Late summer at Grinnell is a season of joyful return — students from across the globe bring fresh energy, stories, and ambition to campus. Their journeys are made possible by the generosity of alumni and friends who believe in the transformative power of a Grinnell education.
The Lori Ann Schwab ’95 Alumni Grant helps Grinnellians make a difference
Late summer at Grinnell is a season of joyful return — students from across the globe bring fresh energy, stories, and ambition to campus. Their journeys are made possible by the generosity of alumni and friends who believe in the transformative power of a Grinnell education.
Meet a few members of the Class of 2025 who are pursuing their dreams, propelled by a Grinnell education.
From scholarships and mentoring to care packages and study breaks, alumni affinity groups support students while connecting Grinnellians from every era
PRRI’s Public Fellows program is part of its Religion and Protecting Democracy Initiative, which supports scholars and practitioners whose research advances understanding of the complex ways religion intersects with American civic life.
Grinnell College professors Marc Chamberland and Jeff Blanchard have been named the 2025 recipients of the Carl B. Allendoerfer Award from the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), recognizing their outstanding exposition in a mathematics article.
PRRI’s Public Fellows program is part of its Religion and Protecting Democracy Initiative, which supports scholars and practitioners whose research advances understanding of the complex ways religion intersects with American civic life.
Grinnell College professors Marc Chamberland and Jeff Blanchard have been named the 2025 recipients of the Carl B. Allendoerfer Award from the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), recognizing their outstanding exposition in a mathematics article.
How Ashley Pacheco '24 leveraged her Grinnell experiences into a career in medicine.
We went through the fire, went through the ice, and I learned how to come out stronger. I’m a resilient Grinnellian.
I would definitely credit that experience with helping me to have a persuasive application and making me want to do this type of work.
Grinnell was really the first place where I actually had the chance, or the self-awareness, to pursue something that was a little bit out of my comfort zone.
I love that I go to a college where the only thing people care about is the quality of the character and the things that I bring to the table, not what I'm wearing, or how I sound, or how I look. At Grinnell, I feel free to be who I am.
Research is a huge component in the arts. It's what you perform, it's what you study, it's what you create scripts based upon. It’s what leads you to stages and shows well beyond Grinnell.
Where the sciences are headed with research is exactly what’s embedded into classes at Grinnell. It starts from the very beginning with Intro to Biology, and continues as two or three authentic research projects for every class after that.
I came to Grinnell as a biology major and had also thought about law school for social justice issues. Then I fell in love with anthropology.
My language skills ended up being one of my strongest, and most important, assets.
If you’re an international student considering studying at Grinnell, a great way to feel at home quickly is to participate in Friends of International Students (FIS). FIS will pair you with an American host family and introduce you to life in Iowa.
I recently congratulated Scott Turley on his 20-year anniversary, and, of course, I asked him if my sweet potato pie is still in the dessert rotation at Grinnell.
Scott said, ‘We serve your pie recipe every Thanksgiving at the College. We never have leftover sweet potato pie.’
We have not only a common origin, but a common fate as well — death. That being the case, why can’t we be a little kinder to one another?
John M. Mohan, 1936-2003
Coming to Grinnell, seeing so many interesting people organizing and doing different things …, opened me to other ways of thinking and thinking I could do more [creative work].
There was a point that I was like ‘I love teaching, but I also really love research,’ and I didn’t realize that there was a career where I could kind of meld the two.
Why would I go somewhere that doesn’t feel the way Grinnell feels? I knew I wanted to be in an intentional community — with individuals who were both focused on their academics and dedicated to creating a supportive environment.
I am taking every opportunity that I have been granted. I am on the football team and on my way toward a double major and a concentration. I have completed a MAP [Mentored Advanced Project] and look forward to future internships made possible by Grinnell. I would otherwise not be able to afford this education. I am so grateful for my time and experience thus far.
After two younger brothers saw my financial aid package they chose to come to Grinnell too. Your support has changed the lives of my family.
I am an active member in the Grinnell community. I have found my passion for social justice and being an advocate for people in need. During my four years, I have felt so much support and love, which have helped me blossom into the person I am today.
