Alumni Awards…

The College recognized eight of its alumni: three with the distinguished alumni citation, one outstanding young alumna and four inductees into the athletic hall of fame.

The Distinguished Alumni Citation recognizes achievements in the field and support for community and alma mater.

■ Lawrence D. Huebner ’83 is an aerospace engineer with NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., where he is the supersonic combustion ramjet propulsion team leader for the X43A flight demonstrator. The X-43A is an unpiloted, hydrogen-fueled research craft intended to achieve Mach 7. Prior, Huebner served four years as the hypersonics group leader, responsible for planning, overseeing and performing research for future hypersonic air-breathing vehicles. He began his career with NASA in 1987 as a contractor.

■ Jeanne M. Lukanich ’83 has been a cardiothoracic surgeon, director of the Women’s Lung Cancer Program and clinical director of lung transplantation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston since 1996. Her practice, which also includes the Boston VA Medical

Center and community-based practice at a number of area hospitals, ranges the entire spectrum of thoracic surgical diseases. Lukanich is also an instructor in surgery at Harvard Medical School and was recently the assistant surgeon in an uncommon lung operation broadcast live via the Internet.

■ Judy Wilkinson Neill ’68, as division director for the Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation of Middleton, Wis., is responsible for the design and implementation of the Worldwide Instructional Design System (WIDS). WIDS provides software, professional development and training to educators throughout the Unites States and abroad. Neill has led the development and deployment of the program from its inception in 1993. As WIDS’ senior consultant to higher education, K-12, business/industry and government agency clients, she strives to make education more performance driven and learner-centered. Neill has been an ac- tive member of her alma mater community for more than 30 years. She served 12 years on the college’s alumni association board of directors — including a term as its president, is a participant in the Alumni/Parents Supporting the Admission Process program, and is a member of the Students Talking About Respect advisory committee.

Receiving the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award for achievements in the field and support for community and alma mater within 10 years of graduation was Laura Schultz ’93.

After receiving her doctorate in psychology and neuroscience from Princeton University in 1997, Schultz worked as a postdoctoral research associate with one of the most renowned neuroscientists in the world. Schultz spent three years in Terrence Sejnowski’s Computational Neurobiology Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif., conducting research re-

My brother Bill ’80 (told me) that they set the bar high at Ripon. One of the best and earliest choices I made (that affected my life) was to continue my education at Ripon. This is a distinct honor and you have my grateful and humble thanks.

Lawrence D. Huebner ’83

I use a liberal arts education on a daily basis. Although sciences, math and technology are important, in day-to-day living, in talking to people and treating people you can’t separate it (the liberal arts). I thank Ripon for the opportunities I had here.

Jeanne M. Lukanich ’83

I model my own teaching after Dr. (Bob) Wallace and other Ripon faculty. The faculty here is top notch. With a liberal arts education, you can do anything.

Laura Schultz

’93 lated to the origin of epileptic seizures. Her work there earned her a National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Mental Health. Following her research at the Salk, she served a year as a visiting professor of biology at Swarthmore College. She is currently a homemaker and mother, caring for her daughter, Caty.

The Hall of Fame recognizes alumni and coaches who have distinguished themselves through participation in Ripon’s athletic programs.

■ Douglas Ankerson ’66 was a two-sport student-athlete. In tennis, he was Midwest Conference (MWC) champion at No. 2 singles in 1964 when Ripon captured the conference team title. He returned to the championship to win the No. 1 singles title in 1965. In basketball, Ankerson was a starter during the 196364 season and a key role player in Ripon’s MWC championship the fol- lowing season. He received allconference honorable mention for basketball in 1966 and received the college’s Samuel N. Pickard Award for athletic ability, scholarship, character and college loyalty that spring.

■ Tami Thronson Hrasky ’90 earned first-team all-conference honors for volleyball in 1988 and 1989, setting individual records for kills in both seasons. In track and field, she was a leading high jumper, setting records in both indoor and outdoor competition. In 1988, Hrasky was conference champion in the event both indoors and outdoors and also set the indoor record for the 55-meter hurdles. Hrasky, who also played two seasons of basketball at Ripon, received the Pickard Award.

■ John Swallen ’87, was a first-team all-conference place kicker in football in 1986. Despite four seasons and four varsity letters as a football player, Swallen is remembered for his play on the soccer fields where he was a threetime most valuable player. He was twice a first-team all-conference selection and twice a Division III all-state recipient. Swallen played 12 years as goalkeeper for the United Soccer Leagues’ Division II Minnesota Thunder and was named the A-League’s most valuable player and goalkeeper of the year in 1999. He was inducted into the Thunder Hall of Fame last year.

■ Richard Willich ’64 was an integral leader on the undefeated 1963 football team. As a first-team all-conference and all-state running back and captain of the team, Willich literally carried Ripon to a perfect 8-0 mark and a MWC championship. His game-ending punt return for a touchdown against Cornell College secured the championship for Ripon. In his three-year varsity career, Willich started each game and Ripon football boasted an 18-4-2 record. He was also a member of the baseball team. r

I left campus with a degree and two experiences which have stayed with me every day since.

Coach Doc Weiske ’50 taught me a new level of effort and the meaning of Together Everyone Achieves More (Team).

Dr. Glaser, a history professor, asked me why I was a ‘C’ student. The question stayed with me. I learned to study and didn’t get very many Cs after that. I’ve applied these to my business life the last 37 years.

Douglas Ankerson ’66

I was a first-generation college student and am thankful I went to Ripon. Division III athletics are a wonderful opportunity. I hope Ripon can continue to focus on education first.

Tami Thronson Hrasky ’90

I am really choked up about this award. … I am blessed to have done the things I have done. Ripon was a big part of that.

John Swallen ’87

I want to offer support for our new president and his wife. The entire Ripon family is behind you. We’re very proud of our college.

Richard Willich ’64