Reunion 2024 FAQ
Categories
Reunion Basics
What is Reunion Weekend?
How much does Reunion Weekend cost?
How do I register?
Why is there a registration fee for Reunion Weekend?
I have some particular needs related to accessibility. What should I do?
I have made it to campus, what do I do first?
Housing
Where will I stay?
What will my accommodations be if I choose to stay in the dorms?
What is the family dorm?
Does the College have cribs or playpens I can rent or borrow?
Can I room with my friends?
I’m staying at a local hotel. Will there be shuttles running from the hotels to campus?
Activities
What is there to do during Reunion Weekend?
Are there going to be family friendly activities?
Will there be alcohol?
I keep hearing about this "alumni assembly"--what's that?
I also keep hearing about Alumni Awards…what are those?
I have a question about class-specific programming, who should I ask?
Who will be there?
Are non-reunion classes invited?
Are spouses/partners/significant others/kids invited?
Will former coaches and professors be there?
How can I find out if someone from my class is going to be there?
May I bring my Golden Retriever?
Travel and Amenities
I know my way to campus but where do I go once I'm there?
Where do I park?
So I just remembered Grinnell doesn't have an international airport, how do I get to Grinnell from the airport (or train station)?
I wonder if I could carpool with some friends to Grinnell. Is that possible?
What kind of computer and telephone access is available?
May I use the pool, gym, and other athletics facilities?
Meals
Do I have to purchase meals when I register? Can’t I just wait and purchase them when I get there?
Where can I eat on Thursday night?
Will I have to pay for my children's meals?
I have a special dietary need. Will the College be able to accommodate me?
My aunt/brother/grandma/friend would like to join me for a meal at Reunion. Can I buy them a lunch ticket without having to register them?
Other Fantastic Questions
What if the weather is bad?
I didn't pre-register. Can I still attend?
Oh, darn it! I need to cancel my reservation. I'm sorry, but what do I do?
I'd rather not stay for the whole weekend. Is that okay?
Will the Grinnell College Bookstore be open?
I thought my reunion was supposed to happen this year, but now I don’t see it listed as one of the classes returning. What happened?
Where is Alumni College?
I didn’t receive any information about Reunion this year… why didn’t I get any emails or mailings from the College?
Well, I have read this entire list of questions and my question is still not answered. What do I do now?
Reunion Basics
What is Reunion Weekend?
Reunion is the largest Grinnell alumni event held each year. Alumni return to the College to rekindle connections with classmates, enjoy lively conversations, engaging events, and explore the current campus and community.
Grinnell College Alumni Reunion begins on the Thursday afternoon after Memorial Day every year.
Classes and clusters are invited on a rotating basis, with the goal that no class will go more than six years or less than four years before their next reunion. Find out when your next reunion will be by visiting the Reunion Calendar.
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How much does Reunion Weekend cost?
Registration is a la carte, which allows each person to customize their reunion experience and manage their budget. You can find information on the basic registration fee as well as other options to add here.
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How do I register?
Reunion registration opens on February 1 and remains open through Reunion.
Please be aware that after 5:00 p.m. central time on May 15, late fees for registration, meal, and shuttle reservations will apply, and that housing, shuttle and childcare reservations, and some meals may be sold out.
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Why is there a registration fee for Reunion Weekend?
Grinnell College strives to make Reunion affordable and accessible for all participants. The registration fee includes the Saturday evening All-Reunion Picnic, a digital download of your class photo, a plethora of Reunion events, and partially subsidizes costs like golf cart, tent, and other equipment rentals, entertainment and sound systems, and supports the wonderful Reunion Student Staff - all the things that make Reunion weekend a special and fun experience. This registration fee, along with other fees you may pay to attend Reunion Weekend, does not cover the overall cost to the College for the weekend.
More information on Reunion fees is available here. If you have further questions about the reunion registration fee, please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at (866) 850-1846 or by emailing us at reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu.
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I have some particular needs related to accessibility. What should I do?
Grinnell College is committed to making its campus accessible to persons with disabilities. However, not all areas of campus are fully accessible. Please review the variety of campus accessibility resources we can provide. Individuals who have special needs or requests should contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at (866) 850-1846 or by emailing us at reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu.
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I have made it to campus, what do I do first?
