Over 1,400 Grinnellians returning for 146th Alumni Reunion Weekend
May 19, 2026 — Alumni from 52 different classes – ranging from 1956 to 2022 – are coming back to their alma mater for a weekend of reconnection with fellow Grinnellians.
Grinnell College’s 146th Alumni Reunion Weekend is taking place May 28-May 31 in numerous venues on campus as well as in and around Grinnell. The largest alumni event of the year, 1,405 guests have registered to attend thus far.
Alumni return to the College to rekindle connections with classmates, catch up with Grinnell faculty and staff, enjoy festive events, explore the campus and city of Grinnell, and relive their student days.
Catching up with classmates and meeting new Grinnellians at receptions and other events is one of the many aspects alums enjoy about Reunion.
This year’s Reunion classes celebrating milestone reunions are the classes of 1956, 1961, 1962, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1986, 1987, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2016, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Alumni from any class are always welcome and some alums attend every Reunion as part of the GRA/EY – Grinnell Reunion Any/Every Year – contingent.
This year’s registered attendees hail from 45 states, Washington D.C., and 13 foreign countries: Bolivia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, India, Hong Kong, Hungary, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweeden, and Switzerland.
“There’s nothing quite like seeing Grinnell come alive with the energy of alumni returning to campus,” says Jayn Bailey Chaney ’05, assistant vice president of alumni and donor relations. “Reunion is part celebration, part time-travel, and all heart. Whether you’re re-experiencing old traditions, reconnecting with classmates, or discovering what has or hasn’t changed, it’s pure Grinnell magic. We’re ready to roll out the welcome mat, throw open the doors, and make this year’s Reunion another unforgettable Grinnell experience.”
As usual, Reunion weekend is bursting full of activities, intellectually stimulating lectures and panels, social gatherings, and family fun. Attendees will have a wide variety of event options to choose from throughout the weekend.
Reunion gets underway the afternoon and evening of Thursday, May 28 with campus tours, an art museum open house, a book reading by Sandy Moffett, emeritus professor of theatre, and welcome events for each class or cluster.
Reunion 2026 attendees enjoy a stroll through central campus during the Friday evening Reunion Block Party
Attendees can get their exercise Friday morning by going for a Bike Ride Around Grinnell or taking part in a golf scramble or dance workshop. There also will be lectures by faculty members Mark Laver and Jon Andelson ’70. Later that morning will be receptions hosted by the Grinnell Black Alumni Network (GBAN), the Conexiones Latine Alumni, the Alumni Disability Alliance (ADA), Pan-Asian Alumni, as well as open houses at the Grinnell College Preschool and Student Health and Wellness (SHAW).
Friday afternoon brings a chance to hear from President Anne F. Harris during the View from Grinnell presentation. Afterwards, reconnect with faculty at a social with many departments or hobnob with coaches and old teammates at the Pioneer Athletics Reception in the Natatorium Lobby. In addition, the Grinnell Rainbow Alumni will be holding a 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Stonewall Resource Center on Mac Field.
Reunion Block Party will be held Friday evening. There will be nine food trucks for Grinnellians to choose from: Dari Barn, Grinnell Farm to Table, Iowa Noodz, Karam’s Mediterranean Grill, Kaaswagen, La Calle, Paparoni’s, Prime Country BBQ, and Scratch Cupcakes. The Dining Hall will also have kids’ meals available.
Attendees can also take part in Block Party yard games and listen to performances by two alumni bands: Maelstrom (alums from 30th reunion) and She-Man and the Masters of the Universe (alums from 40th reunion). Reunion Drag Show and a midnight bakery run complete the Friday festivities.
Saturday is another day chock-full of activities, starting with a fun run/walk at 7:30 a.m. Other highlights include open houses for the Mayflower and Renfrow Hall, the All-Reunion Mac Chill Time, Laughter Yoga, and the 10th Reunion Brunch: Puppies, Pancakes, Professors & the President, which will include therapy dogs to pet from Who’s Leading Who.
Alumni Assembly attendees last year cheer on an award recipient. At this year’s assembly, 15 remarkable Grinnellians will be presented with Alumni Awards.
Everyone will come together for the Alumni Assembly at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Herrick Chapel. The event will include an address by President Harris, and she will present the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award to Susan Holden McCurry ’71. The program also will feature an alumni choir performance, and Alumni Council members will present the 2026 Alumni Awards. The Council selected 15 recipients this year who have distinguished themselves by their service to their careers, their community, and/or the College.
This year’s recipients are:
- Robert C. Musser ’62
- Carolyn Canfield ’71
- Nancy Mills ’72
- Russell Damtoft ’76
- Robert Gehorsam ’76
- David Ten Eyck ’76
- Barb Cardell ’86
- Robert O. Quashie ’86
- Althea Ricketts ’86
- Christyne Lawson ’87
- Julia Gage ’96
- Marcos Ortega ’97
- Meredith Hellmer ’01
- Cassandra Miller ’16
- Langston C. Thomas ’20
Alumni Assembly will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
After Assembly, an all-Reunion dinner will be held. A Titular Head Reunion edition, performances by the Too Many String Band, The Loggia Patrol (50th reunion), and Independent 398 (55th reunion), along with the Reunion Harris Party round out Saturday’s events. A farewell brunch, ecumenical worship ceremony, and a musical tribute to Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith ’37, DHL ’19 on Sunday morning closes out the weekend.
Aguibou Sanou, assistant professor of theatre, dance, and performance studies, will present Yeleen Falleen dance workshops on Friday and Saturday mornings.
The planning for Reunion 2026 started more than a year in advance by about 100 Reunion Class Committee volunteers.
“We are fortunate to have so many enthusiastic and committed alumni volunteers who spent countless hours preparing for Reunion to make sure their classmates and all Reunion attendees have an incredible experience back on campus,” says Guinevere Natarelli, associate director for reunion programs.
Upon returning to campus, Reunion attendees’ first stop should be the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC), 1115 8th Ave., where alums can pick up materials or register, if they haven’t done so already. The registration and help desks will open at 8 a.m. on May 28 and be available throughout Reunion.
—by Jeremy Shapiro