Kenyon College recently commemorated the life and contributions of Graham Gund, an alumnus from the class of 1963 and honorary degree recipient in 1981. Gund was an architect, advocate for the arts, and philanthropist who significantly influenced Kenyon's campus and student experience.
"It is impossible to capture in words the mark Graham made on Kenyon. It is, however, visible everywhere on campus — from the ambition of our campus master plan, to the both brilliant and subtle details of the buildings he lovingly designed and restored, to the masterful works of art he created homes and sites for, to the breathtaking view corridors he spotted and preserved," President Julie Kornfeld said in a news release on the college's website.
According to the release, Gund became Kenyon's most generous donor. He and his wife, Ann, were principal contributors to various building projects such as Chalmers Library, Lowry Athletic Center, North Campus Apartments, Thomas and Winkler Halls, and Bexley Hall. Gund also designed Gund Gallery, Kenyon's teaching art museum named in his honor.
The release further states that Gund was a founding trustee of Gund Gallery. He and his wife donated over 80 contemporary artworks to establish its permanent collection over the past decade. These contributions included pieces by renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, Kiki Smith, Dawoud Bey, as well as a Richard Serra sculpture central to West Quad.
The Mount Vernon News reported that The Gund received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), a distinction held by only 3% of U.S. museums. This reflects its growth in exhibitions, collections, and public engagement since its founding 15 years ago; it now boasts over 487 works.
Gund was born on October 28, 1940, to banker George Gund II and Jessica Laidlaw Roseler. He studied psychology at Kenyon College as part of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity before pursuing postgraduate studies at Rhode Island School of Design. He earned a Master in Architecture and a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. His career included working with Walter Gropius before establishing Gund Partnership in Cambridge in 1971. His architectural work spans globally from Ohio State University's Thompson Library renovation to Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art conversion.
