the last word

THE LAST WORD

THREE GENERATIONS OF SCOTS Jean Witty ’88 at Commencement with her son, Thomas ’21 and her father, Richard Peters ’58.

Iunderestimated how proud i’d feel as my son stepped onto the stage to receive his diploma in May. Most parents feel a sense of pride when their children accomplish something they’ve always dreamed of on their behalf, but this moment was especially poignant. Thomas is the fourth generation of our family to attend and graduate from Monmouth College: my grandparents (Dr. James Marshall ’36 and Isabel Bickett Marshall ’36), his grandparents (Carolbel Creswell Peters ’61 and Richard Peters ’58), my cousin (Lucy Kellogg Thompson ’99) and I, ’88, and now Thomas Witty ’21. All have walked the halls of Wallace, cheered in the football stadium and studied in the carrels of the Monmouth library. We share a common bond through our family heritage and now through our experiences as Fighting Scots.

This past year has been an especially historic one for education at all levels. With the covid-19 pandemic, learning at Monmouth was moved online, students on the once-vibrant campus were sent into their rooms, and social separation became the norm. I was worried that as a college senior, my son’s last year at Monmouth would be a disappointment.

How wrong I was! In the face of a changing academic and social climate, Thomas did what many Monmouth students do well—he adapted and grew. He and his baseball teammates (Jordan Ball ’21, Grant Powers ’21, Matthew Temener ’21 and Austin Vannaken ’21) figured out with the help of Coach Alan Betourne ’05 how to successfully carry out fall ball practices and how to move forward with a successful fall baseball outdoor season.

Who cared that they all had to “mask up” in the dugout? The Scots wanted to play! And when they were asked to pick up meals from the “caf” rather than eat in large groups, quadmates became family and home became the four walls of the space they shared in the dorm.

Thomas was blessed in relationships with extended family members in the town of Monmouth such as Buster and Jane Marshall Kellogg ’72, much as I had been when I was on campus in the late 1980s. For him, attending Monmouth was not just about the education in communications (his major) or about athletics (through the baseball team)—the experience cemented in his mind what it means to overcome obstacles that were not even imaginable on his first day on campus. He learned what community means and how to be an important part of the success of that community.

As chair of the Enrollment Management Committee on the College’s Board of Trustees, I care a great deal about the experiences of all our students on campus—during a pandemic or otherwise. I help to guide and oversee the recruitment of new students and the retention of our current ones. Being a legacy at Monmouth makes this role a unique one, as I am motivated each day to share what has been meaningful for myself and for members of my family. How could I promote our campus to others, if I wouldn’t be willing to educate my own children there?!

Initiatives such as the creation of the engineering major and partnerships with local businesses (such as the acquisition of the industrial 3-D printer, Ellie) are recent examples of ways our campus is growing in the sciences. In addition to seeking a firstrate academic experience, many students come to our campus so they can continue to compete in a sport they enjoy. They come to sing, to play an instrument, or pursue their passion for art. It is our job as alumni and friends of the College to support their success by giving to the College on an annual basis.

At Monmouth, our students are as varied as they are unique. I saw this as each graduate of the Class of 2021 crossed the stage to receive his or her diploma. Not stopped by even a pandemic, our newest Scot alumni held their heads high as they ended their days on our campus and looked forward to a bright future. Those of us older alumni know that their road to success may not be smooth nor straight. But here’s one thing that will always be true: they are proud Fighting Scots and there is no limit to the possibilities ahead of them.

Will there be a fifth generation Fighting Scot in our family? Hopefully someday! As for today, however, I encourage all to support our great campus in any way that you are able. No gift is too small, and large gifts are certainly welcomed! Let’s bring this legacy forward so that all may continue to know the pride of being a Fighting Scot.

Jean Peters Witty ’88, Ph.D., is curriculum director and senior instructor for Rancho Solano Preparatory School in Phoenix, Ariz. She has been a member of the Monmouth College Board of Trustees since 2000.