Schedule of Events

The Spencer Grill in the JRC is a great place to meet friends for morning coffee, a light breakfast or lunch, or some fresh-baked goodies. Open till late Thursday as the only venue serving food on campus.

This quiet space to preserve and share memories of classmates who have passed will be open all weekend for visits.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Welcome to Reunion! The Information Desk is here to make your experience smooth and enjoyable. Our team is happy to answer questions, provide assistance, and help you find what you need. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll gladly track it down or point you in the right direction.

Services Available:

• Event Information & Updates – Get the latest schedules, program details, and any changes.
• Campus Maps & Directions – Find your way around campus with maps and guidance.
• Meal additions – Add meals to your registration if needed.
• Name Badge Ribbons – Personalize your badge with ribbons.
• Printed Materials – Pick up extra schedules.
• Basic Toiletries – Forgot something? We have a supply of essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste.
• Lost & Found – Report or retrieve lost items during Reunion.
• Accessibility Support – Learn about available accommodations and resources.
• Emergency Contacts – Quick access to campus safety and medical assistance information.

Whatever you need, we’re here to help—stop by anytime!

The Grinnell Authors Display, featuring works by Grinnell alums, faculty, and staff, is proudly presented at the Pioneer Bookshop during regular business hours as posted throughout the weekend.

To have your original work included in the display, please complete and submit the registration form by May 1, 2026.

Shuttle and golf cart service is available throughout Reunion weekend.

To request golf cart transportation on campus or shuttle service to/from the local motels and hotels, please call 641-269-4403 during open hours to arrange pickup.

In addition, shuttle van or bus service is available for CERA Tours, Observatory Tours and all off-campus Reunion events. All shuttles depart from outside the south entrance of the Joe Rosenfield Center (near JRC 101).

Please sign up in the JRC Lobby to reserve your spot for a student-led campus tour. Tours depart from the JRC Mailroom.

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

Help the Burling Library Special Collections and Archives staff identify photographs from your time at Grinnell. Special Collections and Archives staff will host a table in the JRC lobby, asking alumni to help identify people, places, and events in our photograph collection. We will have photos available from every class celebrating Reunion, so please stop by and lend a hand!

This market is 100 percent a producer's market; all vendors must sell products they produce themselves. With dozens of vendors, there is never a shortage of things to buy and see: locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, honey, jams, plants and flowers, hand-made crafts, and more!

In case of rain, this event will be canceled.

Please sign up in the JRC Lobby to reserve your spot for a student-led campus tour. Tours depart from the JRC Mailroom.

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

Grinnell College operates a local shuttle van that stops at various shopping and care destinations around Grinnell, including McNally’s, Hy-Vee, Walmart, Urgent Care, and downtown Grinnell. 

• The shuttle runs from Wednesday, May 27, through Saturday, May 30, from 4 to 10 p.m. daily, departing campus on the hour. 
• Departs from the front of the Noyce Science Center.
• If 8th Avenue is closed for a Reunion event, the shuttle departs from the corner of 8th Avenue and East Street. 
• Show your Reunion badge as your ticket for a free ride.
• Riders missing the last shuttle of the evening will be responsible for finding their way back to campus. 
  

Visit the Local Transportation website for more information and a detailed schedule.

In gratitude for your volunteer service and to provide a space to connect over your support of the college, we invite class agents, class fund directors, and their guests to a casual reception in the Global Event Room, located on the north end of the first floor of the Humanities and Social Studies Center (HSSC).

Please sign up in the JRC Lobby to reserve your spot for a student-led campus tour. Tours depart from the JRC Mailroom.

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

Alumni, their families, staff, and students are welcome to attend. 

Join faculty from the Department of Biology on a tour of the College's biological field station. This one-mile hike will take you through reconstructed prairie and restored savanna, along Willow Creek and Perry Pond, and through two experimental plot arrays. It will end with a brief tour of the Environmental Education Center.

The tour size is limited. Reservations are available only when you register for Reunion. The CERA tour departs from the JRC Lobby.

In case of rain, this event will be canceled.

The CERA trails are also open for self-guided exploration daily sunrise to sunset. The education building is open 9am to 5pm Thursday and Friday during Reunion.

For more information visit the CERA website.

Members of the 2020, 2021, and 2022 classes are invited to join your Reunion Planning Committee as we kick off this weekend of reconnecting. After 10 p.m., you are welcome to BYOB!

Rain Location: Bob's Underground

Members of the class of 2016 are invited to join your Reunion Planning Committee as we kick off this weekend of reconnecting. After 10 p.m., you are welcome to BYOB!

Rain Location: Haines Hall Lounge 

Members of the class of 2001 are invited to join your Reunion Planning Committee as we kick off this weekend of reconnecting. BYOB after 10 p.m.

Rain Location: Bear Main Lobby 

Members of the 1995, 1996, and 1997 classes are invited to join your Reunion Planning Committee as we kick off this weekend of reconnecting. After 10 p.m., you are welcome to BYOB!

