FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 12, 2025

It is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors of The Gund shares that Graham Gund ’63 H’81—beloved alumnus, visionary architect, and philanthropic leader—died peacefully at home at 84. His quiet generosity and profound belief in the arts and education have left an indelible mark on the College and on the museum that bears his name. He was a distinguished architect whose vision and generosity helped shape the campus for the 21st century. Gund leaves behind a profound legacy—both through the buildings he designed and the cultural life he so passionately nurtured.

Graham Gund’s contributions to the College are unsurpassed by anyone in the history of Kenyon. In 2011, his architectural and philanthropic legacy came together in the creation of one of the most iconic buildings on campus: The Graham Gund Gallery, rebranded The Gund at Kenyon College in 2023. As a founding board member, he was instrumental in conceiving and realizing what has become one of the College’s most vital and visible spaces for interdisciplinary engagement. Since opening its doors, The Gund has welcomed internationally renowned artists to Gambier, supported ambitious curatorial projects, and become a place where art is not only seen, but meaningfully engaged across disciplines.

Together with his wife, Ann, Graham Gund’s philanthropic vision helped shape the foundation of The Gund’s permanent collection—seeding it with significant works by artists such as Cy Twombly, Julie Mehretu, Frank Stella, Dawoud Bey, Ragnar Kjartansson, Helen Frankenthaler, Antony Gormley, and Kiki Smith, among others. Their generosity also made possible Pivot, the monumental sculpture by Richard Serra that now anchors the West Quad—an architectural ensemble Gund himself designed, seamlessly integrating art, place, and purpose.

Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic, and member of The Gund Board of Directors, Paul Goldberger noted, “The Gund represented all that Graham Gund envisioned for Kenyon College—not just an art museum but a vibrant center of cultural activity at the heart of the campus. Its placement underscored the importance Graham wanted art to have at Kenyon, and its elegant design reflected his desire to give the College architecture of the highest standard, welcoming to students, to faculty, to the public, and most of all, to the art that would be shown within it. “

A steadfast believer in the power of art to transform lives and foster connection, Gund championed initiatives that placed students at the center of the museum’s mission. He was a dedicated supporter of the Gund Associates program, a paid internship offering hands-on professional experience in the museum environment for nearly 40 Kenyon students annually across academic disciplines. He also established the Art Loan Collection, an initiative that allows students to borrow and live with original works of art throughout the academic year—an act of radical trust and access that underscores his belief that art belongs in daily life, not behind closed doors.

Working alongside Graham was to witness the rare combination of vision, patience, and exacting care. He was a thoughtful collaborator — someone who understood the transformative power of close attention, and who approached every conversation with both curiosity and conviction. Pamela Hoehn-Saric, Chair of The Gund’s Board of Directors, shared on behalf of the Board, “Graham was a guiding spirit for The Gund. His belief in the power of the arts to shape lives and foster meaningful dialogue will continue to inspire our work every day. We were fortunate to be in his orbit—to learn from his example and to carry his vision forward.”

“Graham was (and will remain) one of my favorite people to look at art with,” shared Daisy Desrosiers, David and Francie Horvitz Family Foundation Director and Chief Curator of The Gund. “He taught me what it means to listen deeply to artists by looking—how to be fully present with a work of art, its environment, and with the people around it. He will be profoundly missed—not only for all that he gave, but for how he gave it: with grace, humility, and an unwavering belief in what art can make possible.”

The Gund extends its deepest condolences to his wife Ann, their son Grady, the entire Gund family, and all who had the privilege of knowing Graham. We hold in our thoughts the many friends, artists, colleagues, and collaborators who were touched by his kindness, vision, and unwavering commitment to beauty, learning, and civic life. His legacy lives on in the spaces he shaped, the institutions he nurtured, and the lives he quietly transformed through his generosity and example.

Read more about Graham Gund's legacy here and here.