Volunteer Shout Out //
MARCI BARR ABBOT '73 & JAN GUIFARRO '73
Marci Barr Abbot and Jan Guifarro, both members of the Class of 1973 50th Reunion Committee, have both been volunteering for Kenyon for years.
"We used to have a saying where I worked — I've been voluntold," said Jan. "So I probably started because someone asked. At first it was a way to reconnect with friends. Then I met so many other Kenyon alumni from other classes and formed friendships with them. I volunteer both at a local level (in NYC) and in Gambier (reunion planning and serving on the Kenyon Fund Executive Committee) and it is always so amazing to meet other Kenyon people, get to know them and work on a variety of activities."
"I am proud of continuing to volunteer 50 years later," said Marci. "1973 was a year that brought incredible change and growth in accepting women. Since that time, the College has flourished and grown healthier in so many ways — diversity of student body, curricula, endowment, to name a few. My class is cognizant of the cultural shift that continues and we like to support healthy change and to be a part of it!"
Jan chooses to give back to Kenyon, as a volunteer and financially, because she strongly believes graduates from schools like Kenyon contribute to the greater world and it is imperative that a diverse group of students have the ability to attend Kenyon, graduate, network with others, and find their way forward to a meaningful life in whatever field they pursue.
Marci's current goals as a volunteer are mostly centered around her class's 50th Reunion — a milestone she believes should be celebrated to the max! She also wants to continue connecting with younger alumni through the Kenyon Review, which has recently brought on several younger trustees.
Marci was a psychology major at Kenyon and Jan majored in English. Marci has embarked on a second, late career as a clinical social worker dealing primarily with children. Prior to that, she worked in overseas advertising. Jan retired in the fall of 2018 as the vice president of corporate communications and community giving at the Colgate Palmolive Company.
In her free time, Marci can be found with a pack of dogs in Vermont or Connecticut or spending time with her kids in New York City (and especially with her 2.5-year-old grandson seen in the picture above). She volunteered on the Ukraine/Poland border this summer, working with displaced women and children, and is currently setting up a charity called, "That’s a Wrap," which will provide wraps for warmth as the war in Ukraine continues and, when it is wrapped up, small amounts of funds to help families relocate or get back home.
Jan loves living in New York City and attends many cultural events, such as classical concerts, theatre, museums and dance recitals. She continues to stay active with organizations such as the National Peace Corps Association and Safe Horizon. She also loves visiting Chicago to see her daughter, son-in-law and three amazing, gorgeous, talented, unique (not biased at all!) grandsons.
Thank you, Marci and Jan, for all you do to support Kenyon. We couldn't do this work without you and our entire group of dedicated alumni volunteers!
