The Renfrow Story

On Saturday I had the great privilege of sharing my passion for Edith and her story with fellow alumni of Grinnell College in person for the first time. They had come from all over the country and world back to this special place that sits at the center of everywhere (as Grinnellians like to say). Mostly reunion is about spending time with friends, revisiting campus and community, relaxing and maybe dancing late as you relive your college years. But it’s also a time to dive into the things that make you proud to be a Grinnellian. So it was my honor to offer two option to learn about Edith and the journey to the naming of Renfrow Hall.

A couple of dozen found their way to the Laurel Leaf lounge in the morning to hear me read the text of the book. My voice strained to compete with the hustle and bustle of the lobby just outside the entrance, which doesn’t offer the acoustic barrier of a physical door. The slide show with the text and mixture of Renfrow family photos and draft illustrations from Erica were well received. I read the story as the images advanced and everyone followed along. The reception was very positive and anticipation of the book publication continues to grow.

In the afternoon I shared the history of the Renfrow family and Edith’s life with over a hundred alumni in JRC 101. After being so close to the story for the last year I sometimes forget how powerful it is to hear for the first time. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Edith is someone who brings Grinnellians of all kinds incredible pride. No matter their age or income or if they are life long Grinnell residents or people who spent a few years here as a student. There is something in her story that connects with every individual. It is about resilience and determination. It is about the power of belief and the positivity. It is about seeing the best in others and believing in yourself.

Grinnell pride at its best.