| Kenyon Class of 1993 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 for full details on this exciting piece of Kenyon news!
After working from home in March and April (and having clients sign their legal documents on my front porch!), I returned to my office full-time in May. Solo law practice has its advantages – I was able to social distance in my office and avoid most of the home-bound blues. I am grateful for the good health of my extended family, although my wife Georgeann and I miss our frequent trips away from our children (Amelia 16, and Grant 12). Recently, I was appointed to the Ohio State Bar Association Wellness Advisory Board, so I look forward to finding new ways to stay healthy and help others.
During challenging times like these, alumni support is more critical than ever. Please 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,
John Clark
P.S. We all would like to know how our classmates are doing, so thank you to everyone who submitted a note, which I include below. Scroll down to read them.
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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 Molly Gutridge at gutridge1@kenyon.edu.
• John Clark
• Elyse Forkosh Cutler
• Brian Dowdall
• Brent Ferguson
• Melissa Lord
• Rosie Turgeon
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Gabriel Alegria
I now have two little ones, Natalia (5) and Oliver (3), and moved across the river from New York to Jersey City. Will be moving back to Peru semi-permanently in 2022. I am still recording and touring with my band The Afro-Peruvian Sextet (www.afroperuviansextet.com). Our latest recording called "Social Distancing" will drop on January 29 (I don't believe we used to say "drop" back in the day... LOL). I've also moved over and took the job of Jazz Studies Director at NJCU, a little school you have never heard of. And all is well. I hope to keep running into classmates as has happened from time to time over the years. Please stay safe and get in touch!
Jennifer E. Carter
In my quest to visit 50 states, Gwynn Evans Harrison '94 and I knocked out Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in August--great lobster, hiking, and swimming!
Steven Steele Cawman
I’m relocating to just outside Montreal where my husband, Arsenio, will be working as a researcher at Concordia University. We’re excited for the move and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Elyse Forkosh Cutler
Sometimes opportunities come your way at inopportune times. After eight years of running my own consulting practice, this spring I was offered a position to return to the hospital business as the Chief Strategy Officer for a large health system in Chicago. Going to work for a hospital system in the midst of a pandemic did not seem like a good idea, but I'm thankful to my Kenyon friends who urged me to get off the sidelines. Kristin Weaver's swift kick in the pants was all I needed to accept the job--those of you who have experienced Kristin's persuasive abilities know what I am talking about! I'm four months in and having an absolute blast.
Brent Ferguson
What a year of transition; timing really is everything! Just prior to the onset of a global pandemic and the historic growth in awareness of our nation's deeply tragic history of devaluing black lives, I chose to change jobs after a 13-year tenure teaching and coaching at The Lawrenceville School. I am now on the math faculty at Princeton Day School down the road. In moving, we found a sweet place that has a guest house in back; we would truly welcome Kenyon visitors in the years ahead; please feel free to ask for a place to stay when you pass through this central Jersey area (about an hour from each of Philly and NYC). But of course, now I'm meeting new colleagues and students in the crazy hybrid context of screens, masks, and other anxieties, not to mention the political maelstrom that is the demise of our democracy. It has been a long while since I've reported, though, so here are a few highlights:
• My daughters are now in 8th and 10th grade; my how time flies!
• My wife Elizabeth and I became foster parents for the state of NJ and have hosted four children over the years (temporarily) while the 'system' found suitable permanent homes for them.
• I was named to a senior distinguished teaching chair at Lawrenceville in 2017, which was a delightful affirmation of my work there over the years.
• I co-authored two editions of a teacher's edition for a mainstream AP Calculus textbook, reading exams each summer and writing some items for College Board's AP Calc test. *
• And, most exciting: I was granted a sabbatical last spring, and so we made a 101-day, 13,500+ mile road trip that "finished the list" for me; I've now visited all 50 states! A key feature was a visit to Bryan Stephenson's E.J.I. museum in Montgomery, AL and so we made a 5-week deep dive into other civil-rights-era sights in the South, before pivoting west to CA, then back across the country through the Great Lakes and eventually Maine and back home. We hiked in many National Parks, as per our usual style, along with eating yummy local foods, well-read audiobooks in the car, and visiting with family and old friends for half of the stops...incredibly memorable! *
• I almost forgot: I ran into Brennen [Harbin] Strine and Brian & Shannon ('94) Dowdall in December 2018 at ALTA (Utah), on a very windy day on the slopes!
And I would welcome the chance to reconnect with other KC alums in the future; do please drop a line to ferguson.brent@gmail.com. Blessings & peace to all in these anxious times; you are not alone!!
Amy King
I am still living in northern Michigan and loving it. Luckily, we've not seen much COVID in these parts (knock on wood). Speaking of knocking, like many in our class, knocking on the "50's" door is a bit sobering. How on earth did this happen so quickly???? My oldest son graduated from Albion and entered the working world. My middle son is a junior at Belmont University and my youngest is a senior in high school and applying to colleges all over the place. Empty Nesting is on the horizon. To keep myself occupied, I'm heavily involved in various community organizations and sit on six boards. Keeping life busy and fulfilling.
