| Kenyon Class of 1974 Spring Class Letter
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Dear Classmates:
I am sure that you, like me, are glad to put 2020 behind. I hope by the time this finds you that you have experienced sore arms from shots. I also very much hope that none of you suffered a bout of COVID or lost loved ones. If you did, you have our collective empathy and sympathy.
Although most of us have not experienced major tragedy, we and our loved ones have sustained some type of lost experiences – college or high school graduations, weddings, baptisms, birthdays, parent’s anniversaries ... on and on. Not fun.
Nevertheless, I am filled with hope and optimism as life begins to inch back to normal, with vaccinations ahead of schedule.
Kenyon, the institution, its students, faculty, and employees took a big hit and had to persevere through the last year. I understand, however, that it is returning to normal operations, including having all four classes back on campus in the fall. The past year has been a financial challenge for the College, but it is back on track to balance its budget, just as it has done for the past 50 years. After receiving a record number of applications, Kenyon has enrolled its class of 2025. The new Chalmers Library will be open to greet them when they move in.
As you have no doubt heard, the College received the largest gift in its history, which will fund the new south campus dorms. With that project on schedule, the College can move toward its most important goal, which is to increase its endowment – its resources – to fund scholarships. Having personally received a scholarship at Kenyon, I feel a responsibility to pay it forward, by financially supporting the school so others will receive a scholarship like me.
Our class has been the most generous of all the classes; we have led the way. As I have said in earlier letters, it is only fitting that our 50th reunion will occur on the 200th anniversary of the college. The success of the next part of the campaign Our Path Forward to Bicentennial relies on your increased participation and continued support of scholarships for students.
With our 50th not too far in the future, I want to make sure you know about Kenyon’s new 50th Reunion Program, which features a series of opportunities for classes (like ours) on their way to celebrating this milestone event. They are encouraging us to spread out the fun and reconnect not just during one wonderful weekend, but in the years leading up to it. I am excited to learn more about the program and will share details with you as we get closer to the day. As some of the first to benefit from this program, we will have a unique opportunity to shape the 50th reunion experience for future classes.
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, as well as 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.
Below are notes from your classmates as to what they have been up to – I hope you enjoy them.
Sincerely,
Stewart F. Peck
P.S. Scroll down to read our 1974 spring class notes.
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Support current students now with a gift to scholarships
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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.
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| Virtual Events for Alumni
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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
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Class AgentsClass agents are your connection to campus. If you would like to learn more about becoming a class agent, contact Tracey Wilson at wilson1@kenyon.edu.
• David Brown
• Steve Thompson
• Stewart Peck
• Stu Anness
• Wilder Gutterson
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Class of 1974 Spring Notes
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David Horvitz: Wilder prompted, ""what brought you joy this unusual year?" Well, lots, but there was also sadness. It was an emotional year. Joy came from spending a lot of time at home with just my wife Fran, who amazed me every day just waking up with a smile and still liking me. Joy came from cooking most nights and gaining some real skills. Joy came from lifting weights with my 15 year old grandson on FaceTime while keeping my weight down. Joy came from more, not less communication with family (four kids and nine grandchildren). Joy came from Biden winning. Sadness, well there was also a lot. I had an old friend, and contemporary with no risk factors except his age, get sick and then die from Covid19. So many others. Businesses shut. People out of work. The country a mess. I've been very lucky and hope you have been too.
Peter Smagorinsky: I took an early retirement, Covid-inspired, geezer-salary-cutting offer from the U. of Georgia and retired at the end of 2020, although I continue working from home. You'd probably find most of my writing tedious, but might enjoy my hobby. www.thedawgmeister.com/Gallery/Separated_Home.html
Stu Anness: Sue and I have obtained our second Moderna Covid Vaccine and are doing well. Will plan some trips shortly. Busy with the bank board and enjoying retirement from medical practice.
Clare Kent (Kendall): I am living and working as a GP in England and busy helping out with our vaccination program in the local village hall which is going really well. Our oldest son is a priest in Guildford and our younger son is engaged to be married.
Doug Wilhelm: I’m still a freelance writer and editor in Vermont, and my most recent young-adult novel, Street of Storytellers, won three national awards for “indie” books and was named a 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Book. My first nonfiction book for adults comes out this fall — it’s called Catalysts for Change: How Nonprofits and a Foundation Are Helping Shape Vermont’s Future. I recently much enjoyed a sprightly Zoom conversation with classmates Tim Newcomb, Wilder Gutterson, Rob Murphy, Alan Cafruny and Thad Toole.
James Breece: We are loving a somewhat rural existence in Litchfield, Connecticut. Currently active with three major museums creating larger and better displays of Southeast Asian Art. Some may be seen now at the Metropolitan Museum...the other two are pending. All our grandchildren are of course high IQ, handsome and highly athletic!!
Jean Hill (Richardson): I am finishing up my 35th year teaching nursing at Lakeland Comm. College, and the realization that several of my students are the third generation of their family that I've taught really hits home! A couple of months of lay-off during the pandemic made it clear that I suck at retirement! Life has been otherwise quiet since my husband, Ed, passed away several years ago although my daughter just opened a B&B here in the wine country of N. E. Ohio and says I'm now part of her housekeeping staff, too. Guess I won't have to worry about retirement after all!
Frank O'Donnell: All is fine in Arlington, TN, just outside Memphis. I enjoy my volunteer work for the American Legion, the nation's largest veteran’s service organization. With spring having arrived, Sandy is delighted by a new rose bush, which she has planted in our beautiful garden. Our son Brian, and our daughter Kristi, are doing fine. Our adorable grandson, Felix, celebrated his third birthday in January. As to Kenyon, I have many happy memories of our 45th reunion. I look forward to life returning to normal, so that I can chat with my classmates at a future Kenyon reunion.
Roger Medoff: Still working as an Assistant Attorney General for the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, focusing mainly on land conservation. Expect to retire soon; it's "getting old" (as am I!), as they say. My wife of 37 years, Juliet, and I hope to be able to travel and relax together when/as we come out the other side of this horrible period of time we've all gone through. Juliet is a professor of psychiatric nursing at our local community college. Our two wonderful daughters, Olivia (28) and Maggie (22), are both happy and doing well in their first jobs out of college (or for Olivia, grad school), working as a mental health counselor (Olivia) and as a writer (Maggie). And I am thrilled to report that I am in regular Zoom contact with my two closest friends and fellow troublemakers from freshman year, Toby Pitts '73 and Tom Keyes '73, (which was my original class before getting kicked out of Kenyon after my freshman year!)
William Nininger: Still singing and songwriting-sometimes with my brother and fellow Kokosinger, Jim Nininger ’70. Missed playing in England and Switzerland (and a lot of other places) this past year, but enjoyed doing some March Irish music shows again this year. Also participated in a couple Zoom shows for the Greenwich Village Folk Festival. Still living in CT which is very convenient to New York and Massachusetts.
If anyone is interested, I have a website: willienininger.com. Always enjoy hearing from classmates.
Robert Zoller: Retired last year after 46 years in medicine. Life is good on our farm. We are up to 5 horses and some crops. Kids and grandkids are local. Very blessed.
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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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Kenyon College
105 Chase Avenue, Gambier, OH 43022
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