The Kenyon Collegian

10/02/2024

Whether you participated in high school or saw it in pop culture, you’ve probably heard of Model UN, an extracurricular in which students play the role of delegates in a mock United Nations meeting. Last spring, Secretary General Yaell Urrunaga Adrianzen ’27, Deputy Secretary-General & Parliamentarian Zoe Trexel ’27 and Treasurer Owen Edelson ’27 established a Model UN team at Kenyon and as they gear up for an exciting year of competition, they hope it’s here to stay.

The organization opened its second interest meeting with the most pressing question of contemporary diplomacy: What is your favorite flag? Answers ranged from Bhutan for its “sick dragon” to Sweden for the “IKEA-reminiscent colors.” The meeting continued with a game in which the executive committee divided the room into teams of two and assigned each team a prompt such as “The United States’ opinion on Venezuela” or “Japan and Nuclear Energy.” Each team wrote a two-minute speech to be presented to the group. Then, execs started a 10-minute timer. The room burst into motion: pencil scratching, keyboard clicking, page turning and discussion. After time ran out, attendees delivered eloquent, informative and occasionally tastefully comedic speeches. The meeting concluded with snacks and an episode of Parks and Recreation.

Read more at the kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Laney Tullius and Natalia Segelbach. Photo courtesy of Kenyon College Model UN.

10/01/2024

The Kenyon cross country teams competed in the All-Ohio Intercollegiate Classic on Friday in Cedarville, Ohio. The men’s team earned fourth place, while the women finished in ninth.

Men: For the second consecutive race, Josh Breard ’26 paced the Owls. In the 8K race, he stopped the clock at 26:38.0, earning a 63rd-place finish in a field of more than 400 runners. Charlie Blackmer ’28 and Peter Bernhardt ’25 were next across the finish line for Kenyon. Blackmer finished the race in 26:43.9 and Bernhardt ran a 26:46.5, good for 72nd and 76th place, respectively. Henry Rodrigues ’26 finished in 90th place with a time of 27:02.6, and Dylan Sibbitt ’26 rounded out the Owls’ top-five runners with a time of 27:04.0 and a 94th-place finish.

Kenyon’s fourth-place finish in the All-Ohio Classic was the team’s best since 2002, and Blackmer credited the team’s training for its success. “We were able to [run together] pretty well during [the] All-Ohio [Classic], as we were able to run a 26-second split between our top five guys, which is a pretty amazing split especially for such a long race,” he wrote in an email to the Collegian. Breard also highlighted the importance of running together in tough races in the future: “There are a few adjustments the team will make going forward, moving our packs up closer to the front, starting with our top guys is an essential step in fully utilizing our potential.”

Read more at the kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Editor-in-Chief, Katie Sparvero. Photo courtesy of Marty Fuller.

09/30/2024

After more than two years of work on Kenyon’s South Quad, the College’s two newest residence halls have names: Thomas Hall and Winkler Hall. The names honor Kenyon alumni Richard L. Thomas ’53 H’72 P’81 and Matt Winkler ’77 P’13 H’00.

Thomas Hall, located on the east side of South Quad next to Leonard Hall, will open to students in January. Winkler Hall, which sits on the other side of the quad behind Hanna Hall, will follow in the fall of 2025.

“It’s a wonderful tribute to two alum who have been incredibly generous donors and supporters of Kenyon,” President Julie Kornfeld said in an interview with the Collegian. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to recognize their contribution.”

Read more at the kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Editor-in-Chief Audrey Baker. Photo courtesy of Hannah Dourgarian.

09/29/2024

Last week, more than 100 eager students received an email telling them they had been selected to receive an art loan from The Gund for their dorms. The Art Loan Program allows Kenyon students to borrow art from The Gund for their dorm rooms, giving students the opportunity to engage with and learn from the artwork outside of a gallery setting, while also introducing students to the maintenance and care of art pieces. This year, 188 students entered the Art Loan lottery and 103 were selected.

When entering the lottery, students were asked to rank five works in order of preference, with the first being the piece they’d most like to receive if selected. Students’ names were put into a randomized list and the first 103 students were matched with the pieces. “Some students are selected for art loan, but do not match with their top-five works because those works have already been paired with a different student. In that case, we offer the unmatched works to these students,” Tillie Wang ’23, a post baccalaureate fellow in Museum Practices and Arts Administration, wrote in an email to the Collegian.

Read more at the kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Alex Hofacre. Photo courtesy of The Gund.

09/19/2024

During Orientation Week, changes to the class of 2028’s open-registration process culminated in a line outside the Registrar’s Office that spanned multiple floors of Chalmers Library. Members of Kenyon’s administration met on Monday to discuss changes to the process for the spring semester.

Complications arose due to the College’s plan to transition to credit hours starting with the class of 2028. During the 24-hour open-registration period that follows schedule releases, students in the class of 2027 and above can use MyBanner to change their courses because they are still earning credit units. However, MyBanner doesn’t currently account for the credit hours that first-years are earning; if first-years used MyBanner for open registration, the system would register 0.5 credit units as 0.5 credit hours, instead of 4 credit hours. This would allow some students to over-enroll, taking seats away from other students who hadn’t yet met their intended number of classes.

Read more at the kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Daisy Newbury. Photo courtesy of Don Miller.

09/18/2024

The No. 5 Kenyon men’s soccer team went on a road trip last weekend, facing No. 24 Johns Hopkins University (Md.) on Friday and No. 17 Franklin & Marshall College (Pa.) on Sunday. The Owls secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Blue Jays then drew 1-1 with the Diplomats to move to 3-0-1 on the season.

