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Explore and Engage Event Introduces Galesburg and Knox Students

Knox first-year students explore and volunteer at local downtown businesses and organizations

by Scott Holland

Galesburg, IL (09/21/2026) — New Student Orientation isn't just a week to get Knox College's new students familiar with campus and college life. It's also a way to help new faces get familiar with their new town, Galesburg and help local businesses get familiar with Knox students. Knox's Explore and Engage event divided students into groups for a walking tour of downtown. "It's super important for the students to feel like Galesburg is their home away from home," Knox College Director of Civic Engagement Teresa Nelson said. "We want them to be able to get off campus and find what they need, feel like they're comfortable navigating the downtown area. Also, we want our merchants to see the Knox students and build that connection between downtown and our students."

Along with exploring the community, Knox first-year students also volunteered at businesses, helping however they could. The effort encouraged volunteer interaction between students and businesses.

"I think it's good for students to learn the Knox area but also let them know we're part of the community and they're part of our community," said Assistant Director of the Galesburg Public Library Anne Giffey.

Knox College and Galesburg have long been partners, so a big goal was to teach new students the importance of working together in their community while learning a little more about each other.

"We've had students in the past be really useful volunteers for our community tech tutors, where they lend their knowledge of technology to some of our community members who need a little extra help," Giffey added. "This can be a place for them to reach their academic goals in a different way off campus and maybe learn a little bit more about their career goals doing KnoxCorp. We've had several wonderful students in the past, and we look forward to several wonderful students in the future."

Students appreciated the opportunity to explore their new surroundings and learn more about where they will be calling home for the next four years.

"It was good, I liked it. When I first got here, I was thinking this was a small, small town, but after we went on the tour, I realized there's a lot to do," said first-year student Lennon Reidy of Chicago. "There are a lot of shops, places to eat, and Cornucopia, the little grocery store. I really liked that too."

Orientation Leaders and Knox staff led the guided tours, leading students through downtown. Area merchants were more than happy to open their doors to give the city's newest residents a taste of Galesburg.

"We started with our community partners who we work with consistently, asking them if they had a service opportunity or something they would be willing to host students," Nelson said. "We expanded from there; we got the volunteer things lined up first, then we opened it up. We contacted the Chamber of Commerce, the Galesburg Downtown Council, and the Seminary Street Historic Downtown District. We let them know students would be down here, and we'd love for you to welcome them to your business. It was twofold: it was the volunteer opportunities, but also the businesses who wanted them to feel welcomed in their stores and cafes."

Not only did the new students learn about the Galesburg and Knox connection, but they also bonded through their explorations.

"I'm motivated to do these things," Reidy said. "Also, I spent two hours walking around with my group, so I've gotten to know a lot of people as well."

A couple days later, students received another traditional college experience closer to campus as the Bastian Family Center for Career Services hosted a Tailgate Takeover for students before the Prairie Fire football and women's soccerteams hosted home events.

The tailgate featured yard games, free food, prizes, and camaraderie for students looking to experience one of the most traditional college experiences: tailgating.

"We've had so many activities this week and met so many people, it was really nice," said first-year student Phillip Witt from Germany. "I'm looking forward to watching the football game, we have some new friends playing, so we're going in there to cheer. We have to support our friends. In Germany we only have soccer. I've never even seen a football field before today. I've watched it on TV with my dad, but I've never seen a game in real life."

Another first-year student, Miguel Magalahaes of Portugal, was also excited about seeing a football game in person for the first time before heading over to also support the Knox women's soccer team.

"It's a different experience, I don't have this in Portugal," Magalahaes said "I know the basics of football because I've played Madden, soccer is so much bigger, but I'm ready to support Knox for the wins today."

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Knox College students take a tour of the Galesburg Library.

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