Skip to Main Content
Opening Convocation is a Knox College tradition that celebrates the official start of the academic year

Opening Convocation 2017

Opening Convocation also included remarks from Vice President for Student Development Anne Ehrlich, Director of Spiritual Life Monica Corsaro, and a performance by the Knox College Choir, directed by Professor of Music Laura Lane.

Another highlight of the Opening Convocation ceremony was the announcement of several College prizes and honors, which were awarded to Knox faculty, students, and staff.

The Philip Green Wright/Lombard College Prizes for distinguished teaching are awarded each year to two faculty members—one who has earned tenure and one who is non-tenured. The 2017 prize for a non-tenured faculty member went to Helen Hoyt ‘01, assistant professor of chemistry, and the prize for a tenured faculty member went to Heather Hoffmann, Robert M. & Katherine Arnold Seeley Distinguished Professor of Psychology.

Also recognized were two students who were inducted as juniors last spring into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's most prestigious academic honor society: Nadine Burroughs, who is majoring in educational studies and mathematics, and Claire Cody, who is majoring in chemistry.

Cody also was selected for the Faculty Scholarship Prize, which is the highest honor that Knox faculty accord to a student. It is awarded to a senior who has exhibited exceptional academic ability while participating significantly in extracurricular activities.

Kelsie Pos, a senior biology major, received the Elbridge Pierce Prize for scholastic improvement. It is awarded to the senior who has made the greatest scholastic improvement since the end of the first year at Knox.

The winners of the Janet C Hunter Service Awards were Barbara Schulze, administrative assistant for George Davis Hall, and Margo Shively, supervisor of the Department of Theatre costume shop. The prizes recognize outstanding accomplishments and service to the College by staff members.