MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS (September 10, 2026) — A pair of talks on September 17 will highlight the recent progress at Monmouth College and touch on the connection between data centers and the US Constitution.
Monmouth Associates
As she begins her third year as Monmouth's president, Patricia Draves will reflect on a year of significant momentum at the college when she addresses the first Monmouth Associates gathering of the academic year. That momentum includes the launch of new market-ready programs thanks to a program-sharing partnership for applied AI, web development, and cybersecurity; a strong fundraising year highlighted by a transformational leadership gift; new majors in agribusiness management and finance; and continued enrollment growth. Draves will also share priorities for the year ahead as the college builds on its successes and prepares for the future.
Draves will speak at noon in Mellinger Commons in the Center for Science and Business. Her presentation is free, but there is a $15 charge per ticket to eat lunch at the event. Individuals attending the meal are asked to make reservations by September 14 at 309-457-2291 or at alumni@monmouthcollege.edu.
Parking is available in the Center for Science and Business lot or along Broadway.
Constitution Day talk
What do data centers have to do with the Constitution and our environment? Political science professor Mike Nelson (below) will discuss the role of the Constitution in shaping our country's approach to the use of public lands (including for data centers), climate change, and public health. Recent and on-going court cases highlight the Constitution's importance for these issues.
Titled "The Constitution and the Environment," his talk will be held at 7PM in Room 276 of the Center for Science and Business and is free and open to the public.
Nelson is Monmouth's pre-law adviser and has published on environmental issues related to agriculture, food safety, genetic resources, and climate change.
The program celebrates Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, a federal day that commemorates the signing of the final draft of the Constitution in 1787 in Philadelphia. The nation's first Constitution Day was observed in 1952 to recognize the adoption of the Constitution and persons who have become US citizens.
