Students and campus visitors gathered outside Sohn Residence Oct. 3 during a dedication ceremony for the two newest women’s residences on campus.

The dedication of the Ken and Dean Kirn Residence and the Marilyn J. Sohn Residence  included remarks from College President Larry Arnn and Kirn house director senior Addison Longenecker, a music selection performed by a women’s vocal ensemble, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

“True character development happens in the residence halls,” Longenecker said in her remarks. “If Hillsdale teaches us that strength rejoices in the challenge, it is the residence hall where we learn what it means to rejoice.”

Arnn thanked both the Sohn and Kirn families in his address.

“I’ve known them both for a long time now. They’ve been friends of the college as long as the writ runs,” Arnn said. 

Ken Kirn named the Ken and Dean Kirn Residence, previously known as New Dorm, in honor of his wife, Stella “Dean” Kirn, who died in 2021, and Kenneth Sohn named the Sohn Residence in honor of his wife, Marilyn J. Sohn, according to the dedication ceremony program. 

“Ken is a gentle man, and an entrepreneur,” Arnn said. “We are so pleased to know these two families and to carry their name down through time. It’s a great thing.” 

Longenecker, who has been a resident assistant for the last two years, said she sees her fellow RAs and residents as family and praised Kirn’s unique resident composition. 

“As the only women’s dorm on campus to house freshmen through seniors, we have a very special blend of women,” Longenecker said. “Kirn is one of a kind.” 

Junior Caitlin Filep, a Kirn resident who will be one of the first women to stay all four years in Kirn Residence, agreed with Longenecker about the dorm’s community.

“One thing that has moved me to stay year after year is the compassion and warmth that the women of this dorm invariably possess,” Filep said. “This dedicated love genuinely pours forth from them, as if they can’t help sharing it and they’re overjoyed to do so.” 

Longenecker closed her remarks with best wishes for Sohn Residence.

“As Sohn Residence begins its legacy, I look forward to seeing the unique personality the RA team chooses to foster,” Longenecker said. “I cherish the closeness we have with our sister dorm.” 

Following the remarks, Arnn, the Kirn and Sohn families, Dean of Women Rebekah Dell, and Chief Administrative Officer Richard Péwé participated in ribbon-cutting ceremonies in front of both dormitories. 

An ensemble of women from the Hillsdale College Chamber Choir also performed at the event, singing a rendition of Mary Brahe’s “Bless This House.” 

The dedication ceremony closed with a toast from Arnn. 

“I salute the Sohn and the Kirn families and open these dorms for the use of our students with great gratitude,” Arnn said.