We Are Family Weekend 2026

7 a.m.–6 p.m. We are Family Weekend Welcome and Information Table, Rosenfield Center, First Floor Lobby 

8 a.m.–3:50 p.m. Class Visits, Various locations 

Families are invited to attend a select list of classes. Passes are required. You may pick up passes from the We Are Family Weekend Welcome and Information table. Space is limited and visitors must arrive early to class to avoid class disruption. 

10–11 a.m. Campus Tour, Rosenfield Center, first floor lobby

1:30–2:30 p.m. Grinnell College Parents and Families Leadership Council (DAR Presentation), HSSC, Room S1325 

Learn about the Grinnell College Parents and Families Leadership Council, its purpose, member responsibilities and opportunities. Hear from current parent members. Consider joining this distinctive partnership with Grinnell College.  

2 p.m. Jumaah Prayer, Center for Religion, Spirituality and Social Justice (CRSSJ), 913 Eighth Ave. 

Join the Muslim Student Association for Jumaah Prayer. Email Deacon Grayson with questions. 

2:30–4 p.m. Division of Student Affairs Reception for parents/guests, Rosenfield Center , Room 101

Join J.C. Lopez, vice president for student affairs and Maure Smith-Benanti, assistant vice president of student affairs as well as members of the Division of Student Affairs team for light refreshments. This is an informal social gathering for families to get to know some of the professionals who assist with your students’ day-to-day activities outside of the formal classroom. 

3:30–5 p.m. Open Houses 

An opportunity for families, guests and students to meet each other and the staff of the cultural centers and departments around campus. 

Conney M. Kimbo Black Cultural Center: 1003 Tenth Ave. 

Disability Cultural Center: Steiner Hall, first floor, Room 205 

Stonewall Resource Center: Younker Hall, lower level 

Latinx Cultural Center: 1026 Park Street 

Careers, Life, and Service, John Chrystal Center, 1103 Park Street 

4:15 p.m., Open Football Practice, Rosenbloom Field 

Reconnect with fellow alumni at Rosenbloom Field while the team has walkthroughs in preparation for Saturday's match. 

5:30 p.m. Shabbat Services, Rosenfield Center, Room 209. 

Join Rabbi Sarah Brammer-Shlay and Chaverim for Shabbat Services followed by Shabbat Table with a home cooked dinner at 6:30 p.m. Email Deacon Grayson with questions. 

7:30 p.m. Jazz Ensemble Concert, Bucksbaum Sebring-Lewis Hall, Room 104 

8:30–10:30 p.m. Grant O. Observatory Open House  

If the sky is clear, the featured objects will be the moon and Saturn after about 9:30 p.m. If the sky is cloudy, the presentation will involve a tour and computer demonstrations. Access to the telescope involves several sets of steps but visitors with mobility restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice by emailing Family Weekend.  
 

8 a.m.–1 p.m. We are Family Weekend Welcome and Information Table, Rosenfield Center, first floor lobby 

9–9:45 a.m. President’s Welcome, Herrick Chapel 

President Anne F. Harris will provide welcoming remarks. 

9 a.m. Athletic Facilities Tour, Bear Recreation and Athletic Center Lobby 

Join Kara Lowe, Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities, for a walking tour of the College's athletic facilities.

Join Andy Hamilton ’85 for a walking tour of the College’s athletic facilities. 

10–11 a.m. Parents and Families Leadership Council Fall Meeting (Invitation Only), HSSC, Room A1231 

10–11 a.m. Author & Illustrator Jaime Zollars reads from Maybe Monsters, Pioneer Bookshop, 933 Main Street

Join us at the Pioneer Bookshop for a special reading with author and illustrator Jaime Zollars, celebrating the release of her newest picture book, Maybe Monsters.  Jaime is also the mother of a member of the Grinnell College Class of 2030.

10–11:30 a.m. Science and Social Studies and Humanities Student Research Poster Sessions, HSSC Atrium, Room N1002

Engage with students as they present their research and summer internships in a scholarly poster session format. 

11 a.m. Men’s Soccer vs Ripon College, Springer Field 

11 a.m. Women’s Volleyball vs. Central College, Bear Recreation and Athletic Center, Darby Gym

11–12:30 p.m. Parents and Families Leadership Council and Reception (Invitation Only), President Harris’ home, 1600 Park Street 

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. We are Family Weekend Lunch, Rosenfield Marketplace, overflow seating in Rosenfield Center, Room 101

Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs in partnership with Development and Alumni Relations. Registered families and guests of students will receive a complimentary meal. Students need to scan their p-card.

1 p.m. Football Grinnell College vs Beloit College, Rosenbloom Field 

1:30 p.m. Women's Soccer Grinnell College vs Ripon College, Springer Field 

2 p.m. Grinnell Symphony Orchestra Concert, Bucksbaum, Sebring-Lewis Hall, Room 104  

3 p.m. Women's Volleyball vs Alverno College, Bear Recreation and Athletic Center, Darby Gym

4–5 p.m. Campus Tour, Rosenfield Center, first floor lobby  

7:30 p.m. Grinnell Singers Concert, Bucksbaum, Sebring-Lewis Hall, Room 104

8:30–10:30 p.m. Grant O. Observatory Open House 

If the sky is clear, the featured objects will be the moon and Saturn after about 9:30 p.m. If the sky is cloudy, the presentation will involve a tour and computer demonstrations. Access to the telescope involves several sets of steps but visitors with mobility restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice by emailing Family Weekend.