The Scarlet & Black

The Independent Student News Site of Grinnell College
Transfer student Julie Howard `26.5 poses for a portrait in the Spencer Grill.
Grinnell College receives $150,000 grant to increase recruitment, support for transfer students
Grinnell College intends to cut free housing, meals for students working non-academic periods starting in 2026
Grinnell College intends to cut free housing, meals for students working non-academic periods starting in 2026
The Global Café is piloting a new late-night dining option.
Grinnell College Dining Services pilots late-night Global Café program
Flowers adorn Julian Sahlin's bike outside of Younker Hall on April 14, 2025.
Grinnell College community mourns the death of Julian Sahlin `28
Pioneer Bookshop promotes GrinnBooks program through distribution of bookmarks on April 4, 2025.
GrinnBooks aims to provide affordable textbooks to students
American and Iowa state flags waving outside of Drake Community Library.
State Senator Sweeney talks fiscal responsibility at legislative coffee event
From left: Will Cloake (Ken), Ashley Beasley (Claire), Alexis Steele (Chris), Jenna Starke (Cookie), Crosby (Ernie), Craig Gibbens (Lenny), and Mike McKenna (Glenn) decorate the scene. (Contributed by Luke Saunders).
Grinnell Community Theatre presents Neil Simon’s “Rumors”
Grinnell students feed cows at Compass Plant on Saturday, April 5.
USDA funding cuts leave Grinnell local food system vulnerable
Two bills, House Files 880 and 274, did not advance into the legislative session and are now considered dead. Staff members at Drake Community Library still await news on federal efforts to disband the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Drake and other local public libraries await news on federal funding changes
Greg Lincoln, Service Director, and Angie Radcliffe, Executive Director, pose outside of Renewed Hope Home Furnishings at Grinnell Friends Church.
Renewed Hope helps make houses into homes
Isaiah Schlimm `27, a Vivero Digital Fellow, works in Burling basement on Thursday, April 17.
On-campus jobs prepare students for professional life
Will Reyes `25 cuts Gabe Garcia's `27 hair in the Black Cultural Center Salon.
Brows, cuts and nails: student-run beauty businesses
Performers in ISO's Cultural Evening gather on stage for a final performance in the Harris Center on Saturday, April 12.
ISO Cultural Evening celebrates heritage through storytelling, song, dance and dress
The Grinnell Redemption Center accepts bottles and cans and is located on 132 West St, Grinnell, IA.
Sustainability initiatives think beyond recycling, advocate for education and institutional memory
Students and faculty have conversations at French Table over lunch on Wednesday, April 2.
Affinity tables support language learning at lunchtime
Performers dance during Agnes Allman's "Mixed Signals" performance on Friday, April 11.
Agnes Allman produces independent student choreography show
Henry Loomis' artwork displayed in the Smith Gallery.
Henry Loomis `26 creates “Bird Worlds”
BRASA members and friends celebrate at the BRASA Gardner.
“I HEART BR”: First-ever BRASA Gardner brings Brazilian funk to Grinnell
From left: Will Cloake (Ken), Ashley Beasley (Claire), Alexis Steele (Chris), Jenna Starke (Cookie), Crosby (Ernie), Craig Gibbens (Lenny), and Mike McKenna (Glenn) decorate the scene. (Contributed by Luke Saunders).
Grinnell Community Theatre presents Neil Simon’s “Rumors”
Levi McMillan `27 sings during choir performance.
Grinnell Singers bring tour back to campus with “The Light is the Same”
Utsah Kalra `25 hits a serve during a tennis match against UW Eau Claire on Sunday, Apr. 13.
PHOTOS: Women’s tennis beats University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 7-0
Athletes check into the Walker Athletic Training Suite before practice where they are provided with care in order to both prevent injuries and rehabilitate students after an injury is sustained.
Injured athletes navigate campus resources
Grinnell men's golf walking to tee-off at the next hole at the Grinnell College Golf Course during practice on April 11, 2025.
The success behind Grinnell’s golf teams
Caitlin Ong `26 runs alongside athletes on Saturday, April 12 at the Dick Young Classic Invitational.
Grinnell’s track and field teams shatter records
Lindsey Schultz (11) focuses on the pitcher's throw during a game against Lake Forest on Saturday, Apr. 5.
PHOTOS: Grinnell softball plays Lake Forest and Beloit
From left: Samridh Dev Singh Chib `25 and Parikshit Roychowdhury `26 pose above the Spencer Grill on April 18, 2025.
