Updates //
Meet Our New Advancement Staff
Several staff members joined Kenyon's Advancement division in recent months, including:
- Brooke Baker parent giving and engagement officer.
- Keith DiDonato, vice president for advancement.
- Joe Graessle, leadership gift officer.
- Mandy Gadrow, lead systems analyst.
Colleen Garland also transitioned to the part-time role of principal gifts officer in July after seven years leading the College's Advancement Division as vice president. Please help us welcome these new faces to our team and celebrate Colleen's semi-retirement!
Fiscal Year Wrap-Up and Looking Ahead in Annual Giving
The Kenyon Fund and Kenyon Parents Fund ended the fiscal year on June 30 with a solid 10% increase over FY24,
surpassing our $5.3 million goal by more than $500,000. Our fiscal year-end sock campaign was a standout success, generating a 312% increase in fiscal year-end gifts (and nearly 400 pairs of Kenyon socks were mailed to donors).
Looking ahead, we're excited to welcome KFEC and our 25th Reunion planning committee to campus during Homecoming weekend and to introduce you to our new Leadership Gift Officer, Joe (see above) who will be hitting the road at the end of the month and may be coming to a city near you.
Updates from the Alumni Office
Alumni Survey: This fall, as we do every four years, we will be conducting our regular alumni survey and we look forward to your participation. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us shape programs, events and opportunities that strengthen the Kenyon alumni experience.
Regional Association Quarterly Meeting: Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET via
Zoom. Regional volunteers are encouraged to join Associate Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement Emily Shackle to hear about recent and upcoming events as well as special guests Alison Black ’91 and Darnell Heywood ’94 P’27 who will talk about the Generosity Project and threading generosity into events across the country.
Upcoming Alumni Council Meeting: Alumni Council will convene over Homecoming Weekend. Their agenda will include meaningful opportunities to connect with current students and campus administrators, fostering stronger ties between alumni and the College community.
Participate in a Professional Extension Project
Interested in mentoring a Kenyon student but not sure where to start? The Career Development Office invites you to participate in the
Professional Extension Project (PEP), which is a unique, project-based mentoring program that connects Kenyon alumni with current students. As a PEP mentor, you’ll design a short, remote project that simulates real-world work, allowing students to build critical skills, gain industry insight, and benefit from your guidance and feedback. Ready to make a meaningful impact? Email
cdo@kenyon.edu to learn more or to get involved.
Thank you!
Thank you to our volunteers who contributed to a great fiscal year! We exceeded many of our goals to support today's students and look forward to starting the new year strong. Keep your eyes on your email in September as we ramp up the year with new Class Agent Lunch Chat topics and head into fall class letters, as always, your partnership helps makes these meaningful for all alumni.
