Each year during Reunion Weekend, the Alumni Council honors Grinnell alumni who have distinguished themselves by their extraordinary contributions of service to:
- the College,
- their profession, or
- their community.
Please join us in congratulating the 2011 winners!
Alumni Award Winners
Jane Richardson Bredeson ’51
Few traits are as undervalued in today’s society as loyalty, as people hop from job to job and interest to interest. But for those who commit to a cause or to an organization, the long-term impact can be remarkable. For this alumna, who spent her career and volunteer efforts focused on education, her influence will last for generations.
Joanne Bunge '56
Most Grinnellians spend four years as part of a college community, but for this alumna, her Grinnell College connection has been a lifetime commitment. As a devoted employee, dedicated volunteer, and steadfast supporter, she exemplifies the spirit of Grinnell.
Charles E. Gottdiener '86
The desire to help others is etched deeply into Grinnellians’ DNA. This alumnus has paired remarkable career achievements with a commitment to give young Grinnell graduates their first career breaks.
Ellen R. McDonald '81
Creating a better world requires not just a strong vision, but a strategy to get there. For decades, this alumna has helped lead and consult for nonprofit organizations, helping them reach their goals.
F. Hudson Miller '80
Movies transport us from our daily lives to vivid new worlds. Few things place us in
that world more concretely than the sounds that accompany the images. From galloping
horses to the bone-jarring explosions, sound brings film to life. For three decades, this alumnus has enhanced cinema’s reality with innovative and award-winning sound editing.
Marilyn J. Kelsey '61
Great teachers do more than just impart facts and figures. They encourage students to achieve more than they believed they could. This alumna inspired generations of students to perform at the highest levels.
Alumni Senior Award Winners
Benjamin M. Offenberg '11
Great leadership goes beyond a rank and a title. It requires an ability to commit to a course of action, to connect with others, and to handle even the most difficult situations with grace and integrity. This student has earned the respect of the campus community through both his work and his wisdom.
Rebecca H. Heller '11
Most people go to college to improve their own lives, but for this student, college also served as an opportunity to improve the lives of others. Through the meaningful academic and volunteer work she did at Grinnell, this student made an impact during her four years on campus and is poised to do even more after graduation.
