higher ed
The Gay Man Just Named President of the Elite Grinnell College
Some four-year liberal arts schools can’t even deal with letting students form a gay-straight alliance if it mentions the word “gay.” And then there’s Iowa’s 164-year-old Grinnell College, which just named an openly gay man as its new president.
Dr. Raynard S. Kington takes over Aug. 1, after beating out some 200 other candidates considered for the post. And yes, Girnnell even mentioned Kington’s family — his child psychiatrist partner Peter Daniolos, and their two children — in their release. It makes sense, then, that Grinnell is known as the Pioneers.
I’m a Grinnell alum and I’m just so happy about this!
This is just beautiful.
I never thought of Grinnell College as elite, but I’m really pleased to read this. I applaud and respect their choice, and I may even send a modest donation to the school in honor of their new president.
Wow, thanks Queerty. Nice departure from the salacious.
Kington’s address is well worth the ten minute listen.
@Colin: You are correct.
If anything, to their credit, Grinnell College is anti-elitist.
It’s a fine school.
I am in tears, watching this clip.
One wonders what Maggie Gallagher et al would think — not say, but think — about a family like Dr. Kington’s. It’s like how could you possibly not want, really want, Sidney Poitier to come to dinner.
An important moment of hope and happy inspiration for our struggle.
Congrats. Onward and upward.
Darn it, I just graduated from Grinnell last year and NOW they get a cool queer prez.
I don’t know if I’d call Grinnell elite (I’m not really even sure what is meant by that), but it’s definitely a fine and unique institution with a vibrant and active queer community of students and faculty… and now this dude.
In the past, some (attempting to be derogatory) have called Grinnell “the gayest school in Iowa.” I guess they’re being proven right, and I say to that, oh Mama YES.
Younkers, Smith, Langan, Rawson…Darby…Women’s Gym…I remember that place so well.
….now they got themselves a nigger fag President. What wonderful qualifications those are.