We can all laugh at stories of Burling or Norris 4th or Big Cookies or anything to do with Lyle Baumann, but when someone approaches you to say, “howdy!”, you do not respond with a particular circular hand gesture and curious handshake followed by a verbal response that is dependent on the length and strength of your continued affiliation with the University before or after graduation. Grinnellians would also never “punish” an individual for transgressions or diversions from these stereotyped behaviors (transgressions that are encouraged as a sort of ritual dare towards advancement within the society) with ridiculous physical challenges or by singing portions of orthodox campus songs while performing said challenges – especially as much as thirty years beyond matriculation.

Furthermore, there are little if any external symbolic or physical cues that might suggest a Grinnellian, aside from the occasional College logo or affiliated t-shirt. We do not wear class rings, or be sure that College colors predominate our wardrobe.

Grinnell is a collection of shared memories, but NOT a cult.