The town's commitment to its older residents includes a strong network of retirement communities and facilities for independent living through assisted care.

There is an active Senior Community Center through the Grinnell Senior Center, and many local employers design part-time and specialty jobs for older workers. For more information, please call (641) 236-2613.

Opportunities for Seniors at Grinnell College

Grinnell College welcomes Grinnell Area residents on to campus in a variety of ways. In the information below, you'll find a range of ways that the College opens its doors to seniors in the community.

Senior Scholar Program Through Grinnell College's Senior Scholar Program, all Grinnell area seniors are invited to audit classes at the College free of charge on a space available basis. Select a class by contacting the Office of the Registrar (269-3450) to receive a catalog of courses prior to the beginning of the semester. After securing permission from the professor, prospective Senior Scholars may visit the Registrar's Office to complete the necessary enrollment forms. All Senior Scholar classes are offered as enrichment opportunities and do not qualify for college credit.

International Student Hosts In order to help international students adjust to their new surroundings, first year international students are matched with local families providing a connection that lasts throughout their four-year academic career at Grinnell College. Although the student doesn't live with the sponsor/host family, the student does become closely involved with the host, visiting for dinners, holidays, or simply for advice on living in Grinnell and in the U.S. If you are interested in sharing your life with a student, please contact Janet Alexander, Office of Student Affairs, (269-3703) or alexandj@grinnell.edu for more information.

Faulconer Gallery Docents For those interested in learning about art as well as teaching others, the Faulconer Gallery welcomes community members to act as docents for Gallery exhibits. To request an application, or for further information, please contact Karla Niehus, Curator of Education (269-4663).

Fitness Activities Located in the Physical Education Complex, Grinnell College's pool is open to the public on a daily basis. Contact the Physical Education Complex (269-3800) for more information.

Sports Events Enjoy the spirit of the College's intercollegiate sporting events in both the Fall and Spring season. Sports schedules listing the game tiems and locations are available throught the Athletic Department. Contact Patricia Johnson (269-3800).

The Grant O. Gale Observatory The Grant O. Gale Observatory is located at the extreme north end of the campus. It is reached by a road located just to the west of the tennis courts on 10th Avenue. The observatory was opened in 1984 and was designed by Woodburn and O'Neil of Des Moines. Besides its primary function as an institutional and research tool, the observatory is also a facility for public viewing of astronomical phenomena under staff supervision. Throughout the year the observatory hosts open houses for the public. Contact Bob Cadmus (269-3016), cadmus@grinnell.edu for more information.

Burling Library offers a wide range of books for everyone. Readers are welcome to come in and curl up with a good book or visit the offerings on the lower levels - from audio to movies. The Burling circulation desk can assist with checking out materials. Please contact the library (269-3350) for additional information.

Campus Dining - Forum Grill For a comfortable breakfast, lunch or dinner, the Forum Grill is open to the public year round. Located in the Forum, the Grill offers a casual dining environment with a variety of menu items including homemade pizza, fresh deli sandwiches, Seattle's Best coffee, fresh bagels and more. Hours are 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday with the closing hour at 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Summer hours vary. Call the Grill at 269-3669 for details.

The Bucksbaum Center for the Arts is the heart of campus cultural life. The Bucksbaum Center is home to the Faulconer Gallery, Sebring-Lewis Hall, the Flanagan Arena Theatre and Roberts Theatre. Here the College hosts traveling exhibits, musical and theatrical performances, lectures form visiting artists and displays student art.

Campus cultural events are listed weekly in the Grinnell College Events Calendar in the local newspaper as well as on the college website at Events Calendar. All events are open to the public and free of charge. Faulconer Gallery information and calendar can be found at Faulconer Gallery . Special tours of the Gallery may also be organized for groups of any size. Contact Karla Niehus, Curator for Education (269-4663) for more information.