Knox Magazine — Winter 2026 by Knox College

WINTER 2026

Anne Thomason

Director of Seymour Library Anne Thomason joined the Knox community in 2021, serving as the seventh director of the library since its opening in 1928. In addition to managing the Library, she also oversees the Amott Science Commons, including the Makerspace Hub, in the Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center. Anne is a graduate of Macalester College and received her master of science in information at the University of Michigan School of Information.

Welcome to her office.

Ginkgo Tree Plaque

Every year the library staff has a contest to see who can guess the day the Ginkgo tree leaves will fall. This is the first year I’ve won. The really cool thing is it was also my birthday.

Running Medals

I do run regularly, at least four days a week. I'd like to do five, but really I do four.

Books on the Mantle

There’s some Knox history, Colleges That Change Lives, and West Highland Way Travel Guide

Drawings of the Library

I have renovation plans for the library, the cool plans the College created last year.

Wall of Various Clippings

The stuff on this board is all personal stuff. I hiked the Inca Trail. I have my ticket to Rapa Nui (Easter Island). A student at Lake Forest College gave me a picture. And a terrible picture of me at the United Nations that I think is hilarious.

Cabinet

It’s a long story, but that cabinet used to be in the library’s Reference Room (on the first floor), but we moved it when it became the Abolition Lab. It’s a nice cabinet.

STEVE DAVIS P’12 (7)

DEPARTMENTS

OPEN DOOR

KNOX WRITES

FEATURES

EDITOR’S NOTE 04

CLASS NOTES

GRANT SUPPORT EXPANDS THE IMPACT OF HISTORIC COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN

Nearly 15%—or $19 million—of Venture Boldly funding has come from grants and is key to Knox’s success.

SPANISH TRANSLATION & INTERPRETATION PROGRAM HITS ITS STRIDE

Five years after introducing a new minor, dozens of Knox students—and communities— have benefited from the program.

SOUTH LAWN

PARTING SHOT

SUSTAINING THE SOUL OF THE INSTITUTION

Knox experienced a full cycle of faculty milestones over the past year, ensuring a legacy of teaching and scholarship for generations of Knox students.

ABOUT THE COVER

Knox mascot, Blaze, mugs for the camera below the fin whale skeleton in the Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center Atrium. Photo by Steve Davis P’12.

Volume 109, Issue 1

EDITOR

Megan Scott ’96

LAYOUT DESIGNER

Ami Jontz

CONTRIBUTORS, WRITING & PHOTOGRAPHY

Peter Bailley ’74, P’05, P’08

Steve Davis P’12

Sarah Dean

Jennifer Gallas

Scott Holland

Shaswot Karki ’28

Nysa Phulwar ’26

Knox Magazine is published twice yearly by the Office of Communications, Box K-233, Knox College, Galesburg, IL 61401-4999; Phone: 309-341-7760; Email: knoxmag@knox.edu.

It is distributed free of charge to Knox alumni, students, parents, and friends.

The magazine welcomes information and story ideas. Please query before submitting manuscripts.

ISSN: 0047-3499

Visit us online at magazine.knox.edu.

The first night game at Prats Field was held on October 7, 2025. Knox’s men’s soccer team beat Monmouth 3 to 1 in an exciting match under the lights.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear Knox Community,

Knox Magazine has seen its fair share of changes and challenges over the course of its 100-year history. Like Knox College itself, the magazine has adjusted and adapted accordingly—from its original publication as The Alumnus in 1917, to its shift from six issues a year to four and then two, to a name change, the addition of four-color printing, and the launch of its own website in 2017. And this winter, we are introducing a new shift in the life of Knox Magazine—the launch of a new digital-only issue.

What does this mean for the magazine and its readers? Knox will continue to produce our standard two issues of Knox Magazine The summer issue will have both a print and digital edition, while the winter issue will be solely digital. And all community members will have access to the twice-yearly digital issues receiving an email when a new issue of Knox Magazine is available. Most important, our alumni community’s favorite feature, Class Notes, will appear in both the print and digital editions.

While I love receiving Knox Magazine in my mailbox (yes, I recognize I may be biased), I believe that helping Knox bolster its commitment to sustainability, both environmental and financial, by reducing its print run is an important milestone in the magazine’s history. I’m also excited to take better advantage of the magazine’s website, which allows for us to build more robust content. Longer profiles, videos, and links to more in-depth news and features provide even more opportunities for you to stay connected to Knox and its community. For example, you can watch a video of Max Potthoff ’14 and Martin Reichel ’71, our

2025 Alumni Achievement Award recipients, or read more about the alumni who are putting their experience gained in Knox’s Spanish translation and interpretation program to work around the country. To access this content, look for links within the PDF of the winter issue or within stories on the website.

If I’ve learned anything in my years serving as editor of Knox Magazine it’s that our readers—Knox alumni, parents, and friends—will be sure to share their thoughts about this change to the magazine. And that’s exactly what I hope happens. Some of you may miss your second print issue, others may want to ONLY receive digital issues. All thoughts and opinions are welcome and necessary to help us ensure we are producing a communication that is meaningful to our community. Your input also helps guide us in making additional updates or adjustments. Please email us at magazine@knox.edu to share your thoughts.

For more than a century, Knox Magazine has been a steady presence in the life of the Knox community, and, regardless of format, this will not change, nor will the time and dedication given to each magazine. Enjoy this winter issue, and please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

MEGAN SCOTT ’ 96

Aigerim “Moona” Nussupova ’29 participates in the Chicago Dance Crash performance LXIV (six.four) at Galesburg’s Orpheum Theatre on February 7, 2026. The performance was the culmination of a week-long residency called Community Healing through the Arts.

The program was supported by Healing Illinois, Field Foundation, the Karil Kirk-Ortner Memorial Dance Fund, the Knox College Cultural Events Committee, and the Knox College Dance Program.

VENTURE BOLDLY

Grant Support Expands the Impact of Historic Comprehensive Campaign

By Megan Scott ’96

Knox College’s first comprehensive campaign in more than 20 years, Venture Boldly, recently reached the $145 million mark enroute to its $175 million goal. Nearly 13%—or $19 million— of Venture Boldly funding has come from foundations, big and small, and the State of Illinois. Key to Knox’s success, this grant funding supports projects and initiatives that are fundamental to the College’s ability to deliver a residential liberal arts education.

Knox students showcase their work in anatomy in the atrium of the Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center. The center is currently under renovation thanks to a $10 million grant from the State of Illinois.

“Grants underscore the importance that foundations and organizations play in sustaining and advancing higher education in our country, and here at Knox. They support all of the key components of a Knox education—students and scholarships, faculty teaching and research, new and existing academic programs, and capital projects,” said Marin Amundson-Graham, vice president for advancement. “They are an important foundation of Venture Boldly, reflecting both the comprehensive nature of the campaign and the power of partnership.”

The two dozen institutions that have awarded Knox grants over the course of the Venture Boldly campaign range from small family to large private foundations and also include regional and national government agencies.

“Grants often allow us to support pilot projects, help programs try something new and daring, support one-time events or programs, or purchase specialized equipment for student and faculty research that aren’t part of our regular operating budget,” shared Fallon Allison, director of college grants. “Grants also provide essential funding for student opportunities such as research projects, internships, or immersive experiences that are central to their learning and growth as scholars and citizens.”

Allison handles all corporate and foundation grants, as well as state and federal grants. She works directly with faculty and staff on project development, proposal writing, grant communication, and other areas of grant support and stewardship.

“One of the things I love most about my role is working with a cross-section of campus. I have the privilege of hearing Provost and Dean of the Faculty Melissa Glenn discuss her vision for faculty professional development or how she sees Knox preparing students for the future; staff in Knox’s centers share the good work they are doing; Senior Staff members communicate about capital projects and updating campus infrastructure; faculty members describe the new programs, speakers, or equipment they would like to bring to campus. I have a great view of all of the dedicated people it takes to operate a liberal arts campus,” added Allison.

The support from foundations and agencies provides the College with crucial financial resources and is also a direct vote of support for Knox’s mission and education.

“To receive grant funding from the Mellon Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and National Endowment for the Humanities, among others, confirms for me that the work we do here at Knox every day is important for the futures of our students, as well as the future of our society,” said President C. Andrew McGadney. “I am also humbled by the number of Knox family and friends who support the College through private and family foundations, from the Kohler Foundation and the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, to the Galesburg Community Foundation and Richter Memorial Fund.”

received Richter funding to support research projects and presentations. He is now working on his master’s degree at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

STEVE DAVIS

P’12

Brandon Roberts ’25

“To receive grant funding. . . confirms for me that the work that we do here at Knox every day is important for the futures of our students, as well as the future of our society.”

—President C. Andrew McGadney

Making a Great College Even Better

Grants from public and private agencies or foundations have a tremendous impact on all facets of the Knox community: To drive strategic growth, enrich the student experience, and invest in our community. Below are a few examples of grants received during the Venture Boldly comprehensive campaign and their impact on Knox and its community.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: Transforming Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center

A $10 million grant from the State of Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is funding the current renovation of the Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center (SMC). Knox is partnering with two regional companies, RATIO Design and Russell, on the renovation. The current project will focus primarily on the building’s C-Wing, which houses the chemistry classrooms and laboratories, common spaces, and faculty offices, as well as upgrades to building systems.

an historic campus, investments in academic buildings and infrastructure are crucial to ensuring that teaching and learning take place in modern, state-of-the-art facilities.”

Richter Memorial Fund: Supporting the Hallmark of a Knox Education Providing support for the hallmark of a Knox educational experience—immersive learning—for 30 years, the Richter Memorial Fund has granted Knox $1.1 million over the course of the Venture Boldly campaign. During the 2025-26 academic year, the College received $325,000, the largest amount the College has received in a single year. The annual grants support Knox students pursuing projects that encourage critical thinking and exploration. Two hundred independent research, collaborative projects, or creative projects by Knox students—all guided by faculty mentors—are funded by Richter each year. Since 1995, the fund has provided more than $3.7 million to support experiential learning.

Richter recently funded an honors project, collaborative research project, and presentations at multiple professional conferences for Brandon Roberts ’25. Brandon is now enrolled in the master of arts program in philosophy of religions and the Bible at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Creative writing projects for Kris Pandey ’25 and Nathan Hill ’25, who are both attending the renowned University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop, were

TOP 5 GRANTS OF THE VENTURE BOLDLY CAMPAIGN

made possible through Richter funding. Sarah Hoffman-Weitsman ’24, who is now a doctoral student in the biochemistry program at Washington University in St. Louis, pursued an honors project and full-time summer research using Richter funding. Additionally, Lily Gates ’22, an English major with minors in educational studies and biology, received a Richter award to support an exploration of childbirth, motherhood, and maternity. She recently completed her master of science in nursing at Rush University College of Nursing and currently works as a surgical nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Kohler Trust for the Arts & Education: Faculty Enrichment & Endowed Scholarships

In early 2025, Knox received two awards from the Kohler Trust for the Arts & Education: $100,000 to be invested in our Kohler Endowed Scholarship Fund and $159,500 for our Linda Karger Kohler Anderson Endowment for Faculty Enrichment. This generosity directly supported two pillars of our mission: access to a Knox education regardless of financial means and a commitment to investing in our communities.

Red Engel ’25, from Oak Park, Illinois, was the recipient of a Kohler Endowed Scholarship during his senior year. He graduated with a strong GPA and majored in art history with a minor in chemistry. Engel is currently enrolled in the master’s program in art history at Indiana University Bloomington, hopes to be an art history and visual studies professor, and would like to use his artistic talent in the world of graphic novels and comic books.

Professor of Theatre Jeff Grace was one of 13 faculty members who received funds from the Linda Karger Kohler Anderson Endowment for Faculty Enrichment. Grace used funds to travel to New York to direct a staged reading of Robert Patrick’s The Haunted Host at a small café in the West Village and work in the archives of the Billy Rose Theatre Collection at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. This work contributes to the history of theatre and has helped inform Professor Grace’s research on the history of gay representation on stage in the 1960s.

Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation: Investing in the Academic Experience Grants from the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation over the course of the Venture Boldly comprehensive campaign total $90,000 and have made a direct and lasting impact on learning at Knox. Students have benefited from significant equipment purchases, includ-

ing graphic processing units for deep learning projects, a gas-chromatograph mass spectrometer used by chemistry faculty and students, a refrigeration unit for the Mössbauer Lab, and, most recently, a photogrammetry drone for Green Oaks. The Scripps Foundation also has invested in centers and laboratories that are at the heart of the student experience at Knox, including the Geographic Information System Laboratory, a biology/biochemistry laboratory, the Bastian Family Center for Career Success, and the Kleine Center for Community Service.

Illinois State Library: Innovative Push for Educational Affordability

Knox faculty members are leading an innovative push toward educational affordability for students at Knox and around the world through a nearly $95,000 Open Educational Resources (OER) grant funded by the Illinois State Library. OERs are teaching and learning materials that are freely available for use and reuse, and this initiative is designed to develop five OERs that will impact Knox students across various disciplines. Project leader and Director of Seymour Library Anne Thomason explained that by reducing barriers to textbooks, the project offers an accessible alternative. “The high cost of textbooks can be prohibitive,” she added. “This project will both make course materials more affordable and improve learning outcomes for students.”

Jerome Mirza Foundation:

Educating & Inspiring through Jazz

The Knox Jazz Year continued its stellar tradition of performances at the Orpheum Theatre in January 2026, as the Mirza Jazz Residency brought John Raymond and Sean Carey, co-leaders of the band Shadowlands, to serve as artists-in-residence, leading workshops, including a roundtable on health and wellness, and performing alongside Knox and Galesburg students at a finale at the Orpheum Theatre. The residency is supported by the Jerome Mirza Foundation, established in honor of the late attorney and jazz enthusiast Jerome Mirza. His daughter, Candace Mirza ’81, continues to uphold her father’s legacy by supporting programs that educate and inspire through jazz.

Tamia Ware ’26 and Elizabeth Eckford ’63, D.H.L.’18. Ware is the recipient of the Elizabeth Eckford Scholarship.

Members of the Knox Jazz Ensemble perform at Galesburg’s Orpheum Theatre during the 2026 Mirza Jazz Residency.

Endowed & Annual Scholarships:

Making a Knox Education Possible Over the course of the Venture Boldly campaign, foundations, both private and public, have provided more than $500,000 in scholarship funds that support current and future Knox students. The generosity of the Hearst Foundation, Charles Becker Foundation, Davee Foundation, and San Francisco Foundation, among others, have provided life-changing experiences that profoundly impact our students. Here are just a few examples (in our students’ own words):

“This scholarship will help me do what I really want to do at Knox instead of having to worry about what I would have to do to pay off loans. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to further my education while carrying on your legacy.”

—Tamia Ware ’26, Elizabeth Eckford Scholarship Recipient

“I grew up in Bushnell, Illinois, a small town that truly has shaped a lot of what I value in my life, one of those being connections and communications with communities. One of the reasons I came here was because I absolutely adore the idea of being able to know people and be a part of different organizations around campus. . . . Thank you so much for this scholarship that will allow me to continue with my education.”

—Janet Lentini ’27, Robert P. (Bob) Albrecht Endowed Scholarship Recipient

“This scholarship has significantly alleviated the financial burden of my education, allowing me to focus on my studies and pursue my academic and career goals with renewed determination. Your belief in my potential means the world to me and I am truly honored to be a recipient of this scholarship.

—Grael Mulata ’26, Lily M. Budde and Henry J. Budde Scholarship Recipient

STEVE DAVIS P’12 (2)

SPANISH TRANSLATION & INTERPRETATION MINOR HITS ITS STRIDE

Students and Alumni Benefit from Innovative Program Offerings

By Scott Holland & Megan Scott ’96

Ashley Pineda ’22 was a junior neuroscience major in fall 2020 when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. “I was taking physics, and it was hard to focus, so I had to drop the class,” she remembers. “I needed a language, and the only thing available was Spanish translation. I really got into it. The class worked with immigration and detention centers, transcribing audios for people in California. I really fell in love with it and asked Professor Robin Ragan if I could do a minor [in Spanish translation and interpretation].”

Pineda pursued the minor, and, today, she works for an immigration law firm as a case manager. Pineda is just one of the many Knox students and alumni who have explored the offerings within Knox’s Spanish translation and interpretation minor, spearheaded by Szold Distinguished Service Professor of Modern Languages Robin Ragan.

ASHLEY PINEDA ’22

Szold Distinguished Service Professor of Modern Languages Robin Ragan (in sunglasses) poses with students studying healthcare, social work and education in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2018.

Personal Passion Leads to Program Innovation

The Spanish translation and interpretation minor began modestly. Its roots were planted in two half-credit courses, Spanish 205 (Introduction to Spanish Translation) and Spanish 206 (Introduction to Spanish Interpretation), taught by Szold Distinguished Service Professor of Modern Languages Robin Ragan in 2016. The course on translation focuses on text, while interpretation focuses on oral language. Originally designed to encourage more students to take Spanish courses, the half-credit classes piqued student interest and quickly developed into a new distinctive and popular academic program, with the addition of a medical interpretation course in the fall of 2018, followed by the minor in 2021.

Five years later, the program has grown in both student enrollment and accomplishments. “We’ve graduated 10 minors and have 11 right now, and 54 people have received the certificate to be qualified to interpret in a medical context in the United States,” said Ragan.

The minor and certification courses address important needs in preparing Spanish students for professional opportunities. It is distinguished by its hands-on approach that provides students with opportunities to work in local, national, and international communities. With a blend of language education, community engagement, and trauma-informed practice, the translation and interpretation program is a strong option for students aiming to develop practical Spanish language skills and acquire real-world experience.

Ragan’s vision and leadership have driven the program’s growth at Knox. She began exploring work as an interpreter in 2014, holds certifications in medical and courtroom interpretation, and has worked on numerous projects in the United States and Mexico. She ultimately used this experience to broaden the offerings of the College’s Spanish program.

“I’m a practicing interpreter, and I have an active interpreting life. I’m in courthouses all over Illinois, so I can give the students a realistic idea of what the field is like, what the job market is like,” she said.

Qualified interpreters and translators are essential in legal, medical, and educational sectors. “When I got certified for medical interpreting, I realized I could do the same training on my campus, and my students could then enter into this field,” Ragan said.

“I learned what it would take, how a 40-hour experience would map onto a 10-week term, how would I make it work, and that’s how I came up with the medical interpreting course. Then shortly after that, ‘How about legal?’ We started the minor so students can have a minor in translation and interpreting; they can choose if they want this new minor or a traditional minor in Spanish.”

The curriculum for the Spanish translation and interpretation program that Ragan and her department built centers on project-based, practical applications of translation and interpretation in various professional fields like education, medicine, law, and social work. Courses like Spanish for Business, taught by Associate Professor of Spanish Fernando Gomez, Spanish for Healthcare, and Legal Interpreting prepare students for specific professions.

Professor Robin Ragan and Eric Espinoza ’23 at a benefit for Chicago’s Migrant Support Collective. Ragan and her students recently translated a brochure for the organization.

PETER BAILLEY ’74, P’05, P’08

Szold Distinguished Service Professor of Modern Languages

Robin

Student Interest Spurs Program Growth

The classes, program, and minor immediately appealed to students, whether it was someone looking to enter the medical, educational, or legal field; a native Spanish speaker seeking to leverage their multilingual skills; or someone looking to make an impact by advocating for others.

Like Ashley Pineda ’22, many students were simply interested in the coursework, and that interest led some to pursue it as a minor, which often led to careers.

“I saw the class and thought it would be interesting. I ended up taking the class, and I liked it,” said Paula Flores Cevallos ’26, who is majoring in biology and double minoring in Spanish translation and interpretation and German. “I enjoyed the medical interpretation connection to the field. I want to go to med school after graduation, and my minor has given me the vocabulary I need.” Flores recently passed the written and oral portions of the National Board for Certified Medical Interpreters and is a certified interpreter.

“I like to say I fell into interpreting and translation by accident,” added Eric Espinoza ’23, program coordinator doing medical, legal, and education interpretation at Shirley Ryan Lab in Chicago. “I want to be a physician, which is why I took medical interpreting to learn more medical terminology in English and Spanish. Professor Ragan pointed out opportunities for me to volunteer, and that’s how everything started.”

First-Hand Experiences at Home and Abroad

While the classroom setting builds confidence and allows students to learn and prepare, the real-world settings that Ragan plans for students is where they truly thrive. Whether working in the Galesburg and Knox County community or going on the road to help, the translation and interpreting program is giving students invaluable immersive learning experiences.

Students are interpreting not only in legal and medical centers in the regional community but also in educational centers. Each term, Galesburg School District 205 brings in an intern from Knox College to help translate and interpret for families in the region. Interns are also needed in the county and neighboring communities.

“Our immigration population has shifted a little in Galesburg; we have more French speakers, and the Monmouth-Roseville school district also needs things translated,” Ragan said. “Galesburg has expert staff, including John Prats ’93 who serves as the English learner community liaison for Galesburg’s school district, but there are some things we can do to take the load off them.”

The students in her Legal Translation and Interpreting class recently helped with a manual for the Migrant Support Collective, based in Chicago, which works with detention centers across the country. Migrant Support Collective wrote a guidebook, How to Take Care of Yourself While You’re in Detention, as a guide for LGBTQ migrants in detention centers, many of whom are Spanish speakers. Their work will benefit people across the country. The class also provided material for other national associations, including the National Center for Farm Workers, HIAS, Mutual Aid New York City.

Ragan (far right) participating in a mock trial at the Knox County Courthouse with her students in Introduction to Interpreting.

Some of the most impactful translation experiences take place in Oaxaca, Mexico. “I take students to Oaxaca every other December for an immersion program to work with Centro de Esperanza Infantil, an organization that supports children at risk of not attending school due to financial constraints. Once a year, the child writes a letter to their sponsor, and my students have had the translation job of translating their letters back to their sponsor.”

In another effort to give students the opportunity to see firsthand the impact their work can have, Ragan has regularly taken students to Southern Texas to aid in multiple ways. The class provides practical help for those looking to find their way in a new country and also partners with legal aid groups that work in detention centers or with people outside detention. The group will accompany lawyers to detention centers and serve as interpreters. While students can embrace the ups of their jobs, they also learn about the downs of hearing stories of people seeking a better life. Those stories and emotional experiences also push students to take a reflective look at their heritage.

“I remember telling Robin I was having nightmares about what happens to folks. It was pretty tough, but Robin is always so open and kind, so having her to vent about things made it easier to handle,” shared Espinoza.

Preparing Students for Life After Knox

Whether students earn the medical interpreter certificate, the translation and interpreting minor, or just take the courses as part of their college experience, Ragan finds that the program’s experience helps students find meaningful work after graduation.

“I’ve been keeping track of my students; they’re doing all kinds of things,” she said. “One student ended up being a legal advocate working with domestic violence victims. He got his job because he speaks Spanish and shares that interpreting is the most marketable skill he has right out of college. Another student worked as a legal assistant at Catholic Charities Immigration Service and interpreted for lawyers. We also have social workers—one student worked for the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago, another was an environmental justice intern.”

Students participated in a medical shadowing program during an immersive trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. From left to right: Katie Bigham ’24, Dayana GonzalezLopez ’25, Oaxacan medical student, Sonia Lopez ’24, Colbin Clark ’25.

“Forever grateful and appreciative of the classes I took at Knox and the experiences we had. It has served me well.”

—Akash Patel ’21

Ragan recently heard from Akash Patel ’21, biochemistry major, who shared, “I’m wrapping up my third year of medical school now. I’m on my OBGYN rotation, and we had a patient come in yesterday who needed to urgently go for a C-Section. We had an interpreter on the phone, but being able to comfort her and guide her through the rapid progression in her care made such a difference. Forever grateful and appreciative of the classes I took at Knox and the experiences we had. It has served me well.”

Ragan’s students appreciate the guidance and support she provided during her courses. “I’m very grateful for the foundation Robin set,” said Montse Cancino Aguilar ’21, who is currently attending the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. “I think her preparation prepared me for jobs, but also set up a stepping stone to be professional and work with her. I’m grateful for that.”

Ragan continues to work closely with students on projects submitted by organizations seeking professional assistance. For example, a student is working on translating a document written for families and friends of individuals in detention requested by the American Bar Association, and another recently finished the

transcription and translation of a video featuring a discussion on how local communities can respond to ICE raids. Other students are working on translating documents for local school districts.

Ragan also continues to do pro bono work on asylum cases and recently had an article on interpreters in US asylum cases published in the book Interpretación y protección internacional normativa, práctica profesional y experiencias comparadas (Interpreting and International Protection Policies, Professional Practice and Comparative Experiences). She’s hoping to go back to the U.S./Mexico border with students this summer.

Looking ahead, Ragan said she’d “like to work on establishing more partnerships with law firms and free clinics so that I can reliably place students in these places as interpreters, once they are qualified.”

Putting the Knox Experience to Work

The Spanish translation and interpretation program has given its participants a leg up when it comes to graduate school and professional opportunities. Read more on the Knox Magazine website about how our graduates have used their coursework or minor to achieve post-graduate success, including:

Ashley Pineda ’22

Major: Neuroscience

Double minor: Dance and Spanish Translation & Interpretation

Current Position: A case worker at an immigration law firm in St. Paul, Minnesota

Francelia “Frenchie” Espinoza ’22

Major: Anthropology and Sociology

Minor: Biology and Health Studies

Graduate Degree: Master of Science in Nursing, Rush University College of Nursing

Current Position: Nursing Assistant, Rush University College of Nursing

Eric Espinoza ’23

Major: Biochemistry

Minors: Creative Writing, Spanish Translation & Interpretation

Current Position: Program coordinator doing medical, legal, and education interpretation at Shirley Ryan Lab in Chicago

Montse Cancino Aguilar ’21

Major: Biology and Latin American Studies

Minor: Spanish Translation & Interpretation

Current Position: Graduate student at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California

SUSTAINING THE SOUL OF THE INSTITUTION A Year of Faculty Milestones

By Megan Scott ’96

If there is a generational-throughline that connects Knox alumni, it is the faculty. It’s not unusual for faculty members to receive their terminal degree, join the College faculty in their 30s, and retire 30 or more years later. Their teaching provides generations of students with support and mentorship that lasts a lifetime, and their scholarship provides the foundation of the College’s academic experience. They are truly the soul of the College.

The Knox faculty body is made up of many levels of impactful scholar-teachers, from instructors to adjunct or visiting professors, to those on the tenure track, starting with assistant and moving to associate and, ultimately, full professor.

The primary difference between instructors, visiting faculty, and tenure-track faculty is

the promise of longevity at the institution. According to faculty regulations, “The rank of professor must be earned. . . . The record must show not only a strong performance as a teacher but also, and especially, the quality and quantity of scholarship and creative work to be expected of a full professor and senior member of the College faculty.”

This past year, Knox experienced a full cycle of tenure milestones—seven new tenure-track faculty were hired, four faculty received tenure, one faculty member was promoted to full professor, and six faculty received endowed professorships. All of these faculty members contribute to the soul of the institution, bringing their scholarship and commitment to teaching to generations of Knox students.

“There are few professions that can impact individuals, communities, and the world like teaching at the collegiate level. Tenure is granted to a faculty member, not only in recognition for what they’ve already accomplished, but, and perhaps more importantly, for the promise we see in them.”

–Provost & Dean of the Faculty

Melissa Glenn

New Tenure-Track Faculty

Knox welcomed seven new tenure-track faculty to its academic program in August 2025. The new faculty span the arts and sciences, including art, chemistry, computer science, environmental studies, and psychology.

Eugene Ofori Agyei

Assistant Professor of Art

B.A. in Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana

M.F.A. in Ceramics, University of Florida.

Hannah Bradshaw

Assistant Professor of Psychology

A.A, Carl Sandburg College.

B.S. & M.S., Western Illinois University

M.S. & Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, Texas Christian University.

Shengting Cao

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

B.S. in Computer Science & Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Alabama.

Amy Jones-Haug

Assistant Professor of Anthropology & Sociology

B.Sc. in Sociology & Cognitive Neuroscience, Yale University

M.Sc. & Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Jurdana Masuma Iqrah

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

B.S. in Computer Science, University of Dhaka Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Texas at San Antonio.

Kaleigh Karageorge

Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences

B.A. in Corporate Communication, M.A. in Political Science & Ph.D. in Public Policy, Purdue University.

Lumala Nelum Perera

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

B.Sc. in Chemistry, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

Ph.D. in Chemistry, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

Learn more about our new tenure-track professors.

Seven new tenure-track faculty joined Knox in fall 2025. Standing (l-r): Amy Jones Haug (anthropology and sociology), Hanna Bradshaw (psychology), Shengting Cao (computer science). Sitting (l-r): Kaleigh Karageorge (enviroscience), Eugene Ofori Agyei (art), Jurdana Masuma Iqrah (computer science). Not pictured: Lumala Nelum Perera (chemistry).

Faculty Promotions

Four faculty members received tenure and promotion to associate professor in May 2025: Thomas Bell (political science), Roya Biggie (English), Deirdre Dougherty (educational studies), and Leanne Trapedo Sims (peace and justice studies). Read more about their promotion on the Knox website. In addition, Mark Shroyer was promoted to full professor in physics by the Knox College Board of Trustees this past September, effective at the start of the 2025-26 academic year.

A faculty member since 2005, Shroyer earned his bachelor of science degree from Truman State University in 1993. He went on to obtain both his master’s degree and Ph.D. in physics from Oregon State in 1995 and 1999, respectively. His teaching interests are broad, spanning introductory physics, modern physics, classical dynamics, electrodynamics, statistical mechanics, and the physics of sports and music.

While at Knox, Shroyer has secured multiple grants, including the National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Grant, the Knox Faculty Research/Creative Work Grant, and two Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation Grants, one which helped secure the Observatory Dome and another to upgrade the Mössbauer Spectrometer. His contributions to physics extend beyond grant work. Shroyer has authored multiple publications and delivered national and international presentations throughout his career. STEM outreach in the community is one of his top priorities, and he has participated in Science Nights at local elementary schools, taught College for Kids for many years, and has been part of MathCounts, an engaging math program for middle school students, for more than 15 years.

When asked what the title “professor” means to him, Shroyer noted, “Early in my career at Knox, there were a number of senior colleagues that I would view and say internally ‘That’s a professor.’ Chuck (Charles) Schulz ’72 (physics), Lance Factor (philosophy), Liz Carlin Metz (theatre) to name a few. While I now share the title, I don’t yet feel like I'm in that group. But that’s the legacy I want to live up to.”

“You will become part of this campus, and Knox will become part of you.”

—Professor of Physics Mark Shroyer to students at Opening Convocation, Fall 2025

Endowed Professorships

Endowed professorships serve as a way to honor and reward faculty members for their accomplishments and years of service. Appointments are the highest honor Knox College can bestow on a faculty member and continue the College’s commitment to excellence in teaching and research. Knox College now boasts 22 endowed professorships and chairs, including the six who received professorships in 2025.

Craig Choma ’93

Chancie Ferris Booth Distinguished Service Professor in Theatre Choma joined Knox’s faculty in 1996 after earning a B.A. in theatre and philosophy from Knox in 1993 and two M.F.A.s, one in scenic design and one lighting design, from Carnegie Mellon in 1996. His teaching interests include design and technology for stage and screen, scenic design, lighting design, and scenic art. In addition to designing productions at Knox College, Choma also has worked in New Orleans, Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, and internationally in France on multiple occasions. Among his professional accomplishments, he has presented at national conferences, including “Dance & Design: Fostering Collaboration through Curriculum” at the National Dance Education Organization Conference and “Collage, Metaphor & Fusion: Collaborating Across the Disciplines” at the International Conference on the Arts & Humanities.

What do you hope your students take away from one of your courses?

My biggest hope is that students will learn to look at and engage with the world in new ways, having hopefully become more observant about how design literally surrounds us. From architecture, landscape design, and urban development to graphic design, product design, industrial design, and entertainment design, we live in a carefully curated world, a myriad of design choices surrounding us at every turn. Becoming aware of how (and why) the world is designed helps to focus the young designer’s mind on how to use visual design elements to enhance theatrical storytelling at the highest level.

Gregory Gilbert

George Appleton Lawrence Distinguished Service Professor in Art History

Gilbert joined the faculty in 1995, after earning a B.F.A. in art history from the University of Kansas in 1981, a museum studies certificate in 1983, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in art history from Rutgers University in 1984 and 1998, respectively. His teaching interests include curatorial studies; contemporary American and European art; 19th-century art and architecture; and visual culture theory, among others. Gilbert has worked as a museum curator at such museums as the Figge Art Museum and the Zimmerli Art Museum and currently serves as the vice president on the board of directors of the College Art Association. His scholarship has been published in books by MIT Press, Rutgers University Press and Routledge Press, as well as periodicals including the CAA Art Journal, Oxford Art Journal, and Arts Gilbert also directs the art museum studies minor program, which includes courses in museum issues and practices and trains students in the curating of exhibitions.

What is the professional accomplishment of which you are most proud?

I am the first tenure-track art historian hired at Knox and have directed and taught the art history program single-handedly for most of my 30 years at the College. I am especially proud that more than 200 students have graduated with an art history major or minor. Many of these alumni went on to graduate art history programs and now hold major art museum and teaching positions. In terms of my broader career, it also has been gratifying to have remained active with my scholarship and curating.