Opinion: The meaning of “South Asian,” a double op-ed
From left: Alex Smith and Peyton Williams, both `27, pose in Burling Library on April 18, 2025.
Opinion: Why Grinnellians should start investing, and how to do it without losing your mind
Asha Kulkarni `28 poses in the Humanities and Social Studies Center.
O-pun-ion
Candice Hui-Chieh Lu `26 poses in the Global Kitchen on April 9, 2025.
From loss to belonging
Lyle Muller, professional adviser to The S&B, poses on the second floor of the JRC, where the College's publications room is located.
Opinion: Why college journalists like The S&B’s do what they do
Letter to the Editor: Required Meal Plans
Letter to the Editor: Required Meal Plans
Sharyn Obsatz `93 is a journalism professor at Santa Monica College.
Letter to the Editor: Support The S&B
Jay Dick `93 works as Sr. Director of Advocacy and Partnerships at Americans for the Arts.
Letter to the Editor: The Vanishing of Printed Student Media?
Sasha Aslanian `90 is a member of the Grinnell College Alumni Council.
Letter to the Editor: Physical papers have pull on Grinnell campus
Members of the women's volleyball team practicing on Wednesday Nov. 8 in preparation for their matches at the Midwest Conference tournament.
Letter to the Editor: Support women’s athletics
Comic: False Spring
Comic: False Spring
Comic: You Are What You Eat
Comic: You Are What You Eat
Comic: Ambroos and Wilhelmina van Buskirk the Tulip Fairies
Comic: Ambroos and Wilhelmina van Buskirk the Tulip Fairies
Comic: Spring Break Expectation vs. Reality
Comic: Spring Break Expectation vs. Reality
Comic: The Scariest Things on Halloween in Grinnell
Comic: The Scariest Things on Halloween in Grinnell
Horoscope: Which childhood book series are you?
Horoscope: Which childhood book series are you?
Horoscope: What D-Hall fry iteration are you?
Horoscope: What D-Hall fry iteration are you?
Horoscope: What BRAT song are you?
Horoscope: What BRAT song are you?
Horoscope: Which federally recognized Midwestern state are you?
Horoscope: Which federally recognized Midwestern state are you?
Horoscope: Which practical mode of transportation are you?
Horoscope: Which practical mode of transportation are you?
From left: Samridh Dev Singh Chib `25 and Parikshit Roychowdhury `26 pose above the Spencer Grill on April 18, 2025.
Opinion: The meaning of “South Asian,” a double op-ed
From left: Alex Smith and Peyton Williams, both `27, pose in Burling Library on April 18, 2025.
Opinion: Why Grinnellians should start investing, and how to do it without losing your mind
Lyle Muller, professional adviser to The S&B, poses on the second floor of the JRC, where the College's publications room is located.
Opinion: Why college journalists like The S&B’s do what they do
David Harrison, professor of French and Arabic, reads a textbook on "Transubstantiation."
Opinion: Stay strong when facing government intimidation
From left: Hannah Sweet `25 and Conrad Dahm `26, co-presidents of the Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers (USGDW), hold up the Apr. 2024 ratified contract that turned the UGSDW into the first wall-to-wall undergraduate labor union in U.S. history.
Opinion: Grinnellians need to show the f**k up
Play nine holes with the Grinnell women's golf team
Play nine holes with the Grinnell women’s golf team
Scarlet Sessions: Ky Klassen `25
Scarlet Sessions: Ky Klassen `25
Scarlet Sessions: Meet Ky Klassen `25
Scarlet Sessions: Meet Ky Klassen `25
Head Coach Arseneault reacts to a referee call during NCAA D-III Tournament Game against UW-Platteville on Friday, Mar. 7.
Grinnell College men’s basketball mic’d up
President Anne Harris opens the door to the Grinnell College President's house.
Cribz: President Anne Harris house tour
Utsah Kalra `25 hits a serve during a tennis match against UW Eau Claire on Sunday, Apr. 13.
PHOTOS: Women’s tennis beats University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 7-0
Lindsey Schultz (11) focuses on the pitcher's throw during a game against Lake Forest on Saturday, Apr. 5.
PHOTOS: Grinnell softball plays Lake Forest and Beloit
Jakob Runkel (39) pitches the ball in a game against Monmouth on April 5, 2025.
PHOTOS: Baseball sets new school records
A student grabs fruit from the platters offered at the event.
Photo Series: Student Athletes Leading Social Change hosts Fruit with the Faculty event
Butcher Brown performs in Herrick Chapel the night before the release of their album "Letters from the Atlantic" on Friday, Mar. 27.
PHOTOS: Butcher Brown performs in Herrick Chapel

