R Connections Fall 2016

Connections A Ripon College Class Letter Publication

Fall 2016

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Remembering Bob Clarke I met Bob Clarke ’50 just once, but he made a lasting impression on me. We had lunch at Barbara Jean’s Easy Southern Dining last February on the Intercoastal Waterway outside Jacksonville. It was one of those beautiful 70-degree Florida days in February when you know everyone back in Wisconsin is shivering.

“He told me that Ripon was the gateway to a rewarding career and life.

He was proud that he had contributed financially to his alma mater for more than half a century.”

PRESIDENT ZACH MESSITTE

Along with his wife, Pat, we laughed a lot on that winter day. We discussed the “Making a Murderer” series on Netflix, presidential politics, pop culture, football and his love of the Jacksonville Symphony.

And when it came time to order, he suggested the crab cakes. I told him that I didn’t trust ordering the meat of the beautiful swimmer outside of my home state of Maryland, but truth be told, those Florida crab cakes were pretty darn good. But most of all, we talked about Ripon College and how much it had meant to him. He told me that Ripon was the gateway to a rewarding career and life. He was proud that he had contributed financially to his alma mater for more than half a century.

And he was honored to document a gift to the College in his estate.

Bob followed the College very closely through the alumni magazine and the newsletter. He knew that we had made progress on issues related to diversity and LGBT rights, and he was pleased. He even had Googled me before our lunch and read some of my political articles. And while it turned out that we agreed, mostly, about politics, he had some critiques of what I had written. And given his career, it was no surprise.

Originally from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, just north of Manitowoc, Bob studied history at Ripon and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He joined the U.S. Army and spent 31 years on active duty in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, serving in the Caribbean, Korea, France, Germany and Vietnam. He earned the Legion of Merit with 4 oak clusters and the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam.

Bob passed away in July and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

We exchanged emails just once after our lunch. I told him how much fun it was to meet him and Pat and that I hoped he would visit campus this fall so I could show him around. He wrote back, “The lunch was fun. Now, lunch with the ’Pres’ might be a bit intimidating, even at 87.

Obviously, it wasn’t. I’ll just call you ’Zach’ the next time we meet. Ripon is in good hands.”

Thanks, Bob. The pleasure was all mine. But Ripon is in good hands because of alumni like you.

Zach Messitte President of Ripon College

If you have photos for future editions, please send them to Yvonne Nicklaus, constituent engagement and outreach coordinator, at nicklausy@ripon.edu or 920-748-8117. You also can contact Yvonne if you are interested in serving as a Class Agent.

News to share can be sent to alumni@ripon.edu or your Class Agent, or can be submitted via the online form at ripon.edu/update-contact-info.

CONTENTS

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Alumni Sightings

6

Class Letters

55

Staying Connected: Kathryn Schultz ’89 Christy Schwengel ’97

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Campus Snapshots

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Ripon News

62

In Memoriam

R Connections is published twice annually by Ripon College, 300 Seward St., Ripon, WI 54971-0248. Postage paid at Ripon, Wisconsin.

Copyright ©2016 Ripon College.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to R Connections, PO Box 248, Ripon, WI 54971-0248.

Connections Fal l 20 16 Volume 2, Issue No. 1 On the Cover: LINDSAY KUEHL

LAMB ’10 returned to campus with her husband, Ryan; son, Drake, 4; and daughter, Sawyer, 7 months (pictured).

Photo by Jim Koepnick.

Editorial Staff

To submit a note for a future issue or to update contact information, contact Ripon College Office of Constituent Engagement, 300 Seward St., Ripon, WI 54971-0248.

Phone: 920-748-8126 Email: alumni@ripon.edu Web: www.ripon.edu/update-contact-info

ripon. edu facebook.com/ripon.college

Yvonne Nicklaus Jaye Alderson Melissa K. Anderson ’02 Ric Damm

flickr.com/photos/ripon_college instagram.com/riponcollege linkedin.com/company/ripon-college

Design Ric Damm Liz Newman

twitter.com/riponcollege youtube.com/riponcollegevideo

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Alumni Sightings

EMILY SHEEKS ’12, ALAINA NESBITT ’12 and ZOE WEINGARTEN ’12 in Minneapolis.

Beta Sigma Pi brothers at a reunion held over Alumni Weekend 2016 at Reilly’s Pub in Green Lake.

Back row, left to right: JEFF POMERANTZ ’71, MARK BAUER ’69, BOB ARFMAN ’71, MASON SHERWOOD ’68, BOB FLECK ’65, BRUCE BUBACZ ’67, KURT THORNBLADH ’70, RICK BECKER ’66 and CHRIS SHAW ’64. Front row standing, left to right: FRANK ANDERS ’69, WAYNE YAKUMA ’72, SCOTT NYQUIST ’69, REILLY’S HOSTESS, BRUCE TAMMI ’72 and WAYNE MORTON ’67.

Kneeling: ART SCARLETT ’69.

AMY TINCHER-DURIK ’96, STEVE MARTIN ’96, JASON WOOD ’96 and AMY DAVENPORT KONGRATSASY ’96 at Miller’s Tavern over Alumni Weekend.

BROCK GOEHLER ’98 with his wife, Rebekah, and children on vacation.