Rain Location: Golf Course Clubhouse 

Members of the 1986 and 1987 classes are invited to join your Reunion Planning Committee and classmates as we kick off this weekend of reconnecting. After 10 p.m., you are welcome to BYOB!

Rain Location: Main Hall, First Floor Lounge 

Members of the class of 1976 are invited to join your Reunion Planning Committee as we kick off this weekend of reconnecting.

Members of the 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972 classes are invited to join your Reunion Planning Committee and classmates as we kick off this weekend of reconnecting.

Rain Location: HSSC Atrium

Members of the 1961 and 1962 classes are invited to join your Reunion Planning Committee and classmates as we kick off this weekend of reconnecting.

Members of the class of 1956 are invited to join your Reunion Planning Committee and classmates as we kick off this weekend of reconnecting.

Join the Class of 2016 for "Sips and Stars," a heavenly kick-off for our ten-year college reunion! Reconnect with classmates at the Observatory as you star gaze and enjoy a selection of beverages. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, reminisce, and make new memories on your reunion picnic blanket under a blanket of stars.

You'll find All-Reunion After-Party tucked in the middle of campus, further from dorms where Reunion celebrants sleep. Turn off that sound system at your class or cluster tent at or before midnight, and come to Kington Plaza. Make new Grinnellian friends from across the years, or pull up to a table with your classmates. BYOB and please check the sign-up sheet for sound system control by the speakers!

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

The Spencer Grill in the JRC is a great place to meet friends for morning coffee, a light breakfast or lunch, or some fresh-baked goodies. 

Join your classmates at the cluster tent for grilled bagels and Bloody Marys. 

Join faculty from the Department of Biology on a tour of the College's biological field station. This one-mile hike will take you through reconstructed prairie and restored savanna, along Willow Creek and Perry Pond, and through two experimental plot arrays. It will end with a brief tour of the Environmental Education Center.

The tour size is limited. Reservations are available only when you register for Reunion.

The CERA tour departs from the JRC Lobby.

In case of rain, this event will be canceled. 

The CERA trails are also open for self-guided exploration daily sunrise to sunset. The education building is open 9am to 5pm Thursday and Friday during Reunion.

This quiet space to preserve and share memories of classmates who have passed will be open all weekend for visits.

Thursday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Shuttle and golf cart service is available throughout Reunion weekend.

To request golf cart transportation on campus or shuttle service to/from the local motels and hotels, please call 641-269-4403 during open hours to arrange pickup.

In addition, shuttle van or bus service is available for CERA Tours, Observatory Tours and all off-campus Reunion events. All shuttles depart from outside the south entrance of the Joe Rosenfield Center (near JRC 101).

Welcome to Reunion! The Information Desk is here to make your experience smooth and enjoyable. Our team is happy to answer questions, provide assistance, and help you find what you need. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll gladly track it down or point you in the right direction.

Services Available:

• Event Information & Updates – Get the latest schedules, program details, and any changes.
• Campus Maps & Directions – Find your way around campus with maps and guidance.
• Meal additions – Add meals to your registration if needed.
• Name Badge Ribbons – Personalize your badge with ribbons.
• Printed Materials – Pick up extra schedules.
• Basic Toiletries – Forgot something? We have a supply of essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste.
• Lost & Found – Report or retrieve lost items during Reunion.
• Accessibility Support – Learn about available accommodations and resources.
• Emergency Contacts – Quick access to campus safety and medical assistance information.

Whatever you need, we’re here to help—stop by anytime!

Alumni, their families, staff, and students are welcome to attend.

The Grinnell Authors Display, featuring works by Grinnell alums, faculty, and staff, is proudly presented at the Pioneer Bookshop during regular business hours as posted throughout the weekend.

To have your original work included in the display, please complete and submit the registration form by May 1, 2026.

Explore Grinnell and the Iowa countryside in this guided ride with the Prairie Burners. The group will bike approximately 10 miles on gentle mixed surfaces. Please contact reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu with any mobility needs so the route may be planned accordingly.

Note: Bike reservations were required by May 15. Please bring your own bike if you did not reserve one.

Prairie Burners are a group of gravel bike enthusiasts who have a weekly ride in and around Grinnell on gravel. This is an initiative of Imagine Grinnell with a fundraising event called Prairie Burn 100 with gravel loops of 25, 50 or 100 miles. They also have a 5K fun run event at the same time.

Visit Prairie Burn 100 website with activities and sign up information. 

Support Imagine Grinnelll and/or the Grinnell Bike Share program here!

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled. 

The Meskwaki Settlement and the Amana Colonies: "Why Grinnell's Most Distinctive Neighbors Left Their Homelands and Built Communities in Iowa"

Re-experience the intellectual stimulation of the classroom with Grinnell College faculty Jon Andelson '70.

