It's a wonder that S.C. (Sid) Banwart has time to serve on the Knox College Board of Trustees. Vice president for the Human Services Division of Caterpillar, Inc., Banwart is actively engaged in both his professional career and his community -- from managing Caterpillar's people -- facing functions, such as corporate public affairs and human resources, to serving on many boards in Western Illinois, including the Peoria Symphony Orchestra Foundation and the Lakeview Museum.

"We have a saying at Caterpillar," says Banwart. "We don't just work here, we live here, too." And Banwart takes this saying to heart. "My wife, Flo, and I believe it's important to give back to the community where we live," he says.

Banwart joined the Knox College Board of Trustees in 2002 at the invitation of President Roger Taylor '63 and Trustee Theodore J. Fleming '55. Having worked at Caterpillar since 1968, he was familiar with Knox and its reputation. "Caterpillar has hired a number of Knox graduates, many of whom have achieved success at the company. I was also familiar with the quality of the College's academic program," says Banwart. "I was pleased to join the Board of an outstanding liberal arts college."

In addition to his business expertise, which includes nearly 40 years of engineering, quality control and information technology experience, Banwart brings to the Board his strong commitment to service. "I was raised with the attitude that if you are not a giver, you are a taker," he says. "I believe in being a giver, and I believe our civil society needs more givers."

Together, Sid and Flo Banwart have served in many volunteer leadership positions in their community, including co-chairs of a capital campaign to expand Peoria's Center for Prevention of Abuse. The campaign exceeded its goals and raised $4.3 million for the center. That achievement, along with their other volunteer work, resulted in the couple receiving the Lewis J. Burger Outstanding Volunteer Fund-Raiser Award from the Peoria chapter of the National Society of Fundraising Executives in 2003.

"Flo and I are a great team. We've been together for nearly 37 years, and we bring knowledge, excitement and a great passion for our work with us," says Banwart.

There are many highlights from Banwart's years of community service, such as seeing the Heart of Illinois Big Brothers, Big Sisters agency -- which he helped found -- thrive nearly 20 years after its creation, and hearing Yo-Yo Ma play with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. As for his years of service to Knox, one moment is particularly meaningful to him. "Hiring President Taylor is the highlight of my time on the Board," Banwart says. "To have a person of his quality and caliber represent Knox to its various constituencies is a great benefit for the College. I'm glad that I was part of that process."