A salute to Kelsey Holtgrave: From mathematics to soccer to military training

Senior ROTC participant came to Monmouth College from Hillsboro

by Jesia Choity

Monmouth, Ill. (10/16/2024) — For senior mathematics major Kelsey Holtgrave of Hillsboro, Illinois, participation in Monmouth College's Reserve Officers' Training Corps program has been an important part of her equation in higher education.

As she made her college decision, Holtgrave had a few constants in mind - a school that offered small class sizes, a Division III soccer team and strong academic programs, particularly in math. Monmouth, with its blend of academic rigor and a personalized learning environment, proved to be a perfect fit for her.

But she also had a variable.

"I purposely enrolled in a college that had an ROTC program to keep my options open," she said. "But I didn't decide to join ROTC until I arrived at Monmouth."

That decision has opened doors for Holtgrave, allowing her to develop critical skills and gain practical experiences beyond the classroom.

Embracing ROTC and leadership

Holtgrave has found numerous positives in her ROTC experience, particularly in terms of personal growth and leadership development.

"I've learned a lot of essential leadership skills that have already been useful in my day-to-day life," she said. "ROTC gets you out of the classroom and teaches hands-on skills, so you're not just going from one class to another."

Monmouth is a satellite campus to Western Illinois University's ROTC program, meaning that since completing her sophomore year, Holtgrave has driven to WIU several times a week to continue her training. Despite the logistical hurdles, she remains focused on the bigger picture: getting commissioned in May, when she will be a second lieutenant in the Army.

Exit, stage Caribbean

In addition to her ROTC commitment and her study of mathematics, Holtgrave is working toward minors in theatre and educational studies. She said her academic journey has been both challenging and enriching, offering her a broad spectrum of learning opportunities. Outside of the classroom, she said a college-sponsored research trip to the Bahamas over Christmas break was a highlight.

"I had a great time and learned a lot about the culture, the animals, and the botany of the island," she said.

As Holtgrave navigates her final year at Monmouth, she does so with an ever-growing skill set drawn from her academic and athletic experiences and her leadership training, putting her in an excellent position to tackle the challenges and opportunities that await her after graduation - challenges that could come during a career in the military, though the specifics are still unfolding.

"I'm aiming to be a field artillery active duty officer," she said, noting that the Army won't finalize those plans until December.

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