Enjoy a round of nine holes of gold on the beautiful Grinnell Golf Course. Bring your clubs; carts will be provided. Preregistration is required. 

This event will be canceled in case of inclement weather.

Come share your story! The Alumni Oral History Project aims to better understand and share Grinnell College's history by recording and preserving the oral histories of our alumni community. Individuals or small groups are welcome.

Please sign up during reunion registration if you are interested in participating. One representative may hold the reservation for a small group. Reunion Student Staff will contact you the week before your arrival on campus to schedule your specific half-hour time slot and arrange a meeting location.

 Spontaneous recordings are possible in Spencer Grill - keep a lookout for Reunion Student Staff with portable recording equipment!

Please sign up in the JRC Lobby to reserve your spot for a student-led campus tour. Tours depart from the JRC Mailroom.

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

Led by Aguibou Sanou, assistant professor of theatre, dance, and performance studies.

Yeleen Falleen, in Bambara and Dioula (spoken in Mali and Burkina Faso), can be translated as the exchange of light or the growth of light. Light is a vital source of energy — the light of the sun, the light of the soul, the light of the heart — and also the light as a trace of the ancestors.

This gathering is a moment of encounter — a meeting of many lights from diverse horizons. Yeleen Falleen is intended as a space of connection between Grinnellians and alumni, a place where we explore how a single movement or a single word can spark the creation of something collective.

The workshop will feature movements from traditional Mandingue dances, blended with everyday gestures. These movements will serve as our ingredients — our spices — to "cook" a shared creation: a collective dance, born from our lights coming together.

Join John C. Rommereim, Blanche Johnson Professor of Music, to rehearse for performance during Saturday afternoon’s 4:30 Alumni Assembly.

Please note that a dress rehearsal is also scheduled at 3:45 on Saturday, just before the Alumni Assembly. Both rehearsals are required.

The Grinnell College Disability Cultural Center aims to form a diverse, disability-centered community for students, faculty, and staff. We seek to empower our community by expanding our views of normality and success. We aim to foster campus connections and revolutionize Grinnell’s view of disability. Through advocacy, we will make Grinnell College’s disability culture prominent and respected.

Join us at the Conney M. Kimbo Black Cultural Center (BCC) to learn more about the new affinity group, the Grinnell Black Alumni Network. We will enjoy spending time together and seeing the improvements made to the house.

The BCC seeks to unify students across the African Diaspora by centering Black voices and experiences in a global and intersectional community. It also aspires to build individual agency and collective understanding, contributing to a sense of belonging and tradition.

The Grinnell College Preschool provides a high-quality preschool program for the College and town while serving as a research lab for Grinnell students and faculty. Preschool staff members use developmentally appropriate practices to create a supportive, nurturing learning environment that meets individual needs and encourages children’s natural curiosity.

Join faculty from the Department of Biology on a tour of the College's biological field station. This one-mile hike will take you through reconstructed prairie and restored savanna, along Willow Creek and Perry Pond, and through two experimental plot arrays. It will end with a brief tour of the Environmental Education Center.

The tour size is limited. Reservations are available only when you register for Reunion.

The CERA tour departs from the JRC Lobby.

In case of rain, this event will be canceled.

The CERA trails are also open for self-guided exploration daily sunrise to sunset. The education building is open 9am to 5pm Thursday and Friday during Reunion.

For more information visit the CERA website.

Join Craig Gibbens `95 for an open house at the Stew Makerspace to learn about its role as a creative hub for the entire Grinnell community, and make buttons to celebrate Reunion. The "Stew" serves over 20% of all students and dozens of community members through activities that include ceramics, woodworking, 3D printing, and much more! The program is a collaboration between the Grinnell Area Arts Council and the Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership.

Sponsored by the 30th Reunion Classes

Conexiones is an affinity group for Latine alumni. Spend some time in the new Latinx/e Cultural Center (LCC) with us and learn more about how you can get involved.

Join Pan-Asian alumni for a casual reception and discussion about forming an affinity group.

Enjoy a walking tour of downtown Grinnell hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Bring your questions and your camera. Revisit some of your old haunts and see new businesses and buildings that are part of Grinnell's thriving culture.

This tour will take place rain or shine.

Departs from the Goodnow Hall front portico, 1118 Park Street.

Our 45-50 minute “Fun, Fun, Fun,” Water Aerobics class will start with 5 minutes of warm up followed by 40 minutes of exercises addressing cardio-vascular, strength, speed and flexibility fitness components. Water dumbbells, noodles and the pool wall will be used. Class will finish with a short cool-down and flexibility work before exiting the pool. A microphone & speaker will be used by the instructor. The class will be in the shallow end of the pool. No previous experience is required.

