Thursday, February 28, 2013

25 Amazing But Overlooked Colleges


Check out The Daily Beast's list of 25 Amazing But Overlooked Colleges You Haven't Considered But Should!

Liberal-arts schools without a core curriculum usually get credit for having the most free-thinking students (think Amherst, Hamilton, and Brown), but Grinnell empowers students in a novel way. The college is self-governed, meaning students are encouraged to solve all problems on their own, without invoking the administration or campus police. As part of this, students sit on university committees that oversee curriculum, budget, and residence-life decisions, as well as professor evaluations and student disciplinary actions.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Quinn Rosenthal Abroad in France - Part 2



This spring we'll be bringing you posts from a few Pioneers that are studying abroad this semester.  Center Quinn Rosenthal '14 is currently in Nantes, France and this is his second installation.  Read his first one here.

Well, let me first share the triumph that I have found the best sandwich in Nantes, the Grand Américain frites steak mayonnaise at the Machata Friterie. Of course, you have to go pretty far down an alley to find this place, its just a tiny window in the wall and there's usually several dudes with no teeth hanging around outside in hoods and sunglasses. So this monstrosity consists of a baguette, immense and delicious even by French standards, mayo, which is also surprisingly good in France, as many hamburger patties as they can shove in there, and a mountain of the best French fries you've ever tasted, yes, the fries are on the sandwich, its a game changer. Oh yeah, and then they grill it. And its four euros, which is not bad, especially considering you'll be full for about two days, or at least a lesser man would be. In general, French food is obviously awesome, but I don't love all of it. The things they do do undeniably well though, that I've discovered thus far, are bread, cheese, dessert, fries, and add to the list, sausage. 

Other stories: many have already heard about my Super Bowl adventure. All the american students from my program hang out a lot at this Irish pub called Fleming's, its kind of become our place. I made nice with the Canadian and British bartenders, and when I ran into one of them in the weight room, he said he would keep the place open late on Super Bowl Sunday so we Americans could watch. I didn't know until I got there at midnight on Sunday for the 12:30 AM kickoff that its actually illegal to keep your bar open past 2 in the morning in Nantes, as the bartender closed the blinds and explained to us that if the police knocked on the door, we all had to go hide in the cellar where they kept all the kegs. Luckily, this was unnecessary, although the game didn't end until 5AM. I had a great time, broing out with all the other anglophones, there were only two other Americans (I was the only guy in my program with enough 'Merica in me to stay out that late on a Sunday night) but also some English, Australians, and a couple random die hard French 49er fans. It was a great time, everybody was speaking English, buying drinks for each other, ogling at Beyonce, I took a nap during the infamous power outage, I'd definitely missed football. However I didn't end up going to bed till about 5:30 that night, and I had french class at 9 the next morning. But I made it through, I felt like I was doing Grinnell, hell, America, proud that Monday.

 What else? I've now taken two weekend vacations. The first was to Bordeaux, with some good friends from my program. We didn't do much touristy stuff, although we did get a nice tour around beautiful downtown Bordeaux. That weekend was more about wine tasting, relaxing after a whirlwind first couple weeks in France, and taking stock of just how lucky we are to have this opportunity to see the world with all its unique experiences. The second was a day trip with the program to Mont St. Michel, a 7th century monastery on a tidal island on the Norman coast. It lives up to its billing as one of the most beautiful sights in France, and you definitely felt the weight of being in one of the oldest churches in the world. I also ruined my shoes getting stuck in quicksand on the beach when the tide was rolling in, what can you do? After that we had a nice afternoon in the quaint beach town of St. Malo, where I again got stranded by the tide on a rock and had to swim back. There also just so happened to be a French carnival going on there that day so I was definitely not mad about a lunch of fresh fried sugar dough and cotton candy.

I wish I had more to say about the academic side of things. My classes are all interesting, taught in French and from a French perspective, and I'm getting along pretty well in them, except for maybe Medieval Heresy, my only class at the real French university. But, to be honest, in true French fashion, I haven't really been called upon to care about school that much yet. That is, except for my teaching internship. I'm still not sure why I signed up for it, or why I was given 10-14 year olds when I asked to be a language assistant at the college, but its really grown on me. My class of 10 year olds is actually my favorite. They're super interested in me and really easy to teach, and damned if I didn't feel it when I willed one of those little guys to say: "I...em...een...zee...riving...rroom." Because you know what that is? That's a complete sentence. Those little things that you didn't even know could get you so jacked.

A tout a l'heure!
Quinn

Monday, February 25, 2013

Grinnell Recommits To "Need-Blind" Admissions


For many months, Grinnellians have been actively engaged in a conversation about how to secure Grinnell College’s financial future. At its regular meeting on Saturday, February 23, 2013, the Board of Trustees acted on extensive market research, financial modeling, and feedback from alumni, faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders.
It approved a continuation of need-blind policies for Grinnell's domestic students and the implementation of concrete objectives that will ensure the College's sustainable commitment to academic excellence and access at Grinnell.
Grinnell students graduate with an average debt of $15,720, the lowest in the state and nearly half that of Iowa's public university graduates. That's despite the college's $50,618 in annual tuition and housing costs — more than twice as high as state institutions. Grinnell students, on average, receive $35,388 in financial aid, and nearly 90 percent of students receive an award.
Read the entire official release here.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Webstore Now Open!


Check out the Pioneer Football Webstore through Decker Sports for the latest gear/swag that many of the Pioneers and their families and fans will be sporting this fall.

Act fast... the store closes on March 18th!


