Kendal at Oberlin - Oberlin at Kendal

This was the title of an article written for The Observer, an Oberlin College publication, by Carol Ganzel in 1996, just 3 years after Kendal opened its doors. She said then that "Kendal has been good not only for its residents but also for the College, bringing benefits to students, faculty, staff and alumni."

From its very beginning, Kendal at Oberlin has enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship with Oberlin College. Residents attend concerts and recitals at the Conservatory, as well as lectures of all sorts and can audit classes at no cost with permission from the professor. Conservatory students appreciate the opportunity to perform for a diverse and critical audience, and Kendal residents help create that opportunity.

The calendar of activities at Kendal almost always has events where Oberlin College students and faculty are performing or presenting a lecture. And the Kendal van will transport residents to several on-campus activities each month. So many opportunities exist for programming through the College. The Conservatory of Music alone offers nearly 400 performances throughout the academic year!

About 37% of Kendal residents are alumni or former faculty and staff. Others come to Kendal because their children are employed at the College. And some come just because they are drawn to the college-town atmosphere and the environment of Oberlin.

Even though Carol Ganzel's article was written in 1996, much still holds true today. She quotes George Bent, former chair of the College Board of Trustees and, later, chair of Kendal at Oberlin's Board of Directors. He says "Kendal is not really a retirement community. Rather, it's a place where people come to live the rest of their lives. It has brought to Oberlin some vigorous new residents and encouraged others to stay, benefiting the College and in turn drawing benefits from it."

To learn more about Oberlin College, visit their web site at www.oberlin.edu.