The Alumni Council is a group of 26 Grinnell College alumni and 2-4 students whose purpose is to foster strong connections between alumni and the College, and among the 22,000 Grinnell alumni located in 50 states and 55 nations. Council members, who meet twice a year on campus, serve up to three two-year terms and promote an active group of alumni in the region where they live.

All alumni receive lifetime services, including career development and an on-line directory for networking and connecting to other alumni; alumni trips abroad; regional events and lectures by professors; access to a Grinnell College e-mail address; and assistance to alumni who volunteer for the College. It also fosters lifetime friendships and associations among alumni, professors and College staff.

To accomplish these and other tasks, the Alumni Council has several committees. The Pioneer Fund and Development Committee provides support to the Pioneer Fund team with advice on the Pioneer Fund and other development areas where requested. They promote understanding of the role of philanthropy to the alumni community and the importance of the Pioneer Fund. The Communication Committee works with the Office of College and Alumni Relations on communication and branding issues and encourages connecting alumni with College activities through a variety of communication tools. The Alumni Relations Committee works with the Alumni Relations team to encourage alumni activity and participation in alumni events on and off campus. The Alumni Networks Committee works to build and maintain networks for prospective students, students, faculty, staff and alumni by encouraging participation in recruitment, support of career services activities, athletic events and alumni awareness of campus activities.

If you are interested in serving on Alumni Council in the future, start by volunteering for the college in a class/regional capacity to familiarize yourself with alumni issues. Opportunities include class agent, class fund director, Asa Turner chair, class committee member, regional planning committee member, and GRASP (Grinnell Regional Admission Support Program) volunteer. For more information on the Alumni Council contact the alumni relations office at 866-850-1846.

(Revised 6/24/08)