2022 Commencement Ceremony
Monday, May 23 proved to be a fitting and lovely day to honor the graduates of the Class of 2022. You can find a full set of videos from the event on the Grinnell College Commencement 2022 playlist.
The Ceremony
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Virtual
Join Commencement Online
We welcome those who cannot attend in person to join us online to celebrate Commencement. We stream each Commencement ceremony live. Find a full set of videos from the most recent ceremony in our Commencement 2022 YouTube playlist.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and join the conversation: #Grinnell2022 and #GoForthGrinnellian
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Speaker
Dr. Bernice A. King Spoke at Commencement
Almost 55 years ago, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a Scholars Convocation titled “Remaining Awake During a Revolution” at Grinnell College. This deeply meaningful and historic event occurred just six months before his assassination. Now, Grinnell is proud to welcome his daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King, to speak at the 2022 Commencement ceremonies.
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2022 Honorary Degrees
Making major contributions to the fields of law, humanities, social science and science
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Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO, King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, doctor of laws, for her steadfast efforts to continue her parents’ legacy of nonviolent social change
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Olivia Kuper, NASA Solar System Ambassador and high school science educator, doctor of science, for the passion she brings to both science education and to the larger possibilities for her students.
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Katherine Stephan Villers ’61, board president and founder, Community Catalyst, doctor of humane letters. for her tireless work to ensure that all Americans have quality, affordable health care
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Erin Whalen ’12, executive director and school principal, Da Vinci RISE High School, doctor of social studies, for dreaming of a world in which even the most vulnerable students get the education they need to thrive — and for turning those dreams into reality.
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Picnic
2022 Commencement Picnic
Monday , May 23, 2022
Following the Commencement Ceremony
Cleveland BeachFollowing the commencement ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to join a picnic lunch. In the event of inclement weather, lunch will be served in the athletic center.
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Baccalaureate
2022 Baccalaureate Ceremony
Sunday , May 22, 2022
10 a.m.–Noon CDT
Herrick Chapel“Baccalaureate is a farewell, a leave-taking.” — Professor Katya Gibel Mevorach, 2017 Grinnell College Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate is open to invitees. The ceremony celebrates our seniors, and their accomplishments, as they prepare for the next part of their Grinnell journey.
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Social
President’s Social
Sunday, May 22, 2022
2—4 p.m. CDT
Cleveland Beach, under the tentGraduates and their families are invited to the Presidents Social.
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Open House
Observatory Open House
Sunday, May 22, 2022
9:15 p.m. CDT
Gale ObservatoryAll are invited to an observatory open house hosted by Robert Cadmus, professor of physics. Informal tours will be provided. The observatory was opened in 1984 and is an especially valuable facility for a small liberal arts college. Designed by Woodburn and O'Neil of Des Moines, the building is a 38-foot by 55-foot structure rising 26 feet to the top of the dome.
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Social
30th Annual Chariots of Fire
Saturday, May 21
8 a.m. CDT
Gather in Younker’s Courtyard prior to raceAthletes, alums, friends, and family members are welcome to take part in the traditional Chariots of Fire run. The run is named for the 1981 Academy Award-winning film of the same name, which briefly portrayed Olympic gold-winner F. Morgan Taylor, class of ’26, who still holds Grinnell College's long jump record.
The traditional white uniform is encouraged but not required.