When you arrive on campus, your first stop should be the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC), 1115 8th Ave., to visit the registration desk and pick up your Reunion materials. The hours for the registration desk are:
- Thursday: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Sunday: 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Late Arrivals: If you arrive after the registration desk has closed, please visit the Campus Safety Office, which is now located on the first floor of Mears Cottage (1213 6th Avenue). You will be let into your room, but you will need to come to the registration desk the next morning to pick up your registration materials.
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Housing
Where will I stay?
Relive your student experience by staying on campus, in the residence halls, during Reunion. Reunion weekend housing is provided for a cost. Guests are welcome to arrive after 8 a.m. on Thursday, though some rooms may not be available until noon (your check-in assistant will advise you). Check out is at 1:30pm on Sunday.
Guests who wish to stay on campus have several options for location:
- Class Dorm. Grinnell College tries to keep members of a Reunion class or cluster together in the same dorm whenever possible. Specific dorms are set aside for this purpose based on estimated attendance. 50th Reunion and Golden classes will always be assigned to East Campus residence halls, which are newer dorms that have air conditioning and elevators. Class dorm accommodations often sell out, so guests should register early if they wish to stay here.
- Family Housing. Each Reunion we set aside dorm housing specifically for families with young children. For more information about the Family Dorm, refer to the FAQ titled "What is the family dorm?"
- GRAEY Dorm. The GRAEYs are a self-named group of alumni who return to Reunion every year or as often as possible. GRAEY stands for “Grinnell Reunion Any Year” or “Grinnell Reunion Every Year.” A south campus dorm is set aside for those who indicate they would like to stay in the GRAEY dorm.
- No preference. If guests select this, they will be placed where there is availability. This is usually in or near their class dorm or their nearest class if there is availability.
Guests will have the opportunity to list any special needs or accommodation requests on the registration form. We do our best to accommodate all requests. College staff will be in contact with all guests who have special requests or needs.
Information about each of the residence halls can be found on the Residence Halls web page.
If you prefer to stay off-campus, a list of area accommodations is available.
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What will my accommodations be if I choose to stay in the dorms?
Accommodations include an extra-long twin bed, two bath towels, two washcloths, two sheets, a pillow, and a blanket. There are no private bathrooms in the dorms. All rooms are single, unless guests specifically request a roommate when they register.
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What is the family dorm?
The family dorm is space set aside specifically for families with young children. The atmosphere in this dorm is more conducive to small children, where naptimes and quiet evenings may be necessary.
If you need accommodations for your family, please select "Family Dorm" on your registration form. Please note that these rooms are extremely limited. If you desire a family dorm, please register early. We also ask that you be considerate of the small number of these special rooms available and only request the family dorm if you are traveling with children.
Children who do not need a bed or bedding may stay for free in their family's room (i.e. those who will sleep in a portable crib or in a sleeping bag on the floor). This is an option for any dorm, not only the family dorm.
Some rooms in the family dorm are air conditioned, but we cannot guarantee that they will all be air conditioned. Several have private bathrooms.
If you have special requests, please email us at reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu. We are happy to make every effort to find suitable campus accommodations for your family.
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Does the College have cribs or playpens I can rent or borrow?
We have a very limited number of pack and plays available that you may borrow. We also have several staff members who are happy to lend theirs to Reunion guests.
Children who do not need a bed or bedding may stay for free in their family's room (i.e. those who will sleep in a portable crib or in a sleeping bag on the floor).
Email us at reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu to ask about availability. They are reserved on a first come/first serve basis.
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Can I room with my friends?
Yes, alumni may request to be paired with a roommate for the weekend. Be sure that you both request each other as a roommate when you register!
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I’m staying at a local hotel. Will there be shuttles running from the hotels to campus?
Yes, we will be offering free shuttles between Grinnell hotels and campus throughout the weekend. You will receive more information about the shuttles with your arrival information about a week before Reunion.
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Activities
What is there to do during Reunion Weekend?
Reunion Weekend includes many different events. You can participate in some or all — it's up to you. Among the weekend activities and programs are the following:
- Campus tours and open houses, featuring the new and renovated buildings on campus
- Alumni 5K run/walk, BRAG (Bike Ride Around Grinnell), and yoga
- Alumni Assembly, featuring Alumni Awards
- Musical performances including alum bands and Too Many Strings
- Faculty and alumni panels, lectures, and workshops
- Receptions and dinners with classmates, including an All-Reunion Dinner
- Evening entertainment such as observatory tours, Drag Show, and the Harris Dance Party
A preliminary schedule can be found on the main Reunion web page. This schedule will be updated as events are refined and confirmed.
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Are there going to be family friendly activities?
