Erin Conboy, BA in Biology, 2005
Lettered in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Played third-base in softball and was a member of the women's golf team. In addition to athletics, she was on the Student Government Association Service Committee, and was on the Student Educational Policy Committee in the Biology department
Currently working as a laboratory technician at Hershey Medical Center, she is applying to Medical School
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I would definitely recommend a Grinnell College education"

Jackie Drover, BS in German, with a concentration in Education '99
Played softball for three seasons at third base and in the outfield, also played volleyball for one season
Currently a 7th grade math teacher, she taught middle school German for three years. She earned her Masters in Technology from Lesley University
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "Absolutely for the educational part..."

Amy Fort, BA in History, '93
Lettered in softball in 1991 and 1992, at shortstop and third base, basketball in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992, and tennis in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. She was named All-Conference in softball in 1991, All-Conference in basketball in 1991 and 1992, she was a basketball co-captain, selected Most Valuable Freshman and Most Improved Player in 1991 in basketball, led the basketball team to four consecutive playoff appearances, two Division Championships, and one Conference Championship. In Tennis, she was a two-time Most Valuable Player and team captain. She won singles Conference Singles Titles in 1989 and 1992 and was the Conference Runner-up in Doubles in 1992. She received the prestigious Taylor Award her senior year
Currently working in the field of mental health with adults who have a mental illness, she coordinates the Psychosocial Rehabilitation program at Bridgeway, Inc. in three counties in Illinois. Prior to that, she was a head women's college coach for nine years, coaching women's basketball and soccer at small private, liberal arts colleges. She earned her MA in Psychology in '95
Amy comments: "I chose Grinnell for its athletic experience rather than its academic reputation, knowing that I'd be able to compete at the highest level possible and also get a degree that would benefit me for years to come. I absolutely loved the fact that I could be fiery and competitive, but also have the chance to critically think about the world around me. My teammates in all the sports I played are people I think about all the time as I run around and do things in my life"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "When you say you have a Grinnell education it means something to employers and to people in the community. I have seen how Grinnell has improved its athletic program across the board, for women and men, and I commend the college for understanding that great athletics complements remarkable academics. Grinnell's influence and my athletic experiences run deep as I try new occupations,hobbies, and experiences in my life"

Kristen Galles, BA from Creighton University, suma cum laude in Economics and Spanish '87, transfered after one year of attendance at Grinnell College
Attended Grinnell College during the 1984-85 school year
Was the starting shortstop in 1985, also played volleyball
Currently a Civil Rights attorney with a focus in education, athletics, and employment (Title IX and Title VII), she earned a J.D. from Washington University '90, with honors
Kristen comments: "I have only positive things to say about my experience at Grinnell"

Kathleen Marr, BA in Chemistry, 1987
Lettered for three seasons. Played primarily third-base, but spent some time at shortstop. Also played field hockey. In addition to athletics, she was involved in student government and was a member of the student development team
Currently a scientist, she earned her Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, '91
Kathleen comments: "Grinnell College allowed me to balance athletics with excellent academics and other learning experiences. This balance gave me the chance to have a great time playing sports while receiving the academic background that allowed me to be successful in life"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "Of course I would recommend a Grinnell College education. It is the greatest"

Debbie McCuin, BA in Psychology with honors, '85
Played two seasons at Grinnell after transfering in. Lettered in 1984 and 1985
Two-time MVP playing pitcher. Also involved in various clubs, GORP, and the Mortar Board
Currently the Human Services Supervisor for Seniors & People with Disabilities for the State of Oregon, after obtaining her MA in Special Education from the Ohio State University
Debbie comments: "Playing softball at Grinnell was a lot of fun, as I had played in junior high and high school. It's great to have an outlet outside of academia, and sports provides that. Having an opportunity to participate in a team sport is a win-win situation for a scholar - regardless of the team's record
Regarding a Grinnell Education: She simply states, "Absolutely"

Tera S. Jones McGuire, BA Independent Studies: Chinese and Political Science '93
Earned four varsity letters: 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993, also played basketball
Played shortstop her first two seasons and pitcher and first-base her last two seasons
Currently employed as a District Manager for Phillips-Van Heusen
Regarding a Grinnell Education: She simply states "Yes"

