This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Kenyon chapter.
Kenyon. The place where we spend four years of our lives. It’s where we laugh, cry, overcaffinate, and dance on sofas. Or maybe that’s just me. When most people think of college, they think of the broad concept of it. For us, though, Kenyon isn’t just the liberal arts college founded by Philander Chase, it’s home–and no two homes are alike.
My Kenyon is Middle Path in the fall, study parties in the Beta lounge, days spent longing for the time when Middle Ground still existed, my sorority sisters, and Peirce. When I think of Kenyon, these are the things that come rushing to my mind. They are what makes Kenyon, well, Kenyon. For me, all of these components equal Kenyon. Remove a single one, and it wouldn’t be my Kenyon.
When people visit and ask “tell me about Kenyon,” they will not receive two identical answers. The way people respond is tweaked to the way they see Kenyon, the way they live at Kenyon, their Kenyon. Kenyon is like two thousand bubbles contained under one big bubble on top of the hill. Sometimes bubbles overlap and part of your Kenyon and part of someone else’s coexist. Sometimes, though, your bubble never comes in contact with a certain person’s and that’s okay, it just means your Kenyon and their Kenyon are competely different.
I feel like my Kenyon bubble overlaps with about eighty-five percent of campus on Middle Path in the fall. Life at Kenyon would not be the same without Middle Path in general, but Middle Path in the fall is a sight to behold. The array of colors on a background of bright blue and sunshine is amazing. There are times when I just stop and think, “wow, I get to go
here.” It’s kind of the way I envisoned college when I was in high school. Orange and yellow leaves falling while studious albiet slightly hungover coeds hurried to classes, or meetings, or rehersals. I have to be honest, I didn’t envision hungover coeds, but go with me on this one.
When I walk home from class and it is a picturesque day on Middle Path, it kind of gives me a “the sun is shining, the tank is clean” feeling. (Editorial Note: This may or may not have something to do with the fact that the woman behind the voice of Peach, Alison Janney, is a Kenyon alum)
When we graduate, we might say that Kenyon made us who were are. However, Kenyon couldn’t have molded us into spectacular human beings if we, first, didn’t mold Kenyon to fit us, what we needed and wanted. Before the place can make the person, the person has to make the place. I’ve made my Kenyon, have you?
This is the first installment in a new Her Campus Kenyon series of features called “My Kenyon!” Respond to Lucia with an image that captures your Kenyon and a caption or brief explanation by emailing allybruschi@hercampus.com and emmamiller@hercampus.com!