Dear Kenyon Physics community members,
At our last Kenyon Physics Alumni Conference (Nov. 2019 — in the "before times") we said we should do it again in a few years, and that time has come. We're planning on gathering in Gambier on Saturday and Sunday, April 6 and 7, 2024, to celebrate Kenyon physics with alumni talks, research posters, meals together and all manner of other fun things. AND, as an astronomical bonus, anyone who can extend their stay to include Monday, April 8, can join us on an excursion to experience the total solar eclipse occurring around 3:13 p.m. that day! Please see below for more details.
Arrival
Plan to arrive at Hayes Hall between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. Lunch and an informal gathering will begin at 11 a.m.; the first talk will be at 2 p.m.
Departure
The final program of the reunion is eclipse viewing. Unlike the eclipse itself, it is very difficult to predict what traffic will be like on eclipse day. The eclipse will go total on Monday for a few minutes between 3 and 3:30 p.m.¹ Because totality will be extremely brief at the north end of Kenyon’s campus — and won’t happen at all on the south end — we will be taking a bus to a site further north and west. We should be back on the buses by 4 p.m. and hope to arrive in Gambier by 5 p.m. We do not encourage you to drive yourself to the eclipse site because there won’t be adequate parking. (Besides, the bus ride should be fun!)
If you want to fly out of Columbus Airport on Monday night, you will need a very late flight to be comfortable. One possible solution is to book an airport hotel for Monday night and a Tuesday morning flight so you can leave Gambier and arrive at Columbus in a leisurely manner. Flights leaving after 9 p.m. from Columbus on Monday are probably workable even with a rental car if you hustle.
¹ This imprecision is not laziness. It depends on exactly where we go, and there are still a few candidate sites.
Families
Bring ‘em! When will anybody have another chance to be under a total solar eclipse?
Furthermore, the Kenyon Admissions office is always looking for contact with potential future alumni, including those who aren’t yet high school juniors. Even middle schoolers might enjoy a campus tour. They will have events on Saturday and Monday mornings. Learn more.
If you are traveling with pre-college family members and would like to register for an admissions tour, you can schedule a tour in advance.
Attire
Almost all events during the reunion are casual — you can dress however you dressed for class as an undergrad if you wish. The one exception is the banquet, which will be a little dressy; for calibration, Ben Schumacher will be wearing a jacket and tie — plan to match that vibe!
Food
You will be provided with the following meals, for any others you are on your own.
- Saturday: lunch and dinner
- Sunday: lunch and the banquet dinner
- Monday: lunch
Each meal will include a vegetarian option. If you have any other dietary requirements, please include them as comments with your registration and we will be in touch if we have any concerns about meeting them.
Accommodations
Hotels are filling up fast, if you want one, book as soon as you can. Also feel free to write your favorite faculty member, as they may be willing to host you. Professor Paula Turner’s home has ample room for sleeping bags.
Transportation
Knox County public transportation is similar to what it was when you were an undergraduate — very limited. If you aren’t planning to drive your own car to Gambier, rental cars are encouraged. If you would like to share a car with other alumni, let us know and we will help you make connections.
Religious Services
There are many options for religious services connected to the College.
Please register by Saturday, March 23.
Questions? Please contact Paula Turner at turnerp@kenyon.edu.