Bringing the whole family to Reunion? There are always many activities throughout Reunion weekend in which children can participate. Guests will also have access to the swimming pool on campus, the gym, and the game room in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC), where pool and ping pong tables are available. Activity bags for children ages 3 to 13 are available at the information desk in the JRC, free while supplies last.
Childcare Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Saturday evening is available for ages 6 months to 12 years, by reservation when you register for Reunion. More information on Reunion childcare here.
Don't miss Reunion Block Party on Friday evening. There will be inflatables, art projects, face painters, yard games, and lots of other activities for all ages.
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Will there be alcohol?
On Thursday, complimentary beer and wine will be available for the class/cluster welcome events from 8 to 10pm. Alumni and guests also often bring their own alcohol to enjoy.
On Friday, beer and wine will be available with the Block Party Food Trucks Meal package, and on Saturday, complimentary beer and wine will be available at the Harris Party and the 50th Reunion evening event.
Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages will be available at these events as well.
The College also offers several AA/Al-Anon and recovery meeting times throughout the weekend. Check the schedule for details.
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I keep hearing about this "alumni assembly"--what's that?
During Reunion weekend, classes will gather for the Alumni Assembly. This ceremony recognizes outstanding alumni with the presentation of the annual Alumni Awards and includes remarks from President Anne F. Harris. All alumni, family members, and guests are encouraged to attend in Herrick Chapel.
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I also keep hearing about Alumni Awards…what are those?
The Alumni Award recognizes individuals who embody Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service. Recipients distinguished themselves by their service to their careers, their community and/or the College. Visit the Alumni Award page for more information about how to nominate your friends and be sure to attend the Alumni Assembly at Reunion to watch this year’s Alumni Award presentations.
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I have a question about class-specific programming, who should I ask?
Your class (or cluster) reunion is organized by a committee of your classmates. If you’re curious about the class-specific programming your peers have in mind, we encourage you to reach out to your class’s Class Agents and Class Fund Directors. If you’re not sure who they are, you can find them here.
When viewing the Reunion schedule online (link coming soon!), use the "Filter by Class" feature to find activities sponsored by your class.
For any other questions or if you are interested in helping plan your class’s Reunion, please reach out to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at (866) 850-1846 or by email at reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu.
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Who will be there?
Are non-reunion classes invited?
Yes! All Grinnell alumni are welcome to attend Reunion any year. It's an actual thing, even: GRA/EY, Grinnell Reunion Any/Every Year. You just need to register!
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Are spouses/partners/significant others/kids invited?
Absolutely! We encourage returning alumni to bring their entire families. Most activities and programs are open to anyone who is on campus for the weekend. We also provide childcare, by reservation in the registration platform.
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Will former coaches and professors be there?
Yes. Faculty, coaches, and staff are invited to attend various meals and functions during the weekend.
All locally retired and current faculty members are invited to the All-Reunion dinner on Saturday evening.
Many former and current coaches attend the Pioneer Athletics Luncheon on Friday. When you register for Reunion, reserve your place in this special event to spend some time with your favorite coaches and hear a brief update about Grinnell athletics.
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How can I find out if someone from my class is going to be there?
You may see who has registered for Reunion on the "Who's Coming" webpage, which will be updated in real time. However, please note that it can take up to 48 hours following a registration for someone’s name to appear on the “Who’s Coming” list. If you would prefer that your name not appear on this list, you can opt out when you register.
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May I bring my Golden Retriever?
Service animals are welcome at Reunion. For safety reasons, please do not bring pets or other non-service animals to Reunion. It can be harmful for the animals, as well as the people who encounter them.
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Travel and Amenities
I know my way to campus but where do I go once I'm there?
When you arrive on campus, your first stop should be the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC), 1115 8th Ave., to visit the registration desk and pick up your Reunion materials. The hours for the registration desk are as follows:
- Thursday: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Sunday: 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Late Arrivals: If you arrive after the registration desk has closed, please visit the Campus Safety Office, which is now located on the first floor of Mears Cottage (1213 6th Avenue). You will be let into your room, but you will need to come to the registration desk the next morning to pick up your registration materials.
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Where do I park?
Parking is available in several lots throughout campus. During the summer, visitors are free to use the visitor or the student parking areas. Faculty/Staff lots are not available Monday-through Friday 6 a.m.-5 p.m. If you park in Faculty/Staff parking during business hours, you may be ticketed. These lots are open to visitors on the weekend and after 5 p.m. during the week.
