Knox College

Several Knox students have been invited to join Sigma Xi, the scientific research society. Membership in Sigma Xi is by invitation, and the most promising young scientists and students with demonstrated research potential are invited to join as associate members.

Chi Thi Nha Le received the Merritt H. Moore Prize in Philosophy from the Knox College Philosophy Department at the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. The prize, established anonymously to honor Dr. Moore, professor of philosophy at Knox 1933-55, is awarded to the author of the outstanding philosophy paper during the preceding year.

The Knox Economics Department recognized two students with awards during the 2019-20 academic year. The Vinton C. Johnson Prize is awarded to the outstanding senior economics major. It was established by Vinton C. Johnson, class of 1926. The Sylvia and Irwin Jaffe Memorial Prize is awarded to an outstanding female student majoring in economics based on academic achievement, participation in extra-curricular activities, leadership, and service to others. It was established by Kent and Theresa Jaffe to honor Sylvia and Irwin Jaffe, grandparents of Erica A. Jaffe, class of 2008.

Two students received awards from Knox's Educational Studies Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Dr. Diana Beck Senior Honors Award is awarded to the graduating seniors (Elementary and Secondary) who best exemplify the following qualities: scholarship, good character, dedication to the field, success in student teaching, and consistently excellent classroom performance.

High-achieving students were named to the Knox College Dean's List for the 2020 Winter Term.To be named to the Dean's List, a student must have earned at least 2.5 credits in the term, with a grade point average of 3.6 or better (on a 4.0 scale).

Several Knox College students recently were recognized as senior members of the National Political Science Honor Society Pi Sigma Alpha, which was founded in 1920 for the purpose of bringing together students and faculty interested in the study of government and politics.

Several Knox College students recently were recognized as members of the Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology, for which students are selected on the basis of academic achievement and interest in psychology as a science.

Several Knox College students recently were inducted into and recognized as members of the Nu Rho Psi National Honor Society in Neuroscience, which is by invitation and is open to graduate and undergraduate students who are making the study of neuroscience one of their major interests and who meet other academic qualifications.

Four students received academic awards from Knox's Classics Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Lawrence Prizes in Greek and Latin are awarded to students in recognition of academic excellence in the study of first-year Latin, first-year Greek, advanced Latin, and advanced Greek.

Two students were co-recipients of an academic award from Knox's Asian Studies Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Mikiso Hane Asian Studies Prize is awarded to the Knox student who has done the most distinguished work relating to Asian Studies. This interdisciplinary field encompasses a variety of subjects, including history, political science, anthropology, economics, and the Japanese language. The prize was established by colleagues and friends to honor Professor Mikiso Hane, Knox faculty, 1961-92.

Dance students were recognized for their achievements by Knox College's Dance Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The John Hofsas Prize in Dance is awarded to a junior or senior student deemed by the faculty to have given the most outstanding dance performance of the year, either in a public performance or in a dance performance class. The prize was established by Daniel R. and Carol Klimick Cyganowski, in memory of their friend and fellow Knox alumnus John Hofsas, class of 1970.

A variety of students received academic awards from Knox College's English Department during the 2019-20 academic year. Among these prizes are the William E. Brady Fund in English Literature, A. Eugene & Ella Stewart Davenport Literary Awards, and the Beverly K. White & Friends Creative Writing Prize.

Multiple students received academic awards from Knox's Anthropology & Sociology Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Howell Atwood Award is given to the graduating senior doing the most outstanding work in anthropology and sociology. It was established by an anonymous donor in memory of J. Howell Atwood, professor of sociology 1930-60, and subsequently endowed by a gift from Mrs. Atwood.

Three students received academic awards from Knox College's Environmental Studies Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Desmond Fortes Environmental Studies Prize is awarded annually to a junior or senior student who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance in environmental studies courses and/or research. It was established by friends and family in memory of Desmond Fortes, Class of 2000. The Lawrence L. DeMott Prize is awarded to a senior with outstanding grades who has taken all available earth sciences courses and whose senior project is focused on a subject/research relevant to the geological field. It was established by family, friends, and former students of Dr. DeMott, Knox faculty 1962-82.

Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership, and service. The organization provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to colleges and universities and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community. Several Knox College students were accepted as members at the end of the 2019-20 academic year.

A student received an academic award from Knox College's American Studies Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Hermann R. Muelder Award is given to the graduating senior doing the most outstanding work in anthropology and sociology. It was established by an anonymous donor in memory of J. Howell Atwood, professor of sociology 1930-60, and subsequently endowed by a gift from Mrs. Atwood.

Two students received academic awards from Knox's Computer Science Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Baker-Velde Student Research Fund is awarded to a junior or senior pursuing independent academic research in the disciplines of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience, environmental science, and mathematics. It was established by William H. Baker, class of 1958, and Ann Velde Baker, class of 1960, in honor of their fathers, William Jesse Baker, M.D., class of 1917, and Richard William Velde, class of 1929. Paul's Prize in Computer Science is awarded annually to a senior showing great potential for a distinguished career in computing or computer science. The recipient need not be a computer science major but must have exhibited problem-solving skills and an enthusiastic interest in computer science. It was established by Cecile Smith, a longtime employee of Knox, in honor of her brother, Paul H. Smith 1927-97.

Two students received academic awards from Knox's Biology Department during the 2019-20 academic year. The Inn-Siang Ooi Prize is awarded to the Knox student who has demonstrated skill in field biology, a commitment to conservation, and a concern about human co-existence with the other species of this planet. The Alvah Peterson Biology Prize is awarded to a junior or senior student majoring in biology who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance in biology courses and/or research.

