Applications, Endowment on the Rise
Record
Number of Applications ReceivedKnox College has again received a record number of applications for admission, more than 2,500 for 340 openings in the class that enters Knox in fall 2007. That's an increase of more than 20 percent compared to last year and exceeds the final number of 2,182 applications received in total for the 2006 class.
Interest in Knox has continued to grow as the College has garnered national recognition in recent years for its distinctive educational program, which underwent a complete review in 2002. "The Knox faculty reaffirmed the role of the liberal arts in preparing students for the challenges of today's global society," according to President Roger Taylor '63.
Paul Steenis '85, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission, says this year's applicant pool was outstanding not only in terms of numbers, but also in terms of the diversity and range of students applying. "Knox remains committed to educating a range of students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, academic potential, and a genuine love of learning," says Steenis.
As the final admission letters were mailed last week, nearly 20 percent of admitted students are the first in their families to attend college. Nine percent are from outside the United States and 25 percent of the U.S. students are students of color. Academically, 51 percent rank in the top tenth of their high school classes, the average ACT composite score is 29, and the average SAT combined score is 1301. Due to the record numbers, applications for first-year admission are no longer being accepted.
Endowment Grows More than $25 million in Five Years
Knox's endowment is also on the rise, reaching a record $72,045,050 as of December 31, 2006. This compares to $43,640,406 on December 31, 2001. Four primary factors have led to the increased endowment -- the stock market has done well; the Board of Trustee's Investment Subcommittee has been shrewd and prudent in its oversight of the endowment; the $10.5 million gift from Walter Hobbs '25 increased the College's holdings; and the Knox faculty and staff controlled costs during a period of extraordinary financial restraint.
"When one compares the Knox endowment with some of the College's peers, one can see that it is not yet time for rejoicing," says President Taylor. "Still, we can pause for a moment to celebrate this step in ‘Charting a Course Toward Financial Impregnability.'"
Wilson Wins Lincoln Prize, Receives Honorary Degree
Douglas
L. Wilson, co-director of the Lincoln Studies Center,
has been awarded, for the second time, the Lincoln Prize, one of the
most prestigious awards in the field of American history. A renowned
Lincoln scholar and long-time member of the Knox faculty, Wilson
received the 2007 prize for his most recent book, Lincoln's Sword: The Presidency
and the Power of Words,
published in November 2006. The Lincoln & Soldiers Institute at
Gettysburg College awards the prize annually
for "the
year's best book on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil
War." The
prize includes a $50,000 cash award. Wilson will also receive an honorary degree from Knox at its Commencement exercises on June 2. Read more about Wilson's honorary degree.
New Ways to Stay Connected to Knox
There are now more ways than ever to stay connected to Knox. In addition to The Gizmogram, Knox Magazine, and Knox Online Community, Knox now offers three new features that will help you stay up-to-date on Knox news and events!
- Knox Events Calendar -- Want to know what's happening on campus? Are the Prairie Fire competing in your town? Looking for Knox Club events? You can now find all of the latest Knox events in an easy-to-use calendar. See what's happening at Knox.
- New & Improved Prairie Fire Athletics Information -- Stay up-to-date on your favorite Prairie Fire team. Learn more about Knox's student-athletes. Find all this and more on the new and improved Prairie Fire Athletics Web site.
- RSS Feeds -- You can get Knox news and events right on your desktop through our RSS feeds. Subscriptions include Knox events, sports news and event recaps, and Knox blogs. Find out how to subscribe to Knox RSS.
A Note from the Editor
Help Us Celebrate Old
Main's 150th Anniversary! Thanks to everyone who has shared their memories of Old Main with us. But we need more! In honor of Old Main's sesquicentennial, we want to hear from you. What are your favorite memories of Old Main? Do you have any pictures of the building that you want to share with the Knox community? And if you got married in or around Old Main, please send us your wedding photos.
E-mail the editor or write to Editor, The Gizmogram, Knox College Box K-230, 2 East South Street, Galesburg, IL 61401.
We're Back!
