Dr. Mona Trempe's journey to the University of Vermont and to a career in science were not guaranteed.

She was the valedictorian of her high school class in Newport, Vermont and was told by teachers, friends, and family: "Of course you are going to college." However, as a first-generation college student she knew little about the path to a bachelor's degree or how to pay for it.

As a Vermonter, she knew about UVM. So, she applied and got in with enough scholarship support and a work-study job to just make it work. 

And once she arrived, she found a home that would shape the rest of her life. Mona stepped onto the UVM campus in 1972 as a bright and very shy young woman. She loved music, but didn’t think that major was right for her. She also didn’t want to follow the more traditional path at the time, which was teaching. 

Instead, she set her sights on a Chemistry major – and that choice create a spark in her. 

Today, after a pioneering career in biochemistry, she is giving back to the institution that set her on her path, establishing the Dr. Mona Ruth Trempe Scholarship to support the next generation of scientists, particularly women, in chemistry and biochemistry.

A Trailblazer in Science

Arriving at UVM to major in chemistry in the early 1970s, Mona quickly realized she was entering a male-dominated field. 

At the time, women in science were still an anomaly. But she found her place in the biochemistry lab, where she was welcomed by faculty and graduate students who nurtured her curiosity and confidence.

“I worked for Professor Robert Woodworth, who was just a marvelous gentleman,” she recalled. “He was a very quiet mentor, but he always believed in his students. He gave me the confidence to believe that I belonged in the lab.”

After graduating in 1976, Mona’s experience in the lab set her on a course to UCLA, where she pursued graduate work in biochemistry at the medical school. Once again, she was among the few women in her program, navigating the challenges of both academia and gender biases in science.

“We were some of the first women in that graduate program,” she said. “Some professors were incredibly supportive, some were not. But every time someone said, ‘You can’t do this,’ it only made me more determined to prove them wrong.”

After earning her Ph.D., Trempe embarked on a distinguished career, including more than two decades as a researcher and faculty member at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she became the first female full professor in her department. 

She later transitioned to science administration at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where her responsibilities focused mostly on programs aimed at increasing diversity in STEM fields.

Giving Back Through a Legacy Gift

Despite a career that took her far from Burlington, Mona’s heart remained tied to UVM. 

As she considered her legacy, she knew she wanted to help students like her - aspiring scientists who needed a little extra support to make their dreams a reality.

“Since I never had children, I started thinking about what I could do that would make a difference,” she said. “For years, I knew I wanted to establish a scholarship because that kind of support made all the difference for me.”

“I wanted to encourage a well-rounded education,” she explained. “I’ve known too many scientists who only focus on their lab work, but the arts and humanities open your mind in ways that are just as important as science.”

The Dr. Mona Ruth Trempe Scholarship will provide financial aid to junior or senior students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry, with a preference for women. But in keeping with Mona’s own diverse interests, recipients will also be students who engage in the liberal arts - whether through music, theater, language studies, or club activities.

While her scholarship is currently structured as a gift in her will, Trempe hopes to provide some funding during her lifetime, which will allow her to meet the students whose lives she will directly impact.

“I’d love to meet the students who benefit from my scholarship,” she said. “I am hoping to make that happen within the next few years." 

But the important thing is that the scholarship plan is in place and that it will be there for generations to come.”

A Legacy That Lasts

Mona’s decision to establish a scholarship speaks to her deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. She recognizes the challenges that still exist for women in science and hopes her gift will help ease the path for future generations.

“It’s still a challenge for women to get the respect they deserve in this field,” she said. “But if you can give someone a little bit of help, a little bit of encouragement, they can go on to do great things.

”Dr. Mona Trempe’s story is one of resilience, discovery, and generosity.

By establishing this scholarship, she ensures that UVM students, especially young women in science, will have the same opportunities to grow, learn, and push boundaries that she had.

Her legacy at UVM will not just be remembered - it will be lived by every student who receives her support.

Learn More

Consider joining Mona by including the part of campus that is most meaningful to you in your will or other estate plans.Get in touch with us at gift.planning@uvm.edu or 802.656.8600 to learn more or check out our legacy planning website.

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