Campus News

I am writing to you, dear Grinnell College alumni, in the afterglow of a joyful Reunion weekend that showcased your achievements, love of Grinnell, and connection to the people and place that shaped you and that you indelibly shaped. The Iowa weather reflected the joy of reunion in its beauty, the sun shone, Grinnellians gathered in multiple spaces, and we honored an inspiring group of award winners, selected by the Grinnell College Alumni Council, at Alumni Assembly in Herrick Chapel.

In talking to alumni throughout the weekend, a common theme emerged speaking to how Grinnellians foster belonging and connection. The experience is not the same for everyone, and the paths are multiple and distinctive. Reunion and the return to campus — whether for the first time in 50 years or just since last year — layer memory, experience, and identity in the compressed time of the alum. Grinnell can be the same in memory, and markedly different in experience. We are a College in formation all the time: how Grinnellians find belonging and connection and how they create meaning and purpose will, and should, continue to develop.

In this issue, you’ll have the opportunity to read about the connections found in the special relationship between the Mayflower community, the College, and current students. You’ll read about the transformational impact of Fulbright Fellowships on your fellow Grinnellians and how their time at Grinnell prepared them to engage in the challenges of international work with resilience and knowledge. And you’ll learn more about how Grinnell’s programs for first-generation, low-income students have shaped the College and foster more robust belonging and connection.

The joy of reconnecting is a perpetual and renewable resource. Some of the most rewarding parts of Reunion are the connections that form between alums and current students who help us welcome you back. These students are thrilled to meet and learn from the Grinnellians who have preceded them. Grinnell students know that they benefit from the tremendous generosity of alumni whose expertise, mentorship, volunteerism, philanthropy, and connections open doors and make the Grinnell experience possible for the 67% of students who receive need-based aid. Your generosity means that we can continue to meet 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need — without student loans. Thank you for your connection to Grinnell. Your contributions and your joy make it possible for smart, committed, and creative students to find belonging and connection that will, like yours, develop over a lifetime and be a source of replenishing joy.

Grinnell has been celebrating reunions for more than 140 years, and that tradition was renewed May 30-June 2, as more than 1,100 alums, family members, and friends returned to campus for Reunion 2024. The celebratory weekend was full of programs designed by reunion volunteers and College staff to honor and enrich Grinnellians’ sense of community. Among other fun activities, alumni enjoyed line dancing on Mac Field.

Thanks to the generosity of 2,730 donors who pledged gifts totaling $1,438,149, Scarlet & Give Back Day 2024 was a resounding success and exceeded its goal. The donations will support Grinnell’s commitment to access and academic excellence.

Celebrated Graduates

The 2024 Commencement ceremony provided a capstone to a weekend of events that showcased 332 graduates and celebrated their achievements at Grinnell. For many, the ceremonies were their first full-scale, traditional graduation ceremony, a rite of passage denied to them as high school grads due to the pandemic challenges of 2020.

Honored Guests

Peter Sagal, the host of NPR’s acclaimed comedy news quiz show Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!, gave the Commencement address. During the ceremony, Sagal was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, in recognition of his 20-plus year career in radio, television, and writing. In addition, honorary degrees were given to: Alvin Irby ’07, Doctor of Humane Letters, for his innovative initiatives, passionate advocacy, and being an inspiration to a new generation of readers and changemakers; Shane Rasmussen, Doctor of Science, for a lifetime of dedication to education, mentorship, and community; and Stuart Allan Yeager ’82, Doctor of Laws, for his dedication to defending the rights of the marginalized and oppressed.

Emeriti Faculty Recognized

Five faculty members received emeriti recognition during Commencement: Professor of Music Eugene Gaub, Professor of French Susan Ireland, Associate Professor of Theatre Ellen Mease, Professor of Anthropology Katya Gibel Mevorach, and Professor of Economics Mark Montgomery.

Chinyere Ukabiala, who served for 11 years as the College’s first Ombuds, retired on June 30. Among her many accomplishments, Ukabiala worked to build awareness and trust for the Ombuds role and contributed to enhancing communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution across campus.

Rabbi Sarah Brammer-Shlay has been appointed College chaplain. She will oversee the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice, and lead its staff in supporting students of diverse faith backgrounds and fostering inclusive campus communities.

Following an extensive national search, JC Lopez has been appointed vice president of student affairs. Working in close partnership with students, faculty, staff, and leadership, Lopez will lead a vibrant student life program and partner with academic affairs to cultivate academic well-being.

The latest Grinnell College National Poll (GCNP) results revealed Americans’ attitudes about restricting social media for kids, addressing school shootings, gender equity in college sports, and more. Among other top-level findings from the March 2024 GCNP:

• 55% of Americans favor banning children under 16 from using social media platforms, and 57% favor banning students’ smartphones in schools,
• 65% of Democrats vs. 16% of Republicans say banning sales of assault rifles would be very effective for reducing the number of students killed in school shootings,
• 50% of Americans say women’s college sports programs get less attention than they deserve, compared to men’s college sports.

Read more about the Grinnell College National Poll and latest poll results.

Monica Sanders has been appointed as the College’s inaugural Social Innovator in Residence. The founder and CEO of The Undivide Project, Sanders has dedicated her life to addressing climate change, digital access, and equity in disaster response situations. Her selection supports the College’s commitment to fostering equity-minded collaboration, promoting civic agency, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. She will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to campus for a multi-week fall 2024 residency, during which she will engage in collaborative initiatives with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.

A large solar array located north of campus off of 16th Avenue has gone online, providing the College with four megawatts of renewable power and meeting approximately one-third of the campus’ total energy needs. The new green energy resource is the largest private solar installation in Iowa.

During their spring meeting, the Grinnell College Board of Trustees expressed appreciation for the project and celebrated the significant progress made toward a more sustainably operated campus, now and for generations to come. Board Chair Michael Kahn ’74 says, “The solar array is a true milestone in Grinnell’s progress toward netzero emissions. Addressing the College’s energy needs through renewable sources is an ongoing process, but this notable progress is one we can be proud of.”

The launch coincides with the announcement of plans for a new solar project with citywide impact. Alliant Energy, the College, and three additional community partners are collaborating on the development of a five-megawatt solar array west of town. The Grinnell Solar Park is expected to be operational in early 2025; when completed, it will provide the College with an additional two megawatts of power. Together, the two solar arrays will supply more than 50% of the campus’ energy needs using renewable resources.

This latest collaborative effort underscores Grinnell’s pivotal role in fostering regional sustainability initiatives. Grinnell College Environmental and Safety Manager Chris Bair ’96 says, “As we break ground on the Grinnell Solar Park, we’re not just constructing panels; we are illuminating a path toward a more sustainable future.”