rendering of future CEQ

Renfrow Hall

A unique facility at the nexus between the college campus and the town of Grinnell.

The Civic Innovation Pavilion (CIP) presents an extraordinary new model for 21st-century education, living, and growing. The architecture is designed as a mixed-use destination that links the town and the College together in shared experiences. Through this project, Grinnell — both the town and the College — will become a national voice for civic engagement and college-community collaboration in a rural setting.

As a place where students both live and learn and where the College welcomes the broader Grinnell community, as well as communities of interest formed around pressing societal issues, this unique facility will become a destination for experienced and aspiring coalition-builders. From the intersection of the College’s campus and the city of Grinnell’s downtown, Grinnellians will have a platform from which to drive greater recognition of programs, policies, and practices that incorporate diverse voices and viewpoints to further the common good.

The facility will also provide common ground for Grinnell College’s Social Innovator in Residence program. Here, students will have the chance to engage with inspiring leaders who are making an enduring difference in the world, fostering interdisciplinary creativity, and promoting civic engagement and social change.

Downtown Construction Update

Photo of aerial view of building construction shows a partially completed u-shaped structure

Follow the Progress

  • Edith Renfrow Smith ’37

    A True Grinnellian: Edith Renfrow Smith ’37

    “My mother always said, ‘There’s no one better than you. You are unique and you are you. So never forget how important you are.’” — Edith Renfrow Smith ’37

    Born in 1914, Edith Renfrow Smith grew up in one of the oldest Black families in the town of Grinnell. The fifth of six children, she attended the local public schools.

    The Renfrow family held education, community, and equality in the highest regard. Drawing on these family values, Renfrow Smith worked her way through college, participated in a range of intramural sports and activities, and majored in psychology with minors in economics and sociology. In June 1937, she became the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College.

    She went on to marry and raise a family in Chicago, become a pillar of her community, and pursue a career as a public-school elementary teacher. Her 40-year second career as a volunteer at Goodwill and the Art Institute of Chicago led to her induction into the Chicago Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2009.

    Renfrow Hall honors her remarkable life and example as an involved citizen and community leader.

    Watch Video

    Learn More

News and Announcements

Katherine Howell Weingart
Campus & Community

Inspiring Grinnell Experiences Over 60 Years Ago Leads to $5 Million Gift

As a testament to her steadfast commitment to civic engagement, the College is honored to share the news of a $5 million gift, in part for the Katherine “Kathie” Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion at Renfrow Hall, made possible by Weingart and her brother, Steve Howell ’63.
President Harris Signing Beam
Campus & Community

Renfrow Hall Topping Off: Celebrating a New Era of Collaboration and Community

Grinnell College marked a significant milestone in Renfrow Hall's construction with a Topping-Off Ceremony. Weitz, the construction company, noted this event signals the completion of the building's skeleton structure, with the elevator hoist beam serving as the focal point. Attendees shared in the unique opportunity to sign this pivotal piece before it was raised into place.
Edith Renfrow Smith talks with students
Campus & Community

Grinnell College Civic Engagement Quad Core to be Named After Beloved Grinnellian Edith Renfrow Smith ’37

Grinnell College will honor Edith Renfrow Smith, Class of 1937, one of the College’s most accomplished and beloved alumni, by naming the Civic Engagement Quad (CEQ) Core Building in her honor.  

Project Partners

OPN Architects

Weitz

We use cookies to enable essential services and functionality on our site, enhance your user experience, provide better service through personalized content, collect data on how visitors interact with our site, and enable advertising services.

To accept the use of cookies and continue on to the site, click "I Agree." For more information about our use of cookies and how to opt out, please refer to our website privacy policy.