Reunion is the largest Grinnell alumni event held each year. Alumni return to the College to rekindle connections with classmates, enjoy lively conversations and lectures, explore the current campus, and revisit their past. We expect over 1,000 Grinnell alumni, spouses, children and friends at Reunion 2009!

Friday, May 29 - Sunday, May 31, 2009.

Reunion Weekend includes many different events. You can participate in some or all -- it's up to you. Among the weekend activities and programs are the following:

Absolutely! We encourage returning alumni to bring their entire families. All activities and programs are open to anyone who is on campus for the weekend.

Licensed personnel at the Community Day Care Center located at 10th Avenue and Penrose Street, will provide child care for children 6 weeks to 8 years. Care is available on Saturday in two individual sessions:

Relive your student experience by staying in on-campus housing (dormitories) during your reunion. On-campus housing is available to alumni and their guests on the evenings of Thursday, May 28; Friday, May 29; and Saturday, May 30. Campus apartments are reserved for families with children and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accommodations include twin beds (sheets, a blanket, a pillow and towels are provided) and minimal furnishings. There are no private bathrooms. Please note that housing reservations are not confirmed until payment is received. All rooms are single unless specific roommate requests are placed with your registration.

For the Golden Years and the Class of 1959, on-campus housing is free of charge. For all other attendees, the cost for weekend housing is $50.00 per person.

Grinnell tries to keep members of a reunion class together in the same dorm whenever possible.

If you prefer to stay off campus, a list of area accommodations is available.

There are no formal discounts available.

Yes, alumni may request to be paired with a roommate for the weekend.

Each class is assigned a class lounge - generally a residence hall lounge or other campus room. The lounge is home to you and your class for the weekend. This is the central location for class activities and socializing.

On Friday night, your lounge will be home to a post-dinner reception (snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided). The class lounge is also the ideal spot to have a quiet conversation with friends, look at old yearbooks, or just put your feet up for awhile.

The Office of College Alumni Relations will regularly post and update a list of Reunion registrants on the Reunion website as well as a list of classmates on each class page.

Yes. Faculty, coaches, and staff are invited to attend various meals and functions during the weekend. Additionally, each class committee selects honored faculty and staff to attend the class/cluster social hour and dinner on Saturday night. You can view the faculty guests attending your dinner on your class page.

Parking is available, but is limited. If you'll be staying in campus housing, it is recommended that you leave your car parked in one location and not worry about it for the weekend. Golf carts will be available to transport you around campus throughout Reunion weekend.

Your first stop should be the Reunion Registration Desk, located in the Joe Rosenfield '25 Center. Upon arrival, alumni can check in and receive a packet with housing and meal information, maps, weekend schedules, class memorabilia, discount coupons to the Grinnell Bookstore, and nametags.

On Saturday morning, classes gather in Herrick Chapel for the Alumni Assembly. The ceremony recognizes outstanding alumni with the presentation of the annual Alumni Awards and includes remarks from President Russell K. Osgood. All alumni, family members, and guests are encouraged to attend.

Yes. There are two pricing packages, one for lodging and meals and one for meals only. If neither of these package plans fits your needs, please please contact the Office of College and Alumni Relations at 866-850-1846 to design an individualized plan.

Yes, although alumni are strongly encouraged to register in advance. Some events have limited capacities and sell out quickly, and we cannot guarantee the availability of rooms or dining services if you have not registered in advance.

Some events may be moved inside, but with traditional Pioneer spirit, our Reunion celebrations will continue rain or shine.

Drinks are complimentary at the Saturday night social hour, dinner and dance. For all other Reunion events, alumni and guests must provide their own alcohol.

Yes, alumni who are not part of an official reunion class but who would like to attend are welcome to do so.

The per-person cost varies from class to class. Package plans include combinations of meals, drinks, entertainment, programs, class lounges, on-site transportation, registration materials, class memorabilia, and appearances by faculty/staff/coach guests. Some class-specific and special events may require a nominal additional registration fee.

Online registration is not yet open. Alumni will also receive a registration packet in the mail in early March. The packet contains registration forms and information about the schedule of events. If you have misplaced your registration information, contact the Office of College and Alumni Relations at 866-850-1846.

Grinnell's athletic facilities are available for returning alumni and their guests. Take a swim in the Obermiller Pool, play racquetball or use the indoor track in the P.E.C., play a tennis match at the outdoor courts, or sweat it out on the free weights, exercise bicycles, treadmills, and rowing machines in the new Athletic and Fitness Center. Times vary and will be available when you arrive on campus.

Phones are provided in each residence hall room. Long-distance calls can be made with a credit/calling card or through a collect service. Burling Library will be open throughout Reunion weekend for computer use. If you choose to bring your personal computer to campus, you will need to pick up information regarding the Grinnell College guest username and password at the Reunion Registration Desk. Each residence hall room has internet access available with a standard Ethernet port. Wireless internet for laptops is available in the first-floor lounges of all residence halls and in all academic buildings.

Grinnell College is committed to making its campus accessible to persons with disabilities. However, not all areas of campus are fully accessible. Individuals who have special needs should contact the Office of College and Alumni Relations at 866-850-1846.

If cancellation of an on-campus room or a Reunion reservation is necessary, please call the Office of College and Alumni Relations at 866-850-1846. Individuals will be reimbursed in full for cancellations made prior to Thursday, May 28 at noon.

The Grinnell Bookstore will feature a 10% discount for all alumni attending Reunion! Coupons will be included in your registration packets.

The Reunion registration fee is a nominal charge assessed to all Reunion attendees. Grinnell College strives to make Reunion an affordable and accessible event for all participants and the $25 registration fee partially subsidizes general Reunion costs like golf cart rentals, student worker wages, Friday night lounge refreshments, the Reunion family carnival and the Reunion dance. This registration fee, along with other fees you may pay to attend Reunion Weekend and specific events, by no means covers the overall cost to the College for the Weekend. If you have further questions about the Reunion registration fee, please contact Jayn Bailey '05, assistant director of alumni relations at baileyja@grinnell.edu or 641-269-4633.

For more information, please contact the Office of College and Alumni Relations at 866-850-1846.