| Kenyon Class of 1979 Fall Class Letter
| |
| Dear fellow Kenyon ’79 Alums,
Kenyon couldn’t be more “Kenyon” than it is in the fall.
The crunchy leaves and gravel blanketing Middle Path. The morning sun beaming through stained glass windows in the Peirce dining room and Philomethesian room in Ascension Hall. Sun and fall colors pouring into the glass-domed swimming pool. Students lugging books to class.
The Kenyon campus is much like it was when we graduated 42 years ago, only better. The glass domed pool is now the glass domed dance studio. Construction of the adjacent West Campus academic center continues. Two new dorms are in the works.
Chalmers Library has been completely renovated and reopened, with rooms honoring two classmates: a new reading room named for classics major Robert K. Carver Jr. and the Christine Gould Sharkey '80 Writing Center which honors Allison Gould Gallaher and her mother, who were both librarians. Read more about these new spaces on: forward.kenyon.edu/stories
Beneath the surface, Kenyon continues to innovate academically and with our help, invest in its future and its students. Among the new initiatives is a major computer science program informed by the liberal arts.
The college is also launching the Kenyon Access Initiative. The Access Initiative is a new scholarship for students from families with limited means and those ineligible for government aid. Donations to the new scholarship program will be matched 1:1 — up to $25 million. Meanwhile, with Kenyon’s bicentennial coming in 2024, the college has a new strategic plan.
As you read about your classmates and what’s in store for Kenyon’s future, please consider supporting today’s students with a gift to the Kenyon Fund and (if you have the ability) making an additional gift to the Kenyon Access Initiative. It has the potential to bring 50 additional talented students to Kenyon each year.
As the 2024 bicentennial draws closer, please do a little more than you have in the past to help make Kenyon the special place it is. This could mean becoming an alumni volunteer, attending a College event, submitting a class note or setting up a recurring monthly gift.
Read on for updates from many of our classmates. We and the college try to get updates from everyone. We apologize for duplicate requests — as well as any updates that fall through the cracks. Please let us know if you submitted an update that does not appear here.
Thank you!
Jeff Day, Mike Cummiskey and the rest of your 1979 class committee (Peter Hoagland, Kristin Olsen Kiser, Middleton Price Thompson, Dave Troup, and Julia Robinson Welsh)
| |
| There's a lot happening at Kenyon today.
| |
|
We want you to be a part of it.
The Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial campaign is about building a strong foundation for Kenyon’s third century by growing our endowment and strengthening alumni connections. Get involved by:
Staying connected to Kenyon
You may only be a Kenyon student for four years, but you’re a member of our alumni community for life. The Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement strives to make it easy — and fun — to stay connected. GET INVOLVED
Making a gift
Gifts of all sizes add up: every year, gifts of $100 or less to the Kenyon Fund total more than $250,000. Also, every dollar given to the Kenyon Access Initiative between now and June 2026 will be matched and used to create permanent new scholarship funds to enroll exceptional students with limited resources and those who are ineligible for government aid. MAKE A GIFT
| |
| Upcoming Events for Alumni
| |
|
|
Save the date for these upcoming events for alumni taking place online and on the Hill.
- Kenyon Women Giving Back
The quarterly event series continues on Tuesday, March 22 via Zoom.
- Kenyon Together
The 36-hour online giving challenge kicks off Tuesday, April 12.
- Reunion Weekend
All alumni are invited to join us on the Hill May 27–29.
| |
|
|
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.
• Mike Cummiskey
• Jeff Day
• Peter Hoagland
• Kristin Olsen Kiser
• Middleton Price Thompson
• Dave Troup
• Julia Robinson Welsh
| |
|
Jules (Robinson) Welsh: David and I had a wedding celebration for our son, Reid and his wife Kaitlyn, over Labor Day weekend. Kenyon alumni in attendance were: Cally (Robinson) Hoyt ’76 and Doug Hoyt ’81; Tommy Robinson ’81; and Lu (Jones) and Andy Johnston. Fun was had by all, safely, in our backyard with barbeque, corn hole competitions, accompanied by a fire pit and twinkle lights in Russell, Ohio.
