Alumni Awards
The Alumni Award recognizes individuals who embody Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service. Each year during Reunion Weekend, the Alumni Council honors Grinnell alums who have distinguished themselves by their extraordinary contributions of service to the College, their profession, or their community, whether in or more of these areas.
The Pioneer Award is an Alumni Award that recognizes recent graduates (within the last 10 years) who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the College's mission and values.
Nominations for Reunion 2027 will open in January 2026. The submission deadline is August 31, 2026.
Alumni Awards Nominations
Anyone can submit a nomination - no affiliation with Grinnell College is required. Nominations are welcome at any time, not just during your Reunion year. Each nomination is reviewed during two consecutive Reunion cycles for which the nominee is eligible. Nominations may be submitted with or without the nominee's knowledge, at the discretion of the nominator.
Nominate a Grinnellian for an Alumni Award
A complete nomination includes:
- A detailed nomination form
- Two or more letters of support (one may be from the nominator)
- Optional supporting materials (e.g., news articles, awards, citations—PDF preferred)
Letters of Support and Supporting Materials
Anyone may submit letters or materials at any time. All documents received will be added to the nominee's file.
Nominators are encouraged to take the lead in gathering letters of support.
The most impactful letters include a personal story or specific examples of the nominee's contributions.
Send letters and materials to:
alumni@grinnell.edu
DAR Attn: Alumni Award Nominations
733 Broad St., Grinnell, IA 50112
Please note: A letter of support by itself does not activate a nomination. If no nomination form is on file, the letter will be saved until a nomination is submitted. We do not share letters of support with honorees; if you would like them to see your letter, please reach out to them directly.
Suggested Prompt for Supporters:
We’re inviting you to write a letter of support for [Nominee’s Name] as part of their nomination for a Grinnell College Alumni Award, which honors alumni who exemplify the College’s mission of lifetime learning and service. Your letter can highlight their impact on the College, their profession, or their community - whatever you feel best reflects their extraordinary contributions.
Eligibility Criteria
- Current trustees and Alumni Council members are not eligible. Alumni who served on the Alumni Council or Board of Trustees within the last three years are ineligible, unless they are celebrating a Reunion beyond their 40th year.
- Past recipients of the Alumni Award or Pioneer Award are not eligible to receive the award again. Alumni may receive the award only once in their lifetime.
Nomination Retention and Review
Nominations are kept on file until the nominee’s next Reunion and are considered during two consecutive Reunion cycles in which the nominee is eligible.
To update a previously submitted nomination, please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations: 866-850-1846 (toll-free) | alumni@grinnell.edu
2025 Alumni Awards
The 2025 Alumni Award recipients are:
- Kenton Clymer ’65
- Jeri Langham ’65
- Michael Cullen ’75
- Bill Ferguson ’75
- Renee Garrick ’75
- Amy Fraenkel ’85
- May-lee Chai ’89
- Clint Korver ’89
- Kent Koth ’90
- Monique McLay Shore ’90
- Juan Castaño ’00
- Gabrielle Conecker ’00
- Caitlin Davies ’09
- Evan Griffith ’15
Read more about our 14 outstanding recipients.
Previous Alumni Award Recipients