Grinnell Intersections

The Path After Graduation

In the summer of 2014, Daniel Kisslinger '14 traveled through the western United States to conduct interviews with Grinnell College alumni about their experiences beyond graduation.

  1. Eric Gautschi - Omaha, NE

    07/02/2021

    Eric Gautschi - Omaha, NE

    Many of the alumni with whom I talked shared experiences that rang true to my own process of transition, and I couldn't help but look for these parallels as the trip went on. Yet, as I conducted the final interview of the trip, I was astounded at the similarities between Eric's point of view and my own. We sit in his office and talk for so long that he ends up being late for dinner at home.

    9 min
  2. Cory Conover - Okoboji, IA

    07/02/2021

    Cory Conover - Okoboji, IA

    I had always heard about the mythical Lake Okoboji, a freshwater oasis in the monotonous landlocked Iowa. When Cory asked if I'd like to visit him there, I jumped at the opportunity. We go out on the lake in his boat with the family. His children scream with delight, and there's a dry smile is on his lips as he races across the water.

    7 min
  3. Darcie Rives-East - Sioux Falls, SD

    07/02/2021

    Darcie Rives-East - Sioux Falls, SD

    Darcie first read four of the books that she teaches at Augustana–the stories she deems worthy of representing American literature–in one course at Grinnell. As a professor, she shares these texts, coupled with an understanding that not everything can be understood the same way. She tells me that she hopes this helps her students as they wrestle with both the books and their own baggage.

    7 min
  4. Ty & Tera McGuire - Lead, SD

    07/02/2021

    Ty & Tera McGuire - Lead, SD

    Ty gives me a tour of the property in terms of projects: "We're going to take out that wall, and rebuild the structural support of that staircase beams, and redo the floors and ceilings of that floor." I can't help but feel overwhelmed on his behalf. He and Tera just bought two dilapidated houses in the center of town and are beginning to rebuild, step by step, with their two young boys in tow.

    8 min
  5. Troy Dougherty - Rexburg, ID

    07/02/2021

    Troy Dougherty - Rexburg, ID

    The Dougherty family comes in all sizes, from pint-sized toddlers all the way on up. The seven kids fly through the house as Troy and his wife calmly smile. They have another one on the way. As the painting above the mantle says, "Family is first."

    10 min
  6. Rebecca Quirk - Homedale, ID

    07/02/2021

    Rebecca Quirk - Homedale, ID

    Rebecca's directions say to turn at Rattlesnake Butte. I have no idea what a butte is as I make my way down her dirt road in Homedale, but a quick Google search tells me that it is "an isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top." Good to know...

    9 min
  7. Beverly Houser - Redding, CA

    07/02/2021

    Beverly Houser - Redding, CA

    Monique Gaido tells me that I have to talk with fellow Grinnellian Beverly Houser, who lives on the other side of town. They had met briefly a few years before, and Monique remembers Beverly's yellow VW Bug with red flames on the sides. "She has stories," Monique says. After a conversation with Beverly, I certainly agree.

    11 min
  8. Monique Gaido - Redding, CA

    07/02/2021

    Monique Gaido - Redding, CA

    The temperature is 71 degrees when I pull out of the Mendocino Redwoods and make my first move back east in three weeks. As I go over the hills and descend into the valley on the other side, I watch the thermometer climb, a degree per minute. It's a scorching 114 when I pull into Monique's driveway. After dinner she takes me down to the Sacramento River to escape the heat.

    9 min
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About

In the summer of 2014, Daniel Kisslinger '14 traveled through the western United States to conduct interviews with Grinnell College alumni about their experiences beyond graduation.

Information

  • Creator
    The Path After Graduation
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Path After Graduation
  • Show Website
    Grinnell Intersections