The class of 2011 celebrated commencement under a pixel-perfect blue sky on day that seemed custom-made for the central campus ceremony and all-campus picnic.
Commencement speaker, columnist, and author Anna Quindlen told the class “More than any college graduates in recent memory, you have an unparalleled opportunity to remake this country so that it’s stronger, smarter, and makes a whole lot more sense,” noting that “the old ways have blown up all by themselves.”
She was joined in receiving an honorary degree by David Feldman ’71, author of the Imponderables series of books; by Harvard evolutionary geneticist Pardis Sabeti; and by Henry Wilhelm ’68, an internationally recognized expert on long-term photographic preservation.
You can view the recorded live-streamed ceremony or select a speaker below for higher quality video and transcripts of their speech.
Honorary Degrees
- Anna Quindlen, Doctor of Humane Letters
- David Feldman ’71, Doctor of Humane Letters
- Pardis Sabeti, Doctor of Sciences
- Henry Wilhelm ’68, Doctor of Sciences
Charge to the Graduates
Student Award Winners
- President's Medal: Ragnar Thorisson
- Andrew W. Archibald Prize for Highest Scholarship: Pengjun Shen
Recognition of Faculty Members Emeriti
- Michael Cavanagh, Orville and Mary Patterson Routt Professor of Literature, Professor of English
- Charles L. Duke, S. S. Williston Professor in Physics
- Gerald V. Lalonde, Benedict Professor of Classics
- Diane C. Robertson, Associate Professor of Biology
- Bruce A. Voyles, Patricia Armstrong Johnson Professor of Biological Chemistry, Professor of Biology
Recognition of Faculty Moving to Senior Faculty Status
- Gail J. Bonath, Associate Professor, Library; Associate Librarian of the College
- Robert D. Grey, Professor of Political Science
What do the green ribbons signify?
The Grinnell College 2011 Commencement Committee has endorsed the participation of the Graduation Pledge Alliance, a network of more than 100 colleges and universities that give graduation seniors the opportunity to take the "Graduation Pledge of
Social and Environmental Responsibility." Students who choose to do so make the following promise:
“I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work.”
