Monmouth College Senior Profile: Annalyn Lovell
The biochemistry major and future nurse is from Oneida
Monmouth, Ill. (05/01/2026) — Monmouth College student Annalyn Lovell is ahead of her time.
Specifically, the senior biochemistry major from Oneida, Illinois, will soon be taking the next step toward a career in nursing, a full three years before Monmouth's first class of nursing students graduates in 2029.
Lovell's path to a career in healthcare has been shaped by growth, change and discovery.
"I came to Monmouth knowing that I wanted to go into healthcare and found that biochemistry was a good step toward that," she said.
Clearing early hurdles
Still, her first year was a time of exploration.
"During my first year I changed my major four times and finally came back to biochemistry," she said of a decision supported by mentors such as chemistry professor Laura Moore.
As she continued her college journey, Lovell began to see how studying biochemistry connects to many areas in healthcare.
"I've been able to take a lot of things from 'Biochemistry I & II' and connect it into classes like nutrition, medicinal chemistry, and anatomy and physiology," she said.
However, Lovell's journey was not easy at first, thanks in part to "Introduction to Biology."
"My first semester freshman year, I struggled a lot," she said. "It was a lot harder and more in depth than any bio class I'd taken prior." The experience pushed her to develop better study habits and become more disciplined. Over time, she grew more confident in her abilities. "Now, as a senior, I have much more solid ways to study and have grown a lot academically thanks to the challenges."
Although Lovell initially planned to become a physician assistant, her career path changed after working as an emergency department technician at OSF in Galesburg, which is squarely between Oneida and Monmouth. There, she saw the differences between healthcare roles and learned what suited her best.
"I realized I enjoyed the hands-on and more direct care nurses provided," she said. She also liked the flexibility nursing offers, adding, "I can switch specialties easier, whether that's ER, ICU or dermatology." She believes her biochemistry background will help her become a more attentive and efficient nurse.
Getting the full college experience
Outside the classroom, Lovell made the most of her time at Monmouth by getting involved in many activities. She built strong friendships through the SOFIA research program and found a sense of belonging in Pi Beta Phi, one of Monmouth's two historic women's fraternities.
"I found an incredible group of women," she said. "I was met with the biggest hugs and the warmest smiles."
Lovell also served in leadership roles on the Panhellenic Council, helping other students find their place on campus. Music was another important part of her college life. As a member of the Fighting Scots Marching Band and a three-year drum major, she gained leadership experience and created lasting memories.
"One of my favorite memories from college was our trip to Greece," she said. "It was an unforgettable experience." She was also part of the women's golf team, where she built close friendships with her teammates.
Through these experiences, Lovell grew not only as a student but as a person. She entered college lacking confidence but gradually learned to trust herself.
"Over time, I've grown out of that and feel a lot more confident in who I am," she said. She also learned to see mistakes as part of the process rather than failures.
After graduation, Lovell plans to attend St. Francis College of Nursing and continue working toward her career.
"I'm excited to take the next step and create more experiences and memories," she said, before offering advice to incoming students. "Don't be afraid to change. College is a time to find what you want to do. It'll work out."
Lovell's story shows that growth often comes from change, and that finding the right path takes time, effort and self-discovery.
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