Alumni Award

Many give back to their alma mater to express gratitude for what they’ve received. But few have been as devoted to Grinnell as Jonathan G. Andelson ’70. An exceptional teacher, nationally respected scholar, and a dedicated volunteer, he is deeply committed to the college and community.

After graduating from Grinnell with an anthropology degree, Andelson earned a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. He returned to Grinnell as a professor in 1974.

As a scholar, he has done groundbreaking research on the nearby Amana Colonies, one of the longest-lasting communal systems in the nation. He is considered the foremost expert on this community.

During his 35 years in Grinnell, Andelson has woven himself deeply into the fabric of the college and the town. He has served on the board of directors of Imagine Grinnell and co-founded the Rock Creek Lake Alliance. In 2001, he received the Outstanding Educators Award from the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce. He has provided significant support for a Grinnell College scholarship named in honor of his mother and father.

As part of his longstanding interest in the way that people connect to the land they live on, Andelson was a key player in the development of the Center for Prairie Studies at the College. He currently serves as its director.

For his unflagging support of—and dedication to—Grinnell, we are pleased to honor Jonathan G. Andelson ’70.