Virtual Alumni College
Virtual Alumni College is a lifelong, learning experience that allows Grinnellians to stay connected. Grinnell’s faculty showcase their excellent teaching and scholarship by recording 30-minute lectures for alumni to view once you have registered. Virtual Alumni College is an immersive, “return to the classroom” experience. It provides the chance for participants to re-experience the intellectual stimulation of the classroom with Grinnell College faculty members and fellow alumni.
For the fall 2023 series of lectures, we welcome six of Grinnell’s faculty members to share their scholarship. Scroll down to register for the lectures and discussion sections, which will be held in September, October, and November.
Registration for lectures
An unlimited number of alumni may register to watch each pre-recorded lecture. Once you fill out the registration form, you will be sent a confirmation email that contains the URL for the pre-recorded lecture that you can watch at any time.
Pre-recorded lectures should be viewed before attending a discussion session, so that you are able to formulate questions and engage in the discussion with the faculty member and fellow alums.
Registration for discussion sessions
An hour discussion session will be held for each pre-recorded lecture. Discussion sessions are not recorded. You should only sign up for a discussion session only if you are available at the date and time listed below. If more than 50 alumni register, a lottery will be held and a waitlist created. DAR limits the amount of alumni who can participate in an online discussion because this allows for more intimate conversation. It also allows for all voices that want to be heard to be included in the discussion.
Discussion sessions are facilitated by a DAR staff member and lead by the faculty member who gave the lecture.
For past sessions, you can continue to register to watch the lectures, listed on the Virtual Alumni College archive page. Thank you for continuing to make this program a huge success. #GrinnelliansStayConnected
If you would like to submit ideas for future Alumni Colleges, or have a qusetion, please send us an email.
Virtual Alumni College Fall 2023 Lectures
Registration for the Virtual Alumni College fall 2023 lectures is now open. You can find the links for the lecture videos in your confirmation emails.
Power, Institutions, and Economic Development
Bill Ferguson ’75, Gertrude B. Austin Professor of Economics
Discussion date: Monday, September 18, 1 p.m. CT
Learn more about Bill Ferguson ’75 and see a full description of the lecture on the Power, Institutions, and Economic Development registration page. After you register, you will receive an email with the link to watch the lecture at your leisure. If you sign up for the discussion section, please watch the lecture before attending.
Humans, Evolution, Running, and Me
Vicki Bentley-Condit, Senior Faculty, Anthropology
Discussion date: Wednesday, September 27, 4 p.m. CT
Learn more about Vicki Bentley-Condit and see a full description of the lecture on the Humans, Evolution, Running, and Me registration page. After you register, you will receive an email with the link to watch the lecture at your leisure. If you sign up for the discussion section, please watch the lecture before attending.
What Young Adult Literature Tells Us About Societal Change
Kelly Herold, Associate Professor, Russian
Discussion date: Thursday, October 5, 2 p.m. CT
Learn more about Kelly Herold and see a full description of the lecture on the What Young Adult Literature Tells Us About Societal Change registration page. After you register, you will receive an email with the link to watch the lecture at your leisure. If you sign up for the discussion section, please watch the lecture before attending.
Creative Contemporary Movement: Ideas and Inspiration
Kathleen Hurley, Lecturer, Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
Discussion date: Tuesday, October 17, 11 a.m. CT
Learn more about Kathleen Hurley and see a full description of the lecture on the Creative Contemporary Movement: Ideas and Inspiration registration page. After you register, you will receive an email with the link to watch the lecture at your leisure. If you sign up for the discussion section, please watch the lecture before attending.
Why Are the Meskwaki in Iowa?
Jon Andelson ’70, Senior Faculty, Rosenfield Professor in Social Science
Discussion date: Thursday, October 26, 2 p.m. CT
Learn more about Jon Andelson and see a full description of the lecture on the Why Are the Meskwaki in Iowa registration page. After you register, you will receive an email with the link to watch the lecture at your leisure. If you sign up for the discussion section, please watch the lecture before attending.
The Bosom of Abraham: A Representation of Paradise in Illuminated Medieval Manuscripts
Sharon Clayton, Associate Professor, Libraries
Discussion date: Wednesday, November 8, 1 p.m. CT
Learn more about Sharon Clayton and see a full description of the lecture on the The Bosom of Abraham: A Representation of Paradise in Illuminated Medieval Manuscripts registration page. After you register, you will receive an email with the link to watch the lecture at your leisure. If you sign up for the discussion section, please watch the lecture before attending.