| Kenyon Class of 2004 Fall Class Letter
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Dear Classmates,
Lately, I know it can seem like good news is in short supply. So as I sat down to write this class letter, and started to make a list of the many positive updates I had to share with you, I felt a welcome sense of gratitude for our alma mater and community it provides us with. Even during the most challenging of years, Kenyon has remained a bright spot and a point of connection and positivity. I personally found my connection with Kenyon classmates on Zoom calls, group texts, and social media to be a bright spot in the darker days of the pandemic. I have been very impressed with all the new hobbies, puppies, home projects, and facial hair. Keep it up everybody!
On the Hill, in-person instruction just wrapped up for the approximately 950 first-years, sophomores and international students who studied on campus this fall, numbers were intentionally kept low so no one would share a room. (Yes, it took a pandemic for a freshman to score a North Campus Apartment for one.) The College developed clear COVID-related policies and protocols that included regular testing for those on campus and the implementation of the “Kenyon College Commitment,” a personal pledge developed in cooperation with the student council that emphasized the well-being of the entire community. Life on campus looked a bit different as Kenyon adapted its many facilities to ensure safe access to dining, athletics, research and more.
In addition to adaptations for on-campus instruction, juniors and seniors and members of the faculty discovered new ways to learn and teach remotely. (Yes, it took a pandemic to make sweatpants acceptable classroom attire for even the professors.) Check out our new faculty notes section to hear how your favorite faculty members dealt with the shift to Zoom classes, virtual office hours and online assignments.
Our alumni community has shifted to meet the challenges of 2020 with an equal degree of innovation — organizing and attending virtual events, connecting with current students and new graduates as volunteer mentors, and giving back during June’s record-breaking online giving challenge, Kenyon Together. And, though it was heartbreaking to see Reunion Weekend 2020 postponed, we’ve shifted our focus to Reunion Weekend 2021. Planning is underway and, if conditions allow, it could be the biggest alumni gathering in Kenyon history! (We’ll be sharing more details in the months to come, as all alumni will be invited back for the festivities.)
Yes, good things are happening at Kenyon and that is why I support it year after year with a gift to the Kenyon Fund — to keep the good news coming. I give to bolster the student emergency assistance fund, which helped dozens of students get home when the spring semester unexpectedly went virtual. I give to make it possible for the College to award more in financial aid this year, when many families’ budgets are strained. And I give to help fund new scholarships like the Kenyon Women’s Annual Scholarship and the Lowry Annual Scholarship for underrepresented students, which was announced just last month along with the renaming of the Kenyon Athletic Center to honor Emeritus Trustee William E. Lowry Jr. ’56 H’99. Scroll on to read full details on this exciting piece of Kenyon news!
During challenging times like these, alumni support is more critical than ever. Join me in making your gift to the Kenyon Fund at gift.kenyon.edu to ensure good things continue to happen on the Hill this year, and in the years to come.
Thank you and stay well!
Sincerely,
Chris Greene
P.S. Scroll down to read our fall class notes.
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| Introducing the Lowry Center & Scholarship
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William E. Lowry Jr. ’56 H’99 was the first Black student in the nation initiated into Beta Theta Pi, was student body president and captained the football, basketball and baseball teams. He went on to serve in many volunteer roles at Kenyon, including as trustee. In honor of Bill’s accomplishments and impact at Kenyon, the Board of Trustees decided to rename the Kenyon Athletic Center in his honor.
Recognizing his legacy, Board Vice Chair Joseph E. Lipscomb ’87 has created an endowed scholarship in Bill’s name to help bring more underrepresented students to Kenyon. Anyone can make a gift to the annual fund portion of this scholarship, or one of many other scholarships at Kenyon, and provide an immediate benefit to a current student.
Support currents students now with a gift to scholarships
Despite a challenging year, the College remains committed to continuing to meet 100% of students’ increased demonstrated need, with donor support. Every dollar you give goes directly to support students this academic year.
Consider giving today in support of:
- Hannah More Scholarship for first generation students
- Kenyon Women’s Annual Scholarship for female students
- Lowry Annual Scholarship for underrepresented students
- Pope Memorial Annual Scholarship for students from urban Ohio public school
And, of course, you can make a gift to the Kenyon Fund’s scholarships and financial aid designation, which supports the education of every single Kenyon student.
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| Upcoming Virtual Events for Alumni
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You're invited to join us this winter at these free events for alumni.
