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‘A perfect match:’ Draves inaugurated as Monmouth College’s 15th president

Patricia Draves addresses the audience at her inauguration on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
Monmouth College
Patricia Draves addresses the audience at her inauguration on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.

Twenty years ago, Patricia Draves was teaching chemistry at Monmouth College.

She would move on to serve as vice president for academic affairs of Mount Union University of Ohio and as president of Graceland University in Iowa.

Draves has now come home to lead Monmouth College, and during homecoming weekend, she was inaugurated as the college’s 15th president.

In her address titled “Rooted in Legacy, Growing Our Future,” Draves said the landscape of higher education is rapidly evolving, and it’s both a scary and exciting time to lead a liberal arts college.

“I believe we’re actually on the verge of a revolution shaped by technological advances, demographic shifts, and the opportunities that are available to us in an interconnected world. Yet in this moment of change, I'm reminded of our college characteristics —perseverance, resourcefulness, determination, and love of place,” she said.

Draves’ husband, Jeff, is an alumnus of Monmouth College and a fellow chemist who also taught there. The couple’s twin sons, Benjamin and William, spoke at the inauguration, recalling riding bikes down Wallace Hall hill, swimming at the YMCA, and being proud graduates of Harding Elementary School.

She said Monmouth College has endured and survived many stressors over the years, from wars and fires to pandemics.

“We must cultivate a vision that honors our past while embracing the possibilities that lie ahead — together,” she said. “I envision a Monmouth College that is a beacon of academic excellence, celebrates the Monmouth experience, takes advantage of our outstanding location, and is a place where students from all backgrounds come together to learn, grow and challenge one another to reach their full potential.”

Draves was introduced by Richard Giese, the 12th president of Monmouth College.

When Giese left Monmouth to be president of Mount Union, he immediately thought of Draves when he needed a dean. In that role, Draves revamped the curriculum and developed Mount Union’s first graduate programs.

Giese said Draves has a collaborative leadership style and is very goal-oriented — and that her vision for Monmouth resonates deeply with its core values.

“I am confident that under her stewardship, she will not only honor the rich legacy of those who have come before, but boldly chart a path toward a future filled with innovation, inclusivity, and growth,” Giese said. “President Draves and Monmouth College are a perfect match for one another at this time in its history.”

Speakers representing students, faculty, staff, alumni and the city of Monmouth delivered greetings to Draves at the inauguration.

Mayor Rod Davis, an alumnus and lifelong Monmouth resident, said the city and the college have a long history of collaboration and cooperation.

“You and I are both keenly aware that a healthy community supports and nurtures the college and that a healthy college enhances our larger community in so many ways — economically, culturally, intellectually, and socially,” Davies said.

After a national search, Draves was the unanimous choice of the college’s presidential search committee.

She took office in July. She has outlined five priorities for Monmouth College:

  • · Increasing enrollment
  • · A continued emphasis on integrating the overall Monmouth experience for students with the college’s academic programs
  • · Expanding Monmouth’s “culture of connections” to “expand our classroom for our students"
  • · Keeping a Monmouth education affordable while delivering a quality education
  • · A “digital transformation” that will equip Monmouth students in an increasingly connected world.

Tri States Public Radio produced this story.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

Jane Carlson is TSPR's regional reporter.