was among charter members inducted into the Salem Alumni Hall of Fame by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association in 1996.
