Please note, this schedule is subject to change. Check the Reunion 2023 app or printed schedule for finalized programs, times, and locations.
3-6 p.m.
Grinnell Farmers Market
Central Park, Fourth Avenue and Broad Street
This market is a 100% producer’s market; all vendors must sell products that they produce themselves.
- 7-9 p.m.
40th Reunion Welcome Event
The Periodic Table and Patio, Hotel Grinnell, 927 4th Avenue
- 7-9 p.m.
30th Reunion Welcome Event
Kington Plaza, Humanities and Social Studies Center
- 7-9 p.m.
25th Reunion Welcome
Solera Wine Bar, 829 Broad St.
- 7-9 p.m.
15th Reunion Welcome Event
Mac Field Tent
- 7-9 p.m.
10th Reunion Welcome Event
Cowles Hall Tent
6:30-8 p.m.
Multicultural Reception
HSSC, International Lounge
Build community with alumni who are BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, from various religious affiliations members of the disability community, and who were first generation or international students. We will eat yummy food, share amazing stories, laugh too much, and get to know some of the staff members from Intercultural Affairs; Accessibility and Disability Resources; the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice; and the Office of International Student Affairs.
7 p.m.
Music in the Park featuring the Jackie Myers Band
Central Park Band Shell, Fourth Avenue and Broad Street
Friday, June 2
7:30-9 a.m.
Breakfast in the Marketplace (first meal served for Reunion)
JRC, Marketplace
8-10:30 a.m.
Trip to Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA)
Departs from front of JRC
Join faculty from the Department of Biology in touring the College's biological field station. The one-mile hike will take you through reconstructed prairie, restored savanna, along Willow Creek and Perry Pond, and through two experimental plot arrays, ending with a brief tour of the Environmental Education Center.
8:30-10 a.m.
25th Reunion Breakfast and Class Photo
Main Hall, Quad Dining Hall
The class of 1998 celebrates its 25th Reunion with a special welcome breakfast featuring honored guests and familiar faces. There will be a short program at 9:30 a.m.
9 a.m.-Noon
Conney M. Kimbo Black Cultural Center (BCC) Open House
Conney M. Kimbo Black Cultural Center (BCC), 1000 10th Ave.
Buzzing with social, cultural, and academic activities, the BCC preserves and celebrates Black history, culture, and diasporas of people who identify with African heritage. Stop by, visit the space, and talk to some current students involved in the BCC.
9:30-11 a.m.
10th Reunion Brunch and Class Photo
JRC, Room 101
The classes of 2012 and 2013 celebrate their 10th Reunion with a special welcome brunch featuring honored guests and familiar faces. There will be a short program at 10:30 a.m.
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Grinnell Stories: 1967-68-69
HSSC, Auditorium
These short, 15–18-minute TED-like talks will showcase stories and ideas worth sharing inspired by the works and interests of classmates.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Stew Makerspace Open House
Stew Makerspace, 927 Broad St.
Join Program and Education Coordinator Craig Gibbens ’95 for an open house at the Stew Makerspace to learn about its role as a creative, multipurpose space in downtown Grinnell, and make a special souvenir to celebrate Reunion 2023. The effort is a collaboration between the Grinnell Area Arts Council and the Wilson Center at Grinnell College. It serves as a free space for fabrication, tinkering, and more for community members, students, and faculty.
11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
50th Reunion Luncheon and Class Photo
Location TBD
A special celebratory luncheon for the class of 1973.
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Lunch in the Marketplace
JRC, Marketplace
1-2:30 p.m.
Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice (CRSSJ) Open House
CRSSJ, 913 8th Avenue
Stop by the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice to take a tour of the space. See the Lending Library, the Food Pantry, Muslim and Hindu Prayer and cultural rooms, meditation spaces, and enjoy a beverage in our comfy chairs.
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Golf Scramble
Grinnell College Golf Course, 933 13th Ave.
Preregistration required. In the case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled.
2-5 p.m.
Humanities and Social Studies Center (HSSC) Open House
HSSC
Stop by and take a self-guided or guided tour of the newest building on campus.
2-4:30 p.m.
