Faces of Kendal: Alan Kolp

Kendal at Oberlin is home to more than 300 people in their 60s and well beyond. They come from near (Oberlin and Cleveland) and far (Hawaii, Canada and elsewhere). The residents share many common values, such as sustainability and lifelong learning, and many have ties to Oberlin College. But each resident has his or her own unique story.

Meet Alan Kolp

Alan Kolp along with his wife Tish have been living at Kendal at Oberlin for less than four months but it’s not an exaggeration to say Alan is already right at home.

As a lifelong Quaker, Alan is now a resident of a life plan community that is firmly grounded in Quaker values and practices. He spent his career working with students at two colleges, one the Quaker-affiliated Earlham College, and for a good span of time lived in the college town of Richmond, Indiana, so he’s at home in the college town of Oberlin. And for the last 25 years the couple lived in nearby Olmsted Falls so northern Ohio is familiar too.

Making a home is as much about people as it is about a particular place., he says and “is beginning to feel at home because the people have been so welcoming and gracious.”

In a lighter vein, Alan says Kendal offered the “community piece – when they take the car keys away, I will be surrounded by people who care.”

And when Alan says he’s “pretty involved with activities off-campus,” well that’s not an exaggeration either.

Leading groups and writing

Alan’s last job was at Baldwin Wallace (BW) University, where he still mentors student athletes. He attends all the games of the women’s basketball team, helping develop team culture and offering support before, during and after the game. Last year he helped the staff and students write a “purpose statement” to guide them on and off the court.

Twenty-five years ago he started a “Soul Work” group at BW based on the writings of Thomas Moore, psychotherapist and author of “Care of the Soul” and continues sporadically to attend its meetings. He heads two other groups, one remote, which gather bi-weekly for meaningful contemplative conversation.

The co-author of four books, Alan continues to write articles and collaborate with Peter Rea and James Stoller. Their most recent book is titled “Better Humans: Better Performance: Driving Leadership, Teamwork, and Culture with Intentionality.” He also has written a couple books on spirituality.

He also enjoys leading half-day retreats, often based on Quaker values, such as simplicity, wellness and peace.

One theme that runs through Alan’s coaching, writing and presentations for audiences both young and old is the importance of knowing who you are, cultivating relationships that support you and creating a purpose to guide.

“That’s the key to a resilient and meaningful life,” he says.

Quaker values and practices

While only a small minority of Kendal residents and staff are what Alan calls “card-carrying Quakers,” the values and practices ripple throughout the community in ways big and small. From hiring and board decisions to resident-led committees and sustainability practices, the Kendal community’s commitment to Quaker values is deep and strong.

“There’s not much ego at Kendal, it’s humbling to be a part of such a community,” he says.

A couple dozen Quakers gather every Sunday on the Kendal campus for a unprogrammed service, and occasionally they gather with Oberlin College students who are Quakers.

This summer Alan gave an “Intro to Quaker” talk for marketing specialists from the Kendal affiliates who gathered at Kendal at Oberlin for their annual meeting. And next month he’s offering a half-day presentation at Kendal about Douglas Steere, his “favorite 20^th century Quaker.”

Alan is board chair of Kendal at Home and will remain on the board when his chair ends this year.

With all his off-campus activities Alan doesn’t have much free time right now to get involved in the dozens of committees Kendal offers or start a new one, such as a “Soul Work” group. But 81-years of experience has taught Alan to trust “the right things will come along” for this next chapter of his life. Or as Quakers say, “as way opens.”