Knox in the News

Excerpt from the Peoria Journal Star:

Knox College has signed a pair of agreements with a Chinese university that will allow students to teach in China and faculty members to explore other exchange opportunities.

The first agreement will send Knox students to China later this year as part of a new course in teaching English as a Second Language.

The deal with Anhui Normal University was sealed by Vice President for Academic Affairs Lawrence B. Breitborde and Jason Helfer, assistant professor of educational studies, during a trip to China in December.

“Under the first agreement Knox students will study ESL methods during the fall of 2008,” Breitborde said. “Then they will travel to China to teach undergraduates at Anhui University for about three weeks in December 2008.”

A representative of the university visited Knox last spring and met with Helfer.

According to Breitborde, the second agreement charts a multiyear path toward other academic exchanges and activities involving Knox and Anhui.

High school writing prodigy, Meg Hayertz, describes her love of reading and writing.

Excerpt from the West Linn Tidings (Portland, OR):

At 17, Meg Hayertz spends an unusual amount of time sipping Chai tea lattes at coffee shops around Portland.

Two of her favorite haunts are Willamette Coffee House on Eighth Court in West Linn and Powell’s Book Store on Burnside.

Last year, she spent entire days at Portland’s annual “Wordstock,” going from one reading to another — never getting enough.

She’ll go anywhere an author is reading poetry, short stories or excerpts from a book….

…. Hayertz uses different forms of expression for special purposes. She calls poetry magical, and she writes those short verses to meditate on a theme. She describes storytelling as an exploration that helps her forge a philosophy.

In fact, one of her favorite subjects at school centers on psychology and philosophy, which might join creative writing as a second major when she attends Knox College (Galesburg, Ill.) later this year.

Hayertz will probably be looking for independent studies at college, just like she is doing now at West Linn High School.

“I’ve been really lucky with what this school has allowed me to do,” she said. “I changed my graduation requirements so I could write more.”

Eight Knox professors traveled to China this fall, under a grant from the Caterpillar Foundation to the Knox College Center for Global Studies.

Excerpt from the Register-Mail:

Knox College students wishing to walk the Great Wall of China and participate in an authentic Chinese New Year will get the opportunity, thanks to a new exchange program.

As part of a grant received by the Center for Global Studies at Knox, eight faculty members traveled to China in December with the goal of adding a little flair of China to their instruction and research. Michael Schneider, associate professor of history, and Robert Seibert, Robert W. Murphy Professor of Political Science, led the trip. They were joined by David Amor, instructor in anthropology-sociology; Diana Beck, associate professor of educational studies; Steve Cohn, professor of economics; Penny Gold, professor of history; Charles Schulz, professor of physics; and Shuyan Shipplett, lecturer in modern languages.

Schneider said the trip was just one part of a years-long process to expand the college’s Chinese studies program. Gu Limei of Fudan University in Shanghai taught a course at Knox in the fall of 2007, and the institution hopes to bring another visiting professor for the fall of 2008. In addition, the college hosted a year-long program of lectures, culminating in the Chinese ambassador visiting campus.

Knox professors Robert Seibert and Jason Helfer described their visits to China at the GREDA public forum.

Excerpt from the Peoria Journal Star (January 12, 2008):

To compete for businesses in the changing economy, GREDA is emphasizing its commitment to going global.

Officials from the Galesburg Regional Economic Development Association and representatives of a Chinese delegation spoke to a crowd of more than 50 on Thursday at the Galesburg Public Library about efforts to strengthen relationships with Chinese cities.

Excerpt from the Elmhurst website:

The Elmhurst College wrestling team, ranked 26th in the latest NWCA Division III poll, placed second at the North Central College Invitational with 113 points.

North Central, the tournament’s host, won the team title with 126.5 points….

…. Mark Corsello (Park Ridge/Maine South) earned a second-place finish at 285 pounds. Corsello finished 3-1 and advanced to the finals before falling to fourth-ranked Jaran Rutledge of Knox College.

Excerpt from the Register-Mail:

The living room of the Sigma Nu fraternity house on the Knox College campus was the site of a historic bet.

Sophomore Elizabeth Coleman, president of Knox College Democrats, shook hands with senior Alex Enyart. The two support the same political party, but each had different views on the outcomes of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary elections.

Coleman was all for seeing Hillary Clinton win, knowing the candidate would pull herself up after a crushing defeat in Iowa. Enyart, who filled out his absentee ballot while watching the returns, had faith that Barack Obama would continue the momentum he gained several days ago, pulling ahead at the last moment to a New Hampshire victory. Clinton won, so Coleman is $5 richer.

And even in a room full of Democrats, there was one supporter of Ron Paul, the Republican underdog gaining a huge following among the young.

Excerpt from the Chicago Tribune:

Eloise Stranahan was a former real estate agent in Park Ridge and a longtime volunteer whose service included a term as school board president.

Mrs. Stranahan was elected in 1971 to the board of Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 and was president in 1976-77.

“She was passionate about education,” said Mary Ann Irvine, a longtime friend. “She worked very hard on getting a balanced budget.”

Mrs. Stranahan, 74, of Lake Barrington died Friday, Jan. 4, of complications related to pancreatic cancer in Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. She had battled cancer for about 10 years, said her husband, Dick.

The couple lived in Park Ridge for 36 years before moving to Lake Barrington in 2000.

Born Eloise Smith, Mrs. Stranahan grew up in Galesburg and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1951. She went to Knox College in Galesburg, where she studied business, an unusual choice for women at that time.

“She and [another woman] were the only two women in business,” said her husband, who also was a student at Knox.