Samuel S. McClure
Samuel S. McClure was a notable Knox College alumni that was laid to rest in the historic Hope Cemetery. His grave rests in Galesburg, IL despite the fact that he was born in Northern Ireland, and passed in the Bronx, New York after residing there for many years. He left his legacy near his alma mater, showing his deep connection to Knox. McClure himself was an immigrant, sharing similar experiences to the large number of international students that Knox prides itself on.
The Myth of McClure
McClure came to Knox College and found a passion for writing and served as the editor of The Knox Student, a publication still in effect today. After that, he created a successful magazine along with other Knox alumni. Knox prides itself on being a college open to people from all over the world, from all different financial backgrounds. S.S. McClure embodies this mission of Knox college as we had to work many odd jobs to afford tuition. That being said, McClure was a white man which granted him certain privileges that non-white immigrants or non-white people in poverty did not have. He was able to work enough jobs to pay tuition at Knox, but if he were a woman of color, he may not have been hired in the first place. There is a deeper story in academic exclusion that Knox is not necessarily above.