Alumni Council News, Winter 2015

The leaves rustled and a few prairie flowers were still in bloom for the Oct. 1 meeting of the Grinnell College Alumni Council. Sessions and events were planned jointly by Ed Senn ’79, council president, and Jayn Bailey Chaney ’05, director of alumni and donor relations at the College.

Early arrivals attended a Thursday evening dinner at Relish restaurant in Grinnell, to which current students and faculty members were also invited. They later joined a large crowd at the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center to hear Peter Coyote ’64 speaking on “Intention: The Only Force on Earth We Can Control,” followed by a dessert reception. Both gatherings provided opportunities to renew Grinnell ties and set the tone for the upcoming work of the council.

Friday’s first all-council event was a lunch with President Raynard S. Kington. As we entered, we were disarmed by the request to don traditional (yes, from my era) Grinnell College scarlet and black beanies, gifts of Ed Senn and specially crafted in Washington, D.C., using an actual 1964 beanie as a pattern — thanks to Barbara Benda Jenkins ’64. Instantly united as Grinnellians, we picked up lunch plates and welcomed President Kington. He emphasized his commitment to broadening and deepening relationships between the College and the alumni body.

A second meeting with the president followed a “Here Come the Pioneers” dinner at the Harris Center, which also involved class agents and class fund directors. Here, the president elaborated on his vision for Grinnell’s excellence in a new era [see “Strategy Session” on Page 4 for details]. The evening began with a few rousing verses of “Here Come the Pioneers” and “Sons — and Daughters — of Old Grinnell,” which inspired both nostalgia among alumni and indulgent smiles by student waiters. It concluded with a Pub Quiz Night with the Student Alumni Council at Lyle’s Pub.

Committee chairs reported on their committees’ activities, which prompted discussions.

• The Communications Committee continues to foster dialogue between the College and the alumni body and is helping update the Forum website.
• The Alumni Engagement Committee has worked to strengthen regional networks and to institute a concept called “Event-in-a-Box,” for areas where the alumni population is sparse. It has also scheduled the second annual Global Day of Service for June 11, 2016.
• The Alumni Student Connections Committee asked the council to support the senior class gift, encouraged class ambassador-sponsored events among students, and refined the mentoring program between alumni and students.
• The Stewardship Committee joined donor relations at the College to recognize the growth of alumni giving.
• The Alumni Awards Committee reported receiving 28 nominations for the 2016 awards.

An informative panel presentation called “College Financing 101,” held in ARH 302, was designed for all volunteers. The aim was to bring us up to date on the basics of Grinnell’s approach to finances and to provide an opportunity for discussion and feedback. Speakers were Kate Walker, vice president for finance and treasurer; Shane Jacobson, vice president for development and alumni relations; Andrew Choquette ’00, director of investments; and Brad Lindberg, director of financial aid.

The fall Alumni Council activities concluded with a Saturday evening dinner at Grinnell House and an all-volunteer party at the home of Nancy Schmulbach Maly ’61, former Alumni Council president.

Want to join the Grinnell College Alumni Council? The Alumni Council is a group of 26 Grinnell alumni and two student representatives working under the auspices of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. The council’s mission is to foster strong connections between alumni and the College and among the 20,000 Grinnell alumni located in the 50 states and 55 nations.

We welcome applications for membership, due Jan. 5 each year, from all alumni.