I love that Grinnell allows me to pursue both my passions—physics and art. I appreciate the wealth of resources Grinnell provides its students, whether this has been in the form of cost-free art supplies or scientific conference funding. I hope to pursue a research career studying the formation history of our galaxy. My dream is to become one of the only 23 Black women to hold a Ph.D. in astronomy.
I got confidence, really, in my own skills, in my own ability to learn and to lead.
That sense of social responsibility and really using your platform for good, which I very much learned at Grinnell, is something that [is] really important to me.
I had no idea what four years in Iowa was going to be like, and that turned out to be perfect for me.
Many of your fellow students become personally involved in a community, social, or educational endeavor off campus, which strengthens their college experience. I hope you will be part of this movement.
Students experience random acts of kindness around the town here, and there are myriad opportunities to participate and find a seat at the table as active and engaged citizens.
The College is a religiously and spiritually diverse community, rich in personalities and filled with students, faculty, and staff who are eager to share their experiences and hear about yours.
The work toward achieving inclusion is never done; there is always progress to be made toward equity. We want you to be a contributing member of that progress and hope you’ll join this distinct community.
Many students say that taking a break from campus life to spend time with their mentee has been a highlight of their time in our community.
Many students come from very different backgrounds than my own, and it has been fascinating to hear about their lives and share about mine with them. Despite our differences, I’m always able to find wonderful similarities.
The greater Grinnell community looks forward to the excitement and energy that students bring to our town each year. Grinnell is a town of many treasures, so we hope you’ll do some exploring and come to love the town of Grinnell as much as we do.
Your campus and classroom experience is going to challenge you to grow and expand your understanding of the world. But there is much that can be learned off campus, too.
Aziza sees injustice and she fights it with action and filmmaking. I admire her work.
Essi’s achievement reflects a work ethic unmatched by any current or former student.
She is one of the most perseverant students I have taught in my 15-year career. She’s an incredibly selfless human . . . who impresses and inspires me beyond belief.
Since my freshman year, I’ve made it my priority to be in the front row of every class.
Tolu interacts with peers kindly, praising classmates for their presentations or arguments in class, and is someone who supports fellow students.
Kyla is among the most capable and intellectually curious students I have ever had the opportunity to teach.
He is one of the greatest leaders our school has ever seen.
I want to meet people from other places who can help me reach my goals and who I can help to reach theirs.
Whether I was devouring brisket or Egusi, I obtained knowledge through debates with my sisters, my moral compass through lessons from my parents, and wisdom by listening to elders who spoke at the table.
She is a truth seeker and has an endless amount of energy to ensure her reporting is accurate, insightful, compassionate, and, if possible, connected to relatable historic events.
The best work that we can do for the environment, for nature and wildlife, and for each other, is get involved with the local communities because that is where the impact of our work can be seen.
The best work that we can do for the environment, for nature and wildlife, and for each other, is get involved with the local communities because that is where the impact of our work can be seen.
It’s a physician’s role to look beyond the analytics and think ‘What does this feel like to the patient and family? What does a longer wait time mean for future care?’
If you have taken a class with Professor Lafontant, you may have picked up on a sense of what he calls wonderment. Wonderment is a word that reflects his belief that the whole world of science is fascinating.
My work allows me to better see the connection between the research realm and the more human part of the world. In my current position, I am able to work towards making science more relevant for policy and decision making, and I find those goals to be a lot more tangible.
The experience of learning how to think scientifically can help develop a person's critical thinking skills. Scientific inquiry helps people differentiate between things that are real and things that are not real.
Be prepared to engage actively in planning your educational journey. Your adviser is your guide – YOU get to choose the direction of your studies.
Most services at SHAW are free for all students, and health insurance is not billed. If you have any questions or want to ask about specifics related to your health, feel free to reach out.
Our organization represents student voices to College faculty and administration, encourages student dialogue, and advocates for any other needs of the students.
As you make your way as a young adult, there are many discoveries and choices that you'll make. My crew is eager to join you on your journey and can help you every step of the way.
Each year, the entering class is a highly qualified group of students that includes people with physical, psychological, and learning disabilities. We want you to know that Grinnell is committed to providing equal access and reasonable accommodations for our students with disabilities. We are happy to begin working with you on your access needs anytime.
The CRSSJ is for you whether you identify as religious or not; we hope this is a place for you to connect, explore big questions, and drink hot chocolate with friends.