BILL PYE ’61, MIKE JERRY ’63 and JOHN ROGERS ’62 in the lounge at Borders Inn and Suites.

AMY TICHER-DURIK ’96, JASON WOOD ’96, AMY DAVENPORT KONGRATSASY ’96, STEVE MARTIN ’96, ELKE SPORSEEN BETONTE ’96 and JULIAN BOARDMAN ’96

BRAD CAHOON ’97, STEVE COOK ’96, ELKE SPORSEEN BETONTE ’96, AMY TINCHER-DURIK ’96, JASON WOOD ’96 and STEVE MARTIN ’96 at Miller’s Tavern over Alumni Weekend.

at Miller’s Tavern over Alumni Weekend.

BRUCE P. ANDERSON ’57, JOHN R. KORBEL ’60, JAN KORBEL, CYNTHIA SANBORN NYQUIST ’69 and SCOTT A. NYQUIST ’69 gathered for lunch in Naples, Florida, in April.

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DAN BEHRING ’62, HOWARD MYERS ’61, JIM COWLEY ’62 and their wives got together in the Phoenix, Arizona, area this spring.

CRAIG GIELER ’66 and SUSAN MUDGE GIELER ’66 led a group of 175 volunteers from eight northeast Georgia churches in providing support to hundreds of community residents on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. This support included making blankets for the homeless, buying and packing 450 boxes of food, repairing and cleaning homes, giving gifts to local police officers, providing diapers to young mothers, and making and delivering weekend lunches to children.

FRANCES MCCAIN ’66 and PAM KURZ GOODE ’66 at the memorial concert for Neola Hannaford, wife of Professor of Philosophy Emeritus Robert “Spud” Hannaford.

EMILY BRUNNER RODGERS ’12 and SHELBY DUKES ’13 on a Run Tour of Washington, D.C.

HEIDI HASTINGS ’79 promoting the NAMI walk for work with her parents and daughter, Jenna Parfitt.

EMILY SHEEKS ’12 and JOHN INGEMANN ’12 in Iceland.

JIM COWLEY ’62, BILL PYE ’61, ROBB ROWE ’61, GORDON ENK ’62 and HOWARD MYERS ’61 in the lounge at Borders Inn and Suites.

JEFF PANKAU ’97, JULIAN BOARDMAN ’96, GREG ANDERSON ’95, PRESTON KENDALL ’96, ELKE SPORSEEN BETONTE ’96, STEVE COOK ’96, KAM KONGRATSASY ’97, BRIAN CAHOON ’97, KENT VROMAN ’97 and AMY DAVENPORT KONGRATSASY ’96 on campus in front of the union.

JOHN NEUBAUER ’63 and DAVID NEUBAUER ’63 celebrate 75 years!

JULIA HEINRICH FARLEY ’11, AMANDA BRAGA ’11 and EMILY BRUNNER RODGERS ’12 enjoying brunch in Minneapolis.

Class Agent JONDI GUMZ ’75 and RICK ESTBERG ’75, emcee for the reunion Jeopardy game, put their heads together in Annapolis, Maryland, in May, cooking up plans for the 2020 reunion. Mark your 2020 calendar for the last weekend in June. Jondi was in Crystal City, Virginia, attending the annual conference of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and made it to Washington, D.C., to hear Washington Post editor Marty Baron speak at the National Press Club.

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Alumni Sightings

On Aug. 10 in Newburyport, Massachusetts, there was a small gathering of Ripon alumni and friends which included GEORGE STEVENS ’74, Annie Freeze, CHRIS DOHERTY ’74, Tom Freeze, BILL DENISON ’74, Cheryl Doherty, BILLY HICKEY ’74 and Amy Denison.

“The event started with cocktails on the Denisons’ yacht, and then we gathered for dinner at the Poynt restaurant, a short walk from the marina. Some of us had not seen each other for five years or more, but we all remembered those memorable moments from the flatlands of Wisconsin.”

Ripon College alumni gathered at the Monroe (Wisconsin) Arts Center in late July to take in an exhibition of the abstract works of Lester Schwartz. Schwartz was artist-in-residence at the College from 1944 to 1977. Attending were, left to right: GREG COX ’82, TERI SVITAVSKY COX ’82, BILL KRIESE ’81, SANDY VAHLE BESTUL ’79, DAN BESTUL ’80, GREGG RIEDER ’82, and (not pictured) PHIL OUELETTE ’80, JON STERLIN ’80 and PAM KEMPF STERLING ’81. The alumni were welcomed by the art center’s executive director Richard Daniels, who had served the College as a visiting instructor in the speech and theater department. The exhibition is the first in the art center’s Wellington and Muranyi galleries. DAVE BABLER ’65 co-chaired the center’s expansion project to provide the space for the new galleries and was instrumental in bringing together the works on display. Schwartz’ daughter, TANYA SCHWARTZ ROEPER ’88, attended the gallery opening earlier this year and gave a talk outlining inspirations for her father’s abstract works and the methods and techniques he used.

JAMES THOMPSON ’73’s book Fragments in Time.

ROB MEYER ’78 with his dog, Cooper, in his (Mini) Cooper.

KATHY GRAUNKE ’73 gardening in Seattle, Washington.

