Our Path Forward: The Campaign for Kenyon

Kenyon Classes of 1955-56 Fall Class Letter
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. 
 
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, including those of us celebrating a post-50th reunion.)
 
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. See below for 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,
Allen McCormick

P.S. Scroll down to read our fall class notes.

Introducing the Lowry Center & Scholarship
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.

Make a Gift

Upcoming Virtual Events for Alumni
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
Visit kenyon.edu/alumnievents to register and view our full alumni event calendar.

Classes of 1955-56 Fall Notes
Congratulations to Bill Lowry '56 on the naming of the Kenyon's athletic facility to the Lowry Center.  Check out the links above from more on the story.

Caryl Warner ’55: When reading the most recent Kenyon Alumni Magazine, I was sorry to read of the passing of my 4 year soccer teammates and friends Fergie (Wilson Ferguson), Saint (Dave Cummings) and Bo (Boulton Mohr).  Luckily, in the past few years we all saw each other with our wives at Kenyon reunions. In the 1950's, soccer was not a well-known sport.  Kenyon played but seven games per year, including playing and vanquishing Ohio U., Dayton, Ohio State and Michigan State.  In today's world, soccer is a much more well-known and popular sport, so teams from these schools are not seen in Gambier playing Kenyon's excellent soccer teams.  However, in our winning season of 1954, we scored more goals than the football team scored points.   

My running days at Kenyon and many years thereafter in competitive sports have been replaced by the daily use of my cane or 4 wheeled walker, caused in part by athletic injuries of the past.  Of course, I do not regret those years of past athleticism as I hobble about doing my daily chores.
Arthur Goldberg ’56: With regret, we announce that Arthur passed away on July 27 2020.

Edward Rhodes ’55: On June 20th I married Dorothy Bondurant. 
 
Peter Keys ’56: My lovely wife Joan and I continue to manage her debilitating Parkinsonian Multiple Systems Atrophy.  Although she can no longer stand, walk, talk or dress herself, she continues to maintain her mental sharpness, her email friends and our weekly dinner parties with neighbors here at home.  Our professional Caregiver's and cook provide thoughtful assistance all-day every day.  Worldwide Covid 19 has curtailed our travels for 2020, although we have three month-long international trips planned throughout 2021 if all goes well.  From our 21st floor aerie in the Harbor Club on San Diego bay, we have an unparalleled 22 mile view of the Pacific; can't quite see Japan.  I maintain my 4-6 miles/day jog/running to maintain a semblance good health at 86 years of age.  Should any Kenyonite's care to stop by to visit, call at least a day ahead for planning purposes.  Best regards to all. 

Quentin Kelly ’55: I'm continuing to operate my company, WorldWater & Solar Technologies, Inc.  We are quite busy in Africa, particularly Morocco, Cotes d'Ivoire and Djibouti, supplying our proprietary solar driven water purification and desalination systems. We're also active in the Caribbean Islands and in the southern US states of Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.  I expect to sell my company in the next 18 months and retire from CEO role but continue as Chairman of the Board.
Read notes from the Classes of 1953-54 and the Classes of 1958-59.
New this year! Read notes from faculty.
Support Kenyon
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.

Class Listing
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.

1955
Annual Fund Total: $35,900
Class Participation: 76.00%

Philander Chase Society
Donors of $10,000 to $24,999
Nancy Leach (widow of Lewis C. Leach '55)*
Gamber F. Tegtmeyer Jr., MD †*

Bexley Society
Donors of $2,500 to $9,999
Stephen Fedele*
Robert A. First MD † 
Susan First (widow of Robert A. First MD '55) 
Allen K. Gibbs*
B. Allen McCormick*

Kenyon Society 
Donors of $1 to $2,499
John D. Beal DDS*
John L. Clark P'88 GP'17*
Richard G. Evans Jr. P'87*
John L. Hammond*
Joseph G. Hubbell II*
James A. Hughes Jr. †*
Arthur L. Johnson*
Joseph G. Hubbell II '55*
Boulton D. Mohr †*
Edward T. Rhodes Sr.*
Cameron H. Sanders Jr.*
Tom Tison *

George Wharton Mariott Society
These alumni have included Kenyon in their estate plans or have made other planned gifts.
John L. Clark P'88
Robert A. First MD † 
Allen K. Gibbs and Martha Gibbs 
James A. Hughes, Jr. †
Edwin H. Knapp †
Mr.† and Mrs. Lewis C. Leach 
Boulton D. Mohr †
Edward T. Rhodes Sr. 
Bruce A. Richardson 
Dr.† and Mrs. Gamber Tegtmeyer 

1956
Annual Fund Total: $42,455
Class Participation: 80.95%

Kokosing Society
Donors of $25,000 to $49,999
Robert M. Wright MD †*

Philander Chase Society
Donors of $10,000 to $24,999
Charles M. Polk II † 

Bexley Society
Donors of $2,500 to $9,999
George B. Hallock*
William E. Lowry Jr. H'99*
Robert W. Rowe P'81*

Kenyon Society 
Donors of $1 to $2,499
John R. Cobau † P'85*
Cecil M. Criss GP'21*
Philip R. Currier P'82*
The Very Rev. Bruce H. Jacobson *
Perry J. Pascarella*
James E. Peters Jr.*
Henry M. Price 
James H. Robinson Jr. 
Paulen A. Smith*
Charles C. Titus MD*

George Wharton Mariott Society
These alumni have included Kenyon in their estate plans or have made other planned gifts.
Philip R. and Jane R. Currier P '82
Michael E. Goriansky †
George B. and Nancy Hallock 
Justin Morgan †
Charles C. Titus
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