A dual farewell to the Draves

By Kaile Schreiner
Courier Staff

In the eyes of a Monmouth College science major, students know exactly who I am talking about when I mention the names Jeffrey and Patricia Draves.

Patricia Draves, current chair of the biochemistry department and associate professor of chemistry, and Jeffrey Draves, chair and associate professor of the chemistry department, will be leaving Monmouth College at the end of the spring semester.

Starting in August 2002, Monmouth College was fortunate to have Patricia teach the courses of general chemistry, biochemistry, advanced biochemistry, Issues and Ideas, Introduction to Liberal Arts (ILA) and an honors course.

Jeffrey teaches the upper division physical chemistry, introduction to environmental science, ILA and the cultural chemistry courses.

Prior to coming to Monmouth College, both Draves taught at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark., for nine years.

During Patricia’s educational career, she received her undergraduate degree at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass., majoring in chemistry. After graduation she received a Ph.D at the University of Illinois-Urbana in chemistry and biochemistry.

A 1985 alum of Monmouth College, Jeffrey, received his BA in chemistry and his Ph.D from the University of Illinois in physical chemistry.

Throughout the four years the Draves have been teaching at Monmouth, they both strongly believe in the liberal arts education,

Patricia commented, “I very much wanted to be at a liberal arts college that embraced the development of the entire person, not just in one area, and Monmouth has that philosophy.”

“I’ve tried to expand student horizons and open up possibilities. I think students frequently don’t take advantages of opportunities and consequently don’t realize their full potential,” Jeffrey said.

Upon the Draves’ departure from Monmouth College, they will make a long move to Alliance, Ohio.

Patricia will be taking the position of vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Mount Union College and Jeffrey will be a professor of chemistry and help to build an environmental science program at the college.

Jeffrey left his students some words of wisdom for after he leaves Monmouth.

“Take advantage of your opportunities and don’t let a little work get in your way.”