Monmouth College

« Back to Recent News

White and Crimson Leadership Award recipient Izzy Gimm (nearly) did it all in her time at Monmouth

by Barry McNamara

Monmouth, IL (04/25/2025) — With the exception of performing in the fine arts, Izzy Gimm did just about everything a student can do at Monmouth College, and she did it at such a high level that she was honored with the White and Crimson Leadership Award at this month's Highlander Leadership Awards.

The award recognizes students who have taken extra strides to go beyond the call of duty in an effort to positively impact the campus community.

"Izzy's leadership across academic and co-curricular spheres is noted and appreciated by faculty, staff and so many students who she's guided and inspired," wrote one of her nominators.

Those co-curricular spheres were abundant, as Gimm not only excelled academically but in a variety of organizations and activities, including Kappa Kappa Gamma, The Courier, the James and Sybil Stockdale Fellows program, off-campus study and as a Scot Ambassador. She was also a member of the volleyball team.

Roommates on campus, and beyond

The daughter of alumni Josh '97 and Tennille McClure Gimm '98 came to Monmouth from Liberty, Illinois, where the high school has less than 200 students. She was a very involved student there and knew that's what she wanted out of her college experience, too, even though, at first, it didn't look like it would be Monmouth.

"After my first visit, I said, 'I'm NOT going there,'" said Gimm who, fortunately, gave her parents' alma mater a second look when she realized she wanted to continue playing volleyball. She was also part of the Facebook group for the incoming class, and she struck up a friendship with future Scots teammate Paige Bergschneider. To say that friendship has stuck is an understatement.

"I think we're the only roommates from our senior class to be together all four years," said Gimm.

Her initial plan was to become a history teacher, but an uncharacteristic mid-term warning grade in a history class, plus a media class with Chris Goble, led her to change course. She'll graduate in May as a communication studies and public relations double major, with minors in journalism and marketing.

Gimm has found success in all four areas, whether it's being a talented speech assistant, an award-winning writer or a future summer marketing intern at Caterpillar. For the latter experience, she'll again room with Bergschneider, who'll be interning for Cat, too. It's possible they'll both be graduate students at Illinois State University, as well (Gimm is already committed there), extending their roommate-ing even further.

"It's free tuition, and I get a stipend for teaching public speaking as a grad assistant," said Gimm of her master's degree program, which could lead to becoming a marketing professor. "It's a pretty good deal."

Her ISU students will be learning from a talented teacher.

"Her work as a speech assistant is meaningful," wrote one of her nominators. "Over the years, COMM 101 students have singled her out as an assistant who offered useful and supportive feedback."

The same nominator praised Gimm's time at The Courier, where she served as the website and social media manager and received an Illinois College Press Association award for a sports story.

Greek life suited her

"Izzy always leads in a positive way and demonstrates maturity, kindness and respect for others," wrote another nominator. "Additionally, she's been an exemplary Scot Ambassador over the years, often being the 'go to' for the admissions office for many of the key events."

Gimm said her most meaningful leadership roles at Monmouth have been in her sorority and as the lead mentor of the Stockdale Fellows program.

"I gained so much leadership experience with Kappa Kappa Gamma," said Gimm, who served as president for one year in addition to three vice president roles. "I really grew as a person, and my self-confidence grew. That was the jump start to everything else."

Gimm served as Kappa's president as a sophomore, the same year she went on a two-week Christmas break trip to Greece led by faculty members Bob Simmons and Lori Walters. She loved her time there so much that she returned for the entire spring semester of her junior year for a study-abroad program. While there, Gimm visited 10 other countries, including "magical" Italy and the "underrated" city of Budapest, Hungary.

"I wouldn't have taken that kind of risk without all the leadership experiences I had at Monmouth," she said. "I have friends all over campus. Being involved has really helped me be connected. I figured I could go overseas and do the same."

Not yet mentioned are Gimm's membership in a trio of honor societies - Order of Omega, Mortar Board and Lambda Pi Eta. She served as president of the latter organization.

"If you're looking for someplace where you can develop close relationships with your peers and your professors, and where you can be recognized for the quality of your character, then Monmouth is the place for you," said Gimm. "You'll never be just a number, and there are so many opportunities to be busy."

Now, about that missing fine arts piece on her extensive college resume.

"I'm not musically inclined in the slightest, unfortunately," said Gimm.

And that's OK. Because everything else the former Scots' middle blocker took on, she killed it.

Media Attachments

Izzy Gimm and Paige Bergschneider have been roommates all four years at Monmouth, and they'll continue the living arrangement this summer in Peoria, Illinois, where they both have internships with Caterpillar.

Gimm enjoyed her two-week trip to Greece so much as a sophomore that she returned for an entire semester as a junior

Copyright © 2025 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out