200 Things to Love About Kenyon

“My father graduated from Kenyon in 1969, and he absolutely adored it — so much so that he brought my mother here on their honeymoon in 1971,” he says. “I came on the scene in ’74, and I was at the naming of Caples Hall and the groundbreaking of the Bolton, both as a toddler. I probably was at Kenyon once a year my entire life until I came here as a student in 1992.”

For at least 30 years, the unifying element of everyone’s experience: the acceptance letter that reads like it was written just for them, because it was. “If we admit 2,500 students a year, then we’re writing 2,500 different letters,” said Diane Anci, dean of admissions and financial aid.

That level of attention is a hint of what’s to come at Kenyon, where nearly everything is, well, personal. 

“Still, I remember going to Horwitz House. Some of you will remember that sunken wooden seminar room, whose paneling and age seemed to amplify the gravity of what that course taught. The setup also made it impossible to come in late. What I learned in that course inspired a lifelong passion for political theory and foreign policy as well as a 27-year career in diplomacy and international relations.”

— Bridget Brink ’91

“He helped me understand literature at a deeper level, and I will never forget the moment when I realized that the gardener in a short story we were discussing was actually a symbol for Jesus. It was a simple story, but it opened my mind to the deeper meaning and structure of literature.”

— Amy Saunders ’78 P’16

‘1) It doesn’t answer the question.

2) It has no point of view.

3) It is incoherent. It has the parts, but not the whole.’ 

What he certainly could have done was give me an F. And if he had failed me, I probably would’ve gone into an emotional tailspin and flunked out or dropped out. But he was perceptive enough to realize that I was smart; I just didn’t know what I was doing. And he gave me the space and the time to learn how to study on my own and barely keep up my freshman year. And a lot of other places and professors would not have done that.”

— Jonathan Kronstadt ’78

“I am forever grateful for the generosity that allowed me to attend Kenyon on a scholarship, and we make it a point to give back to Kenyon every year through the parents fund and other campaigns. It’s one way we can extend a helping hand to future students and give back to the community that has given us so much.”

— Linda Day-Mackessy ’83 P’16

As contemporary conversation heats up over the ethical implications of unbridled technology consuming the world, the Integrated Program in Humane Studies (IPHS) remains ahead of its time by examining hot-button topics through the prisms of religion, philosophy, literature and science. Students in the program — past and present — develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for life’s endless complexities by studying the ancients grappling with the very same questions we still ponder today. The classics, after all, never go out of style.

“Dance Weekend was a festival of elegance and excess, a release, a holiday from the hilltop humdrum, when the usual rigors of work and play yielded to a two-day, all-play world with its own set of rituals: the arrival of the buses filled with girls, the cocktail parties, the big-name bands, the dancing, the romancing, the pranks and stumbles, the couples’ quest for a private spot, the bleary Sunday mornings at the football field with a tub of ‘milk punch.’”

— Dan Laskin, retired publications director

“Wednesday nights in the Collegian office buzzed with activity. Someone clomped up the stairs ready to lay out a section but was a bit out of breath. Sports editors brainstormed on yet another way to say ‘won’ or ‘lost.’ Our chief copy editor sighed at the grammatical and spelling mistakes. The laser printer belched out black and white pages. A floor below, the Chasers began warming up their voices, eliciting groans from those trying to concentrate. We debated, drafted and revised the editorial, usually after midnight. Sometimes, ladybugs would fall from the ceiling. The Samples’ ‘Autopilot’ album played in the background. No one cared enough to ever change the CD. Around dawn, one of us would drive the proofs to the Mount Vernon News for printing and deliver later in the day.”

— Steve Lannen ’97

“I was a bit intimidated by college and the workload, but she always stood out to me on the faculty. In fact, she ended up becoming my advisor and was very interested in my semester abroad in Bali, Indonesia. I even applied for a Watson Fellowship, but unfortunately, I didn’t get it. I remember feeling devastated, but Professor Kipp was so  kind and understanding. She gave me a big hug and reminded me that things happen for a reason. In the end, I’m glad I didn’t end up going to graduate school in anthropology. I ended up pursuing a graduate degree in library science, and Professor Kipp wrote me letters of reference.”

