Holmes honored for leadership in student advancement

Peter Buchanan Scholarship winner Macaela Holmes ’10 with Jayn Bailey ’05
Photo courtesy of Bailey There’s no denying the strong sense of community and pride among Grinnell alumni. Macaela Holmes ’10, in her work with the Grinnell Student Alumni Association (SAA), is working to cultivate that Grinnell connection in current students. Holmes received the Peter Buchanan Scholarship to attend the Council for Advancement and Support of Education-Affiliated Student Advancement Programs Network Convention in Baltimore, Md. this summer.

“I wanted to attend this conference because I knew I would learn invaluable lessons that can be applied to SAA in my final year,” said Holmes.

Holmes is a sociology major with an American studies concentration from Breckenridge, Colo. She is the executive council chair for SAA, a position that involves arranging events that bring alumni and students together as well as organizing campus care packages during finals week. She is also editor-in-chief of Exit 182, a publication that works to strengthen ties between Grinnell alumni and current students, as well as a student supervisor for the College’s Phonathon fund drive and was an student advisor on campus for two years.

Jayn Bailey ’05, assistant director of alumni relations and advisor to SAA, recommended Holmes for the scholarship after noticing her maturity and personal commitment to both SAA and Grinnell.

“Macaela consistently impresses me and my colleagues in alumni relations and development with her reliability and professionalism,” says Bailey. “She is a perfect example of the kind of student we want to represent Grinnell.”

The Peter Buchanan Scholarship is awarded annually to four students who demonstrate exceptional leadership in the field of student advancement. The award consists of a complimentary registration and $400 to be applied toward the cost of attending the national CASE-ASAP Network Convention. The convention provides workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities for student representatives from over 300 higher education institutions.