$1-Million Commitment for Endowed Faculty Chair

President Roger Taylor '63 accepts a check from Doug Bayer '66 and his wife, Maria.

Knox College's expanding environmental studies program recently received a major boost in the form of a new $1-million endowed faculty chair from Douglas and Maria Bayer of Bellevue, Washington. Douglas Bayer is a 1966 Knox graduate who recently retired from Microsoft Corporation.

The Douglas and Maria Bayer Faculty Chair in Earth Sciences will begin supporting the new faculty position in earth sciences next fall.

"This generous support from the Bayer family will strengthen the Knox faculty and curriculum in an increasingly important field of study," said Knox College President Roger Taylor '63. "The Bayers recognize the value of the liberal arts and interdisciplinary study."

"Doug credits his experiences at Knox, especially physics professors Wayne Green and Herb Priestley, with teaching him how to think, not what to think," said Robert King, director of major and planned giving at Knox. Green is a professor emeritus of physics who taught from 1954 to 1989. Priestley, who died in 2005, taught from 1952 to 1982. Read more.

Knox Receives Grant for New Campus Research Center

Knox has received a multi-year grant for a new campus center that will help Knox students find opportunities and funding sources for research and advanced projects. The three-year, $228,750 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will support Knox's new Center for Research and Advanced Studies. The Center will coordinate Knox's numerous existing programs that support advanced work in the natural and social sciences, humanities, and creative and performing arts.

"Right now, Knox is awarding close to a quarter-million dollars annually to our students, who are conducting some 350 independent study and research projects a year in all disciplines," said Lawrence B. Breitborde, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. "Having a single campus center will make it easier for students to find opportunities for undergraduate and post-graduate research and to line up funding sources for their work."

The Center for Research and Advanced Studies will join five additional centers -- Center for Career and Pre-Professional Development, Center for Global Studies, Center for Intercultural Life, Center for Teaching and Learning, and Center for Community Service -- which were established in conjunction with Renewed Knox, the College's 2002 curriculum revision. Read more.



A Note from the Editor

It's a Happy New Year
2008 is off to a great start. After ending 2007 on yet another strong note --  the Knox Fund continues to meet and exceed dollar and donor expectations, Admission numbers remain strong -- the New Year brings with it many exciting happenings around campus.

• Knox will host the 27th Annual International Fair on Saturday, January 26, featuring an international buffet lunch, educational displays, a parade of flags, student entertainment, and more.
• Watch 2007 Prairie Fire Basketball Live on Midwest Conference TV. And remember, it's Coach Heimann's last year as head basketball coach -- catch him while you can! 
• Four alumni -- Alan Anderson '56, Keith Belzer '85, Richard Cheney '43, and Ander Monson '97 -- will be honored at the 2008 Alumni Achievement Awards on Thursday, February 14. 

Stay tuned to the Knox Web site for more upcoming news and events!

Strategic Plan Now on the Web
At its October 2007 meeting, the Board of Trustees adopted the College's strategic plan, which was reviewed by Knox faculty and staff over summer and fall 2007. The plan focuses on the College's three priorities --  Nurturing Academic Excellence, Strengthening Institutional Self-Confidence, and Charting a Course Toward Financial Impregnability. The plan is now available for alumni to read on the Knox Web site. Read the Knox College Strategic Plan.  

Campus News 

Workers repair east side of Old Main's roof, which overlooks George Davis Hall. See more photos.

Old Main Roof Repairs
Knox is repairing the roof of its historic Old Main, following damage incurred in an August 2007 wind storm. The work began in December 2007, and is scheduled for completion in May 2008.

The College consulted with a structural engineer and with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency about the project at the 150-year-old building, the only structure remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates. It was among the very first sites selected as a National Historic Landmark in 1936, when the designation was created by the federal government.

High winds that did considerable damage in the Galesburg area last August 23 buckled the roof on Old Main. Several pieces of masonry also fell to the ground at the southwest corner of the building. Read more.

