Volunteer Spotlight: Emily Westergaard '02

With Reunion 2008 just around the corner, it didn't take long for Emily Westergaard's name to surface as an outstanding nominee for the Volunteer Spotlight from the classes lucky enough to be celebrating their reunions this summer (Classes of 1938, '43, '58, '68, '77, '78, '79, '83, '98, '02, '03, and '04). Emily graduated from Grinnell in 2002 with a degree in international development (an independent major). Notably, Emily was selected as a Grinnell Corps Fellow, and spent the year after graduation at the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia in southern Africa.

When she returned to Des Moines (her hometown) in August 2003, she thought she'd probably apply to graduate school in geography or agricultural economics. Before she had this chance, however, she was offered a job at the World Food Prize Foundation. Emily quickly realized that she loved fundraising and developing relationships with donors and partners of the World Food Prize. She also enjoyed the challenge of planning and managing large events, and had the opportunity to meet many amazing individuals who came to Des Moines for the World Food Prize's annual symposium. As an unbelievable bonus, Emily met and worked with Norman Borlaug, her personal hero.

Emily's first reaction to being chosen for the Volunteer Spotlight was to credit the work of her co-volunteers: Abbey Scheckter '02, who works at Grinnell in development and George Carroll '02. Shying away from acknowledging her individual efforts, Emily says, "We manage to keep each other (mostly) on track, and accountable, which helps immensely." Emily was hesitant to mention her consistent volunteerism as an admission representative and a Regional Event Planning Committee member, much less her class fund director and class committee service. Emily also rarely misses an area event, and has participated in Volunteer Weekend and Reunion. Another of Emily's volunteer efforts is to sit on the selection committee for Grinnell Corps, returning to campus each spring to interview applicants and select future Fellows.

In contrast to the shyness about her own Grinnell volunteer contributions, Emily lit up when asked about this year's 129th Reunion: "I'm looking forward to Reunion in June for so many reasons. As a student at Grinnell, I worked Reunion a few times, and always enjoyed talking with the alums to find out what they'd been doing since graduation. Now that I have the chance to go back for my Reunion, I'll enjoy talking with students to learn more about what's going on around campus, and how things have changed in just the six short years that I've been away."

Emily adds, "Most importantly, I'm looking forward to seeing my classmates at Reunion, and reconnecting with people. Beyond the social interactions, I'm also excited for our classmates to see all of the progress that the College is working toward."

Emily was back on campus for a few days this past fall for Volunteer Weekend, during which the Class Committee members began planning Reunion. She particularly noted how powerful it was to be back on campus, seeing all of the improvements, new buildings, and new opportunities for current students. "It strengthened my ties to Grinnell, and made me focus more on how I can give back to my alma mater by volunteering," Emily says. "After visiting campus, I was able to leave and talk with friends about what's been happening, and update them on so many of the new initiatives that alums are interested in: the trustees' support of wind energy; the new Noyce Science Center; the Joe Rosenfield '25 Center; the Expanding Knowledge Initiative; and new Grinnell Corps programs are just a few of the things I learned about. There are so many exciting new things that Grinnell is offering students."

Emily continues to contact classmates to tell them about the incredible transformation of the campus and invite them to attend Reunion and revel once again in the Grinnell Community: "I hope that everyone who attends Reunion (and even those who can't) will renew their deep connection to this place that has meant so much to us, and take part in shaping the future of the College. There are so many ways that each of us can have an impact on the future of Grinnell, whether it's serving as a volunteer admission liaison, hosting an alumni event in one's hometown, helping plan future reunions, or making a meaningful gift to the College or one's favorite program."

We wish Emily the best in her new job as a major gift officer for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Drake University, and completion of her master's in public administration. Most importantly, we extend our very best wishes for her September 2008 wedding.