Friday, December 8, 2000
Contact: Peter Bailley
news@knox.edu
309-341-7715
Knox College has received gifts totaling $100,000 from James Kilts, former chief executive officer of Nabisco, Inc., and from the Nabisco Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Nabisco, Inc., one of the world's leading food production and distribution companies. Together, the gifts constitute the Kilts/Nabisco Challenge Grant, intended to stimulate increased financial support for Knox from alumni and friends of the College.
"Knox is one of the country's great liberal arts colleges," said Kilts, a 1970 Knox graduate and member of the College's Board of Trustees. "I know that I and my classmates got a first-rate education, and Knox played a key role in preparing me for my career. As a Trustee, I also see what an outstanding job Knox is doing for students today. Knox deserves and needs the support of all alumni, and everyone else who believes in the value of a liberal arts education."
"Knox College is respected nationally for its high academic quality and the accomplishments of its graduates," said Henry A. Sandbach, vice president of public relations for Nabisco. "Nabisco is proud to join with Mr. Kilts in supporting Knox College."
During the Kilts/Nabisco Challenge, for every gift from a new donor, Knox will receive an additional $100. For every gift from a member of the Knox Classes of 1996 to 2000, Knox will receive $150. In addition, the Kilts/Nabisco Challenge will match dollar-for-dollar any amount by which the Knox College Annual Fund exceeds its 2000-2001 goal of $2,883,000. The Kilts/Nabisco Challenge will run until the end of Knox's fiscal year, June 30, 2001.
"This is a very generous gift from one of our most distinguished alumni, who also understands the challenges that Knox is facing today," said Brian Wilson, director of the Knox College Annual Fund. "Charitable giving by alumni and friends is absolutely essential to Knox's ability to provide a high-quality education to our students."
"By adding a large 'bonus' to each new gift, this challenge encourages gifts from alumni and others who haven't supported Knox in the past--or who don't usually make a gift every year," said Wilson. "And by making an even greater 'bonus' for recent graduates, it helps to encourage younger alumni to get into the habit of supporting their alma mater."
"Many of our younger alumni are either still in graduate or professional school, or just beginning their careers, and often don't have a lot of disposable income," said Wilson. "This challenge says to them, 'Your gift--even a small one--is important to Knox,' and it does so by making every gift from a recent alum into a larger one."
After graduating from Knox with a bachelor's degree in history, Kilts worked for General Foods Corporation from 1970 until 1985, holding positions in operations, marketing and management. In 1985 he joined Kraft Foods, serving as senior vice president of Kraft International, president and CEO of Kraft Canada, and president of Kraft USA. Following the acquisition of Kraft General Foods by The Philip Morris Companies Inc., Kilts was named executive vice president for worldwide food operations. He served as Nabisco's president and chief executive officer from 1998 until Nabisco was sold to The Philip Morris Companies Inc., earlier this month.
Kilts has been a Trustee of Knox College since 1992. He is a member of the boards of directors of May Department Stores, Whirlpool Corporation, the Grocery Manufacturers of America and the International Executive Service Corps. He serves on the advisory councils for the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.
The James and Sandra Kilts/Nabisco Challenge is part of Knox Now!, the College's campaign to raise $125-million by June 30, 2002. The campaign, which recently passed the $91-million mark, is raising funds for educational programs, scholarships and financial aid, facilities, and the College's endowment.
Founded in 1837, Knox is an independent, four-year, liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with 1,220 students from 47 states and 41 nations. Knox's "Old Main," a National Historic Landmark, is the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.
This news release:
http://www.knox.edu/x160.xml2001/Kilts-Nabisco_Grant.html
More about Knox College: http://www.knox.edu
More about Nabisco: http://www.nabisco.com
More about Knox Now!: http://www.knoxalumni.org/knoxnow_knoxataglance.html
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