Also In This Edition

Leah Dunbar '20 captured campus during a morning stroll last fall: “There’ve been many perfect Kenyon mornings, but this one may have been the most magical."

Dannie Lane ’22 took this photo of the Henry Spencer Moore sculpture in the Science Quad before the campus closed in response to the pandemic.

A Drowning Dream

"I live in this moment, this breath," writes Laura Hillenbrand ’89 of her recovery from COVID-19.

Read More

In Queerantine

A photo series by Ally Schmaling '14 celebrates queer personhood amid the pandemic.

Read More

Book Shelf

Explore new releases from members of the Kenyon community.

Read More

A New Medium

Senior studio art majors create a virtual gallery to showcase their final projects.

Read More

Congratulations from John Green

Knowing that the newly admitted Class of 2024 would miss out on a traditional high school graduation, bestselling author John Green ’00 shared a message of encouragement and, as he’s apt to do, a good story. When Green missed his own Commencement, the late Professor of Religious Studies Donald Rogan threw him a non-traditional ceremony that was even more meaningful.

Watch Green’s message on YouTube.

The Best of Both Worlds

The “Music and Entrepreneurship” course taught by Professor of Music Ted Buehrer ’91 had a viral moment on TikTok thanks to a class visit from LA-based composer Kenneth Burgomaster ’91.

Maeve Griffin ’23 recorded a clip of the Zoom video conference in which Burgomaster explained how he used samples of Miley Cyrus’ voice to write a series of short transitional riffs for the TV show “Hannah Montana” — micro-compositions that have found fame in their own right as a popular TikTok sound. 

Read more about the class.

View Griffin's TikTok post.

Kenyon From Your Couch

Amid concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenyon has suspended all on- and off-campus alumni events. Stay connected with your fellow alumni by joining one of our virtual "Kenyon from Your Couch" events, which range from readings and discussions to campus tours and performances.

View the full list of virtual events.

Class Notes

Recent Class Notes
’64

“I came to Kenyon in fall 1960. A clarinet enthusiast, I asked Professor Paul Schwartz about opportunities to play A. Rubin ’62, myself, and another whom I can’t recall on standard B-flat clarinets, and Alexander McNamara on bass clarinet. We rehearsed in the Harcourt Parish Episcopal Church and performed several recitals there, plus at least one in the Knox County Memorial Theater, to meager yet appreciative audiences. Fast forward to 2007: I received my master’s in clarinet performance from Arizona State University at age 65. Now aged 81, I’m back playing principal clarinet in the Scottsdale, Arizona, Philharmonic Orchestra. Gratefully, our concerts are so well-attended that people are sometimes turned away at the door. ”

Walter W. Nielsen

’04

Rabbi Adam S. Lavitt, Philadelphia, announces, “Two years after starting our adoption process, my husband, Alex Weissman, and I are overjoyed to welcome a son, Omri, into our family. The wish I shared with friends on my birth-day, May 13, was to be a parent this year — and Omri was born May 16! When I’m not parenting or nourishing people’s creativity as director of program design and facilitation for Jewish Studio Project, I’m in perpetual awe of the work I get to do companioning people on transformative journeys of self-discovery and spiritual connection as a spiritual director in private practice.”

’11

Lauren M. Maggart Stearns and Tyler J. Stearns are “finally feeling settled” in southwest Oregon’s Rogue Valley. “He’s still kicking ass as a clinical pharmacy specialist of mental health at the VA, while I teach middle school humanities at St. Mary’s School. Kieran (6) and Maia (3) are living their best lives running loose in our neighborhood. I had a wonderful time catching up with my fellow 2010 KenExers during a Zoom call with former professors Deborah Laycock and James “Jim” Carson in August — thanks for coordinating, Ai Binh T. Ho! Speaking of KenEx … at the moment I’m actually writing this from a hotel room in London with Ashley G. Gray, Abby Lagrow, Laura A. Briskman and Claire P. Strom! It’s been well over a decade since we were all in the same room, and we’re having a blast catching up, reminiscing over our time in Exeter, and stuffing ourselves silly with high tea (the proper Devonshire way).”

Past Editions