With just two months to go in Kenyon’s bicentennial year, students can look forward to celebrating 200 years at Founders’ Day and throughout the end of the semester, with opportunities now to visit some of the locations impacted by bicentennial special projects grants.
This Friday at 4 p.m., attendees at the rescheduled Thomas Hall dedication will have the opportunity to sign the bicentennial book before an open house of Kenyon’s newest residence hall. Bicentennial events for alumni and others continue online and around the country with the next stop of President Julie Kornfeld’s Bicentennial Tour scheduled for Nov. 13 in Columbus.
Last week, the Village of Gambier recognized the milestone with a proclamation that recognized the entities’ entwined history, recognizing in part: “Both village and college have enjoyed a unique partnership based on mutual respect and cooperation; Therefore in this anniversary year of 200 years of the College, the village that it calls home is proud to recognize a history of collaboration, exploration and education and joins in the celebration of Kenyon College's bicentennial.”
Founders’ Day
On Oct. 24, all are welcome to begin the day with donuts and hot cider on the Advancement porch at 105 Chase Ave., 8 to 9:30 a.m. The Class of 2028 is invited to a bagelpalooza in the Alumni Dining Room (Peirce Hall, lower level) with free Panera and Kahoot (with prizes). Students will then walk together to the Founders’ Day ceremony. The Middle Path Bicentennial timeline will remain in place through Friday, Oct. 25 to allow strolls through the College’s history, literally. Special bicentennial birthday cake and treats will also be available in Peirce at dinner.
The annual tradition culminates in new students reciting the Matriculation Oath — as every major Kenyon anniversary has in the last 100 years — with a visit from the College’s namesake family, Alexander Tyrell-Kenyon, Eighth Lord Kenyon. Following the 11:10 a.m. address, new students will have the opportunity to sign the Matriculation Book in the Norton Room of Ransom Hall until 4:30 p.m. All members of the community are also invited to visit to sign the Bicentennial Book.
In Memoriam: A Walking Tour of Kenyon’s Latin and Greek Inscriptions
At 4:15 p.m. at the College Gates, join Professor of Classics Adam Serfass and two classics majors, Ellis Copley ’25 and Chiara Nevard ’25 to learn what Kenyon’s Latin and Greek inscriptions tell us about the College’s 200 years. The one-hour walking tour will tell the tales of fascinating texts from the past that seek to speak to us in the present.
Remaining Bicentennial Special Projects
Applications for these grants are now closed, although the chairs continue to review those previously submitted. Others include:
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Bicentennial Film Series: Details on this previously announced project will be shared soon. Top alumni films as voted on by students will be shown with snacks.
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Sycamore Spring: Associate Professor of History Stephen Volz spearheaded this project to rejuvenate the College’s original water source, down the hill behind Peirce across from the football field. In addition to clearing out the spring, landscaping was added.
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College Gates Restoration: Over the summer, David Kridler ’75 completed repairs of the gates’ masonry joints and an inspection of the column's bases, adding new mortar where needed. He ensured the new mortar blended in with the old to keep the columns looking as original as possible.
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Sunset Trail: This work has been completed. It involved constructing steps from the edge of the road down to the trail, which was cleared and widened where it crosses a deep erosion channel behind Higley Hall. The trail was rerouted and widened to a safe access point west of the Taft Apartments.
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Peirce Lounge: New flooring and painting have been completed in this student-focused space, with drapes arriving soon and other improvements under consideration, pending funding.