Peter Hoagland: Last week I had the pleasure of having dinner with President Sean Decatur, Vice President for Advancement Colleen Garland, and several Kenyon alumni in Chicago. I feel confident that Kenyon is in good hands. With safety measures in mind as all students are back on campus, I can’t believe that sophomores are living in the Kenyon Inn! I am still working as a marketing executive in the healthcare industry, while also in the third year of my side-hustle,hohohoh2o.com, an automatic Christmas tree watering system.
Diane Kana: Not sure when we will retire, Mike Smith and I continue to keep busy with work and family. We are enjoying spending time with our granddaughters - Evelyn, who is almost three, and Ava, who was born this past September. We feel blessed that they live nearby and that we can see them often.
John Lentz: Still living in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Co-Pastor of Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian - a wonderfully progressive church. All are welcome, including all Kenyon grads. Work with the amazing Amy Powell Wheatley '80 and have Kenyon alumni Jeannine Gury ’89, Scott Peters ’89, Cameron Peters ’20, Carol Leslie ’84, and Doug Vahey ’86 in the congregation. Active in organizing around issues of equity, justice, and policing. Covid had me watching strange Northern European Dramas on TV (e.g. Entrapped, Bordertown) but I still made time for Ted Lasso! Go Browns (Super Bowl Bound!), Guardians (about time!) and Cavs (Still miss LeBron). Trying to stave off the inevitability of aging and having fun! Shout outs to Amos Guiora, Blake Roessler, Annalisa Soukup, Brian McGraw, and Ed Hartt.
Chris Thomas: I’ve retired after 36 years in education. I finally have time to do volunteer work. I have been volunteering at our local Humane Society for the past 5 years. I work primarily with cats in the areas of socialization, handling and feeding. I’ve always been knitting and crocheting since a young age, so now I have the time to make blankets for the preemie babies in our local Children’s hospital. My daughter, who lives in the Denver area, got married 3 years ago and I now have a beautiful 1-year old granddaughter.
When we got back, I was watching the Ryder Cup from Whistling Straits on Lake Michigan...never saw our region look better...green, GREEN grass, gazillions of gallons of fresh water...and I thought a lot about...well, maybe it's time for the old Midwest to make its comeback? And, no, you aren't allowed to mention the winters of '77 and '78!
| |
Andy Richards: Some of you may recall that our mystery Santa from last year’s fall letter was Andy Richards. This year Andy regales us with a magic trick. Take it away Andy: https://youtu.be/mfrdgPhK_Xw
| |
 | Left to Right: Mike Svihra (‘80), Dave Smith (‘79), Bill Handel (‘80), Mike Smith (‘79), Dave Nees (‘79), Dennis Murray (‘79), and Dave Troup (‘79). Photo credit to Diane Kana (‘79).
|
| Mike Smith: We were able to have a wonderful visit with a group of Kenyon alumni at the wedding of Dave Nees’s daughter (Leah) and her husband (Kenny) in Toledo this past September. In attendance were Dave Troup, Dave Smith, Dennis Murray, Diane Kana, Mike Svihra ’80 and Bill Handel ’80 along with their spouses (see attached picture of the old men involved below). Note that the spouses have all aged much more gracefully. That event was followed by a reunion in Gambier two weeks later that also featured John Batchelder, John Washko ’81 and Joe Genre ’80. Hard to believe that it has been over 40 years for all of us but the bond that is Kenyon has kept us together all of these years.
