Kenyon Classes of 1953-54 Fall Class Letter

Dear gentlemen,

Lately, I know it can seem like good news is in short supply. So as we at Kenyon sat down to write this class letter, and started to make a list of the many positive updates we had to share with you, I felt a welcome sense of gratitude for your 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.

The 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 alumni gifts to the Kenyon Fund are critical year after year — to keep the good news coming. Consider making a gift to bolster the student emergency assistance fund, which helped dozens of students get home when the spring semester unexpectedly went virtual. Or give to make it possible for the College to award more in financial aid this year, when many families’ budgets are strained. Or 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. Please consider making your gift to the Kenyon Fund today 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,

Terry Dunnavant

Office of Alumni and Annual Giving

Kenyon College

P.S. Scroll down to read the 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 1953-54 Fall Notes

William Townsend ’53: Still alive and kicking in a condo in Deep River, CT, but plan to relocate to a senior apartment in Old Saybrook, CT that would be closer to stores. I have been married to 2 wonderful women, but both died of cancer. Currently waiting out the pandemic and keeping myself busy.

David Y. Smith ’54: Age, diminished physical vitality, and viral constraints have shrunk our lives. I don't currently have much to report. A few years ago the Alumni Bulletin sought reports of contacts between Kenyon grads in unusual circumstances. Here is my belated offering. In early 1955, Private E-2 Smith newly arrived in Tokyo after a two-week troop ship voyage and was walking along Ginza (a main drag) on a Sunday afternoon in uniform. Approaching me was a lieutenant, in uniform. Had to salute and did. As the lieutenant returned the salute, we recognized each other. It was John Scott Vernooy, '52. We'd both played lacrosse for Bill Styles. We decided to have dinner at a nearby Sushi restaurant. John had been stationed up north in Sendai, was familiar with Japanese food, and ordered for both of us. He was deft with ohashi (chop sticks) and went for the sashimi (raw fish) with gusto, dipping it in a lemon juice and salt mix. I tried to emulate him, dipped what looked like eel in the juice. When it writhed, I balked. John retrieved it and consumed it with alacrity. I ate sushi. We split the cost of the meal which took most of John's Japanese money. I loaned him 600 yen ($1.67) for cab fare, and we parted, wishing each other well. Over the years I've read bits about John in the Alumni Bulletin and in due course, of his death. Via con Dios, John.

Read notes from the Classes of 1942-52 and the Classes of 1955-56.

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.

1953

Annual Fund Total: $60,810

Class Participation: 58.62%

President's Society

Donors of $50,000 or more

Richard L. Thomas P'81 H'72*

Nelson A. Wright III, MD P'80 '83*

Philander Chase Society

Donors of $10,000 to $24,999

Jane Gordon (widow of Ward B. Gordon '53)*

Bexley Society

Donors of $2,500 to $9,999

Dominick M. Cabriele GP'20*

Kenyon Society

Donors of $1 to $2,499

Thomas H. Bott*

Gordon E. Brown MD

Donald G. Combs*

George W. Granger P'81

David L. Heck*

Standish Henning*

Michael C. Johnstone*

R. Jeremy McNamara*

Nick Oancea*

Thomas H. Ottenjohn*

Lurline Pavlovich (widow of Joseph P. Pavlovich '53) *

Arnold Starr MD

Richard L. Tallman*

George Wharton Mariott Society

These alumni have included Kenyon in their estate plans or have made other planned gifts.

Mr. and Mrs. James W. Hunt Jr.

Ronald R. Ryan

Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Thomas P'81

Nelson A. Wright III and Barbara Wright

1954

Annual Fund Total: $9,550

Class Participation: 54.55%

Bexley Society

Donors of $2,500 to $9,999

John T. Seaman Jr.*

Kenyon Society

Donors of $1 to $2,499

The Rev. Arthur W. Archer P'81*

J. Barry Cahill*

William G. James Jr. P'81*

Lynn Petti (widow of Ronald A. Petti '54)

Eugene M. J. Pugatch MD, D.Phil

David Ryeburn*

David Y. Smith*

Gerald S. Weintraub MD*

Paul B. Wolfe*

George Wharton Mariott Society

These alumni have included Kenyon in their estate plans or have made other planned gifts.

John F. Barton

Roderick S. French

John T. Seaman Jr. and Barbara Seaman

Richard R. Tryon P'88

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