Thomas R. Moses

Cornelia H. Dudley Professor in Physics Moses joined the faculty in 1992. He received his B.S. in physics and mathematics from Stanford, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1987. He earned his M.A. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1990, and his Ph.D. in physics from the same institution in 1993. His teaching interests include physics, analytical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics. He is the recipient of a National Science Foundation-Solid State Chemistry grant, Surface Ordering and Anchoring Energy in Nematic Liquid Crystals, and has authored or co-authored several publications appearing in the American Journal of Physics and Physics Teacher, among others.

What do you believe is most valuable about a Knox education?

I’d say access—access to faculty members and highly trained and committed staff members. My own background was at large research institutions, and while there are, of course, advantages and disadvantages for any kind of institution, I never had anywhere near the access to trained and committed experts that I see Knox students benefiting from. Being able to work side by side with professors on their research projects or learn to set up, operate, and create on the wide variety of tools in our new Makerspace under the guidance of our science technician—these really valuable experiences are happening every day at Knox.

Brandon E. Polite ’03

R. Lance Factor Endowed Professor of Philosophy

Polite joined the faculty in 2007. He earned his B.A. in philosophy from Knox College in 2003, followed by his M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Illinois in 2005 and 2010, respectively. His teaching interests include aesthetics, philosophy of art, philosophy of music, Greek philosophy, and symbolic logic. Polite’s research has been widely published in academic journals, and he is the editor of Taylor Swift and the Philosophy of Re-recording: The Art of Taylor’s Versions. He is also the host of the YouTube series, Polite Conversations: Philosophers Discussing Art, where he talks to other philosophers about their work in aesthetics and the philosophy of art, diving into their views in a fun and engaging way. He recently completed a threeyear term as Trustee of the American Society for Aesthetics.

What is the professional accomplishment of which you are most proud?

My edited volume, Taylor Swift and the Philosophy of Re-recording: The Art of Taylor’s Versions. Bringing together a crack team of scholars to think through the philosophical implications of Swift’s re-recording project, and working with them to develop their ideas and eventually bring them into the world, was incredibly rewarding. It ended up being the most-read book in Bloomsbury’s Philosophy Library in 2025, indicating that all our hard work paid off!

Robin Ragan

Szold Distinguished Service Professor in Modern Languages

Ragan joined the faculty in 2000. She earned her B.A. in 1993, M.A. in 1995, and her Ph.D. in 2001 in Spanish, all from the University of Illinois. Her teaching interests are Spanish translation and interpreting, Spanish literature (19th and 20th centuries), representations of women, medical issues in literature, Spanish youth movements, and digital storytelling. Most recently, she has spearheaded the College’s efforts to introduce Spanish translation and interpretation into the curriculum, working with students on numerous projects in the United States, including Galesburg and the southern border, and Mexico. She has received more than a dozen honors and grants during her time at Knox College, including the Phillip Green Wright Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2024 and 2006. Ragan also served as director of the Eleanor Stellyes Center for Global Studies for five years and has taken students abroad nine times to countries including Argentina, Spain, and Mexico.

What do you hope your students take away from one of your courses?

I hope they reflect on the power and magic of words. One of the songs I like to play in class has a line that hopes for a future in which “the dictionary stops bullets.” When you learn a language, you become hyper aware of word choice and connections between words, like the subtle, but powerful difference between house and home.

Michael A. Schneider Burkhardt Distinguished Chair in History

Schneider joined the faculty in 1992 after earning his B.S. in chemistry from Michigan State University in 1984, M.A. in Far East history from the University of Chicago in 1985, and Ph.D. in modern Japanese and international history from the University of Chicago in 1996. His teaching interests include East Asian civilization, modern China, modern Japan, social life of food, culture, and diplomacy in modern East Asia, approaches to international history, and nationalisms. Schneider has been featured in several publications and delivered countless presentations during his time at Knox College. He has also earned several honors and grants for his work while at Knox. Schneider also has held many administrative positions at Knox, serving as associate dean for four years, director of the Eleanor Stellyes Center for Global Studies for eight years, interim dean of the College from 2017-18, and provost and dean of the College from 2019-2025.

What do you believe is most valuable about a Knox education?

Illustrations by Paige McKinney.

I would start with “ownership” to which I would immediately add “experience.” A transformative education occurs when students begin charting their own educational paths while having access to experiential learning opportunities to extend and expand those choices. The alchemy of owning one’s education combined with unanticipated experiences generates outcomes that can be unexpected and wonderful. I am not certain that my own education was designed to produce such outcomes, but I hope I can contribute something to an education like that today.

Paula Flores Cevallos ’26

THREE FACTS

For her graduation capstone project, Paula completed an internship at a clinic in Chicago, translating official documents in Spanish.

Her family is from Ecuador, giving her what she calls an Ecuadoran accent. “If a patient says they are from Nicaragua and uses specific slang, I’ll have to use context clues or intervene and ask what they exactly mean.”

Flores recently completed the medical interpretation written and oral exam and is now officially certified as a medical interpreter by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters with an official title of: CMI-Spanish (Certified Medical Interpreter).

Paula Flores Cevallos ’26 is a biology major and Spanish translation and interpretation and German double minor. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year and, ultimately, hopes to attend medical school in Spain.

WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO DURING YOUR GAP YEAR?

I’m going to work as an EMT. It’s pretty common for students who want to work in the medical field; it helps to see if you’re made for the pressure of working with patients. You never know what condition a patient is in, so this will help you determine whether you can do it.

HOW CAN INTERPRETERS HELP SPANISH-SPEAKING PATIENTS AND ENGLISH-SPEAKING DOCTORS?

There’s a power dynamic between the patient and the doctor, and we’re here to help the doctor be more compassionate in their diagnosis and to take factors like religion or heritage into account. Interpreters help make patients feel safe by sharing how they feel and then letting the doctor listen and develop a treatment plan.

Etz Family Institute Hosts Cornel West, Robert P. George

What is truth? And why does it matter?

This was the foundational question discussed by Cornel West, the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary, and Robert P. George, the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, in their dialogue, Truth Matters: Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division. Thomas Bell, associate professor of political science and director of the Etz Family Institute moderated the event, which was hosted at Galesburg’s Central Congregational Church on Thursday, January 29.

The dialogue was the second community event hosted by the Etz Family Institute for Civic

Leadership and Dialogue since its founding in May 2024, thanks to a generous gift from Tony Etz ’83 and Nancy Etz. The Institute prepares students to work across differences and have the difficult dialogues necessary to create lasting and positive change in the world.

West and George engaged in a lively discussion, emphasizing virtues such as courage, love, wisdom, honesty, and compassion in front of nearly 500 of members of the Knox and Galesburg communities.

“Unless we are open to dialogue and discussion to change, we will constantly be reinforced in what we already believe,” George said. “We’ll be reinforced in what we believe to be true, and we’ll also be reinforced in what we believe is also false.”

West and George answered questions from Bell and the audience on topics including truth, community, activism, political movements, and the next generation’s impact through engagement. They referenced historical figures, including Knox and Galesburg founder George Washington Gale and others, and encouraged attendees to help foster compromise and civil discussion amid current political and civil challenges.

“I’m certain tonight’s program is a shining example of Tony and Nancy’s vision of what they hope for with the creation of this institute,” said President C. Andrew McGadney in his welcome remarks.

Watch the discussion online.

Associate Professor of Political Science

Thomas Bell (left) moderates a discussion with renowned scholars Robert P. George (middle) and Cornel West (right).

Associate Professor of Astronomy

Nathalie Haurberg ’06 (bottom row, second from right) and Knox students with the MACRO Consortium telescope in Arizona.

New Interstellar Opportunities for Students

Knox, along with Macalester College, Augustana College, Coe College, and the University of Iowa, is part of the MACRO Consortium, which maintains and operates a remotely controlled robotic telescope in Sonoita, Arizona. The consortium’s guiding principle is to provide transformational educational experiences with lasting impact, while empowering students through hands-on problem-solving and scientific discovery to become enduring contributors to society.

The MACRO Consortium was founded in fall 2022, when Macalester, Coe, and Augustana assumed stewardship of the telescope from the University of Iowa. Associate Professor of Astronomy Nathalie Haurberg ’06 learned about the consortium through a Knox alumnus at Iowa and pursued a partial membership in the consortium in 2023. After working with the program for more than a year, Knox became a full-time partner in January 2025, and has immediately reaped the benefits.

“It’s been extremely rewarding. We’re getting a lot more time out of the telescope since we began to participate fully,” Haurberg said. “This collaborative work model and the opportunity to work on a research-grade telescope doing real research in astronomy with research scientists, faculty, students, post-docs is very rare for undergraduates… and our students have access to all of them.”

Alumni Alexis Riggs ’24 and Philip Griffin ’20 co-authored and contributed to the consortium’s first peer-reviewed paper for publication. Both are currently in graduate school, with Riggs at Minnesota and Griffin at Iowa. The paper, which was published in the Astrophysical Journal, presents new findings on two stars in the Rho Ophiuchi star formation complex. The opportunities and experiences are ones Riggs will not take for granted, especially since she is now a published researcher.

“Working with MACRO has been such an amazing experience for me. I’ve gotten to work with a wonderful group of people on a wide range of research topics, including looking at variable stars in tandem with the VLA, collecting spectroscopic data on hundreds of emission line stars, and helping with the continual development and operation of the consortium’s shared telescope in Arizona.”

Plans are in place for more work with the telescopes and the consortium as joint classes between the participating institutions continue. The program and collaboration are one of a kind and another example of the immersive research opportunities students can find at Knox.

“Students also get the attention and mentorship you expect at a liberal arts college. It is about as unique an opportunity as you can get,” Haurberg said.

Tuition-Free Prairie Promise

Enhancements to the College’s Prairie Promise comprehensive aid program will be available to the incoming fall 2026 class. Originally announced in fall 2021, the Prairie Promise was designed to make a nationally ranked Knox College education accessible to Illinois residents enrolling for the first time at Knox College. Beginning with the fall’s incoming students, qualifying incoming students from Illinois can now earn a Knox degree 100 percent tuition-free.

“Knox’s mission has always been to welcome talented students from every background. By covering full tuition for families earning $100,000 or less, we’re opening our doors even wider and making it possible for more students to see themselves here,” said Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admission Nathan Ament.

To be eligible for the Prairie Promise, incoming students must be:

• From a family whose income is $100,000 or less.

• A first-year or transfer student, admitted to Knox College.

• An Illinois resident or member of a Native nation with historical ties to Illinois.

“The Prairie Promise is all about helping students attend one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country, right here in their home state,” President C. Andrew McGadney said. “To put it simply, we will offer students a financial aid package that is competitive with any college or university in the Midwest, public or private.”

With the Prairie Promise, 100 percent of tuition is covered by gift aid—grants and scholarships that do not need to be repaid. No special application is required. Incoming students are considered for the Prairie Promise after they are admitted to Knox College and submit their FAFSA.

“Whether you want to become a business leader or an engineer, a biologist or a writer, a computer scientist or a psychologist, Knox is a place for you. This is a place where you can succeed,” added McGadney.

Downtown Galesburg Welcomes Three New Alumni-Owned Businesses

By Nysa Phulwar ’26

What do a wine and beer bar, bagel and bread shop, and local boutique have in common? Each recently opened in Downtown Galesburg . . . and all are owned by Knox alumni.

Kelly Fisk ’22 and her husband, Sam Fisk, opened Fisk Bier & Wine last fall, bringing a new bar and restaurant to Galesburg. The new Orange Cup Sidecar—a colorful storefront on Main Street that sells bagels, beverages, and bread—is owned and operated by Scott Baldwin ’81 and his wife, Melany, and is the latest addition to their local Orange Cup franchise. And Hilary Anderson ’00 opened Sanctuary on Seminary, a boutique offering a range of items including home goods, jewelry, and art supplies.

The Fisks are elated to join the entrepreneurial community in Galesburg and maintain their close connections to Knox. “Knox is completely intertwined in every aspect of our business,” said Kelly Fisk ’22, who also works at the College as a faculty administrative assistant. “Professors’ children and Knox graduates behind the bar. Knox students on the floor and behind the scenes during start-up. Faculty, staff, and students on the other side of the bar just about every night.”

These three alumni join Nicole Malley ’98, who opened Malley Farms, a small batch canning and specialty foods company, in 2023. She enjoys the vibrant environment for her retail space. “Seminary Street is a charming place and a wonderful showcase of local independent businesses that we just couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” said Malley.

Being close to their alma mater has its benefits including the support and community bringing in love and support. “It’s such a joy to see former classmates and students stop in the shop when they visit for Homecoming, Commencement, or other special Knox events,” Malley said.

Breaking News from The ’Burg Big news from Galesburg’s National Railroad Hall of Fame. Read more online!

Vice President for Advancement

Amundson-Graham

Chief Financial Officer & Vice President for Finance Scott Jones

Knox Welcomes New Vice Presidents for Advancement, Finance, Student Development

Knox College recently welcomed three new members to its senior staff: Vice President for Advancement

Marin Amundson-Graham, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Finance Scott Jones, and Vice President for Student Development Nicole Miller, Ed.D.

Knox Magazine spoke with each of them, learning more about what drew them to Knox and what they are looking most forward to in their new role.

Marin Amundson-Graham Vice President for Advancement

“Knox is examining the kinds of big, necessary questions that the world needs from a liberal arts institution right now—and doing it with tremendous courage and conviction. This and Knox’s aspirations as part of the Venture Boldly comprehensive campaign are what called to me. It’s incredibly energizing to join Knox at a time when we can begin asking ‘what comes next’ and to be a part of shaping that future, all while remaining inclusive in approach and unrelenting in our commitment to student success and the larger impact.

I’m most looking forward to partnerships—partnership with President McGadney, with the Board, with faculty, staff and students, and with alumni and donors who believe deeply in Knox’s mission. This is a moment that calls for genuine trust and dynamic collaboration as we bring the campaign across the finish line and build the infrastructure that sustains its momentum for years to come. Having spent my career at institutions willing to wrestle with complexity and commit to progress— not for optics, but for making a real difference—I feel incredibly at home here.”

Sustainability & Resiliency in Action

Since its founding in 2012, Knox’s Office of Sustainability has been a dynamic force on campus, leading the College in its efforts to be a more sustainable and resilient community. With the creation of the College’s first Sustainability & Resiliency Action Plan, Sustainability at Knox looks to the future, creating a comprehensive and holistic approach to integrating sustainability into Knox’s academics, operations, and community engagement.

With the official title, The Plan for a Vibrant and Sustainable Campus: Sustainability & Resilience Action Plan 2025-2030, the plan “reflects what the Knox community identifies as key areas where the College can make the biggest sustainability impact,” shared Bradley Nolden, general counsel and vice president for administration, and Kristina Hope, director of sustainability and resiliency initiatives, in the plan’s introductory letter. Nolden and Hope served as co-chairs of the Sustainability Working Group, made up of Knox faculty, staff, and students, that developed the plan over the course of a year.

“The Plan for a Vibrant and Sustainable Campus provides us with a thoughtfully constructed roadmap that builds on the tremendous work of so many students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members over recent years,” said President C. Andrew McGadney.

The action plan identifies 10 key themes that will guide Knox over the next three to five years to address the complex challenges facing sustainability efforts. Collaboration is key to the plan’s success. “The Sustainability Working Group will continue to coordinate efforts and innovative ideas to implement this plan, to track and monitor our progress, and to work together as a community to become a more sustainable, resilient, and thriving campus,” shared Nolden and Hope.

Read more about the Sustainability & Resiliency Action Plan and learn about Knox’s current initiatives on the Knox website.

Callahan & Medina Reach Grand Milestones

It’s been a grand time for Knox women’s basketball. Literally.

Last season, Kylee Callahan ’26 became the fifth player in program history to score more than 1,000 career points. Earlier this season, Bria Medina ’27 joined her in the Prairie Fire 1,000-point club. Callahan and Medina both hail from Tucson, Arizona, and have paced the Knox women’s team over the past three seasons.

Their impressive performances also have garnered recognition, as both have earned numerous accolades.

A biology major, Callahan earned Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year in the 2022-23 season and received First-Team All-Conference honors in 2023-24.

Medina, also a biology major, is welldecorated, earning the Arvid Pierre Zetterberg Jr. Prize for women during the 2023-24 season, a First-Team All-Conference honor during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, and the league’s Newcomer of the Year for the 2023-24 season.

their names in the Prairie Fire women's basketball record book, each scoring their 1000th career points this season—Medina ranks first all-time in scoring with 1515 points, and Callahan is third all-time with 1349. Medina also became the first Knox women’s basketball player to be named Midwest Conference Player of the Year.

KNOX SPORTS

Bria Medina ’27 and Kylee Callahan ’26 (inset photo) etched

Women’s Flag Football Arrives at Knox

Knox College Athletics is adding women’s flag football as the department’s newest intercollegiate athletic opportunity. Prairie Fire Women’s Flag Football will begin competition as a club sport in fall 2026, competing in the spring of 2027, then planning to transition to full varsity status during the 2027–28 academic year. An anonymous donor has generously provided start-up funds to launch this new opportunity for Knox scholar-athletes.

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports for women, with strong participation in Illinois, expanding national interest, and increasing NCAA sponsorship. This phased approach allows Knox to build the program intentionally while welcoming students who want to be part of something new, competitive, and rapidly growing.

The addition coincides with the January 16 NCAA vote to officially include the sport in the Emerging Sports for Women program, a designation designed to support the long-term growth of women’s athletics nationwide.

“Adding Women’s Flag Football aligns with Knox’s institutional priorities around academic excellence, access, gender equity, and thoughtful athletics expansion, while also responding to clear interest from prospective students and families seeking innovative athletic pathways at the collegiate level,” said Vice President and Athletic Director Justin Newell. Knox is joining fellow Midwest Conference teams Illinois, Beloit, Ripon, and Cornell Colleges in sponsoring women’s flag football, creating new opportunities for conference competition and emerging rivalries.

“Adding Women’s Flag Football aligns with Knox’s institutional priorities around academic excellence, access, gender equity, and thoughtful athletics expansion”

–Vice President and Athletic Director Justin Newell

Gonzaga to Lead Prairie Fire Football

Adam Gonzaga has been named the new head coach of the Prairie Fire Football program. He is the 32nd head coach in program history, bringing a vision focused on relationships, long-term development, and sustained program building.

“Knox Football has always been built on people, relationships, and a deep sense of commitment, and Adam Gonzaga embodies all three. He leads with a personal touch, investing in real relationships with student-athletes, families, and alumni in a way that builds trust and connection over time,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Justin Newell said. “He understands that recruiting is about more than talent and believes consistency and long-term program building are essential to honoring the proud history of Knox Football.”

Gonzaga, a graduate of Azusa Pacific University, brings a proven track record of success. Over more than three decades in college football, he has consistently built disciplined, competitive defenses while prioritizing the holistic development of student-athletes. He is widely recognized for his defensive expertise, with a career defined by preparation, adaptability, and competitive consistency across multiple levels of college football. Most recently, he served as head football coach at Lawrence University.

“I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to lead the Knox College football program,” Gonzaga said. “Knox has a strong academic tradition, a proud history, and a community that believes in developing young men the right way. I am excited to get to work, developing something special together, rooted in hard work, accountability, and with an absolute commitment to excellence on and off the field.”

With Gonzaga at the helm, Knox is focused on building a competitive, unified program that develops student-athletes on and off the field. With a strong group of returning players and a large recruiting class, the Prairie Fire are positioned to establish a culture of sustained success.

99 Lives Gold Star Memorial Continues To Honor Knox Veterans

Knox College’s 99 Lives Gold Star Memorial has recently been updated, adding to the legacy of sacrifice given by the veterans of Knox who died serving their country abroad.

The 99 Lives Gold Star Memorial outside Memorial Gymnasium initially began in 2016 as a project by Jamie Bjorkman ’57 and staff and students from Knox College Special Collections and Archives. The exhibit, featuring photos and biographies of 99 Knox veterans, went on display in 2018 in the Ford Center for the Fine Arts. Since then, Bjorkman, with the help of many at the Seymour Library and historians throughout the country, has expanded the memorial to now include 129 veterans.

A visitor to Knox’s Memorial Gymnasium since the building was erected in 1951, Bjorkman says he often noticed a small display in the lobby with photos of the Knox veterans who died in World War I and II and later updated with names and photos of Korean and Vietnam war casualties.

After the initial work slowed, a new group joined Bjorkman to help do research for a new interactive digital display in the lobby of Memorial Gymnasium, as well as an online database in 2022. “For a while there was a lull, after we had our event at the Fine Arts Center,” Bjorkman said. “Then came along Wendy Scherwat Ducourneau ’72 and Chip Evans ’68, who started the push again. They came up with the kiosk that has a lot of information. They were able to use different methods and research I didn’t know how to do.”

The memorial includes the photos, names, and biographies of men who served in the United States Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The hope is to keep updating the memorial when more names, photos, and biographical information are found.

Jamie Bjorkman ’57 with the 99 Lives Gold Star Memorial exhibit in Knox’s Memorial Gymnasium.

$10 Million Renovation of Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center Underway

Knox began work in September 2025 on a $10 million renovation to the Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center (SMC), partnering with two regional companies: RATIO Design and Russell.

SMC is home to Knox’s biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, and psychology departments, along with the Amott Science Commons, a collaborative learning space that includes the College’s Makerspace Hub. Funded by a $10 million grant from the State of Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the current renovation project will focus primarily on the building’s C-Wing, which houses the chemistry classrooms and laboratories, common spaces, and faculty offices, as well as upgrades to building systems.

A SMC Renovation Steering Committee, including Knox administrators, faculty, and staff, is working closely with RATIO and Russell to finalize plans and designs. “The chemistry department is very enthusiastic to meet with the architects to explore the project scope to update the science building’s infrastructure," said Associate Professor of Chemistry Helen M. Hoyt ’01. “Modernizing these systems will enable future generations of Knox science students and faculty to ask and answer their own research questions.”

The current renovation of SMC is the first since 2020, when renovations to the building’s entryway and central learning core were completed. The renovation expanded the atrium that brought more light—and a 55-foot

fin whale skeleton—into the entryway and provided seating and study areas for students and visitors, as well as the Amott Science Commons and six modern classrooms.

“Knox is grateful to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for its investment in Knox, the State of Illinois for its investment in higher education across the state, and our partners, RATIO and Russell, as we embark on this transformative capital project,” said President C. Andrew McGadney. “As an historic campus, investments in academic buildings and infrastructure are crucial to ensuring that teaching and learning take place in modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

Follow the progress of the renovation online.

Umbeck ScienceMathematics Center is currently undergoing a $10 million renovation of its C-Wing, which houses chemistry classrooms and laboratories, along with common spaces and faculty offices.

HOMECOMING AND FRIENDS & FAMILY WEEKEND 2025

OCTOBER 22–25, 2026

Vir Das ’02, D.F.A.’18, the Terrific Storyteller

By Peter Bailley ’74, P’05, P’08

Vir Das tells some “terrific” stories in his new memoir, The Outsider: A Memoir for Misfits—terrific in both senses of the word, archaic (terrifying!) and contemporary (outstanding!).

“Terrific” in the ancient sense aptly describes Das’ life before and after Knox. He shares that at age 9, he was packed off to an Indian boarding school where physical and verbal abuse was routinely inflicted by, and on, students and faculty. One of his first breaks in the entertainment business, post-Knox, came to an abrupt end, when the cruise ship on which he was working as a stand-up comic abandoned him on a beach in Mexico, without money or a valid visa.

At Knox College, Das found terrific professors, in the modern sense, and a friendly community, recounted in a chapter titled “Mecca of the Midwest.” An e-mail from Tony Franklin convinced him to take a chance on the small liberal arts college. Gizmo staffer Pinky Gibbons and husband Gene welcomed him into their home. Economics professor Roy Andersen gave a final exam that showed the true value of studying. Fateful career advice came from theatre professor Ivan Davidson, who “called me [into his office after class and said,] Vir, you’re meant to be a performer.”

Das’ writing, like his humor, is raw and passionate. His 2021 “Two Indias” monologue received a standing ovation in Washington, DC, millions of views on social media and harsh criticism from many in India. “There were demands for my arrest... I was called a traitor, a terrorist... It was terrifying.”

Today, the student whose parents hoped he would go into business has done 35 plays, more than 100 stand-up comedy shows, 18 films, eight TV shows, and six comedy specials, one of which won an International Emmy Award for Best Comedy Series. In 2018, Knox awarded Das an honorary doctorate of fine arts for his ground-breaking accomplishments.

Watch Vir Das’s 2018 Commencement address.

Books By The Knox Community

The Outsider A Memoir for Misfits

Vir Das ’02, D.F.A.’18

S&S/Simon Element

The Outsider is more than just a memoir about Vir Das’s rise to comedic fame; it’s a powerful reflection on how being a misfit can shape one’s identity into something truly unique. Das’s story speaks to anyone who has ever felt out of place, serving as a testament to the resilience and humor that can arise when you resist the urge to fit in and stay true to who you are.

More Hell

Adam al-Sirgany ’11

Whiskey Tit Books

The stories of More Hell weave a rich and sometimes comic tapestry of longing, addiction, sex, and loss—themes common to all our lives. The wild cast of rural characters navigate a fast-changing world from their vantage point in a place unaccustomed to such change. The cast of More Hell will resonate long after the final page.

The Constitution of Conflict

How the Supreme Court Undermines the Separation of Powers

Thomas Bell, Associate Professor of Political Science University Press of Kansas

The Constitution of Conflict is a bold and timely proposal for rethinking the role of the Supreme Court in the separation of powers. Challenging long-held assumptions about the Constitution, Thomas Bell boldly argues that a separation of powers doctrine enforceable by the court is inconsistent with the constitutional design.

Vir Das ’02 performing in a Knox Theatre production.

Dinosaur Dreams

A Father and Daughter in Search of America’s Prehistoric Past

B.J. Hollars ’07

Bison Books

B.J. Hollars and his 9-year-old daughter Ellie embarked on a 2,000-mile road trip to complete the Montana Dinosaur Trail, a 14-stop trail consisting of museums, state parks, and dinosaur dig sites throughout a state known for its Mesozoic-era fossil record. They dig fossils, learn from amateur and professional paleontologists, and forge a bond even stronger than the dinosaurs they love.

RACK

Jim Hogue ’70

Logosophia

Jim Hogue’s novel RACK is old-fashioned storytelling pulled from today’s headlines. The eponymous Rack, smart, tough, funny and literate, finds himself drawn into an elaborate sting operation to catch human traffickers and the greedy politicians abetting them. RACK is an homage and addition to the great sleuthing novels of the past, from Raymond Chandler to Elmore Leonard.

Baseball in the Roaring Twenties

The Yankees, the Cardinals, and the Captivating 1926 Season

Thomas Wolf ’69

University of Nebraska Press

Focusing on the Cardinals and Yankees and their dramatic seven-game battle in the 1926 World Series, Baseball in the Roaring Twenties tells the story of key players such as Babe Ruth and Rogers Hornsby, the Negro Leagues season, and how baseball and the inextricably linked aspects of American life—Prohibition, the Jazz Age, and the rise of sports gambling—converged that year.

Race and Place

School Desegregation in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Deirdre Mayer Dougherty, Associate Professor of Educational Studies

Rutgers University Press

Race and Place considers the everyday experiences of community members throughout the process of school desegregation and how race, place, and truth came to matter in this process in Prince George’s County, Maryland, from 1945 through 1973.

Up

All Night

An Aspie's Memoir of Chasing Girls in Quicksand Rich Trout ’91

Christian Faith Publishing

Up All Night not only grips readers in unrelenting humor, but it offers a fresh voice embracing readers with graphic injuries, tender recollections, big surprises, and love. Posing nuanced psychological questions while never losing its heart, Up All Night traces the challenges of living with undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome before the social disorder became known in 1992.

The CBGB Conspiracy

Gabriel Rotello ’74

Koehler Books

Set during the glory days of New York's downtown music, art, literary and fashion scenes, The CBGB Conspiracy mixes fiction with a host of real events and historical figures. Behind them all looms a character just as visceral and ultimately doomed: the crumbling New York of 1977.

Time Flies

Clara A. Abbott Professor Emeritus of Biology Bill Geer P’88, P’90, D.Sc.D.’09, who taught at Knox from 1963-2000, is remembered by generations of alumni who worked with Geer in his famous “Fly Lab.” We believe this photo of Professor Geer and a student is from the early days of his lab—if you can confirm our hunch, email us at knoxmag@knox.edu

Thanks to Liz Ewing-Abell ’90 and Janelle Rettig ’87 for sharing their memories about the last issue’s Flashback photo featuring Bob Dole. Read their memories online.

KNOX CLASS NOTES

Top right: “It is perhaps the coolest group photo ever taken at Knox,” Dave Usher ’74 said of this found photo. Learn more about the photo and its subjects on page 51.

Middle left: Photo art of snow geese at Bosque Del Apache, New Mexico, is one of the many activities Belinda Morrill ’81 is exploring in semi-retirement. More of her adventures are featured on page 56.

Bottom right: Liliana Coelho ’17 continued a beloved Knox tradition at her wedding in October 2025—Pumphandle! Guests from ages 2 to 98 joined in the festivities, and Liliana thanked all for “enthusiastically participating” in the tradition. Read more on page 72.

We are Knox. You are, too.

If you attended Knox for one year, two years, or graduated with honors, you are a Knox alumnus/a. You are the best reflection of Knox College and the education it provides. So, keep us informed. Tell us what you've been up to, if you've been promoted or honored, or simply say hello.

Here’s how:

Contact your Class Correspondent, or have other media sources send us press releases, articles, and publicity.

Please send information about births, marriages, and deaths directly to: Alumni Records

Knox College, Box K-230 Galesburg, IL 61401-4999

Email: records@knox.edu

Send all other updates, correspondence, or questions to: Jennifer Gallas

Associate Director of Stewardship

Knox College, Box K-230 Galesburg, IL 61401-4999

Email: classnotes@knox.edu

Please note that Class Notes may be edited for space and in accordance with the Knox Style Guide. If you are submitting photos, please send high-resolution images that are at least 300 dpi.

Update your contact information:

1954

We are sorry to report that longtime Class Correspondent Jim Dunlevey passed away on November 6, 2025, following an illness. Jim volunteered with Knox for many years, not only as a correspondent but as a volunteer for the Fifty Year Club and the Alumni office. He was passionate about gathering the class news and keeping the class connected. He always had stories to tell about his time at Knox and in Galesburg. We appreciate his dedication to Knox and offer condolences to Jim’s wife, Kathie.

► Bobbie Schlick Poor P’85, GP’11 offered these words about Jim: “He has been a staunch supporter of Knox and its mission, a champion for alumni staying in touch with one another and relaying the current campus vibe.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

MEGAN CLAYTON pclayton@knox.edu

1955

Walter Larkin and his wife, Susan Clare, returned in October 2025 for Walter’s 70th Reunion. He was the only attendee from his class. Paul Johnson had intended to join him, but a surgery took precedence.

► Carolyn Swartz Park continues to write and mail more than 2,200 Fifty-Year Club birthday postcards each year. She also volunteers for her church, sending newsletters and other communications. Carolyn shares her home with her little dog, Helga, who is her steady companion.

► Al Paulus P’82 writes, “I feel as if the Class of ’56 is being shortchanged because Barb Behringer Paulus ’56, P’82 is from that class, but that’s life, I guess. I also think that a short note from someone in my esteemed class is due to prove that some of us remain erect. Barb

and I have been in a retirement facility in Hernando, FL, for about two and a half years. Our youngest son and family live nearby. One of his daughters attends the University of Florida in Gainesville. The other granddaughter attends the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Their mother is a member of the Knox Class of 1990. Our oldest granddaughter delivered twin boys recently, adding to their family of a son and a daughter. Quite a highlight in our lives. I had great hopes of making it to my 70th Reunion in October, but sadly, that didn’t happen. It is always a pleasure to see classmates, as well as others. My years at Knox are memorable for many reasons: good friends, great professors, and good times. Barb and I send our best to our Classmates of ’55 and ’56.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

MEGAN CLAYTON pclayton@knox.edu

1956

The latest request to classmates for Knox Magazine news elicited no news. Gay Taylor Jolley was the lone reply; she reported that her life is too quiet to produce any. Because of the request timing, she did add the hope that everyone has a joyous holiday season. As she noted, no news is good news.

My hope is that it accounts for the lack of response. The “nineties” seem to be a time of adjusting to our bodies not in sync with everything we want to do. After six months of an active house with a daughter and son-in-law staying with me, I am now back to my quiet routine. When the family gathered in July, the house was at capacity with eight adults, two teen grandsons (with appetites!), and four dogs. From too busy to not busy enough—not sure which I prefer.

Some classmates do not receive email and, thus, do not receive news requests. For those folks, please know I am happy to receive any contributions by mail at any time—854 Cessna Street, Independence, OR, 97351. Perhaps 2026 will be a more active year!

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: RICKY JUNG SCHWARZLER schwarzler@msn.com

1957

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: HOMER JOHNSON hjohnso2478@gmail.com

1958

All is quiet on the N, S, E, and Western front for the classmates of ’58. Possibly, everyone is busy putting in volunteer hours for their favorite charity and causes.

