From Thursday through Friday, Kenyon will welcome students and alumni to celebrate the 102nd annual Homecoming, this year branded as Festifall: A Kenyon Homecoming. The Kenyon football team will face off against the John Carroll Blue Streaks, and students will have the opportunity to engage in networking and social activities.
In the past few years, the College has been revamping its approach to Homecoming, emphasizing the alumni aspect and the event’s role in contributing to Kenyon culture. In a 2023 email to the Collegian, former Assistant Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement Cameron Ingram wrote, “The hard [question] we had to ask ourselves was how do we build this weekend to be inclusive for every individual that would like to attend and participate. Not only for this year, but years to come.” The Festifall rebranding appears to be in that same vein of adaptation.
Dean of Students Brian Janssen announced the rebranding at the Sept. 14 Student Council meeting. In an email to the Collegian, he elaborated on the decision, writing, “For the past few years we have been tinkering with the name. This year we tested a few names with students, faculty and staff, and Festifall emerged as the winner. Along with some cool new branding materials, we are excited to bring fun vibes to campus this weekend.”
The assorted events taking place over the weekend represent the collaborative effort between Alumni and Parent Engagement; the Department of Athletics Fitness and Recreation; the Division of Student Affairs; AVI Foodsystems; the Maintenance Department; the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; the Office of Student Engagement; The Gund and Social Board. Associate Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement Events Emily Mullins highlighted, “Students should be sure to check out the Friday evening career networking reception (pre-registration required), Saturday’s Block Party at the Lowry Center, which includes lunch and entertainment, leading into the football game and Saturday night bingo, always a student favorite!”
Outside the realm of football, the weekend features a volleyball game against Wooster, a Kenyon Student-Athlete Hall of Fame induction and several events related to the 50-year reunion of women’s track and field.
According to Mullins, over 200 alumni have registered and are expected to be on campus sometime over the weekend, allowing Kenyon students the opportunity to rub shoulders with alumni from across the country. Networking is one of the most important aspects of Homecoming for current students. As Mullins described it, “Homecoming provides alumni with an opportunity to return to campus and stay connected to the exciting things happening at Kenyon. It’s also a chance for students to engage directly with alumni. Whether through networking opportunities, mentoring or simply building relationships that last well beyond their time at Kenyon.”
Charitably minded students also have the opportunity to give back to their community at 3 p.m. on Friday. The Generosity Project is collaborating with the Village of Gambier to organize a cleanup of the Village. And for less charitably minded students, a bonfire will also be held on Friday at 8 p.m. near Gund Commons.
Festifall: A Kenyon Homecoming is a fine opportunity for Kenyon students to get out of their dorm over the weekend and interact with their community and do the sorts of things that Kenyon puts on its brochures. “The thing I love about Festifall is there is something for everyone,” Janssen wrote. “Whether you want to sit by a bonfire with friends, network with alumni, cheer on a Kenyon team, get involved with service or play a high-stakes game of bingo, I truly think all of these options are amazing opportunities to engage in our campus community.”