- Alumni Town Halls with President Decatur
Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. ET and Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. ET
- Five-week mini class with Professor Emerita Pam Jensen
"Democracy & Education: An Introduction to Rousseau's Emile"
Tuesdays, Jan. 5 – Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. ET
- A Celebration of Kenyon Green Initiatives (two-part series)
Wednesday, Jan. 20 and Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. ET
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Class AgentsClass agents are your connection to campus. If you would like to learn more about becoming a class agent, contact Terry Dunnavant at dunnavantt@kenyon.edu.
• Mara Bernstein
• Annie Higby Ellsworth
• Chris Greene
• Jen Judson
• Merritt Kanan
• Garrick Vance
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Leeman Kessler’s first year as mayor of Gambier has certainly been a surprising one but the degree to which the community has come together to keep everyone safe has more than justified taking on this responsibility.
Sarah Brittingham moved back to Durham, North Carolina and welcomed a baby boy, Tobin (a wonderful distraction from 2020!), to the family in June.
Taryn Myers is tackling the challenge of teaching her college courses in Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies remotely via Zoom for what looks like the entire academic year. Her daughter with Brian Schiller '05 is now 2 and started at a Montessori school this year. They think it's going well, but it's hard to tell, because they are not allowed in the building due to COVID restrictions.
Brooke Johnson started Tumbleweed Travel Co. in June! Tumbleweed organizes turnkey RV vacations and road trips throughout the US and Canada, specializing in travel in and around the National Parks. She has been in the adventure travel industry since graduation and decided to go out on her own. One of her first clients were the Fedor Family (BJ Morgan-Fedor and Nick '03) and hopes to get more Kenyon friends on the road in the future!
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Mara Bernstein has worked from home for Indiana University Libraries. She missed being in the library with wonderful colleagues but is very happy to be employed and healthy! In July, Mara began a two-year term as President of the Indiana University LGBTQ+ Alumni Association. This is an amazing opportunity to connect with the IU LGBTQ+ community in support of each other and the university. It's giving Mara great ideas for Kenyon, too! Her wife, Jada Bee, and Mara devote a lot of time to Black Lives Matter Bloomington and The People's Cooperative Market to bring locally produced food into food-insecure homes. They are busy but doing all they can to make the community more equitable and sustainable!
Annie Higby Ellsworth hopes this note finds you well, where ever you are these days. It's been a tough year for all of us in different ways. Annie is feeling lucky that Kenyon has been smart, thoughtful and deliberate about their approach to the pandemic and are working tirelessly to keep students engaged and staff and faculty employed. Annie has enjoyed catching up with friends who she might not normally be in touch with regularly, like bi-weekly FaceTime sessions with Andrew Kingsley '06, and catching up on Zoom with Mara Bernstein. On the few trips Annie does make to campus these days, it's comforting to see Rachel and Leeman Kessler, or enjoy outdoor playdates with Cindy Cunningham and her daughter. Annie hopes you're doing the same right now as we continue to navigate this unusual time. “Be well, friends. Can't wait to welcome everyone back to the Hill!”
After returning from a 6 month deployment in April, AJ Franz started a new job as Deputy Executive Assistant to Commander THIRD Fleet where he works as a personal assistant to the 3 star admiral in charge of all naval forces from the west coast to the International Date Line. This summer AJ was promoted to the rank of Commander and selected for command of a submarine. He'll find out what sub in the fall of next year, as well as where his family will be moving! Erin '06 did an amazing job handling the 3 kids as a single parent when the COVID crisis began and AJ was deployed. She continues to be a rock star as she manages 3 grade levels of virtual learning!
Bobby Bloch is living in Saint Louis with his partner. Bobby works in an urban alternative program teaching English with light admin duties; he works at a wine bar/restaurant. Bobby is also part of the STL regional alumni network team for Kenyon. He is on the board of a non-profit that helps bring books and authors to underserved Title 1 schools. Bobby’s son is 10 years old and lives in Brooklyn; next year he will be in middle school already. Soon Bobby hopes to start his PhD in education with a bent toward social justice. He last visited Kenyon in 2019 and I cannot wait until the next reunion. Cheers everyone!
Kenny Moore and Sarah (Evans) Moore returned home to Cleveland, Ohio in the spring of 2019 after spending the six previous years in New Hampshire. They love being around family, friends, and a winning Browns team as they raise their son Winston, born in 2017. Kenny continues his work as Director of Camp Pemigewassett, an all-boys summer camp in New Hampshire. Following the move, Sarah stepped out of education administration and into an elementary teaching position in Cleveland at the Urban Community School. The ability to take advantage of beautiful New England summers and the creature comforts of home during the school year is perfect for the Moore's!
