Themes of Confidence, Courage, and Community Define Knox College Class of 2026

Confidence, courage, and community rang throughout the South Lawn of Old Main as Knox College celebrated its 181st Commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 7. Graduates, their families, and friends gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of over 200 graduates and the journey ahead as they venture into the world. 

The Class of 2026 originates from 29 states and Washington, D.C., and 20 countries, coming from as near as Galesburg and as far away as Nepal. Of this year’s graduates, 73% earned bachelor of arts degrees, 27% earned bachelor of science degrees, and 40% graduated with Latin Honors. Graduates are entering the workforce at companies and organizations including  Accenture, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Okta, Komatsu, and the National Park Service, and at graduate schools that include the Georgia Institute of Technology, Trinity University Dublin, University of Washington, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Knox College Board of Trustees Chair John Lawler ’88 opened the ceremony by encouraging graduates to continue pursuing knowledge and to question the world around them. “Knox taught you to ask the question no one else is asking—and then follow it to the uncomfortable answer,” Lawler said. “These are not soft skills. They are the skills that will determine who shapes the future and who gets shaped by it.” 

West Central Illinois native Justin Hartley delivered the Commencement address, offering words of wisdom to the Class of 2026, focusing on self-confidence and urging them to seek guidance and help from those around them.

“I believe in one thing for sure that I’ve done for myself over the years, it’s always believe in, trust, and bet on yourselves,” Hartley said. “But don’t ever do any of those things alone. Lean on others, ask for help, seek out advice, surround yourself with wonderful people who prop you up and support you. Much like your time in school, life is a team effort, so be there for others. Attack life together and wonderful, wonderful things can happen.”

Hartley also advised the recent graduates to embrace the work and journey ahead in their lives while also enjoying life, especially the simple aspects of pursuing happiness with the ones they love. 

“Life has a funny way of working out if you work hard at whatever you do, and if you’re serious enough about yourself to accomplish your goals,” he said. “At the same time, please do me an important favor: don’t forget the other very important things about life. Kindness doesn’t cost a thing. Empathy, money can’t help you with this. Forgiveness costs nothing. Love, I can’t buy it (they’ve written songs about that). Passion is free. And laughter is something that you can hold on to and never have to pay for.”

Hartley, who received an honorary doctorate of fine arts, was one of three people receiving honorary degrees. Deborah F. Rutter, an American art executive and cultural leader with more than four decades of experience guiding major performing-arts institutions, received an honorary doctorate of fine arts for her “commitment to access and innovation in the arts and renowned leadership.” Renowned journalist Dorothy Tucker received a doctorate of humane letters for her “award-winning career as an investigative reporter and inspiring commitment to ethical journalism and community engagement.”

Faculty member Stuart Allison was also honored, receiving the President’s Award for Faculty Excellence. “Generations of Knox students have experienced Stuart’s passion for teaching and research. Stuart has mentored over 100 students on honors and capstone research projects,” said Matthew Jones-Rhoades, chair and associate professor of biology and chair of biochemistry.

Throughout Commencement, speakers encouraged the Class of 2026 to bravely face the world as they had faced the challenges presented to them during their time at Knox College, with courage and support from those closest to them. No matter how dark it may be at times, community, camaraderie, and love will shine through.

“I want to choose joy over despair, and I want to do that in community,” senior class speaker Patience Claire Wagner said. “I am so grateful for the memories and the relationships that Knox has given me through good and bad moments. When I leave this place, I want to go forward, giving those gifts of joy, wonder, and kindness to the world around me. I hope you all will do the same.”

Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney also encouraged graduates to boldly go out into an uncertain world and face their futures with courage, knowing they will always have something in common with their Knox alumni family.

“I appreciate that the world may seem scarier and more uncertain today than it was when you started at Knox four years ago. But as you face navigating this world as a college graduate, I want to remind you that you all have one thing in common with each other and the Knox alumni who came before you: Courage,” President McGadney said. “It took courage for Knox’s founders to leave their homes on the East Coast and travel to the western boundary of our nation to open a college rooted in the belief that all deserving students are guaranteed access to education, regardless of background, financial circumstances, race, or gender. This courage has provided generations of students with opportunities to pursue a transformative, life-changing education here at Knox.”

Concluding the ceremony, Vice President for Advancement Marin Amundson-Graham reminded graduates of the lasting community they created at Knox.

“Know this: no matter how far and winding the road takes you, Knox will always be here for you,” said Amundson-Graham. “Thousands and thousands of Knox alumni are cheering for you right now. You are joining the greatest family in the world. And now, Knox College Class of 2026, you are no longer students of Knox College; you are Knox College alumni.”