Like many Knox alumni, trustee Thomas V. Reilly '68 was a Knox "legacy" -- someone who followed a relative to Knox. But Reilly takes the notion of being a legacy to a new level. Not only is he one of 16 members of his family to attend Knox, he is also a legacy Board member -- his aunt, the late Jane Vernon Sherrard '43, was an influential member of the Board of Trustees for more than 20 years.

"I come from a very close family. It is meaningful to me to be one of 16 members of my family who attended Knox," Reilly says.

Reilly attributes his loyalty to Knox to more than his family's Knox connections and his positive experiences as a Knox student -- he also appreciates the value of a liberal arts education. "Knox introduced me to the study of economics," he says. "But at Knox, I could study economics, as well as my other favorites like history and literature, and still make time for math, science, art, and music. That can only be done at a liberal arts college."

After graduating from Knox in 1968 and then receiving his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1971, Reilly embarked on a 35-year career as an investment manager and an occasional teacher of graduate level-courses in business administration. In 2004, he retired as managing director and chief investment officer of Boston's Putnam Value Equity Group, but he is still engaged in investment management.

Reilly lends his financial expertise to Knox through his service on the Board of Trustees Investment Committee. "Working closely with our money managers, the Investment Committee has produced outstanding results," Reilly says. "Knox is a good steward of the money that alumni provide to the endowment. It's gratifying to put all my investment experience to work for Knox."

A member of the Board since 1997 -- originally as an alumni trustee and currently as a general trustee -- Reilly is concerned about the level of Knox's alumni support. "Knox must increase its endowment to compete for the best faculty and students," he says. "I believe this is the obligation of all alumni of private liberal arts colleges, but particularly at Knox, where so many of our alumni were able to attend college only because of the financial aid Knox provided."

In addition to his work for Knox, Reilly and his wife, Susan, support several charities in the Boston area, including Boston Health Care for the Homeless. But like so many members of his family, Reilly's philanthropic loyalties lie with his alma mater. "Members of my family have supported Knox financially for more than 80 years," he says. "Knox is my number one charitable commitment."

And this commitment is a legacy that he hopes all Knox alumni will share.