Smiles, Friendship, and Community: A Back-to-School Photo Essay

See snapshots of Grinnellians kicking off a new academic year.

Campus & Community
● Sep 1, 2026
Three students pose for a photo holding a large grey photo frame and a sign that says First Day of School.

The end-of-summer heat didn't slow down Grinnellians as first-years and returning students kicked off a new academic year. Student-athletes and pre-orientation program attendees joined campus first, enjoying tailored events, meeting new friends, and getting to know the community. The remaining students from the class of 2030 joined their peers with a week full of New Student Orientation activities. Finally, returning Grinnellians moved in, completing the campus community and making for an exciting start to the 2026-27 year.

Pre-orientation Programs

Grinnell Science Project attendees look at plants in the College Garden while a professor speaks.
Students in pre-orientation programs sit on a bench and smile as they hold up stuffed animals they've made.
Students in pre-orientation programs form a circle around a group of students dancing at the All Pop event.

Move-in Day

Student poses for a photo in front of a balloon display in the Harris Center at move-in check-in.
Move-in crew members push carts of items up a sidewalk and chat with an incoming student and their family member.
Move-in crew members push several carts on a sidewalk followed by students wheeling luggage.

New Student Orientation

A student mentor talks into a megaphone while small groups of students stand and sit on the grass in the background.
A small group of students and their mentor celebrate winning a game of rock, paper, scissors.
A group of new students face each other in a line on Mac Field.

Welcome Festival and Picnic

A group of students standing and laughing together.
Two students rock climbing on a rock wall set up outside.
A large group of students sit on the grass eating dinner.

First Day of Classes

Students sitting at tables in the Humanities and Social Sciences Center.
Students stand at a banister and walk across a walkway in the Humanities and Social Sciences Center.
Students walk across 8th Avenue in front of the bike racks.
Tags:
Communications and Marketing
New Student Orientation

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