2012 Alumni Award Winner
Long before the Internet facilitated our relationships, Audrey “Bunny” Howard Swanson ’43 kept her classmates connected.
A sociology major, she went on to work as a secretary, airline stewardess, homemaker, and community volunteer who headed a 60-member League of Women Voters group.
In 1992, she was asked to join her 50th Reunion planning committee. Since then, she has served as an Asa Turner Associate, class agent, and class committee volunteer.
Swanson has been an incredibly dedicated class agent. Every holiday season, she writes a Christmas letter to each of her classmates and mails it at her own expense. Before reunions, she sends group letters, writes individual notes, and makes phone calls to encourage her classmates to attend. She even arranges carpools to Grinnell. Classmates describe her as “the glue that has held us together.”
She has consistently gone above and beyond the expectations of her volunteer position. If a classmate passes away, she send condolences to their spouses and family members. When a classmate has a grandchild applying for admission to Grinnell, she often writes a note to the admissions office. At age 90, Swanson connects almost daily to the College through her iPad.
Grinnell is pleased to recognize Audrey “Bunny” Howard Swanson ’43 for her loyalty, her extraordinary volunteer efforts, and her genuine affection for the College.
