Kenyon students are more than one thing, and Julius Lavon Thompson II ’26 is no exception.
He is a student leader, having served as president of the Black Student Union, vice president and housing manager of Men of Color, and a charter member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He is an athlete who played running back for the football team and who was a member of the men’s track and field team.
A psychology major, Thompson was awarded this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, presented annually to the student who has best promoted social justice through service activities and programs. The two-sport athlete took a few minutes during Senior Week to share some of his favorite memories of Kenyon and why he still needs to learn to play golf.
Besides Gambier, where is your favorite place in the world to be?
As my hometown, Dallas is my favorite place because of the comfort it provides and because of the strong connections it brought to me that still hold up today.
Why did you come to Kenyon?
Kenyon was the only school I visited where I felt welcome and wanted and not just an athlete.
Fill in the blank: My experience at Kenyon would not be the same without ______.
Dean (Chris) Kennerly (dean for diversity, equity and inclusion) has been instrumental in my development here at Kenyon as a leader and as a man. He helped introduce me to the Black Student Union and was a driving force in helping to bring Kappa Alpha Psi to Kenyon's campus, even though he's an Omega. He's truly been a father figure and a great support system for me throughout my four years at Kenyon, and I'll definitely miss seeing him around every week.
What is your favorite Kenyon tradition?
Rallying together when the ice cream machine breaks.
What Kenyon class would you love to take — again or for the first time?
I would like to take graphic design with Professor Alex (Assistant Professor of Art A.F. Oehmke) again because the class material was extremely fun to work on, and the classroom environment was very supportive and comfortable.
If there was a soundtrack to your Kenyon experience, what song would be on repeat?
“Investin’ & Wine Testin’” by 51 June because of the nostalgic feeling it brings to me through the sample, and because it reminds me of the music I'm used to back home in Dallas. Though 51 June is an Alabama artist, his southern style is very recognizable to me.
Where do you find satisfaction outside of your studies?
In track and football, as well as in enjoying leisure time with my friends.
What is something interesting that you have read recently?
I haven’t read anything in its entirety recently but “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” by Trevor Noah is my favorite book to date.
What new skill would you like to learn?
I would love to learn how to play golf so that I can beat my friends.
What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?
That the culmination of love is grief, so there’s no need to feel too down on yourself at the end of the road as long as you know you loved it completely.
The Kenyon Ten is an occasional question-and-answer feature that highlights students, faculty and staff.