Published July 01, 2020

Donor Spotlight: Michelle Perry

Michelle Perry ’89 reflects on her time at Monmouth College.

Michelle Perry '89
Michelle Perry ’89

Why did you pick Monmouth as the place you wanted to attend college?

Back in the day you didn’t have websites or other resources – you had brochures and catalogues. I remember getting a Monmouth catalogue and thinking it might be a good place to consider. Monmouth was the first college I visited. I knew from the moment I stepped foot on campus that this was where I wanted to go to school. My mom made me visit other schools just to make sure – but I never waivered on my feeling that Monmouth was the place for me.

Have you kept in touch with your Monmouth Family since graduating?

Social media certainly makes it easier to keep in touch. It’s been great to reconnect with classmates and to see what’s been going on over the last 30 years. Zoom calls have been fun too as I have a standing call with Monmouth friends every other week.

Where’s your favorite place on campus?

I have such fond memories of my time at Monmouth so to pick one favorite place is hard. I loved living in Gibson Hall – the home of some of my funniest and most cherished memories.

What about Monmouth College are you most proud of?

I am incredibly proud of the athletic department and the Fighting Scots that represent the College. I think Roger Haynes has done an amazing job with the department and continues to field teams that succeed both on and off the court.

In a world with so many charities doing good, why is Monmouth College a priority for you?

I feel strongly that I have a responsibility to support my local community through charitable giving – in some cases supporting causes or organizations that don’t directly impact me or my family. To me, that’s what being a member of a community means. Similarly, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to Monmouth College as my time there provided a foundation on which my future was built. The experiences I had at Monmouth helped prepare me for life after college and set me on a path that has allowed me to be in a position to give back both to my community as well as to the College. I am humbled by this sense of responsibility and want to try to make a difference and provide opportunities for future generations.

 

What benefits do you hope to see for Monmouth students as a result of your giving?

I hope my support allows the College to provide transformative experiences to students, further preparing them for life after Monmouth. Additionally, I hope our continued support provides some relief from the crippling debt that often comes with higher education.

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Did you know?

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