Monmouth College students Curry, Plumer, Reed add to list of accomplishments this spring
Monmouth, IL (03/26/2026) — Three Monmouth College seniors who've been in the news recently have added to their accomplishments this semester.
Curry returns to journalism event
For the second straight year, Patrick Curry, Jr. of Chicago successfully applied for a spot in the selective National Association of Black Journalists Multimedia Short Course. Held on the campus of North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro during Monmouth's spring break, the annual event is described as "a rigorous four-day intensive boot camp for aspiring journalism students." Curry worked closely with industry professionals and made new connections while honing his reporting, writing, digital and video production skills.
"I view myself as a sports reporter, but one of the big takeaways from the course was that even if you have a focus on one area, be well-versed in the world - know what's going on," said Curry, whose story pitch of reporting on the identity crisis athletes often experience was used by his group. "One thing that was drilled into us was 'Know what you don't know.' I was really finding out a lot of what I didn't know, and that was tough."
Curry said the mentors "recommended podcasts I should listen to, news sites I could go to - just ways I can be more informed." He said the experience only reinforced his desire to continue on his current path.
"I've been trying to decide what I want to do - whether that's new media or old media - but I definitely want to have my own platform," he said. "I want to have the best of both worlds. I'd give this experience a 10 out of 10, most definitely. Even with the challenges I faced, it ended really well, and I was so inspired."
Reed named an outstanding president
Mason Reed of Knoxville, Illinois, was the recipient of an Outstanding IFC President Award, an honor shared by 15 Interfraternity Council presidents across the nation. The award recognizes IFC presidents whose leadership has been a driving force for growth, positive change and interfraternalism on their campus.
"Mason has empowered the entire IFC executive board to take on more responsibility, be more present on campus, interact with other chapters more often, improve the reputation of fraternities, and raise their bar in all aspects of fraternity life," wrote his nominator. "He is just the level-headed, compassionate, down-to-earth leader our IFC has needed this past year. Mason never lets his own chapter affiliation (Zeta Beta Tau) get in the way of what is right or fair."
In addition to his service with the IFC, Reed is involved in many aspects of campus life. A three-year member of the football team, he assists Monmouth's head athletic trainer, working with student-athletes in preparation for his future career in the field of kinesiology/exercise science. He has also served as a resident assistant and as a First-Year Mentor and Scot Ambassador. Reed was inducted into the college's Order of Omega fraternity/sorority honor society due to the dedication he showed to his academics, recently raising his cumulative GPA nearly two-tenths of a point.
Plumer earns Elite 20 honor
Already selected as Monmouth's Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois - an honor that includes a speaking role at this May's Commencement ceremony - Turner Plumer of Canton, Illinois, was named the recipient of the Midwest Conference's Elite 20 award at this year's MWC men's basketball tournament.
Each year, the Midwest Conference recognizes the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average who is participating in his or her respective sport's culminating championship or tournament event. The award recognizes the commitment of the student-athlete toward the pursuit of excellence in both the athletic and academic realms as measured by reaching the pinnacle of competition within the league, while also achieving the highest academic standard among peers.
An engineering major, Plumer returned from ACL surgery in January after missing a year of basketball action. In his last full season two years ago, Plumer was a second team All-MWC selection and was named to the CSC Academic All-District team. He's served as a physics and engineering tutor on campus while also working as a resident assistant. Off-campus, Plumer has worked as an engineering intern at IDOT and KEDbluestone and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Last year, Plumer's classmate Jason Huber took home the Elite 20 award, which is modeled after the NCAA Elite 90.
Media Attachments
MASON REED: "He is just the level-headed, compassionate, down-to-earth leader our IFC has needed this past year."
TURNER PLUMER: The engineering major earned the Midwest Conference's Elite 20 honor in men's basketball.
PATRICK CURRY, JR.: “I've been trying to decide what I want to do – whether that's new media or old media – but I definitely want to have my own platform."
Monmouth College
Barry McNamara 309-457-2117, mcnamara@monmouthcollege.eduShare this Story
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