Mike Cummiskey: I saw fellow DPhi, Mike Ryan ’78, a couple times this last year. He is living and consulting in Denver, CO. Wendy and I visited our daughter Hannah who moved to Sitka, Alaska, 5 months ago to be with her boyfriend. Not sure how long she’ll withstand the wetness, cloudiness and cold. Our other daughter Claren is growing her design business in Scottsdale. Wendy has retired from teaching, and I plan to run my wealth management business in Paradise Valley, AZ for a few more years. Currently we are travelling with friends through upper New York State (Niagara, Finger Lakes, Adirondacks and Hudson River Valley) after starting in Toronto. I look forward to returning to Kenyon and seeing fellow classmates again soon.
Sandy Lane Joseph, M.D.: A trip down memory Lane...so exciting to be at the field hockey field, down the hill from campus, on a sunny, crisp, Ohio fall day...but, wait!! Now...I am watching my daughter play and I am at Denison’s stadium! Denison plays the Lords at Kenyon in a couple weeks, and I will be eager to be back on The Hill. Enjoying time off from Sports Medicine in Florida to hang out with my kids in Ohio. Kayaking, swimming, and biking in Sanford when the temps dip below 60 degrees in Columbus. Life is grand.
Tom Ford: I have pretty much taken down the shingle after practicing law for almost 40 years. My wife and I now operate a small Bed & Breakfast Inn in our Mount Pocono (PA) home. Also keeping me busy is publishing a weekly community newspaper for the last couple of years. It has been fun to get back into journalism 45 years after Matt Winkler ’77 fired me from the Collegian staff!
Bob O’Connor: I have been drafted into service as Acting CEO of the Non-Profit I've been involved with, Thistle & Bee, while we recruit a CEO. Thistle & Bee helps women survive prostitution and trafficking: thistleandbee.org.
Jeff Place: Hi folks, I am still working as Curator and Senior Archivist for the Folklife Collections and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings at the Smithsonian. In year 34, producing records and books. Recently I co-produced a collection of California folk music and wrote liner notes for albums by Norman Blake and the bluegrass band Po' Ramblin' Boys. Since I am teleworking from here on out, I relocated a year ago to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Beach 4 blocks away, the sound, 2. Enjoying the tiki bar life.
Gary Snyder: I am excited to open a new gallery in Manhattan - Manhattan, Montana, population 2000, which is 20 miles from Bozeman, MT!! After over twenty years of galleries in New York City, I moved to Bozeman three years ago - I am opening a small gallery to showcase an artist I discovered, Ben Miller, who paints rivers with a fly rod - a wonderful short film on the artist is on the website www.benmillerartist.com. The gallery will also allow me to provide art advisory services to the larger Bozeman/Big Sky area.
Bob Brody: Still practicing law as the head of a boutique Labor and Employment management side law firm. Our 25th anniversary is next year. Time flies. Still enjoying my days. Doing college visits with my 16-year old junior. That is fun. Enjoying our suburban home and playing lots of tennis so life is good.
Margaret Garland Whitman: I am still living in Baltimore and enjoying retired life very much. I bought a house a year ago in the Adirondacks which allows for family time and beautiful hiking, especially in the fall. Not as many trips to Denver to see my daughter and granddaughter as I would like, but hopefully soon. My three Denison (!!!!!) kids have all stayed healthy during these crazy times-- all one can ask for. I attended Miles Jacoby's most wonderful wedding at the very end of July in Brooklyn --son of Jennie Hutton Jacoby ’80 and Doug Jacoby ’82. My dinner partner was Greg Jacoby--it was so great to catch up with him! I was very saddened to read about the passing of Martin Secrest --what a tremendous loss. I hope to get back to Kenyon at some point soon. Stay well.....
Jeff Day: Jeff and Althea became grandparents Oct. 4! Theo Lanin Day born in San Fran to Annie Drury and our son Sam.
Murray Clark: About to start 40th year of law practice in Indianapolis. Jealously reading about my old classmates retiring right and left. All four of our children are in the Indianapolis area. 3 are dentists and work with my wife Janet who is a pediatric dentist. We have been blessed with 3 grandchildren in the last 2 years. What a delight! Truly this grandparent thing has completely lived up to its billing. Where did the time go? Call if you are ever in or traveling through Indianapolis. Not enough Kenyon alumni here.
