Following an extensive national search, JC Lopez has been appointed vice president of student affairs at Grinnell College.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is commemorated each year at Grinnell and in the world on January 27. This is a day to remember the lives lost in the Holocaust: the six million Jews who were murdered, as well as individuals of many marginalized groups, including, but not limited to, members of the Roma community, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, resistance activists and more.

I write to you within the context of these very challenging times to provide recourse and resources for your well-being and to recall our stewardship of our community and of each other. I write especially to Grinnell students, wanting you to know how very much your faculty and staff care about you, as they live in these times with you.

Grinnell College is a global institution, one where events happening thousands of miles away are likely to personally impact students, staff, and faculty.  We are a community where more than 60 languages are spoken, which represents more than 40 nationalities, and which includes a broad diversity of ethnicities and religious affiliations. Over the past 24 hours, multiple messages have been sent through college platforms.

The events and images that news services are sharing from Israel-Palestine are stark and heartbreaking.  Some of our students, faculty, and staff may have loved ones who have been harmed or are in danger. We recognize that there are many people on this campus who have strong ties and connections to the land of Israel-Palestine, making this an overwhelming and painful time.

I write to invite you all to an Intertribal Powwow on Grinnell’s campus to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day today, Monday, October 9, 2023.

President Anne F. Harris welcomes new and returning students, staff, and faculty to campus.

Due to excessive heat advisories over the next few days, we will modify some of our previously announced plans. All students, faculty, and staff — along with faculty and staff families — are invited to an indoor all campus welcome dinner on Wednesday and a re-scheduled festival on Sunday:

President Anne F. Harris invites the campus community to a set of convening conversations to start the academic year. This year three sessions will be held on Wednesday, August 23: 1) College finances; 2) the College’s response to the recent SCOTUS decision on affirmative action; and, 3) Renfrow Hall, civic innovation, and student housing.