Knox Service Awards

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.

2018 Recipients

Susan Blew '75
Susan Blew is passionate about helping students along their career paths. She was keynote speaker at a Fall Institute kick-off, “How We Got There from Here.” More than once, she conducted on campus interviews for Wells Fargo, and most recently Sue not only provided funds to support students’ participation in the Parmarth Niketan Ashram Internship, but traveled with them to Rishkesh, India. The Parmarth Niketan is a spiritual center complete with yoga, music, study and, uniquely to Parmarth, a collection of nonprofit organizations.

Sue and her husband, Dennis, open their home for development and Golden Gate Knox Club events. In the spring 2017, she invited creative writing professors Robin Metz and Nick Regiacorte and San Francisco area alumni to enjoy an afternoon of readings celebrating the 50th anniversary of the creative writing program at Knox.

In addition, she is always willing to meet with alumni one-on-one for the purpose of volunteer recruitment or stewardship.

Sue served 18 years as a general trustee. Throughout those years, she worked on numerous sub-committees and provided financial support for priority projects such as Alumni Hall and the Whitcomb Art Center. Sue teamed with six other trustees to plan a Trustee Tribute to the President’s Circle special event at Adelaida Cellars, a San Francisco area winery owned by Elizabeth Harler Van Steenwyk ’48, oversaw orientation of new trustees coming onto the Knox Board and planned several retreats during her years of service on the Board. Sue ended her general trustee tenure as chair of the Advancement Committee, and is now an emeritus trustee.
Sue’s dedication and unfailing commitment to Knox is most certainly deserving of recognition. Please join me in congratulating Sue on her 2018 Knox Service Award.

Rob Clark '95
Rob Clark founded the Knox Ultimate Frisbee Club in 1992, and it is still going strong. Each year in February, a group of approximately 30 alumni, from the Class of 1995 to the most recent graduates, return for an annual tournament, now named the Natalie Veneziano Winter Whiteout Tournament. Team members look forward to returning to campus and consider this event their Homecoming.

In 2004, Ultimate Frisbee team members received word that teammate Natalie Veneziano ’98 lost her battle with cancer. A few years later, Rob came up with the idea to name the tournament in her honor. In 2013, Rob planned a special Saturday evening dinner on campus marking the 20th anniversary of the Winter Whiteout Tournament. Team members celebrated alongside the Veneziano family. Natalie’s brother, Keith, said, “We are truly grateful to Rob and his work to remember Natalie and her love of Knox College.” Five years later, Rob is working on a major fundraising initiative in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the annual tournament.

In addition to Rob’s work for the Ultimate Frisbee tournament, he served as a volunteer for the Class of 1995 10th Year Reunion and as a Class Agent. He is also a member of the Knox Magazine Advisory Council.

Rob has been a member of Rotary International since 1995, twice serving as president. He is a member of multiple boards in the Bay City area, and his community service projects include Boot Camp for New Dads, clean up days, Bay County strategic planning, and coaching youth soccer.

Cathy Kucik Heimann '70
Cathy Heimann understands Knox as a student, parent, faculty wife, coach’s wife, employee, and townsperson. Because of the uniqueness of one person holding multiple roles, she is often described as Knox’s best cheerleader.

Throughout the years, she has worked tirelessly behind the scenes supporting the College, keeping alumni connected to one another, and sharing the good word of Knox. When she travels, she checks to see if alumni are in the area she’s visiting and attempts to meet up with them. She wears Knox gear and carries Knox bags, and is always prepared to talk about Knox.

In response to President Amott’s outreach to alumni during the early phase of strategic planning for Knox 2018, Cathy responded with a carefully thought out message listing several ways Knox could enhance its relationship with the Galesburg community.

Cathy helps rally her classmates back to campus for Reunions and offers her home as a gathering place for the evening reception. She also graciously accommodates alumni friends and trustees for overnight stays.

Cathy stepped forward to serve in official volunteer roles, as an at-large member of the Alumni Council and class agent. Cathy is a member of the K Club and Gale Society, and a regular attendee of campus and local Knox events.

She gives back to the Galesburg community as a volunteer for Relay for Life, a cause very close to her heart. She has also given her time as a Reading Buddy for District 205, as a member of the Civic Art Center board and Sunrise Rotary, and held three offices for the Galesburg Alumna Chapter of Delta Delta Delta.