The Kenyon College Board of Trustees convened in Gambier on Feb. 5-6 for its winter meeting. Despite the below-freezing temperatures, trustees enjoyed a warm welcome and plenty of seasonal activity. Those who arrived on Wednesday cheered the men’s basketball team in a nail-biting match against the College of Wooster, and on Thursday evening trustees took in a performance by Kenyon’s student comedy troupes.
President Julie Kornfeld framed the central discussion of the winter meeting in her opening remarks Thursday morning. “Given the unprecedented disruption to higher education over several years, Kenyon must make careful but bold use of the resources we have to advance our educational mission,” she said. “With turbulence, comes opportunity.”
Thursday’s discussions focused primarily on enrollment and budget. Diane Anci, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid, walked trustees through the process of making admissions decisions, using several recent applications as examples. Four senior admissions interns provided a sample of Kenyon’s distinctive information session, which features a panel of Kenyon students who field prospective students’ and families’ questions with candor and care. The students joined the trustees for lunch.
Following a marketing update from Vice President for Communications Janet Marsden, trustees turned their attention to the College’s budget. “As you have heard me say many times, we are not alone in experiencing budget pressures,” Kornfeld said. “Even the best resourced institutions are having to make difficult but necessary adjustments.”
Vice President for Finance Todd Burson reviewed the projections for the 2025-26 operating budget and reported on the progress toward setting the 2026-27 operating budget. He outlined the steps the College has taken to reduce operating expenses and personnel costs, and to ensure that spending is in line with institutional priorities. A full budget will be brought to the board by the end of April for review and approval.
Friday morning’s session centered on strategic initiatives designed to strengthen enrollment, increase retention, enhance reputation, and sharpen academic and co-curricular distinction — all with an eye toward ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Associate Provost Travis Landry reported on enhancements to the first- and second-year experience and to advising. Tory Weber, Kenyon’s new director of experiential programs, reported on the College’s progress toward developing signature “Kenyon City” programs in which students will spend a week or more studying particular topics; a pilot “Kenyon LA” program for film students is planned for this summer. Weber also outlined plans for pre-college programs during the summer at Kenyon, several of which will be tested this summer.
Members of the Kenyon in the World Committee reported on ways in which they are helping to expand Kenyon’s reach or raise Kenyon’s profile in their regions, industries or networks. Championing a board effort, the committee encouraged every trustee to identify specific ways that they can support students, such as providing career mentoring or hosting events for prospective students and families in their region.
In other business, the board:
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Shared appreciation for the eventful tenure of Jeff Bowman, who has held leadership positions in the Provost’s Office for nine years. He was appointed provost in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, and served as interim president during a presidential transition. Bowman will step down at the end of the academic year and plans to return full-time to teaching and his scholarly pursuits.
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Appointed Susan Finn to complete the term of her late husband, Jim Finn ’70, as at-large trustee through June 2027.
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Adopted memorial resolutions for former trustees James “Jim” Finn ’70 and Karen Buchwald Wright H’24 P’05,’09; Graham Gund ’63 H’81, who served on The Gund Board of Directors; and professors emeriti William “Bill” McCulloh H’99 and Tim Schutt H’21.
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Adopted a resolution of appreciation for former trustee Nettie Keck ’90.
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Approved the members of the Kenyon Review Board of Trustees.