Our Path Forward: The Campaign for Kenyon

Kenyon Class of 2009 Spring Class Letter

Dear classmates,

After a year that felt like a decade, I am filled with hope and optimism as we head into the warmer months. As of mid-April, roughly one-quarter of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and life feels like it is inching back to “normal.” 

Kenyon is also planning its return to normal operations, including having all four classes back on campus in the fall. And, due in no small part to our alumni support, the College is wrapping up a financially and logistically challenging year on track to balance the budget, just like they have the last 50 years. 

After receiving a record number of applications, Kenyon has enrolled its Class of 2025. And Chalmers Library will be open to greet them when they move in. 

In January, Kenyon received the largest gift in its history that will fund construction of three new South Campus residence halls, allowing the College to increase focus on growing resources for scholarships. This is where we come in! The success of the next part of the campaign, Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial, relies on our increased participation and continued support of scholarships for students.

If you haven’t heard, reunion is going virtual this year. The College is hosting two weeks of online programming from May 16-29 and most events are open to all alumni. Even though we aren’t celebrating a reunion this year, I encourage you to register for events with your favorite professors and reminisce with classmates at the online social gatherings. I’m planning to join the tour of Chalmers Library and take part in some of the fun things they have planned to bring the Hill to us virtually for this nontraditional reunion. I look forward to bumping into some of you on Zoom! 

The College is also counting on us to show up (and break our record numbers!) for this year’s 36-hour Kenyon Together giving challenge kicking off the morning of Wednesday, May 19 as part of the virtual reunion. Mark your calendar for a fun chance to help Kenyon students today, score prizes, join in some good friendly competition and win bragging rights. After the success of 2020’s Kenyon Together giving challenge, the College knows just how impactful our young alumni community can be when we work together to raise money for the causes at Kenyon that matter most to us. They heard us when we asked to designate our gifts to things like diversity, equity and inclusion during Kenyon Together, and I have been pleased to see these designations remain on Kenyon’s main giving page ever since. 

As alumni, we can help today’s students by staying connected with the College and making gifts to scholarships that help Kenyon continue to meet the growing financial needs of students and their families. I invite you to join me in supporting the College in both of these ways. Our alma mater and all of you have contributed to the hope and optimism I feel for the future by providing regular points of connection during an isolating year. No matter how you choose to stay involved with Kenyon, I hope you too are breathing a sigh of relief as we prepare for better days ahead. 

Take care,
Prabhat Gautam

P.S. Scroll down to read our 2009 spring class notes.

Support current 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 to:
  • 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.

Virtual Events for Alumni


All alumni are invited to join us at these virtual reunion events in May:
  • Opening Ceremony/Virtual Hospitality Tent
    4 p.m. ET Sunday, May 16

  • Kenyon Together 36-Hour Giving Challenge
    from 9 a.m. ET Wednesday, May 19 – 9 p.m. ET Thursday, May 20 

  • Town Hall with President Decatur
    7 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 27
Visit kenyon.edu/reunion to view our full virtual reunion schedule.

Class Agents

Class agents are your connection to campus. If you would like to learn more about becoming a class agent, Isabelle Rivers-McCue at riversmccuei@kenyon.edu.

• Adrienne Amador Oddi 
• Austin Faught
• Dan Gajewski
• David Mastrangelo
• Hunter Judson
• Katie Argall
• Prabhat Gautam
• Sarah Carter
• Shrochis Karki
• Yancy Edwards

Class of 2009 Spring Notes

Natalia (Larew) Leroux writes: “I'm starting a master's in Latin American Studies at the Universidad nacional de general San Martín. I've started violin classes which have been a lot of fun. Also we're planning a trip to Argentina's Patagonia region late this month and early next.”

Toni Metcalf-Henry shares: "Life in lockdown has been sweet with my husband Brady Henry and my three cats! I have been working from home for a year with Advocacy and Protective Services, Inc. (APSI), a nonprofit organization that offers guardianship services to over 3,200 individuals with disabilities. The writing and research skills I acquired at Kenyon serve me well at APSI as I prepare a variety of legal documents! My cats love the camera interaction of video calls and have enjoyed laying on my papers while I work from home. I recently started cooking with my sister virtually. She and I will pick a recipe and cook together on our Alexa Echos. My husband and I also started a kitchen remodel. We are excited for the outcome! Wish us luck!"

Caleb Ruopp contributes: “I have become a full time student teacher, currently learning how to teach to English Language Learners, and how to teach during these new and difficult times. Our son Graham is just over 5 months old and is the most adorable little handful. We expect to sleep the whole night through any month now.”

Charlie Cromer writes: “Lauren Caldwell and I were married in a small ceremony on Oct 9th, 2020. I continue to act and teach, acts of God permitting.”

Lovey (Walker) Peissig shares: “I am continuing to work remotely and was recently promoted to a manager position. My infant is now a toddler, and my family of four is beyond excited to hopefully get on an airplane sooner than later and visit extended family in places such as Oahu. For now, we're making the most out of life here in MN. Duplo and Lego sets are becoming a household staple.”

Zach Wallace and Sarah Prendergast Wallace welcomed their son, Finnegan Thomas Wallace, to the family on March 11th. The pups are very excited about their new baby brother. Finn is doing great. He spends his time sleeping and eating, while his parents debate whether he will play baseball or lacrosse. Finn looks forward to joining the Kenyon Class of 2043.

Emily (Goldwaser) Lawson writes: “I and Jeremy Lawson '08 welcomed our fourth child on Veteran's Day (classes of '36, '38, '40, and'42), just seven months after resettling in a new house on the water in California's East Bay”.

Justin Cox and Johanna Ralsten-Cox welcomed a daughter, Elizabeth Quinn Cox, on January 3, 2021. She came a week late, committed to have absolutely nothing to do with 2020.

Prabhat Gautam shares: “My partner Kevin and I continue to work from home remotely in the physical company of our two cats Cinder and Charcoal. In our spare time, we are working on our vegetable gardens and have started lots of seedlings to plant in the late spring. Looking forward to sharing the veggies with our neighbors here in Waltham, MA like last summer. The dream is to set up a free neighborhood farm stand outside our home. Wish us luck! Here is hoping that the sun and soil continue to bless us.”
Read notes from the Class of 2010 and the Class of 2008.
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.
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