Phil McKnight, Professor of German and Chair of the School of Modern Languages in Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts passed away unexpectedly on September 7. He was 69.

McKnight joined Georgia Tech as chair in August 2001 and rapidly transformed the Institute’s 107-year old modern languages curricula into one of the nation’s premier programs. Today, his ground-breaking applied language and intercultural studies approach attracts 21% of Georgia Tech students to language studies compared to the 8% national average.

McKnight expanded the school’s language curricula from six to nine languages including Arabic and Farsi. He oversaw the growth of the joint major in International Affairs and Modern Languages from six students to well over 150.  In 2005, he established the joint degree in Global Economics and Modern Languages and in 2010 the BS in Applied Languages and International Studies (ALIS) in Modern Languages. 

McKnight forged connections throughout the College and Institute resulting in the creation of key programs. He initiated the International Plan combining international internships with study abroad for students in engineering and computing and currently integrated into 26 majors. Even before the Work Abroad Program started in 2005, he sent students to Germany and Japan on internship programs, which have continued to be successful programs today. He fostered continued growth of the school’s signature Languages for Business and Technology (LBAT) faculty-led summer study abroad programs conducted in the target language. He also forged vibrant partnerships with our ROTC programs supporting the military’s emphasis on foreign language competency.

McKnight was a forceful advocate for modern language studies framed in the many contexts in which other languages are spoken, and he emphasized the critical competitive edge they provide to 21st century students entering the global workforce. 

German Professor Bettina Cothran said, “Phil’s vision and tireless work have been an inspiration to us all. Above all, however, Phil has been a human being of greatest integrity, wisdom, with a generosity of heart that encompassed his entire 'family' at Modern Languages. His untimely and unexpected passing leaves us with a profound sense of loss, but also a call to continue to build the School of Modern Languages into a place which creates opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to reach their highest aspirations.”

McKnight’s research interests included East German writers, contemporary literary representations of history, late 18th century literature, and applied language learning in the context of the global economy.  He received major awards and grants from sources including International Institute of Education ROTC Project GO, DOE Business and International Education and Title VI, Fulbright, International Research & Exchanges Board, Woodrow Wilson, and National Defense Education Act.

He is survived by his wife Ulrike Hahn-McKnight, two daughters, Anna and Ursula, a son Lukas Hahn, his mother Dortha Evans McKnight, his siblings Laurie, Jill, and Stephen, and a nephew Nathaniel.

A private service was held for the family.  They were present for a commemorative celebration of Dr. McKnight's work and life that was held on campus September 15 in the Swann Building, home to the School of Modern Languages.

Memorial Fund

The McKnight family has requested that gifts in memory of Dr. McKnight be made through the Georgia Tech Foundation.  The funds will be directed to the Phil McKnight Memorial Fund, which will be used to honor his legacy of accomplishments and visionary leadership in the form of a commemorative tree planting on campus and through a scholarship to benefit students who study abroad in his ground-breaking applied language and intercultural studies program. 

Check contributions for the memorial should be made payable to the Georgia Tech Foundation and sent to Dr. Juan A. McGruder, Director of Development, Ivan Allen College, Atlanta, GA 30332-0525.

Sentiments may be shared on line at: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Phillip-Mcknight&lc=7119&pid=153620943&mid=4810295&locale=en_US