Our Path Forward: The Campaign for Kenyon

Kenyon Class of 2002 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 chance to help current and future Kenyon students, score prizes, join in some good friendly competition with other classes and win bragging rights. After the success of 2020’s Kenyon Together giving challenge, the College knows just how impactful our alumni community can be when we work together to raise money for the causes at Kenyon that matter most to us.

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 that 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. 

All the best,
Kris Cheney

P.S. Scroll down to read our 2002 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.

• Sandy Bryant 
• Densil Porteous
• Kris Cheney
• Mary Hill
• Patrick Abel

Class of 2002 Spring Notes
Cate (Norian) Koch shares: “Samantha Caroun Koch showed up to the party on 9/9/2020 at 3:33pm. We are thrilled to have another adventure buddy in our midst. She's been a true bright spot in this year of uncertainty. KCWS freshman class of 2038 look out, Sammy will be lacing up!” 

Sandy Bryant writes: “Hi all! I am still the Director of the KUA Fund at Kimball Union Academy and living in New Hampshire. I have managed to get in some great skiing this winter but must admit that I am ready for longer days and warmer weather. Please do get in touch if you are ever in the Upper Valley area of NH, as I would really enjoy connecting and catching up! I hope everyone continues to be safe and healthy.”

Eleanna Anagnos updates us on her recent move: “After 14 years of calling NYC home, I've moved to Mexico City! It's wonderful here. My art practice is going strong. I hope everyone is well and healthy. What a year it's been! Love to all.” 

Adrienne (Skrzypek) Jett notes: “I am living in Columbus with my family and working as a Psychologist at the Columbus VA. We welcomed twins Natalie and Andrew this fall. Our oldest daughter Avy is thrilled to be a big sister.”  

Caitlin Horrocks shares her happy news: “It was a big year for books and babies around here: my novel The Vexations was selected for the brand-new Kenyon College Alumni Book Club in March 2020 and a collection of short stories, Life Among the Terranauts, came out January 2021, two totally quiet and otherwise uneventful months in national and world history. March was also when we found out we were expecting two pandemic babies instead of one; the twins arrived safely in September and their minds are blown when they see humans other than me, my husband, or our older child.”

Caleb Wilson comments: “I'm a Nebula award finalist, in the game writing category! I worked on a game called Scents & Semiosis with three other people, and we're all finalists. I've actually been working on a number of game-related projects this year, having started working as the writer for a local board game company.”
Read notes from the Class of 2003 and the Class of 2001.
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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