Desiree (Winkler) Meyere, BA in Economics '80
Played only during the 1980 season in right field and at third base, she has this comment about her playing experience: "I was a complete novice, as I was raised in Turkey, and had played on the squash and soccer teams in high school, so I earned no awards, except for earning the approval of my baseball playing fiance, Robert Meyer, class of '79"
She also played varsity field hockey for four seasons, co-captain her senior year, and was in the field events in track for one season. Other activities included sculpture and participation in many Russian activities
Currently she is a Loan Service Manager
Desiree comments: "At Grinnell, I was given the opportunity to learn and play in sports in which I had not participated before. I bonded with many of my teammates, especially with field hockey players, and keep up with some of them after three decades. Participating in the sports gave me a feeling of immediate inclusion into the Grinnell College community"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I would absolutely recommend a Grinnell College Education. My husband and I are constantly pushing Grinnell to acquaintances and friends and students, although the location is very hard to sell from the beaches of Florida. We think our son, who religiously wears Grinnell T-shirts three days a week, until they are thread-bare, will apply for the class on 2012"

Becky Oberley, BA in Biology '99
Earned four varsity letters, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999
Played Outfield, mainly center and left, teammates voted her Best Offense in 1997, Academic All-Conference in 1998 and 1999
Currently doing a Postdoctoral Fellowship, she earned her Ph.D. in Anatomy and Cell Biology in 2004 from the Univeristy of Iowa
Becky comments: "When I think back to college, I automatically think about softball. All of the friends that I have stayed in contact with are all from the softball team"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I think Grinnell is an excellent school for education. It prepared me well for graduate school in biology, but I think, more importantly, it made me a more well rounded person. I recommend Grinnell College to anyone looking for a liberal arts education, because it is second to none"

Kathleen (Elliott) Packard, BA in Biology '97
A letter winner who played for two seasons in 1995 and 1996
She played outfield and softball was her only sport
Currently a Pharmacist - Director of the Nebraska Heart Institute, she earned a MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences and PharmD from Creighton University
Kathleen comments: "Some of my best friends from Grinnell were on the softball team. It was overall a very enjoyable experience"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: When asked if she would recommend Grinnell College to prospective scholar-athletes, her response was an empahtic "Yes"

Pixie Plummer, BA in Philosophy, '94
A letter winner who played in her first year, 1991, and her fourth year, 1994
Played centerfield her first season and shortstop her final season. She recalls receiving team awards, but does not remember the specifics and the records for the awards those years are not available on file. Also involved in Improv, theater, Collegium Musicum, and the campus Radio Show
Currently a Physician Fellow in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA until 2007, she received her M.D. from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and completed a Residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
Pixie comments: "Playing on an athletic team offered a unique opportunity to have fun, compete, excel, and connect with Grinnellians from various backgrounds. Each team was a wonderful combination of people from the entire spectrum of Grinnell Student life, joined together for the fun of the game and pride in our school"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I would recommend a Grinnell education. It has opened many doors for me in my life"

Neva jean Specht, BA double major in History and American Studies, '89
Lettered in 1986, 1988, and 1989 (softball spent 1987 as a club sport due to lack of players or a permanent coach). Played pitcher in 1986 and 1987 and third-base in 1988 and 1989. Was named Freshman of the Year, and Most Valuable Player in 1988 and 1989, and received the Golden Glove Award
Currently an Associate Professor and Assistant Chair, Department of History, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, she earned her MA in History and Certificate in Museum Studies, University of Deleware, 1991, and her Ph.D. in History, University of Deleware, 1997
Neva comments: "Met great people from all different class years. I was a much better student during the season. After coming from a state-winning high school program, I learned the art of enjoying the game for its sake - not always to win 100% of the time"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "Now that I teach at a state university, I can truly see how wonderful a Grinnell education was. No matter where I travel in this country or the world, I meet Grinnellians and they are always a delight no matter how young or old. Grinnell is truly a haven in the cornfields of Iowa"

Dacey Waldron, BA in Anthropology '96
Earned four varsity letters, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
Played second base, shortstop, and catcher, teammates voted her Freshman Player of the Year in 1993, Defensive Player of the Year in 1995, and team captain in 1996
Currently completing a one-year term as the full-time youth minister for her church, she will return to her position, for the past eight years, with the hospital-based Fitness Center and Sports Training Program called Mercy Acceleration in Cedar Rapids, IA. She earned her MS in Health Promotion, with an emphasis in Athletic Performance, from the University of Iowa
Dacey comments: "I loved my athletic experience at Grinnell. College sports enabled me to express my creativity and drive in much the same way that a musician or painter does through the piano or paintbrush. Grinnell College really challenged me to find out who I was and in what I believed"
Regarding a Grinnell Education: "I would definitely recommend a Grinnll education to any student who wants to be challenged to think in new ways and is open to encountering different schools of thought from their peers"