In September of 1969, a small group of students established Kenyon’s Black Student Union “to further the understanding of the ever changing perspective of the Black Student at Kenyon.” Founding members included Eugene Peterson ’70, Ruben “Ed” Pope ’70, Gary Hayes ’70, Keith O’Donnell ’72, Roland Parson ’72, Ulysses Hammond ’73, Johnnie Johnson ’73 and Barbara Lee Johnson ’73.
All alumni were invited to return to Gambier to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Black Student Union, September 25 through 28. Festivities began on Thursday evening and continued until early afternoon on Sunday. A team that includes current students and BSU alumni, including some of the founders, planned the programming for the weekend. Activities included faculty lectures, panel discussions, readings by Kenyon authors, music, dancing, and a reception at Cromwell Cottage, hosted by President Sean Decatur. Accommodations were available at the Kenyon Inn and the Holiday Inn Express.
For more information, please contact Chris Kennerly, associate dean of students and director of Multicultural Affairs, at kennerlyc@kenyon.edu.