Spaces Designed for Innovation

A transformational gift of $75 million from an anonymous donor will support development of a new library and academic quad that will be an interdisciplinary hub in the heart of Kenyon’s campus. Located on the west side of Middle Path, the West Quad project includes:

A New Library

The library will be an academic hub that replaces Olin and Chalmers libraries with spaces that feature state-of-the-art technology for undergraduate research, a concentration of student services such as the Career Development Office and classrooms that serve as laboratories for educational innovation. Read about the new library's name.

A Social Science Hub

An interdisciplinary academic building will offer flexible spaces to support high-impact experiences in the social sciences and give a new home to the Center for the Study of American Democracy. Moving the faculty of the history, sociology and political science departments into this building will allow a renovation of Ascension Hall to make it fully accessible.

A New Home for Admissions and Financial Aid

Admissions and financial aid operations will move into a third anchor of the West Quad. This building will serve as a visitor welcome center in the academic core of campus and put the value of a Kenyon education front and center.

Expanded Facilities for English

Two new buildings for the English department next to Lentz House make one of Kenyon’s most popular majors fully accessible. The seminar building mimics early Sunset Cottage and allows the renovation of Sunset Cottage for future use.

Green Space and Green Buildings

Underground parking in the West Quad will improve accessibility to campus for student families and community members attending events on campus. The parking also reclaims green space in the heart of campus to preserve Kenyon’s beauty and pedestrian character.

In addition, the new library will meet or exceed the Gold standard for LEED certification and represents one of the largest available opportunities to reduce Kenyon’s carbon footprint.

Follow Along with West Quad Construction

Stay up to date on construction progress via our webcam.