Kathryn Elkins and other professors gather before the Honors Day ceremony
The Honors Day procession marches up to Rosse Hall
The Honors Day ceremony is how Kenyon celebrates the achievements of its students and faculty in and outside of the classroom.
Every April, the Kenyon community gathers to honor academic achievement, community service, and leadership, with the awarding of department and college-wide prizes. It's a day to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of Kenyon's talented students.
The 2020 Honors Day ceremony took place virtually on Tuesday, April 14.
Every major and discipline studied at the College presents at least one prize to students who have made achievements in their particular fields. While many of the students honored with departmental prizes are members of the senior class, numerous awards are given to — and, in some cases, designated specifically for — students in their first, second, or third year at Kenyon.
The recipients of College prizes, which can be awarded to any member of the student body, are determined by committee consideration or campus-wide vote. Certain academic scholarships and community recognition prizes are also formally awarded during the ceremony.
Each year Kenyon recognizes alumni and others in the College family who have achieved distinction in their chosen fields. Honorary doctorates are awarded to these individuals to acknowledge Kenyon's pride in their contributions to society and the world.
The Trustee Teaching Excellence Awards are presented annually at Honors Day to two members of the faculty — one junior (with fewer than ten years of service) and one senior (with ten years of service or more). Faculty members recognize these awards as a meaningful mark of distinction. While the final selection of winners is made by the Board of Trustees, nominations are solicited from students and faculty members alike.