Kenyon got off to a hot start against the Johns Hopkins, with an unassisted goal by Andrew Adams ’28 in just the sixth minute of action. It was the first-year’s first collegiate goal, and with it, the Owls were able to take a more defensive shape. Shortly after, however, Kenyon saw its lead evaporate as Johns Hopkins struck back in the 19th minute. Despite the Owls’ best efforts to keep the ball in front of them, some well-timed Blue Jays passes snuck past the Kenyon defense to even the score.

From there, both teams played in a gridlock fashion, with neither nationally ranked side wanting to concede the potential game-winner. The score remained tied for the next 70 minutes, but in the 89th minute, with just eight seconds remaining in the game and Kenyon breaking out for one final attack on the Johns Hopkins goal, first-year Justin Buchwalter ’28 found the ball on his right foot. He then took a touch and buried a rolling shot past the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The Kenyon bench exploded with cheers, as the dramatic late goal proved to be the game-winner.

Story written by Henry Brandt. Read more at the kenyoncollegian.com. Photo courtesy of Sejin Kim.

09/17/2024

On Saturday, the Kenyon community gathered in the Horn Gallery to enjoy bands, stand-up comedy and even a closing trombone performance. Throughout the night, performers displayed creativity and natural talent. Visitors’ infectious enthusiasm for every act filled Kenyon students’ hearts with pride. While the beginning of the school year can be a concoction of stress, excitement and adjustment, Saturday’s event set the tone for a year full of welcoming, energetic events.

Read more at kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Toms Russ. Photo courtesy of Prince Davenport.

09/06/2024

Julia Jane Igoe ’25 passed away on May 26 at the age of 21. Julia was a bright and dedicated student, a loyal friend and teammate and a force for good in the world. She is survived by her parents, Paul Igoe and Judith Gnys; her brothers, Dylan and Harrison; her grandmothers, Ann Gnys and Theresa Igoe; and countless others who knew and loved her.

Julia, a native of Lincoln, Rhode Island, wore her principles proudly on her sleeve. After she passed away, a group of her close friends found a piece of paper with a list of some of her most deeply held values: “Family, love, kindness, stand up for what I believe in, loyalty and strength.” Claudia Abram ’25 said, “I don’t remember what it was for. But we feel like it deeply reflects who she was.”

Read more at kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Katie Sparvero. Photo courtesy of Paul Igoe.

05/04/2024

On Friday afternoon, students flocked to Peirce Lawn for the College’s 44th annual Summer Sendoff. The event featured live music from indie pop project Del Water Gap and three student bands, while the balmy 71-degree weather ensured that plenty of students showed up to celebrate. The annual Sendoff event is co-sponsored by Social Board and the Office of Student Engagement (OSE).

Read more at kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Daisy Newbury. Photo Courtesy of Simone Martel.

https://kenyoncollegian.com/news/2024/05/del-water-gap-student-bands-shine/

On Friday afternoon, students flocked to Peirce Lawn for the College’s 44th annual Summer Sendoff, which featured live music from indie pop project Del Water Gap and three student bands.

04/19/2024

After being injured in the July 2023 car accident that tragically claimed the life of Lucian Li, Will Jordan ’26 and David Chintala ’26 are back on the lacrosse field. With any season comes challenges, but having lost a teammate and close friend, Jordan and Chintala have grappled with both physical and mental hurdles over the course of the school year. Throughout it all, they have relied on the support of their teammates, coaches and families, and are now setting their sights on winning the NCAC Championship in honor of Lucian. Jordan and Chintala sat down with the Collegian to discuss recovering from their injuries, remembering their friend and striving to live for Lucian in all that they do.

Read more at kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Sacha Franjola. Photo courtesy of David Chintala.

https://kenyoncollegian.com/features/2024/04/jordan-and-chintala-reflect-on-teammate-friend-lucian-li/

Following the car accident that claimed the life of their friend and lacrosse teammate Lucian Li, Will Jordan ’26 and David Chintala ’26 faced numerous physical and mental hurdles on the road to recovery.

04/19/2024

On Saturday, President Julie Kornfeld was formally installed as Kenyon’s 20th president and second female president. Over the weekend of her inauguration, which took place on the Toan Track in the Lowry Center, Kenyon College celebrated several events, most notably the historic illumination of Old Kenyon (Old K) and an all-campus dance party on Saturday evening.

Read more at kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Rachel Botkin. Photo courtesy of James Decamp.

https://kenyoncollegian.com/news/2024/04/julie-kornfeld-formally-installed-as-kenyons-20th-president/

On Saturday, President Julie Kornfeld was formally installed as Kenyon’s 20th president and second female president.

04/06/2024

On Friday, Beyoncé released her highly anticipated eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter. Visiting Assistant Professor of Art History Dani Ezor, who specializes in 18th-century Western art with a focus on race and class and is currently teaching ARHS 291: Special Topic: Beyoncé’s Art History, spoke to the Collegian about the new album’s content, cultural significance and historical influences.
Read more at Kenyoncollegian.com. Story written by Dorothy Yaqub. Photo courtesy of Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records.
https://kenyoncollegian.com/arts/2024/04/on-the-record-professor-ezor-on-beyonces-cowboy-carter/

Visiting Assistant Professor of Art History Dani Ezor sits down with the Collegian to discuss Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter.