Gund Commons
From KCpedia
Gund Commons, found on the North end of campus, houses Gund Dining Hall, Gund Game Room, Gund Ballroom, and the Gund Computer Lab.
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Conception and Planning
The building was designed by The Perkins & Will Partnership of Chicago and served as an integral part of the Women's College. It served as the entrance to the Coordinate College and was designed to permit Kenyon's sister college to create an identity of its own. The building was designed to be both informal and feminine in nature. It was to provide a place for dining, study, and recreation. The total cost of construction was $1.5 million.
Gund Commons is historic in that it was the first building in the State of Ohio to be financed by funds made possible by issuance of bonds through the Ohio Higher Educational Facility Commission. The dedication ceremony was led by the Right Reverend Roger W. Blanchard, Bishop of Southern Ohio, and President William G. Caples. Graham Gund and Pierre McBride gave the Responses to the Bishop.
Renovations and Changes
The Gund Game Room, first located in what is now known as the Ballroom, was installed in 1977. Pinball machines were the most popular games offered and took in an average of $250 a month. The money went into a fund that helped furnish the Game Room and pay its employees. At first the administration opposed the idea of bringing in games for students, but eventually decided they would like to provide a more recreational area for students to relax in.
The paddle tennis court was constructed outside of Gund Commons in 1978. Paddle tennis, or platform tennis, is a combination of squash and tennis that was played primarily on the East Coast. The idea to build the court came from two Kenyon students, sophomore Cathy Hazlett and junior Marc Kennedy. Together the two started a petition that garnered over 400 signatures and construction began after an anonymous donor provided the necessary finances over the summer in 1978.
In 1984 the College spent approximately $50,000 updating Gund Commons. The room now known as Gund Ballroom used to be an open space patio and, during the course of construction, was covered and enclosed to expand the room as a lounge area.
In 1995 it was decided that renovations were needed in order to make better use of the space in Gund Commons. The computer and study room was moved to its current location, replacing the Common Grounds/Old Snack Shop (which had been open since 1974) meeting area--a bathroom was also installed in the room. The video games and pool tables were moved to the old computing lounge, which is now known as the Game Room. The Gund Commons Lounge was moved to the present day Gund Ballroom. The changes were completed over the summer and ready for the following year.
Gund Commons Today
These days Gund Commons serves in much the same capacity as when it was first conceived. The servery and dining hall have been updated and expanded, the Game Room has lost all but a few arcade machines, and the Study Lounge has become a public Computer Lab. The Ballroom has seen an increase in traffic and is now used for concerts, drama performances, study, blood drives, dances, indoor festivals, and, of course, Ballroom Dance Club practice.
Resources in the Kenyon College Archives
- Gund Commons -- collected materials
