Knox in the News

From the Register-Mail:

The theme of the cultural and educational booths of this year’s Knox College International Fair was stereotypes, how to break them down. Because the world is much larger than the 82-acre Knox campus, there are many misconceptions about other cultures.

Seven percent of the Knox student body consists of international students, representing 48 countries, which makes the small liberal arts college in west-central Illinois a microcosm of the world outside the borders of the United States.

The International Fair began Saturday with a culinary trip around the globe, as foods from many nations were served during a buffet at Seymour Union. From flan, a type of Spanish custard, to asazuke, Japanese pickled cabbage to musakhkhan, Palestinian onion and chicken bread and much more, there was a United Nations selection of food for students and community members who jammed the area set up for diners.

The cultural and educational displays at Ford Center for Fine Arts featured exhibits and demonstrations by a number of international clubs on campus. There was information on Spain, Japan, Africa, Asia, China, South Asia, Latino culture, Germany, France, as well as a student anti-genocide coalition, a bake sale to benefit Haiti, Invisible Children — focused on the child soldiers in northern Africa — and ABLE, a Knox College African-American group.

From CANOE.ca (Forbes.com):

Pssst, did you hear that gossip in the workplace can actually be beneficial?

That’s the word from researchers at Indiana University who detail in a recent article how the rumor mill can provide insight into workplace politics and power. At the same time, gossip can subtly undermine those on the receiving end….

“The fact that people automatically think gossip is bad is a bad rap,” says Frank McAndrew, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. “Gossip is a social skill. Think of it less like there are people who gossip and people who don’t. There are people who are good gossipers and people who aren’t.”

Its origins can be traced to prehistoric times, when people lived in small groups and success in those groups–attracting a mate, establishing status, getting dibs on the fruits of a hunt–depended on getting the scoop on your neighbors.

“Those who weren’t good at gossip were eventually weeded out,” says McAndrew. “Those of us on this planet are descended from people who were good at it. It’s hardwired in us.”

At the office, gossip creates camaraderie. “If someone shares gossip with you, it bonds you together,” says McAndrew. “It creates trust. If you’re not in the loop, you feel ostracized.”

From WHBF-TV4 (Quad Cities):

“These struggles are what I’ve witnessed for years in places like Elkhart, Indiana and  Galesburg, Illinois.”

It was only a statement in President Obama’s State of the Union Address Wednesday, but it had people in Galesburg talking for hours.

“That was the talk around today, everybody was so excited. They’re like, ‘of all places, he gave a shout out to Galesburg, Illinois,” said Lisa Medina–Foshay.

But other’s weren’t so shocked.

The President has visited before, once as a guest speaker at Knox College and again as a senator running for president.

He has seemed to take an interest in the community, especially when the Maytag factory shut down, sending 3000 people to the unemployment line.

From the Register-Mail:

Thumping congas and singing sitars are just some of the funky sounds of the multicultural fusion band Funkadesi.

The Chicago-based, 10-person ensemble is coming to Galesburg for the third time to perform at Knox College’s International Fair at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“People should be prepared to dance,” said Rahul Sharma, Funkadesi founder and band member.

When Funkadesi performed in Kresge Hall at last year’s International Fair, there just wasn’t enough room to dance, said Supriya Kasaju, secretary of Knox’s International Club. So this year’s performance will be in the Oak Room, where there’s plenty of room for everyone to bust a move.

From WGIL radio:

Knox College’s women’s basketball team was dominant in every way in defeating Lincoln Christian University.

The Prairie Fire scored an 88-20 victory, setting a new school record for the largest winning margin. The previous record was set last year, also against Lincoln Christian, when Knox won by 59 (77-18).

From the Daily Review-Atlas:

Monmouth and Knox Colleges will put a rivalry that dates back to the 1800s on the back burner this weekend when they team up to fight cancer.

The Student Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) of the two schools are hosting a cancer research fundraiser this weekend. Miles for Myles is an initiative designed to perpetuate the legacy of leadership of NCAA President Myles Brand, died of cancer last fall, and to carry on his fight against pancreatic cancer in particular.