In keeping with Grinnell’s mission and core values, the Liberal Arts in Prison Program enrolls incarcerated students in a demanding, rich college program that offers up to sixty credits from Grinnell College. Through this work, we foster reciprocal learning that enriches lives inside and outside the fences and affirms the power of liberal arts education to support human flourishing. The prison program is at Newton Correctional Facility (a medium-security men’s prison) and the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women in Mitchellville (the only women’s prison in Iowa). Join former incarcerated students, program director Emily Guenther ’07, program coordinator Molly Campe '96, and faculty members for a panel discussion about the program's impact.

Help the Burling Library Special Collections and Archives staff identify photographs from your time at Grinnell. Special Collections and Archives staff will host a table in the JRC lobby, asking alumni to help identify people, places, and events in our photograph collection. We will have photos available from every class celebrating Reunion, so please stop by and lend a hand!

Please sign up in the JRC Lobby to reserve your spot for a student-led campus tour. Tours depart from the JRC Mailroom.

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

Explore (and enjoy!) an array of offerings based on recipes created by international students.

A special tour of campus for younger Reunion guests led by Reunion Student Staff. The tour departs from and concludes at the Information Desk in the JRC Lobby.

Join President Anne F. Harris and distinguished alumni for a discussion on the intersection of higher education, civic life, and social responsibility as they explore what civic trust means today and how institutions (and individuals) can help restore it.

Imam Abdul Muhaymin Priester will host Jumu'a Prayer in the Muslim Prayer Room.

Enjoy a walking tour of downtown Grinnell hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Bring your questions and your camera. Revisit some of your old haunts and see new businesses and buildings that are part of Grinnell's thriving culture.

This tour will take place rain or shine.

Departs from the Goodnow Hall front portico, 1118 Park Street.

Join for a relaxed and welcoming gathering uniting faculty, staff, and alums. Grab a snack or drink from the Global Cafe and pull up to a table for a game and conversation.

Stop by the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice to tour the space. See the Muslim and Hindu Prayer and cultural rooms, meditation spaces, lending library, food pantry, student lounges, and more. Enjoy a beverage and snack in our comfy chairs while meeting CRSSJ staff and fellow alumni.

Join the athletic staff, current coaches, and former coaches for a reception celebrating Grinnell Athletics. There will be a short program. Preregistration is recommended but not required.

Civic Education and Innovation staff in the CLS offer a suite of "Social Justice Tours" for student groups and classes throughout the academic year, each focused on the intersectional nature of a particular community social justice or environmental challenge. This year, we will offer reunion participants a more general version of the tour to introduce you to the local Grinnell context and how students, faculty, and community members collaborate to address regional challenges. Focused on some of Grinnell's core community players, you will venture beyond a conventional tour to grapple with challenging ethical concepts and begin to identify your distinctive role as alumni in the fabric of civic life at Grinnell.

Please sign up in the JRC lobby to reserve your spot. This will be a walking tour departing from the John Chrystal Center lobby. Please indicate on the sign-up sheet or inform the Reunion Help Desk if you need accommodations or a golf cart.

In case of rain, this event will be canceled.

Join alumni from Grinnell's LGBTQIA and ally community for this reception in the Stonewall Resource Center. Founded in 2023, Grinnell Rainbow Alumni is the college's first alumni affinity group.

Alumni, their families, staff, and students are welcome to attend.

Grinnell College operates a local shuttle van that stops at various shopping and care destinations around Grinnell, including McNally’s, Hy-Vee, Walmart, Urgent Care, and downtown Grinnell.

• The shuttle runs from Wednesday, May 27, through Saturday, May 30, from 4 to 10 p.m. daily, departing campus on the hour.
• Departs from the front of the Noyce Science Center.
• If 8th Avenue is closed for a Reunion event, the shuttle departs from the corner of 8th Avenue and East Street.
• Show your Reunion badge as your ticket for a free ride.
• Riders missing the last shuttle of the evening will be responsible for finding their way back to campus. 

Visit the Local Transportation website for more information and a detailed schedule.

Check in with staff at either end of the food truck parade to have your name badge scanned and receive your food truck tokens. Exchange a token (or more, for larger plates) for a dish from the array of food trucks on Central Campus. Children can pick up a meal for one token at the Kids’ Tent or use their tokens at the food trucks.

To ensure everyone can enjoy their meal comfortably, please wait to choose a seat until after you’ve gotten your food. This helps guests who are ready to eat find a place to sit. If you have any trouble locating a seat, Reunion staff will be happy to assist you.

If you are getting beer or wine, please be prepared to show your ID (to verify age) and name badge to receive a wristband. Sparkling water, sodas, and cups for the water monsters will be available self-serve.

Food truck lines look long? Feel free to grab something from one of the beverage tents and enjoy the music, games, and other activities while the line settles.

* In case of rain, the live music and street artists will move to the JRC. Food trucks will be relocated to 8th Avenue to allow dining in the Marketplace Dining Hall. Classes will be asked to arrive at more staggered times to help with the lines. More information will be sent to the contact you provided in registration if rain plans become necessary.

