The University of Iowa Eight Over 80 Award

Jeffrey Knox had a 40-year career as a speech and language pathologist and is a lifelong volunteer who finds joy in giving back to others.

He was at the forefront of technological advances in speech and language pathology as a member of the Technology Resource Group, which sponsored a yearly technology conference and published a monthly newsletter. Knox also offered guidance and professional development opportunities for speech pathologists throughout Iowa and the country.

In addition, he was assigned to several Eastern Iowa school districts during his career. He co-chaired the speech department of the Grant Wood Area Education Agency and helped create a master's of speech language pathology at St. Ambrose University. A leader in his profession, he published research while teaching, advising, and mentoring students in speech and hearing science.

Knox has invested in his community by encouraging active lifestyles, supporting education, and addressing issues of food insecurity. He coached youth sports when his children were in school and is a longtime volunteer for Iowa City Road Races Inc., which raises funds for area schools.

In addition, he has assisted with Hawkeye and high school track and cross country meets and was a volunteer assistant basketball coach at West High School for four years. He has been a volunteer in preschool classes in the Iowa City Community School District and taught computer programming to third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in each of his assigned schools as well as during the summer in Iowa City.

Knox also has devoted himself to various humanitarian organizations, working to ensure that families receive food and other resources through Table to Table, the Community Crisis Center, and Ronald McDonald House. Along with these activities, Knox was on the parish council for St. Thomas More Church. He was a Eucharistic minister, and counted weekly collection receipts, and he currently serves as an usher and funeral luncheon volunteer.