Lillian Hucke ’24  |   Published November 19, 2020

Masked-Up Campus

In a semester when face masks were part of the new normal, the campus community choice of masks was driven by safety, comfort and fashion.

  • Gallery Photo
    Dani Hagens '23
  • Gallery Photo
    Educational studies professor Michelle Holschuh Simmons and dog, Josie
  • Gallery Photo
    Mitch Perez ’21
  • Gallery Photo
    Psychology professor Carolyn Liesen
  • Gallery Photo
    Tori Cook ’24
MONMOUTH, Ill. – Many Monmouth College students said they were annoyed at first when they realized they had to wear a face mask to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But they eventually grew accustomed to a mask on their face, and it even became a kind of fashion statement. Monmouth concluded the fall semester with a cooldown period that started on Nov. 9 and lasted until the end of classes on Nov. 24.

“I felt it was necessary just because of all the paranoia going around,” said Marissa Logan ’22 of Elmhurst, Ill.

Educational studies professor Michelle Holschuh Simmons adjusted to mask life with pride because she said that it is her responsibility to keep herself and others safe.

“I see wearing a mask as my responsibility as a member of a community during this pandemic, and so I am happy to do so,” said Simmons.

Like Simmons, others adjusted to wearing a mask because they wanted students and faculty to remain on campus through the end of the fall semester, which is Nov. 24. Some students report that they have become so used to wearing a mask that it was not uncommon for them to continue wearing one when they were alone in their residence hall room.

“I see wearing a mask as my responsibility as a member of a community during this pandemic, and so I am happy to do so.”
– Michelle Holschuh Simmons, educational studies professor 

Mitch Perez ’21 of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, said he adjusted to wearing a mask and did not let it affect his learning.

Dani Hagens ’23 of Aledo, Illinois, agreed, saying: “I am more used to wearing masks. They don’t pose as big of a distraction as they did at the beginning of the year.”

English professor Kevin Roberts said that wearing a mask has not affected his teaching, except for the occasional moment when his eyeglasses steam up.

Which mask to wear?

Many Monmouth students, faculty and staff wore reusable cloth masks this fall. That allowed them to wash and reuse their masks. Many students reported that they own on average six to 10 masks.

Hagens said she often chooses a mask based on comfort and style.

“I choose what masks to buy based mostly in comfort and how well they fit,” she said. “Daily, I choose my masks based on what matches my outfit.”

Same goes for psychology professor Carolyn Liesen, who said she has a collection of masks so she can match her masks with her outfits – or choose a mask that pops.

Most of the students and faculty interviewed put comfort as their number one choice in choosing a mask; then they would match their mask to their outfit. Then there is Camden Schmidt ’24 of Washington, Illinois, who said he wears the first mask he sees in his residence hall room.

Related Stories

Back to News & Events

Did you know?

  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an educational garden and 6.7 acre farm. Students grow and harvest fruits and vegetables to sell at the local farmer’s market. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/academics/only-at-monmouth/educational-garden-farm/" target="_blank">Garden & Farm</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers several international trips each year during 2-week Scots Terms in January and May. Recently students have traveled to Botswana, Greece, Scotland, Japan, and more. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/offices/global-engagement/" target="_blank">Scots Term</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 98% of Monmouth graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/wackerle-center/career-services/" target="_blank">Career Preparation</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College covers the cost for all current students to get a U.S. passport. Unlock access to over 198 different countries! We’ll even help with the paperwork :)</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/study-abroad/" target="_blank">Study Abroad</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College is proudly test optional. Applicants may choose whether or to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission and scholarship consideration. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/admission/apply/test-optional/" target="_blank">Test Optional</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p><strong>Monmouth College is the birthplace of the women’s fraternity movement. Pi Beta Phi, the first such collegiate women’s organization, was founded at Monmouth in 1867. It was followed three years later by Kappa Kappa Gamma. The two pioneering organizations today boast a total of 275 active chapters nationwide.</strong></p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/student-life/sororities-fraternities/" target="_blank">Sororities & Fraternities</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 99% of Monmouth students received some type of scholarship or financial assistance.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/offices/student-financial-planning/types-of-aid/scholarships/" target="_blank">Scholarships</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We’re no stranger to winning. Last year the Fighting Scots won Midwest Conference championships in Football, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Basketball and Men’s Track and Field. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthscots.com/" target="_blank">Fighting Scots</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers unique academic minors in Global Public Health and Global Food Security for students who want to use their education to address global challenges. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-public-health/" target="_blank">Global Public Health</a></li><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-food-security/" target="_blank">Global Food Security</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an active Pipe & Drum Band. Each year on Scholar’s Day in April the bagpipers wake students up at 6:00 a.m. by playing in the residence halls!</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/music/pipe-band/" target="_blank">Pipe Band</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We offer a certified Peace Corps Preparation program that gives Peace Corps bound graduates a leg up in the application process.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/peace-corps-prep/" target="_blank">Peace Corps Prep</a></li></ul></div></aside>