This reception is by invitation only for College volunteers and leadership donors.

Rain Location: HSSC - Atrium 

Join fellow Reunion attendees for a fun evening of live music by alumni bands, games, street artists, food trucks, and more!

* In case of rain, the live music and street artists will move to the JRC. Food trucks will be relocated to 8th Avenue to allow for dining in the Marketplace Dining Hall. Classes will be asked to arrive at more staggered times to help with the lines. More information will be sent to the contact you provided in registration if rain plans become necessary.

A brief service followed by blessings over challah and wine in the Chaverim Lounge on the second floor of the JRC. Chaverim, the Grinnell College Jewish student organization, is a diverse community where students celebrate and learn about Judaism. Reunion's Shabbat Blessing is open to all, and preregistration is not required.

... their performance at the Commencement stage during Reunion Block Party promises an inspiring and unforgettable celebration of culture and sustainability.

Rain Location: Marketplace Dining Hall 

Preregistration by May 15 is recommended to ensure availability. 

For more information on Reunion Childcare, please visit https://alumni.grinnell.edu/events/reunion/childcare

A celebratory dinner for the class of 2001. 

A special celebratory dinner for the class of 1956.

The Classes of 1968–1972 will celebrate together with live music by Independent 398, dancing, and complimentary beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. A cash bar will be available for spirits.

Sponsored by the 55th Reunion Planning Committee.

Professor Bob Cadmus will show you the stars. You can walk to the observatory or take a shuttle departing from the JRC parking lot approximately every half hour. The last shuttle departs at 10:45 p.m.

The Grinnell Rainbow Alumni are excited to present the fifth Grinnell College Reunion Drag Show. The event has become a successful and enduring tradition for Grinnell College students since 2006. The extravaganza, which occurs in the fall and spring, raises money for various LGBTQIA+ organizations on and off campus. It is an event that encapsulates the lasting spirit of Grinnell: a celebration of diversity with a commitment to social justice. Come see what all the fuss is about! This performance includes flashing lights and loud music. Capacity is limited, so please arrive early.

You'll find All-Reunion After-Party tucked in the middle of campus, further from dorms where Reunion celebrants sleep. Turn off that sound system at your class or cluster tent at or before midnight, and come to Kington Plaza. Make new Grinnellian friends from across the years, or pull up to a table with your classmates. Please share control of the sound system and bring your own beverage!

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

Revisit an old tradition at the new bakery. Grin City Bakery will serve some familiar favorites and some new, soon-to-be favorites, too.

Meet at the steps of Herrick Chapel, then head to Grin City Bakery at 934 Main St.

The Spencer Grill in the JRC is a great place to meet friends for morning coffee, a light breakfast or lunch, or some fresh-baked goodies. 

A tradition for more than 20 years, the Alumni Fun Run/Walk is a great way to start your Reunion Saturday.

This event will be canceled in case of inclement weather.

Join faculty from the Department of Biology on a tour of the College's biological field station. This one-mile hike will take you through reconstructed prairie and restored savanna, along Willow Creek and Perry Pond, and through two experimental plot arrays. It will end with a brief tour of the Environmental Education Center.

The tour size is limited. Reservations are available only when you register for Reunion. The CERA tour departs from the JRC Lobby.

In case of rain, this event will be canceled.

The CERA trails are also open for self-guided exploration daily sunrise to sunset. The education building is open 9am to 5pm Thursday and Friday during Reunion.

For more information visit the CERA website.

This quiet space to preserve and share memories of classmates who have passed will be open all weekend for visits.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Shuttle and golf cart service is available throughout Reunion weekend.

To request golf cart transportation on campus or shuttle service to/from the local motels and hotels, please call 641-269-4403 during open hours to arrange pickup.

In addition, shuttle van or bus service is available for CERA Tours, Observatory Tours and all off-campus Reunion events. All shuttles depart from outside the south entrance of the Joe Rosenfield Center (near JRC 101). 

Welcome to Reunion! The Information Desk is here to make your experience smooth and enjoyable. Our team is happy to answer questions, provide assistance, and help you find what you need. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll gladly track it down or point you in the right direction.

Services Available:

• Event Information & Updates – Get the latest schedules, program details, and any changes.
• Campus Maps & Directions – Find your way around campus with maps and guidance.
• Meal additions – Add meals to your registration if needed.
• Name Badge Ribbons – Personalize your badge with ribbons.
• Printed Materials – Pick up extra schedules. Basic
• Toiletries – Forgot something? We have a supply of essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste.
• Lost & Found – Report or retrieve lost items during Reunion.
• Accessibility Support – Learn about available accommodations and resources.
• Emergency Contacts – Quick access to campus safety and medical assistance information.

Whatever you need, we’re here to help—stop by anytime!

Please sign up in the JRC Lobby to reserve your spot for a student-led campus tour. Tours depart from the JRC Mailroom.

