My name is Lori Sundberg. As we gather on this momentous day in the history of Knox College, I stand before you representing alumni, the greater Galesburg community, and Carl Sandburg College. On behalf of all; I can tell you I'm excited. Excited that today formally begins a new chapter for Knox while, at the same time, affirming its founders' aspirations for inclusion and access. This is a day when the potential of the future meets with the foresight of the past.
Dr. Amott -- Teresa -- is someone who understands this well. From her first interactions with the College and Community, she has sought to learn our stories and to hear the desires of those who know and love Knox College. She recently invited students, alumni and friends, faculty, and staff to share their hopes and dreams for the College with her in writing. Today, before Dr. Amott is vested with the presidency of the College, we share some of these sentiments and present our aspirations to her.
My name is Christopher Poore, I'm an English literature major from Colorado Springs. I am here as a representative of the student voices of Knox College. As students, we hope:
- To see out-of-the-classroom experiences, particularly those that draw together multiple disciplines in dynamic ways like Green Oaks Term, expanded and enhanced to foster the life-long love of interdisciplinary study.
- That Knox will remain the unique, quirky place we love to call home.
- To bridge the gap between American and International students, the campus, and the city of Galesburg, and to see the arts used as a catalyst to build community.
- That Knox will take a leadership and progressive position in environmental activism and social change as we work together to preserve the world and its societies for future generations.
- To broaden the visibility of Knox as an institution that equips its students with the skills that are central to the changing global marketplace as it develops networks with employers to help graduates compete in that economy.
- That Knox will become an innovator in developing sustainable food systems and in supporting local growers as we re-learn how to provide the basic needs of our society.
- To bring an awareness of sustainable transportation options to campus and devote resources to understanding the positive impact they can make on society.
My name is Charles Schulz and I am a professor of physics. I am here as a representative of the current and emeriti faculty voices of Knox College. As faculty, we hope:
- That Knox remains an institution committed to offering the opportunity of a first-class liberal arts education to a diverse group of students of unique potential, many of whom come from under-represented groups and from families with limited financial resources.
- To continue efforts to beautify our campus with ongoing commitment to the stewardship of our prairie setting and home.
- That Knox embrace its tradition of addressing serious local, regional, and global issues through open debate, respectful dialog, and grand conversation.
- To continue and to build upon the tradition of encouraging innovative potential for students within an atmosphere of universal acceptance of idea and exploration.
- That the future of Knox College is one where its financial strength matches its academic profile.
- To enhance study abroad opportunities and make them part of the "common" Knox student experience, providing further depth to our approach to a liberal arts education.
- That Knox develop its global academic reach -- in terms of curriculum, faculty, and student body -- capable of supporting the unexpected opportunities for travel and research that present themselves to faculty and students alike.
- To enrich our academic program by attracting and retaining an outstanding faculty supported by attractive, state-of-the-art facilities and resources.
- That we continue attracting students who come to Knox as interesting, hard-working, sincere people who then graduate as people who are even more interesting, intellectually alive, and dedicated to developing their communities as well as their careers and personal lives, and ready to fulfill their roles as model citizens actively engaged with the world.
My name is Sandra Shumaker and I am the Director of the Gerald and Carol Vovis Center for Research & Advanced Study. I am here as a representative of the current and retired staff voices of Knox College. As staff, we hope:
- That Knox remain true to its mission, "a community of individuals from diverse backgrounds challenging each other to explore, understand and improve ourselves, our society, and our world.
- To streamline student interactions with administrative offices, making these experiences as supportive and helpful as possible.
- That Knox commit to offering the best support structures -- in staff and facilities -- for all College community members.
- To build an athletic program that fosters school spirit and increases College pride.
- That we continue to foster the dynamic that recognizes the potential of each individual to make a significant impact on our whole regardless of what part we might play -- student, faculty, staff, or administrator.
And I, Lori Sundberg, acting as a representative of the voices of Knox College alumni, parents, and members of the Galesburg community, share that we hope:
- That everyone on campus, whether professor or staff or student, find one other person to be inspired by, one other person to mentor, and one other person who understands.
- To gain the recognition Knox deserves for the fantastic educational experience that it offers.
- That the College will continue to provide students with a fundamental grounding in the liberal arts to equip them to deal with the vagaries of an ever-changing professional environment.
- To keep Knox's history alive and never let it fade away.
- That the endowment for Knox increase significantly, so that this kind of exceptional education can be offered for centuries to come.
- To adhere to and creatively apply the principles that guided the first 175 years, including the commitment to civil rights and inclusion that drove the founders of Knox and Galesburg; the commitment to first generation college students; and the commitment to excellence in educating students that has led families to send several generations of their children through the doors of Old Main.
- That Knox remain true to its traditions of inclusiveness, opportunity, tolerance, and decency as the College struggles to adapt to the highly competitive and globalized world of higher education that is rapidly emerging.
- That Knox continue, at least for another 175 years, to be a place where it is safe to dare to dream, and where the faculty encourages students to dream, and the administration makes it possible.
Teresa, we entrust these hopes for the future of Knox and our community to your care. With them, we all offer our heartfelt welcome and support. May we flourish together for years to come!
