Grinnell College community mourns the death of Julian Sahlin `28

Updated 4/24/2025 at 11:56 p.m. 

Students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Harris Center on April 13, 2025 to mourn the loss of Julian Sahlin `28, a first-year student from Sunnyvale, California. In an email sent to all members of the Grinnell community on April 13, President Anne Harris and Vice President of Student Affairs JC Lopez wrote, “It is with deep sadness that we write to inform you that we have learned of the tragic death of Julian Sahlin ’28.”

The Poweshiek County Medical Examiner has not yet released the cause of death.

At the community gathering on Sunday, Dean for Health and Wellness Terry Mason spoke to students, first remarking the tragedy of the situation and the difficulty of losing a member of the Grinnell family. 

Dean of Religious Life and Chaplain/Rabbi Sarah Brammer-Shlay spoke after Mason, hosting an open mic for students, faculty, staff or any other community members to pay their respects to Julian and speak about how the loss impacted them.

Funny, kind, loyal — just some of the words that friends and members of College community used to describe Sahlin. Other students shared stories about Sahlin. One student read Sahlin’s application to work at Pedal Grinnell aloud, giving a glimpse into Sahlin’s love for bikes, problem-solving and helping others. 

Sahlin’s loss comes with immeasurable sadness, frustration and other emotions, Brammer-Shlay said. Mason and Brammer-Shlay both encouraged affected members of the community to engage with the College’s health resources — counseling through Student Health and Wellness and the Center for Religion, Spirituality and Social Justice (CRSSJ). 

Harris and Lopez wrote, “Grief can be experienced in many different ways. In the coming days, for some, engaging in classes and work will provide comfort and meaning; for others, it will be impossible to do so.”

“Our profound sympathy is with his parents, Dafna Elrad and Brandon Sahlin, his sister Natalya, and his family, classmates, and friends,” they wrote.

The CRSSJ hosts a weekly grief drop-in support space on Monday from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at the Religious Activities Room (Prayer Garage). All community members affected by the loss are welcomed to drop in. Additionally, the College provides and encourages students to engage with its support resources available to all students, faculty, and community members. 

“Please take the time and space you need for yourself and with each other … Campus partners are here for you, and students are invited to come for drop-in counseling support during the week at Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) and the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice. We encourage you to review and reach out to campus support resources as needed. ” Harris and Lopez wrote.

The S&B will be publishing a piece commemorating Julian Sahlin’s life. If you have any memories or stories of Julian that you would like to share, please email newspapr@grinnell.edu.