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

Join for a relaxed and welcoming gathering uniting faculty, staff, and alums at the Mayflower Community. Enjoy light refreshments, explore the Mayflower's beautiful spaces, and engage in meaningful conversation.

The Grinnell Authors Display, featuring works by Grinnell alums, faculty, and staff, is proudly presented at the Pioneer Bookshop during regular business hours as posted throughout the weekend.

To have your original work included in the display, please complete and submit the registration form by May 1, 2026.

Come share your story! The Alumni Oral History Project aims to better understand and share Grinnell College's history by recording and preserving the oral histories of our alumni community. Individuals or small groups are welcome.

Please sign up during reunion registration if you are interested in participating. One representative may hold the reservation for a small group. Reunion Student Staff will contact you the week before your arrival on campus to schedule your specific half-hour time slot and arrange a meeting location.

Spontaneous recordings are possible in Spencer Grill - keep a lookout for Reunion Student Staff with portable recording equipment!

Led by Aguibou Sanou, assistant professor of theatre, dance, and performance studies.

Yeleen Falleen, in Bambara and Dioula (spoken in Mali and Burkina Faso), can be translated as the exchange of light or the growth of light. Light is a vital source of energy — the light of the sun, the light of the soul, the light of the heart — and also the light as a trace of the ancestors.

This gathering is a moment of encounter — a meeting of many lights from diverse horizons. Yeleen Falleen is intended as a space of connection between Grinnellians and alumni, a place where we explore how a single movement or a single word can spark the creation of something collective.

The workshop will feature movements from traditional Mandingue dances, blended with everyday gestures. These movements will serve as our ingredients — our spices — to "cook" a shared creation: a collective dance, born from our lights coming together.

Civic Education and Innovation staff in the CLS offer a suite of "Social Justice Tours" for student groups and classes throughout the academic year, each focused on the intersectional nature of a particular community social justice or environmental challenge. This year, we will offer reunion participants a more general version of the tour to introduce you to the local Grinnell context and how students, faculty, and community members collaborate to address regional challenges. Focused on some of Grinnell's core community players, you will venture beyond a conventional tour to grapple with challenging ethical concepts and begin to identify your distinctive role as alumni in the fabric of civic life at Grinnell.

Please sign up in the JRC lobby to reserve your spot. This will be a walking tour departing from the John Chrystal Center lobby. Please indicate on the sign-up sheet or inform the Reunion Help Desk if you need accommodations or a golf cart.

In case of rain, this event will be canceled.

This market is 100 percent a producer's market; all vendors must sell products they produce themselves. With dozens of vendors, there is never a shortage of things to buy and see: locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, honey, jams, plants and flowers, hand-made crafts, and more!

In case of rain, this event will be canceled.

Join faculty from the Department of Biology on a tour of the College's biological field station. This one-mile hike will take you through reconstructed prairie and restored savanna, along Willow Creek and Perry Pond, and through two experimental plot arrays. It will end with a brief tour of the Environmental Education Center.

The tour size is limited. Reservations are available only when you register for Reunion.

The CERA tour departs from the JRC Lobby.

In case of rain, this event will be canceled.

The CERA trails are also open for self-guided exploration daily sunrise to sunset. The education building is open 9am to 5pm Thursday and Friday during Reunion.

For more information visit the CERA website.

Join Craig Gibbens `95 for an open house at the Stew Makerspace to learn about its role as a creative hub for the entire Grinnell community, and make buttons to celebrate Reunion. The "Stew" serves over 20% of all students and dozens of community members through activities that include ceramics, woodworking, 3D printing, and much more! The program is a collaboration between the Grinnell Area Arts Council and the Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership.

Sponsored by the 30th Reunion Classes

The class of 2016 celebrates its 10th Reunion with a special brunch featuring puppies, pancakes, professors, and President Anne F. Harris. A short program will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Lessons in History and Humility

Sponsored by the 55th Cluster and open to all.

We start with a 16-minute documentary directed by David Hechler ’72 featuring an exhibit in Burling Basement created by AJ Morey ’73 and David on activism at Grinnell in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It includes interviews with students who were there at that time along with images installed by recent students about their “Occupy Grinnell” initiative. The film is followed by a 17-minute video created by Chris Anderson ’72 that’s a slide show of photographs from the same period paired with iconic music from that era. We end with a discussion about how it all looks to us now. Audience participation required.

Please come to the rotunda in the Bucksbaum Fine Arts Center to check in prior to your class's assigned time! Your class photo will be taken in Sebring-Lewis Hall.

• 10:30 - 2001
• 10:45 - 1995
• 11:00 - 1996
• 11:15 - 1997
• 11:30 - 1976
• 12:15 - 1968 & 1969
• 1:00 - 1972
• 1:15 - 1971
• 1:30 - 1970
• 1:45 - 2020
• 2:00 - 2021
• 2:15 - 2022
• 2:30 - 2016
• 2:45 - 1986
• 3:00 - 1987
• 3:15 - 1961 & 1962

In the weeks after Reunion, we will send you a link to your class photo's free download.

