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Cook and Houck Named William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholars at Monmouth College

Chicago-area high school seniors receive College's top scholarship.

by Duane Bonifer

MONMOUTH, Ill. (02/26/2020) — Two area high school seniors have received Monmouth College's most prestigious scholarship. Victoria Cook of Joliet, Ill., and Tyler Houck of Park Ridge, Ill., have been awarded Monmouth's William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholarship.

The Goldsborough Scholarship recognizes outstanding first-time Monmouth freshmen from the Chicagoland area who have consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout their high school careers and who embody the mission and values of the College, as evidenced by leadership, service, civic engagement and co-curricular commitments. Goldsborough Scholars receive a full-tuition award renewable for up to four years and admission into the prestigious Monmouth Honors Program.

Cook, who is a senior at Minooka Community High School, plans to major in engineering at Monmouth. She said she was attracted to the college because of its small student-to-faculty ratio and the opportunity to play lacrosse.

"I wanted to go to a smaller school to study mechanical engineering, and I also want to play lacrosse in college," said Cook, who is the daughter of Gina De Rosier. "I am also looking forward to all of the other opportunities I'll have at Monmouth. I feel like with a smaller engineering program you have more opportunities to connect with your professors, and that will open up a lot of doors."

Cook has worked on her high school's yearbook, serving as its sports editor; she has served as a peer tutor; and in addition to lacrosse, she has also been a member of the tennis and cross country teams.

Houck, who is a senior at Maine South High School, is undecided about his major but wants to study business in college. He also plans to play on the College's baseball team.

"I like everything about Monmouth - where it is located, how the College flows with the town and the student-to-faculty ratio," said Houck, who is the son of Ralph and Kathie Houck. "Being able to talk with your professors one-one-one before, during and after class was really attractive to me."

Houck has been a member of Minooka's varsity baseball and basketball teams, serves as sports editor of his school's newspaper, Southwards, and is a volunteer assistant minister Edison Park Lutheran Church.

Monmouth's Goldsborough Scholarship honors the leadership of alumnus and former Board of Trustees chair William J. Goldsborough '65 and his wife, Beverly. Awarded to up to two new students annually, each Goldsborough Scholar is personally mentored by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. Goldsborough Scholars also receive exclusive networking, professional and academic opportunities, including invitations to special alumni and College events.

Founded in 1853, Monmouth College is a nationally ranked liberal arts college. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the birthplace of the women's fraternity movement, the college offers 38 majors, 42 minors and 17 pre-professional tracks.

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Victoria Cook of Joliet, Ill., who is a senior at Minooka Community High School and the daughter of Gina De Rosier, has been named one of two William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholars in Monmouth College’s incoming freshman class. The William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholarship is Monmouth’s most prestigious scholarship.

Tyler Houck of Park Ridge, Ill., who is a senior at Maine South High School and is the son of Ralph and Kathie Houck, has been named one of two William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholars in Monmouth College’s incoming freshman class. The William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholarship is Monmouth’s most prestigious scholarship.

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