PAUL NAKAO ’73 with his wife, Devon, and their wonder dog, Max.

KENT VROMAN ’97, BRIAN CAHOON ’97, PRESTON KENDALL ’96, ELKE SPORSEEN BETONTE ’96, STEPHEN COOK ’96, JULIAN BOARDMAN ’96 and JEFF PANKAU ’96 at Knuth Brewing Co. over Alumni Weekend.

KRISTA CALHOUN CASPER ’89 with CRAIG CASPER ’89 and KAREN SCHMIDT ’89 in Colorado.

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KEVIN WARMACK ’79 graduated with his Executive Juris Doctorate from Concord Law School.

MITCH ROSIN ’89 and PAT FLORENCE ’89 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

JASON WOOD ’96, PRESTON KENDALL ’96, JULIAN BOARDMAN ’96 and RICK JOHNSON ’96 Middle: KIRSTEN ANDERSON PANKAU ’96, JOAN GRZESINSKI ’96, KYRSTEN KOEBACH ’96, CAREY MOLINSKI ’96, AMY TINCHER-DURIK ’96, Lower: KAREN COLBY KEHL ’96, STEVE MARTIN ’96, ELKE SPORSEEN BETONTE ’96, AMY DAVENPORT KONGRATSAS ’96 celebrating their 20th Reunion at Roadhouse Pizza.

MARY RASCHKA SIKORA ’66 and her husband, Joe, on a Purdue alumni cruise on the Riviera. “We followed that wonderful adventure with a bucket list check-off consisting of a week exploring southern France from our airbnb apartments in both Avignon and Lyon. This photo was taken in Monaco.”

MELINDA TRAINOR HUTCHINSON ’93 and VIKKI BLEISE ’73 at Melinda’s department’s Preserve Minnesota Conference in Hastings, Minnesota.

MICHAEL ’73 and MARGARET SEELBACH MIZEN ’75 in Chatham, Massachusetts, tag horsing show crabs. They did more than 200 in 2½ hours.

TREVOR LYNN ’13 is the assistant volleyball coach at Knob Noster High School.

NIKOS NAKOS ’81 married Vanessa Arroyo in September 2015.

KRIS LARSEN BESSLER ’89, NIKKI ZENS LINDBERG ’89, TOBI CAWTHRA ’89, JEN DEWEY ’89, KERSTIN TIMM MOURAR ’89, SCOTTIE NICHOLS GIROUARD ’89, ALICE GALLGHER ARCHIBAL ’89 and ANNIE BURCHMORE MIES ’89 in Three Lakes, Wisconsin.

JON CAIN ’04 finally graduated in May, and some of his old classmates came out to cheer him on. Pictured are LUKE BALSAVICH ’04, Elliott Balsavich (mom JAMIE ELLIOTT ’03), Harper Cain, JON CAIN ’04, SEBASTIAN MEADE ’04, CANDICE NORTH ’04 and Professor of Biology BOB WALLACE.

While attending one of the Thorne Bay, Alaska, cruise tours, MARK LIDOWSKI ’15 had the luck of meeting Ripon alums TERRY ’66 and PAM KURZ GOODE ’66. They walked around the community and shared stories about our alma mater back in Wisconsin while enjoying the scenery.

THOMAS MACE ’69 and his wife, Nancy, at a Wisconsin Badgers football game.

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Class Letters Obituaries for all class years are listed at the back of the publication.

If you have news to share for the Spring 2017 R Connections, contact your Class Agent or the College (Office of Constituent Engagement, 300 W. Seward St., PO Box 248, Ripon, WI 54971; 920-748-8126; or alumni@ripon.edu).

Alumni Weekend will be held June 22-25, 2017. Further details and registration information will be available at ripon.edu/alumni-weekend.

1930S & 1940S The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested or want to learn more, email alumni@ripon.edu.

1950, 1951 & 1952 Jo Klawiter Cochrane ’51 & Jim Cochrane ’52 415 Wells Street #206, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 262-348-1900 / 847-951-2969 / gilbertlake@sbcglobal.net Greetings classmates. It’s time once again for our class letter.

First – a little bit about what’s going on at our alma mater … Something we’re really excited about … our alma mater recently received a four-year, $800,000 grant from the Andrew Mellon Foundation to support the introduction and implementation of the College’s new core curriculum, Catalyst. Catalyst, which was launched with the class that entered this fall, is an entirely new approach to liberal arts education. It places at the center of a Ripon education the continuous development of the intellectual and practical skills valued by employers and essential to human flourishing and career success.

We think you’ll agree that’s quite a change from what we all experienced back in the ’40s and ’50s. The entire Catalyst curriculum will be highlighted in Ripon Magazine, or you can visit ripon.edu/Catalyst.

Recently, in the Washington Monthly’s Annual College Guide and Rankings, Ripon once again was ranked among the best colleges in the nation. It was the highest-ranked school in Wisconsin across all the ranking categories, and the only college in the state to make the magazine’s Top 20 for value in the Midwest and for overall quality within its category. Among other things, these rankings consider such factors as the percentage of low-income students receiving federal aid, the college’s ability to recruit and graduate low-income students, and the percentage of students who join the Peace Corps or engage in other forms of community service. Of note is the fact that Washington Monthly’s focus on social mobility and service sets it apart from most other college rankings, and elevates some of the important differences between public and private colleges and universities.

