Knox College Celebrates Alumni Achievement and Service at 2026 Homecoming Convocation

The Knox College Homecoming Convocation got off to a raucous start as the College opened the event with a parade of Reunion classes.

Led by the 50-year Reunion Class of 1976, Knox alums paraded from the Homecoming Hub tent south of the Gizmo Cafe into Kresge Hall inside the Ford Center for the Fine Arts. 

The Class of 1976, which raised over two million dollars, received special acknowledgment not just for their generous giving, but also for their accomplishments and dedication to Knox College.

“I have to give a shout-out to the Class of 1976, 50 years, what a milestone,” said Alumni Council Chair Kathryn Mahaffey ’78. “We welcome home a Reunion class whose Knox journey began more than 50 years ago, and all together we form a network that extends far beyond these walls, a community of thinkers, doers, leaders, and lifelong learners. Just as Knox helped shape who we have become, we can shape what Knox will become, whether through mentoring, sharing our professional experiences, supporting scholarships, attending a campus event, or reconnecting with classmates; each of us has something valuable to contribute. Every act of engagement, large or small, helps strengthen this College and enrich the experience of those who follow us.”

As part of Homecoming Convocation, Knox College presented various awards to alumni and classes for their gifts to Knox and to the world around them.

“Our award winners today remind us that achievement takes many forms: service to others, leadership with compassion, and discoveries that change lives,” Mahaffey said. “What united them is not simply what they’ve accomplished, but how they’ve used their ability to make the world a better place. It reminds us that the true measure of a Knox education is the difference we make in our communities and in the lives of others, and in ways that make Knox proud.”

The Ralph White Prize, which honors the Reunion class with the largest percentage of classmates giving to Knox, went to the Class of 1966, with 58 percent giving to Knox. 

Casey Gatz ’05 received the Knox Service Award. Through his leadership with the U.S. Forest Service and steadfast support for Knox students and alumni, Casey has shown an extraordinary commitment to service. Whether creating internship opportunities, mentoring students, sharing career expertise, or volunteering his time, he has consistently opened doors for others and strengthened the Knox community.

“This means a lot more than I can easily put into words, and I’m genuinely grateful to Knox for acknowledging this accomplishment,” Gatz said. “It’s been said that a rising tide lifts all ships, and while we typically attribute that to economics, I think it equally applies to our commitment to others. A conversation, an introduction, a door opened—these are investments, and they compound. When I came to Knox as a first-generation college student, I didn’t have a roadmap, but what I did have was resources here at Knox.”

Captain Joseph Puntoriero ’13 earned the 2026 Young Alumni Achievement Award. As a U.S. Army Special Operations officer, humanitarian leader, scholar, and mentor, Puntoriero has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to service and leadership. From coordinating international relief efforts to advancing dialogue on global security and mentoring the next generation of leaders, he exemplifies the impact Knox alumni are making around the world.

“Knox is where I developed the ability to do new things, challenge myself, and not be afraid,” Puntoriero said. “My career has been that; it’s been jumping at the next opportunity, no matter what it was, whether it be something hard, challenging, or something I’ve never done before. If someone looks to you to take command and lead, even when you didn’t actively seek it but it’s bestowed upon you, you take it; that’s been my career, and that’s something Knox taught me. If you’re given leadership, you’re given duty.”

The Alumni Achievement Award went to Michael Tweedle ’73. A pioneer in molecular imaging and radiopharmaceutical innovation, Tweedle's groundbreaking work has transformed diagnostic imaging and advanced cancer treatment for millions of patients worldwide. His career is marked by scientific discovery, industry leadership, and a lasting impact on healthcare.

“I was taught, and I had in my back pocket, the resources for thinking, clear thinking, understanding what the tools of cognition were and how to use them,” Tweedle said. “I use the same skills I was taught at Knox in every other subject I was taught.”

Elizabeth Cernota Clark ’73 earned the 50 Year Club Scroll of Honor. Over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, Cernota Clark has made lasting contributions as a journalist, editor, educator, author, and researcher. Her dedication to storytelling, teaching, and historical scholarship has inspired generations of students and enriched public understanding.

“I graduated from Knox 53 years ago. I was armed with a collection of words with which to pursue my passion for journalism; that collection included words of encouragement from my professors and words of joy and hope from family and friends,” Cernota Clark said. “Working at The Knox Student newspaper, it didn’t take me long to notice that the most important word I would take from Knox was veritas. It’s the Latin word on our academic seal since 1887, and it’s on our diploma. As both a word and a concept, veritas was and still is an ever-present guiding light for me and that no-nonsense command for all journalists.”

Before the Knox College Choir and choir alumni led the gathered audience in a rendition of Hail to Alma Mater, Mahaffey shared more words of wisdom with the faces of Knox past who guide Knox’s present and future.

“I hope to take a moment to reflect on what Knox has meant to you and also what you can continue to mean to Knox,” she said. “Our years on this campus are few, but our opportunity to make a difference lasts a lifetime.”