The end is nearing for Senior Geology Major, Jonathan Monk (more commonly known as Monk) here at Gustavus.

Also a Music and Philosophy minor, Monk is involved in the Gustavus Jazz Lab Band, is founder/co-president of Musical B.A.R. and is a member of Epsilon Pi Alpha (Eppies) and GEO club. When he is not busy with these student organizations, he likes to spend time with friends and play music.

“One thing that no one knows about me is that I like to long board,” Monk said. He taught himself in only 10 minutes during the summer of 2009 and has enjoyed it ever since.

Monk was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. but grew up in Kissimmee, Fld., just south of Orlando and is the oldest of six children.

Associate Professor of Music Steve Wright is the reason Monk chose to venture up north to Gustavus. Wright discovered the talented Monk at an all-county jazz band performance where Monk was the chosen student representing his school.

In his three years he has made a tremendous impact on the musical community, and without a doubt, his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate students for years to come.

Students and professors alike speak highly of Monk. Senior Psychology and Sociology Major Shoubert Polynice, Monk’s first-year roommate and longtime friend knows him well.

“Jonathan Monk is a prime example of hard work, determination and talent working cohesively to bring out the best in a person. Whether he’s excelling in the classroom, performing musically or serving the community, he always gives 100 percent while exemplifying both humility and grace as he does these tasks so passionately,”  Polynice said.

When asked why he thought he was chosen for Gustie of the Week, Monk humbly replied, “I honestly have no clue.” Upon mulling the question over for a moment, he replied that perhaps it is because of his accomplishments with the on-campus group that he co-created last year called The Musical B.A.R

With the creation of The Musical B.A.R., Monk said that he’s been given the chance to do a lot of community service, providing opportunities for musicians both on and off campus. “I think the Musical B.A.R has touched over 500 students on campus through performances for benefits, projects for classes, silent auctions and a number of other performances,” Monk said.

“Monk is a creative, self-motivated musician/philosopher/geologist. He is always focused on achieving large goals—as he is doing with The Musical B.A.R. He is a kind person who brings out the best in people and who is probably stopping right now to shake someone’s hand, say hello and ask what’s new,” Senior Chemistry Major Anthony Cesnik said.

“When I came to Gustavus, I looked for something like it and I wasn’t able to find it, so I created it,” Monk said of the motivation behind creating the B.A.R. This mentality coincides with a favorite quote of his from the Disney Pixar movie Robots: “See a need, fill a need.”

He often refers to this quote as inspiration to his everyday life and as the path on which he walks life’s journey. Monk saw the need for a greater musical community, so he created a group to fill it.

With this being his last year, his words of wisdom to the ones that come after him are, “Be sure to recognize ALL the opportunities here at Gustavus (because there are a lot of them) and utilize them all.”

If there was one last thing he could do before leaving Gustavus, Monk says it would be to take a history course because he recently became interested in history and has not yet been able to take a class.

Jonathan A. Monk: another example of a Gustie making his life count!