Every Reunion Weekend, many alumni returning to campus to celebrate also take that opportunity to give back to Kenyon. Giving in honor of reunion years — and related friendly class by class competition — is a longstanding tradition that provides for scholarships, financial aid and much more.
Many alumni have been inspired by the yearlong celebration of Kenyon’s bicentennial to make gifts that grow the College’s endowment, providing funding in perpetuity, or to annual funds which provide for each day on the Hill.
Standout moments in reunion-related generosity include:
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President Julie Kornfeld announced to a soiree crowd of 1,000 guests that the Class of 1974 won this year’s Bishop’s Cup, with the most annual fund gifts in the current fiscal year and all non-annual fund gifts donated since the previous reunion. The 50th Reunion program provides a series of opportunities over a preceding two year period to renew friendships, strengthen connections with the College, and join together to leave a legacy at Kenyon. Kornfeld announced that the Class of 1974 combined to give $22,918,372.
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Sheldon and Adrianne Kimber, both of the Class of 1999, announced their $125,000 dollar-for-dollar match of gifts from new leadership donors of $2,500 and above (or less for young alumni). “Continued investment not only helps preserve the memories we cherish, it also ensures that other talented students are able to come here and make their own,” Sheldon Kimber said.
- At a reception for the Class of 1974 at the Gund Gallery, David W. Horvitz ’74 H’98 announced a new endowment for the care and maintenance of its collection. Horvitz is a member of the Kenyon and Gund boards and he and his wife have been steadfast supporters of art at Kenyon.
Individual alumni awards were presented leading up to and throughout the weekend. In addition, Jeff Bell ’84 won the D. Morgan Smith Award recognizing outstanding service as a class agent. View all awards here. These class awards were also presented:
Thomas Cup: Class of 1974
The Thomas Cup honors the Reunion Class (5th through 50th classes) with the largest amount given and pledged to the Kenyon annual funds in the current fiscal year. It was named for William H. Thomas Jr., Class of ’36, who later served Kenyon as alumni director and vice president for development for 20 years.
Class of '87 Award: Class of 2004
The Class of ’87 Award was created in 2007 to recognize the class among those celebrating 5th to 20th reunions, with the largest total dollars given to the Kenyon annual funds in the current fiscal year.
Class of '62 Award: Class of 2004
The Class of ’62 Award is presented to the reunion class from the 5th to the 20th classes with the greatest percentage of members contributing to the College in the current fiscal year.
Class of '63 Cup: Class of 2004
The Class of ’63 Award is given to the reunion class with the greatest percentage increase in dollars given to Kenyon annual funds over the previous fiscal year.
Class Totals 2024
(Class totals include annual fund gifts in the current fiscal year and all non-annual fund gifts donated since the previous reunion.
- 2014: $13,495
- 2019: $17,376
- 2009: $71,362
- 2004: $239,019
- 1994: $304,131
- 1964: $959,446
- 1999: $1,170,485
- 1984: $1,281,870
- 1989: $1,591,147
- 1979: $2,958,835
- 1969: $7,535,810
- 1974: $22,918,372