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.

Drawing Abroad

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

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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
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
’71

“I retired after a long career as a federal prosecutor and then a white-collar defense lawyer. My wife of 46 years and I have three adult children and currently live in a multi-generational house in Baltimore with our daughter 4-month-old grandson and our youngest son. We frequently see Jeff Franklin ’70 and his family; David Cronin ’72; Jeff Oppenheim; and Ransom Griffin.

Christopher A. Myers, Baltimore

’92

Kate Blanchard writes, “My spouse and I have been living in Minneapolis for almost a year, and it has been great to reconnect with folks around the Twin Cities. Recently, we went to hear Mike Cougar Hallenbeck play with his band. John W. Ursu and Matthew C. Gladue ’93 were also in the audience. Soon after, a more official alumni event, complete with sunset over Lake Minnetonka, was hosted by Chris T. Kirwan ’05 and M.E. Kirwan ’05. Kenyon is a gift that keeps on giving!”

’06

Kelsey (Rotwein) Schagemann sends “Greetings from Chicago! I live in the Lakeview neighborhood with my husband, Joe, and our kids Talia (just started kindergarten) and Will (3½).” Kelsey writes for colleges and universities, a higher education and nonprofit marketing company, and a regional travel magazine. “This summer, I took Talia and Will up to Michigan for an amazing beach vacation with Dylan E. Rudmann and her family. It was fantastic to chill on the beach while the kids played and had adventures. Later in July, I had a birthday party to celebrate turning 40 (how?!), and Kathryn Cameron McMillan and her boys were among the guests!”

Past Editions