► Ron Moline did get in touch, and he is now assisting UIC psychiatry students with individual case situations, rather than maintaining a teaching schedule.

► I talked with Mary Peterson Potter recently, and she continues to be very happy living at Plymouth Place Senior Residence in La Grange Park, IL. She enjoys the variety of activities and keeps busy.

► Mike P’92 and I continue to enjoy friends, family, and activities living here in the Bay Area. Following a stroke in June, Mike benefited greatly from taking part in an Acute Rehabilitation program. He continues with PT, exercises, and enjoys nice walks in area parks. Our very mild fall weather has made many outings possible and taking in grandchildren’s activities.

► I hope all of you enjoyed the yearend festivities. Please let me know what you are up to for the next Class Notes issue.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: PAT CRAIG RUFFOLO P’92 pmrfore@comcast.net

1959

Bob Baldwin quickly replied that it was nice hearing from someone from ’59. “So many of my friends and classmates have left us that it’s good to know there are many who are still with us. I was about four years older than most of the class; I am now 92. My wife, Marilou, who is 90, has been ill for the past

several years. In 2019, we moved into a senior citizens’ facility in Bolingbrook, IL. It turned out to be a good place to ride out the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also been very good for Marilou, as her health has improved here. I wish I had more news, but all I can say is that our three children and three grandchildren are all doing well. Our youngest grandson is starting his senior year at Northern Illinois.”

► I called Janet Shroyer, and she answered: “I am older but still going strong!” Jan’s brother, John, died last year due to Legionnaires’ disease; she has had a busy year helping to close his estate. She still visits friends in Michigan and enjoys retirement in North Carolina. It takes time to get used to new living and a new location.

► Give more than you receive is Margaret Konzo Wolf’s motto. She is still growing zucchini (189 given to the chef), watermelon (12), and day lilies. She has been a Master Gardener for over 25 years and still uses her knowledge and skills in her retirement living.

► Received sad and uplifting news from Sally Mulligan Stallard ’61. Sally emailed me: “John (Jack) Stallard passed away on 9/6/2025. He had a 13-year struggle with Parkinson’s. We were married for 68 years. We live in San Jose, CA, and have been in the same house for over 60 years. We have 4 children— all in their 60s—11 grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Jack worked for IBM for 32 years as a project manager. In retirement, he enjoyed working at the local hardware store. The customers loved him since he was knowledgeable in ’how-to-do-it-yourself’ projects.”

► Bob Grover emailed: “This probably comes under the category of ‘it’s a small world.’ During one of my physical therapy sessions for a bad knee here in Chicago, my therapists mentioned that for Thanksgiving they were hosting a college student from her husband’s native country of Nepal. She asked me if I had ever heard of a school called Knox. She said the student is from the capital city of Kathmandu, population over 800,000, and is somewhat

bored with small-town Galesburg. I would have recommended some of the bars that I frequented, but not sure that’s what she is looking for. I remembered one that served beer in a huge frosted mug for $0.15.”

Remembering, students sometimes received a packet of four cigarettes. I sold my cigarettes for five cents each and went to the Gizmo for the five-cent coffee. Too bad I did not know about 15-cent beer—could have had one beer and one coffee.

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS:

CONNY DREW TOZER Connytozer@yahoo.com

BOB GROVER Melvincrudley@gmail.com

1960

Every time I read Class Notes, I’m delighted to see the variety of professional and volunteer alumni endeavors, especially those of us “retired” grads. Out of curiosity, I recently asked my classmates to share any alternative occupation or passion they have discovered since they “retired.”

► Mary Kent Knight L.H.D ’25 responded: “I’ve discovered I love working as a play producer and crew member (sound tech) for our Playreader’s group here. Also, I helped get a 21-member SAS choir up and running and am thoroughly enjoying preparing concerts for various events, including the lighting of the tree here in early December. I’m on the Internet Technology and Spiritual Life Committees and have learned how to create good flyers for our Employee Scholarship Committee. Lake Forest College professors present several lecture series here, which stretch the mind, along with excellent monthly concerts by Ravinia musicians, and a monthly lecture on the State of the Union presented by a political science expert. So there’s never a dull moment.”

► It was good to catch up with Hal Opperman via his wonderfully long message. . . .a good example for all of us when submitting news! He wrote: “JoLynn and I have traveled no farther than a day or two’s drive

from home in recent years, but by good fortune, Knox came to us last spring with Venture Boldly Seattle. All we had to do was unfurl our umbrellas and walk over to the venue, half a block from our condo. Turns out I was the sole representative of the Class of 1960 and apparently the most senior alum at the gathering. We found a quiet(ish) corner away from the rowdy (75-and-under) crowd in the bar and enjoyed a fine conversation with David Summers ’62 and his wife, Shirley. The presentation by President Andy McGadney, staff members, and trustees showcased the many welcome updates of academic facilities, student amenities, and curriculum, keeping pace with the changing times. Equally clear was the College’s firm commitment to upholding the same high standards of excellence in preparation for the life ahead that we found on arriving at Knox. Let’s see, that was in 1956—69 years ago.” Hal continued. “For the next four years, the college gave us all we could have hoped for, curated by a faculty vitally engaged with political, economic, cultural, and intellectual currents from the 1920s to the early 1950s. To sharpen the perspective, go back 69 years from 1956 to 1887 (ground not yet broken for Alumni Hall), deep in the Dark Ages for all of us new arrivals. In fall 2026, the next entering class will find a faculty engaged with issues and trends from the 1990s to the early 2020s. To plunge into the Dark Ages for this newest entering cohort, go back 69 years from 2026, all the way to 1957 (Knox women still sequestered in Whiting Hall). We old folks have indeed become invisible—and so much the better. Let them be young; it’s their turn to figure it out. Isn’t that the whole purpose of education?

One of the great advantages I find in retirement is the time freed up for reading. A course of Howard Wilson’s, probably in our junior year (1958-1959), set the guideposts for my later explorations of all sorts of literature. It offered a mix of novels and shorter fiction by European and American writers of the 19th and earlier 20th centuries. I remember a good number of the authors’ names and some specific

titles, but would love to see the reading list if anyone can lay their hands on a copy or fancies putting our heads together to reconstruct it. Another list I’d love to see is of the art film series Sam Moon P’76, run at a semi-inactive cinema a couple of blocks from campus. Possibly the program could be tracked down through announcements in The Knox Student? The films were spaced out over several weeks or maybe even two seasons. This was the initiation for most of us to quite recent films by directors such as Bergman and Fellini; I’m also pretty sure I first saw Citizen Kane, and maybe even Birth of a Nation, on that Galesburg screen. It was here that I really began to understand how to look at movies. Not surprisingly, film viewing is a continuously rewarding occupation in the extravagant leisure of retirement.

Birding has been a big part of my post-professional life, both for personal enjoyment and as a volunteer with conservation-oriented NGOs. The goal of ticking off as many species as possible in the North American region has taken me from the Aleutians to the Lesser Antilles and from Arctic tundra to the Darién. Closer to home, I’ve participated in ‘citizen science’ survey projects and contributed to numerous publications and online resources on birds and birding. This captivation by birdlife traces back to fall 1956 (or was it 1957?), when Paul Shepard drove a station wagon load of students to Hawk Mountain, PA, to witness the raptor migration (please raise your hand if you were also on this jaunt). Birds of the Pacific Northwest, the most recent book I co-authored, is dedicated to Paul as the first of my mentors in natural history and the art of living in the landscape.

I took up family history during the coronavirus confinement, starting from a disorganized hoard of correspondence and other documents handed down from a great-great-grandmother who was an early settler in Bureau County, IL, where I grew up. To my surprise, this long-postponed custodial duty morphed into a fascinating microhistory project, precipitated by that lady’s husband leaving her and their

eight children to head for the California gold fields in 1850, never to return. The interdisciplinary Midwest Seminar, conceived and led by Hermann Muelder 1927, P’54, P’60, P’63, GP’96, Howard Wilson, and Paul Shepard, was the capstone experience of my years at Knox and a primary formative element of my outlook on just about everything, from the particulars of family history to my art history research and teaching. For an example of how that works, have a look at Muelder’s essay on Colonel Shaw’s Massachusetts 54th Regiment of the Union Army in the Civil War, composed entirely of Black soldiers, 12 of whom had enlisted in Galesburg. This paper, readily available online, reciprocally illuminates both the fine-grained post-emancipation politics of the city (and Knox College) and the Monument to Shaw’s Regiment on Boston Common by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, dedicated in 1897, a masterwork in the history of American sculpture.

The College continues to emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, such as the Green Oaks Term and the Abolition for All Time Humanities Lab. If the opportunity comes for a new one some day, I’d suggest a course/seminar cluster around the topic of money—the elephant in the room.”

► George Hook wrote: “I spend my time, about equally, in San Diego, CA, and Swedesboro, NJ, mainly to assist son in one place and daughter in the other, as needed, for my four grandchildren. I also make myself available for consulting and document drafting on the Internet via georgeclivehookii on the Upwork platform.”

► Barbara Barnstead Pollak wrote, "I did a lot of traveling earlier—all over the world. Still have places I would like to see, BUT my travel days are over. I am happy in my own home and stay busy with many friends from church. I enjoy reading, needlepoint, and eating out. I have been in contact with Ann Wetzel Faubel and her sister, Barbara Wetzel Marsh. I've also talked to Mary Webster Kilgore. I love being in contact at church with those from Galesburg or Knox.”

► For me, it’s been volunteer service as historian (books, articles, and webinars) of the 140+ year-old United Way movement, in which I worked for 40 years. Most recently, Mary Lu Hudson Aft has chaired our neighborhood’s Homeowners Association Board while continuing to represent our Knox Fifty Year Club on the Knox Alumni Council Board.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

DICK

AFT

aftd@fuse.net

1961

“Since our retirements in 2005, Joan Dude Callecod ’62 and I have been blessed with the ability and opportunity to travel to all 50 U.S. states and over 110 foreign countries and islands,” Bob Callecod reports. “This includes a 42-day round-the-world cruise on the Queen Mary II. Our foreign travel plans ended abruptly when Joan experienced a nasty fall this past August, injuring her shoulder and hip. In December, she underwent total hip replacement surgery, and we are hoping we can resume our travel adventures in the near future. A trip to Galesburg this fall to attend Homecoming is definitely on our travel calendar!”

► Sally Mulligan Stallard sent the sad news that her husband, Jack Stallard ’59, passed away in September 2025. He had Parkinson's for 13 years and had spent the last four years at home with 24-hour care. She writes, “Our eldest son was here with me when Jack passed, for which I am very thankful. All four kids have been amazing. Each would come separately and help me with his/her expertise. All has gone smoothly. We had a family-only Celebration of Life for Jack at a restaurant two weeks ago. It was lovely. Each family member told wonderful things about his/ her Dad/Grandpa/Great grandpa. Ada, at four and a half, was the first to reminisce with her memory of ‘helping Grandpa straighten his bib.’ Darling.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

MEGAN CLAYTON

pclayton@knox.edu

1962

Following retirement in 2001 from a long career as a chemist, Ted Folk embarked on a second career as a substitute teacher, taking on all grades from elementary through high school. Now fully retired and widowed since 2020, Ted keeps busy gardening and maintaining the homestead in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, for family gatherings. That still leaves time to travel around the country, to Canada, and across the pond to visit four children, 11 grandchildren, and five (soon-tobe-six) great grandchildren, and a brother. Like most of us, Ted turned 85 in 2025 and celebrated his birthday with a party for some 35 friends and relatives who would attest to the fact that he blew out all 85 candles with one breath.

► Jim ’61 and Judy Gleason Valentine are settled in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Jim sold his business of 30 years last year and has taken up writing novels. He has one novel published, Wabaningo, which those of us who grew up in the 1950s would relate to, and is working on another that he hopes to have completed by the end of the year. He and Judy live independently in an ongoing care community. Jim keeps active playing golf three times a week, and he and Judy continue to socialize frequently with their long-time friends.

► Tom and Janis Pachyn Kirts P’87 are settled in a retirement community in DeKalb, IL, where they have lived since 1972. Janis retired some years ago from working in the schools as an aide in speech therapy and for non-English speakers. She kept busy as a member of the library board and Friends of the Library until Tom finally retired five years ago. They both keep active with water exercise and spend some of the colder months on Anna Maria Island off the coast of Bradenton, FL.

► Cynthia Morse Latta and partner Ed Davis relocated to St. Augustine, FL, several years ago. They keep active with golf (Ed), some skating (Cynthia), and ballroom dancing (both). For some relief from the Florida humidity, they recently combined visits to Vancouver and

Victoria with a cruise along the Inside Passage.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: CYNTHIA MORSE LATTA cynthialatta@fastmail.com

1963

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: RAMONA REED LANDBERG landberg.group@outlook.com

1964

Pat White Strasberg: “Along with finding time for all sorts of joint replacements, knees and hips, as well as back surgeries, husband Mike and I have also found a way to make it to our home in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, for three months, usually starting in May. This has been a tradition since the 1960s, and we are now in our fourth generation. It all started with my husband’s family in the 1940s: all seven grandchildren scuba dive, a gift of having a home by the sea. None of my swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling children and grandchildren can believe I don’t swim. I can keep a secret!

Last November, Diane Trout-Oertel ’65 and I went on a Viking Mississippi Cruise to New Orleans. It was a terrific time with wine, music, and good food. It is wonderful to spend time with my old college roommate. I also loved connecting with classmates I hadn’t seen forever at the 2024 Knox Reunion. This November, Mike and I are going to Hawaii with friends for a 17-day cruise on Holland America. In between traveling, which is a real treat, I do spend a great deal of time working out with a trainer, doing pilates, and PT for a second knee replacement (that has not gone so great) to be able to keep traveling. My Gen Z grandchildren are fascinating. I learn a lot about things I think I would rather not know. But I am grateful for their interest in sharing with me.

An unfortunate and sad part of my life is that I have lost many friends this year, all within a few months of each other. I find I am much more sentimental these days and want

to spend as much time as possible with the people in my life now and reconnect with those I haven’t seen in a long time.

I still work virtually with a few patients in New York. Working with patients, along with Wordle and Connections, I believe, is good for my brain. There is no replacement for it. My best to all!”

► Pam Norton Nelson says: “The most exciting thing I’ve done lately is have my right knee replaced, it was definitely time! It’s been four weeks, and it’s going well. My last surgery was when I was five to have my tonsils out, and I was in a ward; very different now, and better.”

► Avis Sorenson Erickson reports on the “G-8 1964 Knox Group”: Nancy Anderson Levin, Jean Howell Card, Avis Sorenson Erickson, Kathy Molda East, Barbara (Babs) Kothe Fiala, Jean Scott Welch, Karen Dittmer Bowyer ’63, and Jo Ann Dworzynski Pierce P’97. (Previous columns referred to the group as “The Magnificent Eight.” They started meeting in 1991 and have met almost every year since then!) Avis writes: “From August 7 to 11, 2025, five of the group flew to Philadelphia to go see Babs in New Castle, DL. Babs had been unable to join us for the last couple of years, so we decided to go to her. We gathered at a motel near the Philadelphia airport, then drove to be with Babs. One day, we enjoyed her garden and all the artwork in her house that she has done over the years. We also toured old New Castle, viewed the ships on the Delaware River, and ate at a restaurant in an old house on the Town Square. Unfortunately, Jean, Karen, and JoAnn were unable to make it this time. We did talk to them or left a message, and JoAnn said it was like being back at Whiting Hall.”

► Terry Klopcic writes: “Whenever Val and I visit our son and family in Oregon, we tack on a little solo excursion. This year’s was a Roads Scholar wine tour of the Willamette Valley and, oh my, were we in over our heads! Our companions would take a sip and proclaim whether the

grapes came from the side or top of a hill; we couldn’t tell a good year from a bad. One of the wineries also held an olive oil tasting. Again, we couldn’t tell one oil from another. However, we are proud to say that we could tell the oil from the wine.”

► Karen Freedlund McCauley: “Still breathing and teaching in the company of my two dogs, Rhea and Pico. I really enjoy living in friendly Oregon.”

► Carol Klail Vovis ’65: “Jerry ’65 and I are both doing well and are as busy as ever as we travel between our three homes: Cheshire, LaGrange, and New Buffalo, MI (our tiny place on Lake Michigan). Summer is spent mainly in the IL/MI area, where we spend weekends by the Lake and midweek in LaGrange, catching up with friends and family. Jerry is still engaged as a consultant to the biotech industry. In May/ June, Jerry and I were at Knox twice. First, to attend the annual HORIZONS event, in which students present their research projects. The event, which comes under the auspices of the Vovis Center, has grown significantly under the creativity of Lisa Harris—a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the head of the Richter Foundation, who has increased the amount given to Knox significantly. Secondly, we went to Knox to attend Commencement and honor Mary Kent Knight ’60, L.H.D ’25, who is an honorary trustee and has donated a lot of money to Knox, most recently to build a new center at Green Oaks and renovate the original building for use by the students and faculty. Mary received a much-deserved honorary degree from Knox. Interestingly, Mary came to Knox from California. After her freshman year, her family fell upon hard times and could not afford the tuition and board. Knox gave her a full scholarship so that she could continue her education. She has repaid the college many times over.”

► Al and Karen Hummel Crumbliss are still at home and doing well, now nine years after Al’s stroke! Yea! The big event was Karen taking granddaughter Siena (16) to Paris, her dream trip since she was very young!

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

TERRY KLOPCIC klopcicjt2@yahoo.com

1965

After attending our 60th Reunion last fall, Wendel Swan provided this assessment of the status quo at our alma mater: “Nearly all of Knox (Old Main especially) remains in a comforting time warp. The Hard Knox Café, aka the cafeteria, is now cheerful and offers a wide variety of actually good food. The interior of Seymour Library is much more open, usable, and bright, but the oldest rooms retain their original charm. The new Whitcomb Art Center is on the very east side of the campus. The scoreboard for the new soccer field bears the name of Burney P’90, P’93, P’96 and Susan Lillie Dunn’s ’66, P’90, P’93, P’96 son. The former Phi Delta Theta house is now the Sigma Nu house. The student body has changed. Thirty-eight percent of students are now of color, and 27% of the students are international. The challenges facing liberal arts colleges were exacerbated during COVID and even more since. In the present political climate, some international applicants have been denied visas, straining Knox further at a time when it is trying to offer aid to families that cannot afford the full costs. Knox needs our support more than ever.”

Wendel recapped our 60th Reunion as follows: “Thirteen of the Class of ’65 attended Homecoming in October. There were five Phi Delts, Wendel Swan, Burney Dunn P’90, P’93, P’96, Dave Barth, Tom Youngren, and Gary Nelson, plus Diane Trout-Oertel, Linda Richardson Youngren, Gary Moses, Tom Stanton, Scott Harrod, Pete Boynton P’92, Glenn Spachman, and Joe Thompson. Several spouses attended, including

Diane Lipke Swan ’64, Susan Lillie Dunn ’66, P’90, P’93, P’96, and Susan Seils Spachman ’66. We had a great conversation on Saturday afternoon on the patio outside the Gizmo about the satisfying things life had brought to us on a personal basis (not just business success or family). We learned a lot about one another that we otherwise might not have known, even though some of us have been in regular contact over the decades. Our Class of ’65 received the Ralph Walter Prize, which recognizes the Reunion class with the highest giving participation in the last fiscal year. Our participation was 75%.

On a personal note, Diane and I are doing at least as well as others in our age group. We try to stay active both physically and mentally. We exercise regularly, and we both take and teach OLLI classes for retirees at American University. Our 2024 European trips were to Scotland and Switzerland, but we didn’t get abroad this year. Diane is coping with problems from a severed tendon during her second hip replacement surgery in 2023. I have begun treatment for stage 4 prostate cancer, but I’m very optimistic about my future, in large part because of conversations with Knox classmates. Naturally, some body parts don’t function as they once did, but life is still a joy for us.”

Rod Ross sent this addition to the bio-info he shared earlier. As chair of a Civil War Group at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC, since December 2016, he has been putting on monthly luncheon programs. He also goes on a week’s adventure every couple of months with his travel buddy, a fellow from Georgia he met on a Roads Scholar tour of San Antonio in 2019. Their trip to North Dakota last September was patterned after one offered by the Smithsonian Associates that relates to Theodore Roosevelt’s years in that state, 1883-1887.

► Bruce St John wrote, “We celebrated Carol’s 80th birthday last July with a champagne party in the back garden, and at the end of the year, we celebrated our 56th wedding anniversary. We are blessed. My latest book, a biography

of the late Libyan leader, Muammar al-Qaddafi, entitled Qaddafi: Beyond the Myth, will be released in London by Reaktion Books in April 2026 and in the U.S. by The University of Chicago Press in July 2026.”

► Henry “Hank” Randolph and his wife, Nahomi, spent five weeks in Japan last fall on personal business. Just before the trip, he had participated in a local “No Kings Day” demonstration in support of free speech. Noting the difference between circumstances in Japan versus the U.S., he wrote, “Time abroad, in a country where everything seemed to work smoothly, offered a fresh—and at times disconcerting—view of the increasingly fraught political climate in our country.” Since returning home to Los Angeles, he has contributed to the Immigrant Defenders Law Center and is exploring other avenues for civic involvement.

► Paula Hoffstadt Johnson and Warren Johnson report they are enjoying life in their senior apartment facility in Arden Hills, MN. They frequently walk around the pond in front of the building and spot ducks, geese, and turtles. They enjoy the social life in their building and participate in exercise classes. Warren likes working in the activity room on jigsaw, sudoku, and crossword puzzles. Meanwhile, Paula manages the finances and does the driving. Somehow, they are as busy as ever.

► Dienna Danhaus Drew writes, “Ever since my husband, Jim Drew ’66, died of Parkinson’s Disease last summer, it is amazing how much trouble I can get myself into. After being his caregiver for a decade, I am trying to catch up on many neglected activities. I am the historian of our Quincy Unitarian Church, which began in 1839. Recently, I wrote a four-page report for the National Registry for Historical Organs about our Steere Tracker Organ, which was purchased and built in the church in 1891. The Steere Organ Company was located in Springfield, MA. I had to smile at the last line of the contract: ‘Price $3500 Cash.’ (Do you want that in 10s or 20s?) Of course, that was a huge amount of money for our

church in 1891. One of my goals is to swim more laps every week. Another is to write a biography of Jim’s grandfather, Knox professor William Prentiss Drew, 1870-1930. Drew House on the Knox campus is named for him, and Jim lived there his first two years. While Jim and I were Knox students, we enjoyed walking to 142 Garfield Ave. to visit his grandmother, Edith, in her 90s. I retired as a medical technologist in the laboratory of the Hannibal Regional Hospital, MO, in 2010. Jim and I owned the Wild Birds Unlimited store here in Quincy for people interested in feeding the birds in their yards and buying gifts with a nature theme. Our children are Susan and Michael; our three grandchildren are all studying at universities.”

► Gary Moses and his wife, Marilyn, are splitting their time between Castle Rock, CO, and Edina, MN. Gary is active in Douglas County, CO, property development issues and politics. In advance of the June primary for District 4, he is organizing a program to create and distribute campaign signage for balconies facing the local golf course. For the fall issue of Class Notes, Gary suggests that all classes 1960-1969 submit their favorite “small world” story, and he gave this example: Prior to living in Florida, he and Marilyn lived in Washington, NJ. While in line to see Chubby Checker at Disney Epcot one night, they discovered that a former NJ neighbor was standing next to them. He wants you to know that he is saving his best story for later.

You are invited to weigh in on Gary’s idea, as well as one recently proposed by Ken Grimm, who suggests that our class hold a virtual class reunion on Zoom.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

DIANE TROUT-OERTEL troutoertel@gmail.com

1966

Halcyon Schomp Blake shared, “Life is good right now, and I’m grateful for every minute. My favorite part is being ‘grandma’ to my four-year-old granddaughter. She always reminds me that joy is

what I’ve always wanted, and I hope she keeps that wonder and love for life forever. I never thought I’d have a grandchild, but then my daughter, whom I had at 34, had her own daughter at 42. That’s when I realized what my friends had been talking about. It’s been an incredible experience, and I’m just hoping I have at least another 15 years to enjoy it. My best friend and husband, Will, and I made a big change. We had to give up boating and spending winters on our boat in Charleston, so now we have more time with Pip and her moms. We also travel a bit in the winter in our tiny RV (a 19foot Sprinter). We visit friends we’ve made in South Carolina and our sisters in California while we tour the South, Middle, and West parts of the country. I don’t know if we’ll make it all the way to Oregon to visit Jim Bronson and Sandi, though. My daughter and her wife now own Halcyon Yarn, and they’re working hard to adapt my old company to the new world of web, retail, and ever-changing trade, tariffs, and world changes in the yarn business. Whew! Life moves faster for them.”

► From Doug Bayer, “This year, Maria and I have become octogenarians and celebrated the milestone with our family for four days in Victoria, British Columbia. We had high tea at Butchart Gardens, which was a new experience for our grandkids, and went whale watching. We also ticked one item off my bucket list with an excursion to Ecuador, where we walked on the equator, took a cruise through the Galapagos Islands, and saw all the usual attractions: giant tortoises, iguanas, penguins, and blue-footed boobies. We are looking forward to returning to Knox for our 60th Reunion at Homecoming this year.”

► Jim Johnson emailed, “A new knee and shoulder replaced wornout parts, so getting to our 60th should be easy. Hope all of you can return to Galesburg and share your life stories. Downsized to a condo in Decatur, IL, and wintering in Bonita Springs, FL, since retirement from a 50-year career in law.”

► “In some ways, I may have never left Knox,” writes Tom Anderson P’89, P’93, GP’22. “After graduation,

I worked at Knox for nine years, mostly in Admissions. My brotherin-law, Bill Fuerst, graduated in 1969. Our two sons, David and Kyle, graduated in 1989 and 1993, respectively. Our granddaughter, Katie Anderson, graduated in 2022. All have benefited greatly from Knox. I spent several years as a member of the Knox Board, a talented group that I admire. Many of our best friends in life are Knox people. The College has been very good to our entire family.”

► Mike Denniston has agreed to help with the 60th Reunion and has been reaching out to classmates. He says, “I retired from teaching chemistry and environmental science at (what is now) Georgia State University in 2012. We have traveled extensively, seeing Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Madagascar. We went dog-sledding in Lapland (Finland), hiked in Machu Picchu, and got lost in the airport at Wuhan. We tried twice to travel to Ukraine but were thwarted once by COVID and then by the Russian Army. We hope to continue. We are dog lovers, mostly Schnauzers and Scotties, with a Cairn-mix and a Yorkie thrown in for good measure. I still enjoy science outreach and have done peer review for NSF and run numerous events during our local Science Olympiad. I am a bit of a baker and, recently, was lucky enough to take a class in the baking of artisan whole wheat bread at the King Arthur facility in Norwich, VT. I highly recommend it. On my wish list for the upcoming 60th Reunion is to hear from long-lost classmates. Angie, Art (both of you), Barbara (also two), Ron, George, Karen, Gene, Ted, Steve (both), John, Bob, and others, where are you? Best wishes to all. Please get in touch.”

► Judy Holland Sarnecki has retired as class correspondent—thank you, Judy, for your service and for compiling the class news over the years! If you are interested in serving as a class correspondent, please contact either Jennifer Gallas at jgallas@knox.edu or Megan Clayton at the email address listed below.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: MEGAN CLAYTON pclayton@knox.edu

1967

Paulanna Hatchett Wotring has written to share some very sad news about the death of her husband, David Wotring ’65: “This will be a short update with some sad news. David passed away last July after battling dementia and cancer. He was happy and remarkably positive even in the last three years! We had been married 56 mostly wonderful years, and his family loved him very much. We had three children and six grandchildren. Lots of wonderful memories! Greetings to all whom I haven’t seen for such a long time. I love reading about all your travels and news. My best to all!”

► James Nordin relates the very interesting history of the ADE fraternity: “Congratulations on joining the over-80s. More importantly, congratulations on still being active and engaged and for keeping our class notes. About 20 years ago, I negotiated with Knox to create a ‘challenge’ endowed scholarship. I pledged X amount of money if my Alpha Delta Epsilon (ADE) brothers would match it. That effort succeeded beyond my dream. The endowment has received nearly $500,000 in donations. ADE was founded in 1953, when the chapter of a national fraternity at Knox pledged an African American. The national fraternity withdrew the charter of the chapter because Jews and people of color were not allowed to be members, but the brothers would not change their position: a person’s character is more important than her/his color or religion. Knox was very supportive of the new fraternity’s position. The last class of ADE brothers graduated in 1979. In the next 30 or 40 years, there will be no ADEs left. The founder’s position remains valid and valuable. I began negotiations with Knox about two years ago to see if there was a way to sustain the scholarship and continue to honor the legacy of ADE. I am pleased to report that President McGadney and I have signed an amended endowment agreement that changes the name of the endowment to ‘The Social Justice Scholarship Fund—Honoring the ADE Legacy.’ We hope and believe that this change will attract donors who wish to further the

efforts for social justice and provide academic support for students who demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion. If you believe in social justice, please consider contributing to this endowed scholarship. Every little bit helps.”

► Richard Seigel had a fabulous trip: “2025 has been a great year. My wife, Terry, and I went on the National Geographic Around the World by Private Jet trip in January, which was fabulous. We recommend it highly, and if you have an interest, you can read all about it on the National Geographic website. A month ago, we were back in Galesburg for Homecoming and the 60th-year Reunion of the Class of 1965. It was a real treat to see alumni I had not seen in 60 years. Wishing everyone good health.”

► Jay (Sam) Griswold brings us up to date with his good life: “Just returned (Nov. 2) to SC from my 22nd pheasant hunt in SD. Got my limit, as did all the fellows in my party. Got home after putting 3,400 miles on my truck for the trip out and back. All is well in SC. We enjoy our 90-acre farm and our second home on Edisto Island on the coast. Living on 18 acres near W. Columbia, SC. Life is good.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: HELEN GILBERT helengilbert98571@gmail.com

1968

Dear classmates, we don’t have much to share this time. Since we have had two Zooms with Chip Evans, and we post so much on our Knox 68 page (https://www.facebook. com/groups/Knox68/), we have already shared a lot.

► Susan Tracy Van Kirk shared, “Last January, I became board president of the Buchanan Center for the Arts here in Monmouth. Our capital campaign had just ended, and we’d raised almost $2M to put in an elevator and renovate the entire upstairs of our 1870 building with a theatre/art gallery, weaver’s room, and storage and permanent collection space. Two weeks after I became prez, our executive director left for another

2025 SCROLL OF HONOR RECIPIENT

The Scroll of Honor award is presented to Fifty Year Club members, including honorary members, to recognize lifetime achievements in the service of their community, society, or humanity.

SUBMITTED

Mary Barclay Tompkins ’71

Mary graduated with a degree in biology and went on to receive her D.V.M. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

She joined the faculty at North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. She retired years later as a professor of immunology and director of the flow cytometry laboratory at NCSU.

A leader in veterinary and immunology research, Mary was awarded the NCSU Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award, the American Veterinary Medicine Association/Winn Feline Foundation Excellence in Feline Research Award, and the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine Huffman Leadership Award. Her mentorship has shaped the careers of numerous graduate students who have gone on to make significant research contributions.

job. People who can be executive directors of 503c non-profits are as rare as hen’s teeth. So, now you know what I’ve been doing most of the year: running a 503c nonprofit with no experience or training at all. It’s been a challenge for my 79-year-old brain. But the new, actual, knowledgeable executive director begins January 1, 2026. I am heaving a sigh of relief. I’ve sure learned a lot about grant writing, money-raising, building blueprints, art exhibitions, creative programs of every kind, city government, and the world of business. It’s a case of life following art since I now know enough to write several series of art center mysteries. In the meantime, I finally finished the sixth Endurance mystery, Fabric of Lies. I’m counting my blessings and looking forward to having more time to write in 2026.”

► Mary Mangieri Burgland P’97 shared that she and George Burgland will host the 6th Annual Mid-American Hickory Open at Soangetaha Country Club on May 15-17, 2026. Players use hickory shafted clubs created before 1935 and compete in age divisions. An authentic Italian dinner is enjoyed by each participant after the

Saturday round at the home of the Burglands.

► Chip Evans has been recovering well. Several of our classmates have been able to visit.

► I have been involved in church activities and Misericordia. Judd and I will be driving to St. Louis for a wedding soon. The rehearsal dinner will be at Busch Stadium. Sounds like fun. Hope you all have a joyous holiday season.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: SUSAN MEYER MIKA P’97, GP ’28

pottatea@comcast.net

1969

Writing from Besancon, France, Jeremy Gladstone reminds us that time isn’t standing still. “I’m learning to be a better cook by following recipes at last. And I’ve at last learned to accept that the mastery of technique is essential in almost anything. Taking up painting a few years ago and the piano only this year have hammered that in. Mind stimulation is not to be neglected either, through reading, social in-

teraction, and memory games. Also thinking of others, family, friends, migrants in need of interpreter assistance, and delivering writing workshops at the local prison. Things that attest to the fact that I’m not alone. And physical activity as well, because it helps me to feel good and get outside.”

