Barry McNamara | Published June 29, 2021

Tibbetts Merits Another Honor

Biology professor receives district award from Boy Scouts of America.

MONMOUTH, Ill. – Just days after being honored for his service by receiving one of Monmouth College’s prestigious Hatch Awards, biology professor Tim Tibbetts has been heralded again.

SCOUTING HONOR: Tim Tibbetts receives the Boy Scouts of America's District Award of Merit fro... SCOUTING HONOR: Tim Tibbetts receives the Boy Scouts of America's District Award of Merit from his biology department and scouting colleague, Kathy Mainz.Tibbetts received the Boy Scouts of America’s District Award of Merit, presented by the Inali District of the Illowa Council. The award is available to registered scouts who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level.

“They look for an adult volunteer who has served the district in an exemplary way, having an effect on the larger scouting community, not just their own unit,” said Kathy Mainz, who works with Tibbetts in Monmouth’s biology department and with scouting projects in the three-county Inali District.

Tibbetts was one of four scouts nominated for the award, cited for his exemplary work with the Illowa Council’s Merit Badge University, an event held annually at Monmouth College that helps Boy Scouts earn various Merit Badges, including several that are normally difficult to obtain.

“Merit Badge University is a great chance for scouts to explore different areas they may be interested in and to broaden their experiences,” said Tibbetts, who has taught scouts about orienteering, citizenship and nature through the day-long program. “The event, spearheaded by Kathy Mainz, is also a nice showcase for the College, reminding area scouts that Monmouth College is here and that college is not some crazy foreign place. Hopefully that spills over into them applying here at some point.”

Mainz said Tibbetts works “tirelessly” behind the scenes, driving vans, shuttling scouts, serving as a Merit Badge instructor, and helping to set up and tear down the event, which is held each March during the College’s spring break.

“I have found that scouting at the local level is valuable as a backdrop to get my kids and other kids interested in the outdoors. Campouts and being in nature are great counterpoints to our busy lives with school and work and other activities.” – Tim Tibbetts

“I couldn’t do it without him,” said Mainz. “I’ve always relied on him as my right-hand person.”

For the past several years, Tibbets has also served on the board of review for Eagle Scouts, work that sometimes requires travel within the Inali District, which ranges from Colchester to Toulon.

“I have found that scouting at the local level is valuable as a backdrop to get my kids and other kids interested in the outdoors,” said Tibbetts, who through his work with the biology department leads the efforts to maintain the College’s LeSuer Nature Preserve. “Campouts and being in nature are great counterpoints to our busy lives with school and work and other activities. And scouting naturally develops leadership skills in the scouts as well as self-confidence and maturity.”

Biology

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<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 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> 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 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 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> 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>
<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> 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 has an active Pipe & Drum Band. Each year on Scholars 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> 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> 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>

Tibbetts Merits Another Honor

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