1955 Classmates Raise $200,000, Establish Endowed Scholarship Fund
Shortly after Pete Hosutt '55 passed away in January 2007, six of his '55 classmates -- Robert Burden, Paul Johnson, James Jones, Walter Larkin, Anthony "Tony" Liberta, and Logan "Bud" Wharton -- contacted the Office of Advancement with an idea to create a scholarship fund in Hosutt's name. Over the course of the next three months, the classmates organized a fundraising campaign among other members of the Class of 1955, as well as fraternity brothers and sports teammates from Hosutt's era, ultimately raising more than $210,000 and establishing The Rev. Pete Hosutt Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Lucas Street '08, a creative writing major and anthropology minor, was chosen as the first Rev. Pete Hosutt Scholar. Street has been an active leader at his church, Vineyard Church of Davenport, Iowa, for the last decade, serving in various paid and unpaid capacities. In addition to his church work, he worked with troubled boys in the Annie Wittenmeyer home in Davenport and was involved in benevolence work for the less fortunate. Before coming to Knox, Street completed a two-year seminary-level program at the Vineyard Leadership Institute. At Knox, he works as a writing tutor in the Center for Teaching and Learning and is known for his moral and religious character. Thanks to everyone who has donated to the fund. Additional gifts may be made to the scholarship fund at any time.

Thanks to New Agreement, Knox Students to Teach ESL in China
Knox recently signed a pair of agreements with a Chinese university that allows Knox students to teach in China and Knox faculty to explore other exchange opportunities. The first agreement will send Knox students to China later this year as part of a new course in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Lawrence B. Breitborde, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College,  and Jason Helfer, assistant professor of educational studies, inked the agreements with Lun Wang, president of Anhui Normal University, during a trip to China in December. "Under the first agreement Knox students will study ESL methods during fall 2008," Breitborde said. "Then they will travel to China to teach undergraduates at Anhui University for about three weeks in December 2008." Read more.

Grant for "College Success Network"
A Knox program aimed at increasing the number of minority and low-income college graduates in the state has received a grant from the Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI). The $14,480 grant from the ACI's College Success Network will provide scholarships, specialized academic advising, travel to off-campus workshops, and on-campus leadership development activities. A total of 19 Knox students are in the program during 2007-08 -- six were selected in 2006, and another 13 were selected in 2007. Read more.

Admission, Fundraising Numbers Remain Strong
As of December 31, 2007, the Knox Fund raised $1,415,694 -- 22 percent ahead of where the Knox Fund was at the end of December 2006. The College is also up 867 donors over last year at this time and has 25 percent more alumni donors. More about the Knox Fund.

As of the close of business on Friday, January 11, 2008, the College had received 2,160 applications for admission, compared to 1,968 at the end of the first full week of January last year. After hosting two record-breaking open houses this fall, the Admission office welcomed more than 200 prospective students and their families at the first winter open house on January 21. More on Admission open houses.



Student News

Vessels Pursues Women's Studies in India
Women's studies major Ellen Vessels '08 wanted something beyond the typical "spread my wings" experience. She looked into Knox's study abroad programs, and it wasn't long before she found her own program at the Bandhavi School for young girls (ages 8 to 14) in India. "It was a program that I found myself and got it approved by Knox," Vessels said.  "The school is an amazing place," she added. Read more.

Students Attend Simon Business School Competition
More than 50 students from liberal arts colleges and universities nationwide, including five Knox students -- Leah Heister '08, Sonali Mishra '08, Stephanie O'Brien '08, Sukhi Srivatsan '08, Matthew Stockov '08 -- competed in the Simon Graduate School of Business Early Leaders Case Competition in Rochester, New York, in November. Students had the opportunity to apply their academic training in a realistic business environment while rubbing elbows with industry experts and executives. "This competition allowed students to use what they have learned in the classroom to tackle a real business challenge," said John Spittell, Knox's executive in residence. Read more.

First-year Interns with Obama Campaign
Colin Davis takes his civic duty very seriously. Not only did he serve as an intern for Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign over the summer and fall, primarily working in Iowa, but he plans to continue to volunteer for the Obama campaign in Illinois. And this is in addition to a busy life as a first-year Knox student.  Read The Register-Mail profile.

Ibis Tests Water Quality and Nets Mosquitoes
Rosemary Ibis '08 says she could always wrap her mind around anything health or environmentally related. As a biology major, Ibis says she has always thought about ecology. Her senior research "Macroinvertibrates literal zone of strip mine lakes," had Ibis canoeing local lakes, catching bugs, and netting macroinvertibrates in the muddy waters at Green Oaks and Lake Storey. Ibis' research is funded by the David "Burney" Dunn Fund for Student Field Research -- a field biology scholarship established in memory of David Burnett "Burney" Dunn '90, a biology major and one of Knox's top field biology students. Read more.

