Grinnell College honored the Class of 2025 with a joyful and heartfelt Commencement ceremony, held indoors for the first time since 1996 due to forecasted storms. This photo essay captures the energy and emotion as over 400 graduates from 46 states and 20 countries marked the end of their Grinnell journeys and the start of new chapters ahead.

The latest gift from Penny Bender Sebring ’64, H’15, a former Grinnell trustee, and her husband, Charles Ashby Lewis H’15, establishes an endowment that will provide CLS greater flexibility and ensure it can readily embrace new opportunities for supporting students.

Surrounded by faculty, staff, family, and friends, over 400 graduates walked across the stage, symbolizing the culmination of their academic journeys and the beginning of new chapters ahead.

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.

Elizabeth Collinger ’21 explored her passion for music, language, synchronized swimming, and more during her journey that took her all around the midwestern United States and down through South America.

A total of 34 newly and previously elected members of Grinnell’s classes of 2025 and 2026 are being recognized this year by Phi Beta Kappa for their outstanding academic achievements.

Four exceptional individuals will be awarded honorary degrees in recognition of the significant contributions each has made to their fields of expertise during Grinnell College’s 2025 Commencement ceremony to be held on May 19, 2025.