People: Kenyon Bonner

Getting involved in University organizations or activities across Pitt’s 132-acre campus can… Getting involved in University organizations or activities across Pitt’s 132-acre campus can be a daunting and overwhelming experience.

Fortunately, Kenyon Bonner, the director of Student Life at Pitt, is here to help new students find their niches within the University and connect to Pitt’s community.

After graduating from Washington and Jefferson College with majors in philosophy and psychology and earning a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Kent State University, Bonner was hired as the Associate Director of Residence Life at Pitt in 2004. Eleven months later, he became the director of Student Life.

As the director, Bonner works in the Office of Student Life, a branch within Student Affairs. Together, Bonner and Student Life aim to fulfill “the education of the whole student” by teaching students important skills that are not traditionally learned in the classroom and can be highlighted through campus involvement, he said.

To accomplish this task, Bonner cooperates with the advisers and leaders of more than 350 student organizations on campus to promote the importance of student involvement and engagement throughout the Pitt community.

Some of these organizations include the Pitt Program Council, Black Action Society, Campus Women’s Organization, Asian Student Alliance, Rainbow Alliance, Resident Student Association, Student Government Board, WPTS FM student-run radio station, UPTV, and the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils.

“One of the most important things that a first-year student can do is to get involved in the campus community,” said Bonner. “This helps students to develop intellectually, socially, physically and emotionally.”

To ease the transition from high school to college for incoming freshmen, Bonner and Student Life also coordinate the New Student Orientation at the beginning of the fall semester. During this orientation, new students each year can attend a variety of activities at their leisure to meet other students and learn more about the campus and available resources, he said.

Throughout the week, students attend the freshman convocation, dance at the luau, sit by a bonfire or enjoy a relaxing ice cream social on the William Pitt Union lawn. They can also march to Soldiers ‘ Sailors Memorial during the Pitt pep rally with the cheerleaders, dance team and band to boost Pitt pride.

Outside of orientation, Student Life works with Residence Life during this time to host the First Year Cup Competition, he said. In this competition, freshmen from different residence halls compete against each other to achieve the highest percentage of attendance at First Year Cup events.

“We provide the opportunity for students to become involved in the community and interact with each other,” said Bonner. “It is very rewarding to see students become engaged in what they find important.”

Students may also rush fraternities or sororities in the fall to decide whether or not Greek life suits them, Bonner said. Fall rush is one of the busiest events for Greek students, and freshmen have the opportunity to visit every house during this time.

Two years ago, Student Life started several commuter student programs to help commuters feel more connected to Pitt. On the ground floor of the William Pitt Union, Student Life created a new lounge for commuters to study, relax and socialize.

Another campus organization, Student Volunteer Outreach, stresses the importance of civil responsibility and engagement, Bonner said.

With programs like Jumpstart Pittsburgh and America Reads Challenge, Bonner believes students can use these experiences to understand how they can directly affect and influence the community as individuals. SVO also sponsors alternative spring breaks at service sites across America to allow students to work on a week-long service project and reflect on their experience, he said.

Besides working with student organizations, Bonner plans to make more opportunities available to students through better utilization of technology on campus. Student Life is currently working on the installation of digital displays in the lobby of the Union to display upcoming events, he said.

Bonner also works to maintain the Union’s facilities and said he hopes that by continuing to improve the building, more students will come there to socialize. Student Life is looking to create an area on the fifth floor for students to hang out, he said.

If incoming freshmen want to get involved on campus but do not know how or where to start, Bonner advised that they attend the Activities Fair, scheduled for August 24 during New Student Orientation, to get a feel for the kinds of organizations offered at Pitt.

After going to the Activities Fair, freshmen should try to narrow down their interests and attend some of the organizations’ meetings and events with friends to see how the groups operate, he said.

While Bonner believes it is important for freshmen to identify what they are comfortable doing, he also suggested that students try something new and different to explore new interests.

No matter what students choose to pursue, however, Bonner acknowledged that all students have a better experience at Pitt and possess lasting relationships with other students after they graduate if they are involved on campus.

Campus engagement helps students learn to manage their lives and employment opportunities, Bonner said. Students can take advantage of these out-of-classroom experiences to network and discover available resources on campus.

“Involvement at the appropriate level also helps with overall retention in school,” said Bonner. “Many of the student leaders are doing well academically.”

Most importantly, Bonner said student organizations help prepare students for life after college. Employers are looking for people with experience in organizing projects, making tough decisions, working within a budget and cooperating with a diverse population. Without a doubt, student organizations can teach students these skills, he said.

As the director of Student Life, Bonner said he enjoys working and interacting with college students because his office gives him the opportunity to become a part of the experiences that students learn from outside of the classroom.

“It’s all about creating a network of people to lean on throughout your time here,” said Bonner.

Although Bonner must educate each new class of students about the policies and procedures for campus organizations, he understands the importance of patience during these times and sees this aspect as only a minor obstacle in his job.

“Allowing students to express themselves is a big part of going to college, as well as the education in general,” said Bonner.