— Kate Rubick ’92

Those in the building’s Philander Chase Memorial Tower — itself a treasure, whether viewed from the outside against the Knox County sky or from the inside, where its stone walls rise to a vaulted Guastavino tile ceiling — illustrate scenes from the life of Chase, Ohio’s first Episcopal bishop and the College’s founder and first president. With images of ships on stormy seas, wild animals about to pounce, and Chase preaching to a congregation and astride his beloved horse, the windows tell of an eventful and productive life.

A few steps away, in the cathedral-like — or Hogwartsian, depending on your generation — confines of the Great Hall, the Connick windows, with their colorful medallions recalling masterpieces of British and American poetry and prose, look down upon and cast polychromatic rays of sunlight across the hall’s diners. And while some of those diners pay more attention than others to their surroundings, it’s difficult to look away after catching the eye of “The Tyger” (William Blake) or Abraham Lincoln presenting his Gettysburg Address. Others who view the windows will set themselves the goal of reading all the texts mentioned therein, from works by William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens to the words of Herman Melville and Walt Whitman. 

— Retired College Historian and Keeper of Kenyoniana Tom Stamp ’73 H’22

So reads a 2014 entry in the Alumni Bulletin, detailing the annual autumn celebration some might call Peirce’s culinary event of the season. Though each year brings new surprises — students on campus in the fall of 2011 will remember Gourdzilla — the quality (and quantity) of rich, seasonal fare at Peircegiving each November remains constant.

1940s

“One of my favorite Kenyon memories involves the college radio station. Dudley T. Marple ’48 and his brother built a radio transmitter from surplus equipment, and I helped with the soldering. My voice was the first to be transmitted on WKCG (the original call sign of WKCO), the voice of Kenyon College.” — Ira Eliasoph ’48

1950s

“My experience at Kenyon College was truly transformative. I was a terrible student at first, but being put on academic probation woke me up and motivated me to improve my grades. My time at Kenyon and the strong academic foundation I received there helped me excel in my studies and ultimately led to my career in education. It also brought me to my wife, whom I met in La Grange, Illinois, where we both taught at the same high school. Our shared love for education and Kenyon brought us together, and we were married for 63 years until her passing in 2020.” — Arthur W. “Bill” Sprague Jr. ’53

“I got a top education, partly in the classroom and partly through lively osmosis throughout the College. There was an enormous amount of conversational education that came with being at Kenyon.” — Cameron H. Sanders Jr. ’55

“One night there was a fire in the fraternity house, and I helped rescue some items before seeing people jump from the building. I was grateful to find my belongings saved by my fraternity brothers.” — Rob C. Day ’52

“I arrived at Kenyon College with no intention of playing football. However, when I saw the team practicing, I couldn’t resist and ended up playing for the next four years. I was one of the few Black students at the school at the time and was recognized by the coach, who invited me to meet with the dean. I played football, basketball and baseball during my time at Kenyon. It was a new and exciting experience for me, as the school was still adjusting to having students of color. Despite the challenges, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” — William E. Lowry Jr. ’56 H’99

1960s

“The friendships I made at Kenyon have lasted a lifetime, and we still make an effort to reunite every few years. It’s amazing how we can pick up right where we left off, even after so many years.” — John C. Clark ’61 P’90

“When I was the editor of the Kenyon Collegian, I wrote about the compulsory chapel requirement that all students had to attend on Sundays, regardless of their religious beliefs. One night, a fraternity snuck into the church and filled the organ with flour, causing quite a stir. (President F. Edward Lund) called me into his office, assuming I was responsible, but I had no knowledge of it. A week later, I received a letter from the bishop congratulating us for our crusade against the policy, and the College eventually rescinded the requirement. (There was even a) plaque outside the newspaper’s office with my name on it.” — Richard A. Rubin ’62 P’00

