For C. Andrew “Andy” McGadney, there are three ways to move Knox College forward—acknowledge the college’s identity, double down on its strengths, and dream big.
McGadney came to Knox last summer and was officially inaugurated as the college’s 20th president last week at Galesburg’s Orpheum Theater.
“From our nurturing culture, compassionate faculty, staff, and students; amazing, talented, and innovative alumni, we have an impressive foundation, built over time, that we should be proud of, and recognize the opportunity we have to build an even better Knox for the future,” McGadney said at the ceremony.
In introducing McGadney, Tony Etz—chair of the college’s board of trustees—acknowledged the challenges that liberal arts colleges are facing.
“It’s easy to find those who are pessimistic for the future. It’s easy to worry for the mortality of these kinds of institutions,” Etz said.
But Etz said McGadney has been working tirelessly, boldly, and with optimism to move the college forward.
“You are called to be the 20th president of Knox College,” Etz said.
Prior to coming to Knox, McGadney was vice president and dean of student advancement at Colby College in Maine.
McGadney has a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania, where he wrote his dissertation on crisis management at small liberal arts colleges.
He’s been credited with building momentum and inspiring collaboration to overcome challenges.
McGadney succeeds Teresa Amott, who was Knox’s president from 2011 to 2021.