College is a moment of self-discovery, and as you make sense of who you are becoming through this new experience, our team works to co-create opportunities for you to reflect, connect, explore, engage, and strategize.
I really appreciate that I went to school in a time when I learned to relate to the patient, professionally, socially, and personally.
I really appreciate that I went to school in a time when I learned to relate to the patient, professionally, socially, and personally.
You never know where your life is going to take you. So be open to possibilities that might open up.
You never know where your life is going to take you. So be open to possibilities that might open up.
Conservation work needs individuals who can foster a mindset of interconnectedness.
Conservation work needs individuals who can foster a mindset of interconnectedness.
Conservation work needs individuals who can foster a mindset of interconnectedness.
What is One Health? It’s “recognizing the interconnected relationships between human, animal, and environmental health and working together across those disciplines and sectors," says Griffith.
What is One Health? It’s “recognizing the interconnected relationships between human, animal, and environmental health and working together across those disciplines and sectors," says Griffith.
Our social environment affects how we study other organisms. We often use the animal world as justification or examples for how humans should be, which is dangerous.
Our social environment affects how we study other organisms. We often use the animal world as justification or examples for how humans should be, which is dangerous.
I knew I wanted to … foster an environment that could promote a safe space for people to get to know each other, feel safe and most importantly, at home.
I knew I wanted to … foster an environment that could promote a safe space for people to get to know each other, feel safe and most importantly, at home.
It's a story about ... seeking a greater understanding of existence. I hope this musical inspires audiences to reflect on their own journey and the shared human search for meaning.
It's a story about ... seeking a greater understanding of existence. I hope this musical inspires audiences to reflect on their own journey and the shared human search for meaning.
Being the first in a new role comes with both responsibility and possibility. I see this residency as a chance to build a foundation that combines rigorous academic inquiry with hands-on, community-centered innovation.
The Goldwater Scholarship will provide me with newfound opportunities to not just seek answers, but crucially and critically propose pressing, thought-provoking questions for an ever-evolving world in need of each other’s gifts.
The Goldwater Scholarship will provide me with newfound opportunities to not just seek answers, but crucially and critically propose pressing, thought-provoking questions for an ever-evolving world in need of each other’s gifts.
The Goldwater Scholarship will provide me with newfound opportunities to not just seek answers, but crucially and critically propose pressing, thought-provoking questions for an ever-evolving world in need of each other’s gifts.
Meeting others who also work on the comfort women issue continuously ignites my passion to expand the network with more of those people who explore the same issue from various approaches.
Meeting others who also work on the comfort women issue continuously ignites my passion to expand the network with more of those people who explore the same issue from various approaches.
Surfing has always been a part of my life throughout college, but the fellowship gave me the opportunity to pursue it beyond recreation.
Surfing has always been a part of my life throughout college, but the fellowship gave me the opportunity to pursue it beyond recreation.
Surfing has always been a part of my life throughout college, but the fellowship gave me the opportunity to pursue it beyond recreation.
Waterways in Iowa are stressed like never before, and the trusted repositories of environmental data are being eviscerated ... If we want to know what's going on, increasingly it's good if we can collect data ourselves.
Waterways in Iowa are stressed like never before, and the trusted repositories of environmental data are being eviscerated ... If we want to know what's going on, increasingly it's good if we can collect data ourselves.
I went to Grinnell because a wanted to be a well-rounded engineer. … I got confidence, really, in my own skills, in my own ability to learn and to lead.
I went to Grinnell because a wanted to be a well-rounded engineer. … I got confidence, really, in my own skills, in my own ability to learn and to lead.
Our feeling was that if you are not connected to your place, you won’t take care of it. From this conversation emerged the idea of embracing our location and using it as a teaching and learning tool.
Our feeling was that if you are not connected to your place, you won’t take care of it. From this conversation emerged the idea of embracing our location and using it as a teaching and learning tool.
Our feeling was that if you are not connected to your place, you won’t take care of it. From this conversation emerged the idea of embracing our location and using it as a teaching and learning tool.
Our feeling was that if you are not connected to your place, you won’t take care of it. From this conversation emerged the idea of embracing our location and using it as a teaching and learning tool.
