John Lawler ’88 is a true believer in the power of a Knox education and its mission to educate students from all backgrounds, changing their lives for the better. As the new chair of the Board of Trustees, Lawler sees his leadership role as helping the College better share its story and continue the journey to bolster its enrollment, philanthropic  support, and reputation.

His personal and professional backgrounds are true assets to helping him meet this  goal. 

As a first-generation college student at Knox, Lawler studied economics, was a member of Beta Theta Pi, and a letterwinner in football. Each of these experiences transformed his life. “I would not be where I’m at today if I had made a different decision when I was 17 years old,” he said.

After Knox, Lawler received his MBA at the University of Iowa and then pursued a successful career at Ford Motor Company, where he has worked for the past 35 years. He started as a member of the finance team and worked his way up to pivotal roles in the Fortune 100 company, including chief financial officer, vice president of corporate strategy, and chairman and CEO of Ford China, among others. He currently serves as vice chair.

“Working in a large and complex industry all around the world has allowed me to integrate with many different cultures and instilled in me the appreciation of different points of view,” Lawler said. “I bring these skills to my role as chair, as well as my experiences as a Knox alumnus and first-generation college student, all of which will be valuable as I work with President McGadney and the Board of Trustees to deliver a plan and coordinate a vision for Knox’s future.”

A member of the Knox Board of Trustees since 2017, serving as vice chair for the last year, Lawler supported the strategic planning framework created by President McGadney in 2022, which formed the basis for the Venture Boldly comprehensive campaign, and the strategic investments needed to move the College forward. This support has helped build the momentum that Knox is experiencing today— investments in faculty salaries, record-setting enrollment, the launch of the largest comprehensive campaign in Knox’s history, and the new Knight Living & Learning Center at Green Oaks, as well as new investments in accessibility and capital projects.  

“When President McGadney was hired, the Board decided to invest in Knox’s future, to grow and move forward,” Lawler said. “This opportunity was made possible thanks to all the work our past Board members and administrations did to build the endowment and establish the foundations that have allowed the College to invest in our faculty, students, and infrastructure and to grow to where we are today.”

For Lawler, Knox’s mission is its most compelling story and is key to ensuring recognition as the outstanding national liberal arts college he knows it to be. Knox’s original Circular & Plan from 1837 states that “hundreds of youth of talent, piety, and enterprise stand ready to enter upon the work of preparation . . . whenever a wide and effectual door is opened.” Today’s mission statement builds on this original idea, noting, “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.” And this historic commitment is where Lawler believes Knox’s distinction lies.

“For nearly 200 years, Knox has admitted individuals regardless of background or economic means who may not recognize their potential and teaches them how to believe in themselves,” he said, “Knox helps students discover that there are no limits to what you can do.”

For Knox to sustain its current trajectory, Lawler believes that the College must continue to move at a speed that keeps up with our changing world, “without losing the essence of who we are.”

“The energy we have now is palpable,” Lawler continued. “We have the right leadership, and we need to continue to focus on our vision, our mission, and our strategic framework to gain the traction needed so that Knox is recognized and acknowledged for the life-changing education it provides.”

To do that, Lawler understands the importance of sharing the College’s accomplishments more broadly through storytelling, particularly on social media, as well as leveraging the Knox community to ensure that faculty receive the support they need to provide an outstanding liberal arts education for our students, helping them thrive and become positive members of society. “It’s important that our community supports the Venture Boldly campaign. Every little bit helps,” he said.

At the start of his three-year term as chair of the Board, Lawler is confident that Knox can build on its current achievements, noting, “I look forward to continuing to work with President McGadney, the Board, and faculty and staff on the transformation of Knox into the school we all believe it deserves to be.”