Dear President’s Circle Member,

At its Founders Day meeting in February, the Board of Trustees focused on fundraising and how their support of Knox's capital and endowment priorities, in addition to their regular Knox Fund contributions, will preserve the legacy of our great institution and enable Knox to move up to the next level.

One such priority approved at the February meeting was the Fitness and Athletics Initiative. Trustee Laurel Andrew ’86 presented a task force report on this capital project, describing plans to build a new, state-of-the-art fitness center on the west end of Memorial Gymnasium. The fitness center is made possible through a lead gift from Laurel and her family. The new center will cost approximately $2,250,000 to construct and furnish. Other components of the plan include enhancements to existing athletics facilities, such as renovating the Knox Bowl and naming it in honor of Harley Knosher, Knox's director of athletics from 1960 to 2000. Momentum and enthusiasm for these projects are building.

Architectural rendering of the new Fitness Center

When the Board meeting started, there was a gap of about a half-a-million dollars between the money in-hand from the Andrew family gift and other gifts and the amount necessary to move the Fitness Center component of the Initiative forward. At the end of Laurel’s presentation, several trustees pulled out their checkbooks and wrote checks for close to $200,000. (To join those who have contributed, please call me at 309-341-7210.)

Consistent with the Trustee's financial leadership, other alumni have stepped up to support Knox. Don Pizza ’58, a member of the College’s Business Advisory Council, and his wife, Ginger, recently hosted a $1,000 per person golf outing and reception at The Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, California. Knox golfers and their spouses/guests gathered from all over the country for the event. Don and Ginger gave their guests a chance to support Knox while enjoying the world-class Bighorn golf course. If you know Don and Ginger, please join me in thanking them.

At the February Meeting, the Board's education committee also heard from students Emily Sitnick '07 (Portland, OR) and Anne Barker '07 (Healy, AK). Emily and Anne described their three-week trip to Mexico—an extension of their anthropology/sociology course—with Michelle Day, assistant professor of anthropology and sociology, and Xavier Romano, dean of students and vice president for student development. The trip, taken over winter break, enabled them to integrate the reality of life in Mexico with the theoretical concepts studied in their course.

A new culture of leadership and life-long commitment to the College has begun to develop among Knox students. On February 14, the Knox Ambassadors, a student group organized to support the College, distributed “I ♥ Knox” buttons on Valentine’s Day. On February 15, students celebrated “Tuition Free Day”—the day during the academic year that marks the point when the average student’s education is no longer funded by tuition, but rather by your philanthropy and the support of alumni and friends. The students put table tents featuring quotes from alumni about why they give to Knox in the Gizmo, the Hard Knox Café and the Oak Room cafeteria. A quote from my classmate John Sauter ’63 said, "I know that the giving of those who came before me helped me be able to go to Knox. I want to help in the same way."

Ellen Landers received the first annual Young Alumni Achievement Award on Feburary 17, 2005.

The Founders Week celebration was capped off with the presentation of the 2005 Alumni Achievement Awards, given to Elizabeth Harler Van Steenwyk ’48, Alvin L. Crumbliss ’64, Stephen D. McClure ’79 and Ellen Landers ’96. Ellen received the first Young Alumni Achievement Award. She told the audience of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends that Knox is a magical place that engages students. "I found the things that I expected to find, small classes and engaging faculty, but I also found so much more . . . the chance to serve on the committee to select the dean of the college, the opportunity to act in a play and the opportunity to pursue in-depth research and  interdisciplinary studies. What I learned at Knox . . . was to have faith in your education. You could focus on . . . and even stray from your studies, knowing that people would always be there to support you."

John Sauter and Ellen Landers are flip sides of the leadership coin. John contributes to Knox because he recognizes the importance of  preserving the legacy of his alma mater. Ellen’s experience at Knox would not have been possible without gifts from alumni such as you and John.

As members of the President’s Circle, you are leaders who understand the importance of preserving Knox’s legacy. Thanks to your generous support, Knox continues to change lives.

To encourage young alumni to join you as leaders in the President’s Circle, the College has created the John Huston Finley Society. Membership is offered on graduated levels. For example, one earns membership in the Finley Society during the first year after graduation with a gift of $100, $200 during the second year, and so on. The goal is to have young alumni reach $1,000 by their 10th reunion. By joining the Finley Society immediately after graduation, young alumni will follow in the footsteps of one of the College’s most notable leaders—John Huston Finley. Just five years after his graduation, Finley became Knox’s seventh president and the youngest college president in the country.

Thanks to each of you for being leaders—in giving to the College and in telling the Knox story.

Sincerely yours,

Roger Taylor '63
President

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Knox College, Box K142 2 East South Street Galesburg, IL 61401

309-341-7210 www.knox.edu