As for news from our classmates and friends … we wish we had more. The amount of news we have for ’50, ’51 and ’52 is really slim, to say the least. A big “thank-you” to those of you who have called or emailed us recently: LOIS ERICKSON ALTMEYER ’50 of North Olmstead, Ohio, emailed, “Our travels these days are only within the U.S.A. We are heading to Wisconsin next week to visit our son and family.”

CAROL THRUMSTON WEBSTER ’50 of Eros, Louisiana, writes, “Most of our traveling is over. Can’t even drive at night. Ned is 90 now, and we both exercise at Silver Sneakers. We did go to San Diego, though, to visit my

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brother, FR. RICHARD THRUMSTON ’47, who is quite ill.

Have a good reunion.”

We had a long phone call from MONA FISHER POTTER ’51, a resident at Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to tell us she has a new telephone number (828-669-7086) and would enjoy calls from old friends. She says written communication is rather difficult because her eyesight is poor.

DICK BAILAR ’51 writes, “I don’t have much to report that differs from other 88-year-old alums. Macular degeneration blindness has pretty much shut down our enjoyment of traveling. We have visited every state and 48 foreign countries, many of them multiple times.

But now, even if we coped with the stress of travel these days, from what I can see, I might just as well be in Oshkosh as Oslo. And it’s ironic, but the best trip I ever took, other than walking down the aisle with Friedel, was the 35 miles from Menasha to enroll in Ripon, where my life was challenged, transformed and enhanced.”

MARY JANE BUMBY ’52, a retired high school biology teacher and lifelong resident of Green Lake, Wisconsin, has been monitoring the lake’s water quality for more than 30 years as a member of Wisconsin’s Citizen Lake Monitoring Network. Among other tasks, this involves routine measurement of the lake’s transparency and dissolved oxygen. She has degrees in biology, botany and zoology. Interestingly, her master’s degree thesis involved comparing the lake’s aquatic plant community to the same measurement 50 years earlier. In addition to serving as director of the Green Lake Sanitary District, she also has been involved in a number of other local organizations such as the Green Lake Association. Kudos to MJ for being a tireless self-help volunteer.

Our ever-faithful correspondent, BOB HESS ’52, was honored in June by the Plymouth, Michigan, Council on Aging for his tireless dedication and support of their Walking Club, which focuses on aiding seniors and their physical health through walking. In relating this to us, he mentions that he has been dealing with some serious health issues over the past year. On an entirely different – and humorous – note, he adds, “I finally threw out my Senior ROTC Manual from my college days, and one of these days I’ll be getting rid of my boots. I’m too old for the Army now.”

In response to our email appeal in August for news, CHAD GIBBONS ’52 wrote, “Nothing of note. After returning from Florida in June, have been on two short vacations to Cape May and Canandaugua, New York.

Still confounding my opponents by still wielding the tennis racket.”

As for us … We still try to stay active and involved in life. We love spending time at our lake and cottage near Wild Rose and really look forward to the Friday evening fish fries at the Two Lakes Supper Club in Plainfield.

Unfortunately, some obligations and unforeseen circumstances which arose in early June caused the two of us to miss Alumni Weekend – a real bummer!!!!

SMOKEY BLOCHWITZ ’51 and BILL BRENNAN ’52 were the sole representatives of our classes – and this happened to be No. 65 for the Class of 1951. To all you ’52ers … along with the Brennans, we’re hoping for a good turnout next year for our 65th! No better time than now to plan on and pencil in attending Alumni Weekend – June 22-25, 2017.

GRETCHEN RIEPMA HEWITT ’52 of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, writes, “I’m still traveling, biking, golfing, gardening and singing solos. Life is good.”

1930-55 The obituaries which Ripon has received are included in “In Memoriam” later in this publication.

So we come to the close of another class letter. Again, many thanks to those of you who have corresponded with us – not as many as we had hoped, however. If any of you who receive this letter feel left out, it’s because we haven’t heard from you either by phone or snail mail, or we don’t have an email address for you.

Remember … Alumni Weekend 2017 (June 22-25) will be No. 65 for the Class of 1952. We’d love to see you there!

And finally, we would remind you once again to LIVE WELL LAUGH OFTEN LOVE MUCH

1955 Art Lundeberg 9256 E. 26th Street, Tucson, AZ 85710 520-296-9281 / artlund@cox.net Dear Class of 1955, Sorry to have missed writing the spring newsletter, but due to health considerations, I wasn’t available to prepare it. I hope all of you have had a good summer.

I’m disappointed that I didn’t receive very many responses for this newsletter, but I’ll pass on the news that I did receive.

1953 & 1954

Class Notes Received a nice note from BOB WITT ’55. He wanted to inform our class members of his change of address. His new address is 116 Charmstone Lane, Georgetown, TX 78628 (tel: 512-688-3061).

The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested or want to learn more, email alumni@ripon.edu.

