Monmouth College

« Back to Recent News

Monmouth College's Homecoming a time for lifelong friends to pick up where they left off

Delaney Rexroat '25 of Monmouth crowned Homecoming queen, Jaydon Wilbon '25 of Crown Point, Indiana, crowned Homecoming king.

by Barry McNamara

MONMOUTH, Ill. (10/06/2024) — Heartfelt hugs and handshakes, big smiles and laughter, and even a few tears were a major part of the weekend as Fighting Scots from around the nation reunited with friends at Monmouth College to celebrate Homecoming 2024 on Oct. 4-5.

Two of those friends were 2003 classmates Deon Dinsmore and Beau Hellman. An emotional Dinsmore presented his Fighting Scot baseball teammate for induction into the M Club Hall of Fame.

"I'm proud of you and what you've become, and I'm proud that you're one of my best friends," said Dinsmore at the Saturday morning ceremony in the Huff Athletic Center fieldhouse.

Hellman returned the favor.

"Deon was my age but quickly became like a big brother to me," he said to the crowd, which included most of his former teammate Alan Betourne's current Monmouth baseball squad. "If I wasn't doing things right, Deon was there to let me know about it."

Hellman also acknowledged his teammates, collectively.

"To my teammates -- my brothers -- thank you for four years of amazing baseball," he said. "We learned the game, we had fun and we were good. Thank you for all your hard work and your friendships through the years. I truly love you guys."

Several teammates of another of the inductees, soccer standout Samantha Barranco '14, turned out, wearing special T-shirts to honor their friend.

The third inductee, Allison Devor '13, said it felt "a bit weird" as she gave her speech, as she was used to sharing such honors with one or two of her talented throws teammates when it came time for podium recognition in track and field.

Her presenter, current Scots head track coach Brian Woodard, said a letter he received from Devor when she graduated was a major influencing factor in his decision to remain in coaching for the past decade.

Hearing from the new president

Homecoming festivities kicked off Friday with the inauguration of President Patricia Draves, who was a fixture at the rest of the weekend's events, including the traditional parade down East Broadway.

Monmouth's 15th president concluded her inauguration remarks by calling upon the words of the college's fourth president, Thomas Hanna McMichael, who was in office a century ago.

Emphasizing the need for a group effort in moving Monmouth forward, she said McMichael noted the college's progress and growth were possible because "old friends stood true and new ones were found."

She touched on the subject of friendship again in her introductory remarks at Saturday's Fraternity and Sorority and Life Hall of Fame ceremony.

"The friendships and the brotherhood and sisterhood started here last for decades," she said. "I'm just looking around at all the people who've traveled hundreds of miles to support their brothers and sisters."

An honoree who had just a short trip to the event was Brian Holland '76, a member of Alpha Tau Omega who is now an attorney in Bushnell, Illinois. He fondly recalled his days in ATO's "house on the hill."

"You really get to know people when you live in the same house with them 24-7," he said. "I would especially like to mention Mike Deam '76, who preceded me as Worthy Master at the house, and Jim White '77, who followed me. The advice, support and assistance that I got from both of them reinforced for me the importance of communication and continuity in preserving an organization."

While introducing inductee and Zeta Beta Tau member Andy Kerr '73, Chris Pio '84 discussed meeting him for the first time at his first Alumni Board meeting in 2015.

Along with another incoming board member that year, Craig Dahlquist '78, Pio said he and Kerr "developed a bond that has changed my life." He then introduced "my very dear friend," who extolled the virtues of Greek life.

"Fraternities and sororities can do so much for you, and you can do so much for fraternities and sororities," he said. "You can make friendships that last a lifetime, and you can continue making friends at events like this throughout your lifetime."

As he talks with his former Monmouth classmates and fraternity brothers, Kerr said, "It's as if no time has passed," since his days as a student more than a half-century ago.

The other inductee, Kristen Wyse Wagner '11, called Greek life "the gateway drug for involvement and leadership." Despite having no interest in joining a sorority when she first set foot on campus, she eventually joined Alpha Xi Delta, making what she called "lifelong friends." Wagner has also stayed active with AXD and now serves as the organization's director of education and leadership.

Other Homecoming highlights

Several other alumni and friends of the college were honored during Friday's Alumni Impact Awards ceremony, including successful CEO and Monmouth board of trustees member Stan Pepper '76, who was inducted into the Hall of Achievement -- the highest honor Monmouth College bestows upon its graduates.

Others honored at the ceremony were activist and Food Tank president Danielle Nierenberg '95, Distinguished Alumnus; board member and former Caterpillar Inc. executive Nancy Snowden '74, Distinguished Service; 2011 classmates and spouses Trevor and Lauren Zak Newton, Distinguished Young Alumnus; and the Marshall/Kellogg/Peters/Witty family, Family of the Year. Business and economics professor Michael Connell was presented with the Hatch Academic Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching.

At Friday's Spirit Shout, the Homecoming court was announced. Delaney Rexroat '25 of Monmouth, was crowned queen, and Jaydon Wilbon '25 of Crown Point, Indiana, was crowned king. Carina Engst '26 of Bloomington, Illinois, was named princess and Brayden Deem '26 of Andalusia, Illinois, was named prince.

Saturday afternoon, the Fighting Scots football team continued its pursuit of a Midwest Conference title by defeating defending champion Illinois College 44-24 at April Zorn Memorial Stadium to stay unbeaten in the league.

Founded in 1853 and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Monmouth College offers 44 majors, 41 minors and 14 pre-professional programs. A residential liberal arts college that is the birthplace of the women's fraternity movement, Monmouth empowers students to realize their full potential, live meaningful lives, pursue successful careers, and shape their communities and the world through service and leadership.

Media Attachments

Monmouth College 2024 Homecoming Queen Delaney Rexroat ’25 of Monmouth, left, Homecoming King Jaydon Wilbon ’25 of Crown Point, Indiana, and Homecoming Princess Carina Engst ’26 of Bloomington, Illinois, wave to onlookers during the Homecoming parade down East Broadway on Saturday morning.

Wearing a tartan kilt, Monmouth College President Patricia Draves addresses students at Friday night’s Spirit Shout at April Zorn Memorial Stadium.

Fireworks explode behind the Monmouth College Scots Spirit statue following Friday night’s Spirit Shout at April Zorn Memorial Stadium.

Copyright © 2024 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out