Valuing a diverse community at Grinnell
Dear Grinnellians,
With enduring admiration and gratitude for you and the difference that Grinnellians make in the world, I write to you today to share news from campus and how the Grinnell College community is both sustaining and supported by its values of excellence in education, a diverse community, and social responsibility in the current moment.
President Anne F. Harris
Grinnell’s excellent faculty and staff distinguish the College’s academic experience. Last month, the Carnegie Classifications released their newly defined research activity designations and Grinnell has been designated as a Research College and University. This is a tremendous accomplishment for a small liberal arts college, built by years of excellence and brilliance that drive innovative and high-quality teaching and undergraduate research – as you remember from your own time at Grinnell!
Grinnell College honors and values a diverse community at Grinnell, because learning, living, and working in a community that includes people from all cultures, identities, nationalities, and socioeconomic backgrounds enriches education for everyone. This value is one factor, among many, that informed the Board of Trustees’ decision to ensure that Grinnell remains need-blind in its admission for domestic students, the only small liberal arts college in the Midwest to admit domestic students without consideration of a family’s financial status.
Recent legislation in Iowa has removed civil rights protections based on gender identity. Other declared and pending action at the federal level may significantly impact international students, students with financial need, and other programs. Grinnell remains steadfast in its commitment to continuing to provide a learning, living, and working environment that is free from discrimination and harassment as outlined in the College’s non-discrimination policy. The College also remains committed to its articulated principles of free expression and dialogue across difference. Community members, especially those whose identities and aspirations are being targeted by many of the declarations in our public sphere, are impacted and communal and alumni support continues to be a source of strength. Thank you. As a community, we are closely following proposed legislation, executive orders, and policy changes to discern where and when our advocacy will be most impactful.
Prompted by the strategic plan’s attention to the role that athletics can play in the College’s always-developing culture of belonging, a period of discernment regarding Grinnell’s athletics logo, known as the Honor G, has begun. At its adoption before the turn of the 20th century, its symbolism was positive, and it came to be used as a mark of recognition for athletic achievement. Historical contexts and visual cultures of violence have unfortunately changed the symbol’s impact. Coaches, students, and alumni have shared that a common identity for Grinnell Athletics is important to them and that they want an identity that reflects the excellence and competitiveness of Grinnell’s athletic teams and its vibrant community.
In the midst of the current challenges, the Grinnell community is inspired and emboldened through the many possibilities for celebration and joy that Grinnellians bring to our complex society and our academic community:
- We celebrate alumni of all backgrounds and beliefs who work in communities to address concerns, build coalitions, and use their voices to engage in civic life.
- We celebrate the generous creativity of the alumni whose care packages each spring make students feel seen and appreciated.
- We celebrate the men’s basketball team’s first NCAA tournament appearance in 24 years, their Midwest Conference Tournament Championship, and the first 20-win season in program history.
- We celebrate a historic gift supporting faculty excellence, curricular innovation, and financial aid in the sciences.
- We celebrate dozens of students who are participating in externships over spring break thanks to the tremendous generosity of the alumni community.
- We celebrate admitted students on campus and events for high school juniors who are considering Grinnell, showing them how they may come together in a new class of Grinnellians who are as bright, creative, and committed as they are.
We celebrate because of you! Thank you for all that you do for Grinnell. Your dedication is significant, impactful, and it matters tremendously to everyone here.
Sincerely,
Anne F. Harris
President