New Summer Program Offers Adults an "Education Vacation"

GAMBIER, Ohio (October 16, 2012)

Kenyon often inspires alumni and parents to fall into a fantasy that goes something like: "I wish I could take a course from a Kenyon professor, have long intellectual conversations while strolling on Middle Path or relaxing in those Adirondack chairs, and work out at the KAC before a convivial dinner (prepared by someone else) in the Great Hall in Peirce."

That fantasy can now become real, thanks to a new summer program for adults that will be offered for the first time in June 2013. It's called the Kenyon Summer Seminar, and it provides a week-long "education vacation" in which participants can take one or two mini-courses taught by faculty members, while enjoying the campus and meeting like-minded learners.

"Imagine being back in the classroom with a Kenyon professor, reading and learning about their latest research and a subject that engages you," explained Sarah Kahrl, director of the Institute and Kenyon's vice president for college relations. "After class, you'll be able to design your free time on the beautiful Kenyon campus, choosing from a menu of hands-on workshops complementing your subject matter, taking part in recreation in and around Kenyon, dining with new friends, or just enjoying a quiet read under the trees in a Kenyon Adirondack chair. "

The Summer Seminar is one of five programs sponsored by a new organization for adult summer learning called the Kenyon Institute. Of the other programs, three focus on writing in specific fields - playwriting, art criticism, and biomedical writing - and one is an in-service workshop for high school teachers. Institute participants will stay in the newly-constructed air conditioned North Campus apartments.

Registration for the programs has just opened. Those who are interested can find more information on a new Web site, www.kenyoninstitute.org. Or they can contact Barbara Kakiris '97, manager of marketing and sales for the Kenyon Institute, at kakirisb@kenyon.edu, phone 740-427-5101. Brochures are available for each program as well. Most seminars are capped at ten participants each, to ensure discussion and interaction with faculty and participants alike.

"There's a real thirst among adult learners for programs like these, and we're delighted with the roster of ten courses developed by Kenyon faculty members, many based on new publications and research they've conducted recently," commented Kahrl. "The topics range from film adaptations of Shakespeare plays to the biology of exercise and fitness - we think there's something for every learner at Kenyon next June."

Kenyon Summer Seminar Courses, June 23-29, 2013

"Molecules That Move Us." The science of exercise and fitness.
Instructor: Chris Gillen, Professor of Biology

"Dante's Divine Comedy." A mini-version of the legendary Kenyon course.
Instructor: Timothy Shutt, Professor of Humanities

"Understanding the Orchestra." An inside view of interpretation and performance.
Instructor: Dane Heuchemer, Professor of Music

"Art and Science, Science and Art: Materials and Conservation." The science and history behind artistic magnificence.
Instructors: Sheryl Hemkin, Associate Professor of Chemistry; Kristen Van Ausdall, Associate Professor of Art History

"Shakespeare on Film." Studying four great plays and the films they inspired.
Instructor: Sergei Lobanov-Rostovsky, Professor of English

"Beyond Fossil Fuels." Exploring the science of renewable energy.
Instructor: Scott Cummings, Professor of Film

"The Human Body, Drugs, and Chemistry." How do common drugs interact with the body?
Instructor: Sheryl Hemkin, Associate Professor of Chemistry

"Reading World Literature." Understanding a new field through fascinating literary works.
Instructor: Travis Landry, Assistant Professor of Spanish

"Still/Moving Images: Stop-Motion Animation in the Arts." Create your own works in an exciting and powerful genre.
Instructor: Claudia Esslinger, Professor of Art

"Imaging the Night Sky." Produce high-quality pictures of outer space.
Instructor: Paula Turner, Professor of Physics