Melissa Lord
What a crazy year, and it just keeps getting crazier. I’m staying busy dealing will all the same COVID stuff everyone else is: masking up, missing friends, trying to be productive working from home, simultaneously trying to keep the kids focused on online learning, preferably without screaming and/or obscenities, and wondering how it’s possible that three people can produce so many dirty dishes every single day. I know a return to “normal” isn’t yet within sight, but I’ll keep dreaming about it until it happens. Stay safe and healthy!
Peter Meilaender
Blake Taylor
Krista (Vitz) and I are both on the front lines of education in the time of COVID. I am learning more than I ever wanted to about remote learning as I navigate my 15th year teaching AP English Literature and creative writing at Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati. My band, 46 Long, released our 6th album, "All Tom's Fault," this summer, and it can be found on Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, and other streaming platforms. Krista, on the other hand, spent the entire summer planning, researching, and preparing to implement a return to in-person learning at Mercy Montessori School as she enters her second year there as Assistant Principal. I cannot express enough how much I admire how she is handling a nearly impossible task. Our children are also learning from home. Riley, a 3rd year student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, is juggling coursework toward a career in international diplomacy while nannying and working as an intern with the Kate Schroder for Congress campaign. Evan, a Junior at Walnut Hills, devotes nearly every waking moment to playing jazz guitar, and is actively exploring conservatory options. COVID makes for tight quarters in a cozy home, but we're thriving in our own ways.
Bryon Thomas
So many highs and lows! Becky Reimbold and I lamented the loss of our youngest son's conclusion of senior year but celebrated his top-of-class finish as he used his speech to call us all out to be more anti-racist. His elder brother was home from Kenyon allowing us the joy of more family dinners than we ever hoped to have again! We mourned the loss of Kenyon pillar Kay Locke but celebrated our 25th anniversary, COVID-style! Becky is active in social justice and local forums and I am still trying to convince some people that COVID is real. Wishing you all safety, peace and unity!
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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.
1993
Annual Fund Total: $52,215
Class Participation: 27.52%
President's Society
Donors of $50,000 or more
Wright R. Ohrstrom*
Kokosing Society
Donors of $25,000 to $49,999
Anne T. Meehan*
Philander Chase Society
Donors of $10,000 to $24,999
Hayes Batson*
Elyse Forkosh Cutler*
Jennifer A. Gundlach P'21*
Alicia S. Kunin-Batson*
Bexley Society
Donors of $2,500 to $9,999
Mary Kay Costello*
Brennen Harbin Strine*
Rebecca C. Reimbold P'22*
Bryon W. Thomas MD P'22*
Kenyon Society
Donors of $1 to $2,499
Michael W. Adams P'21*
David P. Allan*
Diedra N. Ammons*
Christopher S. Antonow
Gabriel Q. Ashman*
Rhonda Baker Debevec*
Christopher D. Barth*
Rebecca A. Barth*
Garret S. Batten
Lauren H. Behrendt*
Mrs. Katherine Beller Chery
Charlene S. Brenner
Isobel Brooker Case*
Anthony R. Brown
Michael R. Butz
Douglas M. Cameron*
Jennifer E. Carter*
John D. Clark*
Melissa Clarry Junge*
William T. Comar*
Lisa Cope*
Sue Corral*
Edward E. Curtis IV*
Elisa A. Deadman*
Brian D. Dowdall*
Kimberly S. Engber
Brent A. Ferguson*
Sara S. Fousekis*
Sarah Gimbel-Sherr
Robert F. Gluck
Christopher D. Hall
Robert M. Hanson*
Scott S. Hignett
Allison Hilberg Bunker*
Brendan R. Hurst*
Sally P. Jakeway*
Eleanor B. Jewett*
A. Gregory Junge*
Catherine Kenworthy Allan*
Kate Keplinger*
Karin A. Kinne McGeary*
Kevin C. Kropf*
Ingrid S. Lamia
Matthew W. Laney
Daniel L. Lerner*
Meg C. Lieberman*
Allison Lomonaco
Melissa A. Lord*
Susan Luce*
Kelly O. Lynn*
Jonathan W. Mannion*
Matthew J. McGeary*
Peter C. Meilaender
Kathryn H. Michaelis*
Mary B. O'Shea*
Todd D. Patterson*
Carolyn Peticolas Alt
Vanessa Picard
Trish Piliado*
Kelley R. Ragland
Kelly J. Raymond Burdsall
Victoria C. H. Resnick
Steven D. Rice*
Amy Schindler
Amy C. Smith*
Andrew P. Stone*
Shannon Straub Davisson*
Maryann P. Surrick*
Angela A. Taneja*
Edward B. Tobey
Lynn Townley*
Charles G. Turgeon P'23*
Rosemary Turgeon P'23*
Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings*
Hilary B. Vonckx
Robert J. Wellman
John R. Wellschlager
Kelley E. Wilder
Erik R. Wobus
David H. Zecchin*
Nanette Zorn*
George Wharton Mariott Society
These alumni have included Kenyon in their estate plans or have made other planned gifts.
John D. Clark
Elyse Forkosh Cutler
Brendan R. Hurst
Teresa E. Lowen
Mary B. O'Shea
Victoria C.H. Resnick
Lynn Townley
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Kenyon College
105 Chase Avenue, Gambier, OH 43022
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