Dr. Lee A. Adler ’75 was a chemistry major at Kenyon and dedicated member of Psi Upsilon fraternity who went on to be a systems programmer with Cantor Fitzgerald. Just over 22 years ago, he was one of thousands who tragically died in the World Trade Center on September 11. He was forty-eight.
Among the many people who remember Adler are a classmate of his who recently chose to honor his legacy by creating a permanent endowed scholarship in his name. Established in 2022, the Dr. Lee A. Adler ’75 Memorial Fund empowers Kenyon to enroll exceptional students, regardless of their ability to pay.
There are more than 400 endowed scholarships available at Kenyon, many of which were created by alumni, parents or friends to celebrate, honor or encourage specific people or groups. While it takes $1.5 million to fund a full-ride scholarship in perpetuity, the typical threshold to create a new endowed scholarship is $100,000, and many welcome gifts of all sizes. Operating scholarships — applied to the current academic year — benefit from gifts at every level.
With 65% of Kenyon students today receiving some form of financial aid or scholarship, creating or giving to scholarships is just one way that alumni remain connected to their alma mater.
Jessie Corbin Fund for the Kenyon Access Initiative
Established in 2022 by Kathryn L. Weise ’76, the scholarship empowers Kenyon to enroll exceptional students, regardless of their ability to pay. Weise created the scholarship in honor of Jessie Corbin, who was born in 1889 near rural Kilmarnock, Virginia. Born to descendants of enslaved persons, she eventually worked in the Washington, D.C. home of Kathryn’s grandparents. Corbin remained with the family for decades, earned her GED, traveled overseas and learned to swim in her 90s. By the time of her death at the age of 102, she had been president of the Children’s Church at her congregation for 50 years and audited courses at the college level, fulfilling a dream to attend college.
In Memoriam scholarships
Sean Bush ’17 was a third-year medical student when he passed away in a tragic accident in 2019. His parents Cathy and Joe created the Sean P. Bush ’17 President’s Fund in memory of their son, who was himself a scholarship recipient. “Kenyon College was a reality for him as a result of those who so generously gave before him. He would have never had the opportunities he did in academics had it not been for these generous people. He took that to heart his entire short life,” Cathy said.
Last year, the Avis family created the Sandra L. Avis Fund at Kenyon in memory of lacrosse “team mom” Sandy, who was herself a first-generation college student. “Kenyon was a very, very big part of our lives, not only following the kids around on spring break and watching them in Florida and Pennsylvania, but also culturally. Sandy had a particular appreciation for the Gund Gallery and senior art show,” said her husband Todd Avis.
Class scholarships
Many classes have chosen to harness the power of their collective giving by establishing endowed scholarships, often in recognition of their 25th or 50th reunions. These funds are invested along with the College’s endowment with the returns added to the operating budget each year. A few examples of these include:
- Class of 1974 Fund for the Schuler Challenge, Established by Renee Brandt Peck ’75 and Stewart Peck ’74, in honor of his 50th class reunion. The scholarship fund empowers Kenyon to enroll exceptional students, regardless of their ability to pay. Fund income provides scholarship support to highly qualified students who demonstrate significant financial need. “I was only able to come to Kenyon because of scholarships,” said Stewart, “so this scholarship is a way for us, now that we’ve had some success in life, to pay it forward to today’s students.”
- Class of 1973 Scholarship Fund, Established by members of that class leading up to their 25th reunion in 1998. The fund supports two students accepted to Kenyon who, in the opinion of the Admissions office, have had to overcome significant obstacles in order to attend the College.
Theodore L. (Ted) Walch ’63 Scholarship Fund
Established by Kenyon parents Lauryn Harris and Greg Pimstone P’22 this year in memory of the legendary drama teacher at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. The scholarship supports students who demonstrate financial need with a preference given to students majoring in dance, drama, film, music, or any other discipline regarded by the College as being one of the performing arts.
Kenyon Women's Endowed Scholarship Fund
Established in 2019 with a lead gift from Nina Freedman ’77 H’92, a member of the Board of Trustees, the scholarship honors the beginning of coeducation at Kenyon and celebrates 50 years of women as pioneers, influencers, and mentors. Income from this fund supports students who demonstrate financial need, with a preference for those identifying as women. This endowed fund also has a companion operating scholarship for gifts at all levels.
Read about other scholarships created by alumni, such as the William E. Lowry Jr. Endowed Scholarship and Sean M. Decatur Endowed Scholarship, named in honor of Kenyon’s 19th President. To learn more about creating or supporting a scholarship at Kenyon, contact Sarah Tancredi at tancredi1@kenyon.edu. To give to any of these scholarships visit gift.kenyon.edu.