Picture Perfect: Starting the Year with Community, Connection, and Festivities

A photo essay of the weeks leading up to the first day of classes.

Published:

August 30, 2024

Yesenia Mozo

Multiple students build a pyramid, leaving one student to pose on top. Another student takes a picture.

The International Pre-Orientation Program (IPOP) participated in a scavenger hunt in Grinnell’s downtown.

Before the first day of classes on August 29, students from the class of 2028 came together to participate in various orientation programs, including the International Pre-Orientation Program (IPOP), the Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP), and, of course, New Student Orientation (NSO). So far, these new Grinnellians have met classmates from around the globe, enjoyed downtown spots such as the popular Grin City Bakery and Dari Barn, and received a preview of academic and social life in Grinnell.

This year’s class is amazingly accomplished – collectively, they speak 55 languages, and over half have participated in community service, visual and performing arts, and career-related experiences in high school. They represent 39 states and 42 different countries; 17% of the class are also first-generation students and over half of the student population identify as people of color in the U.S. or residents of other countries.

As our students start to build a multicultural community on Grinnell’s campus, they’ll discover many Iowa delights in the process.

Take a peek into these students’ first adventures on campus before the start of classes.

Grinnell Science Project

The Grinnell Science Project (GSP) is one of the three pre-orientation programs Grinnell offers to incoming students. The program serves students dedicated to math and science, particularly those who are from historically marginalized identities typically underrepresented in STEM fields. With GSP, students are able to start building community amongst their classmates, student leaders, and science faculty. The program also introduces resources to be successful in a science curriculum in Grinnell. Before the start of classes, all GSP students experience Grinnell’s state-of-the-art science facilities, participate in mini lab activities, and receive mentorship.

A student in a green shirt pours liquid into a beaker with a pipe. Another student watches.

Students smile as they read through a document.

Students gather around a document, inspecting it closely.

International Pre Orientation Program (IPOP)

The International Pre Orientation Program (IPOP) is a week-long orientation program ahead of New Student Orientation (NSO). The program focuses on teaching students about their student visa benefits and limitations, preparing students for cultural transitions and academic success, while also giving them opportunities for campus connection and community. Students are introduced to various hot spots in downtown Grinnell and are paired with IPOP mentors, older international student leaders who help support newer international students upon their arrival. Learn about the 2024 IPOP mentors at the end of the IPOP page.

Six students stand in a row. They smile while a student holds up a welcome sign in Chinese.

A student bites into a donut while another student takes his picture. — *IPOP mentor **Parikshit Roychowdhury ’26** bites into a donut at the Grin City Bakery.*

A student smiles and puts his hands up in front of the Grinnell Food to Table office. Two students stand near him. — *Students spend time in front of the Grinnell Farm to Table office, right next door to local grocery store McNally’s.*

A group of international students walk on Main Street of Grinnell's downtown. — *A group of international students walk on Main Street of Grinnell’s downtown.*

Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP)

The Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP) kicks off as a pre-orientation program and extends into a year-long mentorship program. The program is designed to support first-year students from historically marginalized identities and backgrounds, including but not limited to, students of color, first-generation students, students with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ students. At the end of the pre-orientation portion of the program, PCPOP students are paired with PCPOP mentors, who check in with their mentees weekly. Every month, Intercultural Affairs hosts “popups,” a dinner for PCPOP students to gather and recount experiences, build connections with one another, and receive mentorship throughout their time at Grinnell.

In a science room, two people speak in front of students. — *Vice President of Student Affairs **JC Lopez** and Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer **Marc Reed** deliver “Welcome to PCPOP” remarks.*

A group of students sit outside the Bucksbaum Center of the Arts while holding plushie squirrels.

A Latina woman in a green shirt speaks to an audience. — **Adriana Torres**, assistant director of Intercultural Affairs, Latinx/e Student Specialist, speaks to PCPOP.

All-POP Dessert Social with IPOP, PCPOP, and GSP

To mark the end of Grinnell’s pre-orientation programs (POPs), they all gathered at the Grinnell College Golf Course to enjoy desserts and fun activities with one another.

Students lie on a picnic blanket. They giggle at the camera.

A Black PCPOP mentor smiles in the middle of a large golf course lawn.

Students play a game in the middle of the Grinnell College golf lawn.

Move In Day for New Student Orientation (NSO)

Staff were able to interact with new students and their families as they helped with move-in day. With the help of Residential Life, the class of 2028 were greeted with a warm welcome!

Three people in pink move-in shirts hold a black bag in a dorm.

A woman in a pink move-in shirt hauls a cart in front of a few other people. — *Library Cataloging Assistant, **Jane Mertens**, helps news students move into Rathje Hall.*

New Student Orientation (NSO)

After move-in day, New Student Orientation (NSO) was in full swing! Students who participated in pre-orientation programs had the chance to meet the rest of their class on NSO’s first day, August 23. NSO is full of exciting festivities, where new students begin building relationships and networks that are essential to developing a sense of belonging in the Grinnell community.

A large group of students sit on the lawn of Mac Field, watching a student in a purple shirt.

Students gathered under an inflatable arc.

Four students are crouched on the Mac Field lawn, looking over a puzzle.

Welcome Ceremony

New Student Orientation leaders and staff members greet new students for the Welcome Ceremony in the Charles Benson Bear ’39 Recreation and Athletic Center.

Students cheer with red and white pom-poms.

A long trail of people march. One person holds a disco ball while another holds a Grinnell College flag banner,

President Anne Harris speaks at the podium. — *President Anne F. Harris delivers some opening remarks to the new class of 2028.*

Illumination Ceremony

A memorable first-year experience, new students are introduced to the Grinnell alumni network and light up Mac Field with their candles. This year, Vivek Venugopal ’01, Jasiah Villalta ’26, and Valeriya Woodard ’25 delivered remarks to this year’s incoming class. President Anne F. Harris closed the ceremony and asked students to light their devices in unity after a countdown.

A group of students surround an illuminated stage on Mac Field as darkness sets.

An alum and a student share a moment on stage. — ***Vivek Venugopal ’01*** *and* ***Jasiah Villalta ’26.***

A group of students pose in the darkness, red light illuminating them. They hold fake, lit up candles.

All Campus Festival

A welcome festival for all students, faculty, staff, and their families – full of inflatables, rock climbing, go karts and more!

Students climb a rope over an inflatable ground.

Three students sit in go-karts on an inflatable ground.

First Day of Classes

Students posed for pictures on the first floor of the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center. President Anne F. Harris also delivered this year’s opening Scholars’ Convocation on the first day of school.

A group of students pose, some of the holding numbers to represent the class of 2028.