President's Medal

The President's Medal is awarded annually during Commencement to the senior who exemplifies the ideal Grinnell student. To be considered for the award, a student must:

  • Reach and maintain superior scholarship while a Grinnell student
  • Demonstrate leadership in activities that credit the student and add to the College's stature
  • Display the moral and human attributes of a compassionate and sensitive human being
  • Conduct matters with poise and maturity
  • Be fair and willing to accept responsibility
  • Think before acting and understand before judging

The President's Medal was redesigned in 1993 by Sheena Brown Thomas '71, a designer/goldsmith with Elements Ltd. in Des Moines, Iowa. The previous medal was designed by the late Louis Glenn Zirkle, professor of art.

Thomas also designed the first Archibald Prize Medal (given for highest GPA in the senior class, and also awarded during Commencement), which is compatible in design with the President's Medal. Both medals are adaptations of the President's Medallion, which is work by the president of the college as an emblem of office at all Grinnell academic ceremonials and when the president officially represents the College at academic occasions elsewhere.

Cast and fabricated from silver, both medals are formed in a soft triangular shape and include the Grinnell College seal.

The seal uses a modified oval design enclosing four laurel leaves and the founding date: 1846. Raised letters surrounding the laurel leaves proclaim, "Collegium Iowense Grinnelli" and "Veritas et Humanitas" -- Latin for "Truth and Humility." The honoree's name is engraved on the back.

The President's Medallist is determined annually by the college president, based on the recommendation of a committee comprised of faculty and staff.

Past President's Medalists

  • 2012 Eric Ritter
  • 2011 Ragnar Thorisson
  • 2010 Hart D. Ford
  • 2009 Brian Perbix
  • 2008 Olajumoke "Jumy" Adekeye
  • 2007 Megan K. Straughan
  • 2006 Eli Zigas
  • 2005 Anik Gevers
  • 2004 Randy Martinson
  • 2003 Lise-marie Monroe
  • 2002 Kendra Young
  • 2001 Nicole Nelson
  • 2000 Ilana Golin
  • 1999 Brandie J. Christie
  • 1998 Erin Childress
  • 1997 Alice Gates
  • 1996 Jeffrey Lake
  • 1995 Scott Newstrom
  • 1994 Guen Gifford
  • 1993 Katrina Knight
  • 1992 Annamma M. Alexander
  • 1991 Marjorie Hrbek
  • 1990 Jon G. "Jake" Kosek
  • 1989 Katherine E. Furnish
  • 1988 Elisabeth Shelley Reid
  • 1987 Meghan E. Hays
  • 1986 Robert R. Rollins
  • 1985 Ian A. McLean
  • 1984 Sandra L. Laursen
  • 1983 Jennifer M. Jones
  • 1982 Eric E. Johnson
  • 1981 Lori A. Llewelyn
  • 1980 Nathan S. Borenstein
  • 1979 Brent C. Williams
  • 1978 Susan E. Duffey
  • 1977 Robert D. Sheeler
  • 1976 John A. Haigh
  • 1975 Frances Cutler
  • 1974 Deborah M. Van Horn
  • 1973 Carolyn Ashbaugh
  • 1972 Gregory L. Vranicar
  • 1971 Richard A. Deyo
  • 1970 Carol L. Martinson
  • 1969 Grant F. Crandall
  • 1968 Ronald M. Cogswell
  • 1967 Anne Sprague