“To get into town, we had to take a road known as the Bishop’s Backbone. It was a hilly road, and the founder of the College, Philander Chase, thought it would be a good way for his students to get some exercise. However, it didn’t work out as planned, and we ended up hitchhiking into town.” — James P. Keyes ’63

“I grew up in Mount Vernon, and my family has a long history with the school. My older brother and father are both alumni, and my great-grandfather was also a graduate in the late 1800s. In fact, my great-grandfather was a young lawyer who helped Philander Chase find a new location for the College, and there is a mural in the post office commemorating their meeting on horseback.” — Thomas Curtis ’63

1970s

“In 1970, when the Kent State shootings occurred, many colleges closed and sent students home, but Kenyon chose to remain open and continue with our comprehensive exams. This decision was made even more significant by the fact that the political science department had been hosting a colloquium on civil disobedience throughout the year. We all gathered in Rosse Hall to discuss the events at Kent State and the larger implications for American democracy. I was proud to be a part of a community that reacted thoughtfully and rationally to such a chaotic moment.” — Dwight D. Hatcher II ’70

“Kenyon felt like the perfect fit for me from the very first drive up the Hill and into the village during my college search. I was enchanted and remain so to this day.” — Jack Killen ’71

“I had an amazing time at Kenyon College, especially being part of the lacrosse team in 1972. We had always finished last, but as a senior, we turned it all around and won a share of the Midwest Lacrosse Championship. It was such a blast, and I made some great friends on the team. We recently had a reunion, and it was so funny to see the current players unsure if we would need walkers or wheelchairs to get to the midfield line where we were being toasted. But we all made it on our own, and it was such a special experience.” — Charles T. Capute ’72

“Before attending Kenyon, I had some success in school theater but lacked a deeper understanding of the craft. It was at Kenyon that I truly grasped the intellectual and societal aspects of theater, and how it functions as a reflection of our culture.” — Chip Lamb ’79

“I formed lasting friendships, especially with members of the Black Student Union, which my wife (Barbara J. Johnson ’73 P’99,’07) and I founded at Kenyon. It was not easy, but we persevered and even entertained the faculty to gain support. Our time at Kenyon was during a politically charged period, and we were influenced by the Kent State experience. I met my wife while walking down Middle Path, and we eventually formed a relationship. Our favorite spot on campus was Gund Commons, where we would sit and talk.” — Johnnie L. Johnson ’73 P’99,’07

“I was a member of the Kenyon Faculty/Student Baroque Ensemble directed by Professor Ken Taylor. Professor Taylor had a contact person in the music department of the Smithsonian, and during the summer between my sophomore and junior years, I worked in Washington, D.C. Professor Taylor seized the opportunity and arranged for me to visit the Smithsonian and to play an authentic Baroque trumpet. I remember having to wear gloves to protect the metal and the sensation of fearing that I might crumple it as I blew into it. I know how fortunate I was to have experiences such as these while I attended college.” — Stephen Huber ’73

“I was the first Vietnam veteran to attend and there was some social pressure, being older than the typical freshman. Despite that, I loved Kenyon and didn’t want to leave when I graduated in 1973. I even asked the dean if I could stay a few more years because there was still so much I wanted to learn. Unfortunately, he said no, and I had to move on. My time at Kenyon was also the beginning of my career in medicine. My friend Dave and I were the first students to become firefighters with the College Township fire department, and we both went on to become physicians in emergency medicine.” — Edward J. Otten ’73 

“In the fall of my freshman year, the college hired a P.E. major to be our dorm mother and coach some sports. We had a blast playing field hockey and lacrosse, even though we had no locker room or uniforms. But we made do with cutoff blue jean shorts and white polo shirts. In the spring, a few of us went to the provost to ask for more support for women’s athletics, and he was very receptive. By the fall of 1972, we had a coach who knew field hockey and lacrosse, and we even had a tennis team. It was a great feeling to be a part of starting something new and seeing it grow.” — Dorinda K. Blackey ’74 P’09

