Fall Welcome Message From President Harris

Welcome, Grinnellians!

Dear Grinnellians,

How wonderful it is to welcome you into community! As we come back together with friends after an absence and begin to forge friendships with new students, faculty, and staff, I invite you to take a moment to feel the energy and excitement of our community of inquiry re-engaging in our common work of teaching, learning, creativity, and discovery.

I want to extend a warm welcome to all Grinnellians, starting with the newest members of our community, the class of 2026. Whether you are familiar with the rolling prairies and wide-open Iowa skies or you are seeing campus for the first time — you belong here. I am so grateful for the wonderful students, faculty, and staff who have collaborated to provide you with a rich orientation experience. To our new faculty and staff members, thank you for bringing your distinctive expertise and passion to the rich tradition and complex tapestry of Grinnell. Thank you to the many individuals who have come together to provide an introduction to our community.

We also welcomed four new members to Grinnell’s senior leadership team over the summer. Beronda Montgomery began her appointment as vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College on July 1. She joined Myrna Hernández, chief of staff and vice president of administration, and Germaine Gross, who serves as vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Additionally, Ellen de Graffenreid joined the College in June as vice president of communications and marketing. It is my honor to work with them and the outstanding team of colleagues on the senior leadership team, which now includes three elected positions representing students, faculty, and staff. I invite you to visit the website to come to know the members of the team.

Over the course of this year, we will continue to envision the Grinnell College of the future by asking students, faculty, and staff to think together as we co-create a strategic plan that advances the College’s mission. This process will require us to build trust and to model and foster civic trust. You will hear much more about this as the academic year progresses, but this shared work will build on the need to nurture and sustain trust between individuals, individuals and institutions, and between institutions.

So, as we celebrate our return and our renewed practice of research, deliberation, and collaboration: Bemvindo! Velkommen! Nĭhǎo! Karibu! Bienvenidas! Здравствуйте! Yokoso! Hoan nghenh! Bonjour! Shalom! Namaste! Vanakkam! Welcome to Grinnell College!

See you at the all-campus picnic tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug. 24) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on 8th avenue in front of the JRC — and enjoy the Welcome Festival starting at 3 p.m. on Mac Field and in Kington Plaza!

In the spirit of welcome and inquiry, Dean Beronda Montgomery, SGA President Loyal Terry, and I all look forward to sharing our ideas with you on “Being (at) Grinnell College Now” at the Scholars’ Convocation on Thursday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to noon in JRC 101.

Gratefully,

Anne

Anne F. Harris

President