by Elise Goitia '18 and Bailey Musselman '18

Knox College students welcomed parents, siblings, other relatives, and friends to campus on October 23-25 for Family and Friends Weekend. The annual event is a time when loved ones reunite and participate in activities that help them become more familiar with the Knox community.

Some of the campus activities featured during the weekend were athletic events, campus tours, informational sessions, and a peanut butter and jelly cook-off.

Several Knox students shared their stories about the weekend.

Emily Johnson '18

The youngest of three daughters, Emily Johnson was ecstatic about her family's first visit to Knox during Family and Friends Weekend.

Amy Johnson, Emily's sister, loved watching the Knox vs. Robert Morris University volleyball game.

"Sports were really big at my university," said Amy, a University of Notre Dame alumna. "It was nice seeing what the school spirit is like at Knox."

The Johnsons, who also took a tour of the campus, said they appreciated seeing where Emily spends most of her time.

"I decided to take them to SMC (the Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center)," said Emily. "As a mathematics major, I spend a lot of time there."

Overall, the Johnsons agreed that Lake Storey was their favorite part of the visit. Sarah Johnson, Emily's eldest sister, said, "If I went to Knox, I'd spend every day at Lake Storey."

Keith Johnson, Emily's father, said he has noticed Knox's influence on his daughter. "She's grown much more confident, opinionated, and independent. Knox has made her a free-thinker," he said.

Emily was grateful for her family's visit.

"Seeing Knox from their perspective makes me appreciate it that much more," she added

Lily Sronkoski '18

When Matt Sronkoski visited his daughter, Lily, they took advantage of their time together to attend the play The Lost Girls and have dinner at the Landmark Café, as well as check out Innkeeper's, The Salvation Army, Galesburg's local movie theater, and a musical improvisation show.

"We didn't plan a thing," said Sronkoski. "Just enjoying being together. She's mature, and she's got her new place. She likes talking about her classes, all the stuff she's doing with Student Senate and with KARES, and I enjoy hearing everything."

Sronkoski, an academic advisor at Southern Illinois University, was proud of his daughter's choice to go to Knox.

"I didn't advise her so much as she advised me," said Sronkoski. "I work at a university, and to come to a smaller college and see a different perspective is cool."

"It's such a warm, welcoming place and has a different kind of students," he added. "It's hard to put your finger on it, but there's a closeness here that's different than a big university."

Deja Jenkins '19

Deja Jenkins enjoyed experiencing her first Family and Friends Weekend at Knox with her father, Michael Jenkins. Together, they went shopping, sightseeing, and sampled Galesburg's local food.

"She doesn't get off campus so much, so we took this opportunity to see the town," said Michael Jenkins. "We're from Chicago, so small-town life is interesting. Everybody's not rushing everywhere all the time."

Jenkins recognized how his daughter has already grown since attending Knox.

"She's much more independent," added Jenkins. "She's more outgoing."

Deja said she enjoyed the weekend, adding, "It's nice to see someone from home, especially my father, because he's fantastic."

Mariel Guzman '18

Mariel Guzman was visited by her older sister, Maura Guzman, and year-old nephew, Maximilliano.

After touring Old Main and George Davis Hall, the buildings Guzman spends the most time in as an English literature and French double major, the family took a walk down Seminary Street.

"I think Max was so confused about being in Galesburg because he's grown up in a big city like Chicago," Mariel said. "He stared at everything."

"I love the food and small businesses in Galesburg" said Mariel's sister, Maura. "It's a great community."