photo: Monmouth College
Monmouth College is a liberal arts, co-educational school located in Monmouth, Illinois. In their mission statement, administrators at Monmouth College vow to prepare students for both a personal and professional life that includes leadership, service, and citizenship. The administrators want to promote awareness and exploration and value diversity, equality, and freedom.
Monmouth College is known for their small seminar-style classes. Hosting 83 professors, the average class size is 18 students; 55% of classes having fewer than 20. With over 30 majors to choose from, numerous internship possibilities and study abroad options available, the college hopes that students will study what they love and explore the world around them while doing so.
History
Since their inception in 1853, the founders of Monmouth, James Cochran Porter and Robert Ross of the Second Presbytery, believed that anyone, regardless of the color or their skin or gender, should be allowed an equal education. Therefore they freely admitted both women and African American students when many colleges would not. Because Monmouth admitted women upon inception, the college helped further the women’s movement in the United States. It was only natural that Monmouth became the home to Pi Beta Phi, the first national secret college society for women.
Campus Life
With just under 2,000 students and a 106-acre campus, students rarely get bored. The campus boasts a state of the art Athletic Center which includes indoor tennis courts, a fitness center, and locker rooms. Students can edit their movie in the digital television studio, broadcast their sports radio show at the radio station or perform in a Shakespearean play in the campus theatre. Whether they want to work out, see a performance, or be in a play, students can do all of that and more on campus.
There are around 100 clubs and organizations offered year-round, and students have a lot of options when picking a club that they truly want to join. From religious groups such as the Campus Crusade for Christ, three sororities and five fraternities, and academic clubs such as the Pre-Law Society students can explore all their interests.
Monmouth College participates in Division III athletics and offers men and women 10 varsity sports to choose from. The Fighting Scots, as they are called, have had a lot of success through the years. The Men’s Track and Field Team won third place in the Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2007 followed by a second place finish in 2008.
Financial Aid
There are numerous options available to students wishing to attend Monmouth College. Costing just under $40,000 to attend, Monmouth College offers loans, scholarships, and grants as well as a work-study option where students can earn money throughout the year working for the school.
In 2011-2012 out of the 91% of students who were found to need financial assistance, 100% of those students received aid. The average award given to students was around $27,000. In addition, 20% of students applying for aid got their needs fully met. Upon graduation, students can expect to be $30,000 in debt.
