Alumni in English Literature

Knox students who develop their skills of analysis and expression are well prepared for a wide variety of careers. The core elements of a major in English, whether in literature or in creative writing -- reading and writing, interpretation and analysis, the ability to look at the world from different perspectives, the ability to articulate feelings and ideas clearly and forcefully -- are valuable in every profession.

Among Knox's 14,000 alumni worldwide are more than 800 who majored in English, about evenly divided between literature and writing majors. Some English majors, before embarking on their formal careers, have participated in such programs as Teach for America, The Peace Corps, Americorps, and The JET Program. English majors have pursued career paths in fields including publishing, advertising, law, journalism, and academia. Examples include:

Attorney and Author, Kansas City, Missouri. William H. Colby '77, lead attorney in the precedent- setting Cruzan "right to die" case before the U.S. Supreme court, now working on a book about the case (pictured at right).

Former President, United Nations General Assembly, The late Ismat Kittani '51.

18th President of Knox College and Retired Attorney and Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, Chicago. Roger Taylor '63.

Award-Winning Children's Author, San Marino, California. Elizabeth (Harler) Van Steenwyk '48.

Pro-bono Counsel for Knox College, Anne Zweifel Taylor '63.

Physician and Internist, The Galesburg Clinic Association, Galesburg, Illinois. Dr. James King '66.

Graduate Student, Master of Arts in Humanities, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Jonathan Crylen '06.

Emmy-nominated television writer and producer, David Axelrod '67.

Award-winning author of historical fiction for young people, Patricia Curtis Pfitsch '70.

Vice President of Retail Management, Fifth Third Bank, Buffalo Grove, Illinois. John Drake '80.

Graduate Student, University of Massachusetts. Sarah Magin, '07.

Self-employed writer, Evanston, Illinois, John Manos '74.

Graduate Student, Masters in English, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois. Laura Hinken '06.

Legal Counsel, Wisconsin Department of Employment, Madison, Wisconsin. Dave Ghilardi '71.

Graduate Student, Master of Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Lindsay Braddy '07. Journalism minor.

International Notary, Zylke & Associates, Batavia, Illinois. John Kowal '80.

Lawyer, Bernick, Omer, Radner, Douglas, Lansing, Michigan. Chalgian Douglas '81.

President, Independent Publishers Group, Chicago. Mark Suchomel '83.

Novelist and Playwright, Laguna Beach, California. Sherwood Kiraly '72.

Senior Features Editor, Chicago Tribune. Brenda Butler '71.

English Teacher, Kenwood Academy, Chicago, Illinois. Jason Maclin '07.

Associate Professor of Education, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland. Wendy Saul '68.

Author and Freelance Writer, Arcata, California. William Kowinski '68.

Teacher, Prince William County Schools, Fredricksburg, Virginia. Jane Middleton Carr '83.

Owner, Blue Dragon Coffeehouse, Takoma Park, Maryland. William A. Feste '92.

Psychotherapist, Sternau & Associates, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ruth Katz '70.

Author of Dream House: Stories, and Associate Professor of English, DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. Barbara Cottrall Bean '68.

Agent, Creative Artists Agency, Los Angeles, California. Tony Etz '83.

Associate Professor, State University of New York-Geneseo. Rachel Hall '86.

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. B.J. Hollars '07.

Associate Director and Professor of Journalism, Public Policy Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Michael J. Lawrence '64.

Self-Employed Screen Writer, Los Angeles, California. Michael A. Ryan '86.

Professor of Linguistics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. Russell Tomlin '73.

Professor, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C. Susan Deller Ross '64.

Author of And the Waters Turned to Blood and Business Owner; Scottsdale, Arizona. Rodney Barker '68.

Associate Professor, Manhattan College. Joseph Lennon '90.

Graduate Student, Master of arts in Journalism, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Jesse Temple '07. Journalism minor.