Monmouth College to Cause City of Monmouth's Population to Increase by more than 25%

Commencement, Midwest Conference outdoor track and field championships, Midwest Conference baseball championship tournament expected to attract large crowds to city.

by Duane Bonifer

Monmouth, Ill. (05/10/2018) — Monmouth College will cause the City of Monmouth's population to swell by more than 25 percent this weekend.

That's because the College will hold its 161st Commencement exercises and also host two Midwest Conference championships -- outdoor track and field, and baseball. Combined, the three events are expected to attract more than 2,500 visitors to town from Friday through Sunday.

"We members of the Monmouth College family believe that all roads lead to our campus, but this weekend it is especially true," said Monmouth College President Clarence R. Wyatt. "The area's hotels, restaurants and stores should see a lot of business this weekend. It will be a great opportunity to show visitors what makes Monmouth-Warren County such a great community. Where else would you want to be on a great spring weekend?"

Commencement activities get underway Friday evening with a concert. On Saturday, the baccalaureate service, Honor Walk and Senior Gala Dinner will take place. Commencement will be held at noon Sunday on the Wallace Hall Plaza with the commencement address to be given by critically acclaimed author Min Jin Lee.

"At all of the festivities and ceremonies over the weekend, we will celebrate the achievements of the members of the Monmouth College Class of 2018 and of all the dedicated faculty, staff, family and friends who have been part of their journey, and welcome our graduates into the proud company of Noble Scots alumni," Wyatt said.

Before Commencement, Monmouth will host a pair of Midwest Conference championships.

On Friday and Saturday, the College will host the Midwest Conference outdoor track and field championships and the Midwest Conference baseball championship tournament.

They will be the fourth and fifth Midwest Conference championships that Monmouth will host this school year. The College has already hosted men's basketball, football and tennis. (Tennis was held at a central location, Madison, Wis., the other two were held at Monmouth.)

Monmouth has been scheduled to host the Midwest Conference outdoor track and field championships at April Zorn Memorial Stadium since the start of the season.

A forecast for rain and cold temperatures moved the Midwest Conference baseball championship tournament from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., to Monmouth. St. Norbert won the conference's North Division, and Monmouth won the South Division.

The first day of the baseball championship tournament will be held at Monmouth and at Knox College in Galesburg. All second-day games are scheduled to be played at at Monmouth's Glasgow Field.

"It's a testament to Monmouth College's great athletic facilities and leadership that the Midwest Conference has turned to us five time this school year to host a conference championship," Wyatt said. "Our College is also fortunate to have an outstanding staff that knows how to juggle multiple major events on campus."

Monmouth's sports programs have already won three Midwest Conference championships this school year -- men's basketball, football, and men's indoor track and field.