Henniger Named Recipient of the Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship
Nicole Henniger '10 has been named as recipient of the 2007-2008 Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship. Henniger is majoring in physics and psychology. The Clare Boothe Luce Program was established in 2005 through a bequest by Clare Boothe Luce to encourage women to pursue courses of study and careers in the sciences and engineering. Read more.

More coverage of Knox students is available on the Knox news page.


Alumni News 

Alumni Participate in Vitalist Theatre's 10th Anniversary Season
Vitalist Theatre begins its 10th anniversary season in Chicago with Sir David Hare's complex investigation of art and politics, The Bay at Nice, directed by Jaclynn Jutting '00. The Bay at Nice is produced by Knox Professors Liz Carlin-Metz and Robin Metz and features Knox alumni Rachel Sypniewski '01 as costume designer and actress H. Lynn Kendziera (Heidi Lynn Gottcent '95). Knox alumni will also participate in the upcoming 2008 production of E.M. Forster's A Passage to India (April 8-May 18) directed by Carlin-Metz. In November, Vitalist will perform First American Christmas, adapted by Metz from the novella by Carl Nordgren '73. More information on Vitalist.

2008 Alumni Achievement Awards on February 14
Knox will celebrate the 171st anniversary of its founding with the presentation of Alumni Achievement Awards at the 2008 Founders Day Convocation on Thursday, February 14. At the celebration, three alumni will receive Alumni Achievement Awards -- Alan Anderson '56, Keith Belzer '85, and Richard Cheney '43. Ander Monson '97 will be the fourth recipient of a Young Alumni Achievement Award. See coverage of the 2007 Alumni Achievement Awards.

Sue Deans '70 Offers Reflections on New Knox Experience
Sue Deans '70 had the unique opportunity to return to her alma mater, teaching in Knox's journalism program during fall term 2007. After the term ended, she reflected on her recent experiences at Knox in Galesburg's The Register-Mail and in the Boulder Daily Camera, where she formerly served as editor. Read The Register-Mail and Daily Camera stories.

Donnie Forti '06 Reports for ABC News
Donnie Forti '06 spent last summer examining the drug habits of Iraqi war veterans while on a Carnegie Fellowship at ABC News' Brian Ross Investigative Unit. Forti was one of six graduate students from around the country chosen for the prestigious fellowship. His hard work paid off, as Forti's story was featured by ABC News in November 2007. Read Donnie's story.

Alumni Notes

Jack Larson '44 was the 2007 recipient of the Thomas B. Herring Community Service Award. The award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies the true meaning of service to others, is given annual by the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Read The Register-Mail article.

Marilyn Lowe '57 was honored as the 2007 "Teacher of the Year" by the Missouri Music Teachers Association. In addition, GIA Publications, Inc. of Chicago announced the addition of four new publications to her Music Moves for Piano series.

Trustee Ralph Walter '69 was recently elected to the board of directors of the Exceptional Children's Foundation (ECF). ECF is one of California's largest nonprofit organizations serving children and adults with developmental, learning, and emotional disabilities.

Penny K. Tippy '70 , professor of family and community medicine and director of the Southern Illinois University family practice residency program, was recently awarded the Rosemary Berkel Crisp Award. The award recognizes an exceptional woman of unselfish character and generous volunteerism who demonstrates great enthusiasm for the people of Southern Illinois.

Trustee Susan Blew '75 recently joined the company Kaiser Permanente as vice president. She was formerly executive vice president at Wells Fargo.

Mitchell Grayson '89, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Washington University, published his research on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)  in the October issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Read a profile of Grayson from the Quincy Herald-Whig.

Johnson Kachidza '89 is the managing principal at Knox Lawrence International, LLC, a New York-based private equity firm. Knox Lawrence International recently acquired, with Falcon Investment Advisors, LLC, Dearborn Mid-West Conveyor Co.

Noah Sandstrom '94 recently received tenure at Williams College. Sandstrom is currently assistant professor of pyschology.

Wells Fargo recently named Greg Lardi '02 the market president for its office in Canton, Illinois.

Dave Urlakis '03 received positive reviews for his performance in the Chicago play Eat the Run. The Chicago Sun-Times called him a "standout" and "capable of finding humor in scenes that otherwise would have fallen flat." He'll soon start rehearsals for the Speaking Ring Theatre Ensemble of The Diviners.

Cigi Ross '06 recently left Galesburg's The Register-Mail for The Elgin Courier, where she is a staff reporter.

Fulbright recipient Lindsey Turnbull '06 recently returned from 16 months abroad in England and Africa, where she researched malaria. Read about her trip.

