Carol Bontempo graduated “with highest honors” from the University of Connecticut in 1962, with a double major in English and History. She was a University Scholar, and was elected to both Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi (Mortar Board) in 1961. She went on to graduate school at the Ohio State University and Penn State University, earning a Masters Degree in Linguistics (as related to literature) in 1971. She and her family also moved to Washington in 1971, where she pursued a number of career paths, eventually becoming a catalog marketing manager for several organizations and businesses. She retired in 2005, shortly after becoming active in the DC Area Phi Beta Kappa Association, and has served as Executive Board Member/Newsletter Editor for the past several years. In addition, Carol loves to travel, is very active in her church, and enjoys her three children, their spouses, and six grandchildren.