A female shown next to a large purple sign on a college campus that says Fiat Lux!

Contribute

Have an idea for a post on our blog? We'd love to hear from you!

About the Spark

The Spark is the official blog of Alfred University, created to illuminate the dynamic experiences, creative achievements, and unique perspectives of our student community. The Spark captures the essence of what it means to be a Saxon. Whether you're a prospective student dreaming of your next chapter, or a current Saxon shaping your journey, let The Spark guide you.

Back to Blog Home

Why Alfred Is More Than an Alma Mater to the Knee Family

Posted By Carol Marcy

Jul 08, 2026 | Alumni Engineering General Blogs Liberal Arts & Sciences Parents & Families

For Kelly Knee ’99, Alfred University is a family tradition. It began when her parents, Frank ’75, MS ’78, and Nancy ’74 (Woody) Knee, met as students, built lifelong friendships, and started a connection that would eventually bring both Kelly and her sister, Erin Knee Brooks ’06, to campus.

Share this Post

How It All Started

Nancy was enrolled in the nursing program, while Frank studied ceramic engineering and glass science. Their paths crossed through campus Greek life—Nancy as a member of Alpha Kappa Omicron and Frank as a brother of Alpha Chi Rho.

Nancy and Frank Knee “The two houses were quite close at the time, and that’s how they met,” Kelly recalls.

After earning their undergraduate degrees, the couple married, and Frank remained at Alfred to complete his master’s degree. Those friendships they formed during those years became a lasting part of their lives.

“They both speak of their time at Alfred with great joy,” Kelly says.

“They still see many of their friends from AU, including an annual summer gathering of Alpha Chi Rho brothers and their wives that is basically a mini reunion.”

A Foundation of Friendship

Growing up, Kelly and Erin were always aware of Alfred’s importance to their family. Frequent visits to campus and close family friendships made the University a familiar part of their lives, including a longstanding connection with Frank’s graduate advisor, Robert Condrate, professor emeritus of ceramics at Alfred University and an internationally recognized figure in glass engineering.

“My dad’s graduate advisor was Bob Condrate, and our families were always close,” Kelly says. “I remember visiting the Condrates many times growing up.”

When it came time to choose a college, Kelly initially explored other options. She wasn't sure she wanted to attend the same university as her parents.

“I went on a bunch of tours,” she says. “But the truth is, when I toured AU, it really felt like home.”

What appealed to her was the combination of familiarity and possibility.

“Parts of it felt very familiar, but it also felt new and exciting,” Kelly says. “It wasn’t the same place my parents attended, and I just loved it.”

Once on campus, Kelly, a biology major, discovered that her parents’ experiences enriched her own while still allowing her to create her own identity. She took a class with Condrate because of his connection to her father and enrolled in a wheel-throwing course because her mother had always spoken fondly about the experience.

“I found that my parents’ experience informed my own,” she says.

She also joined Alpha Kappa Omicron—not simply because her mother had been a member, but because she found a community that felt right for her.

“I really loved the women I met there,” Kelly says.

Part of a Larger Family

Throughout her time at Alfred, Kelly found meaningful connections to her family's history. She enjoyed seeing her parents’ photographs displayed in their former Greek houses and meeting faculty members who remembered them as students.

“It was really special to see my parents’ pictures on the wall and talk to faculty who had known my mom or dad,” Kelly says. “I felt like a part of a bigger family, but one where I was also able to make my own way.”

And she did. Kelly built her own legacy on campus as news editor of the student newspaper, Fiat Lux, and as a member of the orchestra, pursuing interests and experiences that were uniquely her own.

The family’s connection to Alfred deepened when Erin chose to attend the University as well. At first, Erin was unsure about it. “She was reluctant at first—probably more than I was,” Kelly says. Once on campus, Erin made Alfred her own. Majoring in psychology, she competed on the ski team, sang in the choir, and worked in the library as an assistant to Rosalie Mulholland throughout her time as a student.

“She found her own home on campus,” Kelly says.

Erin and Kelly Knee Like their parents before them, both sisters left Alfred with friendships that have endured long after graduation. “She made friends that she still has to this day,” Kelly says.

Today, the next generation is hearing many of the same stories that Kelly and Erin grew up with. Family memories of Alfred, friendships developed on campus, and traditions that continue to be passed down.

Looking back, Kelly sees Alfred as much more than the place where her family earned degrees.

“I think our whole story shines a light on how important AU is to our family,” she says. “It’s a place we all love, filled with years of fond memories and a connection we are proud to carry with us, with hopes of remaining part of the AU community for many years to come.”

For the Knee family, Alfred’s impact spreads well beyond the classroom. It remains in lifelong friendships, mutual experiences, and a family tradition that continues to connect one generation to the next.

Celebrating Generations

A Family Legacy Story

For many families, Alfred University is more than a college—it is a tradition passed from one generation to the next. This post is part of our Family Legacy spotlights from the Spring 2026 issue of Alfred Magazine. We're bringing these multigenerational Alfred stories to life with expansions on The Spark.