Joseph F. Wall '41

Joseph F. Wall ’41 Alumni Service Award

During Grinnell College’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1996, the Joseph F. Wall ’41 Alumni Service Award was established as a tribute to the College’s 150 year tradition of social commitment. The award was named in honor of Joseph Wall '41, professor of history and longtime dean of the College, who inspired an ideal of service in his students.

Joseph F. Wall '41
   Joseph F. Wall ’41

The College will award a limited number of prizes, up to $40,000 each, to either jump-start or complete a project that shows creativity and commitment to effecting positive social change. Projects may be original or supplement existing programs, address issues specific to local communities or be of wider global concern, and be carried out domestically or internationally. Any graduate of Grinnell College is eligible to apply, as long as they themselves will act as a principal of the project and they have not received the award in the past.

2025 Recipients

Emily Harris ’98 and Yvonne Palm ’06 are the award recipients.

Learn more about each of the recipient and their projects.

How to Apply

We are now accepting applications for the 2027 Wall Service Award.  

If you are interested in applying, we recommend you review the Wall Service Award application requirements. Applications are due August 31. When ready, please complete the online Wall Service Award application.

Previous Winners

2024

Gary Knamiller ’61
Hansi Dean ’84
Alexa Ryer ’20

2023

Lisa Eshun-Wilson ’14
Mikayla Findlay ’16
Smita S. ’08
Maggie Connolly ’07

2022

Kathryn Railsback ’80
Kimberly L. King-Jupiter ’87
Mamata Pokharel ’07 & Raji Manjari Pokhrel ’08

2021

Tovah Flygare ’98
Alok S. Shah ’04
Rachel Walman ’06
Susan T. Klumpner ’09

2020

Kaitlin Alsofrom ’10
Mariam Asaad ’14

2019

Juan Carlos Pérez Borja ’11
Juan Castaño ’00
Zoé Strecker ’88

2018

Jennifer Kulik ’94
Chad (Blietz) Darby ’88

2017

Robert X. Barron ’02

2016

Renata Heberton ’06

2015

Tracy Huling ’77 & Brian Buckley ’14
Alvin Irby ’07
Bryan Boyce ’08

2014

Laura Ruth Johnson ’92
Scott R. Porter ’80

2013

Latona Giwa ’09
Jenny Dale ’06

2012

Chase Strangio ’04
Amy Smith ’95

2011

Leah Bry ’04
Jefferson Mok ’02