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Our Mission

Knox's historic mission of access is the foundation for a transformative education.

Knox & Galesburg History 1837 Circular & Plan

Empowering Students Since 1837

Knox College is a community of individuals from diverse backgrounds challenging each other to explore, understand and improve ourselves, our society and our world. The commitment to put learning to use to accomplish both personal and social goals dates back to the founding of the College in 1837. We take particular pride in the College's early commitment to increase access to all qualified students of varied backgrounds, races and conditions, regardless of financial means.

Today, we continue to expand both the historic mission and the tradition of active liberal arts learning. We provide an environment where students and faculty work closely together and where teaching is characterized by inviting and expecting students to pursue fundamental questions in order to reach their own reflective but independent judgments. The mission is carried out through:

Our curriculum: Combining inquiry in traditional as well as newer disciplines with the integrative perspective of interdisciplinary work; building from basic skills of writing, reading, calculating and critical analysis to opportunities for sophisticated student research and creative expression.

The character of our learning environment: Encouraging the critical exchange of ideas, challenging our students with high expectations and persistent demands for rigorous thinking within a supportive and egalitarian environment, characterized by the informality and openness that mirrors our Midwestern surroundings.

Our residential campus: Encouraging the personal, cultural and intellectual growth of our students in a reflective, inclusive, and engaged campus community through supportive residential opportunities, numerous student organizations, a wide array of creative activities and cultural programming, and opportunities for intercollegiate and recreational sports.

Our community: Reaffirming and extending our ongoing commitment to a diverse community of students, faculty and staff with each new hiring and admission.

Our aims throughout are to foster a lifelong love of learning and a sense of competence, confidence and proportion that will enable us to live with purpose and to contribute to the well-being of others.