Help the Burling Library Special Collections and Archives staff identify photographs from your time at Grinnell. Special Collections and Archives staff will host a table in the JRC lobby, asking alumni to help identify people, places, and events in our photograph collection. We will have photos available from every class celebrating Reunion, so please stop by and lend a hand!

Renfrow Hall, a one-of-a-kind facility that encompasses student housing, the Social Innovator in Residence program, and the Katherine Howell Weingart ‘61 Civic Innovation Pavilion, will be open for drop-in visitors between noon and 3:30 p.m. Please enter Renfrow Hall through the south tower doors.

One-time only screening followed by Q and A with director JB Letchinger ‘87 and John Jensen, pianist. This new 25 minute film celebrates the life and legacy of John Jensen—classical pianist, jazz musician, and beloved teacher. A longtime Grinnell College artist-in-residence and member of the renowned Mirecourt Trio with Terry King and Ken Goldsmith, Jensen shaped generations of students through his artistry and mentorship. The film follows Jensen at age 80 as he rehearses and performs in Northern California, reflecting on music, teaching, and resilience. Featuring interviews with former students, collaborators, and Mirecourt co-founder Terry King, "Jensen’s Still At It" is a moving portrait of a musician whose influence spans six decades. Created with generous support from Grinnell alumni, former students, and friends, the documentary underscores the enduring impact of Jensen’s inspiration across the Grinnell community and beyond.

Link to trailer. 

Please sign up in the JRC Lobby to reserve your spot for a student-led campus tour. Tours depart from the JRC Mailroom.

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

For all classes and clusters! Join your classmates at your class/cluster banner on Mac Field to relax, reminisce, and recharge in whatever way suits you best.

There will be a wide variety of activities available, including an inflatable obstacle course on Ward Field, the beloved glitter truck with Tilly Woodward, and plenty of yard games.

Get ready to dance to, or in this case, to chill to your favorite songs at Reunion! Download the “Request Box” app onto your phone or tablet. No need to create a login. Simply open the app, search for “Grinnell Reunion” and select the event you’re attending. Click the “+” icon in the bottom center of your screen to add a song. It’s that easy! The app will be available for All-Reunion Mac Chill Time and the Harris Dance Party on Saturday.

Rain Location: Bear Athletic and Recreation Center

Explore (and enjoy!) an array of offerings based on recipes created by international students.

The 1968–1972 Cluster Program for Reunion 2026 (May 29–31) will include six concurrent, 90-minute discussion sessions on different topics. Each session begins with brief opening remarks from a cluster expert, followed by a facilitated discussion among 10–15 participants. You’ll select your session when registering online for Reunion. We ask that participants remain in their chosen session for the full 90 minutes.

Discussion Sessions:

• America's Role in the World
• Higher Education
• Law & The Courts
• Media & Journalism
• Natural Environment
• The Arts

This session will give members of the Class of '76 an opportunity to share reflections on returning for our 50th reunion, what was meaningful about your "Grinnell experience," and how that experience shapes (or does not shape) your response to our present moment in history. To help ensure that everyone has a chance to speak, participants will be assigned to one of several small groups.

TBD

The Alumni Choir will meet in Herrick Chapel for a short dress rehearsal before the Alumni Assembly performance.

Grinnell College operates a local shuttle van that stops at various shopping and care destinations around Grinnell, including McNally’s, Hy-Vee, Walmart, Urgent Care, and downtown Grinnell.

• The shuttle runs from Wednesday, May 27, through Saturday, May 30, from 4 to 10 p.m. daily, departing campus on the hour.
• Departs from the front of the Noyce Science Center.
• If 8th Avenue is closed for a Reunion event, the shuttle departs from the corner of 8th Avenue and East Street.
• Show your Reunion badge as your ticket for a free ride.
• Riders missing the last shuttle of the evening will be responsible for finding their way back to campus. 
  

Visit the Local Transportation website for more information and a detailed schedule.

The premier event of the weekend. All alumni are encouraged to attend. 

Learn more about the 2026 Alumni Award recipients online.

Immediately following the Alumni Assembly, enjoy a festive drink reception in the HSSC Atrium—a perfect opportunity to reconnect with classmates, share memories, and toast to this milestone. Drinks will be served before we gather for dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Marketplace Dining Hall.

A special opportunity for our 65th reunion classes of 1961 and 1962 to celebrate this milestone Reunion with special guests!

A special opportunity for our 70th reunion class of 1956 to celebrate this milestone Reunion. 

Join all Reunion attendees for dinner! Meals may be enjoyed in Younker Grove or at your class or cluster tent.

To ensure everyone can enjoy their meal comfortably, please wait to choose a seat until after you’ve gotten your food. This helps guests who are ready to eat find a place to sit. If you have any trouble locating a seat, Reunion staff will be happy to assist you.

