Celebrating 2021
The College’s 193rd Commencement recognizes graduating seniors and marks a partial return to the normal rhythms of Kenyon life. By David Hoyt
May 21, 2021
Kenyon’s 193rd Commencement took place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 21. Held in warm sunshine on McBride Field, which provides more space for social distancing than the traditional location on the lawn between Ascension Hall and Samuel Mather Hall, the ceremony recognized nearly 300 graduates of Kenyon’s Class of 2021.
Due to COVID-19, in-person attendance was limited to graduates, Kenyon faculty and staff participating in the ceremony and a limited number of pre-registered guests. However, all were welcome to view a livestream of the ceremony, which is now available as a recording.
May 19, 2021
When Assistant Professor of EnglishOrchid Tierney takes the stage at Kenyon’s 193rd Commencement on the morning of Friday, May 21, it won’t just be her first graduation ceremony in Gambier it will be her first, ever.
“I didn’t go to my commencements,” said Tierney. “So it’s exciting to me, I feel like I’m commencing and walking with the students.”
But Tierney won’t just be one of the many faculty members sitting in the bleachers of McBride Field: she’ll have an important role to play as more than 300 members of the Class of 2021 cross the stage. As secretary of the faculty, Tierney is charged with officially presenting candidates for degrees at Commencement that is, reading the names of graduating seniors.