1980s 

“My favorite memory from Kenyon was swimming in the old (Shaffer) pool with a glass roof, which was later turned into a theater. It was a unique experience to swim on my back and look up at the sky in the changing seasons.” — Sharon J. Ritter ’80

“As a freshman football player, I remember feeling isolated and homesick during our intense three-day practices in August. But once the rest of the students arrived on campus, it was a completely different experience. I made lifelong friends, including four from my football fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. I still keep in touch with them, and we even go on vacations together.” — David Graham ’81

“One icy winter day, I was attempting to drive my old orange Volkswagen into a parking lot directly adjacent to a side door of Peirce Hall, went into a swirling skid, and nearly went over a steep hill behind Peirce. At the last moment, the minister at the Church of the Holy Spirit saved me by stopping the skid with his shoulder against the hood of the car!” — Parker E. Monroe ’81

“The beauty of a small liberal arts college like Kenyon is the organic and free conversations that happen at all hours. It’s hard to replicate that experience anywhere else.” — Matthew P. Richey ’81

“My time at Kenyon taught me the importance of teamwork, whether it was on the football field or in other sports. I gained tremendous leadership skills as the president of the Inter-Fraternity Council and Beta Theta Pi. In addition, I was a disc jockey at WKCO, wrote for the Collegian and Gambier Journal, and volunteered at the Wiggin Street School and a shelter for battered women. Kenyon is a place where you can try new things and grow as a person.” — Jeffrey A. Bell ’84

“When I reflect on my time at Kenyon, one of the first things that comes to mind is the green room of the (Bolton) theater. It was a hidden gem that only those in the theater department knew about. We would spend hours there, getting to know each other, sharing stories and working on projects. It was a place where we could be ourselves and support each other. I remember times when I would go there alone, to work or just relax. It was a quiet and personal space that allowed me to reflect and recharge. Looking back, I realize that many of my relationships and experiences at Kenyon were shaped in that green room.” — Maura S. Minsky ’86

1990s

“More than anything, Kenyon College means friendship to me. Some of my closest friends are from Kenyon, and we have remained close despite living on opposite coasts. We even had a lip sync competition during our senior year, which was a blast and something I will always remember. Kenyon brought us together, and I will always have a special place in my heart for that beautiful campus and the amazing people I met there.” — Rachel T. Shapiro ’90

“One of the things I appreciated about Kenyon was that there wasn’t an off-campus life that competed with the on-campus life. Everything was right there, including the town. It was a tightknit community, and I never felt like I was missing out on anything.” — Katherine L. Farnham ’94

“One of my fondest memories at Kenyon was in my freshman dorm, Gund. My roommate and I became friends with a group of guys and we would take over the common area on Saturday nights. During the week, we would watch ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ at 10 p.m., and on weekends, we would play cards or board games while everyone else went out partying. We stayed roommates throughout our four years at Kenyon and are still close to this day.” — Derek S. Zurn ’97

“I was an English major with a creative writing concentration, and I loved how our instructors were able to connect their personal experiences with the coursework. it showed me that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. I also loved how everything at Kenyon blended together, from classroom discussions to conversations in the cafeteria or at parties.” — Courtney K. Bambrick ’99

2000s

“My extracurricular activities, such as working with the Appalachian People Service Organization and writing for the college newspaper, played a significant role in shaping my career as a news reporter. Although Kenyon does not offer a journalism degree, the critical thinking skills I learned there have been invaluable in my job.” — Daniel J. Connolly ’01

“I grew up in a homogenous, middle-class suburb, and Kenyon exposed me to a diverse community of students from all over the world. It was eye opening, and I made some of my closest friends there. I loved being part of a close-knit community where everyone’s goal was to become a good human being.” — Andrew S. Richmond ’96