Dave Troup: Since I last checked in, I'm happy to report that all is well in Cincinnati. I've been very fortunate to visit with many of my fellow Kenyon classmates over the past year and appreciate the great friendships that have continued to this day. My old roommate Dave Smith (aka Smut to many of you) lives several short miles from me. Much like the Seinfeld characters, we seem to rehash the same goofy conversations/topics that we have engaged in over the past 45 years! Thankfully our wives like each other possibly more than they like us, so it all works out.
Sue (Fulton) Talbott: Hello from Florida! Rich Talbott ’81 and I have managed to stay healthy during Covid in this crazy state. We are enjoying being grandparents to our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter, and anxiously awaiting the birth of 2 more grandkids next February! Both our daughter and her husband (#2 for them), and our son and his wife (#1 for them) are expecting, with due dates only 10 days apart! I've kept myself busy during the pandemic by singing in a virtual choir, The Collective, based in England. We have members from 63 countries across the globe! Check us out at thecollectivechoir.com. Rich is still working as a Pharmacist, and I am fully retired from teaching/tutoring. If you're ever in the Fort Myers area, give us a shout!
Howard Sutherland: Not sure when I last sent a class note, so a quick run-down. After Kenyon I was a Marine infantry officer for five years, then defected to the Air Force to fly fighters (F-4 Phantom some; F-16 mostly) for many years more. Beat working, but realized I'd probably need a job someday, so went to law school at SMU. Practiced as a corporate and M&A lawyer in London and New York for 20-odd years. Now back in Texas working as an attorney-advisor to the Air Force in San Antonio. Full circle? Married now for almost 30 years to Alex Payne, of Wilmington, Delaware (Alex Gordevitch and Skinny (Mike) Sawyer know her from school days). We have two sons, Ashby and Christopher, both finding their way in the world. Enjoyed our 20th reunion, and regret missing all since - although several Dekes of our vintage had a fine gathering in Gambier in October 2018. Still delve into history as much as I can - and owe a debt of gratitude to several Kenyon professors for stoking that interest. I hope all classmates are happy and well!
| |
Brian McGraw: Mary and I were recently in the southwest...LA (saw UCLA vs. LSU at the Rose Bowl...a high school buddy's son-in-law is a UCLA coach)...then off to Palm Springs (108F), the Grand Canyon (never-been...brought tears to my eyes...incredible), Sedona, Phoenix (110F). A tad warm...felt like I was in an oven! The picture is at Palm Springs Aerial Tramway; 8500’ elevation - 110 F down at the bottom...70 F up here.
Bill Soukup: Our summer was full of real estate transactions - selling the home in Charlotte that we left in 2018, selling the home that we moved to in Winston-Salem and buying a new house in the next neighborhood. With our younger child in her senior year at Kenyon, we are talking more and more about retirement, with Bill putting serious thought into a post-retirement career in genealogy. If you're coming through the Piedmont, give a shout!
Cameron Macauley: Starting my fourth year as a psychiatric clinician in a hospital emergency room. In 2018, I transitioned to this job from my former position as a university assistant professor. In September I celebrated 25 years of marriage to my wife Angela, whom I met in Africa in 1994. Our son Alexander just graduated from high school and is taking a gap year before college, hopefully in a post-pandemic world.
| |
Kristin Olsen Kiser: I am enjoying life, post my 35-year career at the National Institutes of Health. I divide my time between the Washington DC area and my farm in southeastern Ohio (the hilly part of Ohio). Aside from class agent work, I participated for a second year in the Kenyon Career Development Office summer mentor program. I really enjoy working with these incredibly bright and motivated students. I highly recommend volunteering with Kenyon - there are many opportunities and I would be happy to connect you with a program if you are ever interested. kiserkristin@yahoo.com
Robert Carver’s humorous photo in our senior yearbook. He is holding a Latin Dictionary in his emulation of Andy Gibb.
| |
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 is grateful to the following donors for their generous support of the College, including the Kenyon Fund, during the 2020-21 fiscal year. An asterisk (*) indicates a donor is a member of the Henry J. Abraham Society for loyal and consecutive giving. An obelisk (†) indicates an individual who is deceased. Please note that as of July 1, 2019 Kenyon’s annual giving societies have changed. Visit kenyon.edu/societies for more information.
