Report from the Board of Trustees

Chaired by Brackett B. Denniston ’69, the Kenyon College Board of Trustees met in Gambier on October 12–13. The central business of the meeting was to launch the public phase of Our Path Forward, Kenyon’s $300 million comprehensive fundraising campaign. In its plenary session on Saturday, the board heard from Vice President for Advancement Colleen Garland, who reported on campaign and other fundraising and alumni engagement priorities. Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator Samantha Hughes led a session on the College’s policies on sexual misconduct and discrimination, updating the board on the latest federal guidance on Title IX enforcement.

The committees of the board convened on Friday; highlights include:

• The Academic Affairs Committee approved the promotion of four members of the faculty to full professor: Karen Hicks, biology; James Keller, chemistry; Sam Pack, anthropology; and Jaret Treber, economics.

• The Admissions and Financial Aid Committee reviewed the Class of 2022 profile.

• The Budget, Finance and Audit Committee reviewed financial statements for fiscal year 2018 and heard an update on the 5-year budget model. The Investment Committee reviewed fiscal year 2018 returns.

• The Buildings and Grounds Committee heard updates on current and upcoming capital projects, including the West Quad and village projects.

• Vice President for Advancement Colleen Garland updated the Development and External Affairs Committee on alumni engagement and annual giving programs; Vice President for Communications Janet Lape Marsden reported on campaign communications; and the chairs of the Campaign Leadership Committee provided an update on campaign progress.

• The Student Affairs Committee welcomed Director of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation Jill McCartney, who provided an update on athletics. Director of Residential Life and Assistant Dean of Students Jill Engel-Hellman reported on Kenyon’s residential curriculum and first-year experience.

In other business, the board:

• Elected Liz Myers P’18 to fill a one-year opening as trustee-at-large.

• Adopted memorial resolutions honoring: Harry M. Clor, professor emeritus of political science; James D. Cox ’60 H’97, trustee emeritus; Beatrice “Buddy” Cummings Mayer P’71 H’87, trustee emerita; and Robert J. Tomsich H’84, trustee emeritus.

• Elected David Meuse as trustee emeritus in honor of his 13 years of service on the Kenyon College Board of Trustees.