Golden Reunion 2022
September 29–October 2, 2022
Classes of 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1958
We look forward to welcoming guests back to campus for the fall 2022 Golden Reunion celebration! See below the updated schedule of events.
If you have questions about the Golden Reunion, please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 1-866-850-1846 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. central or by email at alumni@grinnell.edu.
Golden Reunion Schedule of Events
Please note the schedule may change. We encourage you to check the schedule when you arrive on campus for the most up-to-date version!
Thursday, September 29
4 p.m.
John ’51 and Carolyn ’53 Peterson Endowed Fund for the Arts Annual Lecture and opening reception for Reverent Ornament: Art from the Islamic World
Bucksbaum Center for the Arts, Grinnell Museum of Art
Comprising works of fine glassware, ceramics, metalwork, painting, weaponry, weaving, and much more, Reverent Ornament shares 45 timeless treasures from a region whose everyday life, history, and culture offer many parallels to our own. Helen Evans, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Curator of Byzantine Art Emerita for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will explore her family’s Armenian origins in conjunction with the ancient Near Eastern, Islamic, Persian, and modern art traditions that she promoted and in which she has dealt. A reception will follow Evans’ lecture.
8 p.m.
Writers@Grinnell Reading with Sarah Thankam Mathews/ Belinda Huijuan Tang
Pioneer Bookshop, 933 Main St.
Sarah Thankam Mathews grew up between Oman and India, immigrating to the United States at 17. She is a recipient of a Best American Short Stories 2020 award and fellowships from the Asian American Writers Workshop and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Belinda Huijuan Tang is a 2021 graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she was a Truman Capote Fellow and recipient of the Michener-Copernicus. Her debut novel, A Map for the Missing, has just been published.
Friday, September 30
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Class Visits
Stop by the registration desk to select a class to visit. Classes are 50 minute periods offered throughout the day on the hour starting at 8 a.m.
9–10:30 a.m.
Golf Cart Campus Tour
The tour will depart from the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC)
Join current students and staff for a golf cart tour of campus to see, and learn about, our new facilities and all that happens inside of them.
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Lunch in the Marketplace
JRC Marketplace Dining Hall
Experience the lunch hour in our state-of-the-art student dining facility. A ticket for this lunch can be found in your name badge.
1:30–3 p.m.
Grinnell Museum of Art Private Tour
Bucksbaum Center for the Arts, Grinnell Museum of Art
Join museum staff for a private tour of the museum and a trip down into the museum archives. Please sign up at the registration desk – this is a first come, first serve event with a maximum of 30 people.
4:15–5:30 p.m.
The Case for, and Impact of the HSSC on Teaching, Learning, and Community in the Humanities and Social Studies
Humanities and Social Studies Center (HSSC), Auditorium (A2231)
Join faculty to learn more about the ways that the new Humanities and Social Studies Center has transformed teaching and learning in these academic divisions.
5–6 p.m.
Paper Trails Opening Reception and Conversation
Bucksbaum Center for the Arts, Grinnell Museum of Art
This exhibition features watercolors, drawings, etchings, sketches, and lithographs by senior Indian modernists, born primarily before the 1950s, who came of age in the decades directly following independence in 1947. Professor Michael “Mac” Mackenzie (art history) will moderate a conversation with collectors Umesh and Sunanda Gaur and curator Tamara Sears, associate professor of art history at Rutgers University, regarding the making of the exhibition, the development of modernism in India, and its relationship to global art more broadly. Topics will include processes of collecting, curating, and teaching the art of South Asia in the contemporary world. This exhibition features watercolors, drawings, etchings, sketches, and lithographs by senior Indian modernists, born primarily before the 1950s, who came of age in the decades directly following independence in 1947.
6:30–9 p.m.
HSSC Dedication Dinner
HSSC, Atrium
Join esteemed College leaders, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors for a special meal and program celebrating the dedication of this tremendous facility. This event requires pre-registration and will include assigned seating.
Saturday, October 1
9 a.m.
Class photos
HSSC, Kington Plaza (east side of the building)
Gather with your classmates to take commemorative photos of this special Reunion. Photos will be mailed to all attendees following the weekend.
9:30–11 a.m.
HSSC Open House
Explore all that the Humanities and Social Studies Center has to offer by participating in a self-guided tour with a variety of “stops” where you can visit with current faculty, staff, and students.
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
HSSC Dedication Ceremony and Community Lunch
Central Campus, Commencement Stage
Join the Trustees of the College and the entire College community for the formal dedication ceremony at 11:30 a.m. followed by a community lunch in the Kington Plaza.
1 p.m.
Football Game: (Grinnell vs Beloit)
Rosenbloom Field
Cheer on the Pioneers as they take on rival Beloit College.
2 p.m.
Grinnell Symphony Orchestra and Grinnell Singers Concert
Sebring-Lewis Hall, Bucksbaum Room 104
Two of Grinnell’s esteemed musical ensembles will combine forces for their first fall concerts.
2 p.m.
Neverland Players’ Performance
Bucksbaum Center for the Arts, Wall Theatre Lab (Room 154)
The Neverland Players are a student organization who meet with local youth and help bring their imaginative stories to life. Join them for their fall, family-friendly production.
5–7 p.m.
Golden Reunion Dinner
The Mayflower Community, Buckley Dining Hall, 616 Broad St.
A special celebratory meal for all Golden Reunion classes. A shuttle is available to and from the dinner from campus. There is also plentiful parking at the Mayflower Community.
Sunday, October 2
10:30 a.m.
Interdenominational Christian worship service led by Dr. Orlan Mitchell ’55
Herrick Chapel
1:30 p.m.
Women’s soccer game (Grinnell vs Luther)
Registration Desk and On-Call Shuttle Information
The registration desk will be open daily in the JRC Lobby and can be of assistance to you throughout the weekend.
- Thursday: Noon–6 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
A van shuttle and campus golf carts are available throughout Golden Reunion weekend during the following hours:
- Thursday: Noon–9 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m.–Noon
To request a van shuttle or golf cart ride, please call 641-269-4633 during these hours to arrange for pick-up. The van shuttle is available to transport you throughout the city of Grinnell, including to the highway motels.