Knox College began the 2025-26 academic year welcoming more than 340 new students, one of the largest classes in College history, representing 32 states and 20 countries. 

“A third of our incoming class are international students,” Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney shared during welcoming remarks on Tuesday, September 9. “A third of our students are from the great state of Illinois, and the remaining third are coming from across our beautiful country. We have a truly global community here at Knox College.”

This year’s entering students include 309 first-year students, 33 transfer students, and 100 student-athletes. Forty-five percent of new students are the first in their families to attend college, and 115 are students of color.

Nathan Ament, vice president for enrollment at Knox College, is excited about this new class. “Despite the challenging headwinds of higher education this year, the demand for a Knox education remains stronger than ever from across the world,” Ament said. “294 individual high schools are represented in this class, but we are also proud to serve our local area with Galesburg High School sending the most new students to Knox.”

While Knox’s fall term doesn’t officially start until Monday, September 15, new students began arriving on campus in August, starting with Prairie Fire fall student-athletics on August 12 and 14, followed by international students on Friday, September 5. 

Golfer Sho Kuroda ’29 came to Knox from Japan and joined the campus community with the College’s fall athletes on August 14. Kuroda plans to major in business and attended new student move-in activities on Tuesday to see what the campus has to offer.

“It’s been really fun. Galesburg and Knox have been really good,” Kuroda said. “Everyone has been so kind, classmates, peers, my teammates, the faculty and staff have been great.”

After a weekend on campus, the many international students already felt comfortable, even taking time to help welcome new students on Tuesday. “It’s been four beautiful days at Knox, I’ve enjoyed every bit of it,” said Summer Aursang ’29, who comes to Knox from India and plans to major in computer science and environmental studies. “I’ve made a lot of international friends, now I’m excited to meet domestic students.”

Participants in the College’s TRIO Bridge Program, which helps incoming students from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds transition to life at Knox, arrived on Saturday, September 6. In addition to moving-in, participants celebrated their arrival at Knox with a cookout. “It still doesn’t feel real, it’s very exciting,” said Malia Nells ’29, of Lindenhurst, Illinois, who plans to double major in biology and studio art. 

Move-in was not just for Nells, as her mother, Amanda, was on campus to help.“She’s ready, I’m good, not to say I’m not sad or emotional, there’s a wave of emotions, but she’s ready, and we’re excited for her,” Nells said.

Making things a little easier for the mother and daughter was the outreach made by Knox representatives from both TRIO and the Office of Admissions over the last few weeks.

“The communication has been wonderful with all areas of campus,” Nells added. 

The bulk of new students moved in on Tuesday, September 9, some arriving as early as 9 a.m., ready to meet and greet their new home. Students and families started their day at the Ford Center for the Fine Arts, receiving instruction and direction on where to go and what to do.

“It’s very exciting, it’s a happy day for everybody,” said Jiyou Galloway, who is a career success advisor at the Bastian Family Center for Career Success. “It’s a brand-new start. It’s a busy day too, but everything is so organized, and everyone is unified on helping.”

Once checked in, students and families found plenty of help, as student-athletes and resident assistants helped unload vehicles, provide direction, and carry items to rooms. In fact, John Flores ’29, football player and business major from Fontana, California, carried a dozen mini fridges to various dorm rooms by 10 a.m.

The annual Legacy Photo, a gathering of new Knox students and their family members who have graduated from the College, featured families who were more than familiar with the school. One of those was the Allensworth family, as Emily ’28 became the 28th member of her family to attend Knox. Allensworth transferred to Knox and plans to double major in environmental science and biology, focusing on environmental law. Emily’s father and Class of 1977 graduate, Doug, was with her. His parents also graduated from Knox in 1953 and 1954.

Interim Vice President for Student Development Jennie Hemingway welcomed new students to campus with a bit of advice: “It’s so easy to get caught in the day-to-day, checking things off our to-do lists. But I encourage you to slow down, take a moment to appreciate your surroundings, go on a walk with a friend, invite a professor to lunch, because the knowledge you gain from these interactions will also enhance your success.”

Hemingway was joined by President McGadney and Provost and Dean of the Faculty Melissa Glenn, who shared excitement and guidance with families.

“I’m delighted to see so many new faces, new students, new family members. I’m energized to see our returning staff and faculty. I’m so thrilled to see the energy back on this campus,” President McGadney shared. 

Provost and Dean of the College Glenn closed by talking about Knox’s academic progam, telling students they “can learn history, biology, or math anywhere, but at Knox you’re going to learn so much more than those things. Whatever you study here at Knox, you are going to learn how to think, you’re going to learn how to communicate in writing and speaking, how to analyze information, how to be critical thinkers, how to solve problems, whatever the discipline.”

After bidding farewell to family and friends, students ended the day at the Knosher Bowl, home to the Prairie Fire football team, for PlayFair, an annual event that allows students to meet one another through a series of activities aimed at socializing. New Student Orientation and the chance to meet staff, faculty, and new classmates continue throughout the week as more students return to campus with the annual Knox tradition of Pumphandle taking place on Sunday, September 14, at 4:30 p.m. Classes start Monday, September 15, with Opening Convocation taking place at 11 a.m. on the South Lawn of historic Old Main.

To see more photos from move-in, please visit our Flickr page.