The Knox College campus was abuzz with activity as alumni, friends, students, and their families gathered for Homecoming and Family & Friends Weekend. From Homecoming Convocation, to campus tours, to a football game at the Knosher Bowl, attendees enjoyed an array of events. 

During Convocation, the Class of 1972 won the Ralph Walter prize, which recognizes the Reunion class with the highest giving participation in the last fiscal year. One hundred and nine members, 34 percent of the class, made gifts totaling $735,199. The Class of 1972 had 98 attendees, earning them the Homecoming Attendance Award, which goes to the Reunion class with the highest number of attendees.

A special gathering was held in the Memorial Gym for beloved and respected professor and chair of economics, Jonathan G. Powers, who passed away earlier this year. The community gathered to celebrate the life of a truly special member of the Knox College family. 

Here’s a sample of the events that happened during the weekend celebration:

Eeman Mahar ’23, student senate president, gave the address from the current student body at the Convocation, and Michael Burke ’72 reminisced about life on campus, including a lot of the “non-traditional” activities the students participated in. “When Knox decided in 1968 to eliminate all social regulations on campus, I decided that it was the school for me.”

Marty Salazar ’16 and Shannon Henry ’16 met during their time as Knox students. Marty decided to make this an extra special weekend for the couple by proposing to Shannon on Saturday outside of Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center (SMC). “I just love being back on campus and seeing all of the buildings and all of the new changes. It’s great being able to catch up with everyone. This has been a really special weekend for us so far,” Shannon said.

Barbara Whitman Carnegie ’72 visited Knox for the first time in 50 years. “I came back for everything! Everyone I met has been so welcoming. This is home. When I graduated I thought that was it, but I’m so glad to come back.”

Dale Litney ’66, who received a Fifty Year Club Scroll of Honor award, discussed how important Coach Harley Knosher was to his success. “I was lucky. I made mostly good choices. I was lucky to have self-confidence at forks in the road. And I was lucky to have played sports for my role model, professor, and friend Harley Knosher.”

The Groene family was in attendance to see their son Isaac Groene ’26. They took time to enjoy all of the sites on campus and plan to attend again in the future. This was the family’s first Homecoming and Friends & Family celebration at Knox. “It’s a gorgeous day and the campus looks amazing. We’re going to eat, take in the football game, see some whale bones, and maybe go see the Knox Farm,” said Jeffery Groene, Isaac’s father.

Former choir members Chris and Evelyn Nelson ’02 brought baby Julius (future alum) along to meet Laura Lane, professor of music and director of choral activities, at her retirement coffee event. But they were also excited to attend the observatory open house and Convocation. “In some ways, it feels like we never left. But at the same time, we’ve stopped and said to one another, ‘Wow, it really has been 20 years,’” Chris said.

Aicha Chehmani ’24 enjoyed spending Family & Friends weekend with their mom Angie. The pair took part in the Union Board events. Angie was also able to watch Aicha perform at the halftime show of the football game with the Knox College Dance Squad. Aicha spent time at the LGBTQ Alumni Club open house, taking the opportunity to connect with other LGBTQ members of the Knox community. In particular, they appreciated the conversation about safe places to move after graduation and how to start building a life outside campus. “It was super busy, but the weather was great. I was glad I got to connect with so many people.”