2009 Knox Service Award Winners
Jean Anderson '87, Alumni and Career Services Volunteer
Jean Anderson, class of 1987, is a leader among Chicago area alumni volunteers. She has been actively involved in the Chicago Knox Club for more than 10 years, serving two terms as president. Jean works with her fellow Chicago Knox Club Executive Board members to plan events in the Chicago area that cater to the diverse interests of alumni. She is especially sensitive to the needs of young alumni and has successfully recruited younger members to serve on the Board. Jean was the first Knox Club volunteer to use Facebook as a tool for encouraging attendance at Knox Club gatherings. She leads by example in making an effort to attend as many alumni events as possible. In 2005, Jean joined the Alumni Council, representing the Chicago Knox Club.
- Jean demonstrated her willingness to take leadership roles by co-leading a discussion group on regional alumni event planning.
- Jean accepted the role of Alumni Council Chair in 2009.
- Jean is passionate about giving back to Knox and enjoys interacting with current students. She assists the Center for Career & Pre-Professional Development by returning to campus to speak to students interested in human resources and participated in a career panel discussion held at Oakbrook Terrace.
- More recently, she served for two consecutive years as moderator for the on-campus Carlin Career Forum.
- Jean represented Knox as a delegate at the inauguration of Sharon Hahs, president of Northeastern Illinois University.
- She is a "star" donor, meaning she has given to Knox every year since her graduation.
- Jean's volunteerism extends beyond the Knox community, volunteering for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and tutoring for St. Joseph's Insight Tutoring Program.
- In addition, Jean worked as a mentor for The Employment Project, an effort to help homeless men and women find work.
Jean's connection to Knox is based on more than nostalgia-she is committed to ensuring its successful future.
Letitia Luther Schactner '58, Alumni Volunteer
Letitia graduated from Knox in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and, for several years, worked as a substitute and home study teacher for Galesburg's Community Unit School District 205. She was the legislative aide to State Representative Tom McMaster for seven years and to State Senator Carl Hawkinson for 20 years.
- Letitia is an always-reliable volunteer and a familiar face at local Knox alumni gatherings.
- She has served Knox as class correspondent for six years. Her columns are fun and full of interesting news about classmates, and she keeps her classmates connected not only with each other but with Knox, as well.
- As a member of the Class of 1958 50th Year Reunion committee, Letitia collected memorabilia for a grand display at the Reunion dinner and handled the distribution of Reunion sweatshirts.
- She helps the Fifty Year Club by writing articles for the Fifty Year Club (FYC) Bulletin.
- Letitia is an active member of the Galesburg community, having served as a trustee on the Carl Sandburg College Board for nine years and the Knox-Galesburg Symphony Board for 15 years.
- She is past-president of Altrusa International of Galesburg, as well as the Galesburg Junior Women's Club.
- Letitia remains involved with PEO, Delta Zeta, Amondata Club, Cameo Craft Club, and currently serves as president of the Knox County Republican Women.
- She is a charter member of Choral Dynamics. Letitia received the Tom Herring Community Volunteer Award in 2000.
- In recent weeks Letitia has said "yes" to Knox one more time by agreeing to serve on the Alumni Council as FYC representative.
Brett Tilly '95, Alumni and Admission Volunteer
Brett Tilly, a member of the Class of 1995, was elected as one of Central Illinois' "40 Leaders Under 40" for 2007 by InterBusiness Issues magazine. The magazine states that the young business leaders were chosen "because of their dedication to advancing both their professional lives and supporting organizations that benefit their friends and neighbors." This is an apt description of how Brett lives his life.
- Brett became leader of the Peoria Knox Club two years after his graduation from Knox. In this role, he assisted in planning events for Central Illinois alumni.
- His leadership skills were clearly demonstrated as chair of the Alumni Council. During his term, he developed and implemented a strategic plan for the Council, which provided direction for Alumni Council members and suggested specific hands-on work that would enhance alumni engagement. As immediate past chair, Brett went on to serve a two year term on the Board of Trustees.
- In addition to his work on the Council, Brett has served as a member of the Knox Fund Steering Committee, leading by example as a "star" donor, meaning he has given to Knox every year since his graduation.
- In his effort to assist Admission, Brett wrote a letter to prospective students, singing the praises of Knox.
- Brett is an active member of the Peoria community. He is a current Board member and past president for the Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association Board and is a past member of the Lutheran Hillside Village Endowment Growth Committee.
- As a member of the First English Lutheran Church, Brett served as president and co-chaired the church's capital campaign. He was a team leader for the Easter Seals campaign.
- As Knox student, Brett received College Honors in political science for a research project that studied the effects of a multicultural curriculum and received a master's in political science at the State University of New York-Stony Brook.
- Brett joined Caterpillar in 1997 where he remains as manager of customer loyalty.