Chaired by Brackett B. Denniston ’69, the Kenyon College Board of Trustees convened in Gambier for its fall 2022 meeting on Oct. 27–28.
The trustees began their meeting in conversation with students. Over lunch on Thursday, members of the Student Experience Committee met with members of Student Council, while the remaining trustees had an informal lunch with students.
The strategic standing committees convened Thursday afternoon:
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The Student Experience Committee focused its discussion on the cultivation of belonging. The committee was joined by Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chris Kennerly and Associate Provost for DEI and Special Advisor to the President Ted Mason, as well as Professor of Music Ted Buehrer ’91 and Associate Professor of Physics Aaron Reinhard, who described strategies for creating more inclusive classrooms. The committee considered the role of employee and student recruitment in DEI efforts, as well as the importance of creating both nurturing spaces for underrepresented populations and opportunities for majority populations to deepen their cultural competency.
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The Campus and Finance Committee dedicated a significant portion of its meeting to a preliminary report from Ever-Green Energy, the team that is assisting the College in identifying short- and long-term strategies for decarbonization. The committee also discussed plans for diversifying the College’s suppliers. The balance of the meeting focused on a discussion of 2022-23 operations and priorities for the 2023-24 budget; the committee will review and adopt the 2023-24 budget at its February meeting. The committee also reviewed the status of capital projects and received a report on the College’s campus signage study.
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The Kenyon in the World Committee focused its discussion on Kenyon’s enrollment picture, including what will be required to shape and incrementally grow the student body as called for in the College’s strategic plan. Committee members reviewed the characteristics of the Class of 2026 and discussed admissions and financial aid policies and their role in increasing applications and yield. The committee then discussed preliminary findings from a study seeking to understand prospective students’ interests as they relate to the College’s strategic priorities, and how those priorities might shape both the lived experience of students and the positioning of the College.
During their plenary session, trustees heard from Associate Provost and Professor of Biology Drew Kerkhoff along with several members of the faculty and staff of Kenyon’s green centers about efforts to promote environmental literacy, one of the goals of the strategic plan. Siobhan Fennessy, the Philip and Sheila Jordan Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology, reported on curricular initiatives; Director of Green Initiatives Dave Heithaus ’99 reported on operational and co-curricular activities such as the Brown Family Environmental Center and the Kenyon Farm; and Director of the Philander Chase Conservancy Khara Strum reported on land conservation and stewardship efforts. Afterwards, newly tenured faculty joined the Board for dinner and a performance by the Chamber Singers.
The Board reconvened on Friday morning to conduct its business meeting. In his report to the Board, Acting President Jeff Bowman provided an update on strategic priorities and campus development. Vice President for Advancement Colleen Garland reported on the continued progress of the Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial campaign, which has raised $490 million toward its $500 million goal.
In other business:
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The Board ratified the Board of Directors of the Gund Gallery, the Board of Trustees of the Kenyon Review and the Board of Directors of the Philander Chase Conservancy.
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The Board adopted a memorial resolution in honor of Philip H. Jordan H’95, who served as Kenyon’s president for 20 years, 1975–1995.
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The Investment Committee reviewed the College’s investment portfolio.
The Board concluded its activities with a dedication of the West Quad and lunch in honor of President Emeritus Robert Oden and his wife, Teresa, as well as for the members of the Kenyon community whose philanthropic support made the West Quad project possible. Additional events for the campus community will follow this spring, when Oden Hall is complete and the quad itself can be a site for an outdoor celebration.
Prepared by the Office of Communications
Nov. 2, 2022