Our Path Forward: The Campaign for Kenyon

Kenyon Class of 1964 Spring Class Letter
Dear classmates,

Kenyon is 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 it has 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.

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 Kenyon 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. 

Take care,
Mike Reed

P.S. Scroll down to read our 1964 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 Terry Dunnavant at dunnavantt@kenyon.edu.

• Dave Schmid 
• Joel Kellman
• Mike Reed
• Tom Bond

Class of 1964 Spring Notes
Jeff Gold: Vicki, my bride since 1964, and I have been basically hunkered down for a year. We are very much looking forward to being able to get back to traveling, which we’re thinking will be safe by 2022. And the saddest part is that it didn’t have to be this way!

Pete King: We've been immunized. I am Medical Director at Bryant University and on the Board of a long term facility. I’m deeply involved in the Covid response at both institutions. Joanne and I are looking forward to resuming our travel plans - mostly following our children around the world. I write short stories and accounts of our family history. Still working on the great American novel. 

Raymond Sposet: Ray passed away on March 14 in Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 78. He always loved receiving his Kenyon magazine and sent a few of his Collinwood students your way. 
His wife, Barbara

Edwin McCampbell: After 53 years in the medical profession, I have decided to retire from practice. I can't imagine a more rewarding career. I am grateful to all the fine patients and colleagues I've met along the way.

John Hattendorf reports that he has three volumes that he expects will be published in 2021. The first is a short booklet that presents an annotated transcription and facsimile of the British reports on the 1778 battle of Rhode Island as they appeared in the official government newspaper, The London Gazette. The second is the edited diary, letters, and reports of Commander Henry Eccles from 1940-42, while commanding a destroyer on the Asiatic station at the opening of the Second World War, including his experiences at the battle of the Java Sea. The third book, entitled Reflections on Naval History, is his third volume of collected essays. It covers the period 2010 to 2020.

Martin McKerrow: This is to report that thus far we have survived a year of the pandemic in reasonable shape. In early 2020 we spent four weeks in Southern India, pretty wonderful, but not for the inexperienced traveler. We then took a long weekend in warmer climates. We got back to Nantucket March 13th and have barely left since. Cabin fever is better understood in the context of really living it. Now vaccinated we are preparing to put our toe in the water of a more normal life!
Read notes from the Class of 1965 and the Class of 1963.
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