Office of Advancement
2 East South Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Fax: 309-341-7770
At Knox, we are always building—creating a foundation for exploration, critical thinking, growth, and cultivating lives of purpose. Philanthropy propels us forward, and alumni are leading the way.
Enjoy stories that celebrate the transformative power of giving, where every donation opens doors for students to thrive, faculty to innovate, and our campus to flourish.
The Green Oaks Biological Field Station is a 700-acre research and recreation area—a hub for learning, from student Honors projects to the 10-week interdisciplinary Green Oaks Term. It also fosters community through gatherings like the annual Prairie Burn. Thanks to the generous support of an anonymous lead donor, a new facility is under construction, enabling year-round use for both the Knox and Galesburg communities. This investment enhances the possibilities for education, exploration, and connection. (Fall 2024)
Recent donor support sent Prairie Fire teams on trips and enhanced locker rooms, the fitness center, and video equipment—helping Knox recruit and retain students, coaches, and faculty year-round. “The student-athlete experience at Knox College is only possible with the tremendous support of alumni, family, and friends. All gifts go directly to ensuring we provide the best for all sports teams on and off the field,” said Head Football Coach Aaron Willits ’08. (Fall 2024)
Chief Administrative Officer of the Physician Clinical Network and Provider Solutions & Development at Providence Rachelle Daugherty ’97 recently shared insights on physician recruitment, the role of AI in healthcare, and advice for building a fulfilling career. Her story exemplifies the transformative power of a Knox education—nurturing leaders who shape the future. “Knox was truly a mind-blowingly great experience for me. It was an amazing place to play, think deeply, and take action. I cannot say enough about the beautiful friendships that I still have.” (Fall 2024)
Knox College recently received a generous $1-million gift from Trustee Dan Spaulding ’99 and Liz Holmes Spaulding ’99, in support of Knox’s exceptional faculty and the Knox Fund. Their gift will enhance our ability to recruit and retain the most talented faculty and to propel short-term initiatives that advance our strategy for growth and fulfillment of our mission. (Spring 2024)
Daeun Kim ’26, Sara Mirani ’25, and Ha Phuong Nguyen ’26, working alongside assistant professor of educational studies Ming Lei, presented research papers at the 35th Annual International Conference for the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education in Las Vegas over spring break. Pictured above, Dr. Lei and Ha Phuong Nguyen ’26 present “The representation and inclusion of queer students in online study abroad recruitment.” Dr. Lei established the Interdisciplinary Lab (IRL) to create opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to participate in creative and scholarly endeavors. Lei specializes in combining quantitative and qualitative research methods and is mentoring students to develop research projects. (Spring 2024)
Seth Kosanovich ’24 received a $2,000 grant from the Power of Experience Program to further academic development, establish professional connections, and to prepare for his next steps into graduate school and clinical psychology research. Seth was one of 15 students selected from a pool of more than 140 applicants for a summer internship working under Dr. Wendy Berry Mendes and Dr. Aric Prather at the University of California, San Francisco. “Knox prepared me with the skills I needed to secure this position. Thanks to the generous support of the Power of Experience Program, I am now better prepared to move forward in my career as a confident researcher and proud representative of Knox College.” Gifts to the Knox Fund ensure that students like Seth have the the skills they need to secure competitive internships and the funds to get them there. (Spring 2024)
The Bastian Family Center for Career Success selected 12 students from more than 50 student applicants to participate in the Knox Kansas City Professional Immersion Experience spring break trip held in Overland Park, Kansas. Students spent four days visiting prominent employers like NAIA, Spotlight, Lockton, and more to explore career paths. The trip also included a wide variety of networking opportunities with alumni, including Max Utsler ’70, Ellen Ramsey ’12, Lucas McIntosh ’98, Valerie Blevins ’86, and the Kansas City Knox Club. Donors make career exploration experiences like this possible. This trip was funded thanks to the generosity of Nancy Carlin ’72 and the John D. Carlin Fund, dedicated to supporting the Bastian Family Career Center's mission of providing students with valuable career insights from alumni. (Spring 2024)
Knox students practiced their Spanish language skills during a winter break immersive experience trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. It was a component of Spanish 221, taught by faculty member Robin Ragan, Associate Professor of Modern Languages. This is the third time she’s taken students to Oaxaca, and this year she was joined by Gonzalo Pinilla, Visiting Assistant Professor of Art. In addition to their volunteer work in healthcare and education settings, students learned printmaking techniques and created a mural that now hangs on a building in Oaxaca. Robin shared, “I love traveling abroad with my students and have directed programs in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Oazaca, and Guatemala." (Spring 2024)
https://www.knox.edu/support-knox/donor-impact
Printed on Saturday, December 21, 2024