After long careers in education in suburban Chicago, the Congers retired to Monmouth in the 1970s and became good friends with their next-door neighbors, Stafford and Winifred Weeks, who had moved to Monmouth in 1959 when Stafford beginning teaching at the college.

Sponsored by the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, Weeks studied in Japan at Sophia University, where he helped with the publication of material for the Buddhist sect of Risho Kosai-Kai. He traveled in Southeast Asia and India, was a Ford Foundation Fellow in India studies, and presented scholarly papers at meetings of the American Academy of Religion. On four occasions, Weeks served as dean or acting dean at Monmouth.

A graduate of Juniata College and Bonebrake Seminary, Weeks earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. In addition to his teaching at Monmouth, he also served five years as college chaplain.

Said his former colleague, the late Charles Speel, "Stafford is a very sincere and effective preacher, a versatile and talented musician, and a sound scholar and admired teacher."

Weeks, who retired from his full-time duties in 1986, has remained an active presence on campus and received the college’s Distinguished Service Award in 1995.

Weeks has also been very involved in the community during his five decades in Monmouth. Besides a stint as interim pastor of the First Methodist Church of Monmouth, he has also served as a school board member and as chaplain of the Monmouth Rotary Club and Community Memorial Hospital, in addition to performing with the Monmouth Jazz Band and the Monmouth Civic Orchestra.