► Larry Moore has played over a thousand games of Wordle and has a 97% win rate. He left the local library board to concentrate his volunteer efforts as the Ward 7, Precinct 2 Committeeman. Larry took a class at Villanova in scriptwriting and wrote a play about pickleball. He also plays the game and suggests the sports committee add pickleball to the 60th Reunion alongside golf. Jean Wilhelms Moore continues to volunteer as a middle school tutor both in person and online. Jean and Larry traveled to Providence, Buffalo. Savannah and Seattle this year, as well as their usual trip to Freeport, which included two stops in Indiana: Greencastle and Columbus. Next year, they hope to visit Denmark. (Backup plan is Vilnius and Riga via Iceland.) They have two sons, three grandchildren, and a daughter-in-law. Among other outdoor activities, they attended an event at Independence Mall in Philadelphia to send a copy of the Constitution to Washington, where it is sorely needed. Aux Barricades Boomers.

► Virginia Steen writes that she and her husband are still division chiefs in rheumatology and endocrinology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. “We attended the South East Asian Endocrine Society in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in June, where my husband gave a talk, and I gave a lecture on Scleroderma at the Singapore National Hospital Rheumatology Grand Rounds, and we had a wonderful vacation as well. I will be giving the Keynote Opening Lecture at the World Scleroderma Congress in Athens, Greece, in March 2026. “

► Our classmate Dave Novis informs us, “Making good on my threat to become a doctor, I practiced pathology in southeastern New Hampshire and Maine for 25 years. In 2005, I left my practice

and launched a consulting company advising clients on the operational aspects of medical laboratories and pathology practices. For reasons I cannot explain, clients still find me. I have no interest in retiring. My professional career has included leadership roles in my professional organization, the College of American Pathologists; forays into international health with Project Hope; various community service projects; and several entrepreneurial ventures. The details of my career appear on my business website, davidnovis.com, and on my LinkedIn website. Martha, my wife of 53 years, and I enjoy spending time with our three kids and six grandkids, skiing, horseback riding, hiking, and staying fit. Otherwise, I spend my time fly fishing, bird hunting, and pursuing my favorite passion, furniture making. I keep in touch with Nancy Warner Dibble ’71, who is just as charming now as we remember her at Knox, and with my former roommate, Tom Wolf, to whose mentoring I owe my love of literature. My best to the Class of ’69.”

► From Kim Adams Post and John Post ’67, we hear: “I keep trying to retire and have been mostly successful. John has kept a few home repair projects for low-income people in southwestern OH, and I do a few executive coaching and senior team development gigs. We’re planning a couple of trips south this winter, now that we have more free time. We’ll be at our younger son’s beach house in Ft. Myers (along with both sons, their wives, and at least some of our grandkids) for my birthday in March. It’ll be the last birthday before the big 8-0. Yikes!”

► Marilyn Abazoris Howell ’71 and Ray Howell have traded winters in Charleston, SC, for more travel, and “we are off to Dallas, Costa Rica, and an Istanbul cruise. Regarding prison ministry, our life skills curriculum has been converted for delivery on inmate electronic tablets, which reach over 1M inmates nationally. Our Illinois graduates have experienced a 90% reduction in recidivism, so we are hopeful that this next step can expand this impact.”

► Our pal John Martin continues to over-achieve across many areas of senior-dom. “I am now sworn in of all things as Captain in the California Guard–Army Behavioral Health Unit of the 40th Medical Command, and now a weekend warrior, LOL. Great to now serve veterans and the Guard as a uniformed officer. Planning to attend the Army Holiday Ball in December—my wife has already gotten her beautiful first-ever ball gown (with red beret to match my black Army dress uniform black beret). So sweet. Just finished my book of stories on travels and adventures, Captaining. Sixty years waterlogged upon my seven sailboats (7 Sheets to the Wind). Travel plans with wife Catherine include China to visit her family there, and Austin, TX, where son Josh moved for his work with Tesla. I continue in my work with UCSD Cancer Center’s tobacco, cannabis, and vape treatment program, as well as local church ministries to the disabled and pregnancy center. Plan a get-together with Ace Hoyt ’68 since his return from travels and time on the East Coast. “

► From Mollie Miller Thorn: “I read recently in an article from the BBC about the many health benefits derived from singing together in a choir. I can certainly agree, especially with the psycho-emotional benefits for sure! I am in two choirs: WorldChoir with members from all over the world, and my local choir, the Maryland Choral Society. Last night, the Maryland Choral Society performed our December holiday program to a large appreciative audience. It was truly a thrilling experience to sing with my choir and know that family and friends were in the audience to enjoy the music with me. For me, the experience of being part of these choirs fills me with a profound feeling of connection. During these very distressing times in our country, I need my choirs more than ever to lift me up. They keep me grounded in love and community. The lyrics from ‘I Believe,’ a piece from our program yesterday, say it all: ‘believe in love, even when I can’t feel it.’ Connection to our fellow humans, expressing our love

and appreciation for them, is the only thing that will last.”

► From Tom Hogarty P’03, we hear, “Alice Crane Hogarty P’03 and I visited the campus in October to stay connected. We look forward to traveling to Ireland with President McGadney in September 2026.”

► Steve Meyers tells us, “Lately, I’ve been circling back and recalling how Prof. Sam Moon P’76 helped set me on a life-changing path when he introduced me to the work of doctor/poet William Carlos Williams. He led me to a collection of 20,000 manuscripts that Williams had left to the University of Buffalo. They sat there in folders and envelopes until I got there and made them accessible to others by assembling a descriptive catalogue and guide to the poet’s creative process. There it literally is, still. Much gratitude to Knox for this life-altering experience.”

► A new job for Ed Novak! “I retired from private practice in the middle of September on a Friday and started a full-time gig at the Arizona Attorney General’s office the following Monday. I am in the special prosecutions unit of the criminal division, working with younger lawyers (which is everyone in comparison to me) on political corruption and other fraud cases. I’ve been at it for a couple of weeks now, and I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner. For those of my classmates who have done prosecution work, you know how rewarding it can be. These folks are certainly not in for the pay, but the work-life balance is considerably better than private practice.”

► From Tom Wolf: “I am still a Midwesterner at heart, but have lived in North Carolina for the past 43 years. My wife, Patricia Bryan, and I have three geographically scattered sons and one three-year-old grandchild. I continue to work on various writing projects. My short story ‘The Fox’ appeared this fall in issue 49 of the Bellevue Literary Review, and my nonfiction book, Baseball in the Roaring Twenties, was published in September 2025 by the University of Nebraska Press. In March 2026, I will be in Tucson, AZ, for

the Tucson Festival of Books. The goal at this age, I think, is simply to stay active and engaged.”

► From me, your class correspondent: The year started off poorly and only recently did things start to stabilize. Our eldest daughter, Nikki, lost her job at USAID in January. Ironically, at the time she was in West Africa advising village elders on public health issues, particularly access to potable water. Three days into the trip, she was ordered to return to Washington. After five years in the job and many trips to the Middle East and Africa, overnight, she was jobless. She has bounced back only this month, finding a job in public health at the University of North Carolina: a real blessing to find a position in this tough job market. Deb and I continue to work part-time in Durham, NC, and we enjoy travel, family time, and fly fishing! One highlight this year was seeing Diana Ross in concert—at 81, she’s a great role model for those of us of a certain age!”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: PAUL BEHNKE pbehnke48@gmail.com

1970

Jan Eckardt Butler and Bob Butler: “I finally had a moment to read the Knox Magazine and see that the 55th Reunion is in three days! Well, I guess we missed this one. Bob and I are doing well. We recently took a wee cruise in Scotland. It was really wee. Only 11 passengers on a gorgeous refitted Norwegian coast guard vessel. We will do it again in June 2026. Our daughter is a prof at Kalamazoo College. A lot like Knox! And our son and young family live and work in Mexico City. Happily, we get to see them all twice a year. We are in generally good health, allowing for a few aging aches and pains. In Tulsa, we try, with moderate success, to keep two acres of suburban vegetables, wildflowers,

and weeds (for the birds) growing.” Downsizing must happen soon! Bob does most of the vegetable gardening and cooking, so we eat really well. We still travel as much as we can: to Mexico City twice to see our son and his growing family, to the north woods of Wisconsin, to Kalamazoo, MI to visit our daughter and her family, and to Scotland’s Inner Hebrides.) Bob reads. A lot. And continues to help kids read in the Reading Partners program in the public schools in Tulsa. And he takes a stand-up comedy workshop! Jan continues with her nerdy birdwatching, many times with her Colorado sisters, racking up checklists and species on eBird.”

► From Cathy Kucik Heimann P’02, P’04, P’95, GP’27, GP’29: “I don’t think I’ve sent info to you previously for Class Notes. I figured I’ve lived in Galesburg for years, Tim Heimann and I worked for the College, so I would see you all when you came to visit Knox. But this year I have some news. My daughter, Cammi Heimann Lawrence ’95, has sent her two oldest kids to Knox! Max Lawrence ’27 is the oldest child, in his third year at Knox, majoring in chemistry and minoring in computer science. He participates in cross country and indoor/outdoor track. He’s a great student, making the Dean’s List every term, so far, I think. Last summer, he stayed on campus and did research in a chemistry lab researching Phosphonated Esotides, which is a renewable motor oil based on plant oils. So if anyone knows of a paid summer internship in the area of chemistry, I’ve got the young man for you! He also likes to make mocktails and does magic and yoyos! His younger sister, Lucy Lawrence ’29, is a first-year student who plans to study psychology. She plays basketball on Tim Heimann Court, and her brother is trying to convince her to go out for track in the spring. She’s sweet and very dependable. A good student, she’s fun to be with. And she’s so in love with her high school sweetheart. Needless to say, I’ve been so fortunate to see more of them than in previous years. (They live in Grand Rapids, MI.) I’m loving it! I’m well. I have a close friend, Gary, with whom I go out and travel. He’s a retired city

HONORING DEWEY MOORE

A trail marker has been placed at the Green Oaks Field Station in honor of Duane “Dewey” Moore, a beloved professor of geology, who passed on October 18, 2024.

Joining Knox in 1964 and teaching at the College until 1988, Moore helped shape a young geology department into one that produced a remarkable number of students who pursued Ph.D.s and profoundly impacted the broader scientific community. Over 24 years, including a decade as department chair, Moore’s interdisciplinary vision and commitment to fostering curiosity defined his legacy. The trail marker is located near the “Little Loop Trail” close to the lake. The stone is pegmatitic granite with muscovite, which weathers into illite, so named for Illinois, where it was first described in 1937.

manager, and he’s very kind to me and my family—and a good cook! My older son, Kerry, still works for Princeton University as well as serving as the director of music for a cathedral in Trenton, NJ. He’s an accomplished classical musician, often playing with Baroque groups. His younger brother, Kevin Heimann ’02, left Princeton in summer 2024, returning to Galesburg. He coaches girls’ tennis at Galesburg High School and helps with the boys’ team. (He’s a USPTA top-level tennis pro.) He also works at Bunker Links from March through mid-December. Cammi, my daughter, works at her children’s elementary school, and she’s overworked and underpaid. She additionally does some freelance editing when she can find it. Always looking for more! She’s a Knox poli sci major earning lots of academic awards. Then got her MA from Kansas in journalism and corporate communications. So if you know of any remote editing positions … or any Grand Rapids area … My daughterin-law, Christy Rosier ’05, is Chris Heimann’s ’04 widow. She and their daughter, Elodie, live in St. Louis, and Christy was one of those poor government workers who had

to work but didn’t get paid, UGH! They’re busy and always doing fun things together. I just saw them for Grandparents Day at Elodie’s school a few weeks ago. So, I’m still here in Galesburg. I’m always happy to visit with Knox friends. Just last week, I had lunch with Jim Pecilunas ’83, Bob Prusator ’83, and Todd Prusator ’85 at Harley Knosher’s LH.D. ’25, P’80, GP’10, GP’20 home.”

► Marc Wollman sent a note: “I previously mentioned that, at their request, Racine Art Museum had acquired an archive of my photographic work. A follow-up to that: the Museum is currently exhibiting ‘From the Archives: Recently Established Artist Archives at RAM,’ a glimpse into the careers of eight Wisconsin artists who helped make RAM what it is today. I am honored to be one of the eight artists in the exhibition. Info can be found at ramart.org.”

► Jim Graunke: “Thanks for keeping track of the ’70 alums. For some 20 years, a group of mostly ’70 alums has been getting together annually for a fall weekend in the Colorado Rockies at the mountain home of Brian Campbell and his

wife, Cheryl. Regular attendees are Rick Linsky P’01 and wife Judy, Brian and Kay Boardman McCormack ’72, Bill and Lisa Leinberger Roberts ’71, Bruce Erickson and wife Jan, Jim Dean ’69, and, occasionally, Ted and Linda Tyson Boecker ’71, and me, along with my wife, Judy. Attendance has been consistent. It is incredible that these friends who first met at Knox 60 years ago still get together every year, some traveling from a distance.”

► Ed Kucera: “My latest news is that I started to do open mic nights at clubs in the Chicagoland area. Recently did an open mic night at Kingston Mines, a Blues club, and a bar called Whiskey River in the north shore suburbs. Singing and playing my guitar. Doing songs from the sixties and seventies, as well as Blues songs that have been around forever.”

► Jim Hogue has a book called Rack out. It is published by Logosophia, and more information is available at https://logosophiabooks.com/book/ rack/.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

NANCY HOOVER DEBELIUS nhdebe@zoominternet.net

1971

Laura (Lonnie) Fredenhagen Schaefer (dandlschaefer@yahoo.com) states, “Dan and I recently acquired 29 acres surrounding our home in Amboy, IL. We love the beauty of the woods and ponds. This summer, I decided to offer my two grandchildren the challenge of taming a feral kitten when they came for ‘Schaefer Camp.’ It was a disastrous idea, and I will never do it again. But the kids persevered, and at the end of two weeks, ‘Biscuits’ became a very lovable cat. My granddaughter, Louise, and I have been working on creating a children’s book. She is 15 and is my illustrator. As a music educator, I developed this story years ago as a way to connect young children to classical music. Loki the Playful Cat will be launched on Amazon in April.”

► Bruce Wyatt and wife Carol (brucecarol@gmail.com) report, “We enjoyed a wonderful three-week

trip to Andalucía in the fall—Seville, Cordoba, Granada, the Costa del Sol, and Málaga. Gorgeous scenery, beautiful weather, fantastic art and architecture. Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived together here relatively harmoniously in the 8th-13th centuries. Would that we could take their example to heart today! Looking forward to our 55th Reunion next October.”

► John Flood P’02 (jtflood39@gmail. com) says, “Hello Class of 1971, wow, that was a long time ago. I hope you are all doing well. I’ve been doing great. My wife, Carol, and I have been happily retired for 10 years. I’ve kept busy running, biking, golfing, drinking beer, and chasing seven grandsons (no girls allowed). I was doing so well that my body decided to have a stroke back in April. So I guess I’m not doing so great now. But I am continuing to improve. Hey, I can go to the bathroom and tie my own shoes. I am lucky to have great support from family and friends. My Knox friends have been lifesavers. See if you can figure out who these guys are: Pooh, Monty, Jet, Stubber, Chopper, Geno, Busch, Zuber, Randy, Dickie. Take care, everyone. Enjoy every day!”

► From Paula Wolf Irrgang (irrgang@outlook.com). “I’ve been braving the heat in Austin, TX, since 1977. Since retiring from the Austin Public Library, I’ve done various volunteer jobs, including manning the canteen at the blood bank and visiting with hospice patients. People down south don’t know how to play Pinochle, so I’ve taught a few, and they have gone on to teach others. I used to play at Knox while standing in line waiting for the cafeteria to open. I’ve been enjoying square dancing since the late 1980s.”

► Charles Stivale (ad4928@wayne. edu) reports, “I attended the Knox Homecoming, but it was strange to be there without the Class of 71ers, so I hope everyone can get there in October 2026. I was able to meet President McGadney, the new provost, and the new VP for advancement, so the leadership team at Knox keeps on growing. As for me, this has been a productive

year in retirement: One translation was published by U of Minnesota Press (Gilles Deleuze, On Painting); a book on Deleuze’s seminars is scheduled to be published by Edinburgh U Press (Unfolding the Deleuze Seminars, 1970-87. Summaries and Commentary); and another translation (again with U Minnesota Press) will be out in 2026 (Gilles Deleuze, On Spinoza). And oh yeah, our first grandchild, Roman Frazier, arrived in June, the roles of nana and papí have now been activated (Nancy is a natural; me, not so much). See you in the fall!”

► Bill Goldberg (wjgoldberg11734@ gmail.com) adds, “I was recently interviewed by the curator for an oral history for the South Texas Jewish archives at Rice University. We talked for an hour about my participation in Jewish life in Houston, and my leadership activities with the Houston Jewish Community Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and the Contemporary Arts Museum. At some point, when the editing is complete, it will be available on the archives’ public website. On another topic: Monmouth 69, Knox 0. Oh, the humanity!”

► Larry Kusch (twams67@comcast. net) exclaims, “I have been back to Knox three times in 2025. In May, Ralph Norman P’01 and I drove down for a round of golf with Harley Knosher LH.D. ’25, P’80, GP’10, GP’20 at Soangetaha. At 91 years of age, Harley beat us both like a drum. Then, in June, I was back again at the K Club (Harley Knosher) Golf Outing. I played with Monty Abbott ’72, and we were paired with a Knox golfer from the 90s and his 15-year-old son. They played spectacularly, and Monty putted like a madman. The best I can say for myself is that I provided comic relief. In October, I was back for Homecoming and the 50-year Convocation, which was held in a tent outside the Giz. I am sorry I did not have time to say hi to Charlie Stivale, but I was too busy swatting bees away in the back of the tent. At least I was also able to spend the beautiful day in shorts and see a thrilling Knox Homecoming win over Grinnell 20-17. In October, wife Sue recorded her third hole-in-

one, two years to the day since her second one. Sue has all the golfing genes in the family. I hope to see many of my classmates at the 55th Reunion in October 2026. Stay well and prosper.”

► Brenda Butler continues to pursue her love of travel. Rio, Brazil; Salvador, Bahia; Iguazu Falls (both sides); the Bahamas. “I am now in one of my favorite cities, Paris. After two-plus weeks here, I am not in a rush to head back to the States. Next ports of call in 2026: Paris again, Johannesburg, Capetown, Victoria Falls, Athens, and Barcelona, with stops along the way.”

► Ralph Norman P’01, Greg Divers ’73, and Larry Kusch met with Harley Knosher LH.D. ’25, P’80, GP’10, GP’20 for our annual December Lunch with Harley. We discussed all things Knox, past, present, and future. What a great time with such a great man.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: LARRY KUSCH twams67@comcast.net

1972

John Durham writes, “After 15 years of retirement in New Mexico, I have relocated to Denver, where I worked for most of my career. It was a bittersweet move, but the pull of a big city and having family nearby won in the end. I purged like crazy, determined that I would lighten the load and simplify my life. Timing worked out well, as I was able to close on both the sale of my Santa Fe property and the purchase of new digs in Denver within a week. The move was simplified by fellow Knoxites Ben Tovrog ’71 and Gail Wagner Tovrog ’73, who generously loaned me their Denver townhome for the transition. I’m

all settled into Capitol Hill, a dense, diverse, and walkable neighborhood adjacent to downtown. I’m back on the Colorado Knox Club email distribution and am looking forward to a Nuggets game in January with them. I’m seeing family, connecting with old friends, walking while my legs still work, learning the public transit system, and exploring a city that was known as a ‘cow town’ when I moved here in 1975 and is now very global, with direct flights to Istanbul, Tokyo, Rome, and many other European cities. I’m planning a trip to Paris in July 2026 with the Tovrogs to catch the city portion of the Tour d’ France. A suggestion to those of you considering a downsize: Do it sooner rather than later; it is a tremendous amount of work, and we’re not getting any younger!”

► Judith Ludwig Gorham writes, “Living in Galesburg, I have the good fortune of hanging out with Knox friends as they drift back on non-Reunion homecomings. Great times this past October with Donna Rockin ’73, Jan Rockin ’70, Nancy Perin Axmacher ’73, Diane Grosvenor Griffith ’73, Jim Fuehrmeyer honorary ’73, Noel Knox ’73 and Don Bernardi ’73, plus many others. It really is fun to do the non-Reunion homecomings, and I would encourage others to join in the fun!”

► Chuck Schulz writes, “It has been an eventful year for me! In April, I had a wonderful 19-day tour of the Himalayan regions—Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. In November, I was honored for my 45th year of employment at Knox College. That would be 39 years in the physics department, six of which were served as also being registrar, followed by six years service as half time in ITS. I am excited to be entering a new phase of my life as of January 1, in which I will be fully retired and able to enjoy more traveling, more reading for pleasure, more working out, and likely more afternoon naps. There are only two years left until our 55th Reunion, Class of ’72. I hope to catch up with many of you here!”

► Bryce Suderow writes, “The big news is that I’ve just published an important article in a Civil War

magazine.” Titled “Custer at Five Forks,” Bryce’s article is featured on the cover of North & South: The Official Magazine of the Civil War Society. (https://northandsouthmag. com)

► Ross Terman writes, “Nothing too exciting for us. Unfortunately, dealing with family and friends’ health issues. Getting old is such fun! We did go to Cooperstown, NY, and met Tom and Monica Damme Minion and toured the Baseball Hall of Fame. I’ve been a baseball fan since age 7, and the hall exceeded my expectations. It was wonderful. We went to the Basketball Hall of Fame on the same trip. OK, but nowhere near the baseball one.”

► Jody Nelson Van Duyn writes, “I wanted to let you know that Jeanne Bernhold Hayman passed away September 1, 2025. She was a math major at Knox. She taught math her whole career. She studied in Barcelona, Spain, with the Knox program her junior year. I also studied in Barcelona that year. We both lived with the same Spanish family! We had a lot of fun in Spain and also traveling in Europe. She will be missed! Jeanne still has a profile on Facebook if you want to see more information about her. I was the only one from the Knox program in Spain to attend our 50th Reunion. I was sorry no one else from the program attended. Jeanne was too ill to attend.”

► Wendy Scherwat Ducourneau writes, “Tony and I have been travelling a bit this year. We rode the rails (Amtrak) from LA to the ’Burg in June to help Jamie Bjorkman ’57 celebrate his 90th birthday! Had a yummy breakfast at Judy’s Family Café with Peter and Judith Ludwig Gorham. Ran into John Clay at Cherry Street and reminisced about Knox Choir tours. Truly enjoyed our visit to the Galesburg Railroad Museum and gave them my grandfather’s signal lantern from Illinois Central Railroad. Docent Maury Godsil was amazing! Then it was up to Elgin for a pizza party hosted by Jan and Jon Carbary. Guests included Casey Kremer ’73, Rachel Krause Abbott, and the ever unquenchable Monty Abbott. Back

to Galesburg for some work on the Knox College Gold Star Memorial (knox.edu/99lives). Grateful for help from Casey and Carol Daugherty Egan. Other trips were to compete in USMS Summer Nationals (Federal Way, Washington) and USMS Arizona State Meet in Mesa, where I took high points, but the swim meets were really just excuses to see lots of long-time friends. Prime among them were visits with Beth and Brian Heurlin. Brian joined us to explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. Anyone remember the old jingle? ’See the USA in your _________!’ You sang it, didn’t you?”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

WENDY SCHERWAT

DUCOURNEAU wjsd@jps.net

1973

► Judy Bence Barnicle has taken on teaching Spanish to 1st thru 8th graders at St. Mary School two days a week. She retired in 2016 after teaching high school for 30 years, so this is quite an eye-opening experience!! She remarks that elementary teachers are saints.

► Bob Bolier reports that he has no news.

► Liz Brasure and Steve Giles write: “We are both well and enjoy attending the arts, tending gardens, grooming the lawn, reading voraciously, visiting family including grandkids in Twin Cities, MN, and planning visits to family north of Whistler, British Columbia. We recently enjoyed a local production of Come From Away that we have been eager to attend since our recent visit to Newfoundland and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. We are embarking on a month-long trip to South America (specifically Easter Island, Patagonia, and Iguassu Falls, several bucket list items). Retirement is all it’s cracked up to be and more!”

► Don Corrigan interviewed actor Jack Dryden ’12 about his role in Jane Austen’s Emma at the St. Louis Repertory Theatre for a profile in the Webster-Kirkwood Times in December. Corrigan presented a pa-

per, “Why Books Are Not Dead,” at the Popular Culture Convention at the University of Iowa in October. Corrigan was elected board chair for the St. Louis Gateway Journalism Review (GJR) in 2025. He served on GJR’s First Amendment Celebration Committee. Corrigan published his 30th monthly “Off The Vine” wine page in the Washington Missourian in December. In 2025, Corrigan and his wife, Susanne, married off two children: Christa in April and Brandon in June. Don wore an arm cast at the weddings after a severe rotator cuff injury in a ski crash on Mount Hidden Valley in St. Louis in January 2025.

► Chuck Kernats equates gathering news from our classmates to herding cats. He searches for snowy owls on Thanksgiving Day and sometimes finds them.

► Joseph Mitton is starting a new tradition of Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico as his son has lived there for years. The holiday features a combination of turkey, pork (classic PR), and various family and friends. The weather is great, and his son has room for the family at his house in the mountains. Joe is hoping this becomes a continued Mitton tradition.

► Joanne Parrish George submits this tribute: “I’m honoring my best friend, Marcia Crary, who passed away in August, ending her threeyear battle with cancer. She valued her connection to Knox, and she was the reason I moved to Colorado in 1976. She loved to dance and did so with a variety of American and International folk dance groups for

(Left to right): Tony Ducourneau, Wendy Scherwat Ducourneau ’72, Jon Carbary ’72, Jan Carbary, Monty Abbott ’72, Rachel Krause Abbott ’72, and in front: Casey Kremer ’73.

many years. She also did costuming for a local theater troupe and enjoyed hosting music parties. She and her partner of 35 years, Louis, finally tied the knot in March. A Celebration of Life was held in October, attended by many people, including Beth Cernota Clark, Nancy Bakos Hunter, Jane Goeltz Stetson, (and Karen Halik Trumpy, in spirit). We shared stories, danced, and sang favorite songs. She would have enjoyed it!

► John Straus reports that 2025 has been a fine year. He took a 10-day ocean cruise from Athens to Istanbul with intermediary stops on Crete and Rhodes, then Ephesus. Along the way he ran into Tim Loch ’78, P’16. At President McGadney’s request, John helped to organize the first Chicago alumni “Boomer Brunch” with the president and new provost speaking. Forty alums attended the brunch at the University Club, and the Class of ’73 was well represented. Already on John’s 2026 calendar is joining the Knox alumni tour in Ireland and Scotland.

► Gail Wagner Tovrog shares the following: “Our family gathered in Denver at Thanksgiving—15 around the table for the feast and traditional night of cards and games. I am grateful that our kids are foodies, and I was asked to contribute only mashed potatoes and wine … lots of wine! Ben ’71 and I continue to enjoy traveling. Last year we toured Slovenia, Croatia, and Istanbul—fascinating! We plan to be in Paris for the conclusion of the Le Tour de France bike race this coming July, then to continue

on to visit Normandy and the Loire Valley. We both enjoy hiking—our trekking poles get plenty of use both in Colorado and Georgia. I enjoy painting and am now experimenting with watercolors. In gratitude, I plan and facilitate retreats for women in recovery, as well as enjoy water aerobics and swimming. We have two granddaughters who play volleyball and two grandsons who play baseball. We are so very blessed to be able to watch all our grands grow up. It is ‘mind blowing’ to think that it has been 53 years since we were all on campus together. Thank you, dear classmates, for enriching my life!”

► Susan Braasch Van Bavel drove to Darien, GA, to visit a dear Knox friend for Thanksgiving dinner. She went to Nassau a few weeks ago with the hopes of taking another snorkeling or scuba trip but realized her limitations in terms of getting on the boat to that island. It didn’t matter, as her younger sister, Linda, younger brother Paul and his wife, Janeth, were with her, so the vacay was a complete success. She plans a month-long trip to NV to stay with sister-in-law Karen, where they head to Virginia City, dress in Cowboy or Victorian outfits, and go to the Bucket of Blood Saloon. She is fairly content in an assisted living facility near Charleston, SC, but does have some medical issues. She states, “So I do what I can, and charge ahead!” Susan wishes all our Knox people the best!

► Best wishes for the new year. The Hunter Family has a new email: geo_hunters@myctl.net

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: NANCY BAKOS HUNTER geo_hunters@myctl.net

1974

Allen Kossoy: “Recently, I swam the 5k Big Shoulders race in Lake Michigan’s Ohio Street beach in Chicago. The water temp was a brisk 67 degrees but invigorating, nonetheless. Otherwise, I am enjoying semi-retirement.”

► Leslie Brooks: “Recently, I completed the 22nd Annual Colrain Open Studio Tour. The highlight was a comment from a visitor who loved one of my books, The Christmas Santa Fell Asleep. The story is of a little boy on Christmas morning who finds a package under the tree with an elf wrapped in it by mistake. Recently, I was accepted as a permanent artist at the Gallery in the Woods (Brattleboro, VT.) Creating art has helped me survive my identical twin’s death in 2022.” https://www.lesliebrooksart.com/ books.html

► Gabe Rotello: “I’m thrilled that my new novel, The CBGB Conspiracy, has been published. Launching a book is always nerve-wracking, and it means a great deal to be able to share this news. Part mystery, part cultural time capsule, The CBGB Conspiracy blends fiction with the real downtown music, art, literary, and fashion worlds of a gritty, crumbling New York of 1977. The literary mystery is set in the city when it was staggering under riots, rampant crime, and the terror of Son of Sam. When a young poet is found dead with a needle in his arm, those closest to him suspect something more sinister than an overdose. They search for the truth and discover a plot to blow up the CBGB 2nd Avenue Theater, where Patti Smith is set to play to thousands.” You can find the book on Amazon.

► Karen Oberlaender Oertley: “I’m super excited to read Gabriel (Doug) Rotello’s new book, The CBGB Conspiracy. I didn’t get to CBGB much then, but by the 80s, my work brought me to NY often, and I was out way too late many nights with Gabriel at Limelight and the other clubs of the day. From what I can remember, it was a blast. What I can tell you is that his description of those times has got

to be amazing. Can’t wait to read it. You should too!”

► Elizabeth Greene Coats: “I retired 15 years ago. I last worked as a reading specialist in the Sycamore School District (IL), for 12 years. I taught a total of 36 years (including Monmouth and Galesburg School districts) in various teaching positions. For my husband and I, church activities and events are a major part of our lives, along with keeping up with the house, taking care of ourselves health-wise and travel, which included a recent trip to Ireland.”

► Deidre Johnson: “I am happily retired and volunteering at a non-profit bookstore and with a cat rescue, as well as continuing to research and write about obscure 19th-century women authors. One of the surprises in my research was that series-book author Mary Alice Seymour taught at Knox for a year (1870-71). The archivist even found a couple of letters about her. I maintain a research website which features some of my work: 19th-Century Girls Series at www. readseries.com.”

► Mike and Linda Guastaferri Gallalee P’10: “We are enjoying the Prairie Fire Chats, although we missed the one about Green Oaks. We got a chance to see a very good production of Jean Anouilh’s Antigone at the Rapid City Community Theatre, followed by an excellent discussion with the dramaturg and artistic director of the company. We credit Anouilh with bringing us together—all those lunchtime discussions during Rep Term. The cultural scene in the Black Hills is quite vibrant! We spent time with son Jack Gallalee ’10, his wife Caitlyn Thompson ’10, and grandson Artie during the holidays.

► Katherine “Yama” Yamasaki: “Life celebrations and remembrance were the focus of the past year. My sister, Donna Yamasaki Govas ’69 passed away in June. We held a Celebration of Life for her and some from Knox attended. We sent origami paper cranes to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan in her honor. Recently, my family par-

The late Marcia Crary ’73 and husband Louis Clark on their wedding day in March 2025.

Monta Lee Dakin ’74 and Karen Oberlaender Oertley ’74.

ticipated in the Ireicho tour when it was in Chicago; placing stamps in a book, next to the names of family members who were incarcerated in the Internment Camps during WWII. I saw David Igasaki there. A creative arts co-op opened near my house, so I may take or teach a class. My latest art exploration is shibori tie-dying.”

► Jim Mott: “My younger daughter Liba was married on January 14, 2026. Her fiancé’s name is Azriel. They plan to live in Phoenix. It seems like yesterday when we adopted Liba from China in 2005. Two years earlier, we adopted her sister, Liat. She moved to Israel in 2021 and loves it there. I guess my wife and I are finally empty nesters.”

► Laura Moore Case: “I saw Janet Koeber Fox for the first time in 50 years this summer. We were freshman and sophomore roommates at Knox. As I was visiting my sister in Vero Beach, FL, and Janet lives in Odessa on the other side of the state, we got together halfway in Wales. It was great seeing each other, going over old times and catching up!”

► Pam Brockman ’75: “My husband, Pedro Cevallos, and I welcomed our first grandchild, Gabriel Marcelo Cevallos, on October 18, 2025! We visited our son and his family in Austin for Thanksgiving! I continue to teach stress reduction and meditation courses for adults through the Art of Living Foundation, and Intuition Process courses for kids 5-17. I’m having too much fun to retire! We will travel to Mexico in April for a wedding and will go back to Austin in the spring.”

