May 1, 2008


Grinnell College Staff as Role Models
Who are some of our students’ role models as leaders for social justice on campus? Staff!

As many of you know, Grinnell College is in the midst of the reaccreditation process, which entails a careful study of the College and its mission — and how successful Grinnell is at achieving that mission.

The process involves a self-study and a site visit and report by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For the 2008 accreditation review, the College proposed and received authorization from the HLC to conduct a special emphasis self-study focused on a question central to our mission: how can the College reinvigorate our traditional commitment to train leaders in public service and social justice as we enter the 21st century?

To learn more about how the College is educating its students, we surveyed 2,000 of the College’s alumni/ae, as well as current students (second-years, third-years, and seniors). Among the questions asked of students and alumni/ae was “Who are some of the most influential people you have interacted with at Grinnell and how have they influence you?” The students and alumni/ae mentioned professors, coaches, and friends. They also pointed to specific ways that they were influenced by staff members. Among staff, virtually every office and type of position is represented. Some of those comments have been compiled in the “Student and Alumnae/i Survey Addendum: Influential People” on our website at www.grinnell.edu/accreditation. Those comments provide evidence of the important ways that staff members’ interactions with students directly contribute to our educational mission.

We encourage you to review other documents on the website. Responses, feedback, questions, and comments may be sent to the e-mail address at that link.

submitted by Henry Rietz


Excellence Award Recipients
The Excellence Award was created as a way to recognize and reward employees for their exceptional contributions to Grinnell College.  For more information about the award, please view the policies related to this program at: www.grinnell.edu/offices/humanresources/excellenceaward.  

Those who received the Excellence Award for November through April are:

Patti Guillaume
Elaina Machin
Scott Baumler
Darlo Kelting
Gary Porter
Mark Watts
Linda Ludwig
Greg Kaisand
Carlie VanWilligen

The winners of the random prize are Elaina Machin and Carlie VanWilligen.  

Examples of exceptional service:
“…always goes above and beyond for our department with a smiling face and positive attitude.”
“…demonstrated her diligence and dedication by working through the weekend…”
“…then take the initiative to dig in and get it done.”


Pioneer Alert Emergency Notification System
Grinnell College faculty, staff, and students are invited to register their mobile-phone numbers with the College’s new emergency notification system, Pioneer Alert. This text messaging system will be used by the Campus Safety and Security Office only in an emergency involving the safety of the College community.

To register for the Pioneer Alert emergency notification system:

• Click on "PioneerWeb" from the College Web site: www.grinnell.edu
• Log in with your system user name and password
• Under Tools, click on “Pioneer Alert”
• Click on the “Register now” link and follow the directions to register

FAQs about Pioneer Alert are available at (.doc): http://www.grinnell.edu/Offices/security/includes/Pioneer%20Alert.doc
Technical questions about Pioneer Alert and cell phone compatibility: 800-936-3525.
Other questions: Contact Stephen A. Briscoe, director of safety and security at Briscoe@grinnell.edu

Please note: In addition to Pioneer Alert, Grinnell College will also provide emergency information via e-mail, voicemail on campus phones, college website, public address system in some campus buildings, and city siren system.