JACK BLOEDORN ’55, Ph.D., wrote what he has been doing since graduation. His life has been very busy and interesting:

Greetings Class of 1953 and 1954: RON BALEJ ’53 was your 1953 and 1954 Class Agent for the past six years, but sadly died Sept. 5, 2016. He worked for nearly 20 years at S&S Jobbing (later MN Industrial Tools) and with Mary, owned and operated MN Lapidary Supply for 21 years. He was a devoted husband and delighted in fatherhood by coaching his kids through hockey, softball and baseball. He was an active Sunday school teacher and youth leader at St. Mark’s and is still remembered for his contributions to The Wayback Machine curriculum and for his creative writings. Ron was a loyal Ripon alumni and gracious volunteer, serving as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors from 2010-2013 and attend more ’50s reunions and Alumni Weekends than we can count. His sense of humor and huge heart will surely be missed, and our condolences go out to his bride of more than 60 years, Mary Alice, his family, and all of you, his Ripon classmates and friends.

1955 – Graduation from Ripon

Always for Ripon, JO & JIM

Therefore, the role of Class Agent is currently vacant.

If you have an interest or know someone who might be interested in becoming the Class Agent or learning more about this role, please contact either AMY GERRETSEN ’04 or Yvonne Nicklaus (contact information listed below). The position of Class Agent can be very rewarding. You can renew friendships and keep your fellow classmates in contact with one another. Please let us know if you want to learn more about the role of Class Agent, have news to share, or just want to say hello.

JANE CAPPELL DOVENBARGER ’54 of Wausau, Wisconsin, writes, “Having buried two husbands (No. 2 Dr. Bil Dovenbarger died 11/4/14), thoughts turn to gratitude for life, health, friends and family. Attended “DOC” WEISKE ’50’s funeral and had great reunion with Lois and kids. Doc was a great friend for 60+ years.”

Wishing each of you a wonderful autumn and winter, and hoping to get to know at least one of you a little bit better.

AMY GERRETSEN ’04 gerretsena@ripon.edu / 920-748-8353 Yvonne Nicklaus nicklausy@ripon.edu / 920-748-8117

1955-1957 – MBA from Wharton in Philadelphia 1957-1960 – Finance Corps officer, U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Totten, Long Island, New York. Fiscal officer for 1st Region, U.S. Army Air Defense command. Got married.

1960-1963 – Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, New York.

Computer systems developer and programmer.

1963-1968 – Administrative manager, Management Information Systems division, Booz Allen & Hamilton, Chicago, Illinois.

1968-1973 – Ph.D. from Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

Management science concentration. Private consulting practice in computer systems design and development.

1970-1980 – Technical Assistance & Planning Inc., Chicago, Illinois. Management science consultant to federal, state, local and private human service delivery organizations nationwide. Authored book Designing Social Service Systems.

1980 – Founded Management Systems Corp., Mississippi-based consulting company specializing in application of management science and computer science applications to human services delivery organizations nationwide.

1980-2001 – President and CEO of Management Systems Corp. Continued consulting practice in management systems in human services delivery.

1985 got unmarried, then remarried anew. Taught management at University of Wisconsin, DePaul University, Northwestern University, Mississippi State University and Jackson State University. Moved to Treey, Mississippi, suburb of Jackson, in 1985.

2001 – Cancer encounter. Survived. Continued consulting practice. Discontinued teaching.

2001-2011 – Continued consultancy in human services delivery systems.

2011 – Retired to raise horses on 100-acre rural farm south of Jackson, Mississippi.

2011-present – Sold farm in favor of downsized lifestyle in McComb, Mississippi. Just in time for Hurricane Katrina. Moved back to Brandon, Mississippi, in 2007, then to Arlington, Texas, in 2014, and back to Brandon in 2015. Now living on more age-appropriate resources after home buying in McComb/Brandon/Arlington/

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Class Letters Brandon, paying movers (to McComb to Brandon to Arlington to Brandon again), and real estate agents (6 percent of everything! Every time!). Bush crash before Obama didn’t help any, either.

Today – mostly sleep, dabble in politics, manage monthly household chores and accounts, maintain a veneer of hostile old age crankiness directed at everyone.

But I also keep in touch with sons in Sun Valley and Evanston (mostly stay out of their way).

HENRY SCHMITZ JR. ’55 sent me an email of his activities, and Hank’s life also has been very busy and interesting: “In 1955, I obtained a BA from Ripon and a BS from MIT You went three years to Ripon and two years to MIT. My degree from MIT was in civil engineering. I then went to the University of Illinois and received a MS in civil engineering. Following graduation from Illinois, I married Alice Chisholm, whom I met while at MIT. “In 1956, I began work with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill in Chicago. I worked on the design of the Air Force Academy, which was being built from scratch in Colorado Springs. Following two years with Skidmore, I joined IBM. I worked for IBM for 34 years. The first years were as a systems engineer, providing technical support to customers using our computers. Following that, I transferred to software development for the VM/370 operating system. I retired from IBM in 1992.

“When I retired from IBM, I was living in Poughkeepsie, New York. I became a member of the Town of Poughkeepsie Planning Board. In 2005, we moved to Fort Pierce, Florida. Here, I was active as chairman of the Community Development Board. I have now resigned as chairman but remain a member of the board.

“This year, Alice and I celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary. Our five children and several grandchildren celebrated with us. I look forward to receiving the class newsletter as I have fond memories of Ripon.”

