The Knox College Board of Trustees elected new members, effective July 1.

Barbara Baird Holowka '73, John T. Lawler '88, Laurence J. Msall '84, and John J. Straus Jr. '73 were selected as general trustees. Derek Papp '01 was selected to serve as an alumni trustee.

Barbara A. Baird '73

Baird received her BA from Knox in chemistry and went on to attend Cornell University where she received her Ph.D. in chemistry. She is the first woman to receive tenure in Cornell University's chemistry department, and is currently the Horace White Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. Baird has been honored for her work with the New York Academy's Harold Lamport Award for Biophysics and Physiology and a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, among others.

Baird received the 1994 Knox College Alumni Achievement Award in recognition of her research, teaching, and service in the field of chemistry.

John Lawler '88

Lawler received his BA in economics from Knox and an MBA in finance from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. As an undergraduate, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and a letter winner in football. 

Lawler is vice president and controller of Ford Motor Company. He joined Ford in 1990 and served in a variety of roles in North America, Europe, and Asia. His most recent assignments were as chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China and CFO, Asia Pacific Region.

Laurence Msall '84

Msall, a licensed attorney, received his BA in anthropology and sociology from Knox and attended Loyola University School of Law, where he received his J.D in 1992. While an undergraduate, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and captain of the cross country team. He is currently the President of the Civic Federation, a nonpartisan government research organization established in 1894 that promotes independent and evidence-based efforts to improve the effectiveness, financial sustainability and transparency of state and local governments in Illinois.

Before joining the Federation in 2002, Msall was Senior Advisor for Economic Development and Infrastructure for Governor George H. Ryan. He previously served as Vice President of the Commercial Club of Chicago, Secretary to the Commercial Club Foundation, and Vice President of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club. From 1984 to 1988, Msall represented Illinois Governor Jim Thompson's Office on Economic Development and business-related issues before the General Assembly. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago, the Chicago Civic Consulting Alliance, the Cook County Health and Hospitals System Nominating Committee, and the Kennedy Forum of Illinois. Msall also serves on the Advisory Board of the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs and NPR Illinois Issues. He is an active volunteer with PADS Homeless Shelter and L'arche Chicago.

John Straus '73

Straus received his BA in American Studies from Knox and an MAT from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. As a undergraduate, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta and Knox Choir.

He is the client services manager at Exponent in Chicago, Illinois. His specialties include new venture startups, public affairs, government relations, business development and marketing, media relations, and project management.

Derek Papp '01

Papp received his BA in history and biochemistry from Knox and attended the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. While an undergraduate, he served as a resident advisor and was a member of Union Board, Student Senate, and the Senior Challenge Committee. He was a letter winner in men's cross country and participated in Ultimate Frisbee, intramural softball and soccer. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board and received the Faculty Scholarship Prize.

Papp is a board-certified orthopaedic sports medicine physician employed at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He also has a part-time appointment at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he teaches residents.

He currently serves as a team physician for the Baltimore Orioles and is the head team physician for their minor league affiliate, the Aberdeen Ironbirds. He provides coverage to a number of Baltimore city and county schools and some private schools in the area.