Dear Parents and Families,

Spring has come to Grinnell, and it is a joy to see students outside, taking advantage of the beautiful campus we are fortunate to call home. Very soon, we will gather to send off the Class of 2024 as they Go Forth, Grinnellian! We're excited to welcome National Public Radio host Peter Sagal (of the news quiz show, Wait, Wait...Don't tell me!) as Commencement speaker and to award him an honorary degrees, as well as our other honorary degree recipients, Stuart Yeager '82, Alvin Irby '07, and Shane Rasmussen.

From the Middle of Everywhere, I am also pleased to share the appointment of JC Lopez as vice president of student affairs after a competitive national search. I am excited for this new phase of his leadership and am grateful for his collaborative vision for student life at Grinnell. In addition, Rabbi Sarah Brammer-Shlay has been appointed College chaplain and dean of religious life. It is an important part of Grinnell's tradition of self-governance that students participate in searches, and I am grateful to the students, as well as to the faculty, and staff, who served on the search committees, attended public interview sessions, and provided input during each process.

As I travel to meet with Grinnell supporters, I have had multiple opportunities to talk with families of current Grinnellians at these events. Each family and student has a story, and it's such a delight to hear your Grinnell stories firsthand. I wish you and your student a successful end to the academic year and an exceptional summer.

Warmly,

Anne

Anne F. Harris

President

Meet President Harris

Grinnell College will host "Connecting Grinnellians for the Common Good: an evening with President Anne F. Harris" in select cities. These events include a casual evening of appetizers, beverages, and conversations about the vision for Grinnell’s future. Families of Grinnellians are welcome! Learn more about dates and cities by visiting the Grinnell College Alumni website.

Brazilian family feels right at home in Grinnell

When Diego Coelho Rodrigues ’25 took a call from his mom in Brazil while training in Florida with the Grinnell College swimming team in January 2023, he had no idea the surprise she had in store. 

She inquired about the upcoming Midwest Conference Championship being held on Grinnell’s campus that February. Then she told him she would be there. “I was in shock,” Coelho Rodrigues recalls. While his mom, Alcita Coelho de Lima, has always been his biggest fan, he wasn’t expecting her to fly across two continents to cheer him on. 

The bond of family is incredibly important to Coelho Rodrigues, who comes from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. “We are always supportive of one another,” he says. “The hardest part of studying abroad is being apart. I love them and miss them so much.” 

Read More about Diego and his family

Celebrating parent donors on Scarlet & Give Back Day 2024

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Parents and Families Challenge this year – 622 parent donors generously gave $174,496 during the April 10 and 11 event. Special thanks to members of our Grinnell Parents and Families Leadership Council who provided the matching funds – giving $100 to the College for each of the first 500 gifts from parents of current students and/or alumni, up to $50,000.

Highlights from the Center for Careers, Life, and Service

New Episodes from the Going Forth Podcast

Going Forth is back! Stay tuned for new episodes dropping on Wednesdays in April. Host Adarsh Sharma ’27 is thrilled to bring you a podcast from the Center for Careers, Life, and Service at Grinnell College. Through conversations with alums and experts at the CLS, we explore what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose.

See All Episodes

News You Can Use

Need-Based Financial Aid for 2024–25

The Office of Financial Aid began receiving 2024-25 FAFSAs in mid-March. Financial aid notifications for the earliest applicants are expected beginning in mid-May. This is a little later than usual because of FAFSA processing issues with the U.S. Department of Education.

The deadline for domestic (U.S. citizen and eligible noncitizen) students who would like to apply for need-based financial aid for the 2024–25 academic year was April 1, 2024. Have your student check the online financial aid office (student login required) to confirm that all requirements have been submitted. More information is available on the Grinnell College website. Email the Office of Financial Aid if you have questions.

Academic Stress? Reach Out to Academic Advising!

The Academic Advising Office supplements your student’s faculty adviser by supporting a wide range of academic needs and learning development. From time management to project planning and study strategies, Grinnell’s team of learning specialists can help. Your student can access helpful guides on Academic Advising’s GrinnellShare site or make an appointment for one-on-one academic coaching, getting connected with academic resources, and more.

Student Health Insurance Billing

All students are billed for Student Health Insurance coverage every year they are enrolled. 

If students are insured under an ACA-compliant plan that provides in-network benefits in the state of Iowa, they are not required to be insured under the College plan. However, to be credited with the insurance premium charged on the student bill, students must waive the insurance each year prior to the publicized deadline. Coverage cannot be removed after the scheduled deadline. 

Please watch for health insurance billing information when fall bills are distributed in June.

Planning Ahead for Transferring Payments

Payment for tuition statements sent internationally or from college savings accounts require longer processing times.

Please initiate these payments as soon as possible after bills are available to make sure payment transfers are completed by the July 29 due date. Flexibility will not be provided for payment transfers requested after the due date.

Residence Life Key Dates

April 29: Summer Housing Application Closes

May 18: Halls close @ 5 p.m.

May 21: Halls close @ 12 p.m. for graduating seniors

Summer Storage

C&K Transfer will be on campus May 15-18, please look for schedules and pricing posted in the residence halls. Fees must be paid at the time that items are picked up (cash or check only). Students who currently have belongings in the trunk rooms will need to work with their Community Advisors to remove them by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 11. Residence LIfe is not responsible for items not removed by this deadline.

Mailing Services Key Dates

Fall Semester 2024: Students may mail packages for Fall semester as of Aug. 1, 2024 to the mail room at 1115 8th Ave [4-DIGIT BOX NO], Grinnell, IA 50112. Packages will be available for pickup beginning 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2024 and Aug. 24-25 from 10:00 a.m. - noon. Regular hours begin August 29. For more information, visit the Mail Services website.

Commencement at the Pioneer Bookstore

The Pioneer Bookshop has special hours for Commencement weekend.   Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday noon – 4 p.m.   

Commencement Caps & Gowns:  The Pioneer Bookshop will start selling the caps and gowns for 2024 Commencement on May 1, 2024.  The full set includes a cap, gown, tassel, and red satin stole. The price for a full set is $55.00.  Individual items can be purchased separately. Advance orders are not needed. The Pioneer Bookshop will stock an assortment of sizes by height. Samples are available to try on. 

Order personalized graduation announcements

Class t-shirts and bouquets of flowers are available for purchase online. Items will be available for pick up on Commencement morning, behind the Commencement seating area which is in front of Burling Library.  

Custom Diploma frames

Several options to choose from! A limited assortment of diploma frames will be available to purchase at the Pioneer Bookshop.

Pop Up Grinnell Gear Shop

The Pioneer Bookshop will be at Commencement with a selection of items appropriate for the weather including, sweatshirts, umbrellas, hats, and sunscreen as well as a few last-minute gift items. Find the pop-up tent in front of Burling Library, behind the Commencement seating area from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  The Main Street location will be closed during Commencement but will be open afterwards from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.