Art Rising

GAMBIER, Ohio (December 19, 2007) The "We Are Kenyon" campaign will begin to transform campus quite tangibly this spring, when construction gets under way for two new art buildings. Campaign donors have already given $30 million of the $39 million needed for the buildings, one for studio art and one for art history and exhibitions.

The buildings, which will incorporate a range of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly technologies and practices, are just one of several initiatives that are advancing as the campaign enters 2008. Kenyon has received gifts totaling approximately $50 million for new endowment. That includes nearly $40 million toward the $70-million goal for financial aid endowment.

Two recent grants will support curricular projects conceived as part of the campaign. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation gave the College a $600,000 grant for "Teachers Teaching Teachers," through which faculty members will participate in seminars designed to build new interdisciplinary programs. A $710,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities will enable Kenyon to create a Center for the Study of American Democracy.

The Kenyon Fund, meanwhile, continues to build momentum in the 2007-08 fiscal year, which ends on June 30. The fund, which supports virtually every aspect of life on campus, is showing increases over last year, both in the number of donors and in total gifts.

The "We Are Kenyon" campaign seeks to raise $230 million to strengthen teaching and learning, community life, and resources for financial aid. In addition to providing increased scholarship aid, new endowment will support student research, innovative teaching practices, the Kenyon Review, and programming in the new art buildings. Construction projects include the Peirce Hall renovation and reconstruction of Dempsey Hall, new student residences, and new facilities for both English and interdisciplinary programs.