Our feeling was that if you are not connected to your place, you won’t take care of it. From this conversation emerged the idea of embracing our location and using it as a teaching and learning tool.
I’m passionate about the idea of creating work that lives outside traditional gallery settings — art and design that people encounter in their everyday lives, often without even realizing it at first.
I’m passionate about the idea of creating work that lives outside traditional gallery settings — art and design that people encounter in their everyday lives, often without even realizing it at first.
I’m passionate about the idea of creating work that lives outside traditional gallery settings — art and design that people encounter in their everyday lives, often without even realizing it at first.
I’m passionate about the idea of creating work that lives outside traditional gallery settings — art and design that people encounter in their everyday lives, often without even realizing it at first.
Because of Grinnell, I had the confidence to explore new places. ... Grinnell made me more enthusiastic about getting out of my comfort zone and meeting new people.
Because of Grinnell, I had the confidence to explore new places. ... Grinnell made me more enthusiastic about getting out of my comfort zone and meeting new people.
This trip helped ground our academic work in the social world — [the trip] made [the class] more interesting, and ultimately more effective.
This trip helped ground our academic work in the social world — [the trip] made [the class] more interesting, and ultimately more effective.
This trip helped ground our academic work in the social world — [the trip] made [the class] more interesting, and ultimately more effective.
This trip helped ground our academic work in the social world — [the trip] made [the class] more interesting, and ultimately more effective.
This trip helped ground our academic work in the social world — [the trip] made [the class] more interesting, and ultimately more effective.
The College kind of portrays itself as having a lot of cultural diversity, and it’s not just advertising; it’s real. ... I’ve found a very nice group of friends here.
The College kind of portrays itself as having a lot of cultural diversity, and it’s not just advertising; it’s real. ... I’ve found a very nice group of friends here.
Everyone in our class knew what Puppies and Pancakes meant. It brought back memories and got them excited to be here together.
Everyone in our class knew what Puppies and Pancakes meant. It brought back memories and got them excited to be here together.
There are many things I learned while getting my liberal arts education that I wouldn’t have been able to experience if I went straight to pursuing an engineering degree in a university, and vice versa.
While you never get used to how a latrine smells or sounds, a rustic lifestyle has its perks.
While you never get used to how a latrine smells or sounds, a rustic lifestyle has its perks.
While you never get used to how a latrine smells or sounds, a rustic lifestyle has its perks.
Helping recover that story felt urgent. The work was physically intense but meaningful.
Helping recover that story felt urgent. The work was physically intense but meaningful.
Helping recover that story felt urgent. The work was physically intense but meaningful.
Helping recover that story felt urgent. The work was physically intense but meaningful.
This experience was really emotionally intense (but) it was really fulfilling and powerful. It definitely confirmed that that's something that l need to have in my life.
This experience was really emotionally intense (but) it was really fulfilling and powerful. It definitely confirmed that that's something that l need to have in my life.
This experience was really emotionally intense (but) it was really fulfilling and powerful. It definitely confirmed that that's something that l need to have in my life.
This experience was really emotionally intense (but) it was really fulfilling and powerful. It definitely confirmed that that's something that l need to have in my life.
One of the things I have always loved about working in museums is there is no 'typical' day. … I am always learning about upcoming exhibitions and artists in our collection of more than 9,000 objects.
Sports have always been important to me. At Grinnell, basketball was a bigger part of my life than ever before. Basketball helped me maintain balance.
Grinnell definitely prepared me for my future in medicine … good studying habits, how to keep up with courseload, how to advocate for myself in the classroom, seek out professors, and how to work with people. All of those skills got really fine-tuned at Grinnell.
Grinnell definitely prepared me for my future in medicine … good studying habits, how to keep up with courseload, how to advocate for myself in the classroom, seek out professors, and how to work with people. All of those skills got really fine-tuned at Grinnell.
Grinnell definitely prepared me for my future in medicine … good studying habits, how to keep up with courseload, how to advocate for myself in the classroom, seek out professors, and how to work with people. All of those skills got really fine-tuned at Grinnell.
Grinnell definitely prepared me for my future in medicine … good studying habits, how to keep up with courseload, how to advocate for myself in the classroom, seek out professors, and how to work with people. All of those skills got really fine-tuned at Grinnell.
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