Alumni Council Fall 2025 Summary
The Alumni Council gathered on campus Thursday, Nov. 6 through Saturday, Nov. 8 for its fall meeting. President Kate Goddard ’91 presided over the meeting, which was attended by 24 members of the Council.
Alumni Council members posing for a group photo during the Fall 2025 meeting in Kington Plaza outside the HSSC Atrium.
The following is a summary of the meeting:
- The Council welcomed its three new members to their first meeting: David Calvert ’75, Bob Eckardt ’73, and Deb Smith Wright ’75.
- Thursday night marked a milestone for our community with the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the Hannah Alumni House. Alumni and community members joined for an open house, followed by a dedication dinner in the Mattson Garden to celebrate the renovation that transformed the 107-year-old residence into a warm and comfortable place for alums to relax, socialize, network, and reminisce when they return to Grinnell.
- President Anne F. Harris joined the Council to provide a campus update including discussion of the College’s continued legislative strategies, collaborations, and partnerships at the state and federal level. She also outlined important work happening on campus focused on civic education and engagement, academic freedom, and ongoing fiscal responsibility and transparency. She concluded her discussion with the Council by reviewing the research and input to date regarding the evolution of the Pioneer Athletics visual identity (the Honor G) and invited Council’s feedback on this process.
- Kristin Stout ’89, vice-chair of the Board of Trustees, along with chair Sheryl Walter ’78, joined the Council to present a formal citation of appreciation to Past President Scott Shepherd ’82 for his service to the Board.
- The Council met with Bernadine Douglas, vice president for development and alumni relations, for an update and discussion about comprehensive campaign planning.
- The Council committees and task forces each met and reported on their work to the Council. Highlights include:
- The Career Exploration Task Force has two projects underway: planning the new Second Year Spotlight Conference, which occurred during that same weekend (more below) and working to recruit externship hosts for the spring break experience.
- The Philanthropy Committee led a discussion about the Council’s collective giving initiative for 2026. The Council has agreed to raise funds in support of the Center for Careers, Life and Service (CLS) Grants Program, which provides need-based support to help students partake in professional development and postgraduate exploration activities.
- The Alumni Awards committee presented a slate of 15 alumni to receive a 2026 Alumni Award to be presented at Reunion 2026.
- The Membership Development committee commenced its work to recruit five new members to join the Council in 2026. Interested alumni should complete an application by Jan. 15, 2026. For this cycle, the Council particularly encourages applicants who graduated between 1980-1989; 2000-2009; and 2020-2023.
- In partnership with the CLS and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, the Council hosted the inaugural Second Year Spotlight, an incredible weekend of programming for second-year students. More than 70 members of the class of 2028 participated in events that included panels of industry experts, guidance on financial literacy, an interactive etiquette dinner, and numerous networking opportunities with Council members and a dozen local alumni. While all Council members were involved, two led invited talks: a Friday evening keynote Sasha Aslanian ’90, “Will I Ever Amount to Anything? (Spoiler: Yes)”, which inspired students to embrace uncertainty and possibility, and a Saturday workshop by David Kurzman ’96, Financial Fluency: Skills for Thriving Beyond Grinnell, equipping students with essential tools for their post-college lives.
- On Saturday evening – which happened to be national First-Generation College Celebration Day – the Council alongside students, faculty and staff, commemorated the opening of the new First-Generation and Low-Income Student Lounge in the Rosenfield Center, which was the Council’s 2024-25 philanthropy endeavor, raising over $21,000 for this amazing new space. Thanks to all who chose to give in support of this project.
Please let us know if you have any questions. If you are interested in learning more about the Council, or applying for one of our five vacancies for next year, visit our website to read through FAQ’s about the Council and to apply for membership. Applications received through Jan. 15, 2026 will be considered.
Warm regards,
Kate Goddard ’91, Alumni Council President
Jayn Bailey Chaney ’05, Assistant Vice President of Alumni and Donor Relations