Patricia Draves named 15th president of Monmouth College

Dr. Patricia Draves has been named the 15^th president of Monmouth College.

“Mrs. Draves had shown great interest and enthusiasm in the Monmouth mission,” said Scots Student Senate President, Luis Castillo. “Being passionate about what the college interest to offer students is a great motive.”

Draves served as president for seven years at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Before Graceland, she served as vice president for academic affairs at the University of Mount Union of Ohio for 11 years. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and her doctorate in chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a former Monmouth chemistry professor, Draves is the first president who has previously served on the college’s faculty.

Castillo was one of the few students who got to speak with potential candidates. “Being a part of the search process was a wonderful opportunity I was granted,” said Castillo, “While some candidates were more competitive that others, each candidate brought great ideas that could promote improvement in the institution.”

Brady Arrenius, president of Interfraternity Council, also got to participate in the search. “I got to speak with some highly intelligent people that had some sort of future in mind for Monmouth College,” said Arrenius. “I honestly feel that we had better options. However, I know Dr. Draves with be an extremely good president for our financial situation and student turnover rate."

Draves begins her presidency in July after the retirement of the college’s 14^th president, Clarence R. Wyatt. “I believe her arrival, although [it] may be difficult as all change is difficult, I also see it as hopeful," said Castillo. “It’s a new chapter for Monmouth and it is hopeful that a new leader can drive impact around the institution for all good, especially for student experience.”