Hello Class of ’75!

It’s been a few years since I had the chance to write the class letter, thanks to a number of you who are serving as class agents.  When Kenyon asked for a volunteer this time, I eagerly said yes.  One of the perks is the chance for an early view of class notes, my – and probably your – favorite part of these letters.  They’re here again, I promise. But first, a few musings from me.

I am writing this on a cold (31F / 18F wind chill this morning) March day in Atlanta. Bradford pear trees, daffodils and tulips are in full bloom, quite a contrast to temps more like Ohio. It reminds me how I enjoyed (and miss!) the lovely anticipation this time of year used to mean. When the crocuses first appeared, then the daffodils, you knew spring was coming. I will say, I love the milder winters and flowers blooming year-round are a nice part about living in this part of the country.

I had a few “Kenyon moments” recently. A Facebook friend from my days in Philly (I left in 1978 so I guess I have to say “an old friend”) posted a picture of a Kenyon banner and a “thinking of you” message. He found it on wall in a pub in Lake Placid, NY.  Seems my passion for Kenyon goes back to our young adult days and made a lasting impression!

One of my Sunday practices is listening to Krista Tippett’s On Being. On March 6 I was delighted to hear an hour with Colette Pichon Battle ’97. The last I spoke with her, we were waiting for our flights in the Port Columbus airport, after a meeting on campus, probably 5-6 years ago. She mentions Kenyon midway through the interview.  The entire interview is well worth a listen too; she is an impressive woman doing important transformational work. 

And of course, reading through your class notes helps me once again appreciate all of you, our experience as students and what we have done over the course of our lives. I am still working full time, and now have a number of great post-career ideas from many of you!

A few words from the College and then on to Class Notes (scroll down to find them). 

It’s officially Reunion month on the Hill. Even though this year isn’t a milestone reunion year for us, all alumni are welcome back for Reunion Weekend this year (and in the future!) and the fact that alumni are FINALLY able to reunite on campus again after two years of virtual gatherings is something worth celebrating. 

Last fall, I hope you heard about (and perhaps supported!) the new Kenyon Access Initiative. Kenyon is eight months into its five-year partnership with the Schuler Education Foundation to increase access to Kenyon for exceptional students with limited resources. Our extended Kenyon community has enthusiastically responded by making more than 1,113 gifts to support this unique initiative, helping to create new scholarships that will be awarded to students we are enrolling now. In further great news, applications this year hit another record, up 14% over last year.

Hopefully you saw the news from President Sean Decatur this winter that, in response to calls from students as we approach our Bicentennial, he agreed it is time to reconsider Lords and Ladies. Thanks to all of you who have submitted suggestions or other feedback for the process to consider a new athletics moniker. This letter was prepared before results were known, but you can visit kenyon.edu/moniker to learn the latest.

This spring, the College continued its commitment to integrating environmental stewardship into the curriculum, campus operations and campus culture. They also announced that Lisa Schott ’80, who has served as managing director of the Philander Chase Conservancy (the College’s land trust) since 2010, is stepping down at the end of June. Lisa has served Kenyon in various positions over a nearly 40-year career with the College. She will be missed! This news and more was shared in Kenyon’s new quarterly Green Newsletter. You can learn more in Kenyon’s new quarterly Green News – since up here: bit.ly/Green-Kenyon.

As summer approaches, Kenyon is preparing to welcome several groups of alumni back to campus. First, more than 100 members of the Class of 2020 and their families have registered to attend their belated Commencement taking place on the Hill May 22. On May 26, the Classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 will be kicking off Reunion Weekend a day early with special 50th Reunion programming. And then, all alumni are welcome back to campus May 27-29 for what promises to be the biggest alumni gathering in the College’s history! If you aren’t able to make it back for Reunion this year, I hope you’ll plan to attend one soon.

All of the excitement and achievement at Kenyon today can be traced, in part, back to our support. Kenyon relies gifts to the Kenyon Fund to support every aspect of students’ experience today, from seminars to scholarships. I hope you’ll join me in making a gift today, and before the fiscal years ends in June.  When we support Kenyon’s current and future students, we help make a Kenyon family like ours a possibility for many more. Gifts of any size make a difference!

And now, below are the Class of ’75 notes for Spring 2022. They are as you submitted them so we can all hear your voices in them. They end with two poignant notes from two of our classmates about two of our classmates. My condolences to their family and friends from Kenyon and beyond.

My best to you all, always,
Donna Bertolet Poseidon