Honors Day

Every April, the Kenyon community gathers to honor academic achievement, community service, and leadership, with the awarding of department and college-wide prizes. It's a day to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of Kenyon's talented students.

Honors Day 2026

The upcoming Honors Day ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 14, at 10:45 a.m. in Rosse Hall. Morning classes only will be on an adjusted schedule. A livestream will be available during and after the ceremony.

Student award recipients with President Kornfeld

Elevating Excellence

Kenyon News

The 2025 Honors Day ceremony highlighted exceptional student achievement and faculty teaching as well as contributions made by alumni.

Scenes from Honors Day

Teaching award winners, honorary degree recipients and outstanding students are celebrated in at the annual Honors Day ceremony.

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Professor of Physics Paula Turner served as the faculty marshal, leading the faculty and staff procession along Middle Path and into Rosse Hall. View the full Honors Day 2025 photo album. *Photography by Graham Stokes.*

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The Honors Day ceremony traditionally takes place in Rosse Hall Auditorium.

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President Julie Kornfeld presided over the ceremony.

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Student award recipients Hannah Sussman ’25, Marissa Sun ’25 and Jaden “JStew” Stewart ’25 pose with President Kornfeld.

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Iris Levin, associate professor of biology and environmental studies (pictured), and Tom Giblin, professor of physics, received this year's Trustee Teaching Excellence Awards, which were presented by Board of Trustees member Susan Tomasky P’17.

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Stephanie A Fryberg ’94 (speaking), Joel Brereton ’70 and Robert Goldman ’63 were awarded honorary degree's at this year's ceremony.

College and Departmental Prizes

Every major and discipline studied at the College presents at least one prize to students who have made achievements in their particular fields. While many of the students honored with departmental prizes are members of the senior class, numerous awards are given to — and, in some cases, designated specifically for — students in their first, second, or third year at Kenyon.

The recipients of College prizes, which can be awarded to any member of the student body, are determined by committee consideration or campus-wide vote. Certain academic scholarships and community recognition prizes are also formally awarded during the ceremony.

Honorary Degrees

Each year Kenyon recognizes alumni and others in the College family who have achieved distinction in their chosen fields. Honorary doctorates are awarded to these individuals to acknowledge Kenyon's pride in their contributions to society and the world.

Faculty Awards

The Trustee Teaching Excellence Awards are presented annually at Honors Day to two members of the faculty — one junior (with fewer than ten years of service) and one senior (with ten years of service or more). Faculty members recognize these awards as a meaningful mark of distinction. While the final selection of winners is made by the Board of Trustees, nominations are solicited from students and faculty members alike.