► Richard Heitman: “Maine has the greatest percentage of retired professionals. I was lured into teaching a course on Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War. It went so well that I agreed to do another course, where I will take a close look at Homer’s Odyssey using the new translation by Emily Wilson. Intellectually curious seniors are a delight! I am also pursuing my research on mortality, having been

re-stimulated by Georg Simmel’s The View of Life.”

► David A. Schulz: “I retired from Ballard Spahr in December but continue full-time at Yale as director of the Media Freedom & Information Access Clinic for a few more years. The clinic handles interesting cases, so I get to work with terrific law students, promoting government accountability and defending the rule of law in these trying times. One current project is representing the Pentagon Press Association in a challenge to unconstitutional regulations Secretary Hegseth has sought to impose on journalists as a condition for holding a Pentagon press pass. All traditional media organizations refused to agree to the new regulations and were expelled from the Pentagon. They were replaced by the likes of Laura Loomer, Matt Gaetz, and someone from Mike Lindell’s My Pillow website as the “Pentagon press corps.” (Heaven help us!) The litigation challenging the Hegseth rules raises crucial questions about the press’s right to report on government actions without government control of the content or viewpoint of its reports. We are living in dangerous times for democratic self-governance.”

In November, the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) presented David with its first-ever Winfield Freedom of Expression Award. The award commended David’s “remarkable devotion in the public interest” and his “widespread and enduring impact.”

► John Porter: “Exciting times in North Carolina when ICE and Border Patrol raided our largest cities, Charlotte, Raleigh, and my beloved Durham. Many of my neighbors helped to resist the raids and protect our migrant friends and neighbors. How quickly we forget that only Native Indians are not migrants. NC Republicans passed a gerrymandered congressional map to favor Republicans. As Warren Zevon once sang, ‘Send lawyers, guns, and money. The shit has hit the fan.’ I hope many of our classmates who became attorneys heed the call.”

► Phil Pucel: “Recently, my wife, Christine, and I spent eight weeks in southern France, attending French classes in Montpellier and exploring by bicycle the coast and the countryside north of it. Over the summer, we were at our home in Wyoming, then traveled to visit relatives in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. We hope to ride in the L’Ardéchoise cycling festival in France next summer. We visited Quebec Province this fall, spending five weeks studying French and touring the Gaspésie peninsula. It was prime time for color in the forests that blanket this beautiful peninsula.”

► David Igasaki: “I am enjoying retirement and the ability to sleep until noon (as long as I don’t have a doctor’s appointment). I take care of my partner who is in an assisted living facility and am involved in politics, though I’m too old to ring doorbells.”

► Leonard F. Berg: “More than six years after my retirement, I am a published author. I am a contributor to Practical Probate 2025, published by the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education. My topic of Medicaid claims against probate estates is only a tiny part of an 1,100-page book, but I hope it will help others.”

► Peter Bailley P’05, P’08: “Since retirement, I’ve been to lots of campus events. Not as many as when I was paid to go to them. But enough to report that being on campus with students, faculty, alumni, and friends from Galesburg is a vibrant and engaging experience. Recent Jazz Nights included superstar Matt Wilson H.D.A. ’19, former music faculty Scott Garlock, and alum Jake Hawrylak ’13. Wow!”

► Steve Freese: “My wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by taking a nine-day Rocky Mountaineer Train through the Canadian Rockies. Foliage, walking on a glacier, and swimming elk were some of the experiences.”

► David Usher found a photo (see below) of ADEs, saying, “It is perhaps the coolest group photo ever taken at Knox. Taken in 1973, it includes members of ADE from 1973 to 1977. The train, an old steam engine, was located in the Galesburg train yard.”

► Join us for Class of 1974’s Prairie Fire Chats, monthly through May. Visit https://knox74.org/ for more information.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: MONTA LEE DAKIN mld780@aol.com

to right, standing on top of the train: Randy Seagrist ’75, John Santos ’77, Lou Moreth ’73, Jeff Williams ’73, Robert Hewes ’75, Don Bernardi ’73, Ed Satkevich ’77, Eric Wedell ’75, Mark G. Stefanik ’74, Robert B. Westerberg ’74. Sitting on top of the train: Michael Seaver ’73, Doug Pertle ’76, Robert J. Morse ’76, David Clark ’74, Tom McBurney ’74, Robert E. Sypniewski ’74, P’01, Thomas Cooke ’73, Noel Knox ’73, Unknown, Rick Ord ’75 (on smokestack). Standing on the rail: Jeffrey Pieler ’74, David Bernardi ’74, David R. Usher ’74, Chuck Hoppin ’74, Alan J. Heath ’76, Pete F. Monahan ’76, Lawrence W. Frakes ’73, Paul R. Skelton ’74, Curtis E. Strom ’73, Unknown, Michael R. Feldman ’76, Dennis K. Radosky ’74. Photographer unknown.

Left

Golden 50th Anniversary Reunion Stats.

Our Class Photo records 64 who attended the weekend. The Class of 1975 has raised $2,611,032 with eight months left in the Reunion counting period (as of 12/1/2025).

The participation rate is 70%. Our class is honored to have three members serving as trustees: Sue Blew, Robert Long, and E. James Mason. Steve Luetger has served as a trustee in the past. A commemorative quilt was crafted by Vickie Silldorff Welsch and purchased at auction by Michael Cinquegrani. Shout Out to the POT of Gold Committee!!

And now the news.

► Tony Lee P’09, P’12 passed me a handwritten update on an AmericInn pad while we were in Galesburg for the 50th Reunion. Appreciating this as the earliest contribution, I said I would put this at the top! He writes, “After serving 20 years as the Ford County Attorney, Tony retired in ’08 and lives in Paxton, IL, with wife Ellen, who retired from private practice last year. In 2016, Tony switched from red to blue and, on Oct 18, 2025, organized and led a ‘No Kings’ march in his hometown. Tony’s daughter, Jackie Lee Gravert ’09, gave birth to John, Tony and Ellen’s fifth grandchild. Jackie is a pharmacy manager at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Tony’s son, Nolan ’12, played one season of football for the 2009 Knox Prairie Fire under coach Andy Gibbons P’22. Tony’s daughter Collette appeared in a June 2023 episode of Jeopardy. Tony plays golf every June with Chuck Czuprynski

’76 and Steve Kaufman ’73 at the Phi Delt vs Fiji grudge match in Chicago. Tony and Ellen recently rode the wine train in Napa Valley and cruised to Alaska. Enjoyed the Class of ‘75’s 50th Reunion!”

► Jo Hammerman writes: “Hello Knox friends, hope all are well! I thought I’d forward you the notice/ write-up about The American Revolution (Ken Burns) shown on PBS. Also wanted to give you a heads up that our daughter, Stephanie Coleman, is part of the soundtrack with Nora Brown. Steph is a fiddler, and Nora plays banjo. Also, James Shipp, Steph’s boyfriend, does percussion on some of the soundtrack. We’re looking forward to it! Hope you can check it out!”

► In this Thanksgiving week before submitting news, Paula Ochs writes, “I am grateful for many things, one of which is Knox College. I walked through Old Main during our 50th Reunion and was reminded of the bravery of our founders, who were abolitionists and part of the Underground Railroad, a dangerous thing to do at that time. I am also grateful to my husband of 35 years, John Willard, who is related to one of the men who brought the railroad to Galesburg, Silas Willard. We stayed at the Galesburg Great House, also known as the Silas Willard House, and found out about the family connection. Also of interest: The first woman to graduate from Knox was a relative of John’s!”

In conjunction with the 50th Golden Reunion, classmates shared comments online of fond memories and “Favorite Places” at Knox. Here are a few of those.

► Susan Blew says, “I loved living in Whiting Hall both my first and second years at Knox. It was a building of such immense history and charm. Barb Van Ness and I had the best room in all of Whiting. We had the corner room overlooking Standish Park on the third floor.”

► E. James Mason: “Hanging out at the ABLE House playing music, playing Bid whist, and making plans for the future. It is year-round eve-

nings, when there is no studying or papers to write...immediately.”

► Sheri Sprung Morrison: “So many memories! Whiting Hall, freshman year, in the hallway with the smell of freshly popped corn. Surprise birthday party for me in the Gizmo. ABLE’s production of Slippin’ Into Darkness!”

► Nancy Claypool was in the “overflow” group of freshmen women who lived in Williston instead of Whiting. “It was terrific meeting so many interesting people—hanging out in dorms, fraternity houses, and off campus. I was exposed to so many new musical artists and listened to albums for hours on end. My favorite hangout was the music department, which is in the Fine Arts Center.”

► Shep Crumrine: “I remember getting a new album and having a suite party to listen with friends. (A beer or two never hurts.) We might get our guitars and do some playing, especially in the fall semester, the window open, and the breeze was blowing.”

► Michael Lincoln: “Loved The Gizmo, particularly in winter with a fire going, the smell of patty melts on the grill, and Pinky behind the counter. And our dorm room with Shep Crumrine’s 30-gallon fish tank.”

► Michael Stutman wrote: “When not at the DTL, I loved playing bridge in the Gizmo, particularly in the winter, with the cigarette smoke curling up from the metal ashtrays. I quit smoking 33 years ago, but that memory lingers.”

► Nancy Butts Taylor: “Loved playing bridge in the dorms, staying up most of the night, and then going to class at 8 a.m. I also remember my parents showing up on Flunk Day! Fond memories of marrying Michael Stutman in Old Main and having the reception in the Union!”

► Gary A. Pokorn writes that he and wife Debbie have remained busy fulfilling many of their travel goals. They’ve ventured from Kentucky to African Safaris, missing the 2025 Reunion. But Gary corre-

sponds with his Ol’ Siwash teammates, Jeff Baker and Greg Peden ’76, and plans to attend in 2026.

► Jeffrey W. Baker recalls the streaking rage at Knox and one event from the spring of 1974, when Knox men streaked a Ship concert in Harbach. Jeff followed up with the band through their website, asking if band members remembered it too? They said “Yes,” a great memory for them too!

► Stephen J. Green similarly notes, “I’ll never forget that I and a couple of friends streaked across the campus during the month; it was the popular thing to do.”

► Richard Burke P’07 notes, “I still keep in touch with friends from Knox, including George Szostkowski, Neil Shaye, Don Hill, Jim Milhorn, Sverre Falck-Pedersen ’74, and Mike ‘Coo’ Wright.”

► Daniel England P’00 notes, “Balconies on Quad Dorms. ‘Traying’ down the Knox Bowl in winter. Siegel-Schwall Band! Working the Williston switchboard.”

► Scott R. Grigg P’02: “Married my wife of 50 years, Maxine Dombkowski Grigg P’02, while we were seniors at Knox.”

► Jeffrey Sandborg questions, “Is the ‘Knox Idea’ still celebrated? If so, what is it?”

► Deborah Ann Huizenga writes, “Gratitude for the opportunities I had while at Knox.”

► Daniel Interlandi: “Loved hanging out in the catwalks of Harbach Theater. Quiet, great place to study and contemplate.”

► Claudia Hicklin Kaufman says, “I remember lots of small concerts in the Gizmo with a fantastic variety of music. I can vividly picture ice skating with friends on the Gizmo patio late at night. Lots of fun.”

► Chuck Czuprynski ’76: “Living in Seymour Hall as a freshman was an eye-opening experience for a blue-collar kid from Chicago. I remember the Bowery Party and other events at the Phi Delt House,

drinking beer at the DTL, and late-night trips to the Deluxe Cafe. Who from that era can forget the death-defying ride of Crash and Burn Tony Lee P’09, P’12?

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

DAVE LANGSTON

dave_langston@hotmail.com

1976

Our 50th Reunion committee is meeting, planning, laughing, reminiscing and ensuring our Reunion weekend will be a blast. If you haven’t heard from anyone, you will! Or reach out to me so we can encourage you to join us the weekend of October 25, 2026. Our goal is to have 76 from our class attend (hopefully more)! Our committee has awesome energy, with Keith Maskus, George Pearce, Ann Feldman Perille, Carey Adamson, Michelle “Micki” Lilly Briscoe, Gary Brown, Denise Buntin, Frannie Ott Colby, Barb Epstien, Bob Erffmeyer, Jerry Erjavec, Tom Farrell P’12, Horace Flournoy, Mike Godsil P’92, Chris Ross Gould, Sara Johnson, John Kinnamon, Marian Shurilla McDonough, Ellen Jones McNair, Tammy Walker Myers, Randy Oberembt, Gene Procknow, Phil Singer, Rick Truttmann, and Michael Widerschein all being part of our committee. Don’t you miss those Alfano’s pizzas, “mystery meat” dinners, dollar pitchers at Whistle Stop, and Dixie Cream donuts? Plus, now at Reunions they have golf carts that drive old alums like us from the football field to the Gizmo. What a deal! Make your plans and reserve your hotel space, now …

The first annual(?) Boomer Brunch was held for Knox grads in Chicago in early September. Those who graduated in the ’70s (and Joe Moore ’80) were invited. Our class was well represented with Michael Feldman, Barb Epstein, Steve Varick, Brad Jonas, Ellen Jones McNair, and me. President Andy McGadney and new Provost Melissa Glenn gave great updates on what’s happening at Knox. I chatted with George Szostkowski ’75, who co-chaired their Reunion, and George agreed to share his

playbook with our committee. I also chatted with Roger Onken ’73, who recently took up downhill skiing and is enjoying life in Minneapolis… Many of you may have heard the sad news that one of our awesome classmates, Less Boucher, passed away last year. Les was married to another wonderful classmate, Beth Prough Boucher, and Beth held a wonderful memorial get-together in honor of Less last summer in Chicago. It was a great tribute to Less, attended by many, including Ira Goldberg, Karen Brunner Davis, Tom Davis, Steve Line, Tom Rendall ’77, Randy Oberembt, Sarah Kaull ’77, Dave ’75, P’07 and Linda Nelson Langston ’75, P’07, Dan Gaynor, Kevin Buchman P’06, and many others.

► I received a note from Bill Wickart P’08. I wonder if Bill will spin some tunes at WVKC over our Reunion weekend? Bill sent a great photo of his recent wedding day when he married Patti Finnegan. They look very happy—congrats to the couple. Bill is very active and an accomplished member of the Oregon Chorale. He and Patti will be busy traveling this year.

► Congrats to the Knox ’76 swim team that was recently inducted into the Knox athletic Hall of Fame. ’76ers include Steve Varick, Jerry Erjavec, Paul Neumann and Jay Zimmerman. Also congrats to Bob Szyman ’79, who is now in two Knox Athletic Hall of Fame (swimming and soccer).

► That’s all for now. Call your Knox buddies, make your hotel reservations and get ready for a fun walk down memory lane in Gburg in October.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

GEORGE PEARCE geoknox@comcast.net

1977

Hello classmates! Lots of news, so I’ll get right to it.

► Kris Zamrazil reports: “Several Knox friends got together in June in downtown Chicago. Despite being plus or minus 70, they partied like

in college days, even after graduations, careers, marriages, kids, grandkids, hip and knee replacements, cataract surgeries, and other challenges! See if you can identify your classmates in the photo.”

► Mitch Baker ’76, P’14, his wife, Karen, and Brian Bond drove to Chicago in June for their annual visit. Brian, Mitch, and I enjoyed a Cubs game and dinner with Ed Jepson. We also had a great visit to the Shedd Aquarium, among other adventures.

► Beth Prough Boucher ’76 got in touch: “Less Boucher ’76 passed away from colon cancer on February 8, 2025. On June 21, we had a Celebration of Life for Less at one of his favorite places, the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago. Less’ Beta brothers were well represented and have been a constant source of love and support for me. Many other family members and friends were in attendance. Thanks to all.”

► Congratulations to Michael Muro and the Men’s 1977 Swim Team for being elected to the Athletics Hall of Fame this year!

► Jim Munro writes: “I retired in May 2024. Scott Luthy ’78 and I celebrated each other’s birthdays in November (mine) and December (his). On Valentine’s Day, my wife and I met Jenny Niehaus Thieman for a long lunch. I’ve become a regular platelet donor, for which there is a great need; I don’t travel, but my platelets have been all over the place!”

► Doug Hill writes: “In August, some Seymour III dorm mates and other stragglers came in from across the country to celebrate a pizza night at the original Lou Malnati’s in Lincolnwood, IL. Attending were Ken Lomasney ’76 and wife Cathy, Bob Sheehan, Simon Pankove ’78 and son David, Mike Muro and wife

Nan, Doug Hill and wife Cathy, Sarah Kaull, Marjolein Verwoerd Castanos ’85 and Jorge Castanos, Gary Jacobson, and Phil Singer ’76.”

► Bob Nordgren shared: “Still making animal vaccines with start-ups. And though I have two surrogate grandkids from Belize, I will finally become a full grandpa at the end of November from son and DIL #2. Have started traveling more with my partner, and have hit Thailand, Belize, South Haven, and Nairobi this year, plus the Galapagos and a return to Thailand by the time this publishes. Still on the farm in Athens, GA, and happy to host anyone who makes it down this way!”

► Bryn Douds went to the World Triathlon Championships in Australia and took third place in the standard distance (32.2 miles) in his age group. Doug Hill was supposed to go, but three weeks earlier, he was in a local race and was run off the road by a motorcycle and went to the ICU with a shattered collarbone and five broken ribs. Bryn and Doug both plan on going to next year’s world championships in Spain.

► Susan Runyon-Davis: “Here reporting that Nana Papa Camp once again was a hit here in Clarkesville,GA. Michael and I have our five grandkids here for five days of fun, including fishing with Papa. Let me know if any of you are passing through our area. We’d love to have you stop in for a visit at our cabin!”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: SARAH KAULL skaull@icex.com

1978

James Straus was kind enough to provide news without mentioning that the Phi Delts pounded the Fijis AGAIN in this summer’s golf outing. My view is that they got fewer shots per dollar. Here is what

Jim had to say: “Living the Dream (and Driving It)—what a summer and fall it’s been! We kicked things off with not one, but two trips to Cabo—clearly, ‘Mr. Beachfront Resort.’ Next, we hit Punta Cana, just because. Between travels, I’ve stayed committed to my fitness routine and Democracy. This summer meant bleachers and sidelines galore: Grandkid gymnastics routines, baseball games, and cheerleading competitions. My favorite role was moonlighting as their personal Uber driver, ferrying the kids to their various practices. There’s something special about quality time and the chance for the kids to know their grandparents without their parents around. Pure gold— how else to find out about KPop Demon Hunters? And then there’s baseball. We had a fantastic time watching the Cubs this summer, and I especially enjoyed watching one team that spent all season in 1st get swept in the playoffs. Bring on the holidays and whatever adventures come next! Cabo? Sure, why not.”

► It was great to hear from Brad Milton, who reported that he and his wife, Peg, are just back from two months in Japan where they were living in a tiny village on the Ise peninsula. They had a great time touring, visiting friends and being visited by friends. He says that every time they go back they learn more. This year they spent some time harvesting rice—by hand, bundling it, and hanging it to dry. He says he’ll never look at rice the same way again. It was hot when they arrived, and cold when they left, and shoji screens (essentially tissue paper walls) don’t provide much in the way of insulation. He loves being in Japan and loves traveling but really appreciates the comforts of being back at home in Illinois. Their son, Evan and wife Emiilija, have given them their first grandchild. She is now five-months-old and perfect. Daughter Emily finished her Ph.D. in archaeology in October and recently began a post-doc at the Smithsonian, where she will be investigating the domestication of maize. Fortunately, she’s privately funded so no concerns about random funding interruptions or dismissals.

► Scott Luthy gives best wishes to everyone for the holidays and the coming new year. He is still tutoring CAD and math and trying to get the construction of a new detached garage/building finished before the snow flies! He has taken up playing bridge and does so when his tutoring schedule permits, which in the summer and fall is two afternoons per week. He tries to see his Knox friends as often as schedules permit. He thoroughly enjoyed the Memorial Golf Outing this year, though it seemed less attended than in other years. Homecoming ‘25 was wonderful, as the weather fully cooperated with sunny days and mild temperatures. He would enjoy seeing more of our class attend our non “0/5” Reunion years. He adds: “This year Bruce Dickson attended for the first time since graduation and seemed to really enjoy himself! I think others would find a renewed connection once they get on campus. Much has changed and yet much remains the same!”

► Susan Hughey Walker celebrated Thanksgiving in their NC mountain home with the family. She is loving retirement! Husband Marc took her to South Africa this fall. It was one of her bucket list trips and was truly amazing! They enjoyed it so much that they plan to go back next summer. Their third grandson, Bowen, arrived on October 13, and his big brother, Barrett (Bear), turned 3 on October 14. Cousin Frankie is 8 months, so they will have an active household at Christmas!

Thanks to John Sherrick for sharing news. He and Mary Poerstel Sherrick ’80 celebrated their 12th anniversary on Lake Kegonsa. They purchased a “fixer-upper” and are finally done with improvements. Mary continues to do some substitute teaching to keep busy. He says he had lunch this summer with J. Mark Wilson from Knox and enjoyed hearing about the “FIJI House” renovation. “It is exciting to hear about so many brothers’ contributing to this endeavor.”

► Julie Jones Morrison reports that she and Joe Morrison ’79 went to Iceland for a week this fall.

► Tim and Deb Gottfried Hays ’79 have been enjoying retirement and traveling a lot to see their kids and greater family. They had a very nice driving trip through northern Portugal and the north coast of Spain in October. It gave Tim a chance to dust off his Spanish learned during the Barcelona program so long ago. They will become grandparents for a third time in January, as their daughter is expecting her second child. She and her husband live in Columbus, which is a close enough drive to do some visiting and baby sitting occasionally.

► Susan Strow Stegeman has been elected as area director for central and southern Illinois for Zonta International, and she’ll be installed in June 2026, at the ZI Convention in Vancouver. Zonta empowers women through service and advocacy. She’s been a member for over 40 years and currently serves as president (again) of the Zonta Club of Springfield. She lost a sister and a former sister-in-law, each to metastatic cancer, so it’s been a rough year. She takes care of her 94-yearold stepmother, which she says is actually a lot of fun. She and Jim have five kids and three grandsons, so life is busy. She is grateful that she is retired after over 40 years in medicine! One of their sons got her to start learning Spanish online this year, so she did that for six months, then switched to French for the next five months so far. She doesn’t know that she will travel to use the languages, but the process is fun. (I am impressed!) Next up will be returning to German. Her favorite classes at Knox were German with Professor Ross Vander Meulen. She says, “I admired his enthusiasm for teaching, and his genuine caring for his students, even for this chem/bio nerd! He was my favorite teacher of all time, a remarkable human being and role model.” Indeed.

► It was great to hear from Bruce Dickson, who says, “This year I have begun reconnecting with Knox. It started with a personal invitation to go to the Venture Boldly gathering in Atlanta. Then heading to Knox for their two Rep Term theater productions, which were outstanding. In June, I went back to hear Gov. Pritzker’s Commence-

ment speech and enjoyed hearing what the student speaker had to say. Then, as Scott Luthy mentioned, I attended Homecoming and all the attendant events, including going to the top of SMC and seeing the observatory in action. I enjoyed each of my trips back to Knox and wish I hadn’t waited so long (47 years—hint hint lol). For those that haven’t been back, I encourage you to pick an event close to your heart (sports, theater, Homecoming, etc.) and visit.” Here, here Bruce—a great pitch for reconnecting for our 50th.

► Greg Coleman says he apologizes for not writing—way too much catching up to do. He got married to Paula Tavrow, a UCLA professor, in 2019. His daughter, Sarah, 32, got married this year, and his son, 28, recently announced he planned to marry next year. Greg and Paula are both semi-retired. Retired enough to travel and volunteer. They recently traveled to Croatia and earlier to New Zealand. He leads Sierra Club hikes in the San Gabriel mountains, is a board member for a UU Church camp and enjoys almost year-round gardening in Pasadena, CA. He is looking forward to visiting Knox for our 50th.

► Tad Daley writes, and I quote, “Like a crusty old bone still being chewed upon by an even older dog, I am STILL trying to reinvent the United Nations. Because of my long engagement in that realm, last year I was invited to serve on a commission working to frame a ‘Second United Nations Charter,’ as a vehicle for helping humanity get a grip on our looming existential challenges. I’m pleased to share that my fellow commissioners include several prominent global affairs scholars and practitioners, three former foreign ministers, two former heads of state, and one former president of the UN General Assembly. And in August 2025, I travelled to the United Kingdom to speak about these matters at a conference, sponsored by Birkbeck College of the University of London, called “Does the World Need a Government?”

Our papers will be published as a book next year in Springer’s World Systems and Global Futures series. If you visit the Birkbeck College YouTube page, you can watch my

talk, and judge for yourself whether I’ve still got the same loud mouth. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Galesburg for our 50th.”

► Last, but not least, I have been doing well after successful surgery for prostate cancer in May. My PSA tests show that none of my prostate cancer metastasized, so I am in the clear, sans one oversized prostate. Our kids and grandkids will be here for the holidays, which will be pure joy. I am enjoying some writing classes and the Basic Program (great books, etc) through the Graham School at the University of Chicago. I try not to look at the news, but it is sort of like a porch light, and I am sort of like a moth.

Reminder: We are steaming toward our 50th Reunion. It would be great if as many of you as possible participated in planning activities, and of course, attendance is mandatory (��). We also need more volunteers to join the planning committee.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

DAVID BATES

david.m.bates01@gmail.com

1979

Greetings and salutations of the season! However, you choose to celebrate and enjoy December, mark it with joy, patience, hope, and optimism for a grand 2026! I am so happy to have heard from several of you out there in alumni land. I am always gratified to see where the wind carries the classmates of the Class of 1979, literally, throughout the four corners of the globe. Yes, I know it is spherical and truly has no corners. Work with me here, I am taking a creative writing class at the local community college, as a senior in Illinois. Did you know it is free?

The fall whizzed by, and a visit to Knox in October for Homecoming produced a wonderful time. Fellow classmate and Phi Delta Theta member, Bob Szyman, was inducted into the Knox Athletics Hall of Fame for his swimming exploits. Congratulations, Bob! By the way, the Knox Campus looks amazing. Now, on to the information I have on hand…

► Steve and Ann Piper McClure recently celebrated their anniversary together (an accomplishment in and of itself), in Phoenix, AZ. I think that is where I failed, as I celebrated my anniversary in Phoenix, Il; not the same cache.

► Eric Jackstadt, class act and man about town in Collinsville, IL, recently tied the knot to his best friend and truly better half, Kathy O’Brien, this past fall. In attendance under the Federal Government Witness Protection Program were Bob Holshouser, Norm Hillner, Jim Nehf, Brian Cox, and Rollie Thomas. Embarrassingly, it was reported that they all still cannot dance a lick. Yet, they were accompanied by beautiful wives. That alone should speak to the value of a Knox education.

► Fred Heger reports he recently returned from a whirlwind European tour with his wife that took them through Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovakia. Hope I am invited to that slideshow presentation.

► Condolences to the family of Christie Ferguson Cirone P’20, who passed away in August 2025. Christie devoted her life to visual arts and design and taught at Knox starting in 2007, retiring in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Editor's Note: Christie's classmates from the Galesburg High School (GHS) Class of 1971 have established a scholarship in her name. The scholarship is for an outstanding GHS college-bound senior. More information on the scholarship can be found at www.gburgpsf.org/scholarships Gifts to Knox can also be made in her honor: www.knox.edu/give.

► Finally, it was reported on my Facebook pages that Dee Herring Revere was recently in the company of Betty Au ’80 and Judy Heitman Miller ’80, taking in the festive “Holiday Market” in Washington, DC.

► As for me, Brian Sullivan, I have retired from the field of Parks and Recreation after 33 years, the last 14 with the Village of Hawthorn Woods as their executive director of Parks & Recreation. I have recently

accepted the position as the director of partner engagement for the America in Bloom Foundation.

Now, once again, I am asking for any bloomin’ article, news feed, gossip, rumor, Facebook Post, or outright made-up story to fill the next issue. You can do it!

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: BRIAN SULLIVAN bjpscruffy4@aol.com

1980

Hi, class! Hope all of you are doing well.

► Dave Workman, Kurt Pearson, and Dan Sullivan report that a fantastic gathering of Knox Men’s basketball teammates from the years 1977 to 1982 took place in French Lick, IN, on September 20, 2025. Much fun was had on the #1 public golf course in Indiana and #4 nationally. According to reports, “all exhibited ubiquitous golf shots creating obeisance from others who had to share the course with them at the same time.”

► Carol Runyon writes, “It was great to be back on campus for our 45th Reunion. Attendance was a bit low for the Class of 1980, but it was a beautiful weekend. My son came with me, and it was great to show him around my old stomping grounds.”

Carol ran into old friends Annette Zemek ’81, P’10 and George Eaton P’10, Scott Calhoun ’81, Scott Luthy ’78, Bob Thompson ’78, Marty “Glick” Glickman, Les Hunter ’77, and, oh yes, Dave Brackman ’81, who lives in the Tampa area. Carol’s brother, Dan Runyon ’86, met up with Dave for lunch in North Tampa a few weeks after the Reunion and had a great time. Carol also got to visit with Harley Knosher L.H.D. ’25, P’80, GP’10, GP’20 in March when she and her sister, Susan Runyon-Davis ’77, were visiting their stepdad in Morton. She says it was wonderful to go down memory lane with Coach Knosher. Carol encouraged all to make plans to attend our 50th in October 2030,and invited all who might be visiting Florida to give her a call.

► Susan Bernstein teaches writing at Queens College and takes part in local community art shows (textiles and mixed media). She and her partner, Steve Cormany (Kent State 1977), celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary this past April. They earned their Ph.D.s in English together at Penn State in 1993. This October, they adopted a cat named Autumn.

(kneeling) Dan “State Champion” Sullivan ’80, Standing: Dave “Nooks” Cratty ’80, Kurt “Pete” (HOF) Pearson ’80, Gary “Jake” Jacobson ’77, Dave “Work” Workman ’80, Joe “Joe Mo” Morrison ’79, Coach Harley “Buzzmaster” Knosher (HOF) LH.D. ’25, P’80, GP’10, GP’20, Joe “Howie” Hagemaster ’79, Jim “The Lof” Lofgren ’80, Bill “Colbs” (HOF) Colby ’77, Ray “El Bolido” Campbell ’82, Mark “Uboat” Umlauf ’81, Steve “City” Holmes ’80, Danny “Stick” Edwards ’81, Ed “Shoo” Eshoo ’82, and Dan “DC” Calandro ’77.

► Bob Hawkinson reports that John Kowal’s recent passing went virtually unnoticed. Undoubtedly, our most charismatic classmate, John wrote a full-length novel in Robin Metz’s creative writing class senior year. Think about that! Nobody writes a novel in college. In the ’90s, Bob occasionally tipped a few with Kowal, Frank Jozefiak, and John Drake, once back from Europe. John Drake is a singer-songwriter and recording artist. Check out his 2022 album, Play On, on Spotify. It’s really good. Bob writes, “Many years ago, I visited a classmate in Tucson, AZ, whom I inadvertently poked in the eye. We ended up in an emergency room. Our classmate couldn’t drive me to Phoenix to catch an early flight, so I reluctantly hopped on a Greyhound Bus. In the middle of the Sonoran Desert, an old man boarded the bus carrying a live chicken and plopped down next to me. Kowal would have thought that funny: Truth stranger than fiction.” Bob lives in Michigan with his wife and three kids, all in their 20s. “No one has cured cancer, but they’re doing pretty well.”

► Jim Lofgren writes, “I retired over four years ago from a wonderful 37year career in Federal Service (last 10 as senior executive service). I love my second career—retirement! My wife, Mary, recently retired and is finding her new daily rhythm. We recently celebrated 42 years of marriage, living here in Alexandria, VA. Our sons are off pursuing their lives, the oldest in West Springfield, VA, and the youngest in Wheat Ridge, CO. Mary and I spend a great deal of time traveling together, visiting family, friends, and seeing so many beautiful places here in the US and internationally. I am an avid motorcyclist and skier, riding and skiing in the US, Canada, and Europe. Over the years, I have been lucky to stay in contact with my Class of 1980 basketball teammates Kurt Pearson, Jim Pogue, Steve Holmes, Roy Brandys, Dave Workman, Dave Cratty, and Dan Sullivan. This past September, we had the second annual basketball Reunion for the players from 1977–1982, along with Coach Knosher

L.H.D. ’25, P’80, GP’10, GP’20! The camaraderie was the same as it was 45-plus years ago—absolutely amazing! I have also been fortunate to play almost every year in the Fiji/ Phi Delta golf tournament, held annually for the last 15 years! I am a lousy golfer, which Norm Hillner ’79 would strongly agree with, but I do laugh a lot and have fun! Great seeing my fraternity brothers. Fair winds and following seas to my 1980 classmates! Cheers.”