1979
Annual Fund Total: $71,341
Class Participation: 36.6%
Philander Chase Society
Donors of $10,000 to $24,999
David S. Andrews*
M. Phoebe Brown P'18*
Stephanie Curtis Harman
Andrew M. Johnston P'08*
Mary Lucile Johnston P'08*
Bexley Society
Donors of $2,500 to $9,999
David R. Bucey P'11*
Mike Cummiskey, CLU, ChFC,
RICP*
LeAnne Grillo*
Jonathan A. Helitzer*
Peter A. Hoagland P'06*
Diane Kana*
George M. Layburn*
Michael A. Smith*
Kenyon Society
Donors of $1,000 to $2,499
Anonymous
Philip F. Abraham*
David A. Borosh*
David H. Redfield
Middleton Thompson*
David M. Troup*
Donors of $1 to $999
David B. Achar
Linda A. Arnsbarger*
Leslie J. Ballin P'12
Thomas F. Bensen*
Deborah Berger Todisco
Dianne Bessemer*
Elizabeth Boatwright Crowley*
Timothy M. Bridgham*
Robert G. Brody*
Andrew P. Burnside*
James R. Busch*
Robert L. Channick*
J. Murray Clark
Andrew R. Conn MD
Mary Anne Cunningham*
Jeffrey S. Day*
P. William Degener Jr.
Clifford A. Edge
David Erteschik*
Robert E. Fisher MD*
H. Stewart Fitz Gibbon III
Allison L. Gallaher*
Hunter W. Groton*
Daniel A. Gulino*
Mary Ann Gulino*
John H. Harbison*
Edmund A. Hartt*
Jody O. Holmes*
Robin L. Inboden*
Greg Jacoby P'14*
Terri Jiganti Stewart*
Jalmer D. Johnson P'09
Nancy L. Johnson P'09
Hoe P. Khor
Steven R. Killpack
Kathleen V. Kirk
Wai-Kwong Kwok*
Catherine E. Little*
Diane Massell
Brian R. McGraw
Elizabeth D. Mellinger*
David K. Nees*
Robert B. O'Connor*
Kristin Olsen Kiser P'14*
Virginia S. Peabody
Larry C. Ravelson*
Daniel J. Reagan*
Lauren Reeve Kirkpatrick
Barry Rosenberg P'10 '13
Richard A. Rosengarten*
Steven O. Russell*
Breezy Salmon
Kim Sarap Wissman P'92*
Michael M. Sawyer*
Moira Secrest (widow of Martin
A. Secrest)
Spencer A. Sloan*
David J. Smith*
Ruth Strong Fitch*
Tracy Teweles
Christine E. Thomas
Mark L. Thomay
Larry J. Tracey*
Mary Tuck Staley
Susan A. Walsh
Sharon Lando Weisberg*
Julia R. Welsh*
Peter W. C. Wenner*
William S. Whitaker*
Margaret Whitman*
Laura S. Wickstead
Alan S. Wylde P'06 '11*
Sally D. Wylde P'06 '11*
George Wharton Mariott Society
These alumni have included Kenyon
in their estate plans or have made
other planned gifts.
David A. Borosh
Mike Cummiskey
Hunter W. Groton
Peter A. Hoagland
Andrew M. and Mary Lucile Johnston P'08
George M. Layburn
Ann Hess Myers
Peggy Shorr P'11
| |
Kenyon College
105 Chase Avenue, Gambier, OH 43022
| |
|
|
|
|
