Charles “Chuck” Field Knight ’57, BME ’58, MBA ’59

Read the full story by Janice Endresen from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

A historic $15 million gift from Joanne Knight in honor of her late husband, Charles “Chuck” Field Knight ’57, BME ’58, MBA ’59, has established the Charles Field Knight Deanship of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and provides the dean with discretionary resources to seed innovative, high-reward research projects for faculty and students across the college.

SC Johnson College Dean Andrew Karolyi became the inaugural Charles Field Knight Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business on January 28, when the Cornell Board of Trustees approved the new title. “It’s an incredible honor to be the inaugural Charles Field Knight Dean,” said Karolyi. “The naming of our college’s deanship for one of Cornell’s most notable alumni forever elevates the stature of the college while providing a lasting tribute to Chuck Knight, an iconic business leader who was widely recognized for his business acumen and drive to be the best. I’m extremely grateful to the Knight Family. Their gift affirms what we’ve been doing and helps to drive us towards our North Star.”

Related stories

Shelly Cerio ’92 makes the path to Cornell even wider

Shelly Cerio ’92 established a $1.5 million endowment that funds partial scholarships for multiple students at the ILR School each year.

May 8, 2025

New gift funds innovation at Bronfenbrenner Center

The $2 million gift from Rebecca “Becky” Quinn Morgan ’60 and her husband, James C. Morgan ’60, MBA ’63, will endow a fund that supports early-stage research projects that meaningfully engage communities.

April 23, 2025

Sina Toussi ’91: Honoring professors and transforming lives

Sina Toussi ’91 established an undergraduate scholarship in honor of Professors Allen Wood and David Lyons. The gift contributes to Cornell’s Undergraduate Affordability Initiative.

April 15, 2025