The scholarship was established in 2000 by the late Jo Ann Knox ˜48. Knox was a multimedia artist and long-time educator. Knox is among the charter class of the D.B. Johnson Society.
ROCK HILL, S.C. — The family of the late Jo Ann Knox '48 has earmarked additional
funding for the J.A. Knox Scholarship at Winthrop University.
The scholarship was established in 2000 by the late Jo Ann Knox '48 in memory of her father, John Alexander Knox. The fund has provided renewable scholarships to students at Winthrop and will continue
to help the university recruit and retain high-achieving undergraduate students.
Knox is among the charter class of Winthrop's D.B. Johnson Society, the university's
planned giving society. She was honored at a special event for donors this past spring
along with other current and eternal society members. She is listed on the D.B. Johnson
Society recognition wall, located in the DiGiorgio Campus Center.
Knox's sister, Sandra Stricker, attended the donor event and expressed how appreciative she was to be able to engage
with some of the students who have already received allocations from the Knox scholarship.
"It was amazing to meet the students you just think, look at how many lives she has
made a difference in that's what Jo Ann would have wanted," Stricker said.
A native of Seneca, Knox was a teacher for 28 years at Keowee Elementary School. She was a multimedia artist and one of the charter members of the Blue Ridge Art Association (now the Blue Ridge Arts Center) in 1966. At the time, Knox and other artists were interested in preserving the heritage
of Oconee County and the surrounding area.
Her father served as an Oconee County representative in the S.C. State Legislature
and as a Seneca city councilman. He was the retired owner of Shell Oil Distributing
Co. of Seneca, a veteran of World War I and a member of the American Legion.
The J.A. Knox scholarship helps provide a well-rounded Winthrop experience for students,
including allowing them to participate in extracurricular activities, leadership training
and community service.
Stricker said hearing that students go on to graduate and land jobs is a rewarding
feeling and reinforces the importance of scholarships and support to students in need.
For more information about the D.B. Johnson Society or how to include a bequest or other planned gift to support Winthrop students in
your estate plans, please contact University Advancement at 803/323-2275.