► Dave Workman had a year of incredible blessings! “Starting in January, a beautiful fourth granddaughter was born. With family and friends, we spent January and March. (Lots of birthdays back in Indiana in February, including mine on the 8th. Should you wish to send me a card or gift, my email is: djworkman1957@ gmail.com, or my home address is 89 Heartland Hills Drive, Logansport, IN. (I wear a Large Tall in case you were wondering).) The spring brought the wonderful opportunity to help two of our children and their families move. After multiple appointments with my physical therapist and multiple acupuncture treatments, I was ready to move onward. We enjoyed many trips throughout the year. A favorite destination was Beth’s home area of the Black Hills, SD. A plethora of plays, dance recitals, karate exhibitions, soccer, multiple times just babysitting the grandchildren, watching football games, watching streaming athletic events of our niece, visits, and adventures with our other kids and their spouses. In addition, the men’s basketball weekend in French Lick, IN, and golfing was a surfeit of laughter and camaraderie. What was to be my last year in the financial planning field after the sale of our practice will not be the case, as I have acquiesced to consulting one more year. As the year winds down, I am constantly reminded of the undeserved blessings of which I have been a recipient. Many of you, in fact, had huge impacts on my life. Grace and Peace to you all. Deus Vult.”

Good here in Austin! Please call if in town!

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS: ROY BRANDYS brandys@barronadler.com

JOE MOORE joe@joemoore.org

1981

Tom MacMillan: “I have been revolving between our apartment in Chicago and house way up north in Wisconsin pretty much all year. Putting lots of miles on the car and survived hitting a big deer this summer. Just did a week in Scotland with my oldest son, showing him some family history sites. I will be going on a cruise through the Panama Canal with my wife Kemmy. Checking some things off that I want to see and experience. Twice each week, I play on-line poker with several Knox alums: Mike O’Mary ’80, Rocco Marrandino ’82, and Bob Behnke ’82, P’16, P’29. That is a fun way to see friends that started during Covid and has continued because it pulls people together so well.”

► Annette Ambrosini Johnston: “Fred Johnston ’80 and I have retired from our full-time work and still live in Highland Park, IL. In March 2025, I fell and broke my arm (just at the wrist end) and tore my rotator cuff and recovered from all of it over six months with no surgery. I am glad to be kayaking (4 miles in 1.5 hrs. on Lake Michigan) with only 60% of my original rotator cuff. We enjoyed seeing Jim Whitehill P’15, P’17 last summer for a Diamondbacks/Brewers series. He is the same cheerful Jim we always knew. I am continuing with project management/AI consulting. I took about 100 hours of AI training, when I could do nothing with my broken arm. I look forward to seeing all of you in 2025!”

► Jane Strode Miller: “I just launched a podcast series targeted at building confidence through focusing on your passion. Here is a link that connects to Spotify, YouTube, and Apple: https://linktr. ee/janesplacepodcast or folks can go to https://janesplace.com/.”

► Belinda Morrill: “Happy Holidays. A little bit about me—My husband, Neal, and I are semi-retired

in New Mexico. We have lots of fun renovating old houses as a hobby. We spend lots of time gardening, reading, hiking, and exploring old ghost towns of the Southwest. I belong to several women’s book clubs, the American Association of University Women, the Mesilla Valley Iris Society, and the Las Cruces Gardening Club. My daughter, Hannah Rose, just started her master’s in public health at the University of Washington, Seattle. Here is a bit of photo art I did of Snow Geese at Bosque Del Apache, New Mexico.”

► Steve Tatge: “Not a lot of new news to share. I’m still in my role as associate vice president for asset management at the University of Washington in Seattle; I’m responsible for planning, design, construction, engineering, and sustainability at the three UW academic/research campuses and two hospital campuses. Not a great time to be in higher ed given the various assaults on research and academic independence, but this too shall pass…. I hope! Recent travel included my first trip to New York, which was fantastic, and also to Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where my wife hails from. Our 24yo daughter lives in Seattle and works as a legal assistant/paralegal in a family law practice. Overall, we’re doing well and hope you and yours are as well. Thanks for your ongoing work as our correspondent!”

► Tim Banks: “I’m nearing the end of my first year of retirement. No chance of being bored yet. Volunteer several days/week at a local non-profit, involved in a benevolence ministry at church, traveling, decluttering, etc. The

highlight of the year was a week in the Ozarks with kids and all five grandkids. Pontooning, jet-skiing, tubing, and tons of laughter. I look forward to more of the same next year. Thanksgiving in Virginia with our daughter and family waiting for the next grandchild.”

A lot has transpired for Team Nicolau in the past several months. After spending most of my career in the world of IT consulting, I entered semi-retirement in June of this year. After selling our company a number of years ago, the company I worked for the past several years decided to focus on commercial AV for enterprise companies, so they basically “jettisoned” our entire group and let everyone in our practice area go. Fortunately, I was prepared to retire and now spend time helping our four adult children and five grandchildren that all live in the Chicagoland area. I still assist a few former clients with their technology needs, but my focus has changed towards more volunteering, and goodness knows there is no shortage of need out there. After a few health “bumps” in the past few years, grateful to be back on track health-wise and to also have so many of our extended family still in the area. Spent the fall at a wedding in Montana this past September, so we added-on Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons National Parks to our itinerary.

► Earlier in November, Larry Marone ’82 was in Chicago for an annual conference, so several of us gathered to break bread. Joining Larry and myself were Jerry Proctor ’82 and Al Zdunek ’82 at L. Woods Tap and Pine Lodge in Lincolnwood.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

JOHN NICOLAU

j.nicolau@comcast.net

1982

Ken Gutsch wrote, “I am concluding a 37-year law career in Alaska, while trying to spend as much time with my wife of 37 years ( Becky), my four kids, and my first grandchild, who are all spread across the entire North American continent. I look forward to revisiting Knox during my retirement travels.”

► From Lisa Swift Johnston: “Sadly, I was only at Knox one year, my freshman year. It was a wonderful time—my best college year. I had just come to America, and the adjustment was tough, so I transferred to a college closer to my family and finished out there. Then I earned my masters in American Studies and my doctorate in counseling psychology at the University at Buffalo and married my running/ tennis partner and best friend, David Johnston. We have two children. Isobel is 31, married, homesteading and homeschooling (just 20 minutes down the road) with five (soon to be six) children. Our son, Noah, is 27 and is a VP in capital markets for a bank in Cleveland, OH. We live in East Aurora, on the outskirts of Buffalo, NY. I retired when our children were young and have been busy raising them, helping my husband, keeping our home, and now helping with our grandchildren. A Christian, I am very involved in my church family and give all praise to God for the rich life I have.”

► Steve Cooke shared news of a mini Reunion. “In July, Bill Shomos, Tom Yavaraski, Sean Casey, Pete Officer ’83, Dave Hoffman ’81, Scott Calhoun ’81, George Eaton ’80, P’10 and I met up in San Diego for three days. We went to a Padres game, played a round of disc golf at Morley Field, toured the USS Midway, took some nice walks on the beach in Pacific Beach, where we rented an AirBNB, played some spirited games of Farkle, and generally just hung out and caught up. This was our third get-together, following Minneapolis last year and Atlanta two years before that, both of which included Dean Mento ’81. A good time was had by all.”

► Kelly Norton Warner P’13 also has embraced her retirement. “I retired as director of the Columbia

Environmental Research Center in April after almost 40 years working for the United States Geological Survey. It is amazing how busy you get in retirement! After years of working out of the left side of my brain, I am enjoying activating the right side with art and poetry. I am part of an art collective in Champaign, IL, so it has been fun to show and sell some of my paintings.”

► Jeff McCasland P’29 is still working “because it’s still enjoyable. Wife Sharon and I are empty nesters in Potomac, MD, since our youngest, Sid McCasland ’29, shuffled off to Galesburg and is attending our alma mater. Caught up with George Eaton ’80, P’10 and Chuck Janczy ’81 at baseball games this year. I’ve been with the National Cathedral Choral Society for three years and have recorded some new works and appeared at The Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap with The Baltimore Symphony and The National Symphony.”

► From Megan Williamson P’16: “In June, I am again overseeing two weeks of an artist and scholar residency: Art and Culture in Italy. It is on an estate outside the hill town of Corciano near Perugia. It is open to visual artists, writers, and scholars. Additionally, and this is rare, while on the program, residents can bring a significant other with them. Any alum interested, please contact me—or look me up if you are in Umbria in June! Also in June, the Swope Museum of Art in Terre Haute is having a reopening after two years of renovations. As part of the celebration, it will be featuring both a 24ft curtain of drawings of mine, A Sense of Gravity, as well as a dozen five foot banners—all with the theme of the Circus of my Imagination. If anyone would like to see my work, I have a website in my name, and I show with Boom Contemporary Gallery on Artsy. com.”

► Jennifer Mitchell Curtis writes that she and her husband, Phil, saw Jan Estal Maberry ’81, Laura McCall ’81, and Mike Kraynak at the Scenic Drive event in October. They also recently spent some time with Jerry Proctor at the Cantigny Museum in Wheaton, IL, where

they enjoyed a guided tour together honoring the First Division U.S. Army soldiers.

► Mary Stoffel P’13: “Hello! After retiring (for good!) in January, my husband and I have spent the year refurbishing a house that we bought as a rental investment and traveling. Lots of DIY, lots of moving back and forth, and lots of visits, including: Washington DC over Inauguration weekend (protest!), Arizona to see a brother, Japan for two weeks with some friends, the ‘Burg for a funeral, Guatemala for medical volunteerism, Chicago to see my favorite band, an Alaskan cruise with my adult kids, Pittsburgh to visit an aunt, and five weeks in Europe. A pinnacle of our European trip was meeting up with Bill Boston ’81 and wife Julie. They have packed it all up and moved to Paris for...ever! It was lovely to see them and also to benefit from their local expertise. And we were about to enter the Louvre pyramid exactly as the famous heist occurred (we had nothing to do with it, I swear). We still enjoy living in downtown Madison, but are looking for that ‘other’ place. Both kids are grown and doing well, and I only have a grand-cat. I volunteer for my condo board, local public media, and various other things to keep me off—or on—the street. And try not to watch the horrifying show that is our country right now. Peace to all!”

► After almost 40 years of work in community and economic development, Carleen Pierce Herring retired from the US Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration in May. Sadly, Carleen’s husband, Joe Herring, passed away suddenly in November. Our sympathies to you and your family, Carleen.

A few quick hit updates that have also come my way include the following:

► Kathy Lorz Siebel is in Seattle. She has had two books published, The Trouble with Twins and The Haunting of Henry Davis, and works in early education.

► Susan Lake lives in San Francisco and is a clinical psychologist with a private practice.

► Steve Tourlentes lives in Somerville, MA. He is a photographer and professor of photography at Massachusetts College of Art.

► Andrea Zocchi is a co-owner and partner at Digital Silver Images in Colorado. He is also a published author and a photographer.

► Jim Harriman P’09 is an architect. He lives with his wife, Cecilia Pinto Harriman ’81, P’09 in Chicago.

► Liz Jackson Berntson lives in Tulsa with husband David Berntson. (Anyone remember the Pine Street Persuaders?) They are deeply involved in the Blues scene there.

► Frances Jones received her JD at NYU and has a private practice in Austin, TX.

► Bill Shomas gave his final performance as Richard H. Larson

Distinguished Professor of Music (Voice) and Director of Opera at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in February. He is retiring after 32 years at Nebraska after the 2025-26 academic year.

A big thanks to all who contributed to this update! Without them, you would have been stuck hearing the details of my knee replacement last week and viewing a dozen pictures of our 8-month-old granddaughter!

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS:

CHRIS BOHM GAVLIN cgavlin@gmail.com

SHARON SCHILLEREFF Sschil7470@yahoo.com

1983

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: BETH ANDERSON SCHUCK bschuckgal@gmail.com

1984

Chuck Smith has joined the neutral panel at JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: VALERIE JENCKS knoxcollege84@gmail.com

1985

I asked for a report on our 40th Reunion this past October, and Michael Spires obliged, along with some personal notes. He wrote: “It’s been a busy year in my world. I was promoted to senior research development officer in May, and I started my ninth year with Oakland University in Michigan in August. A consulting engagement took me to Hawaii in January, and it’s looking like we’ll be going back again in February 2026. If the timing works out, I’ll also finish a second consulting engagement in Seattle around the same time. Dave Crowl and I took ‘the road that calls us home’ for our 40th Reunion in October. A sad note from the trip: the Penguin Room is no more! It now seems to be the breakfast nook in what’s known as the Hard Knox Cafe, where they keep the cereals and whatnot. We had a smaller contingent this year than in the

past. Besides Dave and myself, we saw Thomas Rae (and lovely wife Lisa), Paul Steenis, Ed Janosky P’26, Starla Sholl, both Eric P. P’13 and Eric Z. Williams, Linda Kane, Robin Butler, Jordi Prats, Wendy Clark (and her husband, whose name has slipped my mind). Sterrett “Wolf” Collins ’86 was also there, and Courtney Young ’87 drove up for a short visit. If I’ve forgotten anyone, my apologies—you can yell at me in the next issue! [Jane’s note: Dee Dee Kinzie Tedeschi was also there, and looking for everyone else!] Dave and I arrived a little later than we’d anticipated on Friday, so we missed a lot of the events that day, but we did have the bookstore almost to ourselves as we stocked up on Knox swag. Dinner at the Landmark was a natural, though I’m sorry to say that we missed Phil—it was his night off. We’d planned to meet up with Michael Leonardo ’87, but he sustained an injury just before the weekend started and had to miss this year. Saturday morning dawned clear and cool. We got to campus just in time to catch the last part of the open house with senior leadership, at which I had my first chance to meet President Andy McGadney in person. Our new vice president for advancement, Marin Amundson-Graham, also came out, despite not formally starting her job for another month (she’d come to campus to meet with the Board of Trustees). She and I had a brief chat. Convocation was a little different this year from what I remember. Instead of being in Kresge Recital Hall, it was in the marquee on South Lawn. No speakers from the alumni classes this year either, something I always looked forward to in years past. I was worried when I didn’t see the choir anywhere in evidence, but I was reassured to see them marching out—adorned in the choir robes that were brand new our junior year—toward the end of the program, so we did get a chance to get teary-eyed during the singing of the alma mater. (I got a chance to do it again at the end of the music showcase that afternoon, when, as is traditional, the director invited choir alumni to join the choir on stage.) I missed the fight song, though. I hope that comes back in future. The afternoon was spent wandering over campus, pok-

ing our head into events here and there, though we missed the open rehearsal for Our Town, sadly— when we got there, there was just a single person present, taking down the street lamp and apparently getting ready to close up shop. There was a good selection of food trucks for tailgating ahead of the football game, though we could have done without the clouds of yellow jackets hovering around anything even remotely sweet. The Reunion dinner was quite tasty, though I’m not sure I’d hold it outside again—it got a little nippy after the sun went down. The performance after dinner by stand-up comedienne and disability advocate Pamela Schuller ’09 was amazing. If you have the chance to catch her in your area, make sure you go—it’ll be well worth it. We rounded out the day heading over to SMC for the Physics Club’s astronomy night—a chance to do some serious star- and planet-gazing, while also chatting with fellow alumni and several of the current students serving as hosts and guides. Did we even have an observatory in our Knox days? If we did, I don’t remember hearing about it. It doesn’t seem possible that it’s been 40 years since graduation. It feels like only yesterday. Even harder to contemplate that in another 10 years, we’ll be the members of the 50 Year Club marching into the Convocation—and two years after that is Knox’s bicentennial year.”

► Marc Savini and his wife, Meg Harrison Savini, will be grandparents in late December 2025/early 2026. Writes Marc, “Our middle daughter, Giuliana Savini Brooks, and husband Harry Brooks reside in London and will welcome little Walter Savini Brooks into the world when he decides it’s time.” Congratulations, Marc!

► Paul Steenis: “After arriving at Knox at 18 and, as I like to say, still

Cornelia H. Dudley Professor Emeritus of Psychology Frank McAndrew P’01, gave a TEDx talk in Arlington Heights, IL on October 4, 2025. L to R, Bernie O’Connell ’84, Maryjo McAndrew P’01 (retired from Knox special collections & archives), Doug Porter ’05, Frank McAndrew, Irene Podbrinok Di Minervino ’04.

waiting for my parents to come back with the station wagon to pick me up, I am finally retiring on January 15 after more than 40 years at the College. I spent three decades helping bring new students to Knox and more recently have been working with alumni on their gift planning. I loved reconnecting with many classmates at our 40th Reunion. My husband, Kevin, and I are planning lots of camping adventures and the occasional cruise ship excursion. We will stay in Galesburg, and I will be discovering how many mistakes you can make backing up a camper before the cruise line starts to look like the smarter option, but please reach out if you are in town or back on campus. Knox is still doing what it has always done best, changing lives, just as it changed ours. If you are able, keep the Knox Fund in mind and maybe even tuck Knox into your estate plans. Future students will thank you.

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS: JANE DAVIS

jedavis_ill@hotmail.com

MARGARET VERKOULEN LYNN mvlynn@comcast.net

1986

Greetings, Class of ’86—can you believe it’s almost time for our 40th Reunion? It’s been too long since we’ve been together and, in these times, as we grow older and (hopefully!) wiser, it’s important to celebrate the good times and memories that our lives are built upon. And now that so many of us are beginning to retire, we might have more time to travel. So please make plans now to join us for the big 4-0!

► Linda Norbut Suits P’15 writes, “Duston Suits ’84, P’15 and I are retired—retirement is a magical land I’m eager to explore. After a 35+ year career in arts and cultural management, I pivoted a few years ago and retired this fall from the Illinois Capital Development Board as assistant deputy director of construction. I am living proof that a liberal arts education can prepare you for almost anything! Duston and I celebrated our anniversary

and my retirement with a vow renewal in October. It included some fellow Knoxites that have been with us for most of the ride as well as some newer, but no less cherished, ones: Vicki Crawshaw Kwarciany, Julia Levy, David Stejkowski ’87, Marcia Damato ’87, Kim Seitz Beachy ’89, Kate Suits ’15, and Bridget Golembiewski ’15.’’

► Our favorite Knox poli-sci professor, Karen Kampwirth, shares that she lost both of her parents this past year, but is grateful that they were both relatively healthy and of sound mind to the end. Her daughters are busy with college: Sophie is studying for a masters degree in science education at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and is so enthusiastic about it that she is toying with the idea of going on and getting a Ph.D. in science education, just like Karen’s father! Younger daughter Vanessa is at Sandburg and enjoying it a lot. Karen and husband Duane Oldfield are planning to retire next June, and she is looking forward to swimming, tending her (mostly) native garden, and continuing her volunteer work for Nicaraguans seeking asylum here. She is also almost finished writing a biography of Nicaragua’s first lady, co-president, and ruthless dictator entitled Rosario Murillo and the Fate of Nicaragua (available in fall 2026 from the University of Pittsburgh Press).

► Mary Cantrell is also retiring after 36 years at Tulsa Community College, where she was an English professor and the George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Faculty Chair for Dual Credit. She writes, “Winding down this phase of life, I am as grateful as ever to Knox for preparing me for the best career I could have imagined and for connecting me with so many talented, brilliant people, two of whom, Rachel Hall and Anna Leahy ’88, I met up with this summer for a writing residency.”

► Now for a moment of hilarity from our class funny man, Tom Jackson: “Tom (known as Tommy to all the folks with whom he continues to play baseball) is now in year 17 of his career switch from advertising/PR copywriter/creative director to ‘IT guy’ and has yet to

KNOX ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE AWARDS PRESENTED AT HOMECOMING CONVOCATION

During the Homecoming Convocation, Knox honored a trio of alumni, recognizing extraordinary service, professional excellence, and emerging leadership within the Knox community. This year’s honorees were Kathy St. Cyr ’68, who received the Knox Service Award; Martin Reichel ’71, recognized with the Knox Alumni Achievement Award; and Max Potthoff ’14, honored with the Knox Young Alumni Achievement Award.

“Our award winners have carried the Knox spirit into the world. They have influenced industries, communities, and lives in ways that make Knox proud,” said Chair of the Alumni Council Kathryn Mahaffey ’78.

Kathy St. Cyr ’68 Knox Service Award

After graduating, Kathy St. Cyr worked in marketing information and new project development with Frito-Lay. She was also a dedicated Knox supporter, volunteering with College admissions and serving as the Dallas Knox Club contact. She acted as a class agent, a member of the Knox Steering Committee, and co-chaired her 50th and 55th Reunions. She is a member of the Old Main Society and the Lincoln-Douglas Society. She also established the Kathy St. Cyr Scholarship Fund.

Read more about our Knox Service Award recipient.

Martin Reichel ’71 Alumni Achievement Award

Martin Reichel made his impact closer to campus, serving as the leader of the Galesburg Rotary Club. He was a member of the Galesburg Library Board of Trustees, serving as president and treasurer. He played an integral part in the building of the new Galesburg Public Library, serving as construction manager.

Max Potthoff ’14

Young Alumni Achievement Award

Max Potthoff serves as U.S. sustainability manager for McDonald’s Corporation, where he advances regenerative agriculture, manages a renewable energy portfolio, and leads climate strategy for restaurants nationwide. Potthoff volunteered for his Class of 2014 Reunion, helping to organize a memorable 10-year celebration that strengthened bonds among classmates and built lasting connections with Knox.

Read more about our most recent Alumni Achievement Award winners.

be discovered as an imposter. He currently serves as an IT Project Manager for a major international corporation. Meanwhile, his sideline career as a B-movie villain (also in year 17) seems to be petering out, although some of his flicks can be seen on Tubi or purchased on disk from Amazon India. Look up his IMDB listing for details (under Thomas A. Jackson). He’s likely retired from the cinematic thespian profession, only partially by choice. Not so much his baseball career; despite having broken many bones and required multiple surgeries since resuming activities on the diamond (hardball, never softball) in 2008, Tommy continues to believe he can hit a baseball and call a good game behind the plate. This belief will likely persist until he is literally carried off the diamond (like they had to do after he broke a rib in Glendale, AZ, in 2016) or his family attempts a formal intervention. Wife Deb, now retired after serving as financial aid director at Bradley University, is still proof that he married far above his station. Children Nate (age 45), Alexandra (36), and Zach (32) are professional successes and still have the good looks inherited from their mother. However, Zach has been bitten by the baseball bug and will be accompanying his dad to play some ball in Arizona this coming January.”

► On a more serious note, we share in the grief of our classmate Mike Ryan, who lost his husband, Rich Hajjar, this fall. So many of us are losing parents, spouses, siblings, and even children these days. It’s another reason to reach out to one another and let those who are important to us know how much we care while we still can. Let’s not put it off any longer. See you in October!

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

SUSAN BANTZ sbantz001@luthersem.edu

1987

Welcome to 2026! I have had a full year of blessings. My son and daughter-in-law had a son in August, making me a grandma! My daughter gave me a son-in-law

in November. I still teach middle schoolers how to communicate in Spanish 1! Hoping to retire in 2027, which seems fair after 40 years since graduation! Thanks to those who responded and thanks for the well wishes from Keith, Mike L., and Gautam

► Farhaan Hassan: “As we approach our 40th year after Knox in a couple of years, I would love to hear from others. I am in regular touch with a few Knox alumni (Shehzad Salim, Khusro Mumtaz ’86, Kathy Mahoney Rosenberg ’85), but, regrettably, have lost touch with many. Gayle Wittle Hassan ’88 and I have been living in Arlington Heights (Chicago suburbs) since 1999. Our son (22 now) is a metal musician (guitar/drums). Would love to hear from anyone who wishes to connect. I travel every now and then to NYC, San Fran, Karachi, and London, in case any of you live in any of these towns and wish to meet up. Chicago would, of course, be easy. Drop a note if you like: Fsmhassan@gmail.com.”

► Dave Darling: “Retired and in Kona at this point—glad to be out of what we used to call ‘the rat race.’ Married, two cats, no kids. I’ve gotten into making pottery in the last few years at a local studio, which allows me to be creative.”

► Mike Pav: “I suppose others from our class will have similar news... I’m dabbling with retirement after a career leading software development teams. Retirement is glorious. My wife and I continue to enjoy our home in Austin, TX. We will be in Galesburg for graduation to help celebrate our niece Zoe Pav ’26, who is the 4th family legacy member to attend Knox College.”

► Mike Leonardo: “I have been appointed as the Heins-Johnson Endowed Chair in Biology at Coe College.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: LISABETH SIMMS BELMAN lisabeth1208@verizon.net

Please send updates to her at TracyDB531@gmail.com

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: TRACY DAHLEN BRANDON TracyDB531@gmail.com

1989

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: MIA JIGANTI mjiganti@prodigy.net

1990

A good number of classmates returned for the 35th Reunion of the Class of 1990 in October!

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: JEFF HALE jeffhale1968@icloud.com

1991

1988

Tracy Dahlen Brandon is awaiting your news, Class of 1988!

oldest son just started at Florida State University—sadly, they had a deadly shooting recently, but thank god he is ok. My youngest son will be starting high school this fall. I hope the best for my class and other Knox graduates!”

► From Julie Scannell: “Plans are in progress for our 35th Reunion on October 23-25, 2026! Follow ‘Knox College Class of 1991 Alumni’ on Facebook, or if you’re not into that sort of thing, please join the ‘Knox College 1991’ group on LinkedIn for more details as they develop. Jim Saranteas and I will be your Reunion chairs, so you can look forward to seeing more from us in the new year. I’m writing this on the Monday after a beautiful weekend on the Knox campus for Homecoming 2025, still grinning and trying to get my head back into ‘real life’ mode. I caught up with as many people from our era as I could and am very happy to report these fellow alums are alive and well.”

From Rebecca Reichert: “I went to my first Homecoming in October 2024! I went because of the memorial for Dr. Jorge Prats P’85, P’93. He was such an inspiration to me. He definitely shaped my personal and professional life, given that I spent 20+ years working in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was good to see his family and all the support from Knox College; however, I was very disappointed to learn that the Barcelona study abroad program had been terminated. The Barcelona experience was life-changing. We had the biggest influx of students from other colleges and universities during those years (1991-1993). I worked on recruitment and definitely used the 1992 Olympics as a selling point! Other colleges and universities have programs in Madrid and Sevilla, but Knox was unique with the Barcelona program, and it had the added advantage of students being able to learn/hear the Catalan language. Dr. Prats will be truly missed, especially since he established both the women’s and men’s soccer teams at Knox! In other news, my

► Kellie Monroe Wilke is a school social worker and owns an art gallery in Kewanee. She and her husband, Jeff, enjoy their grandkids and life on the lake in Dahinda.

► Jeff ’82 and Dawn Davies Clark were visiting from Colorado Springs, where Dawn is director of health services at Fountain Valley School, Jeff is director of advancement, and Casey Jones ’87 is an RN in the school’s Wellness Center.

► Shawn Zedric Doscotch and husband Chris live outside Peoria and kept us intrigued with stories from his career as a circuit judge in Illinois. They promised to come back for Homecoming in 2026 if Jennifer “Otis” Hartman ’92 makes the trip!

► Lee Hunter Genandt is the principal and day training supervisor at Broadstep Academy in Freeport, and I’m telling you, that woman hasn’t aged an hour since 1991.

► Craig Owens drove in from Lawrence, KS, where he has spent the past six years as city manager. He and his beautiful wife, Elizabeth, are the proud parents of 21-year-old twins and a 9-year-old son who is

just starting to get into soccer—and thinks Knox is pretty cool. Fingers crossed!

► Jen Goldsberry Quandt ’92 recently moved to Dubuque, IA, where she keeps a pirate ship in her backyard and oversees a “barefoot mafia” of neighborhood children, while managing a lucrative sticker business, www.jenisnugget.com

► The Phi Delts from our era always convene a solid group in Galesburg in October and did not disappoint in 2025. This year’s crowd included Dave Murphy ’90, Giampolo Pistrelli ’90, John Hager ’90, Fred Gore ’88, Tom Immel ’90, Jason Radakovich ’90, Dave Newbart ’90 and Monty Palmer ’90, all in excellent form. They hosted a tailgate after the football game (and Joe Lennon’s ’90 poetry reading) that brought in Mike Boyd ’86, Bob “Fly” Sheehan ’77, Lenny Jones ’89, P’28, new Knox trustee Art Kaz ’90, and Andy Gray ’90, who recently retired after 35 years of teaching art and now spends his days golfing and renovating his home.

► Had an absolute blast reconnecting with Melissa “Oz” Light ’90, who is as gloriously unfiltered as ever, and Rene Bouchard ’90, who decided she’s keeping her air cast boot to continue getting VIP airport service forever.

► I found flight instructor Ben Shakman ’90, P’24 and lovely wife, Charleen “Chuck” Pyles Shakman, in the bookstore and had a great chat about the St Louis area; both looked terrific and mentioned they are planning to relocate to Wisconsin just to have an easier drive to Galesburg.

► From the shady comfort of a purple Adirondack chair outside the Gizmo, I had a lively FaceTime with Todd Burke ’90, who almost flew in from California for his Reunion and was deeply regretting the decision not to, especially after I panned the camera around campus. Todd’s been working at Adobe for over 21 years, so he opted not to judge me too harshly for the 27 years I’ve been at my same job, managing HR for a die-cast tooling manufacturer. Mike Lenz ’89 is director of

business development for one of our largest customers, so he and I sometimes cross paths.

► Colin Graham lives in CT and is a business affairs attorney at Creative Artists Agency in NYC, working with author talent, which I find completely enthralling, and he agreed is an amazing job.

► There were many more alumni that I recognized but did not get a chance to talk with, so I’m hoping they will also send in their own updates!

Knox Athletic Hall of Fame legend Kathy Hansen Foster, who has never missed a Homecoming before this year, couldn’t make the trip due to starting a new job. She’s a licensed clinical social worker in Florida, where she lives with her husband Richard “Fuzzy” Foster ’86. I’m sure they won’t mind if I invite each of you to visit their home in Boynton Beach! They recently had the opportunity to visit with Todd Monken ’89 and a few Baltimore Ravens and see them beat the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium the next day.

Both Kathy and Mary Spenceri Pipkins, who lives in Clearwater, FL, with husband Thomas, were very much attending this year’s Homecoming in spirit, as I kept them engaged with photos and messages throughout the weekend. Both are planning to attend in 2026.

The 35th Reunion Committee will be reaching out to all of you soon. If you are interested in being part of it or have ideas for the Reunion, please reach out to me at juliescan91@gmail.com or through the Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

Especially if you haven’t been back to Knox in a while (and yes I’m looking at you Mr. Jonathan Sheinkop!) pencil in the weekend of October 23-25 now, and maybe the planets will align. We’ve already got a couple of fun things in the works and are looking forward to catching up with you in Galesburg!”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

JONATHAN SHEINKOP jonathansheinkop@hotmail.com

1992

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS: CELINE GURA MATTHIESSEN celmatthiessen@hotmail.com

TAMMY THORSEN RAGNINI rragnini1@yahoo.com

1993

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: REBECCA GILLAN rebecca.m.gillan@gmail.com

1994

Hello, Knox friends! Many of you made it to Homecoming this year. The photos looked fabulous. I did not make it due to two family birthday parties, my oldest turning 18 that weekend. How busy I thought I was when I was at Knox! Juggling teen and pre-teen schedules with my own are true lessons in multitasking.

I’m still in Atlanta practicing medicine—my 10-year anniversary at Emory University Hospitals in early December 2025. Since 2023, I’ve been the medical director of the Emory University Hospital Midtown’s Wound and Hyperbaric Center, and the chief of rehabilitation services in the hospital. Our department is never not busy! I’m also still channeling my Knox liberal arts education into creative writing, proud to have a poetry chapbook accepted by an indie press for publication in 2026.

► Robert (Bob) Connour is in his 26th year at Owens Community College as a professor of biology, and his wife is in a similar role at Ohio Northern University. In 2024, he was appointed to Ohio’s natural resource assistance council. His three children have grown up and added their own children to the family tree.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: LISA PRESTON-HSU story.of.a.kitchen@gmail.com

One of my new favorite Knox memories (and there are so many) is now our 30th Reunion. It must be something about hitting our 50s, but those of us who gathered let our guard down and got to know each other all over again. I connected with so many people from our class who I haven’t seen in a looooooong time. I mean, Kare Bear herself— Karyn Beres Mercado ’96—flew in from Arizona and even stayed with me in Champaign the night before we traversed to Galesburg. And I hadn’t seen former Neal 3 suitemate Melissa Collings Hancock since graduation! I always treasure singing The Knox Hymn with the Knox College Choir, which I got to do twice!

► Saturday’s Family and Friends Dinner was a blast and delicious with the 1995 table including Mirelle Warouw, Juliana Tioanda, Karyn Beres Mercado ’96, Joren Lindholm, Jennilea Beam, Pete Brown, Jeremy Butler and Alex Dye—a group of people who probably wouldn’t have gathered at a cafeteria table back in the day, but who had a great time catching up. (Sorry if I forgot anyone. I promise it wasn’t on purpose.)

► Mirelle Warouw reveled in goofing around with Juliana Tioanda and Janaki (Janu) Chathadi Jain at Homecoming. She also got to discuss current politics with Prof. Sue Hulett over lunch. But Mirelle said her biggest highlight was introducing her younger child, Lucinda, to Knox, who agreed with her older sister (who had visited Knox three Homecomings ago) that their mom had surprisingly cool friends and that Knox was a fun place to be.

► Shannin Strom hosted a celebration for long-time, now-retired Costume Shop Director Margo Shively. She observed that the basement underneath the Harbach Theater smelled the same and hanging

out with theater nerds again was fun. She even did a late night trek for Alfano’s Pizza with Yvette Garcia, Ellie Richardson Mitchell and husband George, Wendy Paulsen and Ralph Pennel ’94 because no other restaurant was open at 9:30 p.m. Food also featured in one of Shannin’s other memories—she got to have spinach bisque from The Landmark three times!

