Dear classmates,

Kenyon couldn’t be more Kenyon than it is in the fall, crunchy leaves blanketing everything in autumn colors and an endless supply of friendly faces greeting you along Middle Path. Whatever the season, we look forward to running into you on the Hill again soon, especially since many of us haven’t had a chance to reconnect there in some time. 

The campus has some amazing additions! Chalmers Library is open and beautiful. All four classes are studying together again in Gambier. The new freshman class is so large that a bonus cohort is spending the semester in Copenhagen!) Plans are taking shape for an unforgettable Reunion 2022 on the Hill. (Mark your calendar for the weekend of May 27. All alumni are invited to attend! 

Stay tuned for information about our 50th Reunion in 2024, which is also Kenyon’s 200th anniversary! Stewart Peck and Stu Anness are the Reunion co-chairs for this milestone!  Dave Barrie and Bill Kozy are the Reunion Giving Co-Chairs while Jeff Walker and I are the Reunion Communication co-chairs. You will hear from all of us periodically.

In other exciting campus news, the College just announced the Kenyon Access Initiative, which will bring more high-achieving students to Kenyon thanks to a $25 million matching grant from the Schuler Education Foundation. Any amount we give through this Kenyon Access Initiative will be matched 1:1 and will go to a new scholarship for students from families with limited means and those ineligible for government aid — up to $25 million. 

President Decatur just shared the College’s new strategic plan that will guide its planning and actions leading up to the bicentennial in 2024 and beyond. It includes core elements like developing a computer science program informed by the liberal arts; enrolling, retaining and graduating a student body that is representative of the talent and diversity of our nation and the world; and expanding its commitment to environmental responsibility. 

Scroll on to learn more about Kenyon’s strategic plan and the Kenyon Access Initiative (and how they fit into our 2024 bicentennial celebration). And, if you haven’t already participated, we encourage you to listen to Sean’s Town Halls and hear firsthand about all the College’s initiatives.

As you read about what’s in store for Kenyon’s future, I hope you’ll 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 that has the potential to bring 50 additional talented students to Kenyon each year.  
 
Kenyon couldn’t be Kenyon without involved and supportive alumni like us. Our class is the most financially supportive of all. As the College’ bicentennial and our 50th reunion draws closer, we challenge each of you to 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, (let us know if you want to help on one of our 50th reunion committees), attending a College event, submitting a class note, (if you haven’t lately, please do…we really want to hear from you) or setting up a recurring monthly gift. 

Thank you!
Jeff Walker and Cynthia Cole

P.S. Is Kenyon already in your will? Let the College know about your planned giving by emailing daleiden1@kenyon.edu.

P.P.S. We received a few notes from classmates – Scroll down to view and we hope you enjoy them. Please send us yours!