In case of inclement weather, this event will be moved inside to the Marketplace, and classes will be assigned specific times in order to allow seating for all. We appreciate your cooperation with a rain plan if it is necessary.

Preregistration by May 15 is recommended to ensure availability. 

Join us for a warm and joyful evening as we gather to celebrate the 55th Reunion of our remarkable class. The bar will open at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Shuttles will be available from the Rosenfield Center. There is also a large parking lot adjacent to the Clubhouse if you prefer to drive yourself.

Join us for a warm and joyful evening as we gather to celebrate the 50th Reunion of our remarkable class. Drinks will be served in the HSSC Atrium after Alumni Assembly, to be followed by dinner at 6:30 in the Marketplace Dining Hall.

Enjoy acoustic folk and bluegrass music performed by some of your favorite Grinnell professors. This is a substance-free event.

Alumni, their families, staff, and students are welcome to attend.

Drum roll please, for The Loggia Patrol now performing in Loose Lounge.

Sponsored by the 50th Reunion Class of 1976.

The classes of 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972 will join together for music with Independent 398, dancing, and beverages (adult and N/A). Sponsored by the 55th Reunion Planning Committee.

Please present your name badge for entrance to the party. 

Get ready to dance to your favorite songs at Reunion! Download the “Request Box” app onto your phone or tablet. No need to create a login. Simply open the app, search for “Grinnell Reunion” and select the event you’re attending. Click the “+” icon in the bottom center of your screen to add a song. It’s that easy! The app will be available for All-Reunion Mac Chill Time and the Harris Dance Party on Saturday.

Professor Bob Cadmus will show you the stars. You can walk to the observatory or take a shuttle departing from the JRC parking lot approximately every half hour. The last shuttle departs at 10:45 p.m.

You'll find All-Reunion After-Party tucked in the middle of campus, further from dorms where Reunion celebrants sleep. Turn off that sound system at your class or cluster tent at or before midnight, and come to Kington Plaza. Make new Grinnellian friends from across the years, or pull up to a table with your classmates. Please share control of the sound system and bring your own beverage!

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

The Spencer Grill in the JRC is a great place to meet friends for morning coffee, a light breakfast or lunch, or some fresh-baked goodies.

Herrick Chapel is open for self-guided prayer or reflection. Please visit the Reunion Help Desk in the JRC lobby for a guide to Sunday morning services at Grinnell's community churches. 

Shuttle and golf cart service is available throughout Reunion weekend.

To request golf cart transportation on campus or shuttle service to/from the local motels and hotels, please call 641-269-4403 during open hours to arrange pickup.

All shuttles depart from outside the south entrance of the Joe Rosenfield Center (near JRC 101).

Welcome to Reunion! The Information Desk is here to make your experience smooth and enjoyable. Our team is happy to answer questions, provide assistance, and help you find what you need. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll gladly track it down or point you in the right direction.

Services Available:

• Event Information & Updates – Get the latest schedules, program details, and any changes.
• Campus Maps & Directions – Find your way around campus with maps and guidance.
• Meal additions – Add meals to your registration if needed.
• Name Badge Ribbons – Personalize your badge with ribbons.
• Printed Materials – Pick up extra schedules.
• Basic Toiletries – Forgot something? We have a supply of essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste.
• Lost & Found – Report or retrieve lost items during Reunion.
• Accessibility Support – Learn about available accommodations and resources.
• Emergency Contacts – Quick access to campus safety and medical assistance information.

Whatever you need, we’re here to help—stop by anytime!

This quiet space to preserve and share memories of classmates who have passed will be open all weekend for visits.

End the weekend right. This is the perfect setting to say goodbye before heading home. 

Make one last stop before you leave Grinnell!

The Grinnell Authors Display, featuring works by Grinnell alums, faculty, and staff, is proudly presented at the Pioneer Bookshop during regular business hours as posted throughout the weekend.

To have your original work included in the display, please complete and submit the registration form by May 1, 2026.

Join fellow alum and community members for an ecumenical worship service with music. All Are Welcome. No Matter where you come from, No matter what you believe or doubt, No matter what you feel or do not feel, No matter your immigration status, No matter whom you love. You are welcome.

Each year, objects from the Museum’s art collection serve as inspiration for Grinnell College students for discussion, research, writing, art making, and exhibition projects. Knowledge into Action features artworks that have enriched the learning experience for Grinnell College students who have gone on to have careers in museums and the arts. This exhibition is presented in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Grinnell College’s Bucksbaum Center for the Arts.

Please write your name, dorm, and room number on the card provided within the keychain card holder. Place the completed card in the zippered key pouch. PLEASE RETURN KEY(S) to the JRC registration desk, or after hours to Campus Safety (Mears Cottage), before departing Reunion.

A $75 FEE WILL BE ASSESSED FOR EACH MISSING KEY.

Thank you!