Students walk along 8th Avenue in a snowstorm

From President Anne F. Harris

Dear Families of Grinnell Students,

The academic year seems to move as fast as a bracing Iowa prairie wind. When those winds blow, your students find cozy spots on our beloved Grinnell campus and in our community to study, socialize, discuss ideas, hear amazing speakers, cheer for Grinnell's student-athletes, and honor our outstanding faculty. Grinnell students curate art exhibits with the support of amazing alumni, and explore creativity at the Stew Makerspace. Students find balance by engaging with a variety of clubs and activities. The Grinnell College Events Calendar is a great place to find activities for every interest.

We also realize that current events and simultaneous news coverage can cause anxiety and stress. As I noted at the beginning of the semester, we are paying particular attention to supporting students and the college community as a whole and are enduringly inspired by how your students and Grinnellians all around are showing up for each other. As ever, I encourage you to visit the support resources web page on the Grinnell website, which highlights the many ways that students can access help for a wide variety of concerns.

Your students are brilliant, engaged, and determined. I have already attended multiple events this spring where I have witnessed their kindness and resolve for each other, their willingness to learn from each other, their insightful questions, and their engagement with complex topics. I am so proud of these Grinnellians and I know you are too!

Warmly,

Anne

Anne F. Harris

President

Adrienne, David and Jennifer Gassaway with their family dog, Florence

Second-year student cherishes being

third-generation Grinnellian

Adrienne Gassaway ’28 still keeps a letter she received soon after deciding to attend Grinnell.

It came from her great aunt, Phyllis Jones Mainwaring ’61, who was excited to share memories from her own time as a student. Mainwaring came to Grinnell from Bedford, Iowa, on the heels of her brother, Paul Jones ’59, Adrienne’s grandfather, who passed away in 2024.

“Grinnell was different in 1957,” Mainwaring writes. “We had seven women’s residence halls, and the men’s dorms were as far away as possible.”

In the letter, Mainwaring details other differences between the Grinnell of her time and the College now, including how the women’s dorms were locked at night with housemothers performing bed checks. She tells of dinners being a formal affair with men wearing sports coats and ties; the men ate in Cowles Dining Hall, while the women dined in Main Hall.

“Only seniors were allowed to have cars unless you applied for special permission,” Mainwaring recalls. “My brother had one, but I was only allowed to ride with him if my mother sent written permission to the dean of women!”

Both Mainwaring and Jones loved their time at Grinnell, attributing much of their successes in life to this experience. “Throughout my childhood, my grandfather talked to me about the importance of a liberal arts education,” Adrienne says.

Read the rest of the Gassaway family's story

Come Together to Support Grinnell Students | April 15-16

When we come together as a community, every gift — of any size — opens doors, sparks ideas, and helps ensure Grinnell students have access to outstanding opportunities that prepare them for an ever‑changing world. That shared sense of purpose is what makes Scarlet & Give Back Day such a joyful moment each year.

Join us as we celebrate the 11th anniversary of Scarlet & Give Back Day! Every story begins in a community where students and faculty from around the world teach, learn, and discover side by side. With world‑class faculty in the classroom, lab, and field, Grinnell students find inspiration in all kinds of places — and carry that spirit forward as they go out and make a difference.

If 650 parents of current students and/or alumni make a gift, members of the Parents and Families Leadership Council will contribute $80,000 to the College. Your gift helps open that door.

Together, we make it possible for Grinnell students to learn boldly, explore widely, and thrive. Thank you for joining in and lifting up our community this Scarlet & Give Back Day. Be on the lookout for additional details next month!

News from the Division of Student Affairs

Get Involved!
Student Involvement offers students various opportunities to join clubs, participate in registered student organizations, and make connections. A list of our student-created and student-run organizations can be found at Student Organizations | Grinnell College.

Student Support and Advocacy within the Division of Student Affairs provides assistance to students experiencing significant difficulties or crisis situations to ensure that each student has the opportunity to achieve their academic and co-curricular goals at Grinnell College. Contact us at 641-269-3700, email Student Support and Advocacy, or complete the Refer a Student of Concern form.

Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) offers a variety of in-person services to support students' holistic, well-being including health visits, physicals, reproductive health, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, telepsychiatry, 24/7 "Need to Talk" support line, nutritional therapy appointments (on a limited basis), and numerous virtual resources.

For this semester, SHAW will offer the following on-going therapy groups for students: Mindfully Understanding Yourself & Others, Getting Acclimated, Cultivating Healthy Emotions & Relationships (DBT Skills Groups), and Hopping Off the ADHD Merry-Go-Round: Skills and Accountability.

