Homecoming royalty included, from left, Bronte de Zwart, Payton Crims, and Joey Twardowski. Not pictured is Zoe Nizzia
MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS (October 21, 2025) — With themes of women in science, the value of Greek life, and Monmouth College being a welcoming home, the school welcomed home alumni young and old for another successful and memorable Homecoming weekend.
There was also a theme of amateur meteorology, and that was a success, too, as most of the rain that had been forecast all week fell after the last Spirit Shout firework had exploded Friday night and before Saturday morning's first event, the M Club Hall of Fame, and Fighting Scots Champions Club induction.
It was at the Spirit Shout where Bronte de Zwart, a part of both women in science and Greek life, was crowned the Homecoming queen. A double major in math and physics, de Zwart is past president of Monmouth's Order of Omega chapter, which also held a hall of fame induction ceremony. The Homecoming king was Joey Twardowski of Mark, Illinois.
Alumni Impact Awards
De Zwart came to Monmouth from Adelaide, Australia, and another member of Monmouth's family with roots in a distant country is this year's Young Alumnus Award recipient, Mariela Shaker ('15), a Syrian refugee, who detailed what her alma mater means to her in her Alumni Impact Awards acceptance speech, which she recorded from London.
Shaker described her pre-college days as a time of "uncertainty, fear and longing for safety. When I stepped foot on campus, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. I knew I had found more than a college — I'd found a home and a second chance at life."
She worked with the late Monmouth professor David Suda and his wife, Carolyn, and continued to blossom as a talented violinist, an instrument that has taken her around the world, using her music to build bridges, to promote peace, and to raise awareness for the plight of Syrian people.
"Monmouth College does not just change lives," she said. "It gives wings to dreams that were once thought not possible."
A group of alumni gather in front of the Champion Miller Center to watch the Homecoming parade Saturday morning
Julia Briggerman O'Hara ('62) knows the feeling. As she was completing her studies six decades ago, "women in science" was not a popular path. But she went on to receive her PhD at Dartmouth College — at the time an all-male school for undergraduates — and become a trailblazer in biomedical research.
"Ignore all the critics," she said of advice she received early in her doctoral studies. "Keep on working and you'll find success."
Also honored at the Alumni Impact Awards was Monmouth chemistry professor Audra Goach, who received the college's prestigious Hatch Academic Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Referring to her nomination for the honor, which was written by a former student, Goach said, "When I read, 'She didn't just teach me chemistry; she created a safe, nurturing environment where I could grow,' I know that what I am trying to accomplish as an educator is happening."
Goach was mentored at Monmouth by the chemistry professor she replaced, Richard "Doc" Kieft. In his introduction of Goach, Mark Willhardt — a former English professor at the college who now serves as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty — shared that Doc had mentored him, too. The power of AND, indeed.
Another Monmouth slogan showed up in the acceptance speech of Jerri Picha ('75), recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.
"Monmouth College helped me to be READY to accomplish more than I could ever imagine," she said.
The other honorees at the ceremony were Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient Payson Wild ('67), whose career spans education, philanthropy, and transportation planning, and the Smith family, who were honored as Family of the Year. They include Mary Uhler Smith ('41) and her sons, Sherm Smith ('72) and Greg Smith ('75).
"To hear the impact of this place is really heartwarming," said Monmouth President Patricia Draves as she closed the ceremony. "Monmouth provides the skills to succeed and the support to help you get there. In my first year as president, I've heard countless stories of grit, focus and kindness — tonight embodied that."
Draves also commented on how Monmouth has remained in the hearts of so many alumni, noting, "When you come to Monmouth College, you're not just signing up for four years, you're signing up for life."
Greek life in the Scotlight
In a pair of ceremonies on either side of the Alumni Impact Awards, Greek life took center stage. Friday afternoon, the men of Monmouth's chapter of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity were presented with a major award from the North American Interfraternity Conference. ZBT's Delta Lambda chapter received one of five Chapter Award of Distinction honors the NIC presents nationally, an award not just for ZBT chapters, but for all fraternities. Hundreds of chapters were nominated, reported Ricky Kirby, NIC's chief experience officer.
"I've just got to tell you how proud we are at the national level of y'all," said Kirby.
In his remarks, Andrew Kerr ('73) noted that ZBT achieved the feat while living in a dorm, as opposed to a fraternity house, a situation that will change when the men move into their renovated house on Broadway.
Kappa Kappa Gamma sister Kristin Whitver Fouts '03 and Pi Beta Phi's Debra Jackowniak Scarlett '95 light a unity candle as part of the Fraternity and Sorority Life Hall of Fame ceremony
"But it isn't the house that makes the fraternity," said Kerr. "It's the brotherhood where they reside,"
Sisterhood was the focus at Saturday's Fraternity and Sorority Hall of Fame ceremony, where Debra Jackowniak Scarlett ('95) and Kristin Whitver Fouts ('03) were the inductees. Scarlett is an award-winning dermatologist, while Fouts serves as national director of education and chapter development for ZBT.
Presenter Claudia Delgado ('97) called Scarlett the "glue" that kept their group connected, praising her for having "grit and grace in equal measure. As a doctor, she heals the body. As a friend, she heals the soul."
"Here, today, are some of my most cherished friends," said Scarlett. "This honor is as much about the people who shaped me as it is about me."
Like several of the award recipients during the weekend, Fouts became choked up momentarily, despite a reminder in her notes to "breathe."
"Say 'Yes' to opportunities," she told the large number of current students in the Mellinger Commons audience. "They can be scary sometimes, but they will help you grow. Each 'Yes' took me further down a path that I wouldn't trade for anything. . . I love it because of the difference I can make, member by member."
Raising the bar in athletics
In the first ceremony of the morning, four Fighting Scots greats were inducted into the Hall of Fame — baseball ace Dan Dunn ('06); national champion high jumper Tyler Hannam ('11); speedy softball stand-out Lauren Bergstresser-Petoskey ('12); and cross-country All-American Mary Kate Beyer Black ('12).
Black also choked up while mentioning her family, then commented on the "grit, hard work and humor" that make distance running enjoyable, even "freezing Monsanto runs" in the Monmouth countryside.
"The amount of love we shared with each other fostered our success," she said of her teammates.
Hannam picked up on that theme.
"My teammates made the work more fun and the memories last longer," he said. "It was rewarding to be involved with something bigger than myself."
In his introduction of Hannam, his former coach, Director of Athletics Roger Haynes, pointed out Hannam's high-jump progression in his four years of Midwest Conference outdoor meets, which saw him win three titles as he added nearly a foot to his freshman mark. Hannam addressed that, as well.
"In whatever you do, keep striving, keep learning and keep raising the bar," he told the large crowd assembled in the fieldhouse of the Huff Athletic Center.
Two of Haynes's track and field teams — the 1985 and 1986 squads — were honored with induction into the Champions Club.
"My career would've never taken off without this group," said Haynes, who was just in his second year as head coach when the '85 team won the MWC title, the first of a combined 83 track titles that Monmouth men and women had under the legendary Hall of Fame coach.
The undefeated 1925 football team - known as "The Trick a Minute Machine," was also honored.
In the afternoon, Monmouth's gridiron team of a century later posted its fifth consecutive victory of at least thirty points, topping Cornell 45-3 behind a school-record five rushing touchdowns by Nate Wrublik. Coach Chad Braun's Midwest Conference-leading squad has definite Champions Club potential.