“Most of my memories at Kenyon involve sitting somewhere, having deep conversations with friends. I also have fond memories of studying in the basement of the anthropology cottage (Palme House) and having impromptu dance parties to keep ourselves awake.” — Karen Martin ’08

“I was heavily involved in a cappella groups during my time at Kenyon and spent many late nights practicing with my fellow singers. Singing was always a passion of mine, but I didn’t pursue it seriously until college.” — Jessica Booth ’02

“Going to Kenyon, I knew I liked science and art, but I didn’t know how they transected. I was torn between biology and dance, and then one day my original academic advisor, Karen Hicks in biology, said, ‘I think you just like bodies,’ and something clicked. I ended up as a dance major (and eventually became a midwife). It’s not lost on me now that midwifery really walks that line between science and art, biology and dance. I am medically trained, but there is an ancient art to this work, too, and I think Kenyon allowed me to find this little crevice of a career where all my interests can sit together.” — Emily C. Martyn ’07

2010s

“I had the most amazing experience at Kenyon College. Not only did I receive a top-notch education, but I also met my husband (Quentin C. Karpilow ’12) there. We met in my mom’s Spanish class: She was a professor at Kenyon (Clara Román-Odio P’11,’18 H’21), and he was also a student in the class. My mom would always encourage me to talk to him because he was so smart and spoke great Spanish. Eventually, he invited me to see his jazz band play and we hit it off.” — Camila D. Odio ’11

“I was one of the first students to participate in the Kenyon Educational Enrichment Program (KEEP), and it helped me get acclimated to the campus and really take in its beauty. The second summer I spent on campus, working at the Olin Library, was like a Frank Ocean summer — the first time he dropped a mixtape. I remember listening to it with my friends from the football team, barbecuing and just enjoying the campus without the pressure of academic work. Those summers were some of the best times of my life.” — Charles Clark III ’13

“My greatest takeaway from Kenyon is that you can do everything, but not all at once. I learned the importance of balancing hard work with relaxation, and I am grateful for the people who taught me that. Kenyon was a place where everyone was academically motivated, but also took care of each other and taught each other to be still and enjoy the space we shared.” — Stella R. Ryan-Lozon ’13

“One tradition that stands out to me is the pre-performance routine my dance minor classmates and I did before every concert. We would dance to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ and Prince’s ‘Raspberry Beret,’ and it always got us pumped up. I never thought I would pursue dance academically, but I fell in love with it at Kenyon.” — Pankti V. Dalal ’17

“I was president of the Black Student Union for three years, and it was a huge part of my college experience. I made lifelong friendships and we shared late nights, early mornings, fears and dreams. It was a special time where we were able to share our voices and tell the Black side of Kenyon’s story.” — Eric O. Sutton III ’18

2020s

“I had never heard of Kenyon before, but when I visited, I was drawn in by the welcoming environment and the STEM Scholars program, which I was fortunate enough to be a part of. As a first-generation college student, I had no idea what I was doing, but the professors at Kenyon helped me navigate the process and even guided me through applying to graduate schools. I am proud to have started a legacy of education in my family.” — Kalista E. Wayt ’23

“I was in the Chamber Singers throughout my time at Kenyon and have continued to seek out similar experiences in my adult life. Kenyon has taught me the value of creating and cultivating a community wherever I go.” — Anna K. Kahle ’20

These memories were shared as part of an oral history project with our partner Publishing Concepts Inc. Many more alumni and parent memories will be included in a Kenyon oral history book available for purchase this winter.

To the chagrin of copy editors everywhere, a Collegian headline exclaimed: “Philander’s Phling to Phulfill Phebruary’s Phun Quota.”

The semi-phormal was canceled in 2011, reportedly due to a lack of student volunteers, but some alumni continue to host Phlings in their cities each Phebruary. (Sorry.)