Drover Alum Since Day One: Jacquelyn Knapp
Contact: Hannah Thompson | (405) 574-1362
For Jacquelyn “Jackie” Knapp, USAO has always been more than a university—it has been home. A native of Lindsay, Oklahoma, Jackie came to Chickasha in the mid-1980s, where her journey was shaped by mentors, friendships, and an unexpected spark that ignited her lifelong passion for art.
It began with a scholarship from Gail Thorson, who introduced her to Registrar Jack Hudson and eventually to art professor Kent Lamar, a mentor and friend whose influence still guides her today.
“Kent helped me get to know the rest of the art faculty and students,” Jackie remembers. “I found my home. Kids come here and get to find their home.”
In 1987, Jackie graduated with a Bachelor of Art with a professional emphasis in Sculpture and Drawing - the equivalent of today’s BFA. A few years later, while working in law enforcement, she got a call from Kent asking her to return to campus to teach a few courses. That call launched a decades-long teaching career. Jackie became USAO’s first specialized adjunct, then its first specialized instructor, eventually joining the faculty full-time in 1998. In 2013, she was appointed Coordinator of the Art Department, where she continues to serve today.
Her path hasn’t always been easy. Kent’s retirement was a personal and professional challenge, but Jackie found her purpose in carrying on his legacy.
“He gave me all that he could so that I could carry on his legacy,” she says. “That prepared me more than I realized.”
Jackie has countless memories from her time as both student and professor—from lighthearted classroom moments to bittersweet times of loss when students or alumni passed too soon. Through it all, she’s leaned on USAO’s close-knit community and strived to mentor newer faculty facing similar challenges.
Looking to the future, Jackie believes in USAO’s continued growth—as long as the university continues to embrace innovation and fresh ideas.
“We can’t be afraid to hire those who may be smarter or brighter. Some of the greatest hires I’ve made didn’t quite fit the mold, but they’ve advanced our department in amazing ways.”
Her advice to students and recent graduates reflects her straightforward, encouraging nature: "go to class, do the work, be ready for challenges, and don’t be afraid of ‘no.’" She reminds them that every job is a chance to grow, and persistence is key.
For Jackie, being an alumni employee means one simple, powerful thing:
“Being able to come home. I get the opportunity to serve our students and carry the legacy from 1908 to now.”
Her personal connection to USAO runs deep—even down to a statue. As a student, she discovered that a beloved artwork in Troutt Hall, “The Cowboy Fishing,” was created by none other than her mentor, Kent Lamar, who had also been a family friend. That moment cemented her decision to pursue art.
Decades later, Jackie still pours her heart into USAO. From teaching on the third floor of Davis Hall and the Art Annex—spaces she describes as filled with “blood, sweat, and tears”—to bringing USAO’s Art Department online for the very first time through platforms like Xanga, MySpace, and Facebook, her imprint is everywhere.
If she could have one superpower, Jackie wouldn’t hesitate: unlimited funds. Not for herself, but for her students, the Art Department, and the alumni who will continue to carry USAO’s story forward.
Professor Jacquelyn Knapp’s journey is a testament to the lasting impact of mentorship, the strength of persistence, and the power of finding—and returning to—home.
ABOUT USAO
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is Oklahoma’s only public liberal arts college. Located in Chickasha, USAO is a distinctive institution offering a challenging interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. With a focus on broad-based education and civic responsibility, USAO prepares students to become well-rounded, adaptable leaders ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.