The Scarlet & Black

The Scarlet & Black

Evan Hein, Staff Photographer

Evan is a second-year psychology major from Kansas City, Kansas. He once had to ask his friends to describe him in one word for a psych project. 33% of the twenty-five descriptive responses were the word “ginger,” followed by a small chortle.
All content by Evan Hein
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[Photo] Nathan Hoffman

Henry Horn, Staff Writer
May 6, 2024
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[Photo] Katie Paek

Natalie Ng, Staff Writer
May 6, 2024
The Honor G logo on the wall of the Charles Benson Bear '39 Recreation and Athletic Center weight room. The logo will no longer be printed on new athletic gear according to multiple coaches and athletes.

[Photo] Coaches say they were asked to remove Honor G logo from gear and uniforms as College reassess branding

Henry Horn, Staff Writer
April 27, 2024
From left: Georgia Carbone `24 and John Murphy `26 stand in the KDIC studio after working to bring back student music and talk shows.

[Photo] KDIC tunes into Grinnell campus community

Addie Persian, Staff Writer
April 19, 2024
Allison Moore `24 believes senioritis can be cured by spending time with the people you are close to.

[Photo] Op-Ed: Why do all the fourth years seem so anxious?

Allison Moore, Staff Writer
April 14, 2024
A robin on Grinnell campus on March 6.

[Photo] Su-BIRD-latives

Corinne Fox
March 11, 2024
Keaton Fitzgerald `26 during the 200-meter dash. He earned a time of 24.20 seconds at the Darren Young Classic on Feb. 10.

[Photo] It’s do or die as Die League season rockets ahead

Claire Giannosa, Staff Writer
March 11, 2024
Michelle Trujillo answers questions from film students during the Q&A portion after screenings of her short films.

[Photo] Experimental filmmaker Michelle Trujillo talks cultural borderlands

Claire Giannosa, Staff Writer
March 4, 2024
One year ago, a parent submitted a formal complaint on "The Glass Castle," taught in Kevin Hosbond's ninth-grade curriculum at Grinnell-Newburg High School. Despite a reconsideration committee deciding the book would stay in the curriculum with alterations, teachers report an environment of "self-censorship."

[Photo] Tensions still run high one year after “The Glass Castle” challenge in Grinnell, Iowa

Taylor Nunley, Community Editor
February 26, 2024
Two bills, House Files 880 and 274, did not advance into the legislative session and are now considered dead. Staff members at Drake Community Library still await news on federal efforts to disband the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

[Photo] Local librarians criticize bills with possibility to redistribute power

Sarah Evans, Opinions Editor
February 24, 2024
The women’s swim and dive team earned 864 points and beat the nearest competitor by 131 points. They have won the Midwest Conference championship for the last three years in a row.

[Photo] Basketball seniors end career as Pioneers

Natalie Ng, Staff Writer
February 26, 2024
Carol Welsman answers questions from students about being a professional musician.

[Photo] Acclaimed jazz artist Carol Welsman joins Gabriel Espinosa’s quartet

Allison Moore, Staff Writer
February 26, 2024
Bella Villareal `26 cooks at Grinnellians Who Are Ready to Cook (GWARC) house, where she has found community.

[Photo] Student ER visit reveals accommodations challenges

Sarah Evans, Opinions Editor
February 19, 2024
Dr. Irma McClaurin `73 will serve as a scholar in residence until March.

[Photo] Dr. Irma McClaurin `73 returns to Grinnell as visiting scholar

Eleanor Corbin, Editor in chief
February 19, 2024
Members of the football team practicing in August 2023.

[Photo] Track and field shatters records, looks forward

Allison Moore, Staff Writer
February 16, 2024
El Cascabel on 1014 3rd Ave., Grinnell's old train depot, opened their doors to the public on Dec. 19 2023.

[Photo] El Cascabel barrels into town, continues family restaurant tradition

Eleanor Corbin, Editor in Chief
February 12, 2024
Though ominous to some, these feathered friends flock together for safe flights.

[Photo] Crows Descend on Campus

Evelyn Wilber, Staff Writer
February 12, 2024
From left: Joe Brown `25, Nathan Hoffman `24, Marisa Goffman `24 and George Matthes `25 are always GAME for a good time.

