Four High School Seniors Named Trustees' Scholars in Monmouth College Class of 2028

Recipients from Chicago; Royal, Illinois; Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and Clinton, Illinois.

by Duane Bonifer

MONMOUTH, Ill. (03/04/2024) — Students who plan careers in the medical profession, athletic training and music education are among the Class of 2028 Trustees' Scholars at Monmouth College.

The four incoming Monmouth students who have received a Trustees' Scholarship are: Ryan Garofoli of Chicago; Caleb Ochs of Royal, Illinois; McKenna Rahn of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and Karla Ramirez of Clinton, Illinois.

The Trustees' Scholarship recognizes first-time freshmen students from across the nation who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and leadership in their schools and communities.

Trustees' Scholars receive a full-tuition award renewable for up to four years, making it worth more than $160,000. Each Trustees' Scholar has the opportunity to participate in research with faculty, experience special internships and lead community service projects.

Ryan Garofoli

A senior at Loyola Academy, Garofoli heard about Monmouth through a baseball instructor he worked with during the offseason. In fact, that's inspired him to possibly major in exercise science at Monmouth, with the goal of becoming a professional trainer.

"I just loved Monmouth when I visited it," said Garofoli, the son of Matt and Erin Garofoli, who also plans to play baseball for the Fighting Scots. "I really loved the community feel at Monmouth. All of the schools I've attended have had a strong sense of community, and when I visited Monmouth, I had that same strong sense of community."

Caleb Ochs

Caleb Ochs also plans to play baseball at Monmouth. A senior at St. Joseph-Ogden High School who has been a three-sport athlete, Ochs said he was also attracted to the College's "community feel."

"I'm from a small town, so it's really important for me to be able to know everyone where you go to school," said Ochs, the son of Jim and Candice Ochs who plans to major in exercise science and health and human movement on a physical therapy track. "I like getting to know your professors by name, being able to ask questions and be engaged is a big deal. I really felt at home there."

McKenna Rahn

A senior at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, Rahn is a classically trained pianist who has performed in an orchestra since grade school. She has taught piano, and this year she has interned with her local school's fourth- and fifth-grade orchestra.

Rahn was introduced to Monmouth through a friend. When she visited the College on a music audition, "I just ended up falling in love with the campus."

"Everyone was so nice," said Rahn, the daughter of Christopher and Becky Rahn, who plans to major in music education. "It was definitely the kind of school that I've been looking for."

Karla Ramirez

A senior at Clinton High School, Ramirez said she was attracted to Monmouth because of the College's mission and values.

"When I was doing my search for colleges, it was very important to go to a college that had a mission similar to mine, one that had beliefs and values that I uphold," said Ramirez, the daughter of Israel and Hilda of Clinton.

After visiting Monmouth campus on Scholarship Day, Ramirez said she knew she had found the right college for her.

"Everything fell in perfectly," said Ramirez, who plans to pursue a career in the medical professions. "The teachers were great, the staff were great and the students who spoke to us. I was like, 'Yes, this is the school.'"

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