Casey Gatz ’05

Through his leadership with the U.S. Forest Service and steadfast support for Knox students and alumni, Knox Service Award Winner Casey Gatz ’05 has shown an extraordinary commitment to service. Whether creating internship opportunities, mentoring students, sharing career expertise, or volunteering his time, he has consistently opened doors for others and strengthened the Knox community. 

“This means a lot more than I can easily put into words, and I’m genuinely grateful to Knox for acknowledging this accomplishment,” Gatz said. “It’s been said that a rising tide lifts all ships, and while we typically attribute that to economics, I think it equally applies to our commitment to others. A conversation, an introduction, a door opened—these are investments, and they compound. When I came to Knox as a first-generation college student, I didn’t have a roadmap, but what I did have was resources here at Knox.”

Gatz started building a career in public planned stewardship, working for the U.S. Forest Service in 2010, and currently serving as forest supervisor for the Columbia River Gorge National Science Area. Gatz has remained a dedicated supporter of being one of the most reliable and enthusiastic partners of the Bastian Family Center for Career Success and is described by Knox students as someone who goes above and beyond. From 2007-2012 Gatz served on the Alumni Council and during the COVID-19 pandemic, he offered recurring career conversations.

What is it like being back on campus?

It’s been a long time since I’ve been back, so it’s great to see how much of campus has stayed the same and to see the changes that have happened here. It’s great to walk around, reflect on memories from my time here, recommit to something I’ve done for a long time, and reconnect with the place.

How do the lessons learned at Knox prepare you to serve beyond the classroom and in the real world?

In any career, you need to work well with other people, and you do that by building relationships through engagement, conversation, and service. It doesn’t mean big acts of service; it can be small acts like a note. Those commitments to each other through acts of service build relationships, and relationships are how things happen. No matter what technical skills or degree you have, you leave Knox with those abilities. 

Did you have a mentor during your time here who gave you that first break or those first words of advice?

Watson Bartlett Professor of Biology and Director of Green Oaks Stuart Allison introduced me to the world I am fortunate to work in today. Xavier Romano helped connect me with an AmeriCorps program. That really opened the doors into some of the work I’m doing today. Xavier was vice president for student development when I was a student here, so he helped me make that first connection, which then connected me with the Forest Service.

What advice do you have for current students who are struggling with that first step they need to take to be ready for life after college?

Don’t be afraid to fail. Sometimes, especially with cameras and devices everywhere, people hesitate to take action. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try something new. The first time you do something, it’s never the smoothest, so don’t be afraid to take that first step, try something new, put yourself out there, apply for a job you’re not sure about, or move to a place that might not be your forever place. Those can create opportunities that don’t have to be your forever job or forever location.

Did you have an experience at Knox where you tried something new or unfamiliar and it changed you?

When I came here and went to Green Oaks and saw the Prairie Burn for the first time. Doing that and meeting and working with Stuart Allison is really what changed it for me. I learned how to help landscape through human control or natural control and found that dynamic of how we can improve the world. That happened here; it wasn’t part of my plan, but once it did, I caught the bug and wouldn't stop until I could do what I wanted, and now that work is directly connected to what I get to do today.