FRED ROEMING ’55 has moved from the cold of Colorado to the nice warm climate of Green Valley, Arizona. (We don’t mention the hot days.) Fred sent the following: “After spending 27 years in Colorado, Carol and I decided to relocate to Green Valley, Arizona. Carol has called GV her home for 12 years, and she did enjoy my introducing her to the cool summers in Colorado.

After our marriage in 2013, we decided maintaining two homes was a lot of work and unnecessary expense.

I will miss all my Colorado friends and the Monument Kiwanis Club, Presbyterian Church and Country Club.

Green Valley is a wonderful retirement community located 25 miles south of Tucson. Maybe some of you are familiar with it. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by. My address is 1665 West Placita Peseta, Green Valley, AZ 85622, and the phone number is 520-373-5461. We have a wonderful 70-member Green Bay Packer Club which watches all games on big screen satellite TV. Love those memories of Ripon College.”

College News Fred Pinkham, former president of Ripon College, visited the campus recently. He once was 34 years young and one of the youngest college presidents in the country when he was president from 1955 to 1965.

He now is 96 years young. He was very involved in the planning of many buildings and facilities at Ripon. He enjoyed seeing the campus with President Zach Messitte and several professors. Pinkham said, “This is fun putting it all back together. I have a lot of roots here. It’s a good place. I enjoyed it.”​

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Is Ripon Affordable?

Ripon College has been recognized as one of the most affordable private colleges in the country by Money Magazine. Ripon was ranked 26th of the 50 schools on its list and second among all private colleges in Wisconsin. The magazine determined which of the country’s roughly 1,500 four-year colleges and universities deliver the most value. Those included among the 50 most affordable privates “tend not to load students or parents up with burdensome debts, and all fall in the top half of Money’s overall rankings, so they excel in educational quality and alumni success, too.”

The magazine screened out schools with graduation rates below the median, those with financial difficulties, and those with fewer than 500 undergraduates. What remained were 705 colleges that were ranked on 24 factors in three categories: quality of educational, affordability and graduate outcomes.

Ripon’s History Last newsletter we spoke of the sports program being started. Between that fateful game in 1882 and 1891, Ripon did not play any intercollegiate games. In 1891, an intercollegiate team reappeared. However, as the rules had been standardized in 1890, Ripon lacked someone who knew the new regulations and had played the refined game. Le Roy Woodmansee solved Ripon’s problem when he enrolled in the school of music. He became Ripon’s first coach, captain and fullback and assembled a team of 16. Moreover, he was obviously successful: the team’s undefeated record (3-0) has been beaten only once – an 8-0 record 66 years later in 1957.

Hence, during the tenures of Presidents Merriman and Merrell, the College had established its identity in terms of defining its constituency, goals, and character of its educational program. It had managed to survive continued financial stringency in an era in which many similar small colleges perished, though its reputation and clientele remained largely confined to a local market area too small to support a liberal college of the quality Ripon aspired to attain. Low enrollments and low tuition combined to keep the College dependent on outside support and the continuation of the preparatory school as a source of income. In short, the achievements of the Merriman and Merrell administrations provided the basis upon which their successors would build a college with a wider regional reputation capable of generating the expanded student body needed for financial stability and institutional development.

ROTC Last newsletter, we spoke of the formation of a Ripon rifle team to build campus support. Finally, in carrying out the ROTC’s educational program at Ripon, the officers in charge placed heavy emphasis on the development of leadership. The large amount of time devoted to drill, together with the mandatory participation of nearly all freshman and sophomore males in the program, meant the upperclassmen in the advanced program got the chance to carry out leadership roles on the drill field. In addition, the many social activities in which the ROTC was involved necessitated the creation of a large number of organizing committees in which upper-class ROTC members would again take leadership roles. As a result, while off-campus military observers rarely credited Ripon cadets with unusual technical knowledge, they repeatedly complimented members of the Unit for their “pep” and their willingness to take leadership roles in summer camp activities. This emphasis on leadership was congruent with the College’s own adherence to the liberal arts tradition and to its self-image as a builder of moral character which meant that the program quickly

1955-59 won faculty support while it attracted to the Advanced Course some of Ripon’s best students.

Thank you to those who sent me items to pass on to all our classmates. I hope 2017 will be a healthy year for all of us. In the meantime, I wish a very happy holiday and a merry Christmas to all my classmates and fellow alumni.

ART LUNDEBERG

1956 The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested or want to learn more, email alumni@ripon.edu.

EDWIND H. CROMEY ’56 of Tuxedo Park, New York, writes, “Expect first great-grandchild in June.”

1957 Joan Raymond marcoJR@aol.com Many years ago, almost 60 now, when we were classmates at Ripon, we shared many of the same concerns and probably had more in common then we realized at the time. We worried about grades, housing, money, majors, dating and, of course, post-Ripon plans.

As I have tried to connect with many of you as your Class Agent, it is very clear that we still have a great deal in common. Now, we worry about grandchildren, travel, health, finances and, of course, whatever happened to the world we knew back in 1957.

With our common base in mind, I encourage you to consider attending our 60th class reunion next year.

