Our Path Forward: The Campaign for Kenyon

Kenyon Class of 1975 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.

I know it was disappointing to see our in-person Reunion Weekend go virtual this year, but I'm looking forward to connecting with many of you at the events Kenyon has planned to bring the Hill to us virtually for this nontraditional reunion. So mark your calendars for May 16-29 and watch your mail for a special opportunity to win some Kenyon goodies by joining in the fun! There will be events with our favorite professors, online social gatherings, a tour of Chalmers Library and more. I look forward to bumping into some of you on Zoom! 

With our 50th reunion not too far in the future, I wanted to make sure you knew about the College’s new 50th Reunion Program that features a series of opportunities for classes (like ours!) on their way to celebrating this milestone reunion. They’re encouraging us to spread out the fun and reconnect not just on one wonderful weekend, but in the years leading up to it. I’m excited to learn more about the program and will share details with you as we get closer to the celebration. As some of the first to benefit from this program, we’ll have a unique opportunity to shape the 50th reunion experience for future classes.

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.  Save the date for a fun chance to help Kenyon students today, earn 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 our beloved alma mater and its current students.

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, 
Jo Anne Mittelman

P.S. Scroll down to read our 1975 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 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 Tracey Wilson (wilson1@kenyon.edu).

• Connie Chapman Dillon
• Donna Bertolet Poseidon
• Doug Bean
• Elizabeth Lerch Oxley
• Liz Parker
• Jay Andress
• Jo Anne Mittelman 
• Kevin McDonald
• Maria Muto-Porter
• Mary Kay Karzas
• Murray Smith
• Pam Martin-Diaz 
• Phil Olmstead
• Steve Durning
• Susan Connors
• Tom Bruggman

Class of 1975 Spring Notes
Thanks everyone for sending in your news. Many of them are so heartfelt, I cannot do them justice in a short space. I have posted all 27 of them (along with email addresses) on our new FaceBook page Kenyon75.

It seems that most of us are coming out of a one-year hibernation in pretty good shape.  As you start to get out, I have one recommendation. Take your grandchildren to see Shami Jones McCormick, who is the Wandkeeper at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando. Once your grandchildren realize that you know the Wandkeeper you will be the coolest grandparent in history!

Quite a few of our classmates are in the Cape Cod area (Gail Meyer, Eric Mueller and Neil Russell). Pamela Martin-Diaz is spending time in Central America. She is recruiting classmates to join her to do some volunteer work. Jean Amabile is wandering around central Thailand. Bill Montei and Tom Wilson are heading to Springfield, Ohio for their 50th high school reunion. If you see a ’71 VW camper hauling an old BMW motorcycle please wave to Bruce Kiracofe ’72. Robert Shawver, Alan Brody and I are enjoying Cincinnati. I am continuing my work on the Wasson Way trail which will be over 5-miles long in 2022.

We are sorry to learn that David Meyer’s wife passed away unexpectedly. He is proud of his daughter who is following in his wife’s footsteps, attending UC Berkeley School of Optometry.

Jo Anne Mittelman and Michael Halleran are training dogs, although JoAnne appears to be succeeding and Michael is struggling with his puppy!

James Yackee, Rick Miller, William Borden Ayers (wife Mary Clark Ayers ‘76), Carswell Berlin, Robert Shawver, Eric Mueller, Alan Brody, Steve Durning, Michael Davis, Michael O’Connor, Meg Merckens and Elaine Couch have either recently retired or are thinking about it.  Although Len Felder is busy with his new book, Keeping Your Heart Open, Richard Gordon is still busy doing interview programs with several radio stations in Delaware and Kevin McDonald has made a music album available on Apple Music and Spotify. Both Sally Washam Cody and Brad Faus are celebrating 44 years of service at Thornton Academy and Hotchkiss School, respectively. Brad loves being an abstract artist and teacher.

Sorry we missed our 45th reunion. Stay strong and safe. See you in 2025!
Jay Andress
Read notes from the Class of 1976 and the Class of 1974.
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
105 Chase Avenue, Gambier, OH 43022