Les Knoll

Les came to MCC in July of 1966 after previous employment at ASU.  He was initially hired on as a Counselor in the Placement Office.  However, it wasn’t long before Les’s skills were utilized in the creation of the Financial Aid Department.  As a young college, the logistics behind running an organized financial aid department were a critical component to the overall success of the student body.  Les Knoll was instrumental in developing standards and the cohesiveness needed to run an effective department.  Les understood the challenges involved with paying for college and made it his mission to inform students that there was money there for them to use to help pay for college expenses.  During his tenure at Mesa, Les Knoll attended seminars in Washington DC to discuss issues surrounding new grant programs, most notable, the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant.  It has since been renamed to the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.  To this day, this award is offered to any student, on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

          Les was instrumental in the lives of many student-athletes during his tenure at Mesa his passion goes well beyond sports.  He also plays saxophone, has done some singing in the choir, and found time to attend Fort Hays State and obtain his undergraduate in the state of Kansas.  Les went on to receive a Master’s in Counseling in 1959.  After taking a position with ASU in 1963, Les eventually came to MCC after receiving a phone call from Dean Jinnett Kirk, who solicited Les’s services to head up the Financial Aid Department.  

          Les was integral in assisting thousands of students pay for their classes.  Les once told the Mesa Legend, “Our job is to help students get an education and we’ll knock ourselves out to assist needy students that have a sincere interest in bettering themselves.”  Mesa Community College is surely better for having had Les Knoll work on its student’s behalf for many years.   Les might tell you he is the most blessed person in this room but it is Mesa Community College that is blessed to have someone with the conviction for success Les has had over the years.  Les had the pleasure of working alongside some great people as well.  He mentioned Moises Hernandez, Francis Dunn, Joni Grover, and Adrienne Sapper as some of those great people.

Les has said…

“Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.  For me, this honor truly takes my breath away.”