Dear Kenyon students, faculty and staff,
With every corner of campus already alive with activity, and before the rush of the academic year takes us all in different directions, I wanted to provide this update on several campus initiatives — some visible, others less so — made possible thanks to the support of Kenyon alumni, faculty, staff, students and parents.
Kenyon Access Initiative
We begin this academic year with a powerful reminder of the potential of investing in Kenyon. This year we welcomed the largest number of Pell-eligible students ever, including 67 members of the Class of 2026, 12 of whom were able to enroll at Kenyon as a direct result of gifts to the Kenyon Access Initiative (KAI). This is meaningful progress on the College’s long-term goal of increasing the number of Pell-eligible or Dreamer students at Kenyon. Eventually, KAI scholarship funds will support 50 students across all four classes each year.
Student Success Fund
A key component of enhancing access to Kenyon is, of course, supporting these students while they’re here. I’d like to extend my personal thanks to Student Council President Ubongabasi Asuquo ’23 for her work with members of Advancement and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as other members of the Kenyon Alumni Student Collective (KASC) for their advocacy to increase the Student Success Fund. Not only did they help secure a $50,000 budgetary increase for these flexible emergency grants, but they amplified the fundraising effort online and on social media, resulting in an additional $33,000 donated to this vital fund. Such collaboration is an inspiring model for our partnerships across campus.
Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial
Increasing access is at the core of the Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial campaign, which seeks to grow Kenyon’s endowment to increase scholarships and financial aid while reducing our reliance on tuition revenue, in support of the third priority of the College’s strategic plan.
The West Quad is the realization of elements of the College’s 2014 Campus Master Plan and has been largely funded by significant donor investment as part of the campaign. These buildings play a powerful role in facilitating the kinds of connections that we cultivate here; Chalmers Library is already a hub of campus with students gathering there day and night. Also included in the master plan, and further encouraged by a student housing study in 2020, were the new South Campus residences. These three residence halls are also funded by donor support. When finished they will be fully accessible and a modern addition to housing options for students.
Such significant investments in our campus have impact beyond the transformation of our facilities. Specifically, they free up Kenyon’s resources for other priorities that impact the student experience, including scholarships and financial aid. (These priorities are also often additionally supported by gifts to Kenyon’s annual funds, including the Kenyon Fund.)
The Year Ahead
My colleagues in Advancement and I were delighted to have the opportunity to meet members of the Class of 2026 — future Kenyon alumni! — at an open house on our porch on Chase Avenue last week. As the division responsible for helping alumni remain connected to Kenyon after graduation, we look forward to the many opportunities we’ll have throughout the year to partner with students, faculty and staff to enhance today’s Kenyon experience by inspiring giving to the College.
Sincerely,
Colleen Garland
Vice President for Advancement