It will be at Ripon College during Alumni Weekend, Thursday through Sunday, June 22 to 25, 2017. Events actually start on Thursday and end Sunday morning, ranging from social to educational, including the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble to benefit the Athletic Department, Annual Alumni Awards Banquet, Class Celebration and Reunion Parties, plus much more! The College will be sending out information, and I will keep you informed of special functions and activities for our class. As I have done for our previous reunions, I will coordinate the program for our class and welcome any volunteers to help with the planning.

Please start planning now to attend. This has always been a great weekend as we remembered our times together at Ripon and enjoyed a few days of pleasant nostalgia at the campus. Ripon, both the school and the town, have changed dramatically over the past six decades. The basic infrastructure, the campus grounds and the new buildings certainly give our Ripon memories a challenge. The progress, however, has been phenomenal. Aside from the physical changes to the campus, the innovations to the curriculum and the technological advances are absolutely amazing.

The myriad of new programs and academic studies are a testament to the continued progressive thinking of our alma mater. I invite you to visit the Ripon website at www.ripon.edu and check out how far Ripon has advanced since we graduated in 1957.

Finally, because of an unexpected illness during these past few months, I have not been able to contact many of you, and I do apologize. However, I am now on the road to recovery, and I hope to do better with a group email in the coming months. In the meantime, I ask you for your help by contacting me with your updates either by email or phone. My information is at the top of this newsletter.

Until I see you in June next year, I wish you happiness in your retirement, good health and fond memories of our time at Ripon College.

JOAN RAYMOND

1958 The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested or want to learn more, email alumni@ripon.edu.

1959 Roger Venden vendenr@comcast.com Reunion of 1957 undefeated football team Year 2017 will mark the 60th reunion of the College’s 1957 undefeated, second-in-the-nation small colleges football team coached by Jerry Thompson. The team players, spouses and significant others are planning a 2017 reunion at Ripon College on an October weekend during which the Red Hawks host a home Saturday afternoon football game. The 2017 October game date to be determined. Players and family members will arrive on a Thursday or Friday and depart for home mid-day on Sunday. Some members, however, may wish to extend their trip.

Past reunions were successful as coordination with the Office of Constituent Engagement by two or three players/spouses living in Wisconsin enhanced timely planning. We have until October 2017, but it does not hurt to start early!

Of course, most of us were slightly younger then; most are now in our late 70s and early 80s. I punch my 80TH TICKET in early December 2016!

Additional reunion information will be forth coming in early 2017.

Downsizing Move, February 2016, was successful! All items arrived safe and sound – no breakage. We are happy with the move; our daughter, Renee, and son, Sean, are relieved even more so! I must confess that we should have downsized 10 years earlier. Both Manon and I are “collectors” and, if you have gone through a move, you understand fully what I am talking about.

We sold and gave away more than we moved to our Drumlin Road home. We are still looking for some of it still packed in boxes – that probably will go on and our five grandsons – Sam Clark, working for Barclays Bank as a trader in NYC; Will Clark starting his senior year at Franklin & Marshall in business and finance (he is an outstanding mathematician, but says he doesn’t like it – I should have been so lucky); Jack Venden started his freshmen year at Boston University with a four-year scholarship in aeronautical engineering — he was all-conference linebacker as a junior and senior in both football and lacrosse defense; Henry Venden is a junior at Yarmouth High School, Yarmouth, Maine, loves football , but his favorite is game is lacrosse; and, finally, Blake Venden, an eighth-grader at Yarmouth Junior High and plays baseball and basketball (both his favorites) and football. His basketball skills remind me already of PETE KASSON ’59! All the grandsons participate in athletics and musical, however we are most pleased with their leadership skills, all are high-honor students, are outstanding communicators and comfortable in their own skin!

Manon continues her love of reading – is in two monthly book groups, tends to her flower beds, deadheading, etc. remains active with her antique business, flower arranging, cooking and taking good care of me.

Fall 2016 9

Class Letters She had her first surgery recently and came thorough beautifully.

My tennis and golf came to a temporary halt two months ago as a result of 11 years of football and tennis and golf twice a week. I played hurt for too long and will have a right hip replacement on Sept. 26 at Exeter Hospital, Exeter, New Hampshire. I am determined to continue my “quality of life” priority after surgery and physical therapy and return to the “playing field.”

DAVID MIRISCH ’59 of Westlake Village, California, recently was appointed executive director of the Moorpark College Foundation. Moorpark College has an enrollment of 14,000 students and is located in East Ventura County, California. dmirisch@vccd.edu.

ROGER D. VENDEN

1960 Deborah Johnson Van Slyke 8700 E. Mountain View Road, Unit 1074 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480-284-5564/619-889-5061 advanslyke@cox.net DAN HOLDEN ’60 and DELORES “DEE” GRAY HOLDEN ’60 are fine and still in Lake Geneva for five months of the year and then back to Arizona for the rest of the time. A family highlight was attending the Great Lakes Boot Camp graduation of our grandson, Beckett. He is now in South Carolina in the Navy’s nuclear engineering training program. Dan is playing pickle ball. The Holdens will be on a river cruise in September. On return, Dee will be planning the 100th birthday celebration of her mom in February. She has lived with us for 35 years … Remember each day is a gift.