[Photo] Cribz: It’s GAME time

Nora Kohnhorst, Staff Writer
February 5, 2024
From left: Ethan Versh `27 and Eli Brotman `25 take turns DJing, showing each other aspects of their respective techniques.

[Photo] Spotlight on student DJs: Eli Brotman `25 and Ethan Versh `27

Krista Spies, Staff Writer
December 4, 2023
Head Coach David Arsenault Jr. `09 poses with the men's basketball team after his 100th career win at the collegiate level. The Pioneers beat Lake Forest College 148-123 during that game on Nov. 25.

[Photo] The Grinnell System: Men’s basketball’s defining trait

Henry Horn, Staff Writer
December 4, 2023
The Poweshiek Animal League Shelter (PALS) located at 4167 20th St. recently hit full capacity.

[Photo] PALS at full capacity, needing volunteers

Allison Moore, Staff Writer
November 20, 2023
Grinnell's Railway Express Model Club members Dave Benson, Jed Peterson, Michael Thorndike and Robin Broders showing off their developing historical Grinnell railway model. Not pictured is Chris Walters.

[Photo] Back on track: Grinnell’s Railway Express Model Club chugs along

Natalie Ng, Staff Writer
November 18, 2023
Bryant Nguyen `25 dives for the ball during a volleyball club practice.

[Photo] Volleyball club bumps record to 1-1 in season’s first competitions

Addie Persian, Staff Writer
November 20, 2023
Members of the swim and dive teams practicing in the Natatorium in the Charles Benson Bear '39 Recreation and Athletic Center.

[Photo] Cross country clinches MWC title

Marcy Cassidy-Mapp, Features Editor
November 4, 2023
Members of the open frisbee team playing on MacEachron Field (Mac) at their Sept. 27 practice. The open and women's teams practice there every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

[Photo] Frisbee cuts to the chase, handles new season with focus on inclusivity

Jandry Perez Garcia, News Editor
October 2, 2023
Claire Forrest `13 returns to Grinnell for roundtable and book talk.

[Photo] Writers @ Grinnell: Claire Forrest `13 returns to Grinnell

Evelyn Wilber, Staff Writer
September 25, 2023
Jane March `24 faces off against a Central College player during the Sept. 20 game that ended in a 0-0 tie.

[Photo] Women’s soccer stalemates Central College

Taylor Nunley, Community Editor
September 25, 2023
Jane March `24 faces off against a Central College player during the Sept. 20 game that ended in a 0-0 tie.

[Photo] Grinnell golf has a new, ambitious coach

Mohammad Igbaria, Sports Editor
September 25, 2023
A sign in front of the vacant Grinnell Veterans Memorial Building on the intersection of 4th Ave. and Broad Street. Originally advertising the fundraising campaign for an artist residency program for veterans, the project has since been abandoned for a memorial instead.

[Photo] Veterans Memorial Building faces demolition after failed renovation plan

Eleanor Corbin, Editor in Chief
September 18, 2023
Joe Tuggle Lacina prepares remarks at "It's Not What It Is" opening reception on September 7.

[Photo] Grinnell artist Joe Tuggle Lacina breaks convention with new exhibit “It’s Not What It Is”

Allison Moore, Staff Writer
September 18, 2023
Kamal Hammouda left his position as the College imam

[Photo] Imam leaves college

Eleanor Corbin, Editor in Chief
September 11, 2023
Athletes on the football team were provided with extra water during breaks and shortened practices as their coaches accounted for temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

[Photo] Athletes beat the heat

Claire Giannosa, Staff Writer
September 11, 2023
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[Photo] Skye Ryan

May 8, 2023

[Photo] Greta Schmidt

May 8, 2023
Sancho Stardust is caught mid-hair toss with arms spread out side to side.

[Photo] Drag Show Spring 2023: Cowboys vs. Aliens

Krista Spies, Staff Writer
April 24, 2023
Students can self-report postive COVID test results to SHAW, to aid in tracking COVID cases on campus.

[Photo] Changes to COVID reporting policy leave questions about testing at Grinnell

Molly Wilcoxson, Staff Writer
April 17, 2023
Organizers prepared over 15 dishes of Russian, Central European and Eurasian origin.

[Photo] Slavic Coffeehouse returns to celebrate spring

George Kosinski, Staff Writer
April 14, 2023
1008 Park St. is the home of GWARC house. Housing coordinator Bella Villarreal `25 said she...

