The Board of Trustees convened from April 22 to 24 for its spring meeting to finalize the $198 million budget for the 2026-27 academic year, award tenure to seven professors and discuss enrollment. On Wednesday, the Office of Communication released a report on the meeting’s events.
Notably, this was Aileen Hefferren ’88 H’12’s last Board meeting of her term as chair. In her place, the Board elected member Matthew Voorhees ’95. Last year, to kick off the Third Century Founders initiative, Voorhees donated $25 million to the College. The Board took the time to celebrate Kenyon’s benefactors, unveiling a permanent display in Peirce Hall currently commemorating 21 significant donors to the initiative. The report notes that the $100 million addition to the endowment should produce a consistent income of $5 million annually.
Trustee Christine Sharkey ’80 of the Campus and Finance Committee gave a presentation on the budget process. Sharkey outlined ways the committee has made an effort to flatten and reduce costs to rationalize the College’s budget. The Board finalized the College’s $198 million budget for the 2026-27 academic year. This meeting confirmed the $93,090 comprehensive cost for students, a 5.5% increase in the financial aid budget and a flat 2% compensation increase for faculty and staff.
The Board of Trustees awarded tenured positions to Assistant Professor of History Hilary Buxton, Assistant Professor of Art History Katherine Calvin, Associate Professor of Sociology Marci Cottingham, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Latino/a Studies Tomás Gallareta Cervera, Dorothy and Thomas Jegla Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Ruth Heindel, Assistant Professor of English Travis Chi Wing Lau and Robert P. Hubbard Assistant Professor of Poetry Michael Leong. Tenure-track appointments were awarded to Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology Ethan Hillman as well as four professors who are new to Kenyon: Iris Howley (computing), Katharine Lindquist (international studies, starting in 2027), Elle McCuskey Weeks (mathematics) and Sizhao Yi (art history).
The report also discussed admissions on April 23, claiming that the early decision yield rate “continues to hold strong.” Figures on regular decision yield are still unknown at this stage in the admissions process. The report then discusses an initiative in development, “Kenyon Keys.” According to a recent article from the Office of Communications, the initiative intends to expand funding for summer research and internship stipends. Kenyon currently only has the endowed funds to support about 57 such experiences annually.
The Board’s Inclusion and Equity committee met with Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chris Kennerly and reported back on their conversation on supporting students. Voorhees proposed a series of changes to the Board’s committee structure. The proposed changes would break down the distinction between the Board’s strategic and operational committees.
The Board approved the Class of 2026 for graduation, as well as a posthumous degree for Lucian Li ’26. Finally, several retiring faculty were designated to receive honorary degrees, including Associate Professor of Art Read Baldwin, Professor of Chemistry John Hofferberth, Professor of Sociology Jennifer Johnson, Professor of Drama Wendy MacLeod, Professor of Biology Wade Powell, Associate Professor of Italian Patricia Lyn Richards, Professor of Political Science and International Studies Stephen Van Holde and Professor of Philosophy Yang Xiao.
Additionally, honorary degrees will be awarded during Commencement to James Patrick Finn ’70, a former trustee and member of the Kenyon Review Board. Finn died over the summer of 2025. Paul Tazewell, the Tony Award-winning costume designer and 2026 Commencement speaker, will also be honored.
On April 24, the Board appeared at a dedication talk to the late Graham Gund ’63 H’81 in Oden Hall. The campus was covered in signs documenting Gund’s architectural contributions. “[Gund] burnished our legacy and traditions by creating structures and spaces that have and will continue to allow Kenyon to grow and evolve,” College President Julie Kornfeld was quoted as saying in the report.