After more than 30 years of Too Many String Band, learn about the genesis of the beloved group, their song selections, and the connection with the town of Grinnell and the campus community.

From library play areas to farm-fresh food boxes and after-school art carts — the impact of Grinnell College’s Spring 2025 Community Mini-Grants is beginning to take shape. This year, the College has awarded $30,248 in grant funding to seven local organizations whose projects aim to enhance quality of life, expand access to food and childcare, and strengthen the foundations of nonprofit work in the Grinnell area.

Meet Tilly Woodward - as curator of Academic and Community Outreach with the Grinnell College Museum of Art (GCMoA), Woodward finds her days highly varied, deeply involved with the community, and always packed full. Over the past year, she has planned and facilitated 451 classes and events for people of all ages in collaboration with 39 community partners, 13 campus departments, and 35 individual faculty members.

This summer, 12 Iowa National Service Corps (INSC) members are leading the way in empowering local youth through a unique blend of learning, creativity, and community connection. As part of the Grinnell Education Partnership’s Summer Learning Collaborative, these young leaders are dedicating their summer to combating summer learning loss and building meaningful relationships with children across the Grinnell area. 

President Anne Harris led the first convocation of the Scholars' Convocation series. As part of ongoing strategic planning work, President Harris presented her vision for Grinnell College as an agent of civic trust: to move knowledge into action for a more just and equitable society.

President Anne F. Harris’ adress at the re-dedication of the Edith Renfrow Smith ’37 Student Art Gallery, brought forward through the research and dedication of Feven Getachew (’24) and professor Tamara Beauboeuf.

There was much joy and a sense of overdue recognition of Grinnell College’s Black alumnae during and after the 2024 dedication of Renfrow Hall, recalls Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant, Louise R. Noun ’29 Chair in Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies.

Mary Zheng '15 reflects on her time as a contestant on "Survivor" and her time at Grinnell.

Ailsa Schmidt ’22 came to Grinnell for the rural setting and the opportunity to run cross country. A few years later, she is loving building, supporting, and being a part of student communities, as well as asking questions about religion in and out of the classroom. She looks forward to connecting with people through a service program next year.