Gale Scholars Program

Knox College is very active in the community. We are especially proud of the George Washington Gale Scholars program, established in 1996 and named after the founder of Galesburg and Knox College. The program is a collaborative partnership between Knox, the local school district, (Galesburg District 205) and the area community college (Carl Sandburg College), created to encourage and support higher education aspirations and success in the target population of academically promising first-generation and income eligible youth within District 205.

• 2011 Gale Scholar Application (PDF)
• Gale Scholar Brochure (PDF)

Each year up to 15 students are selected, and they join other cohorts to participate in summer enrichment and academic preparation, community service, and special skill-building experiences. Students who complete the program in high school receive tuition-waiver scholarships toward the completion of associate's and bachelor's degree programs at Carl Sandburg College and Knox, respectively. Highly academically successful students at Galesburg High School may qualify for direct enrollment at Knox College.

The program was recognized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education in 1999 as one of six exemplary "best practices" within the State of Illinois -- a program that directly addresses the growing number of youth who, because of socio-economic barriers, often are not given the opportunity to realize their full potential as scholars and future leaders in our community.

In the early years of the program, the program numbers persisting through to a college degree were not high. In the last decade, the program has grown to include a Program Director and the selection process and program requirements have been revised. Knox graduated its first Gale Scholar in 2006, with four graduating in 2008, another four in 2009, three in 2010, and another 4 in 2011. Currently there are 49 Gale Scholar students at Galesburg High School, 12 at Carl Sandburg College, and 16 at Knox College.

George Washington Gale Scholar Knox graduates to date are:

The Gale Scholar Program is a successful example of a great partnership between Knox College, Galesburg District 205 and Carl Sandburg College.