Inspiring Future Leaders

The class of 2029 was the first to be eligible for the new President’s Scholarship for Community Building. This scholarship covers full tuition and recognizes incoming Grinnellians who demonstrate intercultural understanding, empathy, cooperation, community-building, and an interest in positive change-making. While continued community engagement is not a requirement of the scholarship, these students care deeply about community and have found different ways to involve themselves right here at Grinnell.

Read about their legacy

News & Updates

Pictured: A rendering of Grinnell-Newburg Community School District’s new elementary school currently in development. Significant gifts from Grinnell College and Grinnell Mutual will help to finance important elements of the project.

Grinnell College and Grinnell Mutual Announce Lead Gifts for New Elementary School Campaign

Grinnell College and the Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation have announced lead gifts totaling $475,000 in support of the Grinnell-Newburg School Foundation (GNSF) campaign benefiting the new Grinnell-Newburg Elementary School project at Ahrens Park. The gifts of $250,000 from Grinnell College and $225,000 from the Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation will support important elements of the new school project that fall outside of the primary construction scope including an accessible playground, fixtures and furnishings, and outfitting the school gymnasium.

Ramsey-Weeks is Ensuring – and Insuring – a Healthy Future for Students

Ramsey-Weeks is a fourth-generation family business that’s provided real estate and insurance services in the Grinnell community for over 100 years. The agency has managed Grinnell College’s comprehensive insurance needs since the 1950s. To honor the enduring connection, Ramsey-Weeks recently committed to give $75,000 in support of Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) at Grinnell College.

Aaryan Lodaya ’27 Receives Nancy Schmulbach Maly ’61 International Student

Leadership Award

Grinnell College student Aaryan Lodaya ’27 has been named the 2026 recipient of the Nancy Schmulbach Maly ’61 International Student Leadership Award, recognizing his outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to building community across campus. The award, named in honor of Nancy Schmulbach Maly ’61, celebrates students who embody her extraordinary legacy of leadership and service.

Become a Friend of an International Student

Help welcome new students from around the world by joining Grinnell’s Friends of

International Students (FIS) program. Community hosts are paired with a new international student to offer friendship, support, and a warm introduction to life in Grinnell. Learn more and apply today!

Spring Sports Season One for the Record Books

To say Grinnell College’s spring athletics season was memorable would be an understatement. Across six sports whose official seasons concluded in the spring, the Pioneers combined for conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, and historic accomplishments that highlighted one of the strongest collective seasons in program history.

Upcoming Events

Pictured: Prairie Burn 100 participants take off for the 3K/5K Fun Run in the 2025 event. The 2026 event takes place today in Central Park!

June 6 – Prairie Burn 100 Gravel Bike Ride and 3K/5K Fun Run

The Prairie Burn 100 Gravel Bike Ride and 3K and 5K Fun Runs, hosted by Imagine Grinnell, will start in Grinnell’s Central Park this morning, June 6! Participants can sign up on-site for the 3K or 5K fun runs and gravel bike rides spanning 25-, 50-, and 100-kilometer routes. Residents and families are encouraged to visit Central Park to experience a full schedule of activities, including yoga in the park, the Grinnell Farmers Market, Storytime Art in the Park, food vendors including catering from Grinnell College Dining Services and La Penca, a beverage garden by Old Fashioned Spirits, live music with Ruari Brownell and band, and an awards ceremony.

June 16 – Grinnell College Golf Course “1899 Lounge” Ribbon Cutting

Join the Grinnell Chamber Ambassadors and Grinnell College Golf Course staff to officially open the 1899 Lounge, the golf course’s recently added indoor simulator space! A brief presentation will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the golf course (933 13th Ave.) with coffee and pastries.

June 18 – Grinnell Gathers Community Building Series

Join us from 5–6 p.m. in the Weingart Pavilion (1033 Broad St.) for a discussion about local philanthropy and the many ways that individuals and organizations choose to contribute to strengthen their local communities. Co-hosted by the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, and Grinnell College, this is the first in a year-long series of sessions offering an in-depth look at the many different ways communities come together and how you can get involved. Hear from neighbors, businesses, and organizations such as 100+ People Who Care, about the impact they hope to make. Free and open to the public. No RSVP required.

June 22 – Smithsonian Film Series: Coming to America

In partnership with the Grinnell College Staff Council, Grinnell College presents Coming to America in the Harris Center Cinema (1114 10th Ave.) at 12:30 p.m. as part of the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of America. This engaging film explores the rich history of immigration in the United States — from Einstein-mania to Sicilian pizza — and highlights how immigrants have shaped America’s identity, culture, and tastes. Special guest Joey Pagliai will share his family's story of coming to Iowa and how the experience shaped the family business, Pagliai’s Pizza.

July 2 – Grinnell College Golf Course’s Annual Light the Night Tournament

Grinnell College Golf Course invites golfers and spectators to its annual “Light the Night” elimination tournament played exclusively on hole #9. Beginning at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, golfers play head-to-head until one remains undefeated. Spectators are invited to watch while a DJ announces the players and keeps the energy pumping with music and entertainment! Sign

up today online, at the clubhouse (933 13th Ave.) or by calling 641-236-3590.

Through July 30 – Storytime Art in the Park

Grinnell College Museum of Art and Drake Community Library are partnering again this summer to offer free hands-on art and literacy activities for children and families at selected sites in Grinnell. Each session will offer art activities, books to read and take home, and food to take home. No registration is necessary. On Tuesdays, Grinnell Farm to Table will have free produce to take home as well. Supported by the Center for the Humanities, Grinnell Education Partnership, AmeriCorps, Seed Coalition, Grinnell Mutual, Grinnell Farm to Table, Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation/Poweshiek County Alliance and Lincoln Savings Bank.

