Following the celebration of Kenyon College’s bicentennial and the conclusion of the most successful fundraising campaign in its history last year, the College is now focused on its third century, with an emphasis on growing its distinctions and the sustainable resources to support them.
Trustee Matthew Voorhees ’95 is leading the way with a $25 million commitment. His gift will launch a new program that connects Kenyon’s interdisciplinary learning with hands-on experiences to equip students to tackle the challenges of today.
Voorhees has been a dedicated supporter of Kenyon for decades, but the gift represents a significant increase in his philanthropy. “I am absolutely thrilled to be able to make this gift to Kenyon, a place that continues to mean so much to me.”
“As an English major who went on to found a financial services software company, I know well that a Kenyon education prepares you to lead and innovate in any field. I am excited that Kenyon is working to codify these connections for today’s students. I’m proud to partner with President Kornfeld with this investment in Kenyon’s future,” said Voorhees, the cofounder of Anybill Financial in Washington, D.C.
Since arriving in October 2023, Kornfeld has been a vocal champion of Kenyon’s strategic plan, Foundations for Kenyon’s Third Century, and has led an institution-wide process to implement it.
Working groups of faculty and staff have identified key areas of strength upon which Kenyon can build. As part of this, work is underway to create six Kenyon pathways, or themes, allowing students to connect their interests from the classroom through experiential learning to their passions after Kenyon.
“This new program builds on Kenyon’s historic strengths. Our faculty, students and alumni have always reached across disciplines and beyond campus to explore ideas and put them into practice,” said Kornfeld.
Kenyon’s new initiative will assist students in building a portfolio of such experiences through internships, research opportunities and field work that connects their academic interests to the world beyond Kenyon.
“Long committed to our mission of building lives of purpose and consequence, Matt is a true steward of Kenyon’s future. His and other investments will empower the next generation of students to tackle the world’s most urgent challenges, just as Kenyon alumni have done for the last two centuries,” said Kornfeld.
Voorhees’ investment also serves as the lead gift for a new Third Century Founders initiative that seeks to raise $100 million for Kenyon’s endowment in two years. Voorhees is joined by seven other trustees, making gifts of $1 million or more. These and additional donors have already given more than $40 million to this Third Century Founders effort.
In addition to providing endowed operating support for the pathways program, Voorhees’ gift will allow for the creation of a guest house with meeting and teaching space for visiting alumni-in-residence who can be available to teach, coach, mentor or advise students for days or weeks at a time. The location has not yet been determined.
As part of the pathways program, the College will leverage alumni networks in key markets across the country and around the world to facilitate student opportunities for experiential education, civic engagement, immersive learning and more.
Voorhees’ gift also provides operating support for technology such as the new student-alumni networking platform , which allows students to connect with alumni in their city or their field as easily as asking a question via email.
Voorhees made his first gift to Kenyon — $25 to the Kenyon Fund — the year he graduated. Since then, he has gone on to make significant contributions to scholarships and for the construction of Keithley House »Æ¹Ï¾«Æ·English Quad, which is named for his mother and is also home to a seminar room named for , his friends and mentors. In addition, he made a gift to endow the Pamela G. Hollie Endowed Chair, Global Challenges, currently held by Yutan Getzler, professor of chemistry.
Earlier this year, an anonymous Third Century Founder made a gift to fully endow two Kenyon Review Fellow positions. Gifts to the endowment are welcome at all levels, and those giving $1 million or more will be recognized as Third Century Founders. Prior to the public launch this week, nine donors have made commitments at this level.
The Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial campaign concluded last year with $532 million given by nearly 23,000 people. Gifts to that campaign transformed campus with the revitalization of the Village, construction of the West Quad including Chalmers Library, additions to the English Quad, renovation of Bexley Hall into residences and addition of Thomas and Winkler halls to South Campus.
Donors also added $110 million to Kenyon’s endowment for scholarships, investments that will provide roughly $5 million each year in scholarships funds for students.
Growing Kenyon’s endowment, which is modest compared to peers, will provide sustainable income, reducing the College’s dependence on tuition revenue. That, combined with continued support of annual funds like the Kenyon Fund, are key to keeping costs down and admitting students regardless of need.
David W. Horvitz ’74 H’98, a longtime member of the Board and dedicated supporter of scholarships and the arts at Kenyon, including The Gund, lauded Voorhees’ investment. “I share the deep appreciation for Matt’s generous investment in Kenyon’s future as we enter our third century. I am excited by my friend’s leadership at the forefront of the next generation of Kenyon supporters.”