Science and the Liberal Arts Panel and Poster Session
HSSC Auditorium and Second Floor
Do you do science (research, teaching, communication, advocacy)? The 50th Reunion class (’73) is hosting a panel of ’73 class scientists followed by a poster session open to all alumni. Bring a recent science meeting poster or make one that is suitable for lay audiences which briefly illustrates your science-related career and how it was influenced by your Grinnell liberal arts experience. This is a great opportunity to explain your science to your fellow alums of all reunion classes. Sign up to share a poster at alumni.grinnell.edu/scienceposters23
3:30-5 p.m.
Pioneer Athletics Reception with Coaches
BEAR Athletic Center
Join the athletics staff, current coaches, and former coaches for a reception honoring Grinnell athletics. There will be a short program. Preregistration is encouraged.
4-5 p.m.
Grinnell Preschool Open House
Grinnell College Preschool Lab, 1022 Park St.
4:30-5:30 p.m.
LGBTQIA Alumni Reception
Younker Hall, Stonewall Resource Center (SRC)
Join current students and alumni from Grinnell LGBTQIA and ally community for this casual reception.
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Reunion Block Party
8th Avenue and Central Campus
Join fellow Reunion attendees for a fun evening of music, yard games, and food trucks. There also will be a beer and wine tent. Wristbands will be required for this event, and each guest will have tokens to exchange for food and beverages from our diverse array of local vendors.
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Service and Table
JRC, Room 209
The service will begin at 5:45 p.m. followed by a Kosher-style meal. This is a ticketed meal.
6-8 p.m.
70th Reunion Class Dinner and Class Photos
Location TBD
A special celebratory dinner for the class of 1953.
6-8:30 p.m.
60th Reunion Class Dinner and Class Photos
HSSC, A1231 (Multipurpose Room)
A special celebratory dinner for the classes of 1963 and 1964.
6-10 p.m.
55th Reunion Class Dinner and Class Photos
Hotel Grinnell
A special celebratory dinner for the classes of 1967-68-69. Dinner will end around 8 p.m. though guests are invited to stay at the Hotel for an extended social time.
8-9:30 p.m.
Too Many Strings Band
Main Hall, Bob’s Underground
Enjoy acoustic folk and bluegrass music performed by some of your favorite Grinnell professors. This is a substance-free event.
8:30 p.m.-Midnight
Class Socials
- 50th Reunion Social (1973)
Grinnell College Golf Course, Lounge Featuring the music of I-398.
- 40th Reunion Social (1981, 1982 and 1983)
Younker Hall, Tent and Lounge
- 30th Reunion Social (1992, 1993, and 1994)
Loose Hall, Tent and Lounge
- 25th Reunion Social (1998)
Haines Hall, Tent and Lounge
- 15th Reunion Social (2006, 2007, and 2008)
Mac Field Tent
- 10th Reunion Social (2012-13)
Cowles Hall Tent
10-11:30 p.m.
Grant O. Gale Observatory open hours
College Observatory
Shuttles will depart from the JRC parking lot approximately every half hour. Or feel free to walk out to the Observatory. Last shuttle will depart at 11 p.m.
10-11:30 p.m.
Drag Show
Harris Center
The classes of 2006-07-08 and 2012-13 are excited to present the second Grinnell College Reunion Drag Show. After more than a decade of biannual shows, the event has become a successful and enduring tradition for Grinnell College students since 2006. The extravaganza, which occurs in the fall and spring, raises money for various LGBTQIA+ organizations both on and off campus. It is an event that encapsulates the lasting spirit of Grinnell: a celebration of diversity with a commitment to social justice. Come see what all the fuss is about.
Midnight
Bakery Run 2.0
Meet at the steps of Herrick Chapel to head to Grin City Bakery, 934 Main St.
Revisit an old tradition at the new bakery. Grin City Bakery will serve some familiar favorites and some new, soon-to-be favorites, too.
Saturday, June 3
7-9 a.m.
Breakfast in the Marketplace
JRC, Marketplace
7:30-9 a.m.
Alumni Fun Run/Walk
Starting line: south side of Charles Benson Bear '39 Recreation and Athletic Center
A tradition for more than 20 years, the Alumni Fun Run/Walk is a great way to start your Reunion Saturday. In case of inclement weather, this event will be cancelled.
8-10:30 a.m.
Trip to Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA)
Departs from front of JRC
Join faculty from the Department of Biology in touring the College's biological field station. The one-mile hike will take you through reconstructed prairie, restored savanna, along Willow Creek and Perry Pond, and through two experimental plot arrays, ending with a brief tour of the Environmental Education Center. Space is limited. Please sign up at the Reunion registration area.