► Many from the Class of ’95 also were graced by the dulcet tones of Nancy Kunkel Defauw, Alex Dye and Shilpa Bhalerao singing the 1999 Back Street Boys classic, “I Want It That Way” at Iron Spike’s Karaoke Night. Note for those of you thinking about your next opportunity to grab the mic at Iron Spike: Everything sung into their mic is piped out to the speakers on the restaurant’s patio. In downtown Galesburg. That means the sound carries down the block. You’ve been warned. Speaking of Homecoming shenanigans, Alex Dye, Jeremy Butler, and Pete Brown made a pilgrimage to Alfano’s to get their big-as-your-head breadstick at a somewhat late hour. Despite my concerns for their digestive systems, I was told all was well the next morning.

The weekend wasn’t all nostalgia. The packed schedule drew us to new additions at Knox, including a tour of the Knox Farm, seeing the stars and planets at the Knox Observatory on the roof of SMAC, and attending the Knox is Lit reading at the gorgeous new Arts Center.

The memory for me—and probably Juliana Tioanda and Karyn Beres Mercado ’96, too—was chatting with a current student (so sorry I forgot his name) in the lobby of SMAC after going to the observatory. Juliana and Mirelle had met him earlier at the I-House while they were listening to student stories and dispensing their wisdom. After chatting a bit, he said something like: “I love meeting alums and knowing the people who walked here before me.” I got teary writing that up. There continues to be an extremely high quality of students at Knox—so if you haven’t been back in a while, make a point to visit soon!

► And one more update for you from Fiona O’Brien Gill, who also attended Homecoming: She recently stepped into a new role as senior vice president of client success at Origami Risk in Chicago. It has been an exciting transition and a great next chapter in her career. If that wasn’t enough, she has also opened a small business—Mainstream Boutique in New Lenox— which has been a fun and fulfilling way to connect with our local community. Her oldest, Cormac, is now a junior at the University of Tennessee studying biomedical engineering, and her youngest is a sophomore at Lincoln-Way Central High School, currently in the middle of basketball season. Her husband, Pat, is thriving as a sales executive at Trimble. They celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary this past year.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: NICOLE HAVELKA defythetrend@gmail.com

1996

“Hello, Class of 1996! Our 30th Reunion is just around the corner. Caitlin Muelder and I are serving as co-chairs of the Reunion committee and are looking for some partners in crime . . . sorry, planning. Please email us at mscott@knox.edu or caitlinmuelder@gmail.com if you’re interested in helping. We promise that it’ll be a great time. See you in October!” —Megan Scott

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: KATHY DIX BIALLAS kathybiallas@gmail.com

1997

Jeremy Darnell is the new class correspondent for the Class of 1997 and is looking forward to hearing your news! Please send your updates to Jeremy at jdadkd217@ gmail.com

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

JEREMY DARNELL jdadkd217@gmail.com

1998

My daughter (Elsie Conwell ’29) started at Knox this past fall, and

she’s been having a great time in classes, living in Post Hall, and running cross country and track. She’s been engaging in sustainability opportunities on campus, such as the Knox Farm, but also exploring an interest in Latin American politics with professor Karen Kampwirth ’86 (who followed in the footsteps of Knox’s esteemed Richard Kampwirth. I recall her starting and him retiring sort of adjacent to our time at Knox). For me, this past year has been a poignant mix of keeping things going that are important, and challenging tests for what does and doesn’t still fit into our overly busy lifestyles. It’s been fun to be out on my cross-country skis in the early December snow that Chicago’s been enjoying! Another thing that continues to bring me joy is keeping connected with folks from Knox. I’m glad to be able to share these updates from our good friends with news to share.

► Jim Williams: “After 25 years in Central Indiana, my wife and I have embarked on a nomadic lifestyle. This fall, we’ve been living in Chicago since our youngest son is playing college soccer there—and we’ve had fun exploring the city. Future stops will include Nashville, where our oldest daughter lives and works. We’ll also make regular trips back to Indiana to visit our middle son, who’s still in college there. On the work front, my job regularly takes me to Washington, DC, where I get to hang out with fellow Knox Fiji Kevin Gash—the sausage king of Rockville, MD!”

► Autumn Anderson: “I just went to Thailand to visit one of my roommates, who also graduated in 1998, Renee Richards Ariesen! She and her husband, Arthur, hosted me in Bangkok, and it was wonderful to catch up!”

► Ben Gaa: “I’m happy to announce that my latest collection of haiku, A Wild Blue Sky, is now available

for purchase everywhere you order books.”

► Kathryn Moakley: “I’m still in Eugene, OR, managing a legal aid services office in Lane County. My oldest child is graduating from high school this year and is excitedly planning for college in fall 2026.”

► Andrea Crain: “I still live in Madison, WI, with partner Jay and our two cats. I work from home doing database stuff for the Chicago PBS station, WTTW, and the classical radio station, WFMT. In my free time, I like to hang out at our local makerspace, the Bodgery, picking up all sorts of fun maker skills. Here’s a picture of me about to try wood turning on a lathe! (The message on my shirt was clearly not accurate for the event, I was psyched.) I made a bottle opener handle!”

► Liz Harden Lee: “I’ve actually had quite a bit of change in the past year. I met the love of my life, Charles, and got married at the end of April. After 27 years in the Houston area, I moved to Austin, and I’m currently teaching 5th grad—28th year in education. As Ferris Bueller said, ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ I would love to meet up with any fellow Knoxies in the Austin area. Feel free to email me at harden.elizabeth@ yahoo.com. Take care everyone!”

Thanks to everyone who reads and writes into our column, and thanks in advance to those who share next time. These updates are best when we hear from everyone, so let’s keep in touch!

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

KIP CONWELL P’29 kipconwell@gmail.com

1999

Julia Marsh shared, “I moved back to Texas from Ireland in 2015 and am now moving back to Chicago over the winter holidays. I look forward to meeting up with the Chicago Knox crew once I am back and settled. I work in IT but am thrilled to be getting back to a city with a great theater and dance scene!”

► Sarah Gortenberg reported that both of her kids are in college! She is enjoying an empty nest.

► Bert Fox and husband Dave Pickett celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this November and are still happily rooted in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago with their two very spoiled fur babies, a pug named Sophie and a Devon Rex cat named Edgar. Bert runs Positive Regard Therapy, a queer affirming counseling practice, while Dave leads UX/UI work at a consulting firm focused on government work. The two took a trip to Galesburg last year so Dave could get the full Knox tour, including a stop at the new Sigma Nu house and a walk through the campus where Bert spent four memorable years.

► Cassandra Westfall McShan shares, “I’m really excited to share that my husband recently started a non-profit Legendary Academy (www.legendaryacademy.org), an organization serving youth and their families in the St. Louis metro-east. The mission of Legendary Academy is to foster a sense of excellence, unity, and wellness in the community through sports and education. My husband and I appreciate your support in helping make a tangible difference in the communities we serve. My time at Knox taught me innumerable things, but one of the most enduring things it taught me

is that there is power in a strong community.”

► In May 2025, Emily Kunz Pherigo met up with Karen Malina Nakata, Liz Peters Cecil, and Jena DeJuilio Volpe in Arizona. She writes, “It was the first meet-up with the four of us in more than 15 years! We reminisced lots about our time at Knox. Although our memories were a little hazier, we shared appreciation for our time in Galesburg, the friendships made, and our liberal arts education.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS:

CASSANDRA WESTFALL MCSHAN cassandra_westfall@yahoo.com

NELSIE BIRCH nelsiebirch@gmail.com

2000

The Class of 2000 gathered at Homecoming in October for the 25th Reunion!

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: JENNIFER PARKER parker_jen78@yahoo.com

2001

The Class of 2001 has many updates to share! It turns out we’ve been busy for the last 24 years. As the new class correspondent, I am pleasantly surprised to have gotten responses to my invitation for news. I hope to hear from others of you in the months to come!

► Brian Barnacle recently started a new position as a neuroradiologist at Dartmouth Health and an

assistant professor at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. He shares, “I am presenting a poster at the upcoming American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology annual meeting on the recent New Jersey Supreme Court case State vs. Nieves, which affirmed the trial court decision that abusive head trauma is junk science and inadmissible in trials. The poster reviews the findings of abusive head trauma, scientific evidence underlying the diagnosis, and the flawed decision of the court. I continue to serve as a radiologist in the Army Reserve with the 405th Field Hospital.”

► Riley (formerly known as Laura) Johnson shares, “I am based in the Tampa Bay area these days, where wife Rachel and I are raising our two elementary-aged sons near her supportive family. We are recovering from a very rough year. On August 1, 2024, I was diagnosed with mucormycosis, a rare and frequently lethal invasive fungal infection, at a routine ENT visit. I underwent 10 surgeries in the space of two months, and I was ultimately hospitalized for a total of five months, finally home on December 26, 2024. I am pleased to report that they were able to successfully treat the infection, but unfortunately, it came at a cost. Because of the high-powered infusions I had, I developed a sudden-onset neurological condition that causes my legs to buckle without warning. So for the past year, I have been relearning how to walk. One thing I will say—my Knox-acquired skills may have saved my life. Right before that ENT appointment, I had been doing some light nerdy reading (as one does) and came across an article about a rare COVID-related condition popping up in folks who are diabetic (mucormycosis), so I asked the ENT to take samples to specifically rule it out and asked about two dark spots along my gumline. As fate would have it, not only did I have the rare infection, but those

two dark spots? They were the only place it initially showed up, well outside the ENT’s usual areas for pathology samples. While the past year has had significant challenges (and no doubt for many other folks), I am very grateful to see improvement. Hoping to someday soon make it back o’er hills and plains, by lakes and lanes...”

► Prasanth “Bobby” Katta writes, “Hello everyone—somehow it’s been 24 years since graduation, which feels mathematically impossible, because I’m pretty sure we were just at the dining hall last week recovering from a late-night party at the Phi Delt house the night before. Life after 2001 took a few turns. I returned home to Chicago, where I finished law school, worked as a lobbyist for a bit, and then in the plot twist no one saw coming—I decided to go to medical school. I ended up in Arizona for med school, then completed residency and an Interventional Pain fellowship at the University of Kentucky. So yes, after all that education, I now spend my days telling people that lifting their couch by themselves was not worth it. These days, I’m living in Naperville, IL, and working as an interventional pain physician with Northwestern. It’s been a challenging and genuinely rewarding career, and I’m grateful to be doing work that actually helps people get their lives back. Outside of work, I’m married, and we have a 14-month-old daughter who is adorable, determined, and clearly in charge of the household. I haven’t slept since 2023, but life has never been better.”

► Sid Mahapatra offers greetings from the Good Life state to his Knox friends. He writes: “Unbelievable that it’s been almost a quarter of a century since we graduated! Life after Knox took me to Chicago Medical School in North Chicago, where I completed an eight-year MD, Ph.D. and had the good fortune of marrying Namrata Samtani. She followed me to sunny California, where I completed a three-year pediatric residency and then a three-year critical care fellowship at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. Both my kids were born at Stanford during my critical care

2025 KNOX-LOMBARD ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The Knox College-Lombard Athletics Hall of Fame is honored to recognize the extraordinary contributions of these athletes and teams, celebrating their achievements and the indelible impact they have had on Knox College athletics. Honorees are inducted annually at Homecoming.

Becky Mowers Nelson ’04 Volleyball, Softball

A standout two-sport athlete for the Prairie Fire, Becky Mowers Nelson received All-Midwest Conference First Team accolades in both softball and volleyball. She set two RBI records in softball, as well as being selected as MVP in her sophomore and senior years. There were records set in volleyball as well, as she set four single season program records as a senior.

Jason Maclin ’07 Basketball

Jason Maclin is one of the most prolific scorers in Knox men’s basketball history. He led the league his sophomore year in free throws and ranked top four in the conference for scoring in his junior year. Throughout his time at Knox, he demonstrated a well-rounded overall game.

Vernie Mendrek Coach and Administrator

Starting her Knox career in 1968, Vernie Mendrek was an integral part of the athletics department for more than three decades. She had a variety of positions in the department, including the first women’s tennis coach, guiding the team to eight winning seasons. Her stints as a coach and P.E. instructor were crucial to the establishment of women’s sports at Knox College.

1975-76 Men’s Swimming and Diving Team

The 1975-76 men’s swimming and diving team recorded a perfect 9-0 dual meet record in the conference. The team broke three school relay records in the 400 and 800 free relay and the 400 medley relay, as well as breaking a pair of conference records, which included the 200 yard free and the 800 free relay quartet.

fellowship. After ‘sailing through’ the challenges of being a new father and a new fellow, we moved to Omaha, NE, to be closer to family. And we have not looked back. I am now an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and have found my passion in investigating how to enhance the treatment of critically ill children with pediatric brain tumors. I started my lab more than a decade ago to apply my extensive training to finding practical solutions that are readily translatable at the bedside. Fortunately, we have made and published some interesting discoveries that are now taking us to the precipice of clinical trials. In the ICU, I study pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis and run collaborative clinical trials as a site principal investigator. So, yeah, those extra four years of Ph.D. training have taken me deep down the rabbit hole of scientific discovery at both the bench and bedside. Outside of work, I am equally passionate about my role as a father. Soccer games, swim meets, piano recitals, dance performances, debate tournaments, art exhibitions, I am as close to 100% present as my ICU life allows. I have begun to read more classics as I once used to (Moby Dick is the current project) and have dusted off the table tennis paddles. Doing BBQs and trying new DIY culinary treats are my stress relief. We love traveling, and I try to squeeze in scuba diving adventures on as many of these vacations as the family allows, but I remain a novice. I have remained in regular touch with one other Class of 2001 alum, Ameya Kaveeshwar, who is a successful physical therapist in the Bay Area. All in all, we feel blessed to enjoy the good life. Looking forward to reading your updates and reconnecting.”

► Mara Mellin shares: “I’ve been living with my family (husband Nick, son Max, and daughter Mia, plus two dogs and one cat) in Kärnten, Austria, since we moved here during the pandemic in 2020 from Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. (We were in CR two years after moving from San Francisco because of Trump— hoo boy!). We remodeled a home we bought, and now Max is in his second year of the International

Baccalaureate, looking towards aerospace engineering, and Mia will be going to an English boarding school in Kent, starting this spring. So things are heavily in transition over here! I’ve been working on a book full-time for the past three years (having rewritten it twice). Despite taking exactly zero writing classes at Knox, I was always a writer, and Knox always made us defend ourselves in writing, but even I’m slightly surprised I’m writing fiction—a speculative thriller about humanity on the brink of extinction and the artificial super intelligence who loves us and wants to save us from ourselves.”

► Jeff Mueller P’26 still lives in Overland Park, KS, a suburb of his hometown, Kansas City, MO. He visited Knox in the fall for Homecoming and Family & Friends Weekend and was able to catch up with some friends from the Class of 2000 and John Peters, who is from Galesburg. Jeff was also visiting his daughter, Michaela Mueller, who will be graduating in 2026. For better or worse, that will put the two of them on the same Reunion schedule! Michaela is an environmental studies major with a minor in biology. In 2024, his son, Jaedron, graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio with a degree in business analytics and technology with a data science minor. He accepted a position in San Antonio with Booz Allen Hamilton. He hopes to see a lot of people at our Reunion next year!

► This May marked four years since David Nimke and Meg Anthony moved to Wisconsin. “Meg has been a school board member for the past two years, a volunteer for childhood literacy, and a band booster. David is working remotely for Astellas Pharma and leading their Real World Data Science–Oncology team. Charlotte is 14, and Ben is 10. A welcome surprise is that the move to Southern Wisconsin increased

our time connecting with friends from Knox: Jessica Corlett Gregory, Rob and Jade Hellie Huizenga, Ben ’03 and Nina Gutierrez Martin ’05, and Eric ’00 and Janelle Curtis Eckdhal. This past spring, we travelled to visit Adam and Jenny Anderson Pettinger in Copenhagen!”

► Nikki Linsky O’Donnell lives in the Denver area with her husband and two kids. “After graduation, I worked in the schools for several years and then became a trainer in the back office of a mutual fund company. I’m currently a stay-athome mom and volunteer with our local Girl Scouts. I hope everyone is doing well. It’s hard to believe that it has been almost 25 years since we graduated!”

► Tom Rohn, OP, was elected to a second term as formation director for his Lay Dominican Fraternity in Carmel, Indiana, in 2025. Additionally, he was part of the Defense Contract Audit Agency’s “Team of the Year.” He and Liz Seggelke Rohn ’02 celebrated 22 years of marriage and enjoy life in Indiana with their 6-year-old daughter and newly raised garden beds.

► Brandon Orr and his wife Rachael, who have been married 16 years, are in Destin, FL. Her Ph.D. is in educational leadership and policy analysis. She is the executive director of strategic initiatives and student success for the Office of the Provost at the University of Missouri. Brandon serves in the United States Special Operations Command. His Ph.D. is in educational and counseling psychology with a PostDoc in neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience.

► Six years after graduating from Knox, Kara Smith went to law school. Here’s her update: “Since law school, I have been a public defender for the State of Colorado in the Grand Junction office, rising in the ranks to office head, somehow managing about 50 defenders. In 2022, I got married to my beautiful bride, and two Knox Alums, Jennifer Rudderham and Rory Parilac, joined my bridal party. The highlight of the wedding for me was a Knox-style pumphandle where all guests had the opportunity to meet each other! Earlier in 2022, after visiting Knox for our delayed 20th Reunion, I also met up with Knox Alums, Amy Hennessy ’98 and Mark Stiglitz ’98, in their Chicago home for an evening of catch-up and reminiscing with their two brilliant children. Traveling, my four cats, television, and puttering around the house fill my free time.”

► Julie Lindbeck Swanson shares, “Chris and I have been happily married for 18 years. Our daughters, Maya and Molly, are 17 and 15, making their way in the world. Five years ago, we moved to the countryside and continued loving the peace, quiet, and gardening. Last year, after stay-at-home parenting, homeschooling, housewife-ing for all those years, I renewed my social work license and took a position at the Community Mental Health Center. So far, it seems to have been the right move—demanding yet fulfilling. Sending peace and love to everyone!”

► Will Boast: “My second short story collection, The Submerged, recently won the Flannery O’Connor Award and is forthcoming Sept. 2026. A story from the collection was a finalist for the BBC/Cambridge National Short Story Award. The BBC did an audio production for Radio 4 with the actor Mark Strong as the narrator. I’ve also been teaching writing at the Uni-

versity of Chicago and Royal Holloway, The University of London.”

► Leah Zhang currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and family. She’s been pursuing her life in the arts since leaving Knox. Her journey has taken her to performing in theaters throughout the country and a few film and TV shows as well. She’s a movement and acting teacher at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in West Hollywood and also at UCLA. She is also a certified teacher of The Alexander Technique and a certified Ergonomics Specialist. To catch up with Leah, please follow her on Instagram @leahteaches

► Elizabeth Smith Tompkins: “I am happy to share that I got married in September 2024 to my husband, David. We had a smaller gathering at an idyllic farm in Longmont, CO, with family and friends. We were happy to have a group of friends from Knox celebrate with us. I earned a master’s degree in gerontology in 2016 and since then have worked as the social services director in several different nursing home communities. David and I enjoy taking in the beauty of Colorado and also traveling as much as we can.”

Gabe Patti ’00, Jose Espericueta ’00, Sarah Wetmore, and Brynn Seibert were in Chicago at a No Kings Rally on October 18.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: JESSICA CORLETT GREGORY jessicacgregory@gmail.com

2003

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: DAN CHIBNALL danchibnall@gmail.com

2004

Rachana Rao Umashankar has been living in New York for 11 years and continues to work at Iona University as associate professor of religious studies. She says: “I’ve also been teaching the first-year seminar for the past couple of years, and it always reminds me of our First-Year Preceptorial (a word I’ve only ever heard used at Knox! Is it still called that?). The theme for my seminars is “What does it mean to be human?” I fully intend to show the students del Toro’s Frankenstein in class next year—a fitting nod to our common read way back in 2000! The other big update is that I’ve been learning Mohiniyattam, a South Indian classical dance form, for the past three years. I’ve performed at the 400-year-old Guruvayur temple in Kerala for the past two summers, and BFF, Shalini Krishan ’03 has attended!”

► Tiffiny Boyd lives in Las Vegas and shares that she’s busy working as a pediatrician and caring for her seven children.

► Jo Bradley had a “mini Reunion” with Mary O’Malley and Julie Larsen in June. “We watched Love Island and ate a lot of cheese,” she said.

► Kelly Lave accepted a new position in July: associate professor of physics and astronomy at St. Charles Community College near St. Louis.

2002

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: JENNIFER WREYFORD jwreyford@gmail.com

Left to right: Sabey Abraham ’01, Adrienne Shilton ’01, Krista Miller Baetz ’01, Elizabeth Smith Tompkins ’01, JaMie Bishop Hankla ’01, and Azusa Yoshida ’01.

► Krista Nieraeth reports that she also changed jobs over the summer and is now the superintendent of schools at Santiam Canyon School District in Mill City, OR, near Salem. “I relocated to Salem to be closer to work, but now am closer to Portland, so if anyone lives in or is visiting Portland, I’d love to catch up! This summer, I was able to visit Hillary Nelson Hansen in Wisconsin, and we were able to catch two WNBA games, one in Minneapolis and one in Chicago. Gina Salamone will be doing her yearly trek to Oregon in January to help me explore more Oregon wineries, restaurants, and hiking trails.”

► Lauren Klinger says, “I met up with Steve Krejci, Nathan Lubchenco, and Kenny Ruzicka for our annual Reunion in Colorado in October. We went hiking, played board games, and put our nerd brains together for an escape room.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS: LAUREN KLINGER lauren.klinger@gmail.com

MAGGIE CLAUDY mclaudy@gmail.com

2005

Jon Betts writes, “Tom Petty said, ‘You never slow down, you never grow old.’ I’m beginning to question that, because, despite things not slowing down, I certainly feel

old. Unfortunately, our busy schedules didn’t allow us to get down to the ‘Burg for the 20th Reunion, but I’ve been fortunate enough to continue to stay in touch with so many Knox friends, including yoga in Michigan with Sarah Wallen Connelly, tennis in Galesburg with Kevin Heimann ’02, and all the Dave Rahofy ’03 I can handle, among others. Steph and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, and if that isn’t enough to make us feel old, having three teens in the house—Grace (15), Claire (14), and Henry (13)—sure is! I still teach in a fifth-grade classroom (at time of writing, tomorrow is our 67th day…) and coach high school tennis. With our oldest now in high school and the head coaching position vacant, I transitioned over to coach her and the girls at my old high school, which was a lot of fun. I particularly enjoyed our overnight trip to Galesburg, where I got to give a tour of Knox and, most importantly, eat in the Caf.”

► Jackie Dehne Scafidi tells us, “It was great to say ‘hello’ to everyone at the 20th Reunion this year. It was exciting to finally bring my daughters along for their first ever Knox College visit. They felt right at home in CFA and enjoyed highlights, including the library, the whale display, and seeing their ‘Aunt’ Ashley’s photo at the Pi Phi house. It came full circle when they were able to say ‘hello’ to Professor Liz Carlin Metz and meet Easy too.”

► Emilie McManus Kalghatgi and Marissa Parkin’s families vacationed together in the French Basque Country this past July, while exploring Saint Jean-du-Luz and Biarritz, France. The kids absolutely loved spending time together in such a special place and, of course, the adults did too!

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: ASHLEY STEINSDORFER GOTTLIEB aggottlieb@gmail.com

2006

Ann Hernandez is excited to share, “I’m loving my job at Space Center Houston, running Corporate Leadership and Teambuilding programs for adults from any industry who want to learn from the space world. I get to use my education degree in a fun, creative way. This year, I also finished major national museum grants focused on inclusion, especially supporting Latino/a/x communities. The work even lets me travel and visit Knox friends!”

► Katelyn Mazman continues the life updates, sharing, “It’s been a big year for our family. Our daughter, Eleanor, turned 1, and life has been full of big milestones, neighborhood strolls, and ocean adventures. We even had an adventure with Ann Hernandez and Melanie Hagen-Ching when they visited Sacramento for a girls’ weekend. I continue to work at California Youth Advocacy Network as the research and education program manager. When I’m not working or chasing a toddler, my wife and I are doing projects in our 1930s bungalow or en route to a coffee shop for our next shot of espresso!”

► Mary Tibbets continues to connect with friends from faraway. “In June 2025, I traveled with Xing Jin ’05 for a two-week trip to the UK. I flew in from Austin, TX; Jin flew in from Shanghai, China; and

we met in Edinburgh, Scotland. We had an amazing time and managed to drive on the left side of the road down to the Lake District and up to the Isle of Skye without incident. In 2024, we met in Singapore and traveled together to Cambodia, so our friendship remains quite international!”

► Megan Gamble says “Hello! I’m so excited to see everyone at the 20-year Reunion in 2026! I’m still in DC working for the Democratic Party, so if I can swing it in a midterm election year, so can you. I have been lucky to see many Knox friends over the past year, but I wanted to specifically submit this photo from Hassan Massoud’s wedding in the spring 2024 (left), in El Gouna, Egypt. It was an absolute blast to celebrate with so many college friends.”

► Miles Eberle is jetsetting across the globe. “Last year, after celebrating 11 years as an entertainer/ musician with Howl at the Moon’s Indianapolis, Louisville, and Columbus, OH, locations, I decided to go into business for myself. Since then, I’ve been playing clubs around the US and have performed on several cruise ships in Europe, Central America, Canada, Bermuda, and, as of this writing, a seven-week contract in the Caribbean over the holiday season. Wishing all my old friends from Knox the best and a happy New Year!”

► Justin Valas continues his efforts to impact his local community. “I left my work in public policy following a couple of exciting wins that I was a part of, including Illinois’ TEAACH (Teaching Equitable Asian

Marissa Parkin ’05 (second from left), Emilie McManus Kalghatgi ’05 (second from right), and Sahil Kalghatgi ’07 (right) with families.

Knox friends at Hassan Massoud '04 's wedding: Front row: Erin Fahrer ’07, Megan Gamble ’06, Nahla Jab, Hassan Massoud ’06, Warren Wilke ’07. Back row: Marius Tan ’08, Scott Doughty ’07, Larry Mancini ’07, Nora Nelson ’09, Mike Boettcher ’05, Zack Stephenson ’06, Katrin Masharqa ’06, Emaad Hassan ’07, Catherine Ray ’08.

American Community History) Act and working to expand language access for voting in Cook County. I spent some time working with racial equity leaders across Chicago through a role at Chicago United for Equity before becoming a stay-at-home dad. My little family grew to four with our youngest, who is about to turn 5. Lastly, I just celebrated the first anniversary of my newest adventure—I opened a bookstore! Restoried Bookshop, located in Albany Park, is Chicago’s first Asian American-owned and only AANHPI-focused bookstore. We are working to build a more interconnected and empowered community—rooted in history, embracing creativity, and dedicated to solidarity—by amplifying the stories of folks who trace their roots to Hawai’i, Palestine, and everywhere in between, alongside other communities of color, through the love of reading. Restoried Bookshop has also been focused on serving the community by hosting fundraisers, Know Your Rights events, and organizing trainings, as well as opening a mutual aid space for a food pantry and winter clothes donations. If you get a chance to come by, I’m always glad to catch up in person at the shop.”

► Joshua Berry writes, “Life’s been good! I’m still a partner at a law firm in Denver (Fairfield and Woods, PC). My wife of eight years (Bridget) is an engineer at Lockheed Martin. We’re DINKS with two small dogs, and we love hitting the gym and traveling. I spent a week in London to celebrate Huseyin Naci’s 40th birthday and got to spend some quality time with him and with Rohit Gandhi.”

► Sarah Brookings Connor shares her newest adventure, “I’m a parttime student in a Ph.D. program in medical sociology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where I work full time for the School of

Dentistry as a licensed counselor running a wellness academic curriculum. Husband Patrick and I celebrated 10 years this summer and have a kindergartner (Keely) and 3-year-old (Tommy). Spending our time fighting the good fight against state politics in Alabama wasn’t what I’d envisioned for my life, but we love Birmingham!”

► Cory Wilczynski Straub reports she has spent the last 10 years as an endocrinologist in the same community and is now raising her two kids, Max and Mikayla, and celebrating a recent family first, a trip to Disney World.

► Luella Williams Provenza celebrated the first year of a nonprofit (ProFab Education) she started with her husband. “We’ve helped more than 1,000 kids to use laser cutters and 3D printers to make cool toys and products to fuel their passion. It has been fun working with our community to create something cool! We’re looking forward to our second year!”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

LUELLA WILLIAMS PROVENZA luella.provenza@gmail.com

2007

Hi All! Welcome again to another edition of Class Notes. We have some updates below, but feel free to send your news to us at any time.

► Kourtney Cone Grimm writes, “I am the 2025-2026 president of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV). I was elected for a five-year executive board role and am in my 4th year

now serving as president. This international organization strives to improve the health and welfare of reptiles and amphibians by cultivating an engaged and educated global veterinary community. It has been a privilege to serve and lead this fantastic organization.”

► Eris Mayeroff writes, “Eris Mayeroff is a girl dad! Just before 2024 turned into 2025, Eris and their spouse, Jessica, adopted Lenny The Girl Dog from Chicago Canine Rescue (@LennyTheGirlDog on Instagram if you’re into that sort of thing). Lenny was super shy and anxious and was just supposed to be a foster. But thanks in no small part to their other pup, Bodhi, and his playful confidence, Lenny transformed into a goofy, snuggly, loving dog who Eris and Jess (and Bodhi) just couldn’t bear to let go. And Bodhi loves being a big brother and teaching his little sister everything he knows.” Eris hopes you’re all doing ok despite the sociopolitical hellscape we all currently inhabit.

► Tawny Wilson Boyce writes: “Late August, Sara Eldridge, Sarah Koenig, and I met up in Minneapolis to celebrate Megan Larsen’s birthday, which included a day at the Minnesota State Fair. I am coming up on my 11-year work anniversary at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, where I am a biostatistician. At the beginning of 2025, our family took on a new endeavor, along with a partner; my husband became the owner-operator of Mar-

ble Brewing Company. If you’re ever in Albuquerque, come grab a pint! Lastly, when I’m not driving my 5 and 9-year-old daughters around, I train in Olympic weightlifting. In September, I competed in the International Masters Weightlifting Association World Championships, where I earned a bronze medal in the Clean & Jerk and the Total.”

► Laura Wentink Marcasciano writes, “Things in my life have greatly changed, and I now live in the great state of California. My partner and I have always dreamed of living in the state and moved to San Francisco East Bay. We have lived here since the start of 2025, where I now work as an environmental project manager for a construction company. It has allowed me to work on saving the environment holistically while seeing things get built. In 2025, I led a major stream restoration project.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS: LAURA WENTINK MARCASCIANO ljmarcasciano@gmail.com

MICHAEL SALES KnoxClassof2007@gmail.com

2008

Jenny Golz Reidl went to Philly to hang out with Meryl Leventon. They went to see the Bears play the Eagles.

► C. Meaker teaches at City College of New York as an adjunct while writing, which means they also work at several other places, including Rooftop Films, Art NY,

Playwrights’ Center, and Lambda Literary, to name a few. They had a New York showcase of their play You Must Wear a Hat, and that play will have its world premiere in Dallas in 2026 at Echo Theatre. You can hear them on the final season of Dungeons and Drama Nerds podcast as a guest in Yazeba’s Bed and Breakfast. They’re currently working on a YA novel and will be visiting Knox to judge the Davenport Awards in Creative Nonfiction and Playwriting this spring.

► Meryl Leventon saw lots of Knox friends and fun for this update! She started her own event consulting business (Endurance/Running) and she got her motorcycle license! She was visited by Stephanie O’Brien in October and went to New York City and saw Andrew Caplan ’06 and Chris Mikell ’06, and hung out with Jenny Golz Reidl in Philly in November.

► Paul Cotton and Jennifer Wolf are living their best lives in Beaverton, OR, with their children Beatrix (9) and Nora (2).

► Amanda Smith Peterson says, “It’s been an eventful year. I’m working on a Master’s/Ph.D. program, am certified in wound

Knox Terpsichore Friends

Top: Kim Neer ’08, Megan Hall ’08, Molly (Nicholas) Erhart ’09, Kate Cochran ’10. Bottom: Jessica (Strache) Brandis ’08, Karin (Rudd) Vitale ’10, Cass (Bires) Kraus ’10.

care, and am up for a promotion as a wound care coordinator/manager. In September, Sable Helvie Schwab and I saw Katie Snider in Washington for her wedding. I’m a homeowner now too and am working on my gardening and food preservation skills.”

► Ben Fitzpatrick and Chelsea De Jonge Fitzpatrick ’10 visited Iceland this summer and are looking forward to planning their next adventure. He’s loving this Bears team and gearing up for aging into the next division for the upcoming Ultimate Frisbee season.

