Dear Knox family and friends,

Today, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. For colleges and universities throughout the country, including Knox, this opinion means that an applicant’s race can no longer be directly considered when evaluating their application for college or university admission. It is reassuring that the Court referenced an important point about the impact of race on an applicant’s lived experience, articulating that “all parties agree, nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.”

Here at Knox we will comply with the court’s decision, while also remaining passionately committed to our mission.

Our Mission:  Knox College is a community of individuals from diverse backgrounds challenging each other to explore, understand and improve ourselves, our society and our world. The commitment to put learning to use to accomplish both personal and social goals dates back to the founding of the College in 1837. We take particular pride in the College's early commitment to increase access to all qualified students of varied backgrounds, races and conditions, regardless of financial means.

Access to higher education is fundamental to our success as individuals, families, communities and as a global society. We are proud to be one of the most diverse liberal arts campuses in the United States, with a campus community that includes a wide array of races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, ages, cultures, genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, and beliefs.

It’s too early to predict how this ruling will shape the national admissions landscape, but as we continue to evaluate the impact of today’s decision, we will keep our community informed of any major changes and/or adjustments to our practices in order to fully live out our values and principles that our great institution was founded upon.

Thank you all for the part you play in making Knox a diverse and inclusive place to learn, work and collaborate with one another. I appreciate your support, today and always.

With best wishes for the remaining days of summer.

C. Andrew McGadney
President

Nathan Ament
Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admission