The award honors distinguished senior members of the alumni community who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, a commitment to service, and exemplary character in their personal and professional lives.

Grinnell College Board of Trustees member Christina Cutlip ’83 and her husband, Mark Cutlip, made a lead gift to establish The Gurira Family Scholarship Fund in honor of Rogers Gurira, who taught chemistry at Grinnell, and his wife Josephine, who worked in Burling Library.

While working Reunion, Sophia Ramalli ’27 discovered Dana Ulery ’59, NASA’s first female engineer, and helped bring her story to current Grinnell students.

There was much joy and a sense of overdue recognition of Grinnell College’s Black alumnae during and after the 2024 dedication of Renfrow Hall, recalls Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant, Louise R. Noun ’29 Chair in Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies.

Mary Zheng ’15 reflects on her time as a contestant on "Survivor" and her time at Grinnell.

The shared experience and camaraderie was on display throughout the 145th Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend. Held May 29-June 1, Reunion 2025 was attended by 1,174 alumni, faculty, staff, and guests.

Alumni from 48 Grinnell classes are returning for the 145th Alumni Reunion Weekend, May 29-June 1. More than a thousand attendees will rekindle connections, explore campus, and reminisce about their student experiences.

The Award was established to honor Celina’s courageously hopeful life and legacy and bestows a cash prize. Celina Karp Biniaz, class of 1952, endowed the award to support a graduating senior with two key intentions: One, to aid students like her who had to overcome obstacles to obtain their education. Two, to recognize and support such students who wish to pursue careers teaching young people OR working for organizations or governmental entities whose core mission focuses on the education and welfare of young people.

Sarah Toay ’23 has been awarded a C$10,000 McCall MacBain Regional Award for graduate study at any public university in Canada. The scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.