To our beloved Grinnell students,
We are Grinnell alumni, including many former student athletes. And we write to you to express our support for transgender, non-binary and gender diverse students and student athletes at this difficult time.
This past month the NCAA removed LGBTQ+ protections from its constitution and eliminated its decade-old policy on inclusion for transgender athletes — relying on individual athletics governing bodies to set guidance of their own. A decision that was met with great concern from LGBTQ+ organizations and athletes; we share their concerns. Following this change, USA Swimming announced a new policy that creates significant and unnecessary barriers to full participation for trans swimmers. All of which comes at a time when many states — unfortunately, including Iowa — have passed or are considering legislation that seeks to limit the participation of trans students in sports at every level.
We are dismayed by this series of events and are deeply concerned about the impacts these policy changes are having on transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse athletes and individuals.
To the students affected by these changes and, especially those who may be student athletes concerned about your ability to participate in the sports you love, know that your alumni community supports you. Transgender, non-binary and gender diverse individuals are our valued family, kids, friends, colleagues, community members, and classmates — including some signatories to this letter. We will continue to do our part to ensure that you can bring your full and authentic selves to all that you do.
And we affirm that all students should have the chance to fully participate in athletics. Many among us are Swimming and Diving alumni, and we wish to specifically express our support for any Swimming and Diving athletes at Grinnell who may be affected by the new USA Swimming policies. We stand with you.
We are heartened that Grinnell College continues to maintain policies of inclusion and we will continue to call on the college and its leaders to support the college community and to use their platform to advocate for more inclusive policies.
As alumni we commit to using our voices at Grinnell and beyond to offer our support and encourage institutions and organizations to do right by all students. We will be reaching out to the NCAA, USA Swimming and other groups as these conversations evolve to urge them to take a stance that centers inclusion and equity.
To all transgender, non-binary and gender diverse students at Grinnell, know that you are seen and supported by your alumni community. Know that we celebrate and affirm you for all of who you are.
To other students and particularly student athletes — we encourage you to be allies, accomplices and advocates in this effort. We’ve seen the many ways in which the campus community has come together to support one another through challenges.
In support and solidarity,
Your Grinnell alumni community
–
Kat Rohn `08
Linnea Rich `99 | Swimming
Janice Lee Johnson `95 | Soccer, Track and Field
Nicholas Johnson `95 | Soccer, Diving
Claire Williams `13 | Swimming
Ericca Reavis `08 | Golf, Swimming
Erik Larson `06 | Swimming and Diving
Nate Kimball `07 | Swimming
Erin Sindewald `08 | Cross Country, Track and Field
Valerie Stimac `09 | Swimming
Mary Ahlquist `07 | Swimming
Maurie Kathan `08 | Swimming and Diving
Matt Remissong `08 | Swimming
Nora Shields-Cutler `08 | Cross Country, Track and Field
Jacq Groves `09 | Cross Country
Rebecca Gernes `09 | Swimming
Dan Neely `09 | Swimming
Elina Koretsky `99
James Dunn `01
Steven Ullberg `17
Maya Dru `21
Kendra Engels `06
Margaret Smith `09 | Swimming
Madeline Peak `21 | Swimming
Betsy Lorton `09
Rachel Snodgrass `21
Sam Calisch `10 | Cross Country, Track and Field
Kristen Audet `08 | Swimming
Lily Camp `10 | Swimming
Vince Mertes `08
Rex Chien `09 | Swimming
Bryce Cook `21
Karry Carr `84
Hanna O`Neill `20 | Swimming
Shannon Ellery `18 | Swimming
Anna Dudda `96
Dorna Lange `06
Olivia Werth `98
Nicole Werth `99
Elizabeth Jach `09 | Cross Country, Track and Field
Clare Patterson `08
Megan Straughan `07
Scott DeGeest `06 | Swimming
Rowan Queathem `17
Allison Rosenthal `09
Freeda Brook `07
Cassandra Donnelly `06| Basketball, Volleyball
Meredith Groves `08 | Cross Country, Track and Field
Mark Sullivan `10 | Diving
Nicole Spear `08
Christine Boeckholt Remissong `08
Jesse Peterson-Brandt `09
Sally Campbell Galman `96
Rachel Engh `08 | Tennis
Chris Dietrich `01 | Soccer
Jami McDowell `98
Amanda Davis `04
Ross Koon `06
Peg Gustafson `89
Connie Dooley `94
Alisa Greenbacher `93
Josh Burke `92
Karry Koon Carr `84
Amy Welch Nylander `83
Mark W. Schumann `88 | Track and Field
Marcy Toal `92
Miles Stern `96
Dori McLennan `92 | Softball
Eric B. Krauss `94
Cassandra Ewert-Lamutt `89
Nazareth Soberanes `13
Alexi Brooks `10
Emma Meade `07
Margie Scribner Greene `10
Cy Mistry `11| Swimming
Tim Motika `96
Madeline Hart-Andersen `10
Katherine Ingram `08 | Ultimate Frisbee
Ian Young `08 | Ultimate Frisbee
Sarah Smith `07
Mary Caroline Rhodes `13 |Swimming
Ross Noecker `11
Emily Summers `10 | Swimming
Jaime Frankle `08
Christopher Wilde `88
Jim D`Ambrosia `87
Natalie Niederman `20| Swim and Dive
Laura Deavers `08
Alanna Walen `92
Sarah Luetzow `09
Ryann Cheung `93 Swimming
Stephanie Sandford Maddrey `99 | Dance
Emily Iwuc `08
Laura (Ackelson) Christiansen `98
John Christiansen `98 | Baseball
Sachiko Graber `12 | Cross Country, Track and Field
Robert Schwaller `03 | Football
Katharine Lee `04
Jessica Eagan `00
Andy Eagan `01 | Football, Track and Field
Maggie Nachlin `95
Jacob Sagrans `09
Emily Adam `17 | Swimming, Golf
Anastasia Pulak `19 | Swimming
Ellen Snook `85
Leanne Williams `04
Josh Trost `97
Carole Saunders `90
Emma Willhardt `19 | Volleyball
Jen Jacobsen `95 I Cross Country, Track & Field (coaching, too)
Ben Halliburton `08
Allison Amphlett `08
Emily Sipfle `08 | Swimming
Todd Brown `90
Mary Tarullo `05
Gina Tarullo `06
Sharyn Obsatz `93
Henry Jantzen `19
Cathy Stiles `01
Amy Logsdon `88
Danielle Long `00
John Aerni-Flessner `01 | Track and Field, Cross Country, Athletic Hall of Fame, class of 2018
Katie (Kleese) Bloome `05 | Rugby
Nathan Williams `03
Megan Niffenegger `08
Elana Gravitz `91
Elizabeth Archerd ‘76
Nicole Still ‘95