Our interactive campus map may help you get your bearings. If you would like, you may download a PDF version of the campus map, with the parking areas listed.
Golf cart service is available throughout the weekend to all Reunion attendees whenever the registration desk is open.
Once on campus, simply call the Transportation Desk (641-269-4403) to request a ride.
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So I just remembered Grinnell doesn't have an international airport, how do I get to Grinnell from the airport (or train station)?
Shuttle service is available for Reunion weekend attendees who are arriving or departing from the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids airports. Shuttle service is also available for the Ottumwa Amtrak station. Please call our office toll-free at (866) 850-1846 to make arrangements for an Amtrak shuttle. Visit our airport shuttle page for more information on airport shuttles.
May 15 is the last day to guarantee a shuttle seat. Reservations may still be made if space is available and a $10 late charge will be applied. To inquire about space, please contact reuniontranpso@grinnell.edu.
Renting a car is also an option. Des Moines International Airport offers several options for renting vehicles, if you prefer to have your own vehicle while in Grinnell. If you do rent a car and you have room for other passengers, consider posting on the Grinnell College Reunion 2024 Rideshare page to share the cost of a rental and give other guests an option for getting to campus.
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I wonder if I could carpool with some friends to Grinnell. Is that possible?
Yes! We encourage you to connect with other Grinnellians to carpool to Grinnell. Visit the Grinnell College Reunion 2024 Rideshare page to post your travel plans and connect with others in your city or area who are traveling to Reunion and interested in sharing a ride.
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What kind of computer and telephone access is available?
The residence hall rooms are no longer equipped with telephones but most dorm floors have a common phone for on campus and local calls only.
If you have an emergency and need to use a phone, stop by the Help Desk at the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC) and someone will be happy to help you. If the Help Desk is not open, contact Campus Safety.
Burling Library will be open throughout Reunion weekend for computer use. If you choose to bring your personal computer to campus, you may access the College’s guest Wi-Fi service. No username or password is needed.
Wi-Fi service is available throughout campus. Connectivity may be inconsistent in some dorm rooms.
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May I use the pool, gym, and other athletics facilities?
Grinnell's athletics facilities are available for returning alumni and their guests. Take a swim, play racquetball, or use the indoor track in the Charles Benson Bear '39 Recreation and Athletic Center. Free weights, exercise bicycles, treadmills, and rowing machines are available in the fitness center. Play a tennis match at the outdoor courts. Open times vary and will be available in the Reunion weekend schedule when you arrive on campus.
Throughout the weekend, there are usually several fitness or wellness classes also offered. Again, check the schedule when you arrive.
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Meals
Do I have to purchase meals when I register? Can’t I just wait and purchase them when I get there?
Less food and resources are wasted when people purchase their meals ahead of time. This practice allows us to plan food quantities and preparation appropriately throughout the weekend.
If you are thinking of waiting to purchase your meals, we advise you to at least purchase dinners and any special meals your class might be hosting in advance. For these meals, College staff needs to be able to judge what space is needed, how many tables will need to be set up, and how much food will need to be prepared in order to create the experience that our alumni have come to expect. For these reasons, extra tickets for these meals are extremely limited.
We have a larger numbers of tickets available for purchase on-line (through your registration confirmation) and on site for most breakfasts and lunches, which are “through the line” at the Marketplace in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center.
A limited number of tickets for all meals are available for purchase at Reunion. However, meal tickets purchased after May 15 or on site will cost an additional $5 per ticket.
There is also the option of ordering a sandwich or purchasing a premade salad, yogurt, or other breakfast or lunch item in the Spencer Grill, also located in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center. The Grill is not set up to accommodate large numbers of people, so the wait may be long.
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Where can I eat on Thursday night?
Meals begin with breakfast on Friday.
If you arrive on Thursday, we encourage you to take advantage of the offerings in the Grinnell community and take some time to enjoy the thriving downtown, including the Farmers Market on Thursday afternoon. Shuttles to downtown Grinnell are offered every half hour from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. This is a great time to try one of our local restaurants for lunch or dinner.
In addition, the Spencer Grill in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center is open until 7pm Thursday evening (it is not open Friday or Saturday evenings). You can purchase light fare, including salads and sandwiches at the Grill. Finally, there is the option of having something delivered from a local restaurant. Delivery information will be available at the Information Desk when you arrive on campus.
You can check out the variety of local restaurants ahead of time.
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Will I have to pay for my children's meals?