The Gizmogram officially returns after a four-month hiatus. A lot has happened since the last issue in November 2006 -- Bill Clinton decided to give the 2007 Commencement address, Stephen Colbert threatened to burn his Knox diploma, Knox's endowment has grown, admission numbers continue to rise, and a member of the Knox Class of 2028 was born. Clara Jane Tibbets was born on December 15, 2006, and might very well follow in her parents' footsteps and attend Knox. Keep your fingers crossed!
With this issue, The Gizmogram returns to its regular schedule as a bimonthly newsletter. Stay tuned for upcoming 2007 issues in May, July, September, and November.
Campus News
 |
| Dr. Jorge Prats |
Knox's soccer field, located west of the Knox Bowl, will soon be named Jorge Prats Field in honor of Dr. Jorge Prats. Prats was professor of modern languages from 1962-2000, coach of the men's and women's varsity soccer programs for more than three decades, and founder of the Knox College study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain. Led by David Bauman '74 and Steve Kaszynski '76, Knox alumni and friends raised more than $75,000 to complete the renovation project. Improvements, including a refurbishing of the field, the addition of covered team benches, and better drainage, will be completed over the summer. A formal dedication of Jorge Prats Field will take place during Homecoming 2007, October 18-21. Read more about the project.
Colbert Loves Knox
Knox may have awarded Stephen Colbert an honorary doctorate of fine arts last June, but Stephen Colbert has done more to raise the profile of Knox College in the last three months than Knox ever expected. From the January 22 episode in which Colbert threatened to burn his Knox degree because, according to Colbert, President Bill Clinton is stealing his thunder, to the March 15 episode in which Knox was highlighted as part of U. S. Representative Phil Hare's congressional district, The Colbert Report and its host make sure viewers don't forget about our small College on the Prairie. In March, Knox sent Colbert a fire-proof diploma. Keep watching The Colbert Report to see if Stephen tests its his pyrotechnic abilities.
Underground Railroad Site Gains Park Service Recognition
The
Galesburg Colony Underground Railroad Freedom Station at Knox College
has been formally included in a National Park Service program, the
National Underground Railroad Network to
Freedom. "The designation
means that our Freedom Station was evaluated by the National Park
Service, and it was determined that we are making ‘a
significant
contribution to the understanding of the Underground Railroad in
American history,'" said Owen
Muelder '63, director of the Center. Read
more . . . Ever Think about Working for Your Alma Mater?
The Office of Admission invites applications and nominations for positions of Admission Officers, including a coordinator of multicultural recruitment. These positions represent a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people and share your passion for Knox. Successful candidates will be responsible for a full range of recruitment activities, which include managing recruitment activities within a geographic territory, representing the College at off-campus events, counseling prospective students on the college selection process, conducting interviews, and evaluating applications. Learn more.
Student News
Rutledge Named NCAA
All-American WrestlerKnox junior heavyweight Jaran Rutledge became the school's first All-American wrestler by placing third at the NCAA Division III Championships on March 3. After losing his opening round match, Rutledge won four consecutive matches, including two straight over seeded opponents. The top eight wrestlers in each weight class earn All-American recognition. Read more . . .
The Knox Student Wins Awards
The staff of The Knox Student (TKS), Knox's weekly student newspaper, received nine awards at the 2007 Illinois College Press Association's annual convention, February 17 in Chicago. TKS competed in the category for non-daily newspapers with circulations of less than 4,000. Read more . . .
Knox Senior Finalist in National Photo Contest
Senior Farah Ahed has been
named a finalist in a national college photography competition
sponsored by Photographer's Forum
magazine. Ahed placed in the top five percent of entrants for the
magazine's annual College Photography Contest, which drew
more than
28,000 images in all. Her work will be published with the other
finalists and winners in the "Best of College Photography Annual 2007."
Ahed, a senior from Pakistan, submitted a series of four photographs
that she made last summer in India, one of which will appear in the
annual. See her winning photos.Catch, Knox's student journal of literature and the arts, has been named "Magazine of the Month" for March 2007 by the Forum for Undergraduate Student Editors (FUSE), an online resource for young writers. The longest running, continuously published college literary journal in the country, Catch is the first college magazine to be featured by FUSE. The site brings together information on academic programs, seminars, internships, and careers in the field of writing. Read more . . .
