Throughout the first 14 months of her Monmouth College presidency, Patricia Draves has hosted several “Monmouth Momentum” gatherings for all faculty and staff, highlighting the progress on campus and listing victories – large and small – to celebrate as a campus community.
On Sept. 18, President Draves had the opportunity to share that type of information with the local community when she was the featured speaker at the first Monmouth Associates luncheon of the academic year.
“We’re here for one reason, and one reason only – our students,” said Draves, who took over as Monmouth’s 15th president in July of 2024. “We’re here to help them realize their full potential, and I believe we do that better than any school in the country. I don’t say that lightly.”
Celebrating victories
One of several victories Draves shared was Monmouth’s development office exceeding its goal by raising $5.9 million during the 2024-25 academic year. Another win – two wins, actually – came in enrollment, as the college welcomed its best recruiting class this decade, with 35 more first-year and transfer students than a year ago.
“In a time when many of our peers are seeing a decrease in their entering classes, we bucked the trend through lots of hard work,” said Draves, who also noted the college retained its existing students at a higher rate. “The retention increase is a reflection of their satisfaction. They feel we’re meeting their goals.”
‘Students ready for success’
One of those goals is being well-prepared to enter the “real world” after their Monmouth education, and Draves told the audience that the college’s marketing department has adopted a new brand slogan to indicate that: “Students ready for success.”
“You’ll be hearing the word ‘ready” a lot coming out of this place,” she said.
Of course, other descriptors are often linked to Monmouth College, such as beautiful campus and friendly atmosphere. Draves provided anecdotal evidence that the latter is true, sharing her conversation with a pair of football recruits standing on the sideline at the Fighting Scots’ Sept. 13 home opener.
“One of them used the word ‘welcoming’ when he was talking to me, and the other commented on how everyone was so friendly,” said Draves of the recruits, who were treated to a 78-7 Scots victory.
Related to marketing, Draves shared the launch of the Tartan Network, a referral program to help recruit future Scots.
“We’re looking for 100 referrals this year,” said Draves, adding, “The No. 1 best marketing tool for us is word-of-mouth.”
Also new this fall is the launch of Monmouth’s nursing program, which has 24 students enrolled. The students will be able to spend all four years in one place, with the final year being an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing degree offered on Monmouth’s campus by the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing.
In other STEM-related news, Draves shared that Monmouth’s engineering program recently learned it had received a prestigious distinction – accreditation from ABET, the “gold standard” in engineering education.
“This recognition ensures our graduates are prepared to lead, innovate and excel worldwide,” she said.
‘Culture of Connection’
In her inaugural year, Draves laid out a foundation of five aspirational pillars for Monmouth College, which included “Culture of Connection.”
“Last year was a good year,” she said. “We engaged with the community. We learned about the community. … We even learned which Mexican restaurant in town our students perceive as the best one for ‘date night,’ and which one is the one they go to with friends.”
For this academic year, Draves has tweaked the pillars slightly, but “Culture of Connection” still made the list.
“This year, (that pillar) is focused on meaningful partnerships,” she said.
One that she pointed out during her talk is with the Patton Block Grill & Brew Pub in downtown Monmouth. Together, the restaurant and the college have joined forces in the creation of the red ale “Great Scot!” Sales are going so well that efforts are being made to ensure enough is in stock for Monmouth College’s Homecoming, Oct. 17-18.
“For every can they sell at Patton Block, $1 will go to the Fighting Scots Society,” said Draves.
In addition to the aforementioned nursing program partnership with OSF, another one the president named is the Maple Leaf Community Concert Series, which will once again be hosted at the college’s Dahl Chapel and Auditorium. The first concert on Oct. 7 will feature Young Original, a vibrant and dynamic four-piece band.
***Courtesy of Barry McNamara, Monmouth College***
