On Oct. 1, the College’s Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations, and Human Rights will celebrate 30 years of bringing renowned public figures, activists, and academic experts to the Central Iowa campus to develop understanding of today’s global issues.
The Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs is named for the Rosenfield family of Des Moines, who supported progressive social issues and politics and included two Grinnell alumni—the late Joe Rosenfield, a 1925 graduate, trustee, and philanthropist, and the late Louise Rosenfield Noun, a 1929 graduate and activist.
Since 1979, more than 1,000 public servants, social commentators, and distinguished scholars—including Madeline Albright, Cesar Chavez, Bob Dole, C. Everett Koop, Robert McNamara, Shirley Williams, and Andrew Young—have visited the campus under Rosenfield Program sponsorship.
Professor of Political Science Wayne Moyer directed the Rosenfield Program for 23 of the 30 years, preceded by the late Joseph F. Wall, a 1941 graduate of Grinnell, faculty member, and administrator. In 2008, Moyer was succeeded by current program director Sarah Purcell, a 1992 graduate of Grinnell and associate professor of history.
“Throughout its history, Grinnell College has encouraged public debate about world issues, social progress, and human rights,” Purcell said. “The Rosenfield Program embodies these ideals and supplements the classroom experience by bringing the outside world to campus and by sponsoring internships so students can apply their Grinnell education to current social problems.”
The October 1 anniversary celebration will include:
- 11 a.m., Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, Room 101
- A Thursday Forum in which Barry Zigas ’73 will discuss “Lessons from the Mortgage Crisis: What Happened, What to Do?” and Moyer will be honored for his years of service to the Rosenfield Program
Zigas is the director of housing policy for the Consumer Federation of America.
- 4:15 p.m., Forum South Lounge
- An all-campus reception
- 8 p.m., Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, Room 101
- A panel discussion by Grinnell alumni who have been involved in Rosenfield programming
The Rosenfield Program 30th anniversary celebration is also part of the Grinnell-in-Grinnell series of events commemorating the College’s 150 years in the town of Grinnell. For more information about the Rosenfield Program, contact Sarah Purcell, purcelsj@grinnell.edu, 641-269-3091.
