Dear Knox Community, Just a little over a month ago, the public phase of Venture Boldly, Knox’s first comprehensive campaign in more than 20 years, was launched in Chicago. It was a momentous evening, with more than 200 Knox alumni, parents, and friends coming together to celebrate the College and look to its bold future. While raising money may be the most apparent goal associated with a campaign, one of the beautiful outcomes of these initiatives is building, elevating, and nurturing community. One of the highlights of the Chicago event was watching generations of alumni talking and engaging with each other, as well as with students, faculty, and staff. The brilliance of our community connections—the love and support shown for Knox and its people—was palpable, and it was a joy to watch. I can also see this same support and engagement on the pages of this Knox Magazine. Throughout the issue, you’ll see a singular story emerge from its individual articles, profiles, and notes: Knox students benefit from community support and engagement from the moment they walk on campus to their years finding professional and personal success. Here are a few of my favorite highlights from the issue:

• Student support is at the heart of Knox’s outstanding TRIO Achievement Program, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. TRIO is a federally supported program, and its mission is to provide students with personalized support and comprehensive programming to promote academic success, personal growth, and a meaningful sense of community. Read more about TRIO’s transformative support of generations of Knox students on page 6.
• Another community-building initiative that Knox reinstated this fall is the Living Learning Community (LLC). Offering a unique opportunity for first-year students to connect with their communities, LLCs are designed to foster an immersive environment where students live in the same campus suite while also taking their First-Year Preceptorial courses together. The goal is to encourage collaborative learning and social engagement. Read more about this year’s seven LLCs on page 12.
• Knox welcomed seven new tenure-track faculty members this fall. As mentors to our students, helping to guide them to become their best selves, they are truly the soul of the institution (page 32).
• Trustee Joe ’67 and Diane Bastian bolstered student support services with a multi-million dollar gift dedicated to student success and Knox’s business program (page 25). 
• And six alumni were awarded College recognitions for their lifetime dedication to community service or outstanding service to their alma mater (page 45 and page 59).

Many of these initiatives and accomplishments are supported by funds raised through the Venture Boldly campaign, and all are rooted in the engagement and support woven into the very fabric that binds us all together. I ask that each of you join us in this exciting and transformative Venture Boldly campaign. Join us at an upcoming event—see the fruit of the fundraising process; engage with fellow classmates, students, faculty members; and support Knox’s exciting future in a way that’s meaningful to you.

I look forward to seeing you soon at an upcoming event—visit knox.edu/venture-boldly for future stops—or on the Knox campus.

Warmest regards,