| Kenyon Class of 2003 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. Even during the most challenging of years, Kenyon has remained a bright spot and a point of connection and positivity for its community.
In-person instruction just wrapped up for the approximately 950 first-years, sophomores and international students who studied on campus this fall, numbers 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,
Kyle Laux
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.
• Bi Vuong
• Kyle Laux
• Erin McConnell
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Danielle Tandet: My husband and I went on a trip this past February with a group called Honeymoon Israel which is sort of like Birthright but for married couples. It's an awesome trip that I highly recommend for those who fit the criteria, but why am I mentioning this? Because...the Rabbi who accompanied us is a Kenyon alum! Rabbi Andrue Kahn ’06. While we didn't know each other when we both attended Kenyon we have mutual friends in common and it was fun to reminisce about The Hill while in Israel.
Natalie Philpot: I am still living in Manchester, Vermont and trying to raise my daughters with grace and dignity in this uncertain world. Being a single mom has its challenges on a normal day - throw in a global pandemic and the daily anxiety becomes exponentially more palpable. I currently work as the Programs Coordinator at a non-profit that creates substance free programming for youth. I obtained my Vermont Recovery Coach Certification earlier this year to give back and help the next person who may be struggling with substance misuse. Despite the world feeling like it is ending, my girls and I are doing well. So much love to everyone in the Class of 2003. If you're ever in Vermont, please reach out!
Rose Meiri (Talbert): I got engaged over the holidays, and was due to be wed on September 26th, but the lives of my friends and family are far more important than a party and a piece of paper, so we postponed until May, and adopted a cat. His name is Bandit, and he loves the dogs more than he loves people. My May 2021 wedding will be officiated by Xander Piper ’04. He understands love more than anyone else I know.
Cynthia Dailey (Harrigan): It has been an exciting year (despite the racial inequities, social injustices, and public health issues faced around the world today). I got married in September of 2019, had my first child in December of 2019, have been promoted to Senior Director of Program and Outcomes within the YWCA of Greater Cleveland, and have been a champion and lead in directing all of my teams within the organization to develop intentional Racial Equity plans for the direct services programs, so that we as an organization are intentionally addressing this national issue at a more local and immediate level. I am increasingly proud of all the great work and accomplishments of my fellow 2003 Alumni class.
Nathan Hara: After an incredible 14 months in Recife, Brazil, my family and I are relocating to Guatemala in October. This will be our fourth move in three years. I'm really hoping we get to stay put for at least three full years!
Ingrid Vining: In June, I completed my MBA and graduated from UCLA Anderson School of Management. As with many things in 2020, our last quarter and graduation were both completely virtual but worth celebrating nonetheless. Since graduation, I've rediscovered my love of non-academic reading and have loved seeing my Kenyon friends Emily Martin and Lindsay Sabik on the Peloton leaderboard.
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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.
2003
Annual Fund Total: $24,713
Class Participation: 23.62%
Bexley Society
Donors of $2,500 to $9,999
Leslie A. Carroll
Kyle A. Laux*
Kenyon Society
Donors of $1 to $2,499
Meredith M. Andrews*
Allison J. Artman*
Joshua A. Bauman*
T. Owen Beetham
Brian A. Bidlingmeyer Jr.*
Allison C. Boex*
Adam J. Booth*
Jessica Boucher*
Sarah J. Buek*
Meghan E. Burnett
Eric A. Christiansen
Lindsey D. Clawson*
Jessica D'Ardenne Tsuda
Sarah E. Day
Lesley S. Demagall
David N. Donadio*
John L. Dutton*
Benjamin F. Elesh
Nicholas M. Fedor*
Brian T. Foster
Jessica M. Foster
Gretchan N. Frederick*
Betsy L. Garratt*
Mary E. Hanna-Weir*
Nathan N. Hara*
Clare C. Harwood
Veronica E. Hauad*
Benjamin D. Helfat
Ian D. Higgins*
Benjamin J. Hildebrand*
Ramsay M. Hoguet
Katherine E. Holland*
Jillian D. Howell
Keenan M. Hughes
Nia Imara*
Natalie A. Irie
Richa Jha*
Ann W. Johnson*
Niels H. Johnson
Kelly B. Junker*
Parke Junker*
Andrew F. Kalnow*
Justin G. Karpinos*
Joshua M. Karren
Jennifer A. Keeley Yonda
Katherine M. Leland
Mark C. Lemon*
Nathaniel C. Leonard*
Anne Mackay Cook*
Laura Elizabeth May*
Erin K. McConnell
Lisa P. McFaddin*
Sarah A. McGavran
Rose L. Miller-Sims*
Anne Miskella*
Tyler L. Morell
Rebecca Palacios Smith*
Gordon S. Pennoyer*
J. Tyler Perfect
Elizabeth A. Petrelli Elesh*
Jonathan L. Philipsborn
Natalie Philpot Pergament
Joshua H. Pike
Kristyn L. Polishan
Ann M. Racek*
Megan Rafferty Barnes
Danielle Ralston
Karl A. Reichstetter*
Carrie A. Robertson
Ashley Rowatt Karpinos*
Aimee L. Rowe
Lindsay M. Sabik*
Andrew P. Shelby*
Blake E. Sheppard*
Erin B. Sheppard*
Sarah J. Smith*
Madeline P. Stewart
Danielle N. Tandet
Oliver W. Tuckerman
E. Brooks Upham*
Sarah M. Van Nostrand*
Ingrid E. Vining*
Bi T. Vuong*
Christopher R. Whitley*
Caroline M. Wiest
Quentin W. Wiest III
Virginia G. Witte
John C. Wyss
George Wharton Mariott Society
These alumni have included Kenyon in their estate plans or have made other planned gifts.
Kristian S. Rogers
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Kenyon College
105 Chase Avenue, Gambier, OH 43022
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