Gifts support construction of new student housing

When Kenyon announced the "We Are Kenyon" campaign in June 2007, the improvement of student residences was one of its top priorities. Trustee Robert W. (Bob) Goldman '63, of Sugar Land, Texas, was among the first to support this priority with a gift of $500,000 in the campaign's first year. Now he has added to that initial support with funds to match new gifts for the north campus student residences.

Pleased to see the plans for the new student townhouses when he returned to Kenyon last month for the Board of Trustees meeting, Goldman pledged to double his gift, with a challenge. For each $1 million raised in new contributions for student residences, Goldman will give an additional $100,000, up to $500,000. Within hours of the challenge announcement, an additional $250,000 had already been pledged, bringing the total contributions raised for housing to date to more than $2 million, exclusive of Goldman's new challenge gift.

"Student housing and the Village of Gambier have always been my focus for Kenyon," said Goldman. "I was thrilled to learn the College will soon begin to build housing so close to the center of town and I look forward to seeing the difference student housing—designed by my fellow classmate Graham Gund—will make in the quality of life for Kenyon students."

The decision to build townhouses, rather than a large residence hall, gives the College flexibility during challenging economic times. The houses can be built one by one, as the funds are raised for each.

In designing the townhouses, Gund Partnership has given special consideration to the beauty of the north campus and the preservation of green space and trees. When all phases of the north campus residence construction are completed, twenty townhouses will cluster around a village green filled with mature trees and an open space for gathering.

The townhouses are also designed to comply with Kenyon's sustainability plan. The residences will be LEED certified and will be heated and cooled through the use of geothermal wells. Powered by electricity, the wells use the earth as a source of heat without creating pollution or affecting the groundwater supply.

Construction of the first townhouse is expected to begin this summer, pending final approval by the board and local regulatory approval. "Seeing the renderings of the townhouses has realized the aspirations of our trustees to improve the quality of student housing," said Sarah Kahrl, vice president for College Relations. "They are committed to raising the funds needed to enhance student life as we strive to reach our campaign goals."