Jazz Musicians Bring Home Awards
The Knox Jazz Ensemble and Cherry Street Combo performed at the 40th Elmhurst Jazz Festival, one of the nation's top jazz festivals, on February 23, competing with more than 40 college and university bands. Knox students Lauren Burke '07, Patrick Collins '07, and Jeff Sundquist '09 all received outstanding soloist awards. Read more about the Knox Jazz Ensemble.
Alumni News
Four Receive Alumni Achievement Awards
Knox
celebrated the 170th anniversary of its founding with the presentation
of Alumni Achievement Awards at the 2007 Founders Day Convocation
on February 16. At the celebration, three alumni were awarded 2007 Alumni Achievement Awards -- Gene "Spanky" Binder '56, Margery Rosen Kraus '67, and David P. Fridovich '74. Monica Berlin '95 was the third recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award. Listen to podcasts from the ceremony.
 |
| Charles "Chuck" W. Porter '52 |
The Porter Wrestling Complex, named in honor of Charles "Chuck" W. Porter '52, who contributed a lead gift to the complex, was officially dedicated on January 5. Porter's gift, along with an additional $50,000 raised by alumni, enhanced Knox's wrestling practice and workout areas, including the addition of new equipment. Read more about the project.
Porter was joined by James "Sherman" Nordin '67, who contributed $25,000 to the project, at the dedication ceremony. Both Porter and Nordin extended their stay in Galesburg to attend the second annual Chuck Porter Duals, held on January 6. Read The Register-Mail article.
The Infamous Alumnus Few Remember
It's no secret that one of the most infamous spies in United States history was Knox alumnus, Robert Hanssen '66. Subject of two movies, including the recently released Breach, and numerous books, Hanssen's legacy at the FBI will be forever remembered. But what about his time at Knox? B. J. Hollars '06 asked this very question and reported his findings in the article "The Infiltration of Knox College: The College Experience of Super Spy Robert Hanssen," originally printed in The Knox Student. Read the article.
In Memoriam, Russell E. "Bucky" Swise '42
Russell E. "Bucky" Swise '42 passed away on Friday, March 23, at his home in Galesburg. Swise held several roles at the College from 1962-1977, including director of teaching aids, dean of men, and director of the College Union. He was also a member of the Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame and past president of the Fifty Year Club. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Creighton '42, four children -- all Knox graduates -- six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made through Hinchliff Pearson West funeral home.
Knox Alumnus Signs Joe DiMaggio
Did you know that Knox alumnus Bill Essick, Class of 1903, persuaded the Yankees to sign Joe DiMaggio? Knox senior Jesse Temple tells us how. Read more . . .
Alumni Notes
Sculpture by Fay Stevenson-Smith '64 was included in the exhibit "How We Got Over: Artistic Souls Look Back and Wonder . . . " The exhibit was part of the 2007 African American Art Exhibition in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
W. Dudley McCarter '72 has been selected for the 2007 edition of "Best Lawyers in America."
Kyle Vantrease '73 was elected chief judge of Illinois' 2nd Judicial Circuit in November 2006.
Ted Tourlentes '80 was named the 2006 Conservationist of the Year by the Heart of Illinois Sierra Club.
Jane Strode Miller '81 has recently started her own company, Miller Management Group, Inc., which specializes in coaching executive women on personal leadership.
Jeffrey Baumgardner '89 opened his own medical practice in his hometown of Galesburg. Read more . . .
Todd Monken '89 is the new wide receivers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, a member of the National Football Leagure.
Neck Deep and Other Predicaments by Ander Monson '97, winner of the 2006 Graywolf Nonfiction Prize and published in February, received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. The review called Monson "an original new voice."
"When Wittek Came to Galesburg," an article by Devin Hogan '06, ran as a two-part series in Galesburg's The Register-Mail in December 2006. The article was the product of Hogan's senior Honors project in journalism.
Faculty & Staff News
Knox Takes The New York Times by
StormIt's not often that Knox College graces the pages of The New York Times, let alone three times in one week. But that's what happened in February, when Professors Tim Kasser, Claire Sherman, and Marilyn Webb were all featured in its pages.
