Connecting members of the Knox community from different eras and backgrounds is one of the most enjoyable elements of our Venture Boldly events, and sometimes those connections can be made through sheer coincidence.
Take our most recent event in Washington, DC . . . Assistant Professor of Political Science Thomas Bell arrived wearing a vintage Knox tie only to find Alumni Council member Tim Schmeling ’11 wearing a matching one. Taking the Knox connection one step further, Bell’s tie was gifted to him from Chancie Ferris Booth Professor Emeritus of Political Science Lane Sunderland.
The dozens of attendees at Venture Boldly’s second stop on the East Coast gathered to learn more about Knox’s first comprehensive campaign in more than 20 years and to connect with fellow alumni, parents, and friends. Schmeling, a member of the Alumni Council and co-director of the DC Knox Club, welcomed Knox alumni, parents, and friends to the evening’s festivities.
“I want to welcome you tonight on Knox’s incredible journey towards financial impregnability,” Schmelling opened the event, harkening back to one of former Knox President Roger Taylor’s ’63 key goals. He continued, “I’m sure many of you may remember that line and how it was a rallying cry for many of us . . . I’m so excited for our new rallying cry . . . all under Andy’s brilliant leadership.”
Assistant Professor Bell, who serves as the co-director of the Etz Family Institute for Civic Leadership and Dialogue and is a scholar in American constitutional law and theory, American political institutions, and political theory, followed Schmeling, discussing the vision and purpose of the newly created institute, thanks to the generosity of the late Tony Etz ’83 and Nancy Etz. Bell highlighted the institute’s inaugural events which have focused on providing venues to model dialogue with those with whom we disagree.
Next, Director of Seymour Library Anne Thomason, shared plans for a 21st-century Seymour Library. Serving as an integral component of the Knox student experience, the new vision for Seymour Library provides more opportunities for students to work and learn collaboratively, to further take advantage of resources such as Special Collections and Archives and the new Makerspace Hub.
President McGadney shared a vision for the College’s future growth–the foundation for the Venture Boldly campaign. He highlighted the impact that investments have had in creating momentum for the College, including the new facility and updates to the Green Oaks campus, historic growth in Admission, a new model on how we deliver student outcomes and success, and the development of new pathways to recruit and retain the best and brightest faculty for the next generation of students.
He closed his remarks by encouraging Knox alumni and friends to participate in the largest comprehensive campaign in the College’s history: volunteer, attend events, be a Knox ambassador (wear your swag and engage with Knox on social media), and give to this historic campaign for Knox.
See more photos on the Knox College Flickr.
Upcoming Venture Boldly events include Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles this April, with a grand return to Knox and Galesburg on May 2.