Karli Strom - News and Opinion Editor
Alumna Karen Krueger ’72 has committed $4.15 million to support students, one of the largest in Monmouth’s history. The commitment will give students the opportunity to become more globally engaged through internships, study abroad opportunities, and even research projects.
Krueger’s commitment will establish the Krueger Center for Global Engagement at Monmouth. This will assist Monmouth faculty and students in supporting and developing more short-term and long-term study-abroad opportunities and other activities. “My goal is to open doors to students, especially those who might not have even thought they would have the opportunity to learn more about the world outside the U.S. by experiencing it first-hand,” said Krueger. “Exposure to the larger world through study and personal engagement can build on that and help prepare them to live, work, and lead in an increasingly complex and changing world.”
Krueger graduated from Monmouth with a bachelor's degree in government/political science and earned her master's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. She had a 41-year career with the U.S. Department of State, retiring from foreign service in 2005 and serving as a civil service officer for 13 years afterward. Krueger wants to allow students the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the world. “We can also learn from each other. Perhaps someone has solved a problem that we haven’t solved yet, or perhaps we can share one of our ideas with them,” said Krueger, “recognizing our shared interests, and building the necessary and rewarding bridges to understanding, are essential to addressing issues that require global solutions – from the future of our planet to issues as diverse as the health of its population and international crime.”