History of the Center - The Center for Prairie Studies at Grinnell College was created in 1999 as a project supported through the college's "Fund for Excellence." The idea for such a center grew out of informal conversations among several faculty members who saw promise and potential in expending more of our intellectual resources on the study - and appreciation -- of the region in which the college is located. The name "prairie studies" was selected to acknowledge our inescapable connection to the land and also because of its resonance with such varied subjects as prairie style architecture, prairie populism, and the prairie-plains indigenous culture area. The Center enjoys special relationships with the college's Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA), a biological preserve located ten miles from campus, and the Faulconer Gallery, with which the Center frequently collaborates on exhibitions and special projects. From its inception, the Center for Prairie Studies has been strongly committed to bring ing together scientific and humanistic perspectives on the natural and cultural aspects of our region, past and present. Encompassing all of these particulars are concerns about place and the necessity of living sustainably in place.

Jonathan Andelson, director and professor of anthropology
Macy House 202
641-269-3139
Contact Jonathan

Larissa Mottl, outreach program coordinator and biological field station manager
Macy House 204
641-269-4717
Contact Larissa

Laureen Van Wyk, program associate
Macy House 203
641-269-4720
Contact Laureen

Faculty:
Larry Aspler (geology/environmental studies/physics)
John Whittaker (anthropology)
Catherine Rod (library, college archivist)
Lesley Delmenico (theater)

Staff:
Chris Baer (environmental and safety coordinator)
Larissa Mottl (Center for Prairie Studies)

Students:
Maja Gamble '11
Jacob Gjesdahl '10
Matthew Nielson '10
Dean Porter '10
Cammy Roberts '10

Community:
Bob Brierly
Sandy Moffett