Our Path Forward: The Campaign for Kenyon

Kenyon Class of 2008 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,
Gwen Faulkner

P.S. Scroll down to read our 2008 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.

Make a Gift

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, contact Isabelle Rivers-McCue at riversmccuei@kenyon.edu.

• Blossom Barrett 
• Gwen Faulkner
• Hannah Rose Sacks
• Rebecca Sundling
• Neil Johnston

Class of 2008 Spring Notes
Kate Aufses: My husband Justin and I welcomed a son, Samuel Arthur Oldfield, on January 3, 2021. A bright and beautiful start to the new year!

Max Goldman: Since COVID-19 had not disrupted life enough, I left New York City and accepted a new job in Washington, DC and moved to suburban Maryland with my wife and daughter. Of course, in our second week at our new house, we literally ran into Jenny Stern Sarma, who was looking at a house a block away. I look forward to hopefully seeing more Kenyon folk when the weather improves and vaccination rates increase.

Alison Fisher: 2020 was a big year for myself and my husband Adam, and not just because of the pandemic. On October 24 we welcomed our first child, Jonah Douglas, who is definitely the cutest baby of all time. Also in October, I was promoted to Senior Creative Systems and Asset Specialist at J. Jill.

Aaron Clark-Ginsberg: I'm living in Portland, Oregon, working as a disaster researcher for the RAND Corporation. I'm excited to see Kenyon student worker efforts to unionize for better working conditions. Standing in solidarity with them and urging the Board of Trustees to recognize the Kenyon Student Worker Organizing Committee.

AnnaLaura Scandrett: During this year of Covid craziness my husband, toddler, and I welcomed our (surprise) twin baby girls, and moved with our toddler to a new house in the Bay Area. One bright side of this pandemic has been reconnecting with Kenyon friends through hilarious ongoing text threads and frequent FaceTime visits which always include our children and pets.

Karen (Singerman) Martin: I am almost finished with my first year of Rabbinical school. This year has been very different from what we expected - we’re not living in Israel, for instance - but it has gone as well as might be hoped, all things considered and with much gratitude to my husband, Stewart Martin ’06.

Ann Shikany: My husband Blake and I were thrilled to welcome our son, Henry Shikany Hulnick, on March 1, 2021. He’s been the silver lining to our pandemic experience, and he’s looking forward to meeting all our Kenyon friends in DC and elsewhere as soon as possible.

Casey Bolitho: I started a new job at the Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board of Franklin County, Ohio in February 2021. In my capacity as Outcomes and Reporting Manager, I will support planning and evaluation for the local behavioral health system of care.

Andy Berger: On December 23, 2020, my wife Maggie and I welcomed our first child, Isla Simone Berger. She arrived 12 weeks early, weighing just 1 lb 14 oz. After a lengthy stay at the NICU we brought Isla home on March 14. Watching her grow has been so inspiring. Our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude, and we can't wait to have our family and friends meet her.
Read notes from the Class of 2009 and the Class of 2007.
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.
Kenyon College
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