- Tim Kasser Talks Money -- Associate Professor of Psychology Tim Kasser talked about why people continue to bury themselves in debt in order to "keep up with the Joneses," in the article "Envy, Anxiety, Secrecy, Taboos: The Subject Must Be Money," which appeared in the Business Section on February 3.
- Claire Sherman's Art Displayed -- Assistant Professor of Art Claire Shermanwas featured prominently in "You've Seen the Mail, Now Buy the Art" in the Arts and Leisure section on February 4. The article discussed the increasing trend of art collectors purchasing art via gallery Web sites. Sherman's 2005 painting Birch Trees was reproduced.
- Marilyn
Webb Remembers Protests -- Distinguished Professor
of Journalism Marilyn
Webb revisited rebellious years with friends and fellow
protesters in the New York Region section on February 4.
James Vandergriff, visiting assistant professor of educational studies, has been appointed chair of a national commission on American Indian education. The commission was created by the Association of Teacher Educators to study the current state of schools that serve Native American students. Read more . . .
Athletics Loses Two Long-Time
Coaches to RetirementAfter 17 years of coaching at Knox and 25 years in the Midwest Conference, Knox head volleyball and softball coach Kathy Wagoner will retire from coaching following the 2007 Prairie Fire softball season. Wagoner has more than 250 career wins in both volleyball and softball to her credit. A national search for her replacement is underway. Read more . . .
After 21 seasons on the sidelines, John Rosene '68 retired from the Knox College football coaching staff. The long-time defensive line coach and Knox graduate joined the Prairie Fire staff in 1985 and, other than the 2001 season, has been on the Knox sideline every year since. Read more . . .
Faculty & Staff Notes
Frank McAndrew, Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology, was the featured guest on the 30-minute radio talk show "Counterpoint" in Kingston, Jamaica, on November 21. The topic of the show was the role that gossip plays in modern society. Last fall, McAndrew also did interviews with nearly a dozen reporters and writers about gossip, human territorial behavior, littering, and why we like to be scared, among other things. The interviews appeared in the Boston Globe and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, among others.
Robin Metz, director of Knox's Program in Creative Writing, was awarded first prize ($1,000) in the annual International Poetry Competition sponsored by Literal Latté, New York City. His winning poem, "Syndrome, continued from page 1," will be published online and in the 2007 issue of the journal. In January, Metz traveled to Springfield, Illinois; Washington, DC; and Los Angeles as creative consultant for Galesburg's National Railroad Hall of Fame.
Vicki Sibley, office coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs, was recently named Progressive Woman of the Year by Galesburg's The Paper. The award is given annually to honor a local woman for achievements in the home and community.
Lane Sunderland, Chancie Ferris Booth Professor of Political Science, was an invited guest at the annual meeting of the Supreme Court Fellows, held at the Supreme Court of the United States.
Marilyn Webb, Distinguished Professor of Journalism, was one of the featured panelists in the latest season of the television series Second Opinion on the Public Broadcasting System. Read more . . .
Advancement News
We're All up for a Challenge!
Alumni from the 1980s and 2000s, as well as current Knox seniors, are in the midst of challenges to raise alumni giving rates.
'80s Challenge -- The
classes of 1980–1989 are challenged by trustee
contemporaries to increase participation. Bonuses of $25 and $50 will
accompany gifts received by March 31. As of March 23, 20.4 percent of
alumni from the 1980s have taken the challenge, and they are 68 percent
of the way to the goal. Did you attend Knox in the '80s? Take
the challenge today!- Amazing Challenge -- After raising more than $28,000 from 33 percent of Knox's five youngest classes last year, Knox has asked its youngest alumni -- the Classes of 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 -- to challenge themselves yet again. This year's goal? $30,000 and 35 percent participation. Young alumni, take the Amazing Challenge today!
- Senior Challenge -- Current Knox seniors have just begun to organize this year's Senior Challenge. The Class of 2007 has big shoes to fill -- the Class of 2006 raised more than $20,000 from 96 percent of the class -- but we know they are up to the challenge! More information on the Senior Challenge.
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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