► Ike and Bethany Vittetoe Glinsmann and have spent 2025 on the road out west in their vintage RV with their two adventure cats, Gus and Pumpkin. When they left just before New Years, they only had one set destination—Seattle for Labor Day to meet up with Knox Terpsichore friends. Eight dancers—Jessica Strache Brandis, Kim Neer, Bethany Vittetoe Glinsmann, Megan Hall, Cass Bires Kraus ’10, Karin Rudd Vitale ’10, Kate Cochran ’10, Molly Nicholas Erhart ’09—spent the long weekend hiking, having an improv session at the lake, watching old Terp dance videos, becoming obsessed with Labubus, and enjoying each other’s company. Along the way, Bethany and Ike also played games with Heather Ratterree Cole and her family outside of Kansas City; toured around El Paso with Andrew ’11 and Sara Belger Polk ’10; snagged a meal at a local Tucson spot with Devynn Hawley ’10; watched the salmon run in Seattle with Andres Boyer and family; stargazed along the Oregon coast with Julia Ricciardi ’09; and stomped around the snow of Bryce Canyon with Peter Glinsmann ’10. Amidst all of the natural beauty they’ve seen, catching up with old Knox friends has made the trip special.

► Alex Enyart is practicing law in Southern Illinois.

► Bailey Rewoldt had a great 40th birthday in Seattle with her parents and brother, including visiting sites from 10 Things I Hate About You! And then continued the celebration with friends from Knox in Chicago. Looking forward to more adventures!

► Erica Stringfellow Tully has had a Knox-forward end of 2024! She hung out with Donald Rogers ’09 more than twice this calendar year! She celebrated his 40th birthday with him, Lindsay Braddy ’07, Sera Hayes, and Alana Heber ’10. She also has been texting Becca Ganster religiously about Dancing With the Stars and going out every 14 days with Miriam Gillan. She also had a playdate with Caroline Allen and Ian Silander ’06! You can find her and her two sons (Jude and Cole) in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago.

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS: ERICA STRINGFELLOW TULLY e.stringfellow4@gmail.com

MIRIAM GILLAN miriam.gillan@gmail.com

2009

“I became a SAHM in April 2025 so I could homeschool one of my kiddos who needed more attention. I find it to be both easier and harder than the corporate world. In my free time, I sew. This summer, I entered a quilt in the Iowa State Fair.”—Elizabeth Beadle Legue

► Sarah Williams Pokorny and fam welcomed their baby girl into the world in September 2025! “Home is chaos these days with a cat, toddler, and infant, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

► “I’m living a quarter mile at a time.”—Mike Callahan

► “I have an ostomy and delight in coaching ostomy patients in their own ostomy journey, as a CWON. Compassion by identification and honoring humanity through this unique lens is a delightful adventure.”—Larissa Roy Peterson

► Drew ’08 and Samantha PelkeyFlock welcomed their daughter, Paloma, this past June. Parenthood has been the greatest adventure yet! Who knew that the budding love that started on the TKE dance floor almost 20 years ago would result in the creation of the world’s most perfect baby?!

► Sam Jarvis completed the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials’ Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program this fall and still works in public health. He returns to the classroom again for the sixth time teaching about emergency preparedness.

► Kate Heitkamp Jarvis ’12 is a community psychiatrist in Cedar Rapids and just moved to a new location! Their daughter is 2-yearsold and repeating everything her parents say.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: SAM JARVIS samuelpaulleejarvis@gmail.com

2010

Margaret Spiegel Moye continues to serve as executive director of the Grout Museum District in Waterloo, IA. She and her husband recently purchased a home in Waverly and celebrated their first wedding anniversary in June. All is going well!

► Lindsey Murrell Steffens is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership while serving as chief of staff to the COO of a Fortune 25 organization. She continues to teach and perform aerial acrobatics, made possible by

the love and support of her husband. Her children are thriving and growing quickly. In her limited free time, she enjoys watching reality television and is always prepared to give an impromptu 30-minute presentation on any of the Real Housewives franchises.

► Tasha Coryell celebrated the release of her second novel, Matchmaking for Psychopaths, in July. She and her family also welcomed her second child, Petra, in September.

► Cory Bieber Beck and Kevin Beck ’11 continue to reside on the northwest side of Chicago. They welcomed their second daughter, Rose Evelyn, on September 19, 2025, and celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in November.

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS:

KATE MOON RAESS knmoon10@gmail.com

CASSIE MILLEVILLE GARBIN c.milleville11@gmail.com

2011

Can you all imagine that it was 15 years ago that we crossed the Commencement stage? Where did the time go! Here’s what a few of our classmates have been up to, and I hope to see many of you in Galesburg for our Reunion!

► Sundee Perkins is getting published! Her book, tentatively titled New Mexico’s Haunted Route 66, should come out in Fall 2026, and it will be published through the History Press.

► Kate McManus Olejnicak is an instructional coach for the Richfield School District, while also back in school to pursue an administrator’s license.

► Carlyse Owens celebrated her seventh year living in New York. She’s also celebrating her third year teaching seventh-grade math. In

June 2025, she received a master’s in elementary education.

► Marnie Shure is in Chicago serving as creative producer at America’s Finest, The Onion’s new in-house marketing agency. She’s also on the Associated Board of The Friendship Center food pantry and a story producer at Mortified Chicago. (getmortified.com/participate)

► Lola Copeland married Jason Weinberg in September 2024 in Salem, MA. Together, they bought a home on the northwest side of Chicago in 2021.

► Ryan Larson celebrated five years of marriage with Whitney Larson. Mom and dad also celebrated baby daughter Evie’s 19th month with corgis Lucy and Henry in Marion, IA. Ryan is a volunteer firefighter/ EMT and runs the busiest Verizon store in the state!

► Lin Shi moved to Vancouver, Canada, three years ago and continues her work as a sustainability scientist. She loves the Pacific Northwest life— being surrounded by the mountains, the ocean, and so many lakes. Give a holler if you’re in the area to visit!

► Cole ’13 and Brigette Atcheson-Demke have had a busy year. They are now up to four cats, and after three IUIs, a surprise PCOS diagnosis, and an IVF transfer, they are expecting a little Knox Fox of their own in April 2026! They hope to introduce the baby to everyone at Homecoming!

► Molly Stein Tomazin lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband, John, and three wild kids: Lucy (6), Maggie (4), and Graham (1). Molly has transitioned to a new role at Old National Bank in portfolio oversight. Life is busy and chaotic, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

► Adam al-Sirgany published his debut short story collection, More Hell, in 2025 via Whiskey Tit Press. He continues to work as the developmental & acquisitions editor for the small press SFWP and teaches editing for the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.

► From Sam Claypool Temple: “Fifteen years since graduation, and it feels like three lifetimes! So much good has materialized in our lives (me + Luke Temple ’08). We are surviving parenthood and thriving with our 5-year old, Simon. We love to host visitors to our home in Colorado, like Carolyn Baird and her clan of Irish boys- Andrew, Leo, and Peter (picture of our families, summer 2025, below). Luke and I have settled into weird and unexpected careers in mining. Luke is celebrating 10+ years at Newmont Mining, and I am an instructor at the Colorado School of Mines in humanitarian engineering. Cheers to 15 more!”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: TIM SCHMELING trschmeling@gmail.com

2012

Hi folks! Here’s the latest with some of the Class of 2012:

► Monica Prince’s choreopoem FORCE will be published in January 2026, her fifth book overall,

with Harbor Editions. She’s also directing a production of For colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf by Ntozake Shange with the RiverStage Community Theatre, which she hasn’t directed since Kristyn Bridges Wyche and her did it together at Knox in 2011. She sends her love from Pennsylvania, where she teaches activist and performance writing at Susquehanna University and shares her life with her husband, polycule, and three disrespectful cats.

► Karl and Audra Adolph Bair ’09 celebrated 17 years together! Karl also continues to build momentum across multiple ventures, from leading a fast-growing sales team to partnering with a local roaster to launch a pilot run of a specialty coffee line.

► Bess Cooley published her first full-length collection of poetry, Florence, last year, and enjoyed coming back to campus to read from it at the Knox is Lit Homecoming event in 2024. You can buy a copy from the publisher at sundresspublications.com, or from Amazon, if you must.

► Rachel Clark Cole and her family live south of St Paul in Minnesota and have enjoyed getting to know the Twin Cities the last few years. They have two daughters: 4-year old Emerson and almost 1-year old Juniper. Rachel is a research scientist at the University of Minnesota, researching deep brain stimulation for movement disorders like Parkinson’s Disease, but she gets all her good small college vibes by teaching neuroscience classes at nearby liberal arts colleges. She can mostly be found doing kid activities

Sorensen Family Reunion - Knox alumni in photo are Kjeld Sorensen ’75, Patti Decker Sorensen ’76, Mike Sorensen ’89, Krista Meeker Sorensen ’91, Lars Sorensen ’82, Kevin Megli ’07, Kim Sorensen Megli ’08, Kate Sorensen Blunk ’77, Stephanie Sorensen ’12.

DEANDRE HENDERSON ’10 ONE OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS BUSINESS’ TOP 40 UNDER 40

DeAndre Henderson ’10 started his Knox education as a major in political science, who was determined to start law school after his four years. However, he reached a turning point during his third year at Knox, when he took a School and Society class, which sparked his interest in human rights issues and his double major in secondary education. Post-graduation, Henderson took on several roles outside the education realm, including a juvenile facility and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Through these roles, he began to truly understand the value of education. “I began to see that inside the education system is where all of the issues start and end,” Henderson said. “You have access to kids at an age where you can really start to have an impact on some of these issues I was passionate about, and that is when I transitioned to education.”

Starting at Galesburg High School North, Henderson began an expansive career as a social studies teacher, transitioning into special education when he moved to Champaign and developed his career through administrative roles across cities in Illinois. He currently serves as the director of alternative programs for Rantoul City Schools. “My vision was to redo the program, expand the program, and house it in a different building,” Henderson said.

In his role, Henderson works with at-risk students and those who struggle in a traditional learning environment to create a safe space that is focused on behavioral learning. For his work, Henderson was recognized by the Central Illinois Business’ 40 Under 40 Awards. “It was a little surreal,” he said. “I was very surprised when I was told I was nominated and chosen for the 40 under 40, because I've always been one who just kind of does the work and not look for accolades, so I was very thankful to have done it, and been a part of it.”

Henderson credits his Knox experience as a driving factor in who he is today. “My Knox experience is probably the biggest experience of my life in terms of what I do,” he explained. “I work with alternative, at-risk youth, and systemic issues—the social justice aspect of what I do has always stuck with me, and I definitely got a lot of that from Knox.”

Learning crucial skills such as problem-solving and keeping an open mind, Henderson reflected on his time at graduate school at Western Illinois University, where one of his professors knew of Knox and would call on him when he needed a “Knox answer.”

“Your reputation precedes you,” Henderson said. “It does mean something when you graduate with a degree from Knox . . . people will recognize the type of thinker you are because of it.”

these days, but she sometimes sneaks away and dances Zumba in her basement.

► Alex Rauland and husband Cody got married in Hong Kong in April 2025. They have since adopted their new pup, Greta, and are loving their lives in Asia.

► Fifteen years after studying abroad in Copenhagen, Stephanie Sorensen was thrilled to return to Denmark for a family Reunion (See photo on page 69.). “We rode bikes, drank øl, and had a very hyggelig time. While nine Sorensen Knox grads were in attendance, we invited the rest of the family into our Knox photo.” Stephanie also visited the Disney Scandinavian offices, something that would have been a dream to her 20-year-oldKnox self.

► Mark Wolak and his wife, Liliana, welcomed their first child in July 2024—Sebastian. He is spoiled profusely by both grandparents and growing up way too fast. Mark still works at Northrop Grumman and resides with his family in Rolling Meadows, IL, along with their four chihuahuas.

► Hayley Schueneman and husband Guilford have been up to their ears in beef tallow at the farm. Their eldest daughter, Moxie Mae, decided to forgo homeschooling this year to attend the local middle school—Moxie’s siblings certainly miss her around the kitchen table! In other family news, we’ve welcomed two new cats, Binx and Marjoram, into the fold. Guilford has been lecturing at the local community college, and Hayley has gotten back into knitting.

► And last but not least: “Greetings from (another) Knox couple, Emma Poland and Ben Wetherbee! We have been longtime readers, but woefully forgetful respondents to

the Knox Magazine for the past, oh, 13 years or so... but who’s counting?! Nevertheless, we are proud Knox alums! We got married a few years ago in Tasmania, Australia, and we’ve lived in Lake Forest, IL, for the past decade, in the finest housing a high school campus can provide (yes, we live attached to a student dorm, and yes, we do so voluntarily). Emma is a surgical nurse at Lurie Children’s Hospital, saving actual human lives; Ben works at Lake Forest Academy, begging teenagers not to leave their popcorn unattended in the microwave before it summons yet another fire alarm. We consider these equally important contributions to society. However, our greatest feat during our time together has been successfully keeping our son, Webb, alive for almost a year now! Until next year, folks... or maybe 13 more.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

APARNA KUMAR BOEHM aparna.boehm@gmail.com

2013

William P. Budding: “I’m still thriving in Boston, working in university talent advising and recruitment. I’ve been playing a lot more guitar and really meaningfully exploring meditation and radical presence. I’ve also been traveling more and will continue to travel! I visited Portland, OR, this past summer to see classmates Will Eisemann and Rana Tahir. I also visited Frankfurt, Germany, for a purely solo vacation—just to prove I could do that for myself! In May 2026, I’ll be attending Eurovision in person in Vienna, and, in August, I’m going to Barcelona to watch the eclipse with Rose Dolezal ’14! I also just saw the promotion for Knox alumni travel in Ireland next September? Don’t tempt me, Knox! I gained a nephew this year; his name is Graham Litsey Budding! He, along with his parents, my brother and his wife, live in the Minneapolis area and Christmas 2025 will be very special for our family! Altogether, life is still going, despite recent world and personal challenges. I’m loving Boston, so anyone Knoxie coming my way, please feel free to say hello!”

► Sara Johnson: “I’ve moved back to Iowa after 6+ years in Australia and built a house outside Des Moines. I’ve been an IT insights analyst for Corteva Agriscience for more than five years now. My kids are now 7 and5 and very in love with basketball (like their Mom), soccer, and, especially, gymnastics for my daughter. I coach them in soccer and basketball and enjoy Burn Boot Camp for myself. We also added a pup to our family this year. We got back to Australia to visit family this year and are hoping to meet them halfway in Hawaii next year.”

► October Santerelli: “My updates are pretty boring. I moved to Berlin, Germany, as a full-time author, signed a 12-book contract with small publishing press, Cursed Dragon Ship, and have four novels published, two more due out in 2026. At least I’m using that creative writing degree, right?”

► Ellie Chatelain Sevigny: “I recently became the owner of The Burg and Knoxville Bulletin newspapers. Both are weekly newspapers, one for Galesburg and one for Knoxville. My goal in becoming the owner is to keep the newspapers local. Even though I am the owner, I still write for the newspapers. I love getting to know people and feature different organizations/individuals in the newspapers. I have three kids (5th grade, 2nd grade, and preschool). I’ve been a Girl Scout Troop leader for a multi-level troop (Brownies through Cadettes) for five years now. Both of my daughters are in my troop. Recently, I became the recognition coordinator for our Girl Scout Service Unit. This is also my second year as PTO President for King Elementary School. Needless to say I am busy, but I love being involved in the community and my kids’ lives.”

► Kyla Tully: “My wee class notes update: I’ve been living in Edinburgh, Scotland, for the past seven years with my partner, Keegan Siebken ’11. I completed my Ph.D. in cultural management this past spring with Queen Margaret University, where I am now an assistant lecturer in arts management and

cultural policy. I still dance and travel when I can—this year I managed to get to Romania and Italy, plus five bellydance intensives and residencies across England and Scotland. I’ve also managed two mini-Knox Reunions with folks visiting Edinburgh this past autumn, which has been a delight! Ugh, I feel like such an adult.”

► Molly Ralston Smith: “I’ve been doing well. I still work for OSF Healthcare but also started a new venture in video editing for a content creator on YouTube! As Winston Churchill says: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.’”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: WILLIAM BUDDING williambudding@gmail.com

2014

Esther Farler-Westphal Menson gave birth to Charlotte Elizabeth Menson on November 7, 2025. Charlotte is healthy and hungry. Esther and husband Paul couldn’t be happier.

► Meagan Kapes Busby and her husband moved to Oslo, Norway, in August 2024. In October 2025, they welcomed their first child, Elis Busby. They love living abroad and letting their son experience Norwegian culture.

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS: ESTHER FARLER-WESTPHAL MENSON efarler.westphal@gmail.com

NATALIA BINKOWSKI KAPLAN nbinkowski@gmail.com

2015

► John Bird continues to work in tech recruiting despite, or perhaps in spite of, the worsening of the tech industry as a whole. He’s happy to be a resource for Knox alumni and current students navigating the industry and hopes to jump into a new creative/artistic outlet in 2026. He lives on the north side of Chicago with his girlfriend and their 8-month old Giant Schnoodle puppy, Pepper.

► Bethany Larson is now a professor at Appalachian State University for fibers in the art department!

► Maddie Mondeaux will complete her MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in May. She is currently a playwright in residence with Fresh Ink Theatre in Boston. In February, Fresh Ink will produce a staged reading of her new play, Kayfabe, which premiered at the Knox New Plays Fest in April 2025. By day, Maddie works as an executive assistant at Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization focused on providing new and gently used clothing to kids in low-income or unhoused families. She lives in Boston with her cat, Cash Money.

► Following a December surgery, Claire Neri is (very) happy, (kind of) healthy, and (finally) loved.

► Loye Oyedotun was lucky enough to get married in 2025. After living in London for 10 years, he has returned home to Nigeria.

► Callie Smith began the exciting journey of home ownership this year and had a housewarming party for local family and friends… with many of her Knox friends in attendance via a Zoom Virtual Tour!

► Jessica Oakley Sosa lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband, Jonathan, and their two dogs, Jamie and Luna. She works as a child and adolescent therapist.

► The Class of 2015 gathered for the 10th Reunion at Knox in October!

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS: ABBY KRAVIS AND CLAIRE NERI knox2015reps@gmail.com

2016

Cassidy Jones recently took a new role as director of operations and impact with a new philanthropic intermediary, Super Pollutant Action Alliance. She is excited to be working in climate again after five years in management consulting. She lives in San Francisco, where she is learning to knit and walks through Golden Gate Park most mornings.

► Julie Wertheimer-Meier started a new job—still with the New York City government, but now at the Administration for Children’s Services. As the director of provider outcome analytics, she is managing a whole team of researchers for the first time in her career. She’s excited to make a high-level impact in a city she loves and in a field she’s passionate about. She also qualified for the 2026 New York Marathon for the first time, so tune in next year!

► Sarah Kobernat writes, “This year I got to backpack the Enchantments in Washington, celebrated my 30th Diabetaversary, and was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the ADA to study immunometabolism in diabetes. Can’t wait to see everyone at Homecoming next year!”

Class of 2016 Trip: Karli Shields ’16, Casey Mendoza ’16, Kyle Connor ’16, Cole Nelson, Morgan Nelson ’16, Julie Wertheimer-Meier ’16, and Holden Wertheimer-Meier ’16.

► Michael and Emily Williams Gerten celebrated their son Rhys’ 1st birthday on 11/18.

► Zane Brown-Carlson and wife Ashleigh have moved to Collinsville, IL (Metro East STL). After nine incredible years, Zane concluded his professional work with Beta Theta Pi Fraternity & Foundation in August 2025. In the same month, he graduated from American University with a master of public administration and policy (MPAP) and began working for The Boeing Company in finance as a contract management specialist.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: ELLEN LIPO ellenmlipo@gmail.com

2017

Liliana Coelho got married to her now-husband Wyeth in Madison, WI, in October, and they were lucky to have their family and friends partake in Pumphandle! They are especially grateful to Lindsey Morgan ’16 for orchestrating and to Nadia Spock, Sanna Sepulveda, Coral Weinstock ’18, and Madeline Simms ’18 for enthusiastically participating in the Knox College tradition. Liliana shares that Pumphandle was a delight shared by attendees ranging from 2 to 98 years old.

► JC Stokes is still in the Chicago suburbs and is still in three book clubs at any one time! She’s always trying out new hobbies. This year she’s tried archery, a weightlifting class, and has become a prolific letter writer. Send any new hobby

recs her way! Also, she has finally deleted her Meta accounts (which she highly recommends) but loves to hear from folks so please keep in touch via email (jcstokes95@gmail. com).

► Madison Pierro-Hoover and husband Aaron Hoover ’16 had son Weston at the beginning of the year. They enjoy life in San Diego; Madison works as a clinician for San Diego County’s mobile crisis response team, and Aaron is a high school teacher/wrestling coach. They are celebrating their 12th anniversary (two years married) in March!

► Chloe Vollenweider got married to Andrew Watson in Scotland on a beautiful day in November. Several Knox friends were in attendance, including Chloe’s Knox roommate, Kristina Mengis, who was one of her bridesmaids.

► Yuta Aoshima and Stephanie Veloz ’16 welcomed their first child, Leon Akihide, last fall. They currently reside in Grand Rapids, MI.

► Jakub Dulak achieved a personal goal this year of being able to afford to live roommate-free! He now rents a lovely two-bedroom loft in the North Hollywood Arts District. Professionally, he spearheaded Gray Talent Group LA’s move to the heart of the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood and continues to work on all things TV, film, and video game-related at GTG.

► Swapnil Mishra also moved into a one bedroom apartment on his own for the first time this year and is enjoying it. Living on his own lets

him manage his space entirely on his own terms, which he finds is a great improvement.

► Jess Chrzan-Malnar is doing well again after a root canal and some other health setbacks this fall and has also gotten back into doing fun hobbies like trapeze, archery, and ice skating.

► Elisabeth Zarnoti and Sean Ramsey ’18 have been doing their best spending time with family and friends and working… a lot. Unfortunately, they said goodbye to their beloved black cat in September, which has been exceedingly challenging. Their other cat is doing great and loves being an only child. They are excited to see the possibilities that 2026 will bring them!

► Luna Luna jumped into a classroom as an English language development teacher at the local high school after earning teaching licensure—to disastrous results. After enduring several months of challenges beyond what her teaching program prepared her for, she returned to her job as a professional proofreader with the New Mexico state legislature, where she’s happy and able to write again. She also won a writing contest and got a short story published with WOW! Women on Writing, so while the dream of being a teacher didn’t work out, the dream of officially being a published author has been achieved!

► Emma Thornton-Kolbe defended her Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Michigan (UM) in May. She had a hectic summer trying to figure out what to do next and ultimately ended up staying in Ann Arbor. Now, she enjoys working as a lecturer at UM and filling up her new-found free time with reading, crafting, and frequent trips to visit Jen Ripka

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: JEN RIPKA jripka1327@gmail.com

2018

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: DANIELLE DIAZ diaz.danielle@gmail.com

2019

Alex Peck writes that life is very similar to last year…but let us be the judge of that! On one hand, he still works on the Sentinel program with Northrop Grumman in Huntsville, AL (see previous class column for details). But, his level of responsibility increased: As the new delegate of authority for the Command & Control Embedded Software Organization, he oversees about 300 software and systems engineers (making up 25-30 teams). And on a personal note, an engagement with girlfriend Ashton is making the skies rosy, and the wedding is on the horizon for September. They will be tying the knot in the St. Louis area and can be seen in the lovely picture! So if life is good and that stays steady…that’s a good thing, right?

► Samantha Burgess writes that she is still in the California Bay Area, where she has lived since finishing her master’s degrees in 2022. She works as a conductor, and, since the conclusion of the first three year contract she signed in California, she has now started working with several additional orchestras. As busy as ever, she now is the music director for the newly founded Symphony Tierra in Napa and the Community Women’s Orchestra in Oakland, as well as the assistant conductor for the Peninsula Symphony. She also works in the development offices at the San Francisco Opera and will be assistant conducting with the San Francisco Symphony for the first

time this coming May! She got a new dog, Lucky, in January who— despite being a general menace to society—made his first airline trip across the country to visit family in New York for Thanksgiving.

► Since our graduation, Cody Tracy completed the Interdisciplinary Media Arts MFA at Southern Illinois University (SIU). Afterwards, he held numerous positions, from paralegal to English teacher, to dishwasher at a Thai restaurant, and now works as the graduate program coordinator in Psychology at SIU. Of course, he is not amiss in coming up with creative work along the way! This organically leads to his paper, “Semiotics of The Bear: Kitchen as Content Factory,” which he will present at the annual Society for Cinema & Media Studies conference in Chicago this year. You will also be able to delve into his artist’s chapbook Sklad, as it will also be made available early this year. Lastly, his new project investigating public spaces through photography (“81 Bus Stops of Jackson County, IL”) is an open avenue to finding presses that engage in this niche! I’m curious to hear how it turns out.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: ELENA IATROPOULOU-BANNAT elena.bannat@gmail.com

2020

The Class of 2020 alums reunited for their 5th Reunion in October!

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: ALLEN IRVINE knoxclassof2020@gmail.com

2021

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: TINA JEON jse2053@gmail.com

2022

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

FAERYN SWIFT

swiftfaeryn@gmail.com

2023

CLASS CORRESPONDENT:

HALEY METZ haleyrmetz@gmail.com

2024

Corgan Ball led Resident Assistant Training at Knox in September, themed around Wicked as “A Wicked RA Training.” Corgan performed in Nova Singers “In Our Voices” in October and in “A Nova Christmas” in December, with solos in both performances. Corgan was a costume contest assistant at The Orpheum Theater’s Rocky Horror Show on November 1! They also presented their research on “Student Leadership & Transferable Skills” at the 2026 Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers (GLACUHO) Conference in Dayton, OH. Finally, Corgan concluded their role as Knox assistant director of campus life and fraternity & sorority life advisor on January 2, 2026, as they prepared to relocate to Portland, OR, with their partner. A lifelong Midwesterner, Corgan is excited to embrace something new and make the move to the Pacific Northwest. Though the decision wasn’t easy, working alongside the Campus Life Office staff, resident assistants, and fraternity and sorority leaders has been a source of immense joy, they’re ready for a new chapter. Corgan will continue cheering on the Knox community, now from Oregon. Hum Fire!

► Sophia Auron is working on her master’s in library and information studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) and works in public services at the UW archives!

► Julieanna Rueda joined the Army (National Guard) in January 2025 to be an electromagnetic warfare specialist. She also obtained her master’s degree in legal studies from the University of Illinois–Springfield in December 2024, right before joining the Army, and finished it in a year. She still works in the House of Representatives as a communications specialist in the Office of the Speaker of the House. She plans on applying to law school next fall and attending the following year after becoming an officer in the army.

► Jake Schabes currently works as a consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

► Kaitlyn Pierce has successfully completed their first year of their master’s degree at the University of Freiburg and works as a student assistant at the Institute of Applied Ecology. They are getting ready to write their thesis and loving life in Germany!

► Aleah Schallack is currently in graduate school, working towards her master’s of counseling in art therapy at Adler University. The program has been wonderful so far! It’s hard work, but they’ve learned so much already. Her professors offer great insight within the niche field. They really like how their program functions as a collective. The process has been so rewarding and refreshing as someone who graduated as a Studio Art major from Knox.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT: CORGAN BALL corganbball@gmail.com

2025

If interested as serving as a Class Correspondent for the Class of 2025, please contact Jennifer Gallas at jgallas@knox.edu

Deaths

Editor’s note: The Deaths section in the summer/fall 2025 issue of Knox Magazine misspelled

Judith Hladik-Voss ’79’s name. Our sincere apologies for this mistake.

Elinor Wingate Morgan ’48

Dorothy Christensen Tyson ’48, P’71

William “Bill” Jewsbury ’49

Herbert Decker ’50

Carolyn Stefanides Huckshorn ’50

Charlene Hiatt Howland ’51

Anita Storey Lewis ’51

William “Bill” Sinclair ’51

Martha Jacobsen Roskam ’52

Lydia Sargent MacAuley ’53

John “Jack” Pacey ’53, P’78

Sally Armstrong ’54, P’93

James “Jim” Dunlevey ’54

John “Jack” Fischer ’54

Ron Leganger ’54

Ace Blackburn ’55

James Jones ’55

James “Jim” Nethery ’55

Carroll Shipplett ’55

William “Bill” Baker ’58, P’85, GP ’17

Susan Hill ’58

Caroline Andrews Porter ’58

Thomas Stablein ’58

Thomas Stockert ’58

Beatrice Buchal Bell ’59

Thomas Blake ’59

William “Bill” Channon ’59

Jane Speers Franz ’59

John “Jack” Stallard ’59

Terry Weech ’59

Sandra Ryan Fritzler ’60

Edward “Ed” Vondrak ’60

Alexander Kuo ’61

John Stegman ’61

Carolle Gordon Fitzpatrick ’62, P’82

Sally Weaver Gunderson ’62

Janet Palmeri Malmberg ’62

Nancee Church Vespa ’62

Faith Poch Bode ’63, P’97

Dawn Eggert Chase ’63

Nancy Specht Christensen ’63

Jerry Johnson ’63

Sue Ensfield Peterson ’63

Thomas “Tom” Brown ’64

Sandra Allison Cooper ’64, P’92

Thomas “Tom” Maibach ’64

Ann Martinmaki ’64

David Gross ’65

Mary Alice Stallard Yund ’65

Virginia “Ginny” Bliss Bailey ’66

Jim Drew ’66

Anne Hoffman Comer ’67

Kenneth Pettijohn ’67

David Spohn ’67

Ginny Mallow Close ’68

Carol Everly Floyd ’68

Susan Barcroft McCormick ’69

Anne Ehrich Riley ’69

Velma Powell Thornton ’69

Eileen Murphy Thorpe ’69

Jessie Cook ’70

Jeanne Bernhold Hayman ’72

Sally Hutchcroft ’72, P’79, P’82, GP’15

James Sayre ’72

John Watson ’72

Marcia Crary ’73

Dorothy Shaddle Larson ’73

Christie Ferguson Cirone ’79, P’20

Judith Hladik-Voss ’79

Anthony Koski ’79

John Kowal ’80

Robert Bondurant ’83

Carol Clay ’84

Jeffrey “Jeff” Tobolski ’86

Melanie Gibbs Brown ’90

Philip Supel ’91

Tad Blacketer ’98

Daniel “Dan” Prieto ’07

Anthony Rogde-Hinderliter ’17

Nathan Errampalli ’20

Deaths of Friends

Lynne Bennett, spouse of Bob Bennett ’60

Barbara Deahl, spouse of Albert Deahl ’53

Don Dean, spouse of Diana Woodward Dean ’63

Ruth Dirkse, mother of Nancy DeWitt, business and management, and mother-in-law of Scott DeWitt, educational studies

Roger Diehl, spouse of Barbara Berke Diehl ’58

Keiko Evans, spouse of Howell “Chip” Evans ’68

Margaret Gilbert, spouse of John Gilbert ’55

Judith Godsil, spouse of Ray Godsil ’61

James Gunderson, spouse of Sally Weaver Gunderson ’62

Richard Hajjar, spouse of Michael Ryan ’86

Joseph Herring, spouse of Carleen Pierce Herring ’82

Eleanor Jenkins, spouse of Bill Jenkins ’55

Peggy Kraynak, spouse of Michael “Mike” Kraynak ’82

Joan Carol Rager, mother of Sherri Rader, Communications

Susan G. Reilly, spouse of Trustee

Emeritus Thomas Reilly ’68

William Seybold, spouse of Linda Sokody Seybold ’58

Kathy Sparks, spouse of Bob Sparks ’56

In Memoriam

CHRISTIE CIRONE ’79, P’20, VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR EMERITA OF JOURNALISM

Visiting Assistant Professor Emerita of Journalism Christie Cirone, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2025.

Devoting her life to visual arts and design, Cirone began studying at Knox College, alternating between studying full time and working, graduating with a bachelor of arts in 1979. After college, she worked as Caterpillar’s

art director for their company magazines, marketing, and product design. Cirone found her love of teaching at Illinois Central College in 1987. During her tenure, she completed her master’s in fine arts in art and design from the University of Illinois and, eventually, returned to teach as a visiting professor in Knox’s journalism department in 2007.

Cirone held a special love for photography and was a skilled graphic artist. Her art was displayed in numerous exhibitions during her career across Central Illinois. While she was faculty at Knox, she was commissioned to design the commemorative marker designating the childhood home of artist Dorothea Tanning in Galesburg.

Christie is survived by her immediate family: husband Stephen, daughter Alexandra, and son Zachary (Lizemarie) Cirone. She is also survived by her siblings: Marcia Cox, Roger Ferguson, and Steve Ferguson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy Willadee (Bramlett) and Conley Ferguson, and her sister Deborah Dennis.

Her family notes that contributions in her memory can be made to “the continued educational efforts of the institution she loved,” Knox College.

PETER BAILLEY ’74, P’05, P’08

VENTURE BOLDLY

Let’s Shout it from the Rooftop!

The Knox Community contributed more than $1.7 million for the Knox Fund as part of the Out-Raise the Roof matching gift campaign!

Thank you to all who donated, especially to our generous matching donor who inspired so many others to give!

PARTING SHOT

Pianist Romaine Collin is reflected in the lid of his instrument as he performs with the band Shadowlands at the 2026 Jerome Mirza Residency Concert on Friday, January 23, 2026 at The Orpheum Theatre.

Photo by Steve Davis P’12

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