campaign update

The candle’s light will long shine on

Being the mom of two little kids I often hear, “Enjoy every moment, they grow up fast!” At first, those days seemed long. I didn’t really appreciate the advice I was being given. Now, seven and four years down the road, it’s amazing to see how much they’ve grown. But also amazing is how fast those years have already gone. Wasn’t it yesterday that I was cleaning what felt like hundreds of bottles a day? The reality is that with every passing day, my children learn a little bit more. They become a bit more independent, and they graduate to their next milestone—whether that is learning to tie their shoes, learning to read or understanding and solving math equations. The same is true with our students. We welcome these amazing young people to campus, and each year they learn and explore new things. They progress to their next milestone—whether that be conquering Comm 101, aceing their accounting final or landing a spot in our annual summer research program in chemistry. And then ultimately, they graduate from Monmouth College. They are launched into the “real world.” I often find myself running into Monmouth alumni at events around the country, and realizing that it in fact wasn’t yesterday that they were on campus. When I hear of career accomplishments, see a newly minted Ph.D. or receive news of a wee Scot on the way it always hits me the same: these students have grown up so fast. Their time on campus came and went in the blink of an eye. But the impact they made on Monmouth—and on me—is everlasting. The Light This Candle Campaign has had a similar impact. It seems like just yesterday we were planning for our public launch, having raised $45 million in support for Monmouth. But, in fact, it was the spring of 2019. My kids were three and one at the time. And as for our students, well none of our current students were here;

we’ve graduated four classes of Monmouth students since then. And through those four years, we have raised more than $33 million for Monmouth College, bringing us to an impressive $78 million in the campaign. This Campaign has significantly increased Monmouth’s endowment. It has generated greater support for student scholarships and 100% financial aid. It has enhanced our academic programs and supported our faculty. It has 90% allowed us to improve our living-learning environment for students. And finally, it has created an even greater culture of 80% philanthropy among Monmouth’s generous supporters, through a substantial increase in 70% both current and deferred gifts. That impact—generous gifts from alumni 60% and friends—will be everlasting. New and growing scholarships to support tomorrow’s students, funded travel and internships, endowed professorships, capital needs enhancements and a deferred gift registry that has nearly doubled in size are among the campaign’s legacies. These commitments will benefit each and every one of our students. They will serve the mission of Monmouth College well into the future. I know December 31 will come in the blink of an eye, and we will formally close the chapter on the Light This Candle Campaign. But I will forever be grateful for all who made it a success. Our students will forever be impacted by the generosity of others. I hope you will ensure your part in this slice of Monmouth’s history before the moment passes you by.

Hannah Maher

Vice President for Development and College Relations

$78 Million $75 Million $70 Million $65 Million $60 Million $55 Million $50 Million

FALL 2022 3 CAMPAIGN UPDATE