Jen (Judson) Vastola notes that things have been rough riding out the pandemic while working from home and juggling two boys under two. Yes, Jen and her husband Jim welcomed a pandemic baby -- Theodore "Teddy" James Vastola -- on April 20. While it's been hard generally, he makes up for a lot of it. Big brother Frankie has a growing interest in him but is still mostly jealous. Jen is still working at Defense News and as of this morning (10/8/20), took home a British-based defense media award for best land warfare story about the Army screwing up a major program to replace a combat vehicle. Exciting times even though Jen barely leaves her house!
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If you missed the chance to share your news for this letter, you can submit a class note at any time via class.letters@kenyon.edu.
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Kenyon is grateful to the following donors for their generous support of the College, including the Kenyon Fund, during the 2019-20 fiscal year. An asterisk (*) indicates a donor is a member of the Henry J. Abraham Society for loyal and consecutive giving. An obelisk (†) indicates an individual who is deceased. Please note that as of July 1, 2019 Kenyon’s annual giving societies have changed. Visit kenyon.edu/societies for more information.
2004
Annual Fund Total: $24,367
Class Participation: 25.99%
Bexley Society
Donors of $2,500 to $9,999
Peter A. Barker-Huelster*
Edward Symes IV
Garrick A. Vance*
Kenyon Society
Donors of $1 to $2,499
Anonymous (4)
Emily S. Allen
Chauncey O. Arnold
Porsche Depew Beetham, DO
Mara D. Bernstein*
Elena J. Bonomo
Heather Ann Brauer*
James E. Breece IV*
Tenaya Z. Britton
Peter W. Bumsted Jr.
Agnese Butler
Katie Cannon*
Gregory V. Carr*
Diana E. Carroll*
Stephanie E. C. Cheney*
Tai J. Chiappa*
Jennifer G. Chipault*
Marc F. Chipault*
Elizabeth J. Christensen
Richard W. Collins
Hayden Cook*
Kristin M. Covi*
Caroline J. Cowan
Joseph D. Craig*
Aaron J. Emig*
David A. Flaherty*
Heather L. Fuller*
Elizabeth Galloway Schaffer*
Jamie E. Gewirtz
Sreya Ghose
David J. Gold*
Christopher N. Greene*
Elton M. Hartney James*
Erin E. Hayward*
Jay P. Helmer
Anne Higby Ellsworth*
Elizabeth G. Honig
Victoria K. Hougham*
Matthew R. Howard
Anne C.H. Huntoon*
Ben Irie
Ashley M. James*
Jennifer A. Judson*
Emily R. Kahn*
Eric B. Kahn*
Anna W. Kalnow*
Merritt E. Kanan*
Elizabeth Kelly Freeman*
Leeman T. Kessler*
Rachel C. Kessler*
Randolph R. Ketcham*
Patrick S. Kozak
Keely M. Kurtas-Chapman
Adam G. Lazarus*
Amy S. Leathe*
Timothy Lehmann*
Rachel A. Longa
Kathleen E. Mahoney
Hillary M. Mamis*
Vincent A. Manzo*
Jeremy A. Martinich*
Camille J. Matlack*
Lisa M. Maurer*
James M. McLean*
Michael P. McMahan
Christopher P. Mikus*
Charles J. Mittica*
Kathleen M. Moore*
Barbara Morgan-Fedor*
Rachel M. Murchison
Ryan M. Murphy*
Taryn A. Myers*
Jennifer A. Neubauer
Alexander M. Neuman*
Linda Nguyen
Brandon B. Phinney*
Elizabeth Raji-Greig*
Harrison David Rivers*
Daniel E. Rodrigues*
Elizabeth S. Rodrigues*
Fernando M. Rodriguez*
Emily Runt
Jessica Russell Murphy*
Paul A. Schmid IV*
Eric M. Schulte
Alexander T. Simpson*
John T. Spragens*
Brendan J. Sullivan
Thomas C. Susman
Mary Sutcliffe Love*
Jessica Marie Tanner Mills*
Andrew T. Tiedeman
Grace Van Cleave
Pamela M. Waldman*
Jenna L. Walker
Lauren Waller
Sarah Walsh
Carolyn M. Wendler*
Allison J. Williams*
Logan S. Winston
Marion A. Wolfe
George Wharton Mariott Society
These alumni have included Kenyon in their estate plans or have made other planned gifts.
James E. Breece IV and Sabina Theodore Breece
Emily R. Kahn and Eric B. Kahn
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Kenyon College
105 Chase Avenue, Gambier, OH 43022
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