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For decades, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ College Preschool has been a place where curiosity is nurtured, community is built, and young learners take their first steps into a lifelong journey of discovery. This year, the College pauses to honor two individuals who have shaped that experience for generations of children and families — Karen Veerhusen-Langerud and Connie Molison — as they enter retirement.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ College, local power company Alliant Energy, the Ahrens Family Foundation, the Mayflower Community, and the City of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ has partnered on a new solar park, ensuring that will 75% of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ's power will come from renewable sources.

What began as a simple idea to sing together has become Vox Feminae — a close-knit group of women who find connection, creativity, and care through music. With each rehearsal and performance, they continue to build community and share something meaningful with Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ.

At the covered entrance of Drake Community Library, a simple but meaningful new resource is quietly making a difference. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Community Fridge offers 24-hour, no-questions-asked access to fresh and recovered food — providing another layer of support for community members navigating food insecurity. For Rachel Rudacille ’26, the project has been more than a volunteer effort. It has been an opportunity to listen, learn, and help build something lasting alongside community partners.

In March, a diverse lineup of events — from personal storytelling and knitting gatherings to professional mentoring and arts education — brought that mission to life. This is just a sample of the offerings that occurred in March.

In spring 2025, Assistant Professor of Education, Jonathan Larson piloted a course that invited students to explore experientially and critically how well education in the US has prepared students for the workplaces of today, and how it might adjust for those of the future.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ College has pledged $55,000 to support critical safety upgrades in the Emergency Department at UnityPoint Health. Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is enhancing safety measures to ensure the well-being of both patients and team members. Recognizing that the Emergency Department (ED) is a fast-paced environment where situations can change quickly, GRMC has introduced new initiatives designed to reduce risk and create a safer, more supportive space for care

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ College was recognized with a GrinnTogether Award at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration on March 4, honoring the College’s positive collaborations and exemplary work to make Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ a great place to live, learn, work, and play.

Three Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ College students are serving alongside the City of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s Fire Department as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and firefighters—strengthening the connection between campus and community in meaningful ways.

The Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion, located in Renfrow Hall, is designed to bring people together — creating opportunities for collaboration, learning, and shared experiences between campus and the greater Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ community.