Dear Knox Community,
This morning, I arrived on campus for the first time as the president of Knox College. It is such an honor for me to serve as Knox’s 20th president, and I am delighted to join this community. Over the last several months, I’ve met many Knox students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of the Galesburg community, and friends of the College and in the coming days and weeks, I look forward to meeting many more of you. I will be listening, learning and deepening my understanding of the Knox culture, and I’m eager to hear your aspirations for our College.
As we all know, we are entering this next phase of Knox’s history at a time of great challenges in our society and throughout the world. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, pervasive systemic racism, a divisive political culture, increasing economic disparities, and unprecedented climate change are among the myriad issues facing us individually and collectively. In addition, we are facing challenges here at Knox that are being felt at many other colleges and universities throughout the country; declining enrollments, decreased revenues, and unsustainable pressures on faculty and staff pose challenges for achieving our highest ambitions to create a truly equitable and inclusive community and provide an educational experience that enables students’ postgraduate success.
At this moment, we have an opportunity at Knox to address these challenges head-on. Together, we will identify our priorities, set goals, and develop strategic approaches to meet and exceed those goals. Our strategic approaches will encourage creativity and innovation, the development of new ideas and research, and will quickly tackle solvable issues so that we can focus on critical areas to ensure our short- and long-term success. Knox, perhaps more than any other college I know, is profoundly rooted in our institutional history. And while we continue to recognize that history and the strong foundation built over the last 184 years, we must now take our own bold steps together to ensure Knox’s success for future generations.
In partnership with the Board of Trustees, the senior team and I are beginning our work to develop a set of priorities and align resources. Over the next 90 days, we will be dedicated to listening and learning to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. Later this fall we will share a summary of what we learn and begin to build a plan for our future. In the meantime, there are several important steps we are taking to move Knox forward together.
I’m thrilled to share that Heather Bumps is joining our senior team as Knox’s first vice president for strategic initiatives beginning today, July 1. Heather will work closely with me, the Board of Trustees, and our senior team in developing a strategic direction to ensure Knox’s future as a premier liberal arts college. She will assist in the conceptualization of the strategic goals of the College, provide project management of substantive initiatives that support the strategic direction of the College, and contribute to the day to day operation of transformative projects that will directly advance the Knox mission.
Heather has extensive experience in higher education, having most recently served as the chief of staff and presidential engagement liaison in the Office of College Advancement at Colby College. Prior to that, Heather partnered with me in the Vice President and Secretary of the College Office at Colby. She has also held positions at Johns Hopkins University and Bates College and has nearly 25 years of experience in higher education administration.
We have also begun the process to recruit a new leader for the area of student development. Anne Ehrlich, the former vice president for student development, has moved on to become vice president of college life and dean of students at Gettysburg College. Chuck O’Boyle of C.V. O’Boyle will assist with our national search for a new vice president. Chuck is very familiar with the Knox community, having served as the search consultant for the presidential search, and I’m excited to partner with him again. We are currently in the process of identifying members of the search committee, and will work quickly to fill this critical position. In the meantime, I am in the process of individual meetings with each member of the student development team to seek advice and counsel on the qualities, skills and potential background experiences most relevant for our future leader as well as the ideal short-term management structure. I am confident that we have the right talent and skills to continue to provide the highest level of student support while we search for a new leader for the division.
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly had a significant impact on the way I have transitioned into this new role as President. Under normal circumstances, I would have already met many more of you in person, spent much more time in Galesburg and on campus, and begun my travel to meet with alumni and friends. I am hopeful that as vaccination rates rise, we will be able to see much more of each other face to face.
This week, our senior team will be discussing our return to campus plan for faculty and staff. Our faculty have been teaching remotely and hybrid, and many of our staff have been remote for nearly 15 months. Safely bringing our community back together on campus is essential. To be true to our mission as a community of individuals from diverse backgrounds challenging each other to explore, understand and improve ourselves, our society and our world, we must be able to interact face to face, in the classroom, on the fields of play, on stage, in residence halls, and throughout the campus.
I will also be planning a series of events across the country in the coming months to meet and listen to members of the Knox community. I want to hear about your experiences and the impact Knox has had on you. I also want to hear your thoughts, ideas, and aspirations for how we can together make Knox stronger. Be on the lookout for information about these upcoming events later this summer.
Finally, my wife Camille, our children Kyle, Maxwell, and Naomi, our dog Jet, and I are eager to make Knox and Galesburg our home. At nearly 120 years old, Ingersoll House is overdue for some essential updates and maintenance, which are currently underway, and we look forward to moving in later this summer and hosting many College and community events in the days and years ahead.
Today is a historic moment for Knox and a very special moment for me and my family. From my first meeting with members of the presidential search committee I knew I wanted to become part of the Knox community. I’m grateful that the search committee and Board of Trustees saw in me a partner with the vision, talent, and ambition to build upon the incredible foundation here. Every decision we make going forward will be in pursuit of one goal, to make Knox College even better tomorrow than it is today. Your participation and support will be paramount to our success and I know that together, we will move Knox forward.
All my best,
C. Andrew McGadney President
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