Montco woman, Rowan University prof now a two-time 'Jeopardy!' champ; to compete again

To become a new 'Jeopardy! champion, Rowan University professor Melissa Klapper tested her knowledge on everything African by providing the correct question to a tricky clue regarding Arabian scholars' name for present-day Morocco.

And to successfully defend her title on Tuesday's airing of the long-running trivia game show, Klapper, of Montgomery County, once again put her erudite skillset to the test with a question related to events that transpired nearly a millennia ago.

In fact, "Jeopardy!" producers went downright medieval with Tuesday's Final Jeopardy! clue:

"One of the participants in an 1170 event at this place said, 'Let us away, knights; he will rise no more.'"

Jeopardy! airs weeknights at 7 p.m. on ABC.

Klapper takes lead to Final Jeopardy; question stymies contestants

Klapper enjoyed a sizable lead over fellow contestants Brandon Anderson and Charlotte Diffendale heading into Tuesday's Final Jeopardy round.

Klapper's winnings totaled $22,800, while Anderson's winnings were $9,000 and Diffendale won $14,000.

Alas, as smart as Klapper is — a lifelong educator who earned her bachelor's from Goucher College and her PhD from Rutgers University — she and and the other contestants were all unable to come up with the correct Final Jeopardy! question: 'What is Canterbury Cathedral?'

Klapper will now move on to face a fresh pair of challengers in Wednesday's airing of "Jeopardy!."

Melissa Klapper's run to the 'Jeopardy!' championship

Klapper, of Merion Station, won the trivia crown on Monday by correctly answering the Final Jeopardy! clue: "At one time a province of the Roman empire, this kingdom is known to Arabic scholars as Al-maghrib Al-aqsa, 'The Far West.'"

Rowan professor wins Jeopardy! title:Can Montco woman, Rowan University professor defend 'Jeopardy!' title?

The lead-up clues to Tuesday's Final Jeopardy were more current than the happenings of the early 12th century, but no less daunting.

Early-round clues ran a wide gamut of topics and included references to Pinnochio's origins; The Matrix trilogy; slang used by enlisted British officers; other words for baleen, or the material used by native sled runners; and the definition of "deadly nightshade."

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From Rowan University to Jeopardy! champion

Klapper is currently the coordinator of the Women's & Gender Studies Program at Rowan University, which is located in Glassboro, New Jersey, and the authored several books, including Jewish Girls Coming of Age in America, 1860-1920 and Small Strangers: The Experiences of Immigrant Children in the United States, 1880-1925.

Klapper also serves as book review editor of the American Jewish History journal and recently completed a term as the co-chair of the Association for Jewish Studies's Modern Jewish History — The Americas division.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Montco woman, Rowan University professor defends 'Jeopardy!' title