Alumni and friends from the Denver area took part in a lively celebration Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Magnolia Hotel that introduced the Campaign for Grinnell College.
Hosted by retired trustee Steve Holtze ’68, Elizabeth Alexander Holtze ’68, and Carlos Mendoza ’72, the event demonstrated how Grinnellians come together to serve the College and the greater good.
Mendoza figuratively and literally grew up in Grinnell. His father was a biology professor, and he and his brother grew up hearing stories about the College. It didn’t take long for Carlos to learn that there was an aura to it – that the College was something meaningful.
“My relationship with the campus began long before I arrived as a student,” Mendoza said. “In fact, I believe it started as soon as I learned how to ride a bicycle. For those of us lucky enough to grow up in this small town, there was something magnetic about the campus that attracted kids who lived nearby.”
He encouraged attendees to let themselves go back to their time at the College.
“Picture your favorite spaces on campus – the tree you napped under, the green space you walked past, or the path you too rode your bicycle down,” he said. “Realize this memory is your legacy, your tie to the College. And while perhaps the landscape here is a bit different from the small town you remember, rest assured that Grinnell has, in all truth, become a bit of your backyard too.”
In his presentation, Steve Holtze talked about the role models at Grinnell that led him to the life-changing possibilities that lied ahead.
“I believe this series of events wasn’t just luck; Grinnell opened the path of possibilities to me,” he said. “Consider this when you consider supporting Grinnell. Consider the unexpected courses you loved, the professors who pushed you to find your way, and the environment that opened all of our minds to what else was possible.”
The comprehensive campaign comprises all gifts made to the College from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2021. There are six philanthropic campaign priorities: Scholarships and Financial Aid; Individually Advised Teaching and Learning; the Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS); the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE); World-Class Facilities; and the Pioneer Fund.
Event attendees also had a chance to directly interact with College leaders at several engagement zones. Joe Bagnoli, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and financial aid, chatted about scholarships and financial aid, while Xavi Escandell, associate professor of anthropology and director of the Data Analysis and Social Inquiry Lab (DASIL), demonstrated how students integrate data into research and classroom work. President Raynard S. Kington talked with guests about the campaign and the opportunity to get involved.
Thank you for being with us. With your partnership, we are ensuring current and future Grinnellians have the kind of life-changing opportunities and experiences that will enable them to pursue their purposes, passions, and make a meaningful difference in the world.
We truly believe that together, we are greater.