2011 Knox Service Award Winners

The Knox Service Award, established in 1987, is given to any member of the Knox community to recognize outstanding volunteer service benefiting Knox College. Awards are presented during Homecoming Convocation. Annual nominations are due by January 31.

2011 Recipients

Rick '83 and Mary Filosa Brown '82
Rick and Mary have served as club leaders for the North Carolina Knox Club for nearly 20 years. Working alongside them at their annual Knox Club summer cook out has been Lyn Harper, widow of Professor Robert Harper, a member of the Knox faculty for 38 years. "Mrs. Teach," as she is lovingly referred to by the Brown family, describes the Knox gatherings at the Brown's home as events where guests are made to feel welcome and comfortable. Everyone has fun and leaves with shared memories and renewed Knox friendships.

Rick and Mary have also welcomed Advancement staff to their home for conversations about Knox, past and present. Mary keeps her class up to date by serving as co-class correspondent for Knox Magazine. Both she and Rick have served as class agents and as members of Class Reunion committees. In addition, Mary served a three-year term as an award selection committee member. They are star donors, having given to Knox every year since graduation.

Rick and Mary moved to North Carolina in the late 80s. Being new to the area, they realized the need to get involved in their community. Rick served as the founding board president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Durham and Orange County. He was also a founding board member of the Emily K Center, a community center for economically disadvantaged kids. He currently serves as the treasure for the Center as well as treasurer for Habitat for Humanity of Durham. Rick has given his time as a youth soccer, baseball, and basketball coach for more than 10 years. Mary is the PTA President at their son's high school.

Brooks Goedeker '02
Brooks began his volunteer service to Knox as class president for the Class of 2002 and as a member of the Senior Challenge committee. In addition, he was chair of the Knox College judicial board, coordinator of the R.A.M.S.U. tutoring program, and president of Tau Kappa Epsilon.

Brooks went on to serve as a committee member for the Class of 2002 5th Year Reunion. His involvement in the St. Louis Knox Club made it possible for Knox alumni to work together on community service projects in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood and at Gateway Homeless Shelter. Brooks also gives back to Knox by providing internship opportunities for current Knox students at Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation. An active member of the TKE alumni board, he worked to establish the 1907 Award, which prompts an annual competition between TKE pledge classes to propose a creative house improvement. Brooks is a loyal star donor.

Brooks is also active in the Saint Louis community. He serves as board president for the Central West End Neighborhood Security Initiative; as chairman of Grove Fest, the annual urban festival; and as vice president for the Forest Park South Business Association. He is the Cardinals Care RedBird Rookies Youth Baseball Commissioner.

Brooks and his wife, Erin Rockwood Goedeker '02 are the parents of two future Knox students, Nolan and Elise.

David '70 and Judy Waggoner Lambert '71
When their daughter, Katie, came to Knox in 2001, Dave and Judy Lambert had an opportunity to reconnect with Knox and were reassured to discover how much the values and the atmosphere of the campus remained the same. Katie's Knox experience reinforced their belief in the benefits of a small school liberal arts education and their desire to help sustain Knox's future.

Judy gives her time to Knox as Class Agent and helps Pi Phi alumnae stay connected. As in past years, she helped the Class of 1971 Reunion effort. Dave is an active Phi Delt, often making calls to fraternity brothers to encourage their return for Homecoming. He works with the Career Center to hire Knox student interns. His company has attended the Knox College Internship Fair for five years. When Katie was at Knox, Dave and Judy hosted several dinners for the Knox women's tennis team. They are current at-large members of the Alumni Council and frequent guests at Chicago Knox Club events. The Lambert's have been members of the President's Circle since 2000.

Dave and Judy give their time to the local community as well. Dave is a past member of the Child Services Board of Directors Executive Committee and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He has served as a Little League coach and as a leader in YMCA youth programs. Judy is a current active member and past president, vice president, and treasurer of Arlington Heights Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club. The Lambert's are former Sunday School teachers and current church committee members. They served as members of the Parents Advisory Council for Palatine High School.

Previous Knox Service Award Recipients