"The Deer Blind," a play written by Knox College graduate Phoebe Billups '19, was presented by Knox College's student-run Studio Theatre. Directed by Kaitlyn Pepper, "The Deer Blind" starred Isaiah Simon, John Harden, Jo Hill, and Trevon Tyler. The Knox Theatre Department offers many openings for students--whether studying theatre or another subject area--to be involved in the production of shows, events, and specialty workshops all four years on campus. The involvement of students in theatre at Knox is profound, as all of the studio theatre shows and even the mainstage auditions are completely student-run.

Winter term is picking up at Knox College, and with it comes the New Plays Festival, a presentation of plays that are written, directed, performed, and produced by Knox students. More than 30 students participated in the 2020 winter term New Plays Festival, which took place on January 31 & February 1. The Knox Theatre Department offers many openings for students -- whether studying theatre or another subject area -- to be involved in the production of shows, events, and specialty workshops all four years on campus. The involvement of students in theatre at Knox is profound, as all of the studio theatre shows and even the mainstage auditions are completely student-run. The Theatre Advisory Board is a student organization that oversees details of Knox theatre.

In what is believed to be a first-of-its-kind experience among Knox College students, Nicole D'Alterio '20 spent the 2019 fall term completing her senior student teaching capstone experience at an elementary school in Germany. "This experience has helped to develop my German language skills, my teaching skills, and my knowledge of what I want my classroom to look like in the future," said D'Alterio, an elementary education major with a minor in German. She also has a self-designed minor in writing studies.

Winter term theatre is picking up at Knox College, and with it come the first productions of the term, which were presented by Knox's student-run studio theatre company on January 24 & 25. "All on Her Own" by Terrence Rattigan was directed by Rose Stout and starred Helen Zguri and Abby Spengler. The show follows the struggle of newly widowed Rosemary, who is determined to figure out the cause of her husband's death. The Knox Theatre Department offers many openings for students -- whether studying theatre or another subject area -- to be involved in the production of shows, events, and specialty workshops all four years on campus.

Winter term theatre is picking up at Knox College, and with it come the first productions of the term, presented by Knox's student-run studio theatre company on January 24 & 25. Directed by Olive Colangelo, "Smokefall" (Act II) by Noah Haidle starred Amanda Espinosa and Hannah Hamlin. The play follows two fetuses who have a heart-to-heart about family, their future, and original sin. The Knox Theatre Department offers many openings for students--whether studying theatre or another subject area--to be involved in the production of shows, events, and specialty workshops all four years on campus. The involvement of students in theatre at Knox is profound, as all of the studio theatre shows and even the mainstage auditions are completely student-run. The Theatre Advisory Board is a student organization that oversees details of Knox theatre.

High-achieving students were named to the Knox College Dean's List for the 2019 Fall Term.

Several Knox College students were featured when Knox Theatre presented "A Doll's House, Part 2", at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, through Saturday, November 9, in Harbach Theatre, Ford Center for the Arts. The play, written by Lucas Hnath, reopens the narrative of Henrik Ibsen's infamous 1879 play "A Doll's House," imagining a story in which character Nora Helmer visits her husband 15 years after she famously slammed the door on him in "A Doll's House." With humor and truth, Hnath's play examines the complexities of family and love by following Nora as she struggles to enter a life that she left behind.

The Knox College Choir had its first concert of the academic year on November 3, 2019. The Knox College Choir is the premier choral ensemble of the College. The choir, under the direction of professor of music and director of choral activities Laura Lane, performed a unique selection of music in various styles, from Renaissance to Romantic.

Five Knox students received a competitive Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship during the 2017-18 academic year. The Gilman scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, helps offset the costs of international education. According to the Gilman Foundation, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate strong academic ability, financial need, and a passion for their chosen program.

Touring galleries and museums, working intensively at New York Studio School, and networking with Knox alumni were just some of the things eight art students did during winter break through the Knox in New York program. The short-term immersive experience, taught by Associate Professor of Art Tony Gant and Professor of Art Lynette Lombard, combines an art history course and studio work with a two-week travel component to New York City. After the trip, students come back to Knox to create artwork inspired by their experiences. During fall term, students split their time between learning art history and working on their own paintings in the studio. In New York, students were exposed to art as a way of life by visiting museums, galleries, and studios, and attending drawing classes and lectures by well-known art historians and artists. Lombard says that they were also able to have a look at the inner workings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, among other art institutions.

College students and the community played a major role in the original Lincoln-Douglas Debate at Knox College in 1858, cheering the politicians in the historic national argument over slavery. And students and the community were engaged again this year, in the creation of a film that condenses the years-long struggle and a months-long campaign into the words and actions that occurred in the crucial moments just before Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas stepped onto the platform outside Knox's Old Main, the only original site that remains from the series of seven debates throughout Illinois. Leading the project, which is now in a year-long post-production phase, is 2019 Knox graduate Eric Newnham, the writer, director, and executive producer. Newnham first came to Knox in the 1980s as a theatre major, but his college career was interrupted by three decades in business, including work as an actor and producer in the entertainment business. He most recently appeared as Sylvester Stallone's nemesis in "Escape Plan 2." He's also worked in a touring theatre company and as a theatrical producer, managing dinner theatre productions for a hotel chain.

Two Knox Students attended the Diversity Abroad Global Student Leadership Summit in Miami, Florida, where they had the opportunity to network with professionals, share their study abroad experiences, and attend professional development workshops. The purpose of the summit is to give students, particularly students of underrepresented groups, a chance to speak freely about their study abroad experiences and to learn how to best use these experiences to make an impact on their campuses and in their career. This is the second year in a row Knox students have attended the Diversity Abroad Student Leadership Summit.