Clarity of Purpose in a Complex World

Julie Kornfeld was inaugurated as Kenyon’s 20th president as the College celebrates its bicentennial year. A highly regarded academic leader and committed educator, Kornfeld is a champion of interdisciplinary collaboration, curricular innovation and cross-cutting institutional partnerships. She comes to Kenyon with a proven history of forging productive paths for study and research, and sees Kenyon as a community well positioned to take on the challenges of our time.

Inauguration Stories and Speeches

A New Era Begins

Kenyon News

Julie Kornfeld was installed as Kenyon’s 20th president during a celebratory weekend full of pomp, circumstance and a call to action.

By Ryan E. Smith
Date

“My promise to you is that I will show up as Kenyon's 20th president, knowing that I do not do this work alone.”

Julie Kornfeld
President

Scenes from Inauguration Weekend

President Julie Kornfeld was inaugurated on Saturday, April 13 as Kenyon's 20th president. The days leading up to her installation ceremony were full of reflection, song and joy.

Former Acting President Jeffrey Bowman and President Emerita S. Georgia Nugent present President Julie Kornfeld with her chain of office.
The Chamber Singers performed the anthem "We Were Made for Water," a choral work resulting from a collaboration between English professor and poet Orchid Tierney and music professor and composer Ross Feller.
The illumination of Old Kenyon, which last happened in 2013. Student a cappella groups performed in a cabaret, and the Old Kenyon bell pealed 20 times to ring in our 20th president.
President Kornfeld talks with a student

About President Julie Kornfeld

A skilled epidemiologist, Julie Kornfeld recognizes that addressing complex problems calls for the collaboration of deep thinkers across disciplines. In her role as president, she will build on Kenyon’s strengths of preparing graduates to think critically and creatively about ideas that move the world forward.

Welcome, President Kornfeld

During President Kornfeld's first month at Kenyon, she shared her first impressions of the campus community and her eagerness to collaborate with students, faculty, staff and alumni on the work that lies ahead.

Kenyon College Presidents: 1824-2024

In its nearly 200 years, Kenyon College has seen twenty different Presidents. From Bishop Philander Chase to our newest and current President Julie Kornfeld, learn about the history of the Presidency at Kenyon.

Kenyon's Presidents

Inauguration Committee

Professor of Political Science Joe Klesner, inauguration committee chair
Contact
Email Address
inauguration@kenyon.edu