Ira G. Zepp, Jr. Papers, 1950-2008 | McDaniel College

Title: Ira G. Zepp, Jr. Papers, 1950-2008

ID: MS/2011.23

Extent: 150.0 Linear Feet

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Ira G. Zepp, Jr. was born in 1929 to Ira G. Zepp , Sr. and Nellie Katheryn Foard Zepp in Hartford County, Maryland. He graduated from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) in 1952. It was at college where he met Mary Elizabeth Dodd. They were married in 1954 and had four children.

Dr. Zepp received his B.D. in theology from Drew Theological Seminary, 1956. He continued his studies at the Universities of Edinburgh and Gottingen, and at Harvard Divinity School. In 1971 he earned his Ph.D. in theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. Later he studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the Hartford Seminary. He did further study in Cuernavaca, Mexico and spent a summer in Eastern Europe studying Christian-Marxist dialogue and was a Fulbright scholar in India.

Zepp took the position of Dean of Chapel at Western Maryland College in 1963. He was an Assistant Professor of Religion; promoted to Associate Professor; and full Professor of Religious Studies in 1981. During his tenure he was awarded many honors including Distinguished Teacher in 1973 and 1982, Maryland Professor of the Year in 1989. He also taught at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Iliff Theological School in Denver, and Wesley Theological Seminary in D.C. His courses were popular at Carroll Community College in Maryland.

Many of the courses taught by Zepp tackled divisive issues including racism, sexuality, and liberation movements and human freedom, as well as controversial issues of religion and gender, religion and sex, and religion and death. Zepp not only lectured about liberation and human freedom he was an activist. In the 1960s he walked with Martin Luther King, Jr. and other Civil Rights protesters in the march on Selma, Alabama. At home he helped desegregate many restaurants in Westminster, Maryland. On campus he involved himself with Student Opportunities Service (SOS) and Operation Hinge helping communities and individuals through access to education.

Dr. Zepp authored and co-authored a dozen books including A Muslim Primer: Beginner’s Guide to Islam, Search the Beloved Community: The Thinking of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rabindranath Tagore, American Interpretations. Pedagogy of the Heart: A Teachers Credo was published just before his death August 1, 2009.

Author: Barbara O'Brien

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Scope and Contents: The papers in this collecton consist of Dr. Zepp's notes, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, and ephemera documenting his activities as educator and author.

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Detailed Description
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Box B00761: Booklets, Journals, Plays, and Theses
Box B00762: R. Bruce Poynter and Cheryl Wilhelm
Box B00763a: Correspondence and Papers, 1992-2005
Box B00764: Ira Zepp's Theses and Writings, 1951-1958 and 1974
Box B00765: Chocolate and Peanut Butter Obsession
Box B00766: Weddings and Marriage
Box B00767: Grade Books, 1964-2002
Box B00768: Travel
Box B00769: Travel Brochures
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Box B00772: Audio/Video
Box B00773: Audio/Video
Box B00774: Audio/Video
Box B00775: Audio/ Video
Box B00776: W.M.C. Memorabilia
Box B00777: Memorabilia
Box B00778: Memorabilia
Accession 2006.18
Accession 2003.17
Box B00779: Photographs, 1952-2005

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Ira G. Zepp, Jr. Papers, 1950-2008 | McDaniel College