Tom Johnson Scholarship recipient carried a 4.0 GPA at his ‘ideal school’
Carlos Alcala grew up in the quiet and peaceful town of Monmouth, a place he has always loved for its strong sense of community and serenity. For him, choosing Monmouth College was not just about proximity – it was about finding a school that offered the perfect balance of quality education and affordability.
“My goal was to graduate with zero debt, so I wanted to be able to keep working at my job (at Fareway grocery store) and save money,” said Alcala. “Monmouth College was my ideal school.”
Initially, Alcala wasn’t sure about his career path. He considered management, envisioning a role where he could lead a team and help others succeed. Though he originally wanted to study marketing, the program – which was added to Monmouth’s list of majors last year – wasn’t available at the time. Undeterred, he chose business and soon discovered a newfound passion.
“I stuck with my business major, but what really surprised me was how much I enjoyed economics,” said Alcala. “Because of that, I added an economics major that I really enjoyed. I also added an accounting minor, so I’ve been pretty busy.”
Despite his packed schedule, Alcala has excelled academically, and he carried a perfect 4.0 GPA through his final semester of college in December, a feat he considers one of his proudest achievements. Alcala will walk with the rest of the Class of 2025 at their Commencement ceremony in May.
Another achievement was being awarded the college’s prestigious Tom Johnson Scholarship, given to a junior who best exemplifies the work ethic and values of Johnson, a successful local businessman. Students are judged on academic performance and other factors, including work ethic and leadership. Life experiences in which the applicant struggles and overcomes long odds against success are also considered.
Inspired by exceptional professors
Alcala credits his professors for making his experience at Monmouth College truly special.
“I feel like I’ve lucked out,” he said. “All of the professors in my majors have been able to teach very well and made learning fun. Every professor that I’ve had, including outside of my majors, has made me glad I chose Monmouth, because they’re all so kind, and you can tell that they care.”
Alcala took advantage of the liberal arts education offered at Monmouth, choosing classes outside of his majors that broadened his perspective, and he recommends that current and prospective students take advantage of the breadth of courses offered.
“My advice would be to really embrace the liberal arts ideas and take some random classes out of your major,” he said. “You never know what you could learn or enjoy.”
For students curious about business, Alcala highlighted a few essential courses.
“I would recommend Business 105 and Econ 200 to everyone because these classes help give you a foundation in understanding money and how little changes can have large effects,” he said. “‘Business Data Analysis’ is also a great class for anyone because learning how to use Excel can help in so many ways, like budgeting.”
A bright future for Monmouth, and for Alcala
Reflecting on his time at Monmouth College, Alcala expressed excitement about the institution’s future under its new president.
“I feel like there’s a lot more hope around campus now that President (Patricia) Draves is here,” Alcala observed. “Maybe it’s just the newness of it all, but I know I’m excited to see what changes she brings to campus. I hope there is a very bright future for Monmouth College.”
Alcala’s hard work and dedication have paid off, as he’s landed a full-time position at Clear Profits, a local digital marketing firm. The job perfectly aligns with his goals, allowing him to stay in Monmouth while honing new skills and tapping into his creative side.
“I’m learning a lot of technical skills, and I look forward to growing with them,” said Alcala, who also interned at Monmouth-based Prairie Communications during his time as a student. “I love to be creative and trying to analyze people, and the added bonus of staying in the community really makes this my dream job.”
For Alcala, being a part of Monmouth College is about more than academics. It’s about being part of a strong and supportive community.
“I am proud to be a Scot because of the strong community on campus,” said Alcala. “The environment is very friendly, and I feel like there are a lot of resources to help everyone learn and succeed.”
***Courtesy of Barry McNamara, Monmouth College***
