Young alumna makes planned gift to benefit international students
August 21, 2025 — Iulia Iordache ’15 knew she wanted a liberal arts experience in college and that it wasn’t available in her native Romania.
Iulia Iordache ’15
The friendliness of the College’s recruiter and the school’s commitment to financial aid convinced her she would be welcomed coming to Grinnell. Receiving the first Parikh/McCulley Scholarship, designated for an international student with financial need, made her education possible.
“Getting the scholarship was the single most decisive moment of my life,” she says. “It enabled me to focus on the things I wanted to focus on in college. I always knew I wanted to give back.”
A decade after graduation, Iordache made plans to give back by designating a $75,000 planned gift to Grinnell from her retirement fund. When it eventually comes to fruition, the Iordache-Parikh Endowed Fund for the Office of International Student Affairs will meet practical needs and facilitate positive experiences for international students.
Her gift honors the generosity of Saumil Parikh ’99, who established the scholarship that changed Iordache’s life. Parikh, a Grinnell College trustee, grew up in India. His father worked and saved so he could attend college in the U.S. The lack of scholarship opportunities for international students motivated him to create the Parikh/McCulley Scholarship, which honors both his father and his mentor, retired trustee Paul McCulley ’79.
Likewise, Iordache named her fund in admiration of Parikh. She visited Parikh when she traveled near his home so she could thank him in person for the gift of her education. “I want to continue something and start something here by honoring Saumil,” she says.
As a young adult, the planned gift’s flexibility was a factor in Iordache’s decision. If her life circumstances or needs change, she can adjust it accordingly.
Iulia Iordache ’15, left, speaks during the 10th reunion brunch at Reunion 2015, with Alumni Counicl member Ben Vaughn Jr. ’15 looking on.
“I was raised lower class, and I never thought I would have a retirement fund,” Iordache says. “If something happens to me, the only place in the world I want it to go is to Grinnell. The international [student affairs] office helped me so much, and I know it will be put to good use.”
Grinnell offered Iordache a number of intercultural experiences. Through International Student Affairs, she was introduced to American culture and remembers having chili for the first time. The annual cultural evening and show was a time to celebrate her home traditions and those of her fellow students. Grinnell assisted with funding for a summer internship for Fulbright Malaysia, then Iordache decided to return to Southeast Asia after graduation to teach English in Thailand with Grinnell Corps.
“International students bring different perspectives to campus and make the tapestry of Grinnell richer and more colorful,” she says. “Once I realized it was possible for me to reach out and grab those opportunities, I became insatiable and wanted to understand more.”
Grinnell’s ethos continues to inspire Iordache to work for meaningful organizations that make a positive impact on the planet and improve people’s lives. After working in Singapore for two years in university student affairs, she moved to Denmark. She now works in human resources for Orsted, supporting better work environments for the company’s staff. Mission driven, Orsted is creating a world that runs entirely on green energy.
Iordache takes a moment to pose for a picture during Reunion 2025.
A class agent for the class of 2015, Iordache returned to the Grinnell in May for her 10-year reunion, saying it’s the only place she has ever truly felt she belonged. She helped plan the reunion as part of the class committee and made a speech at their 10th reunion brunch.
She has dear friends from her time in college – her roommate turned best friend, the host family she now claims as her own – but said at the reunion she also connected with those she wasn’t very close to as a student.
“The reunion was just pure magic and reminded me of how amazing Grinnell is,” she says. “We could become friends now because our starting place is from the same fertile Iowa ground.”
—by Kim Kobersmith