8:30-10 a.m.
President’s Reception (for volunteers and leadership donors)
Grinnell House Lawn, 1011 Park St.
This reception, for Reunion volunteers and leadership donors, is by invitation only.
9-10:30 a.m.
Liberal Arts in Prison Program: Panel Discussion
JRC, Room 101
In keeping with Grinnell's mission and core values, the Liberal Arts in Prison Program provides liberal arts education at a local prison and a juvenile detention center. Five years ago, the program inaugurated its First Year of College Program, which brings for-credit Grinnell courses to incarcerated students at Newton Correctional Facility. Join former incarcerated students, program director Emily Guenther ’07, and faculty members for a panel discussion about the program's impact.
9:30 a.m.
Serenity Sisterhood - Women’s AA/Al-Anon Recovery Meeting
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1206 State St.
All women are welcome to this recovery meeting held off-campus, just across Sixth Street.
10 a.m.–Noon
Pioneer Bookshop Open House: Featuring Grinnellian Authors
Pioneer Bookshop, 933 Main St.
The Grinnell College Bookshop is downtown! Stop by to pick up some new Grinnell gear and to meet some of the many Grinnellians (celebrating a Reunion this year!) who have published books. If you are a published author interested in being a part of this event, please visit alumni.grinnell.edu/grinnellauthors to sign up!
10 a.m.-Noon
Grinnell Farmers Market
Central Park, Fourth Avenue and Broad Street
The Grinnell Farmers Market will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Broad Street in downtown Grinnell. This market is a 100% producer’s market; all vendors must sell products that they produce themselves.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Stew Makerspace Open House
Stew Makerspace, 927 Broad St.
Join Program and Education Coordinator Craig Gibbens ’95 for an open house at the Stew Makerspace to learn about its role as a creative, multipurpose space in downtown Grinnell, and make a special souvenir to celebrate Reunion 2023. The effort is a collaboration between the Grinnell Area Arts Council and the Wilson Center at Grinnell College. It serves as a free space for fabrication, tinkering, and more for community members, students, and faculty.
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Lunch in the Marketplace
JRC, Marketplace
1:30-4 p.m.
Mac Field Chill Time
Mac Field
Celebrate your Reunion by doing nothing! The 15th and 25th Reunion groups will hang out on Mac Field with some yard games and plenty of time to reminisce and (hopefully) soak in the sun. Bring your picnic blankets and bag chairs! Sponsored by the classes of 1998, 2006, 2007, and 2008
2-3:30 p.m.
Arc of the Grinnell Experience
Meet in the HSSC Atrium
This event is for the 50th reunion only. Join your classmates for informal group discussions intended to promote dialogue about the arc of the Grinnell experience over the last fifty years. Not simply then and now, but also points in between when having been a student at Grinnell made a difference in how you viewed and acted in the world. What impact did Grinnell and those you met there have on your choice of careers and career trajectory? How about politics, community involvement, and leisure-time activities? Other aspects of your life? Why was the impact of the college stronger at some points than at others? Sponsored by the 50th reunion.
2-4 p.m.
What’s next? – Scratching the 40-year itch Moth Storytelling Event
HSSC Auditorium
Join classmates for a Moth Hour-like storytelling event. Sponsored by the classes of 1981, 1982, and 1983.
4:30-5:45 p.m.
Alumni Assembly, Featuring the Presentation of the 2023 Alumni Awards
Herrick Chapel
The premier event of the weekend. All alumni are encouraged to attend. This event will also be livestreamed at https://www.grinnell.edu/livestream.
6-8 p.m.
All Reunion BBQ Dinner
8th Avenue
Join all Reunion attendees for a BBQ dinner! In case of inclement weather, this event will be moved inside to the Marketplace.
8:30 p.m.-Midnight
50th Reunion Party with I-398
Grinnell College Golf Course, Lounge
9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Reunion Dance Party
Harris Center
10-11:30 p.m.
Grant O. Gale Observatory open hours
College Observatory
Shuttles will depart from the JRC parking lot approximately every half hour. Last shuttle will depart at 11 p.m.
Sunday, June 4
8:30-11 a.m.
Farewell Brunch
JRC, Marketplace
End the weekend right. This is the perfect setting to say goodbye before heading home.
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Interdenominational Christian Worship Service
Herrick Chapel
Service organized by Deanna Shorb and the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice.
1:30 p.m.
Residence Halls close