How do you measure, measure a year?
The pandemic has sure felt like all of its 525,600 minutes and then some, but we also learned to count our successes along the way. And there were many. From creating and operating a testing, quarantine and isolation system to keep the campus community healthy, to introducing new ways to connect with alumni through virtual events, to a record-breaking year for major gifts, we look at how Kenyon weathered COVID-19 and other challenges this year.
“This is a year that was incredibly challenging, but a year that really just made me proud about all of the best things about Kenyon.”
With a total of 76 positive results among students and employees, that’s a positivity rate of 0.353%.
Plus, over 80% of employees have reported being vaccinated against COVID-19 thus far.
Throughout the fall and spring semesters, Kenyon’s COVID-19 dashboard was updated each weekday, with daily emails distributed to students, employees and parents interested in the data.
Alumni working in a variety of fields, from healthcare to green energy, told the Kenyon Alumni Magazine why they’re feeling hopeful as the U.S. emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic required the College to completely reimagine how to deliver events to the community. We evaluated the core elements of every event to determine what was true ‘Kenyon’ and then tried to strike a balance between tradition and practicality in creating virtual programs, unexpectedly creating room for innovation that we might not have explored under normal circumstances.”
“Cheers, y’all! You did it! We came, we zoomed, we reuned!”
Announced in January, the anonymous gift will allow for the construction of three new South Campus residence halls to revitalize the on-campus living experience. Despite a largely virtual year, Kenyon is recommitting to the core in-person experience in Gambier.
These alumni, parents, faculty, staff and students raised over $665,000 for Kenyon’s annual funds. It’s not too late to join in: make a gift before the fiscal year ends on June 30.
Alumni, parents and friends propelled Our Path Forward past its $300 million goal five months ahead of schedule. The College decided to capture this incredible momentum and continue the campaign to 2024 with a goal of $500 million as Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial.
“The pandemic affected every element of life and learning on the Hill. Among the adjustments made to mitigate virus spread and promote distancing: tables in Peirce Dining Hall were rearranged, acrylic barriers were installed, tents with desks and tables were set up for outdoor classes, classroom furniture was rearranged or moved out entirely, signage was installed across campus, testing locations were established in the Gund Commons ballroom and the Lowry Center, and hand sanitizer and masks were distributed throughout campus.” — Rebecca Lanter, director of facility operations
These esteemed professors were awarded honorary degrees at Kenyon’s 193rd Commencement.
Did you miss it? Watch the ceremony here.
Seniors Isaac Lipkowitz, Meredith Sauer and Katerina Tang shared the honor this year.