These student leaders offer meaningful perspectives on community engagement, showcasing their lived experience, their academic interests, and their identities in the work of strengthening community through service, leadership, and collaboration.

Student Estella Newton ’26 recently stepped forward to support local families by organizing a community food drive as part of Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls’ Iowa Giving Week of Action — a statewide effort focused on strengthening food access through grassroots service projects.

Using her internships, off-campus research, independent major, and connections with advisers and alumni, Eleanor Elliott-Rude ’25 specialized in a newfound passion.

Nina Bigelow ’25 knew that Grinnell perfectly fit her. Through her externship, advanced research, on-campus jobs, internships, and time in Prague, she made the most of it.

First opened in 1918, the historic residence has long welcomed generations of alumni. The dedication marked the beginning of its next chapter, unveiling a resplendent renovation that transforms the 107-year-old home into a comfortable hub where alumni can relax, socialize, network, and reminisce whenever they return to Grinnell.

Grinnell College has been recognized with the 2024–25 Best of CASE District VI Award in the category of Special Events: In-Person (Multi-Day) for the dedication of Renfrow Hall. The honor, announced last week by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), highlights the collaborative work that made the September 2024 celebration a powerful tribute to community, legacy, and place.

Aguibou Bougobali SANOU, assistant professor in Grinnell College’s Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, has been selected as one of 25 Dance/USA Artist Fellows for 2025. The national fellowship program honors dance and movement-based artists whose work demonstrates a sustained commitment to social change. Each fellowship includes an unrestricted $31,000 grant to support the artist’s ongoing creative practice.

John Thabiti Willis, the Kesho Scott Chair of African Diaspora Studies and Associate Professor of History, talks about what this department means for Grinnell and what inspires him beyond the classroom.

This semester, five Grinnell College students and recent graduates are putting their studies into practice through student teaching internships—four of them right here in the Grinnell-Newburg School District