On Tuesday, Kenyon celebrated its annual Honors Day to recognize the accomplishments of students, announce this year’s recipients of the Trustee Teaching Excellence Awards and award honorary doctorates to three community members. 

As faculty entered through the steps of Rosse Hall, donning their academic regalia, the convocation began with an opening speech from President Julie Kornfeld. “Honors Day is one of those ceremonies that gives shape and cadence to the academic year,” she said. “This ceremony offers us an opportunity to pause and to celebrate the academic achievements of our students.”

The ceremony continued with the awarding of honorary doctorates to community members of the College. The first was given to Mariana R. Cook P’17, a landscape and portrait photographer. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts for her photography and global artistic contributions, including photographing well-known figures such as the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama. James F. Parker ’81 P’10 was then awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters for his service to the College. During his time at Kenyon, he was a devoted member of the men’s swim team and has since served on the College’s Board of Trustees for over 10 years. 

LaShaunda M. Robinson ’09 was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science. During her acceptance speech, she touched on the difficult life experiences that have brought her to where she is today. “I grew up a child of an alcoholic, mentally ill mother,” she stated. “My siblings and I were abused and spent part of our childhood homeless, living in a car and learning far too early that stability is not guaranteed.” She now works as a biology teacher for a Columbus elementary school. “I stand before you today as living proof that when we invest in the potential of marginalized young people, we do more than change individual lives; we change families, communities and futures. We heal what has been broken as we strengthen the fabric of our society.”

Next, Cornelia “Buffy” Hallinan ’76 H’91, the College’s first female Board of Trustees member, distributed the Trustee Teaching Excellence Awards, established in 1999 by the College’s Board of Trustees to recognize two members of the Kenyon faculty for their outstanding teaching. The Senior Award was presented to Philip and Sheila Jordan Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology Siobhan Fennessy, and the Junior Award was given to Associate Professor of Art History Brad Hostetler.

Kornfeld then invited a longstanding member of Kenyon’s ceremonial community, David Eaton, to the stage. He has worked with the College to coordinate brass ensemble performances for over 30 years. Kornfeld proceeded to thank him for “helping elevate the pomp and circumstance of our ceremonies.”

The majority of Honors Day was devoted to recognizing students for academic, athletic and extracurricular achievements, with a total of 62 departmental and program prizes.

To end the ceremony, Vice President for Student Affairs Celestino Limas handed out three of the most prestigious awards of the day.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, presented to a community member who is said to exemplify the social justice work of King through service, activities and community involvement, was given to Julius Lavon Thompson II ’26, a dual-sport athlete who has served as housing manager and co-president of Men of Color. 

The Doris B. Crozier award, named in honor of the first and only dean of Kenyon’s Coordinate College for Women, was awarded to Mae Ling Gorin ’26, co-manager of the Crozier Center for Women and a senior admissions fellow. Limas described her as someone who “exemplifies selflessness and unwavering dedication to enhancing the social and intellectual life at Kenyon.” 

Finally, the E. Malcolm Anderson Cup is awarded annually to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, service and community. It was given to Student Council President Christiane Betfarhad ’26. “Her work reflects the understanding that student life is central to the Kenyon experience,” Limas explained during the ceremony. “Christiane has further strengthened opportunities for student engagement and advocacy through her dedication and collaborative spirit.”

A full list of fellowship and scholarship award recipients can be found online.