A South African pipe band drummer, an award-nominated playwright, a dozen novelists, and a cross-country bicyclist are among the 452 members of the Class of 2018 joining Kenyon this fall. The incoming first-year students, plus 11 transfer students, will be welcomed at opening Convocation on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 1:30 p.m. on the Samuel Mather Science Hall lawn.
“Kenyon had an extraordinary year in admissions,” Jennifer Delahunty, dean of admissions and financial aid, said. “After an unprecedented 63 percent increase in applications this year, we admitted a class of students who show great academic promise as well as potential for enhancing the Kenyon community.”
Of the incoming class, 20 percent are domestic students of color — a new high for Kenyon — with nearly equal representation of Asian American/Pacific Islander, African American, and Latino/a students. Following a significant increase in the College’s international applicant pool, which more than doubled this year, Kenyon enrolled 50 students holding a passport from another country, including 21 non-U.S. citizens. Socio-economic diversity also is on the rise, with first-generation students representing 11 percent of the class.
While students from Ohio continue to represent the highest number — 72 — of enrolled students, this year California is second in rank with 49 students, and New York is home to 40. Overall, Kenyon enrolled students from 39 states, Washington, D.C. and U.S. territories, and 13 countries, including Russia, South Africa, China, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
An academically accomplished group, 43 percent of those reporting grade point averages achieved a 4.0 or higher. They completed an average of 4.6 Advanced Placement courses and four units of science, with 63 percent studying calculus. In addition, 62 percent of the incoming students graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school classes, with 76 students graduating in the top 1 percent.
Members of the Class of 2018 arrived at Kenyon on Saturday, Aug. 23, and are participating in orientation activities through Wednesday, Aug. 27. Highlights include a reception for new students and families, an academic department fair, a formal class dinner, and the traditional first-year sing. Orientation concludes Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. with an all-campus picnic held in conjunction with Gund Gallery.