Children 4 years old and younger eat for free. Children ages 5-12 eat at a discounted rate.
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I have a special dietary need. Will the College be able to accommodate me?
We do our best to accommodate special diets and we are happy to provide vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and gluten free meals. We are also happy to accommodate most allergies. Please make sure you let us know on your registration form so that we can plan appropriately.
We realize some diets are so specialized that we may be unable to make proper arrangements within our food service. However, we will still try to help individuals attend Reunion by making other accommodations. For instance, we can make sure people have access to a kitchen in a dorm where they can prepare their own food. If you have very specialized needs, please contact us at reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu.
If you or someone in your family has a nut allergy, please be aware that our kitchen does prepare nuts and we do offer peanut butter at every meal. Although we do our best to keep these ingredients separated from other ingredients, there is the possibility of cross-contamination.
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My aunt/brother/grandma/friend would like to join me for a meal at Reunion. Can I buy them a lunch ticket without having to register them?
Yes. The general rule of thumb is that any guest who only has one meal does not need to register. The assumption is that they will only be spending a couple hours on campus and will be using few of the resources available to other alumni who have paid the registration fee. If your friend would like to stay for two meals or is planning to spend the entire afternoon and evening hanging out on campus, then they should register as a guest and pay the registration fee.
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Other Fantastic Questions
What if the weather is bad?
Some events may be moved inside, but with traditional Pioneer spirit, our Reunion celebrations will continue rain or shine.
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I didn't pre-register. Can I still attend?
Yes, you may register on-line, or on-campus at the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC).
Late fees are applied for any registrations after May 15. Some events have limited capacities and sell out quickly, so we cannot guarantee the availability of rooms, childcare, airport or train shuttles, or dining services if you have not registered in advance.
For the safety of all guests, students, and staff, all Reunion attendees need to be registered guests on campus. If you are not wearing a name badge, and are not registered, you may be asked to leave campus.
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Oh, darn it! I need to cancel my reservation. I'm sorry, but what do I do?
If cancellation of an on-campus room or a Reunion reservation is necessary, please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at (866) 850-1846 or at reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu.
Refunds are issued in full if we receive notice of cancellation or changes before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on May 15. After that time, only the registration fee is refunded. Due to fixed costs incurred, no refunds for meals, housing, or additional reserved events or services are made after May 15.
If the College cancels Reunion for any reason, guests will receive a full refund.
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I'd rather not stay for the whole weekend. Is that okay?
Yes. All Reunion events and meals can be done on an a la carte basis. You may sign up for only those events and meals that you are able to attend.
All registrants, regardless of the length of their stay, will pay the registration fee. Also, please note that housing is a flat fee based on the cost of linen rental and room set-up and clean-up, and cannot be prorated.
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Will the Grinnell College Bookstore be open?
Yes! The Grinnell College Bookstore is now called The Pioneer Bookshop and is located in downtown Grinnell. It will be open during Reunion. The specific hours will be available in your schedule booklet when you arrive on campus and can also be found on the Pioneer Bookshop web page.
Don't miss the Grinnell Authors Display when you are there, featuring works by Grinnell alums, faculty, and staff. To have your original work included in the display, please complete and submit the registration form by May 1, 2024.
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I thought my reunion was supposed to happen this year, but now I don’t see it listed as one of the classes returning. What happened?
The pandemic has made some shifts in the original Reunion schedule necessary. If you are unsure of when your next reunion will be, refer to the updated Reunion Calendar, which provides the updated schedules through the next ten to twelve years.
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Where is Alumni College?
The move to Virtual Alumni College, made necessary during the lockdown period of the Covid-19 pandemic, has opened participation in this now free program to exponentially more alums than were able to attend in person.
Past lectures can be viewed on the Virtual Alumni College web page, where you can also learn more about the program, about upcoming courses, and how to register.
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I didn’t receive any information about Reunion this year… why didn’t I get any emails or mailings from the College?
There are a few possible reasons why you may not receive Reunion information from the College. First, we may not have your most up-to-date contact information. You can update your mailing address, email address, phone number etc. through our online update form. Second, you may have told the College that you do not want to receive mailings from us or that you would not like be in contact with us at all. If this is the case for you and your feelings have changed, please update your email preferences or let us know at reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu. We will happily add you back to our lists and communicate with you about Reunion in the future.
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Well, I have read this entire list of questions and my question is still not answered. What do I do now?
We would be happy to help answer any questions you may have. Contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at (866) 850-1846 or reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu.
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