[Photo] Project house aims to create allergy-friendly environment

Conrad Dahm, Staff Writer
April 10, 2023
Payton Lowrey `22.5 has been named the Midwest Conference (MWC) Volleyball Player of the Year.

[Photo] Payton Lowrey named MWC women’s volleyball Player of the Year

Jandry Perez Garcia, Staff Writer
November 14, 2022
Tate McLean `23 on the offense against Northern Iowa Area Community College in a scrimmage on Oct. 26.

[Photo] Men's basketball preview: defense, effort top priorities

November 14, 2022
Andre Wright `25, number 23 and a guard on the Grinnell men's basketball team, pictured playing in a scrimmage on Oct. 26.

[Photo] Men’s basketball preview: offense a bright spot amid slow start before conference play

November 21, 2021
Ella O'Neill `25 prepares to spike the ball against Marian University. Grinnell won the match in four sets.

[Photo] Womens’s volleyball opens season strong at home

Eleanor Corbin, Staff Writer
September 19, 2022
Volunteer Coach Paige Olowu `22, track and field.

[Photo] Grinnell Athletics welcomes four coaches at start of fall season

Conrad Dahm, Staff Writer
September 19, 2022
Brian Goodell `24, right, finished 14th out of 127 men’s runners.

[Photo] Miyamoto, Goodell set pace for cross country teams at historic meet

Taylor Nunley, Staff Writer
September 19, 2022
The Grinnell football team practices following their season-opening loss to Monmouth University, 48-0. Players remain hopeful for success this season despite the disappointing opener.

[Photo] Grinnell football opens season with 48-0 loss to Monmouth, team remains optimistic

September 19, 2022
Jocelyn Krueger, Collections Manager and Registrar at the Grinnell College Museum of Art.

[Photo] Grinnell Artists: Jocelyn Krueger

September 19, 2022
The Grinnell women’s soccer team is predominantly comprised of first- and second-year players, but some of the upperclassmen players plan to “keep team culture and team spirit alive.”

[Photo] Women’s soccer kicks off season with a younger team

September 26, 2022
Members of the Grinnell women’s tennis team said they hope to continue their impressive winning streak from last season.

[Photo] Straight down the line: Grinnell Women’s Tennis set to repeat last year’s success

September 26, 2022
Merchant's National Bank, sitting on the corner of Broad Street and 4th Avenue, was designed by renowned architect Louis Sullivan in 1914.

[Photo] Uncovering the jewel box of the prairie

September 26, 2022
Kaveh Akbar sees poetry as one way to affect positive social change.

[Photo] “Married to my favorite poet” W@G: Paige Lewis and Kaveh Akbar

George Kosinski, Staff Writer
September 26, 2022
The Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers has been distributing their weekly newsletter, Worker Power, since the first week of September 2022. The newsletters have been removed in what the Union has alleged is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act; the College has alleged the method of distribution of the newsletters violates both the College’s own Advertising/ Signs/Tabling Policy and the current 2021-23 collective bargaining agreement between UGSDW and the College.

[Photo] College and UGSDW disagree about Union newsletter distribution practices

October 3, 2022
Nate Girard `23 winds up to kick in Grinnell men’s soccer’s game against Cornell College on Oct. 4. Grinnell won 4-2.

[Photo] Men’s soccer maintains 3-0 winning streak in conference play with big revenge win over Cornell

October 10, 2022
Bhuyan's exhibit is composed of five prints made using the printmaking technique chine collé.

[Photo] A small show with a big heart: "Xoti" in Smith Gallery

November 10, 2022
The Grinnell swimming and diving team is eager to start their season. “We are always looking for continual improvement,” said Head Coach Erin Hurley.

[Photo] Season Preview: Grinnell swimming and diving

Conrad Dahm, Staff Writer
November 4, 2022
Alicia Stanley realized her passion for an international education after she studied for a full year abroad in Paris.

[Photo] Alicia Stanley wins Lifetime Achievement Award

December 5, 2022
Lucia Cheng '23 sitting in HSSC.

[Photo] If you’re reading this, would you understand me?: A look back on four years at Grinnell as an Asian American

Lucia Cheng, News Editor
March 13, 2023
Evelynn Coffie `24 (Left) and Bethany Willig `23 (Right)

[Photo] BSU distributes mutual aid to Black students

Taylor Nunley, Staff Writer
March 12, 2023
Sheahan Virgin `08 recreates a photo from his time as a student at Grinnell.

[Photo] Alumni Professors Speak: “Finding a way back to Grinnell”

Allison Moore, Editor in Chief
February 6, 2023
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