Commencement
“I’m kind of disappointed that there was no outcry over my invitation to speak. I was waiting for things to blow up on Twitter. I was looking forward to withdrawing from my speech so that the College could have ‘a celebratory day that was focused on you, the graduates.’”
— Joking Commencement speaker Nancy Giles, CBS News Sunday Morning commentator
“Grinnell’s great contribution is that we take brilliant young people and, with a lot of advisement, we enable you to craft your own education. Our goal is to help you become, over the course of four short years, autonomous, socially committed, insightful individuals.”
— President Raynard S. Kington
“The main thing is it’s very personal at Grinnell College compared to others. That’s important. Grinnell College applauds the personalities and all the diverse people. We celebrate the connections.”
— Commencement Marshal Evelyn Freeman
“On May 24, 1994, at my own Commencement, seated where you all are, when I had realized what had seemed an impossible dream, I wasn’t ready to return to Nepal. I wanted to go see, and learn about, the world instead. I embarked on an extraordinary journey of world travel for over 15 years as an international teacher.”
— Educator Dorje Gurung ’94, recipient of an honorary doctor of science degree
“Passion wants to be found. It is the lifeblood of a great people and a great society.”
— Rebecca Lord, daughter of Sterling Lord ’42, recipient of an honorary doctor of humane letters degree
“It’s a bittersweet moment. I have really grown to love and appreciate the Grinnell community. It’s like a family. I’ve also come to appreciate what the next moment holds.”
— Kaydi-Ann Newsome ’14, economics major, Kingston, Jamaica
“It’s very surreal. I don’t think I could have imagined this day. It feels really good. This is your life for four years, and then suddenly you’re done. We, as graduates, are about to make a big jump. It’s very exciting.”
— Julian Della Puppa ’14, history major, Los Angeles
“I’m sad to see my friends graduate and not have continuous contact with them after this. At the same time, I feel good knowing that these amazing people are going on to do amazing things.”
— Boyd Monson ’16, math major from Provo, Utah, who entered with the class of 2014 but took a two-year leave to do his Mormon mission
“Every class has its unique personality, and no one class period is the same, even if the subject matter is. Therefore, teachers begin sentences with, ‘My first-period class was on fire today, and my lesson plans for the rest of the week all have to change. But what questions they have!’ There is no more dynamic career than teaching.”
— High school teacher Jaya Subramanian, who received an honorary doctor of social studies degree
“Grinnell has given me a family for four years. It has prepared me for the world.”
— Marissa Robinson ’14, biology major, Spanish Town, Jamaica
“I feel like half of it I did for me, and the other half was for my family. I feel like I finished what I said I’d do. It’s the start of my own life.”
— Natalie Pace ’14, chemistry major, Chicago
“I always attend Commencement, since my first year. It’s a way to ground myself, to remind myself what I’m waiting for. I also like celebrating with my friends.”
— Jacqueline Brooks ’15, anthropology major, Chicago, who was handing out programs