theknoxparent

International Fair 2008 The parade of flags at the 2008 International Fair.

Knox College's 27th Annual International Fair was held on Saturday, January 26, and featured food and entertainment from around the world.

Highlights of the fair included the international buffet lunch; educational displays by international students and campus clubs; a parade of flags; student entertainment; and a performance by Mountain Lions International.

See more photos from International Fair 2008.

A Greeting from Jennifer Gallas

Greetings from snowy Knox College! We have entered the middle of winter term, and students seem to be doing fine, although there is the occasional case of cabin fever or "The Knox Plague." The so-called "plague" can include anything from full-blown colds to flu symptoms. As always, we suggest that if your student is very ill, he or she can take advantage of the Student Health Center on campus.

I am a lifelong Illinois resident and can say it's been awhile since I have seen a snowy winter like the present one. I'd also like to mention that Galesburg institutes a parking ban when more than 2 inches of snow accumulates in the area. Although your student may not want to go outside to move his or her vehicle, the reality is that vehicles parked on city streets at that time will be subject to ticketing and towing by the City of Galesburg. Campus Safety has been very prompt about sending reminders about the parking bans to students via e-mail when a snow event occurs.

In the coming months, we will survey parents about Family & Friends Weekend. We're taking a look at the timing of the event, as well as what activities you and your student would like to have during the Weekend. Watch for the survey in the spring issue of the Knox Parent!

And finally -- take a look at the beautiful Knox Quilt that was created by the mother of Ellen Vessels '08. Be sure to read about Ellen's work with the Bandhavi School in India.

Jennifer Gallas

Xavier Romano, vice president for student development

A Note from Xavier Romano

Oddly enough, I find winter term to be my favorite at Knox. It is not lost on me that I will be in the über minority on this. Yes, it is very cold and at times very wet. But that glorious snow is something truly special that brings out a level of beauty in our already stunning campus that is the stuff of postcards. Knox students tend to dislike the wet and cold but find something magical in the campus when draped in textures of white.

Winter term also brings out some rather astonishing reflection on the part of our students. They are deeper in reflection and engaged in topics ranging from the U.S. Presidential election to searching for and sometimes finding the meaning of life in the Pixar film Ratatouille. This is both scary and exciting, simultaneously. The term moves very quickly with spring term, and more important, spring break (road trips!) only weeks -- not many weeks -- away.

Ultimately, winter term brings an acknowledgment by all that this is one very special collegiate community defined by a diversity of peoples and ideas. There is a pause when all of us recognize that Knox is like no other.

Spring Term is only months away -- sunshine, warm weather, and no more parkas. This majestic campus will come into full bloom just in time for ... Flunk Day! But that topic is for another day!

Best wishes from a snowy and beautiful College on the Illinois Prairie.

Most sincerely,
Xavier E. Romano
Vice President for Student Development
Dean of Students

Student Development News

Dear Parents:

I am Jimmy Stewart, assistant director of campus life, and I joined the Knox community in 2007. I work with Residential Learning, overseeing about half of the campus's residence halls and student special events, such as Homecoming, Family & Friends Weekend, and Commencement. One of the most rewarding aspects of this position is the variety of projects and events with which I get to work.

I am very excited as we prepare for Commencement 2008 on June 7, 2008, which promises to build on a series of wonderful ceremonies. Families of graduates can expect a mailing in March with detailed information about the ceremony and opportunities to order video, pictures, and other items celebrating the accomplishment of the student.

Of course, you can find more detailed information about Commencement 2008 online, including the dates of the graduation fair, accommodation information, and other details that you may need for planning your visit.

If you have an upcoming graduate at Knox, I hope to get the opportunity to meet you in a few months. If not, I will see you at Family & Friends Weekend 2008!

Thanks,
Jimmy Stewart

Campus News

Knox Signs Pact with China
Knox College has signed a pair of agreements with a Chinese university that allows Knox students to teach in China and Knox faculty to explore other exchange opportunities. The first agreement will send Knox students to China later this year as part of a new course in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Read more.

$1-Million Commitment for Endowed Faculty Chair
Knox College's expanding environmental studies program recently received a major boost in the form of a new $1-million endowed faculty chair from Douglas L. and Maria Bayer of Bellevue, Washington. Douglas Bayer is a 1966 Knox graduate who recently retired from Microsoft Corporation. Read more.

Old Main Roof Project Moves Ahead
Knox College is repairing the roof of its historic Old Main, following damage incurred in an August 2007 wind storm. The work began in December 2007, and is scheduled for completion in May 2008. Read more.

Student News Ellen Vessels with students at the Bandhavi School in India.

Vessels Pursues Women's Studies in India
Ellen Vessels was looking for an out-of-the-box study abroad experience. What she found was the Bandhavi School for young girls ages 8 to 14 in India.

"It was a program that I went out and found myself and basically got approved by Knox," says Vessels.

The Bandhavi School is for the daughters of Devadasi women who have been deserted by their husbands, living with HIV/AIDS, or are widowed. Vessels lived on the Bandhavi campus with the girls and teachers. "The school is not only essential in that it gives them food, clothing, and shelter and education, but it also gives them a sense of pride and empowerment in themselves, which is why I think I love the school so much."

"I wanted to make a difference, and at Knox there are so many resources available," says Vessels, "There is a whole community that wants to support you in what you want to do."

More on Ellen's experiences in India.

Quilt to be auctioned on eBay for the Bandhavi School. Knox Quilt Auction to Benefit Bandhavi School
Tish Ferrazzi, mother of Knox student and gender and women's studies major Ellen Vessels '08, is the quilter of this 56x72 inch Knox quilt. The quilt is machine pieced. Ferrazzi decided to quilt the piece after Ellen studied abroad in India at Bandhavi School for young girls.

The quilt will be auctioned off and the proceeds will benefit the Bandhavi School, which helps young girls avoid exploitation in India. This quilt is offered exclusively to Knox parents for a short time only! It would make a perfect gift for your Knox student, an alumnus or alumna, or for any Knox parent.

See more pictures of the quilt and/or bid on the quilt on eBay.

More information about the Bandhavi School for Girls.

Parent News & Notes

Knox College in Winter

Winter 2008 Finals Schedule

Travel Links

Knox Shuttle Schedule

Dr. Donald Jensen, father of Emily Jensen '08, was featured on the cover and in the January 2008 issue of Chicago Magazine. The article features "Chicago's Top Doctors." Read more.

On the Knox Bookshelf...

Knox's distinctive liberal arts characteristics -- including small classes and mentoring relationships with faculty -- are featured in the latest edition of Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That's Right for You, by Loren Pope, published in December 2007 by Penguin Books. Pope is a former education editor of The New York Times and author of Colleges That Change Lives, an acclaimed companion volume that also looks at the college search process.

A new book about the Underground Railroad highlights a long-overlooked aspect of 19th-century anti-slavery activity in Illinois, according to Owen Muelder, director of the Underground Railroad Freedom Center at Knox College. Muelder's new book, The Underground Railroad in Western Illinois, has just been released by McFarland & Co Publishers. The book discusses the Underground Railroad in general, followed by a chapter-by-chapter documentary study of Underground Railroad activities in Adams, Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Peoria, Knox, Stark and Bureau counties through the 1850s. Read more.

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