SHAW, in collaboration with Grinnell EMS Administrator and Assistant Fire Chief, Patrick Duffey, is hosting a training on February 18 at 4 p.m. in HSSC S1320. Learn how to recognize an opioid overdose and safely administer naloxone to save a life. Open to students, faculty, and staff.

As a reminder, a student vaccination clinic will be held on March 30 at the Natatorium in partnership with Poweshiek County Public Health. If you need to schedule an appointment, please contact SHAW at 641-269-3230.

The Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice (CRSSJ) is a place on campus to ask big questions, receive emotional and spiritual support, connect with community, and ensure that your student's religious and spiritual needs are met during their time at Grinnell. The CRSSJ is for all students, whether they identify as religious, spiritual, secular, or anything else! The center promotes creating spaces for belonging, connection, and growth.

There are a number of exciting programs and holidays coming up at the CRSSJ!

Join Rev. Cassandra for a book study of The Cross and the Lynching Tree on Feb 25, March 4, March 25 and April 1.
Join Rabbi Sarah and Chaverim for a Purim celebration with a Megillah Reading on March 2 at 7 p.m. in JRC 101.
Passover will begin the evening of April 1. Seders will occur on April 1 and 2, as well as a number of other Passover gatherings. Please be on the lookout for registration within the next month.
Ramadan will take place from February 18-March 17. Daily iftar meals are available for Muslim students. Please contact Imam Abdul Muhaymin Priester at priester@grinnell.edu to receive more information and reserve your spot.
A community iftar with dinner will occur on Feb 24 from 4-6:30 p.m. in JRC 209! All are welcome! RSVP to graysond@grinnell.edu.
Weekly Meditation continues at the CRSSJ on Mondays at 8 p.m., all are welcome!
Join the Hindu Culture and Sanatana Dharma Club on Sundays at 11 a.m.: Regular Puja in the Hindu Prayer Room at the CRSSJ and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. for the Bhagavad Gita Study Group in the Hindu Prayer Room
Dharma Gyan Buddhist Club weekly meeting, which occurs on Sundays at 4 p.m. in the CRSSJ Prayer garage. A meeting for anyone interested in meditation, Buddhism, wellness, philosophy, or mindful practices. Meetings range from discussions on Buddhist topics to guided meditations and traditional mindfulness activities!

Our Campus Safety team provides 24-hour support for our campus community:

Housing Deadlines: What you Need to Know

General Housing Application:

All students must complete a general housing application through the StarRez Housing Portal, unless graduating in spring 2026.
General Room Selection will take place during the first full week of April
Selection dates are based on seniority
General room selection timeslots will be released on Friday, April 3 by 5 p.m.
Any application received on or after April 3 will receive a timeslot on the morning of their selection date (specifics about selection dates will be shared as we get closer).

Individualized Housing Experience Applications:

Students who have applied to participate in an individualized housing experience by completing an application on the StarRez Housing portal, will receive offers on Friday, March 6.
The deadline to respond to offers is 8 a.m. on Monday, March 23.
Those who accept an offer for an individualized housing experience will not participate in general room selection.

Individualized housing experiences include:

Project Houses (Farm, DAG, GWARC) in collaboration with Grinnell College Garden and Accessibility and Disability Resources.
Residential Affinity Housing Experiences (RAHE) (First-Gen, Sawubona, Latine/x, Lavender Hall) in collaboration with ICA.
Language Houses (Japanese, French, German, Russian, Chinese, Spanish) in collaboration with the Language Departments.
Renfrow Hall in collaboration with CLS and CPPR.
Special Residency Selection (formerly known as special room draw)

General Room Selection:

General Room Selection will take place during the first full week of April
Selection dates are based on seniority

Off-Campus Housing Policy:

Grinnell College is a residential college where all full-time students are required to live in student residences and board with College Dining Services all four years. The number of students granted off-campus permission is determined by projected total enrollment for the upcoming term. Only current and rising seniors may apply for off-campus housing. Students are not approved to live off-campus until an offer is received from Residence Life. A resource for students Living Off-Campus is available at Off Campus Housing Guidelines - Learn What You Need to Know. This is a helpful resource for students approved for off-campus housing.

The Labor Market and Artificial Intelligence

As AI reshapes the labor market, employers are increasingly prioritizing the capacity to synthesize information and apply logic to inform decisions. Students are encouraged to attend this convocation to explore how a liberal arts education cultivates exactly these competencies: critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and deductive reasoning. Guest speaker Leslie Lemire serves as Manager, Global Client Insights & Analytics at Indeed. More information here.

