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 February 1.

2019 Recipients

Dave Anderson '89 

David Anderson, Class of 1989, literally grew up at Knox College. Every day since, David has helped Knox grow.

Since his graduation, he has remained connected to former basketball teammates and other Knox friends, and two years ago, stepped up to serve as president of K Club, the official booster club of Knox College athletics.

As a result of his involvement and strong leadership, K Club contributions have grown significantly as new donors joined the cause. These contributions enhance recruitment efforts as well as support capital projects such as the Schmid Golf Performance Center and the recently renovated Prats Soccer Field.

David has also served as a class agent and is member of the Knox Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee and the Knox Fund Steering Committee. He and his wife, Caryn, have hosted an Indianapolis Knox Club event in their home, and David is a frequent participant in the summer K Club Golf Outing.

David and Caryn are members of the President's Circle, further cementing David's lifelong commitment to his alma mater. Meanwhile, the Anderson legacy continues to run deep at Knox College. David and Caryn's daughter, Katie, is now a Knox student athlete excelling in her own right.

In his local community, David is a driver for Second Helpings, a food rescue and meal delivery organization, and serves as treasurer for Better Indiana PAC.

In the words of nominator Topper Steinman '70, David's "life-long ‘givebacks’ make him a most deserving candidate for this prestigious honor."

Rex Cherrington '73
If you have attended Homecoming in recent years, you are familiar with historian Rex Cherrington '73. He has led an historical tour of Knox six times in the past eight years—and will be offering his seventh tour this afternoon.

Thanks to Rex, alumni have learned about the people important to Galesburg and Knox history who are buried in Hope Cemetery. They have participated in an architectural history walking tour and learned new things about Old Main, Alumni Hall, Seymour Hall, and other buildings on campus. While aboard a bus tour, alumni saw the Victorian homes of Knox alumni, faculty, trustees, and Knox presidents. Most recently, at Homecoming 2018, the tour featured the history of Congregational Church and its ties to Knox.

Rex's passion for history has benefitted Knox in other ways. The addition of Plomin Terrace forced the Lombard Bell into storage for a number of months. Rex provided funding to have the bell placed on a granite base just outside Alumni Hall.

In addition, Rex is a loyal member of the President's Circle, Gale Society, an Alumni Achievement Award selection committee member, and a volunteer for the Underground Railroad Freedom Center. This past June, he gave a talk about Janet Greig Post at an event celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Fifty Year Club.

Rex is also recognized as a "go-to" person when it comes to the history of Knox County. He is a current or past board member or officer for the Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association, the Galesburg Historical Society, and the Knox County Genealogical Society.

John Norton '58
John is a tireless ambassador for Knox. It all started when, as a senior, he helped plan and fund the Knox College Choir's six-week European concert tour, complete with attendance at the Brussels World Fair. The experience remains a great memory for choir members of that era.

John served three terms on the Alumni Council, first as the Quad Cities Knox Club representative and then as chair.

He assisted the Career Center by offering expertise from his career both as an Army intelligence officer, and, later, as a financial planner at Lutheran Brotherhood for both nonprofit companies and individuals.

In 2008, John was a member of the Class of 1958 50th Reunion committee and then became a devoted member of the Knox Fifty Year Club (FYC). He supports the Club by regularly attending FYC events in Galesburg and in Arizona. Because John lives in the Phoenix area during the winter months, he is very helpful in suggesting interesting venues, museums, and other locations for FYC events, even providing financial support for one of these. He also served as a member of the FYC nominating committee.

John is passionate about history. He is a current or past board member or officer of the American Scandinavian Association, the Colonel Davenport Historic Foundation, the Scandinavian Seminar, the Swedish-American Historical Society, Bishop Hill Heritage Association, and Swedish Council of America. He also serves as an editor for the Augustana Historical Society and is a member of various literacy organizations.

John is a true and enthusiastic volunteer for Knox and his community.