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Grinnell in the Des Moines Register

Grinnell students, from left, Robert Logan, Eva Smith, and Tyler Smiley make cranberry muffins on Wednesday at Grinnell College in Grinnell. The students on campus practice 'self-governance' when planning and policing campus activities. / Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

Grinnell College has a unique and proud system of authority on-campus call "self-governance".  This facet of the College was the focus of a feature story from Sunday's Des Moines Register:

It’s called self-governance. Grinnell College students live by its tenets, or try to, and officials there claim the college is one of a handful to attempt the philosophy that it has promoted since its earliest days.
Self-governance is a fuzzy concept, but the basic idea is that students can govern themselves without the heavy hand of authority lording over them and putting the hammer down. Part of that freedom is a responsibility to others in the community — for example, owning up and paying for the broken water fountain so others can use it.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Best Value for Private Schools

Photo by Brieauna Bradley '13

Advice to families beginning the college search: Don’t screen schools based on published tuition prices, according to a USA Today report. And many students can get thousands of dollars — even tens of thousands of dollars — in grants that don’t have to be paid back.
PRIVATE TOP 10
1. Swarthmore College (Swarthmore, Pa.)
2. Harvard College (Cambridge, Mass.)
3. Williams College (Williamstown, Mass.)
4. Princeton University (Princeton, N.J.)
5. Pomona College (Claremont, Calif.)
6. Yale University (New Haven, Conn.)
7. Rice University (Houston)
8. Hamilton College (Clinton, N.Y.)
9. Claremont McKenna College (Claremont, Calif.)
10. Grinnell College (Grinnell, Iowa)

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

New Uniforms For 2013!





The new uniforms with Adidas TECHFIT technology will give our program as distinct an advantage as technology allows:


The TECHFIT jerseys feature multiple performance innovations to cut weight by 30 percent, including a streamlined fit, new fabric, minimal seams and an ultra-lightweight numbering system. Additionally, the jersey keeps players cool with integrated ventilation zones and moisture management fabric. Seam reduction and a restriction-free, high-stretch collar design increases range of motion to support player agility and speed.


The TECHFIT will fit us just like it did on Johnny Manziel:


Monday, February 11, 2013

Coach Pedersen... Still Tweetin'




Friday, February 8, 2013

Jeremy Wiles Study Abroad in Denmark!


This spring we'll be bringing you posts from a few Pioneers that are studying abroad this semester.  Linebacker Jeremy Wiles '14 is currently in Copenhagen, Denmark and this is his first installation:
Skøl, Undskyld, and tak. Cheers, excuse me, and thank you have been two words that have been very useful in navigating Denmark. Part of my experience thus far has been spent out and about , getting lost  in the city and finding myself physically and mentally. More times than not, surrounded by warm hearted people who are curious to learn about American culture just as much as I am searching to learn about the Danish way of life. Before I dive into all the interesting characteristics of life abroad, I guess it only makes sense to reveal the resource that allows me to study and live in Copenhagen, Denmark.
          My program is called the Danish Institute for Study Abroad  or  DIS  for short. This semester DIS has taken about 997 students from various  colleges and universities from the states. 18 students from Grinnell and just about  7 student athletes within the Grinnellian group.
          My lastest experience during the week of Feb 4-8, took my Global Economics program across  Denmark to the mainland  (Jutland) to experience Viking history at the Jelling Stones Historical Site and the Aros Museum of fine art in Arhus, Denmark. Besides navigating through castles, museums and exhibits much of my traveling has consisted of visiting Suzlon Wind Turbine Company, a dairy manufacture, and Tom’s Chocolate Factory. Yes, that is right, a chocolate factory. Free samples rock but there were no little people with orange faces, just Danes.  
          When I’m not in class, taking tours in museums and or working out at Fitness.dk you can catch me at cafes, bars and clubs that offer some of the nightlife and food options that are pretty exciting and worthwhile. I have met more people named Jeremy in three weeks in Copenhagen, than my first 20 years of life but I am still the coolest one. This is subject to change. Just  Kidding. But besides meeting people named Jeremy- cafes, bars and nightclubs have been key places to immerse oneself  into Danish people and culture.
         Within some of these fine establishments, don’t be surprised when an average middle aged Local inquires about your political, economical, and cultural viewpoints regarding life in the States. My first cab ride from the airport consisted of my viewpoint on Obamacare and the current state of Health care services in the United States. Was a long ride but I digg (appreciate) the willingness to enter into a dialogue. They say Danes do not believe in small talk, so it is pretty common to dive into serious topics without conversations being too taboo or uncomfortable.  
         Its been 3 weeks or so and my highlights thus far have been having professors that double as professional business people and entrepreneurs; the occasional brew during or in between meals and the instant coolness factor that comes from being from California in a foreign place. It is quite interesting how media has constructed a stereotype of Americans that is much relied on here by locals. Not every stereotype is positive so I just smile often and that seems to make friends.  You add a few Skøls (cheers) and Undskyld (Excuse Me) here and there, with a bunch of taks (Thank you) and you have an experience of a life time that I like to call:  Originality Having Successful Outcomes in Danmark.
Peace to you from the OHSO Lifer Grinnell Pioneer,
Jeremy

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Campus Benefit

Last week the Grinnell student-athlete community organized a benefit to raise money for an employee of the College who lost her home in a fire recently.  Pioneer Football players Isaac Chadri, Cody Weber, and Colton Feller were 3 of many of the performers.  Over 150 students, faculty, and staff came to support a fellow Grinnellian!  Check out the video from the Grinnell newspaper The Scarlet & Black.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Coach Pedersen on Twitter?!

Coach Pedersen, from Kremmling, Colorado, has finally joined the movement and is officially on Twitter.  He'll be kicking off his first day by announcing our Early Decision I commitments.



Make sure to follow Coach P to receive plenty more Pioneer Football information and to watch him misuse the hashtags.