CLS Summer Internship Funding Grant Deadline is April 5

CLS internship funding supports Grinnellians’ participation in unpaid or low-paid summer experiences. Generous donations from alumni and friends of the College have facilitated internships in wildlife conservation, immigration advocacy, small-press publishing, mobile app development, and more. The application opened on Monday, February 2, and the final application deadline is April 5. Internship funding is competitive and not guaranteed. Read more about the program requirements on the CLS web site.

News You Can Use

Education Credit/IRS Form 1098-T

On behalf of Grinnell College, ECSI provides the ability to easily access your 1098-T form online. Paper copies were mailed prior to Jan. 31, 2026. Questions regarding eligibility for education credits should be directed to a tax professional. Questions? Email the Office of Student Accounts.

If Grinnell does not have your SSN or taxpayer ID number, please contact the Office of the Registrar with this information to ensure accurate reporting of your tuition statement. Please do not submit this information via email.

Reapplying for Need-Based Financial Aid for 2026-2027

The deadline for domestic (U.S. citizen and eligible noncitizen) students who would like to apply for need-based financial aid for the 2026-2027 academic year is April 1, 2026. General instructions are posted on the Grinnell College website. Encourage your student to check the online financial aid office (student login required) to confirm the status of their requirements.

International students who receive financial aid and domestic students who receive only merit scholarships do not need to reapply for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Campus Parking Reminders

Students, faculty, and staff who park in College-managed lots are reminded that the College’s parking responsibilities and policies require that they apply for a permit, register their vehicle, and display a valid parking permit.

Please be aware that vehicles parked without a valid registration or in restricted areas will be ticketed, and that vehicles with three or more unpaid tickets may be subject to the College’s towing policy.

Grinnell Named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students

The Fulbright Program has recognized Grinnell College as one of the nation’s top-producing colleges and universities for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, based on the number of students and recent alumni selected. Institutions designated as Fulbright Top Producers share a strong commitment to global engagement and actively support members of their campus communities in pursuing international learning, teaching, and research opportunities.

Helping Your Student Navigate Campus Resources

Grinnell prides itself on providing robust campus resources, but how does your student know what’s most helpful to them? We encourage students to connect with resources early and often, and the easiest way to know what is available is via the ‘Students’ tab on our homepage.

There you can find detailed information within six types of resources: academic resources, living on campus, social connections, financial services, health, wellness, and safety, and career exploration and preparation. Additionally, students are always welcome to connect with the Academic Success Center staff to find resources that best meet their needs.

Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Support

Greetings from the Ombuds Office,

It is my pleasure to serve the Grinnell College community. In particular, aiding those who may be navigating unfamiliar situations, might benefit from consulting with a confidential thought-partner, or would like assistance generating options to resolve a conflict or concern.

Students often look to the office as a quiet, judgement-free space to reflect on their experiences or to seek aide in identifying relevant policy, process, and practicable outcomes. While some, simply wish to be heard. All-comers, for all reasons, are welcome.

If your student needs help sorting through a College-related matter, in clarifying possibilities and processes, or in determining how best to present a concern, you are welcome to either contact me directly or suggest to your student that they independently connect with me.

I invite you and yours to learn more about the role, ombuds office services, and

what to expect when visiting the Ombuds Office. Thank you for entrusting me with your experiences. I look forward to assisting,

Deborah Dodge, Ombuds

641-269-9399 or ombuds@grinnellcollege.edu

Grinnell College Museum of Art Presents Spring Exhibitions

Untitled, 1946. Ink and gouache on paper, 14 x 19 in.; Grinnell College Museum of Art Collection

Unruly Lines: The Art of Sonja Sekula

Through May 31, 2026

The career of Swiss-born artist Sonja Sekula (1918–1963) unfolded at both the center and the margins of surrealist and abstract expressionist circles in Europe and North America. Despite bouts of mental illness, her identity as a gay woman, her peripatetic travels, and her unwillingness to conform to a singular style, Sekula achieved early success as an artist, exhibiting first at Peggy Guggenheim’s Art of this Century in New York in the early 1940s and then with pioneering gallerist Betty Parsons, who gave her five solo exhibitions between 1948 and 1960. This exhibition features 34 paintings, drawings, and collages, including five from the Museum’s collection, that demonstrate the broad spectrum of her work. A full-color catalogue, featuring essays by Professor of Art History Jenny Anger and Amy Kan ’27, accompanies the exhibition, which will travel to the Gund Museum at Kenyon College in the second half of 2026.

