As They Prepare for Start of School Year, Monmouth College Students Receive $1,900 Grant, Thanks to Federal Aid Legislation

Students return to campus through Aug. 24; large New Student Walkout expected on Aug. 23.

by Duane Bonifer

MONMOUTH, Ill. (08/02/2021) — The final touches are being made on campus as Monmouth College students are set to return later this month for the start of the 2021-22 school year.

And Monmouth students have already received a little help before the start of fall classes.

Thanks to federal aid made available through the latest round of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which was authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, each new and returning Monmouth student was awarded a grant of at least $1,900. Every member of the Class of 2021 received a $1,000 check.

"Thanks to the good efforts of our offices of Admission and Student Financial Planning, we are pleased to provide all of our students this added benefit," said Monmouth President Clarence R. Wyatt. "We know the pandemic has been challenging for all of our families. That's why our staff worked so hard to make this grant a reality for our students."

When Monmouth students return to campus, they will see a few new additions, including outdoor lounge chairs, and construction on a labyrinth behind Wallace Hall and the Trubeck Amphitheater behind the Center for Science and Business.

The labyrinth is made possible by a gift by 1975 Monmouth graduate Jon Dahl and his wife, Barbara. When it is completed later this fall, the Trubeck Amphitheatre will be an attractive teaching and gathering space to serve the entire campus. It is made possible by a gift from 1968 graduate William L. Trubeck '68 in memory of his wife, Judy, who was a member of the College's Class of 1969.

The first group of Monmouth students actually arrived on campus on Aug. 1 - more than 30 returning and first-year students who are participating in the College's Summer Opportunities for Intellectual Activities. Known as SOFIA, the program provides opportunities for new students to conduct in-depth research and inquiry into a wide range of subjects, from the sciences to the arts.

Members of the football team will begin moving into residence halls on Aug. 11, followed over the next week by residence life staff, marching band and chorale members, sorority and fraternity members, student leaders and the remaining fall team athletes. New students move in on Aug. 21, sophomores return on Aug. 22, then the rest of the students will arrive on Aug. 24.

Matriculation will also be held on Aug. 21. New Student Walkout is scheduled for Aug. 23. Because the pandemic caused last year's New Student Walkout to be canceled, this year's event will include all students who have not participated in the event, making it potentially one of the largest Walkouts in years.

ScotsStart, which allows students to take care of last-minute housekeeping needs and meet with advisers before the start of classes, will be Aug. 24. Fall classes will have their first meeting on Aug. 25.

"The start of a new school year is always an exciting time on a college campus because it's a fresh beginning for everyone," Wyatt said. "While we are reminded daily that we must continue to live under the rules imposed by a worldwide pandemic, everyone is looking forward to having a more normal school year in 2021-22."

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Click here to view video about additions to the Monmouth campus.

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