History of the Crozier Center for Women

Founded in the late 1980s, the Crozier Center for Women has a rich history that honors Kenyon’s steps towards coeducation in the late 1960s and recognizes the evolving needs of women into the 21st century. Below, you can explore an abridged version of the Crozier Center for Women’s history.

Origin of the Name

The Crozier Center for Women is named for Doris Crozier, the first and only dean of Kenyon’s Coordinate College for Women from 1969-1972.

Kenyon became coeducational in September 1969, when 160 women arrived on campus. Reception to the presence of women was mixed, and the first women on the Hill were admitted to the Coordinate College for Women, not Kenyon itself, and they were not allowed to sign the Matriculation Book. Residences were not ready for them, and some College buildings lacked restrooms for women. Kenyon’s first tenured female professor also arrived on the Hill at the same time as the first full class of women. As such, the Crozier Center for Women was designed to be used by all women in the Kenyon community — students and members of the administration, faculty, staff and broader community.

A recent article in the Collegian, Kenyon's student-run newspaper, provides more information about the history of coeducation at Kenyon.

Previous Student Managers

Each year, the Crozier Center for Women relies upon student leaders to fulfill the mission of the center. These student leaders serve as managers for the space, helping to ensure that the center is student-centered and student-guided. Student managers also plan, organize and execute many of the center’s events in consultation and coordination with staff and faculty.

Below is a list of previous student managers for the Crozier Center for Women, which has been compiled in an effort to recognize their contributions to the center’s legacy at Kenyon. There are some gaps for the earlier years — if you were or know someone who was a past manager for the center, please contact crozier@kenyon.edu.