Cleared for Liftoff

Behind the music with Nick Petricca '09 of the popular rock band Walk the Moon, which got its start at Kenyon.

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Object Permanence

From pilgrimage souvenirs to rubber ducks, peek inside the personal collections of Kenyon alumni and faculty.

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A Pragmatic Activism

At Kenyon, student activists tackle national and international issues — as well as concerns closer to campus — through a blend of dialogue and demonstration.

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Also In This Edition

Leticia Osei-Bonsu ’17 uses sculpture and photography to raise awareness about pollution. “The Water World” series offers a visual representation of how our daily activities affect the environment and, specifically, the aquatic systems.

Members of Kenyon's Class of 2021 make their Middle Path debut at Opening Convocation.

Alumni News

Drawing Abroad

For Henry Uhrik ’18, illustration helps transcend cultural and language barriers.

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General Kenyon

Great Expectations

These teaching award winners keep students engaged in the classroom — and in the community.

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A different sort of farewell

Sharp-eared fans of Netflix’s “House of Cards” may have noticed a certain tune playing during the first episode of the political drama’s most recent season. Yes, strains of “Kokosing Farewell” can be heard drifting from a church organ as President Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) arrives at a funeral. But Kenyon’s favorite song shares its tune with the hymn “The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended” — words more suitable for mourning the latest sacrificed pawn in Underwood’s bloody quest for power.

Snapshots of Kenyon Life

Details

According to Dean of Admissions Diane Anci, Kenyon’s Class of 2021 is “a terrific tribute to the things that Kenyon values most. It is academically distinguished, among the most diverse classes we’ve enrolled, and its talent knows no bounds.”

5,603  First-year applications received
460  First-year matriculants
19.8  Percentage of domestic students of color
8  Percentage of international students
19  Countries (including the U.S.) they call home
37  States they call home
9  Percentage of Pell-eligible students
69  Students with a relative who attended Kenyon
4.04  Mean high school GPA
40  Percentage of students who received need based scholarships
35 million  Total dollars spent on financial aid for all classes

It's Electric

Gambier is a new destination for electric-vehicle drivers wanting to charge their cars. Kenyon’s Office of Green Initiatives partnered with Tesla this fall to install two Tesla chargers and a universal EV charger outside the Kenyon Inn, and they plan to install more outside the Kenyon Bookstore — an ideal place for drivers to grab coffee and a good read while topping off their cars.

Image credit: Steve Jurvetson

Washrooms fit for the Whitney

A sign posted in Rosse Hall directing guests to
“accessible restrooms” was meant to refer, of course, to facilities complying with ADA standards. Someone, however, chose to interpret “accessible” in the art-world sense of “easy to understand,” and decided to provide another option: A second, smaller sign appeared, pointing the way toward “avant-garde restrooms” for those desiring a less pedestrian experience. No word on whether Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain” was a featured exhibit.

Cold Coyote

Visitors to the Brown Family Environmental Center might be in for a surprise if they raid the BFEC’s fridge. Instead of ice cream and ice pops, the freezer contains a skinned coyote. “It was pretty tricky to get him in there,” said manager Noelle Jordan, “because we also have a red-tailed hawk, a flying squirrel and five song birds.” All of the chilled critters will become part of the BFEC’s teaching collection.

Class Notes

Recent Class Notes
’66

“Our son Zachary graduated from Landmark College in December, with a bachelor’s in computer science. My wife, Lisa Rubin, is in leadership on the board of Master Voices, a volunteer singing ensemble, well-known here in the arts scene. After many years of giving short views on the Bible portion of the week, I’m setting out to teach others how. We are making Shabbat services more participatory, as well as delving into the multiple meanings of Torah portions.
”

— Carl S. Mankowitz, New York City
’07

Eduardo M. Rodriguez, Burlington, Vermont, reports, “In early September, I visited Gambier for the swim-ming reunion and induction of Coach Steen into the Hall of Fame. Great to reconnect with Matt Jacobssen, Alexander R. Tanton and Davis Zarins, my brother Fernando M. Rodriguez ’04 and countless other swimmers, coaches and faculty. There is always a bit of a magical feeling returning to campus. At the end of the weekend, it was also nice to get back to Vermont, where my wife, Emma, was holding things together with our two boys, Felix and Arlo.”

’06

Karl A.D. “Alec” Schoettle, who lives in coastal Maine with his wife, Katie, and two dogs, tallies the last few years’ highlights: “Became a high school social studies teacher. Hardest, most exhausting, most gratifying (and lowest-paying) job I’ve had. Bought a little cruising sailboat and spend as much time on it as work and Maine weather allow. Started playing music with some friends and had a couple small gigs. Surgeries — knee surgery for her, oral surgery for me; getting old sucks. Constant renovations/upgrades to our house: hot tub coming soon! Pursuing voice acting. Still filling in as a tall ship captain a bit in the summers.”

Past Editions