Messages of Community and Caring for Self and Others Highlight Knox College Opening Convocation

Knox College officially began its 189th academic year on a traditionally fall day on Monday, September 14, with its annual Opening Convocation. Held on the South Lawn in front of Old Main, the event honored the accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff over the past year and welcomed the start of a new one. Grand Marshal Jennifer Templeton led the procession, followed by senior staff. Faculty Marshal Gabe Raley-Karlin led the Knox faculty, a group that included Knox’s newest faculty members. College Marshal Vansh Chung ’27 led Knox’s newest students, who were followed by the Knox Choir. Framing the stage were flags representing the home countries of Knox students, highlighting the global community gathered to mark the opening of the academic year.

“Convocation is one of my favorite traditions because it brings us together to welcome new students and colleagues, while recognizing outstanding faculty, staff, and students and marking the beginning of a new year filled with learning, discovery, and possibility,” said Provost and Dean of the Faculty Melissa Glenn. “Thank you for being here as we begin this exciting new academic year together.”

This annual event marks not only the start of the academic year, but also the start of the academic journey for first-year students and the continuation of the academic path for returning and transfer Knox students. Pursuing dreams and working together as a Knox community were standout advice from the students, faculty, and staff. 

“It is indeed an honor to stand before you here today to offer a few words for our Opening Convocation with the hope that you will find a few nuggets of information, perhaps some inspiration, and ultimately walk away with a sense that together we can and will make this Knox’s best year yet,” said Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney. “Let’s dream big and go after it. Folks, we are all in this together. This is our community, and we are stronger together.”

More words of wisdom, those of perseverance, were offered by Student Senate President Nicole Roman ’27.

“What I wish most for all of you is that you make your own mistakes, stumble, fall, move forward with what you think is the right path for yourself, then decide somewhere along the lines that you’d like to take a step back,” the environmental studies major and anthropology and sociology minor said. “Whatever direction you choose, at the end of the day, you are moving, and that is more than enough.”

Watson Bartlett Professor of Biology and Director of Green Oaks Stuart Allison tied together poetry, literature, and pop culture as ways for students to learn and embrace their time at Knox and on Earth during his Convocation address. Reflecting on the purpose of a liberal arts education, he noted that the liberal arts teach you how to live and that your time at Knox is a transitional period in life that lasts a short time. 

“Many of the most important things you learn in college happen outside the classroom,” Allison said. “Be open to them, hang out with your friends and learn from each other. Always ask yourself, ‘How do I fit into this big, wonderful world? What do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’”

Provost Glenn also introduced the newest members of our teaching community, welcoming them to the community. New faculty members are joining the chemistry, music, business, journalism, educational studies, computer science, and physics departments.

“These talented educators and scholars have joined us from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines,” Glenn said. “They will be enriching the intellectual life of the College.” 

In addition to welcoming the Knox community to the start of a new academic year, the College also presented awards to students, faculty, and staff. Provost Glenn presented the Philip Green Wright-Lombard College Prizes for Distinguished Teaching to tenure and pre-tenured staff. The Philip Green Wright-Lombard College Prizes are the highest honor the Knox faculty bestows on its members, recognizing distinguished teaching.

This year’s honorees were Assistant Professor of Music Alyssa Mathias and Burkhardt Distinguished Professor of Modern Languages (Spanish) Julio Noriega.

Associate Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Success Mary Crawford ’89 recognized the four students for their classroom performances. Vansh Chung ’27 was recognized for his induction into the College’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa during his junior year. Phi Beta Kappa, recognizes “the principles of freedom of inquiry and liberty of thought and expression” that are the foundation of liberal learning. Only 10 percent of the nation’s colleges and universities have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. The Delta Chapter of Illinois was founded at Knox College in 1916, the first chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in a liberal arts college in Illinois. Seniors and a small number of juniors distinguished for high academic achievement are elected annually.

Alicia Salgado ’27 received the Elbridge Pierce Prize for scholastic improvement. The prize, established in 1957 by Mr. Pierce, a former Knox trustee, is awarded each year to the senior who has demonstrated the greatest academic improvement since the end of their first year while maintaining at least a B average during the junior year.

Jubilee Close ’27 and Emily Kunke ’27 received the Faculty Scholarship Prize, which is conferred upon a senior who, by the conclusion of the junior year, has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence while actively engaging in extracurricular activities. Established in 1922 through contributions from the faculty to an endowment campaign, the Faculty Scholarship Prize represents the highest distinction bestowed by the faculty upon a student.

Convocation concluded with two staff members receiving this year’s Janet C. Hunter Awards from President McGadney. The Hunter Prizes are awarded annually to a member of the Knox College salaried staff and to a member of the hourly staff to recognize outstanding accomplishments and service to the College. Colleagues nominate staff members, and the selection committee chooses the winners. Director of Sustainability and Resiliency Initiatives Tina Hope and Advancement Coordinator Amy Roth were this year’s recipients.

The Knox College Choir, directed by new Artist-in-Residence in Choral Music and Lecturer in the Music Department Kaylin Vos, led the audience in singing “Hail to Alma Mater” to conclude the ceremony.