Carol Harter and her husband of 46 years started their married lives by running away from college in their sophomore year. They spent the 1960's working toward their degrees. Harter earned her bachelor's in 1964 and her master's in 1967. Dr. Harter completed her PhD in 1970, and because her husband wanted to work on his doctorate, they moved to Athens, Ohio. She taught at Ohio University while he completed his courses. They lived, worked, and raised their children there for 19 years.