Charles F. Knight, 1936-2017

This message announcing the passing of Charles Knight was sent to the Olin community September 12, 2017 from Dean Mark Taylor:

It is with profound sadness that I share the news that today we grieve the loss of Charles F. Knight, one of the greatest friends and benefactors the John M. Olin School of Business has ever known.

Over a period spanning nearly four decades, Charles Knight helped establish Olin as one of the premier institutions of business education and research in the world.

In addition to a distinguished tenure as chief executive officer at Emerson for 27 years, Mr. Knight worked tirelessly to advance the reputation of Olin Business School. He chaired the Business School Task Force in 1980 and in 1995 became the first chairman of Olin’s National Council.

He also was a member of Washington University’s Board of Trustees from 1977 to 1990, a pivotal period of growth in the university’s history.

Many of you will have had the privilege of working with Mr. Knight and will therefore know firsthand his great vision and the effect this has had on our school. Others, like me, will not have had the great privilege of meeting him, but nevertheless feel the impact of his legacy every day at the business school — a legacy which is both figuratively and literally built into the fabric of Olin.

Our thoughts are with Joanne and the entire Knight family at this sad time.

“If you would seek his monument, look about you.”

Sincerely,

Mark P. Taylor
Dean
John M. Olin School of Business