President's Blog
The President's Blog
Posted by: Raynard S. Kington
September 11, 2011 - 11:35am
Alas, the ranking season is upon us once again. Colleges and universities across the country are ranked on everything from food to politics, from sustainability to hipster-ness, from rigor to partying. Newspapers, magazines, online postings, and blogs follow each release noting which colleges rank where and which has gone up or down to the delight or horror or, rarely, the indifference of those of us with vested interests — administrators, board members, students, alumni — across the nation and... Read More...
Posted by: Raynard S. Kington
March 4, 2011 - 12:07pm
In a series of meetings I have had last year with the larger Grinnell family — including open office hours, lunches with faculty and administrators, and conversations with students — the single most popular question has been some variation of “What is the College doing about environmental and sustainability issues?”
There are several reasons for such a high interest: Sustainability is consistent with the College’s long history of social responsibility. Environmental responsibility saves the... Read More...
Posted by: Raynard S. Kington
January 21, 2011 - 11:29am
The more times change, the more times demand — and reward — thoughtful innovation. Here are some thoughts on three innovative new steps we’re taking to better position the College for the future.
Defining our identity in new ways
On Nov. 29, we announced the creation of the new Grinnell College Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize. Following that announcement, some people have asked me why the College is undertaking an expensive new initiative now, in such challenging financial times. That’... Read More...
Posted by: Raynard S. Kington
January 21, 2011 - 11:24am
Since we are still just beginning to know one another and to work together, I think it’s only fair that you have some idea of what I value when making decisions. At an all-campus meeting on Sept. 20, I shared my belief in: Fairness. Fairness is my guiding decision-making principle. And really, it’s a social justice issue. What we’ve worked for and continue to work for in this country is not so much this Supreme Court decision or that constitutional amendment. At our core, we simply want... Read More...
Posted by: Raynard S. Kington
January 21, 2011 - 11:17am
I’ve pinned a bumper sticker on the bulletin board over my desk in Nollen house that says “Choose Civility.” I posted it (a gift from two members of the Grinnell family!) to remind myself and others that civility is a choice. It is an especially important choice to make in a community of passionate activists like ours where we at times discuss divisive issues and ideas. Experience has taught me that the natural course of communities who discuss such subjects without a conscious effort to be... Read More...
Posted by: Raynard S. Kington
January 21, 2011 - 11:13am
I want to do everything I can to ensure good communication on campus. My first choice is always to meet and talk with you all in person, with time for some questions on your part and some listening on my part. But I realize 1) we can’t always do that, and 2) not everyone will be able to attend such events when we do. So from time to time I’ll share information I think you need to know and ideas I believe are worth thinking about. I welcome your comments — although I can’t respond to them... Read More...
