An economics major while at Trinity, Tom Johnson received his M.B.A. from Harvard University and spent more than 30 years in banking, retiring in 2004 as chairman and chief executive officer of GreenPoint Financial Corporation and GreenPoint Bank. He is one of the College’s most engaged alumni. This past June, children and families celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Trinity College Boys & Girls Club at the Thomas S. and Ann Johnson Building offered a standing ovation in tribute to the Johnsons, for their leadership role in making it possible for the club to be founded. Tom Johnson has received numerous awards for service to his alma mater, including the Eigenbrodt Cup, the College’s most distinguished honor, the President’s Leadership Medal, the Alumni Medal of Excellence, and in May 2005, an honorary doctorate.

Q: Why Do People Give To Trinity?
A: To Honor Our Dad's Memory

The decision to support the Long Walk Restoration and Renovation project was an easy one for Robert C. Knox III ’63 and his brother Lance L. Knox. Bob lived in Jarvis as a student and had fond memories of time spent on the Long Walk. Both were eager to contribute to the Cornerstone Campaign for Trinity College at the leadership level and had been searching for a meaningful way to honor the memory of their father, Robert C. Knox, Jr. H’83. As well, they were interested in acknowledging their family’s deep connection to Hartford. For Bob, it also provided an opportunity to support the fundraising efforts for his 45th reunion.

Bob says, “When Trinity bestowed an honorary degree on our father, Robert C. Knox Jr, in 1983, it was the culmination of a life spent giving back to the community that had been so good to him and to our family.”

The Knox family has a long history of philanthropy and volunteer service. Bob himself was chair of the Trinity College Alumni Fund in the early 1980s when it first crossed the million-dollar mark and has been involved with numerous Trinity committees over the years. As a Trinity parent, Robert Jr. was active as a Parent Director and fundraising volunteer. He received the Honorary Degree of Letters from Trinity in 1983 in recognition of his professional and personal accomplishments. As a leader in the Hartford community, he was a member of the Board of Directors of many local non-profit organizations including the United Way of the Capital Area and the Salvation Army. He was also the first recipient in 1977 of the YMCA Distinguished Leadership Award that bears his name and is presented annually by the YMCA of Greater Hartford: the Robert C. Knox Jr. YMCA Distinguished Leadership Award.

R.C. Knox, Inc., a Hartford-based independent insurance agency, was started by Bob and Lance’s grandfather in the 1800s. Since its founding, it has represented many leading Hartford institutions, including Trinity. Over the years, the company has been led by Trinity alumni and parents including Bob, Robert Jr., Herbert Bland ’40, Norm Kayser ’57, and former Trinity Trustee Hal Smullen ’76, who currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at R.C. Knox.

With their $250,000 gift, Bob and Lance have named the “Knox Arch” at the northern end of the Long Walk, ensuring a permanent legacy for their family at Trinity.

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