ROBERT BORGER ’60 and wife, Yvette, went to Niagara Falls in July and spent time with friends in Buffalo. They will head to Florida in September as Bob has given up his season football tickets.

As for the Korbels, JOHN ’60 and Jan are spending the winter months in their home in Naples, Florida. May through October is their travel months. For the past three years, travel has been to visit our son, Greg, daughter-in-law, Heather, and 3½-year-old granddaughter, Ava, in Philadelphia where Heather recently completed her surgical residency. As of July of this year, they moved to Boston where Heather now is doing her fellowship at Mass General. Greg is now working for a Swedish company starting operations here in the United States. As a result, Jan and I spend a significant amount of time babysitting Ava, which reminds us that our energy level is quickly disappearing when we try to keep up with her. We attend the Sigma Chi reunions at Ripon and Jan’s nursing reunions held at various locations. We have lost some dear friends and fraternity brothers during the past years but are so grateful for the time we spent with them.

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still gets to the golf course and has played his first full round of the year. Shot 105 — only 27 strokes above his age. (Our prayers and good wishes are with you and Barb). Dave says that he has had a visit with PETE LARSON ’60.

JIM MCKAY ’60 still is volunteering at the Overture Center for the Performing Arts in Madison after 10 years.

Jim sold the home that he and Marge built and is now at a 55-plus residence in McFarland. He says that he is playing AT golf, ushering at church and is on the finance committee.

On to Florida and CHARLIE MORGAN ’60. After openheart surgery in May 2015, he is back on the golf course and made a road trip with Samm to visit a daughter in New Jersey. They are headed to an eighth MP Division (Germany) reunion at Branson in early October and then on to a 60th reunion at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. They are planning to visit PETE LARSON ’60, MARVIN “BUD” HUMPHREY ’60 and DAVE JENNINGS ’60.

Our class artist, CLAUDETTE BEALL LEE-ROSELAND ’60, had a solo show in July featuring 45 of her paintings. She says that she also did an outdoor show in August but that will be her last — the tent blew over and broke two legs, so she decided that was it. Claud is a docent two times a month at the Cedarberg Museum and is bartending at the local beer garden. On deck is a Mississippi River cruise with her husband and then home to bike ride and pet cats.

Forty years ago, JIM PIERCE ’60 took up bike riding — old Honda, newer Yamahas, bigger Honda, then BMWs and then going to rally. The most recent rally was an international one in Hamburg, New York. “Went with my oldest daughter on her BMW and me on a Can Am Spyder. While we were there, went to my old home in Niagara Falls that I lived in until I was 4.”

KEN LUBER ’60 writes: “Hi, my reading friends. I’ve just completed two novels. The Sun Jumpers will be published in a couple of months. The other, Falling From the Sky, is on my blog. Just go to my blog at kenluber.blogspot. com, click on the highlighted chapter, and the text will come up. Every two weeks, I’ll post the next consecutive chapter. Happy reading and leave a comment, if you so please. P.S. If you’ve missed previous chapters, just go to the previous post and click on the chapter number. So far, the response has been great.

Thank you all for keeping in touch … even though I do nag a bit. Still in Scottsdale swimming daily, busy with choir and four cats.

Stay well, stay happy and keep in touch. DEB

1961 Peter Jochimsen 1010 Woodlawn Ave, Iowa City, IA 52245 cuttertoo@centurylink.net

And now on to the SAE newsline courtesy of KARL PIOTROWSKI ’60. Karl is dodging hurricanes and busy overseeing construction at a hotel in Maui. He also is headed to Kauai and then the Big Island to oversee hotel construction. He also made a first site visit to a $23 million renovation of a Marriott at Kona. Daughter Joy is in her third year of medical school finishing surgery rotation and is now in Peds. Son Brain worked with Piotrowski Construction this summer for seven weeks before returning to D.C. E. Leng is heading to Spain and Portugal on a two-week tour in September.

For some time now, I have used this class letter to describe the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. I have tried to get a follow-up from the study itself, but to no avail. It seems that they have run out of money. By looking at our gut flora and the like, that they are unable to determine who is still alive at the end of the 60th year of the study without more funding. It is sort of like a boxing match when the winner, the last one standing, is declared and we will never know, apparently, who those person(s) is or are. Kind of disappointing.

Excellent news from DAVE JENNINGS ’60! After his cancer diagnosis and the first four chemo treatments, he

As I celebrated my 77th birthday in April, I was interested to know what my projected longevity was likely to be. There are any numbers of online programs

Connections

1960-61 that allow one to do that. After answering a number of questions relative to my body habitus and habits, I am happy to report that consuming one or two glasses of wine before dinner each night had negligible detrimental effects on the results.

Grace and I: We continue to enjoy our lives in Iowa, and the concomitant Midwest living. The small farm, with food plot for deer and mowing the pond, continues to give me something to do and much joy. Also, the small apple orchard there, while yielding few apples this year, appears to be healthy and the trees growing larger each year. Last year we had lots of apples, not so this year.

It seems that some trees only really produce alternate years. I am having a great honey year, with the spring extraction yielding more than 20 gallons of a very lightly flavored honey which is selling well wherever I take it.

You may have noticed, perhaps even participated, in some of the recognition that John Storzer has received from the College this past year. My wife is from a small Wisconsin farming community, