Our Path Forward: The Campaign for Kenyon

Kenyon Class of 2020 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.”
Thank you to everyone who completed the College’s survey regarding our preferred date for a rescheduled in-person Commencement! The results are in and we will be gathering on Sunday, May 22, 2022 for our ceremony on the Hill. More details will be shared via the Office of Campus Events in the future. I can’t wait to see you all and celebrate! Until then, the College is hosting two weeks of virtual reunion online programming from May 16-29 and most events are open to all alumni. This is a great opportunity to stay connected with our favorite professors and reminisce with classmates. I’m planning to join the tour of Chalmers Library and look forward to bumping into some of you on Zoom! 
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.
The College is counting on us to show up (and break last year’s 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 its young alumni community can be when we work together to raise money for the causes at Kenyon that matter most to us. They heard our fellow young alumni last year when they asked to designate gifts to things like diversity, equity and inclusion during Kenyon Together, and these designations have remained on Kenyon’s main giving page ever since. 
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,
Billy Hartman

P.S. Scroll down to read our 2021 spring class notes.
Support current students now with your gift

With the Kenyon Fund’s many designation opportunities, you can direct your gift to the things at Kenyon that matter most to you, including our newest designation which supports mental health resources for students.

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Virtual Reunion Events
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 Parker Subia at subiap@kenyon.edu.

• Blake Peck 
• Jillian Countey
• May Chen
• Tucker Bennett
• Bill Hartman

Class of 2020 Spring Notes
Brittany Beckley reports: This time last year I was enjoying spring break in Chicago, planning senior week, and stressing over history comps. Now I am back home in Jersey, studying for my masters virtually, and trying to stay positive. Looking forward to graduating, getting my dream job in the hospitality industry, and start traveling again! Hope everyone is well!

Maggie Perkins has been working at a small elementary school in the northwest corner of Connecticut and is in pursuit of a puppy.... any leads?

Lily Stachowiak reports: Since graduating from Kenyon, I've moved to Boston to attend Emerson College's Publishing and Writing master's program. Though I've only just begun to dip my toes into the world of publishing, I love working with the written word and surrounding myself with people who have similar passions, and I can't wait to see what else the future has in store for me.

Ben Reingold reports: I look forward to seeing everyone at our in-person graduation in 2050! In the meantime, I am enjoying working on & selling my board game, Risky Chicken, which I developed while at Kenyon.

Carly McDonald reports: In early January, I moved to Washington D.C. to be Staff Assistant in the House of Representatives. My first day of work was January 6th, but the good news is that no day since then has been quite as stressful. I received a promotion in March and am now serving as Legislative Correspondent.

Sophie Barrio reports: This past year, I’ve dived head first into the NYC comedy scene. I’ve become the executive assistant to the CEO of Lorne Michaels’ production company, Broadway Video, where I’m actively training to become a junior producer in the entertainment industry. In addition, I produce a weekly stand-up comedy show called Momma’s Boy Comedy that does 2-3 shows a week, so if you’re in the city, come say hi!

India Kotis is currently a member of The Road Theatre's 2021 Under Construction 2 Cohort, a year-long playwriting workshop, where she is developing a new full-length play.
Read notes from the Class of 2019.
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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