Chelsea Lynn '06 is the lighting designer for the Chicago company Circle Theatre's Midwest premiere of the play Boy by Julia Jordan.
 
Amelia Flood '07 is a reporter at The Kane County Chronicle.

Al Keefe '06 is an on-air NPR reporter/producer at WVIK (Augustana Public Radio) in Rock Island, Illinois.
 
After graduation, Bill Mayeroff '07 spent the summer as a reporter for the Chicago Journal and now works as a reporter for the Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus.
 
While attending graduate school in journalism at the University of Kansas, Jesse Temple '07 works part-time as a sports reporter for the Lawrence Journal-World. 



Faculty & Staff News

Faculty Trip to China
Along with snapshots and souvenirs, eight Knox College faculty members who visited China last month also brought back plans to add China-related enhancements to their teaching and research activities. Leading the expedition were Michael Schneider, history, and Robert Seibert '63, political science, co-directors of the Center for Global Studies. Other faculty members on the trip were David Amor, anthropology-sociology; Diana Beck, educational studies; Steve Cohn, economics; Penny Gold, history; Charles Schulz '72, physics; and Shuyan Gao Shipplett, Chinese. The trip was sponsored by the Center for Global Studies at Knox College, through a grant to the Center from the Caterpillar Foundation. Read more.

Muelder Book on Underground Railroad Published
The Underground Railroad in Western Illinois by Owen Muelder '63, director of the Galesburg Colony Underground Railroad Freedom Station at Knox College, was recently published by McFarland & Co. The book adds a new chapter to the history of the Underground Railroad (UGRR), addressing at length the activities of UGRR operators, both black and white, in Western Illinois. Muelder's many years of research into the UGRR and his work with the UGRR Freedom Station, as well as his history at Knox, was featured in a recent profile in Galesburg's The Register-Mail. Read the article.

Professor Emeritus Jay Minn
Professor Emeritus of Modern Languages Jay Minn, a member of the Knox faculty for 24 years, died in November 2007 at his home in Tucson, Arizona. "Professor Minn will be remembered fondly by generations of Knox students as a very effective French professor," said Knox College President Roger Taylor '63. When Minn retired in 1988, a resolution passed by his colleagues on the Knox faculty praised him as a "professor par excellence," noting his skill as "an interpreter of Rimbaud and the French Symbolists," and his role as "a guiding light both of the Besancon program and French studies at Knox." Read more.

Faculty & Staff Notes

Stuart Allison, associate professor of biology, recently published the article "You Can't Not Choose: Embracing the Role of Choice in Ecological Restoration" in the journal Restoration Ecology.

Assistant Professor of Music Jeremy Day-O'Connell's new book, Pentatonicism from the Eighteenth Century to Debussy, was recently published as part of the University of Rochester Press's prestigious series, Eastman Studies in Music.

John Dooley, associate professor of computer science, has been elected a senior member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). The ACM is the main professional society for computer science, and the senior member grade recognizes those ACM members with at least 10 years of professional experience and five years of continuous professional membership whose performance sets them apart from their peers.

Globalization and Politics in the Economic Community of West African States, a new book by Assistant Professor of Integrated International Studies Eric Edi, was recently published by Carolina Academic Press in its series Studies on Globalization and Society.

An article by Karen Kampwirth '86, associate professor of political science, titled "Neither Left Nor Right: Sandinismo in the Anti-Feminist Era," appeared in the January-February 2008 issue of the NACLA Report on the Americas. Her review of Clare Weber's Visions of Solidarity: U.S. Peace Activists in Nicaragua from War to Women's Activism and Globalization appeared in a recent issue of Contemporary Sociology.

Tim Kasser, associate professor of psychology, gave eight invited talks on values, materialism, and sustainability at numerous institutions and universities in the United Kingdom, including the Sustainable Development Commission; the Universities of Surrey, Exeter, and Bath; and the Royal Society of the Arts; the Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs; and the U.K. branch of the World Wildlife Fund. The talks were the result of  a fellowship to collaborate with researchers at U.K. universities, which allowed Kasser to spend four weeks in fall 2007 at the University of Surrey's Research Group on Lifestyles, Values, and the Environment (RESOLVE).

Lane Sunderland, Chancie Ferris Booth Professor of Political Science, was elected to another term on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors.



Contact Us
Submissions to The Gizmogram should be made to the editor at gizmogram@knox.edu. Submissions may be edited for space.

Editor
Megan Scott '96

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