Monmouth College - Facilities

Facilities

The 83-acre (336,000 m²) college campus has undergone a major facelift in recent years. Bowers Hall, a residence hall built in 2001, was the first new dormitory in over 30 years. The college purchased an apartment complex near the campus in 2003 and North Hall, built on the north side on the campus, was completed before the Fall of 2005. Gracie Peterson Hall, a modern coed dorm opened in the fall of 2007. The Peacock Athletic Complex was built in 2000 and is in walking distance from the campus. The college also built new tennis courts in 2003 and reopened the completely renovated Dahl Chapel and Auditorium containing a 500-seat recital hall/auditorium as well as music rehearsal space. In the fall of 2008, the first phase of the April Zorn Memorial Stadium was completed, enlarging the seating capacity to 2,600 and adding a state-of-the-art press box.

The largest building on campus is the massive 155,000-square-foot (14,400 m2) Huff Athletic Center. It encompasses the college's old Glennie Gymnasium and includes a brand new fieldhouse with indoor tennis courts and track, natatorium, fitness complex, wellness suite, locker and training rooms, classrooms and offices.

The college maintains additional facilities including a state-of-the-art digital television studio and media (computer) lab, the Wells Theatre and WIT Experimental Theatre, hosting dramatic productions, a web-based radio station and the beautifully renovated Hewes Library complete with a wide range of print and electronic information resources, computing facilities, a digital classroom, an art gallery housing the James Shields collection of art and antiquities and a coffee shop. Nearby is the LeSeur Nature Preserve, a 16.5 acre (67,000 m²) nature preserve located a short 10 minute walk from campus.

The Minnie Billings Capron Classics Room located on the first floor of Wallace Hall, the main classroom building, honors the mother of Keith Capron. Keith Capron endowed a Classics chair in honor of his mother, who attended Monmouth College for one year. He also donated the funds to create the modern, technologically-equipped Capron Room, including a library and display of classical artifacts. A photo of Mrs. Capron hangs in the room.

According to a (copyrighted and trademarked) online news story article appearing in the online Monday, August 22, 2011 edition of the Peoria Journal Star, : "Monmouth College is moving forward with what's being called a "new academic era" at the school in Western Illinois. WGIL Radio reported that officials unveiled the cornerstone Saturday for the new $40 million Monmouth College Science and Business Center being built at the college. It will be the first time the two departments will be under the same roof. Monmouth College Board of Trustees Chairman David Byrnes pledged $5.5 million toward the project himself and said the new building sends an important message. He said it's a reminder of the college's commitment to reach the next level in its pursuit of academic excellence. The Science and Business Center also received money under Illinois' capital construction program. It should be completed in two years."

Monmouth College unveiled a new strategic plan on March 1, 2012. Titled "Fulfilling the Promise," the document is based on four distinct strategies that will inform decision-making at the institution for the next five years. The strategies are: 1. Build an environment that promotes active learning; 2. Inspire students to lead and serve society using democratic principles; 3. Prepare students to solve complex problems; and 4. Guide students to discover meaningful careers and purpose in life.