Students enjoy new furniture on the Gund Commons patio.
From renovated lounges to fresh outdoor furniture to new local businesses in Gambier, a host of changes made over the summer aim to boost the student residential experience.
“The idea was to create more social spaces,” said Dean of Students Brian Janssen. “People build community in a lot of different ways. Some people like to cook together, some people like to study together, some people want to get together and play video games. And so the idea is to have a range of different spaces to meet each one of those needs depending on what students may be looking for on a particular day or night.”
Crews were busy this summer on a host of projects to help make this happen. These included renovating the lounges in McBride and Mather halls into separate study and social spaces; adding funky new furnishings to the “Gunderdome” lounge in Gund Residence Hall; populating the patio outside Gund Commons with new furniture; and upgrading the technology in Weaver Cottage.
Much of this work was done in partnership with Student Council, which surveyed students last year on what kinds of social spaces they would like to see more of and earmarked funds to help create them. Adding places that facilitate social interactions and foster a sense of community is a key student priority, according to Marissa Sun ’25, Student Council president.
“Kenyon’s Student Council is here to serve the student body and improve our campus for everyone,” she said. “By listening to student input, we are excited for students to foster community and enjoy campus life through the use of these spaces!”
Student Council paid for new tables and chairs — including Adirondack rockers — outside Gund Commons and a mobile television at Weaver, where internet capacity has been boosted. In the Gunderdome, the quirky furniture, rugs, lamps and plants it funded lend the large space a more homey vibe.
Brooke Baker, associate director of housing and operations, said she is excited about the reimagined Gunderdome.
“I think students will really like it,” she said. “There are some meditation cushions and different seating options than you would usually expect.”
First-year students also were welcomed into their new campus residences with a small jar of flowers, half of which came from Baker’s personal garden.
Across Middle Path at McBride and Mather halls, the lounges were fully renovated, receiving new flooring, lighting and furniture (some of which will arrive in early fall due to supply chain issues). The second-floor communal rooms in each building have been re-envisioned as study spaces. Each lounge now features a long study table, comfortable seating options, and high-backed chairs that provide additional private study areas. On the third floor of both buildings, brighter colors pop in kitchenettes with banquette-style seating along with a high-top table for a cafe-style feel.
Janssen explained that better spaces open up programming possibilities, whether it’s formal ones with a specific purpose — such as letting students use Weaver earlier in the day on “Weaver Wednesdays” — or impromptu options as students look for places to hang out.
Small upgrades make a big impact
Other improvements across campus were made due to the unusually large number of buildings that were offline and therefore not being used for summer housing.
On South Campus, maintenance workers were able to paint individual rooms and common spaces, install new ceiling tiles and make other repairs in Old Kenyon and Hanna and Leonard halls. Similar work took place in the New Apartments, allowing for deep cleaning and HVAC maintenance. Countertops, lights and doors were replaced as needed.
And routine maintenance and painting took place in buildings across the College, from Lewis Residence Hall and the North Campus Apartments to Bushnell and Manning Halls.
In Peirce Hall, Peirce Lounge got an update with new paint and hardwood flooring thanks to special project funding from the Bicentennial Advisory Committee. The updates were part of an effort to make it more inviting and usable for events and student use.
Open for business downtown
Downtown Gambier has a new look, too, now that two new businesses moved in over the summer.
The village welcomed Marlow Salon and Spa at 112 Gaskin Ave., next to the Gambier Deli, in early August. Previously located in Mount Vernon, the Aveda salon accepts the K-Card and provides hair services for all hair types, facial waxing and massage.
“We were in our location on Coshocton Avenue in Mount Vernon for nine years and look forward to the new Gambier location,” said owner Sarah Marlow. “Our decision for the move was based on the beautiful space and the community the village of Gambier has to offer.”
Birds of a Feather Bake Shop and Boutique also opened this month at 114 Gaskin Ave. It represents an extension of the work that owner Lisa Jacobs ’87 has been doing for the past year through her Happy Owl Mobile Bakery selling breads and pastries made from local ingredients. The new boutique features her baked goods as well as items from area artists, artisans and producers, and she hopes patrons will take the opportunity to “sample some of the local flavor.”
"I invite all who enjoy life around Middle Path and those exploring the area to come and sample some of what central Ohio has to offer!” Jacobs said.
Existing businesses saw some improvements as well. At Wiggin Street Coffee, workers took care of electrical service and panel upgrades (paving the way for the return of the coffee shop’s toaster), upgraded the HVAC unit, cleaned ductwork and completed exterior repairs.
Looking out for pedestrians
And work continues at the bottom of Gambier Hill as the Ohio Department of Transportation creates a roundabout to improve safety at the intersection of Route 229 and Wiggin Street. The project, expected to be completed in November, will help pedestrians who cross to reach the Brown Family Environmental Center (BFEC) on Laymon Road, too, as a crosswalk will be installed at the edge of the roundabout, and it will be connected to a new sidewalk along Wiggin.