We Are Knox...

"Cast your net wide and never compromise on things that are most important to you."

How did you learn about Knox?
I read about Knox in a book called Colleges that Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change The Way You Think About College, by Loren Pope.

What about Knox stood out during your college search?
That so many interests, backgrounds, and talents could be packaged together at school of fewer than 2,000 students.

Any advice for high school students on their college search?
Cast your net wide and never compromise on things that are most important to you. Demand excellence from your college in the same way it demands excellence from you.

Which Knox classes/professors have been your favorites? Why?
Chad Simpson (Fiction Workshop), Daniel Beers (Comparative Politics), and Richard Babcock (Editorial Process) have all been great. They share an uncompromising passion and sincerity for their respective fields of study. They're accomplished and approachable, both vital traits for a liberal arts professor.

Is there a professor that has had a significant impact on your education/your research/your career plans?
David Amor has advised two internships and is currently overseeing my senior research. His wisdom, encouragement, and constructive criticism have always helped steer me in the right direction.

Can you elaborate on any study abroad or distinctive programs you have done?
Fall term, I participated in the ACM Costa Rica Program. I lived with a host family, worked on an organic farm, taught English to preschoolers, climbed a mountain, and played guitar with calypsonian musicians.

Tell us about the independent research you've been involved with recently.
I'm doing a senior research project on Rita Crundwell, a city government official who embezzled $53 million from Dixon, Illinois. I'm looking at her background, how $53 million could be siphoned from a town that size, how it affected Dixon, and how it all pertains to the institutional and cultural aspects of corruption in Illinois.

What would surprise your high school friends about you now?
They might be surprised to learn that my golf game still hasn't improved.

Read more about Matt and his internship with the Chicago Sun-Times