Thursdays – Music in the Park

The Grinnell Area Arts Council invites the community to Central Park for its annual summer Music in the Park series, featuring music from old favorites and new finds, starting at 7 p.m. on Thursdays through July 30. See all dates and musical acts, including updates in case of inclement weather, by visiting the Grinnell Area Arts Council’s Facebook page.

Thursdays and Saturdays – Grinnell Farmers Market

The Grinnell Farmers Market, hosted by the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, is open each Thursday from 3–6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.–noon at Central Park in downtown Grinnell. Enjoy local foods and crafts, support local vendors, and meet new friends.

Summer Activities in Grinnell

Summer break is in full swing! See below for a brief list of local activities and recreational locations.

Drake Community Library

930 Park St.

Grinnell Mutual Family Aquatic Center

120 8th Ave. W.

Grinnell College Golf Course

933 13th Ave.

Grinnell Parks & Facilities

Various locations

Grinnell Parks & Recreation Programs

1500 Penrose St.

Grinnell Recreation Trail

Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve

15148 Jacob Ave.

Prairie Burn Weekly Gravel Rides

Various starting points

Poweshiek County Conservation

Various locations

Rock Creek State Park

5627 Rock Creek E St.

The Strand 3 Theatre

921 Main St.

• • •

Community Campus Tours

Interested in activities on campus? Learn more about the campus layout and amenities by registering for a campus tour. You can also request a tour of the Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA), located about five miles west of Grinnell. Those who sign up will receive more information via email with tour dates and times.

Community Partner Spotlight – Grinnell Newburg School Foundation

Pictured: Heather Cox of Grinnell College speaks with then incoming Grinnell-Newburg Community School District Superintendent, Lisa Beames, at a Grinnell Newburg School Foundation “Welcome to Grinnell” event.

When a community and its educational support teams truly align, the entire school district wins.

The partnership between Grinnell College and the Grinnell Newburg School Foundation (GNSF) focuses on identifying practical ways to support local schools, addressing both immediate and long-term educational needs. During the pandemic, the partners worked together to ensure digital equity by providing Wi-Fi hotspots for students transitioning to remote learning. Through the College’s Service Leadership Work Study program, Grinnell students gain hands-on experience while providing GNSF with vital assistance, such as language translation. The collaboration also helps build talent pipelines that connect Grinnell College resources and students directly into local classrooms.

This connection is maintained through consistent, active engagement, including an annual

district-wide tour. Each year, Jill Harris, representing the Grinnell Education Partnership as Grinnell College’s community development coordinator, joins Roger Henderson from Grinnell College’s education department as a field experience coordinator, and Liz Hansen, GNSF’s executive director, with representatives from GNSF to visit every building in the school district. During these visits, they meet with teachers to discuss classroom resources and determine how the College, the foundation, and the school district can best support one another.

“The benefits of our partnership with Grinnell College go many ways, and we do this intentionally,” says Hansen. “By focusing on our common interests, we are able to build a stronger set of resources for both our teachers and our students.”

Most recently, this partnership helped secure a $250,000 donation from Grinnell College in addition to a gift of $225,000 from the Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation for the new Grinnell Elementary School. This funding will directly improve daily student life by supporting an accessible playground, new furniture and fixtures, and enhanced gym equipment. By working together, these community partners are ensuring that the new school is well-equipped to serve local students for years to come.

Students Speak

“My time at the Grinnell Newburg School Foundation was truly fundamental to my Grinnell experience as I got to become involved with interpreting for multilingual families. Spending time getting to know families in the area and their story has been life changing and inspiring. Being able to work and collaborate with the team was a privilege that I had for the last three years!"

– Wiralba Pichardo ’25, GNSF Service Leadership Work-Study student

"Working at the GNSF has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I was able to engage more with the Grinnell community of vibrant students, families, teachers, and administrators to help make meetings and curriculum more accessible and equitable. One of my favorite parts was establishing the translator database, allowing parent-teacher conferences to be held in the native language of families and students involved. Being able to see families and students more engaged in these meetings was really meaningful and has inspired me to continue to pursue a career helping make education more accessible for diverse communities."

– Honor Hanau ’26, GNSF Service Leadership Work-Study student

Did You Know?

Serving Up a Sweet Pre-Prom Tradition

At the end of April, the Grinnell High School (GHS) held its annual prom dance for Junior and Senior high students. Before the dance, students enjoyed a pre-prom dinner at Grinnell College Golf Course hosted by Grinnell College Catering, a tradition originating in 2011. The College’s

catering team forms a prom committee made up of GHS students and parent volunteers to help guide menu development, build excitement, and increase attendance each year. One standout menu item is the “Fudge Overload” dessert, created specifically for this event. Featuring vanilla ice cream topped with hot fudge, Ghirardelli brownies, whipped cream, and a cherry, it returns every year by popular demand.

Community in Action at Weingart Pavilion

The Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion, located in Renfrow Hall, is designed to bring people together — creating opportunities for collaboration, learning, and shared experiences between campus and the greater Grinnell community. In May, a diverse

lineup of events — from personal storytelling and knitting gatherings to professional mentoring and arts education — brought that mission to life.

Photo Essay

Commencement 2026

View full photo essay.

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