Our Path Forward: The Campaign for Kenyon

Kenyon Class of 1990 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 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. 

As I was preparing this letter, I learned of the passing of our dear friend and classmate, Sonya Dudgeon. John and I followed Sonya’s cancer battle and marveled at her positive attitude and wicked sense of humor. Her partner, Sean Ward, described her as a “force of nature who brightened any room she entered.” He added, “If you met Sonya, you were a friend for life.” You can read more about Sonya’s life and service to Kenyon at www.kenyon.edu/news/archive/kenyon-remembers-sonya-dudgeon/

Thank you for staying connected to Kenyon during a challenging and isolating year. I’m feeling hopeful as we look forward to better days ahead. 

Sincerely,
Jenny Ross Thurber

P.S. Scroll down to read our 1990 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 one, contact Molly Gutridge (gutridge1@kenyon.edu).

• B.J. Jennings
• Christian Ehrbar
• Jane Howell
• Jenny Ross Thurber
• John Thurber
• Karina Harding 
• Suzanne Roe Jannetta
• Una Fogarty
• Wendy Castiglia Amato
• Bill O'Hearn

Class of 1990 Spring Notes
Jenny Leffler Ives
I am excited to report that my daughter Annabel ’24 has started her first year at Kenyon, and is a member of the women's lacrosse team. Although it has certainly been an unusual year and she is currently studying remotely this spring, it was wonderful to be back at Kenyon for the quick drop off in August, and I am so excited to be back many times throughout her college career. Driving up the hill and crossing Middle Path brought back a flood of memories of my amazing four years as a student and athlete at Kenyon. The silver lining of the past year has been in finding those creative ways of connection--with Kenyon, with my dear friends, with my family, and in remembering what is truly important. Sending love to all my Kenyon classmates and teammates.

Rachel (de Guzman) Hofmeister
Living in Stuttgart, Germany with my husband and 2 teenage sons since 2015. The last year of COVID-19 restrictions has been challenging but has reminded me to focus on the present and what’s possible. Walking our Corgi, Roger is usually the day’s highlight but I keep pretty busy. Can’t travel to Rome to see Julia Griner but planning on doing a Zoom online cooking class with her soon. Grateful for all the walking paths and green spaces available to me here in Germany. Looking forward to spring.

Nettie (Romero) Keck
The silver lining during Covid times was having all three of my children under one roof again. Prior to Covid they had all been so busy, it was nice to reconnect with them and watch them take up surfing since it was one of the few activities allowed. Hugh Pastoriza '91 has organized some great Zoom calls where I was able to catch up with Kristin Swanson Pastoriza, Mary Witte, David Elliott, Chris Cook, Chris Wick, Aurora Gonzalez, Drew Cuncannan, Chal Browne ’91, Sarah Vokey and Bob Melican. I was also able to connect with Jessica Hart Selden, Alexandra Manolovici Wernink along with Mary Witte and Kristin Swanson Pastoriza on a cocktail Zoom call where we lamented missing our reunion and looked forward to planning a weekend get together when we are all able to travel again.

Anne Seiler
In light of Covid lock-down, I have been immensely grateful for the abundance of northern California, for the many fruit and nut trees and proliferating peppers and tomatoes of our 2-acre rental home. Even more grateful for the internet which has enabled me to continue telehealth work as a clinical psychologist and to Zoom with Michele Petrucci, Calli Towne, Kate Flanders and Melissa (Uhlig) Wright!
Meg (Tweedy) Drazek
Meg and her family have left Denver and are midway through a tour at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. Her older son now attends St. Andrews School in Delaware where he rows crew and swims and has a Kenyon alum coach and faculty advisor. 
River (a.k.a. "Buffy") Branch
It is difficult to think of what it is one might share in the midst of a global pandemic-- knowing each of us has navigated a great deal in the past year. Amidst the many sites of stress, I physically relocated to the Seattle area-- the place I first called home after graduating from Kenyon oh-so-many years ago. The move allowed me to simultaneously support my son and my students, as I was able to enroll my little guy in an outdoor school-- for which I am beyond grateful. Remotely teaching film production at the college level provides numerous sites of challenge. That said, the instantaneous coming together of folks in my field from across the globe to identify creative and meaningful ways to support our students reminds me of the best in each of us. Our potential for resilience humbles me and bolsters me. I hope you are each finding such sites within the self, and in the communities in which you live and work.

Martin Dockery
During the pandemic, I so socially distanced myself that I unexpectedly wound up living at the most eastern point of the United States. Once a month, through every season, I've been broadcasting a storytelling show from my backyard here, each born out of the moment we're all in right now. You can find them up on YouTube if you search for Right Now Dockery. If nothing else, you can appreciate the beard. Hope everyone's well!

Libby (Matt) Lemire
Two really great things have happened during COVID - regular Zoom calls with Martha Roessler Moreau, Maggie Kuhlmann and Jane Collins Howell, and I joined Kenyon College Alumni Book Club which I highly recommend to anyone, but particularly English majors. Hope to see everyone when reunion happens - in the meantime stay well.
Jessica (Ginsburg) Stoops
I discovered hiking during the pandemic. I have been enjoying hiking the trails in National Park across the street from my house.
Read notes from the Class of 1991 and the Class of 1989.
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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