Image credit: Brad Remick '84
The Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial campaign concluded June 30 as the most successful in Kenyon College history, with philanthropy that transformed campus and the educational experiences of current and future students. A total of 22,886 people gave during the six-year campaign, from students giving $1 to a record $100 million gift, for a grand total of $532,122,343.
The percentage of giving among all alumni was 62%, with 12,272 alumni making a gift during the campaign.
“These results are spectacular, but not surprising,” said Rose Fealy ’84, tri-chair for the campaign leadership committee. “The Kenyon community — more than 12,000 alumni, and so many others — has such strong love and commitment to the College, I’m not surprised that our donors responded in force, exceeding this challenge for the future of Kenyon.”
The campaign was publicly launched in 2018 under President Sean Decatur with a goal of $300 million, bolstered by a then-record $75 million gift that allowed for the construction of the West Quad.
When an anonymous donor saw the clearly defined need for new student housing and recognized the limited ability of the College to address the needs due to financial constraints, they made a record-setting commitment of $100 million in January 2021. This gift provided for the construction of two new South Campus residence halls and propelled the campaign to new heights. The first residence hall will open to students in January.
Giving for the People of Kenyon
Support for the people of Kenyon — faculty and students — was at the heart of the campaign. Hundreds of donors combined to give more than $100 million to endowed scholarship funds, which will provide roughly $4.5 million annually for scholarships, forever, nearly doubling the amount of scholarship funding provided by the endowment.
“The accomplishments of this campaign are nothing short of historic and transformative for Kenyon,” said David Horvitz ’74 H’98, campaign tri-chair.
“We knew this campaign was bold when planning began,” said tri-chair Jim Parker ’81 P’10, “but at the same time the committee and board of trustees also knew just how vital this was for the future of Kenyon. We are immensely grateful to those who understood this and responded.”
Historic Achievement
The $532 million total exceeds all giving to Kenyon in previous campaigns — combined. Such success also puts Kenyon in good company with peers such as Bowdoin College, Wellesley College and Colby College who have crossed the half-billion mark.
President Julie Kornfeld, who joined Kenyon in October 2023, offered her appreciation to the campaign tri-chairs for their leadership. “Rose, Jim and David have not only led by example with their philanthropy, they have provided consistent vision and encouragement to all alumni to join in this historic effort for Kenyon,” Kornfeld said. “It is fitting that this incredible, precedent-setting campaign concluded in our bicentennial year when we are celebrating Kenyon’s history and the philanthropy that has sustained it for two centuries.”
Increasing Access through Scholarships
Throughout the campaign, donors gave to scholarship funds in honor of loved ones, out of gratitude for their own Kenyon experience and to allow the College to remain focused on admitting the most talented students, regardless of need.
Both the Sean Decatur Endowed Scholarship Fund, established by a donor in honor of Kenyon’s 19th president, and Kenyon Access Initiative, launched in 2021 with a matching grant, support these efforts with scholarships for outstanding students from families with limited resources and other underrepresented students. Continued growth of the endowment remains a critical priority. “As we continue to advocate for the necessity of the liberal arts, an important element is ensuring the experience is accessible. I am gratified and encouraged to have the continued partnership of so many people who love Kenyon and understand that their philanthropy directly supports the values — and value — of what we offer here,” Kornfeld said.
People and Places
The campaign also inspired new endowed funds for named professorships, two positions at The Gund and Kenyon’s first endowed head coach position. Investments were made in high impact experiences for students such as community engaged learning, internship support funds and undergraduate research, including summer scholars.
In addition to the West Quad, featuring Chalmers Library, campaign support also provided for an update to downtown Gambier, including a renovated bookstore, Market apartments and Village Market, adding new life to the village core. This bicentennial year was kicked off with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at Bexley Hall, newly converted to student residences thanks almost entirely to donor funding.
Daily Impact
Throughout the campaign, gifts to the College’s annual funds — including the Kenyon Fund and Kenyon Parents Fund — supported every element of the daily student experience. During the pandemic, Kenyon donors directed additional support to students through success funds and repeatedly showed that Kenyon is a cause worthy of support through giving challenges.
The campaign prompted many donors to increase or renew their giving to the annual funds, which also saw record giving in the most recent fiscal year. Many alumni — and students — also made their first gift to Kenyon during the campaign, beginning a philanthropic relationship with the College that will be necessary for a third century of academic excellence.