November 10, 2009

We visited Knox College on Tuesday the 10th. This is also a nice campus, but I did not have the immediate warmth that I got at Beloit. After the tour and talking to students, I got the warmth that I was looking for. It was really the students that emanated the feeling I was hoping to find. Every student that I spoke with is passionate about Knox College. They appreciate the history of the campus, the small class size, they respect the faculty, and they REALLY like the 3 & 3 program. The school year is divided into 3 terms and each student takes 3 classes per term. EVERY student that I talked to appreciated this format. They were able to truly focus on the class and learn. When students take 5 or 6 classes they end up focusing on which project is due for which class and and study enough to pass the exams. I don't know if Pher understands the benefits of this format. He just wants to break out of high school and learn at an advanced level.
The capmus was the location of the Lincoln-Douglas presidential debate in 1858.The building that has these plaques also houses a chair in which Lincoln sat. We were all invited to sit in it. Zeke seemed to absorb the most history through his fanny.
The architecture is a blend of old and new. The library was great. They have a 3-story, climate controlled library with rare books, journals, and maps. I would be afraid to touch these priceless treasures. The boys would have immediately started exploring the shelves if our guide would have granted them permission.The campus has a bike share program. Bikes can be checked out of the Bike Shed and students use them to get around campus and Galesburg.Anyone who knows Christopher well knows that he is prefers curves and arches to right angles. He says they are more comfortable. Right angles are abrupt. This is the inside of the Admissions Building.The brick wall to the right is curved and encloses the theater. The theater is designed for "Theater in the Round" performances. The white wall straight ahead is actually part of a large circle that showcases art created by the students. Look up. You see the circle lights. They were very interesting.