Alumna Pledges $4 Million to Start Global Learning Program

Susan Holden McCurry ’71 has pledged $4 million to Grinnell College to establish the Global Learning Program (GLP). A portion of her gift will come from the Roland and Ruby Holden Foundation, her family’s foundation.

“Susan McCurry’s generous gift combines her dedication to Grinnell College with the vision and foresight to advance our mission in strategic fashion,” says Grinnell President Raynard S. Kington. “The Global Learning Program will provide students at all levels and in all academic departments with opportunities to gain global competence and leadership in ways that distinguish Grinnell from our peers.”

The program will have three core components — GLP tutorials, GLP-designated courses, and GLP-scholars fellowships. Kington adds, “The program will strengthen the international dimension of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, as well as the Grinnell faculty’s international knowledge.”

Kington emphasizes that GLP tutorials particularly reflect McCurry’s desire to create global study opportunities for first-year students. Under the GLP tutorial program, 25 first-year students will participate in interdisciplinary tutorials that include a four-week, multicountry travel component for comparative studies.

“The necessary critical thinking and inquiry-based learning disciplines from GLP tutorials will prepare students for the four-week travel component,” says Susan McCurry. “We expect the travel experience to influence each student’s course of studies for the next three years at Grinnell and beyond. The opportunity to foster interest in internships abroad as well as future careers may develop from the Global Learning Program. We envision many lifelong benefits from GLP and are enthusiastic about being part of launching this international program.”

The program will be directed by the Center for International Studies (CIS), in cooperation with the dean of the College and individual academic departments. It will be staged over a 10-year period. Faculty members are building the architecture for classes to begin next spring.

“This outstanding gift puts Grinnell in the forefront of international education,” says David Harrison, CIS interim director. “By permitting Grinnell faculty to take students on course-embedded trips to multiple sites outside of the United States, the Global Learning Program provides a set of learning opportunities that no other liberal arts college can offer. Simply put, the gift liberates the creative energy of faculty and students alike to make the world their classroom.”

In 1978, after several years in early childhood education, McCurry joined the family business as chief financial officer of Holden’s Foundation Seeds Inc., headquartered in Williamsburg, Iowa.

“Our parents had a long history of international business relationships and travel. All of our family benefited from their experiences and knowledge,” McCurry says. “They instilled the value of insight gained from international site exposure. We believe the travel component of the GLP will offer a worldwide learning laboratory for students.”

McCurry was elected to the Grinnell College Board of Trustees in 2003. She also serves as a board member for the Holden Family Foundation, Highland Ridge Retirement Community, and the University of Iowa Cancer Advisory Board. She is also a trustee at the Naples Children and Education Foundation in Florida.

“We are extremely grateful for Susan McCurry’s investment in the future of Grinnell College,” says Shane Jacobson, vice president for development and alumni relations. “It is a demonstration of philanthropic leadership that aligns perfectly with the core values of the College.”