Celebrating a Changemaker

From Kenyon News - March 21, 2017

Forgoing the typical trademarks of a retirement party, the College will honor the career of Professor Emerita of Biology Kathryn Edwards with a daylong symposium, a “Celebration of Women in Science at Kenyon College,” on Saturday, March 25. Edwards began teaching at Kenyon in 1978 and will conclude her career at the end of the semester.

Specializing in botany, cell physiology, and women’s and gender studies, Edwards taught “Biology of Female Sexuality,” “HIV/AIDS in Global Context,” “Energy in Living Systems,” “Experimental Biology” and other popular courses.

“Over the course of her career, Ryn has really embodied the role of the teacher-scholar,” said Associate Professor of Biology Drew Kerkhoff, chair of the biology department. “She is a remarkably energetic, curiosity-driven scientist, with projects ranging from the functioning of ion channels in plant cells to the diversity of trees and insects in Peruvian rainforests. And in all of her projects, she has taken students along for the ride, whether Kenyon students or high school teachers from the Kenyon Academic Partnership Biology program, which Ryn has long directed.”

Edwards has “worked tirelessly to empower women in the sciences, in academia and in our broader society,” Kerkhoff added, and the goal of the “Celebration of Women in Science at Kenyon College” event is “to bring students, faculty, and alumnae together to discuss the changing roles of women both at Kenyon and in the sciences.”

The day’s events include a lunch with students that will feature a reflection on the early years of women at Kenyon, and two afternoon panels. One panel, “Transformation of Women Faculty at Kenyon,” will include former faculty members Joan Cadden, Rita Kipp H’07 and others. The other panel, “Kenyon Women at Work: Building Careers in Science,” will spotlight alumnae who have embarked on careers in the sciences. A networking event with students and a public reception will round out the day’s events.

The full schedule of activities:

• 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Networking lunch with alumni and students. Welcome and reflection on the early years of women at Kenyon, with alumnae from the first classes of women: Alice Straus ’75, Cornelia Ireland Hallinan ’76 H’91 and Kim Smith ’74 P’13. Alumni Dining Room. Tickets available at the door of the Gund Servery.
• 1-2 p.m. Panel discussion: “Transformation of Women Faculty at Kenyon,” with former professors Joan Cadden and Rita Kipp H’07, Associate Professor of Psychology Irene Lopez and Professor of Physics Paula Turner. Peirce Lounge.
• 2:15-3:15 p.m. Panel discussion: “Kenyon Women at Work: Building Careers in Science,” with Stephanie Blumer ’98, Susan Hudson ’81 P’19, Vani Patibandla ’93 and Karen Scott ’98. Peirce Lounge.
• 3:30-5 p.m. Networking circles with alumni and students, followed by a public reception for Kathryn Edwards. Alumni Dining Room.

The event is open to alumni, and registration is encouraged.