Red Text on a gray background. Text: Virtual Alumni College. Grinnell College logo in the upper left of the image.

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 spring 2024 series of lectures, we welcome seven of Grinnell’s faculty members to share their scholarship. Scroll down to register for the lectures and discussion sections, which will be held in February, March, and April. 

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 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 number 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 question, please send us an email.

Virtual Alumni College Spring 2024 Lectures

Registration for some of the Virtual Alumni College Spring 2024 lectures/discussion is now open and others will open soon. Once registration opens, you can find the links for the lecture videos in your confirmation emails. 

Jen ShookPerforming Grinnell Past: Songs of the Scarlet & Wayback

Jen Shook, Assistant Professor, Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, Digital Studies
Discussion date: Thursday, February 22, 2 p.m. CT

Learn more about Jen Shook and see a full description of the lecture on the Performing Grinnell Past: Songs of the Scarlet & Wayback 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. 


Kathleen HurleyCreative Minds and Bodies

Kathleen Hurley, Lecturer, Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies 
Discussion date: Monday, February 26, 11 a.m. CT 

Learn more about Kathleen Hurley and see a full description of the lecture on the Creative Minds and Bodies 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. 


Eric McIntyreThe Tip of the Iceberg: What do Orchestra Conductors Really Do?

Eric McIntyre, Professor, Music  
Discussion date: Thursday, March 7, 3 p.m. CT

Learn more about Eric McIntyre and see a full description of the lecture on the  Tip of the Iceberg: What do Orchestra Conductors Really Do? 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. 


Clara MontagueWhat is Gender? From Second Wave Feminism to Anti-Queer Backlash

Clara Montague, English, Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies (GWSS) 
Discussion date: Thursday, March 14, 2 p.m. CT 

Learn more about Clara Montague and see a full description of the lecture on the What is Gender? From Second Wave Feminism to Anti-Queer Backlash 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. 


Michael GuentherThe First “Green New Deal”

Michael Guenther, Associate Professor in Education Studies, History, American Studies, and Digital Studies. He is also the chair of the history and science, medicine, and society departments.
Discussion date: Thursday, March 28, 2 p.m. CT 

Learn more about Michael Guenther and see a full description of the lecture on the The First “Green New Deal” 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. 


John RommereimOne Hundred Years of Choral Music at Grinnell

John Rommereim, Blanche Johnson Professor of Music, Music, Russian, Central European, and Eurasian Studies 
Discussion date: Thursday, April 4, 10 a.m. CT 

Learn more about John Rommereim and see a full description of the lecture on the One Hundred Years of Choral Music at Grinnell registration page (coming soon). 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. 


Laura MichelsonWhat's 'Special' about Special Collections?

Laura Michelson, Assistant Professor, Libraries, Project Archivist 
Discussion date: Thursday, April 18, 11 a.m. CT 

Learn more about Laura Michelson and see a full description of the lecture on the What's 'Special' about Special Collections? registration page (coming soon). 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.