Image: Untitled, 1946. Ink and gouache on paper, 14 x 19 in.; Grinnell College Museum of Art Collection

Rhizomatic Intimacies: Photography from the Collection of Keith Jantzen ’80 and Scott Beth

Through March 29, 2026

Curated by 12 students in Professor Michael Mackenzie’s exhibition seminar, Rhizomatic Intimacies explores the theme of intimacy through the concept of rhizomes. In the plant world, rhizomes are horizontal root systems capable of producing the shoot and root systems of a new plant. Applied to photography, rhizomes are a metaphor for personal connections tying humans to artworks. The exhibition is drawn from the photography collection of Keith Jantzen ’80 and Scott Beth, which includes images by Diane Arbus, Johnnie Chatman, Peter Hujar, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Alfred Stieglitz.

Student curators Princess Alexander, Ella Barnett, Kiele Calhoun, Sabina Clingerman, Colleen (Aubrie) Connell, Vivian Finch, Amy Kan, Sugi Lucas, Monica Park, Dorothea Qin, Kate Walker-Spencer, and Neva Zamil selected the works included in the exhibition from the photography collection of Keith Jantzen ’80 and Scott Beth. The students wrote the exhibition didactic material and essays for the forthcoming accompanying catalogue with guidance from Professor Mackenzie.

Image: Johnnie Chatman. Self-portrait, Arches, from the series I forgot where we were…, 2017. Pigment print, 12 x 19 in. Grinnell College Museum of Art Collection, Gift of Keith Jantzen ’80 and Scott Beth

Beth.

BAX: The Bachelor of Arts Exhibition

April 16 – May 18, 2026

BAX features work in the creative arts by third- and fourth-year Grinnell College students. BAX is organized by the Art SEPC in collaboration with GCMoA staff and Studio Art faculty. Prizes are made possible by the Inez Louise Henely Memorial fund, Tammy J. Zywicki ’93 Memorial fund, Louis Glenn Zirkle Memorial fund, and the Henry-York Steiner Memorial fund. BAX is organized by the Art SEPC in collaboration with GCMoA staff and Studio Art faculty. This year’ juror is Kevork Mourad.

Events and Programs:

All events are in the Grinnell College Museum of Art unless otherwise noted.

Yoga in the Museum

Through May 12, 12:15–12:50 p.m.

Enjoy a free 30-minute yoga practice with Joy Jones. Open to all levels, mats provided. Co-sponsored by Live Well Grinnell.

Gallery Talk by Amy Kan ’27

Wednesday, February 25, 4 p.m.

Sonja Sekula: Between the Lines

GCMoA Collections Assistant Amy Kan ’27 will present research on Sonja Sekula and her powerful poetic sensibility, one spanning visual and literary modes, seeking to read resistance out of multiplicity.

Panel Discussion

Monday, March 30, 4 p.m.

Surrealism, Women, and Mental Illness

Jenny Anger, Grinnell College Professor of Art History

Lee Colón, Princeton University Art Museum Curatorial Research Associate

Britt Romagna, Fordham University Doctoral Candidate, Counseling Psychology

An unusually large number of surrealist women artists experienced mental illness. Panelists will assess the lives and careers of Frida Kahlo, Meret Oppenheim, and Sonja Sekula, artists who suffered from trauma-related symptomatology, depression, and schizophrenia, respectively. Co-sponsored by the Art History Department.

Artist Talk: Kevork Mourad

Wednesday, April 15, 4 p.m.

Bucksbaum 152

Artist Kevork Mourad serves as juror for this year’s BAX. Born in Qamishli, Syria, Mourad received his Master of Fine Arts from the Yerevan Institute in Armenia. He now lives and works in New York City. Event sponsored by the Studio Art Department.

BAX Opening Reception and Awards

April 16, 4 – 6 p.m.

Juror Kevork Mourad will present awards at the Bachelor of Arts Exhibition. Refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, April 21, 4 p.m.

40 Minutes @ 4

Artists exhibiting in BAX will talk about their work.

Tuesday, April 23, 4 p.m.

40 Minutes @ 4

Artists exhibiting in BAX will talk about their work.

We are excited to continue an event series featuring distinguished alumni and College representation. These events are designed to foster meaningful connections, provide insight into the Grinnell experience, and uplift inspiring stories from some of our talented alumni. As we finalize details, we encourage you to stay informed by reviewing event information as it becomes available on the In Conversation event series webpage. Details will be posted approximately 4-6 weeks before event dates. Your participation helps strengthen our community, and we hope we can welcome you near your hometown soon!