Reunion 2025 filled with memorable moments for Grinnell alumni
June 4, 2025 — When it came time to choose a class meal at Reunion 2025, the class of 2015 turned back the clock a decade to one of their beloved student events.
Grinnell College has organized several Puppies and Pancakes during finals week, allowing students to play with dogs and eat pancakes as a break from studying.
“It was very fondly remembered by all of us, so we decided to recreate that for the weekend,” said Jordan Schellinger ’15, a Reunion Class Committee member. “Everyone in our class knew what Puppies and Pancakes meant. It brought back memories and got them excited to be here together. I’m really pleased with how it came together.”
Jordan Schellinger ’15, left, and Ross Voelker ’15, pet a dog during the 10th reunion brunch Saturday at Harris Center.
As 2015 alums entered the Harris Center Concert Hall Saturday morning for brunch, most made a beeline straight to the six dogs brought over by Andi Smith with Who’s Leading Who, a Grinnell dog training business.
For Schellinger, being back at her alma mater 10 years after graduation was “surreal but really fun. It’s nice to reconnect with people,” she said. “I’m making friends with people I didn’t hang out with in college since our paths didn’t cross much. But I feel like after Reunion, I’ll try to stay in touch with those people, which is really exciting. There’s something special about just being surrounded by Grinnellians again. We have this shared experience.”
The shared experience and camaraderie were on display throughout the 145th Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend. Held May 29-June 1, Reunion 2025 was attended by 1,174 alumni, faculty, staff, and guests. This year’s registered attendees were from 45 states, Washington D.C., and 21 foreign countries. Alumni from 46 different classes – ranging from 1964 to 2016 – reconnected with classmates, socialized at events, took part in presentations, rediscovered favorite places on campus and in town, and made new Grinnell memories.
This year’s Reunion classes celebrating milestone reunions were the classes of 1965, 1966, 1975, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2000, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2015.
CW Hobbs ’75, a Reunion Class Committee member and co-fundraising coordinator for the Grinnell Rainbow Alumni, was among the 62 alums back on campus for their 50th reunion.
“My two favorite things about Reunion are discovering that you have a lot more in common with people who you were not friends with at Grinnell and watching the College change,” Hobbs said.
Michael Barr ’90 celebrates crossing the finish line at the Alumni Fun Run/Walk.
While Hobbs has been to several Reunions over the years, Michael Barr ’90 was attending his first Reunion and hadn’t seen Grinnell’s campus in 32 years. He says it was nice to see how campus has evolved.
“We’ve talked a lot about the old buildings still here and the new ones,” Barr said. “At the time when they were constructing newer buildings, there was a sense of nostalgia, and we were thinking the new buildings don’t fit in. But coming back 35 years later, it was really amazing. I felt really proud to be an alumnus of the school and see the reinvention of the College. It’s terrific, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
After finishing the Alumni Fun Run Saturday morning, Barr ran into his classmate, Fran Crofts ’90.
“My favorite part of Reunion is reconnecting with people and the fun in bumping into someone like Mike here,” Crofts said. “We were trying to remember each other after no contact for 35 years. I’m a runner; I ran cross county here, so I wanted the opportunity to come back and say hello to Evelyn Freeman and everyone else.”
For John Watkins ’66, Reunion offered the chance to see fellow alums and friends from town. He grew up in Grinnell but moved to the East Coast for a job with Hewlett-Packard in their division that made chemical instruments.
“I was a chemistry major at Grinnell,” he said. “They had an analytical instrumental course here, and I was lab assistant my senior year. It was a good career. Because I went here, I could write a little bit, so I managed a group at HP that was mostly Ph.D. candidates.”
Randy Morgan ’65, DS ’92 gives a brief acceptance speech during Alumni Assembly after receiving the inaugural Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
Watkins was one of 56 alums back from the class of 1965 and 1966, which broke the record for most Grinnellians returning for their 60th reunion. During Alumni Assembly on Saturday, they were excited to see President Anne F. Harris present the inaugural Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award to Randy Morgan ’65, DS ’92.
During his acceptance speech, Morgan, an orthopedic surgeon and life trustee of the College, said the award was a tribute to this family and classmates.
“I turned down a scholarship from Havard because as a Midwestern child of color I was intimidated by the thought of going to Boston for college and instead decided to attend a small school in Iowa that everyone thought I mispronounced when I told them where I was going,” he said. “It’s clear I made the correct decision for my life and for the legacy of Grinnell as well. The College is beautiful; our president is amazing. I had the opportunity to work with five presidents of Grinnell College and each has made us proud. I’m so impressed with the faculty and students, and the kindness that has been expressed to us.”
Alumni Assembly also included Harris’ presidential address, a performance of Amazing Grace by the alumni choir, and a video and remarks by Alumni Council President Kate Goddard ’91 about Reunion giving to Grinnell. Collectively all Reunion classes have raised $9.5 million in total gifts and commitments. Making a Reunion gift is a powerful way to ensure students of today and tomorrow will be able to enjoy a transformative Grinnell experience.
“We would like to thank the 874 donors from our Reunion classes so far this fiscal year who have made a gift,” Goddard said. “Through your continued support, we can provide current and future students with the opportunity to go forth into the world and do great things.”
The 2025 Alumni Awards recipients are joined by Morgan and President Anne F. Harris for a group shot at Herrick Chapel after being honored during Alumni Assembly.
Assembly concluded with the presentation of 14 Alumni Awards to recipients who have distinguished themselves by their service to their careers, their community, and/or the College. Bernard Jackson ’86, past president of Alumni Council, presented the awards to this year’s recipients: Kenton Clymer ’65, Jeri Langham ’65, Michael Cullen ’75, Bill Ferguson ’75, Renee Garrick ’75, Amy Fraenkel ’85, May-lee Chai ’89, Clint Korver ’89, Kent Koth ’90, Monique McLay Shore ’90, Juan Castaño ’00, Gabrielle Conecker ’00, Caitlin Davies ’09, and Evan Griffith ’15. Grinnellians can watch a replay of Alumni Assembly to see all the awards and speeches.
Castaño said there was something so familiar with being back in Grinnell. “I really want to walk around. It’s so beautiful that the buildings are open. I want to connect with faces that I knew and meet new people. And I’m looking forward to dancing a little bit.”
He said receiving an Alumni Award was very humbling.
“I feel like it’s in recognition of the path I’ve taken professionally and the nonprofit [Calpulli Mexican Dance Company] I started,” he said. “I feel grateful to Grinnell for planting those seeds that grew later and for helping me pursue things with a blind bravery. I think a lot of that fuel came from things I experienced or learned at Grinnell.”
—by Jeremy Shapiro
For your information:
The 146th Annual Alumni Reunion will take place May 28-31, 2026. Classes celebrating milestone reunions are the following: 1956, 1961-62 (cluster), 1968-72 (cluster), 1976, 1986-87 (cluster), 1995-97 (cluster), 2001, 2016, 2020-22 (cluster). View the Reunion Calendar for more future dates and class milestones.
To read more alumni news, check out our news archive and like the Alumni & Friends Facebook page.