Activities at Reunion

Reunion at Grinnell College is packed with opportunities to reconnect, celebrate, and explore. From lively parties to thought-provoking lectures, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a glimpse of just some of the plans for the weekend:

Thursday Evening

Welcome Events

Reunion begins Thursday with campus tours and more, culminating in class and cluster-specific welcome gatherings at 8 p.m. Start the long weekend by reconnecting with your classmates in a magical first evening.

Friday Highlights

Faculty Lectures

Invigorate your mind and relive classroom days with faculty lectures, including a featured talk by Jon Andelson ’70, Rosenfield Professor in Social Science, along with other talks to be announced.

Alumni Affinity Group Receptions

Celebrate shared identities and experiences at these gatherings:

The View from Grinnell with President Anne F. Harris

Join President Harris at 1:30 p.m. in the Harris Cinema for an insightful conversation about Grinnell today and the future.

Block Party

Central Campus becomes the epicenter of fun with fabulous local food trucks (menus coming soon!), games, street artists, and a photo booth between HSSC and Noyce. Live music by:

  • Maelstrom (courtesy of the 30th Reunion Cluster)
  • She-Man (courtesy of the 40th Reunion Cluster)

25th Reunion Dinner – Class of 2001

The 25th Reunion committee is planning an iconic pizza party with plenty of time to enjoy Block Party festivities.

Reunion Drag Show

After Block Party, don’t miss this extravaganza of Reunion joy sponsored by the Grinnell Rainbow Alumni. 

Want to participate, whether on or off stage? Contact Sarah Smith-Benanti.

Saturday Highlights

10th Reunion Class of 2016 Brunch: Puppies, Pancakes, Professors, & the President

All-Reunion Mac Chill Time

Yard games, music, an inflatable obstacle course – and plenty of space to relax and connect on beloved Mac Field.

Renfrow Hall Open House

Explore the College’s newest student lodging and civic engagement space. Renfrow Hall is named in honor of Edith Renfrow Smith ’37, who grew up in Grinnell and is the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College.

Alumni Assembly

The flagship event of Reunion, featuring remarks from President Harris and recognition of Alumni Award recipients.

All-Reunion Dinner or Class Dinners

Enjoy dinner in Younker Grove or at your class/cluster tent. Special Class Dinners for the 50th, 55th, 65th, and 70th Reunion Classes.

Evening Entertainment

After dinner, enjoy:

    • Too Many Strings Band performing in Bob’s
    • Tit-Head Revisited: Reunion Edition in Harris Cinema

Then, cap off the night at the legendary Reunion Harris Party!

Throughout the Weekend

Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Connection

Reconnect with beloved faculty and staff Friday afternoon’s social on campus and Saturday morning’s gathering at the Mayflower.

Tours

    • Faculty-Guided tours at the Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA): Five tours are offered - spots fill up fast, register early!
    • Campus Tours
    • Walking Tour of Downtown Grinnell
    • Social Justice Tours with Susan Sanning, associate dean and director of civic education and innovation, spanning campus and town

Movement

    • Dance workshops with Sanou Aguibou, assistant professor of dance
    • Water aerobics with Evelyn Freeman, retired assistant professor of athletics

Family-Friendly Fun

    • Block Party and All-Reunion Mac Chill with games and inflatables
    • Kids Campus Tour: Friday at 1:30 p.m., designed for children (parents welcome!)
    • Kiddie bags available in the JRC lobby while supplies last
    • Childcare available Friday and Saturday evening for ages 6 months to 6 years (optional when you register for Reunion)

Memorial Space

Flanagan Theater in Bucksbaum Arts Center becomes a quiet and sacred place to honor and remember classmates.