More than 100 Knox alumni, parents, students, and friends gathered at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Tuesday, March 18, to celebrate Venture Boldly. With views overlooking the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains, attendees celebrated Knox and close community connections–including matching Knox socks–as well its recent successes and future plans to, as President C. Andrew McGadney says, “make a great college even better.”
Long-time Colorado Knox Club leader Ann Feldman Perille ’76 kicked off the evening by welcoming seven decades of alumni, both current and prospective parents, three trustees, and the Knox College Choir. Provost and Dean of the College Michael Schneider followed, declaring 2025 the year of “Active & Immersive Learning,” highlighting one of Knox’s key distinguishing attributes. The new summer immersion trips and the long-standing Repertory Immersion Term are just two of Knox’s programs Provost Schneider discussed before introducing Director of Seymour Library Anne Thomason to talk about a Seymour Library for the 21st century.
Thomason highlighted how Seymour Library has evolved to become a robust resource for Knox students, from research services to digital archiving to a Makerspace Hub and a podcasting studio. She also shared plans for new initiatives to make the library more accessible for students and more connected to the campus as whole, noting that the “beloved circular staircases are not going away.”
Vice President and Director of Athletics Justin Newell then spoke about his experiences at Knox since joining the community in February, noting how inspired he is by the coaches and students he’s gotten to know, as well as Knox’s deep sense of collaboration and community. He was joined by Head Volleyball and Senior Woman Administrator Maliah Blakemore, who shared how Knox’s strong community and alumni network were evident on the first day she started at Knox and how they provide essential support for Knox’s student athletes.
“A comprehensive campaign allows us to dream big and think boldly," President C. Andrew McGadney said as he shared the vision for Knox’s future that Venture Boldly, the largest comprehensive campaign in Knox’s history, will support. McGadney highlighted the new Etz Family Institute for Civic Leadership and Dialogue, established last spring by a gift from the late Tony Etz ’83 and Nancy Etz, the recent addition of the Knight Living & Learning Center at Green Oaks, as well as plans to help increase faculty compensation and investments in student success.
“Tonight you’ve seen all the great things support from alumni, parents, and friends can do,” said President McGadney as he closed his remarks, adding that engagement in support of Knox can take many forms including volunteering, being a Knox ambassador, and giving annually at whatever amount you are able.
The evening closed with the Knox College Choir encircling attendees to lead the traditional singing of the Knox hymn, "Hail to Alma Mater.” See more photos on the Knox College Flickr.
The Venture Boldly tour continues on the road with stops this spring in Washington DC, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The tour will conclude in Galesburg on Friday, May 2.