Campus News

Jana L. Grimes has been appointed vice president of human resources. As a member of the senior leadership team, Grimes provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction for the College’s invaluable human resources. Grimes, who came to Grinnell from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, has more than 30 years of experience in human resources, 20 of those in higher education.

Sasha Baumann ’17, Evelyn Berryhill ’20, Anjali Jain ’21, and Lana Katai ’21 received Fulbright U.S. Student Grants for research/study and teaching English in 2021–22. For more than 70 years, Fulbright grants have provided future American leaders with opportunities to study, conduct research, and teach abroad.

This summer the Offices of International Student Affairs and Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research partnered with the Grinnell Area Arts Council on a community mural project displayed on the south side of McNally’s Foods store in downtown Grinnell. The mural was designed by Guhn “Tommy” Lee ’22, a studio art major and a summer intern for the arts council. The mural features colorful caricatures of things that people eat, see, and experience living in Grinnell and symbolizes a positive connection between the community and our students.

John Garrison, professor of English and chair of peace and conflict studies, received a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Garrison’s work explores the interplay in Shakespeare’s poetry between desire and memory. His research uniquely combines perspectives from a variety of disciplines, including the early modern memory arts, neuroscience, and psychoanalysis.

The College has been celebrating reunions for more than 140 years — and this year Grinnell hosted its first virtual Reunion June 3–10. The event included a weeklong celebration, full of programs designed by Reunion volunteers and College staff to connect and honor our shared Grinnell community.

Grinnell received 1,954 gifts and raised $1,078,042 to help ensure current and future generations of students enjoy the numerous benefits of a Grinnell education. Even though most Grinnellians were physically apart for the April 14–15 Scarlet & Give Back Day event, the Grinnell community came together in spectacular fashion to support current and future students.

Kesho Scott, associate professor of American studies and sociology, drew upon the symbolism in Frank Baum's classic "The Wizard of Oz," during her inspiring Commencement address on May 28. Scott told graduates, “I think all of you need a pair of these slippers,” to help them remember to own their education, and discover what they can do in this life. Watch the ceremony online.

Promoted with Tenure

Promoted to Associate Professor, with Tenure

• Barry Driscoll, political science
• Logan M. Lee, economics
• Nick D. Phillips, Spanish

Promoted from Associate Professor to Associate Professor with Tenure

Hâle Utar, Sidney Meyer Chair in International Economics

2021 Emeriti Faculty

Grinnell honored seven faculty members retiring in 2021 for their years of service and bestowed on them the title of emeritus or emerita faculty:

David M. Arseneault, associate professor of physical education, for bringing an innovative and successful approach to both men’s and women’s sports at Grinnell.

George Barlow, associate professor of English, for highlighting the very best of the arts and humanities in Iowa and giving students the tools and confidence to create their very best work. Jean Ketter, professor of education, for her work to develop smart, engaged teachers who were energized and equipped to make a meaningful difference in the education system from within it.

Janet Gibson, professor of psychology, for finding creative and ambitious ways to pursue her research and for embodying the best of what it means to be a professor at Grinnell.

John Stone, senior lecturer in computer science, for his commitment to teaching and for modeling the strengths of a liberal education.

Henry Walker, Samuel R. and Marie-Louise Rosenthal professor of natural science and mathematics and professor of computer science, for being a fierce champion for his students and for his extensive contributions to the fields of mathematics and computer science education nationally and internationally.

Greg Wallace, associate professor of physical education, for his decades of dedicated coaching and for his efforts to make athletics and recreation an open and welcoming activity for students and community members alike.

On Sunday, April 25, in the opening game against Knox College, Brock Weirather ’21 pitched a perfect game. The senior fired just the second perfect game in Grinnell baseball history while guiding the Pioneers to a 13-0, seven-inning victory. Grinnell’s only other perfect game was by Jake Chavez ’01 in 1999; Sam Tinkham ’16 tossed a no-hitter in 2016.

Alexander McLean, founder and director general of Justice Defenders, was selected to receive the 2020 Grinnell College Innovator for Social Justice Prize. McLean and Justice Defenders provide legal assistance, training, and education to incarcerated people and select prison staff in four African countries. Justice Defenders has reached 50,000 prisoners through legal awareness sessions in the past 11 years and opened Uganda’s first prison-based legal aid clinic to provide free legal advice and assistance.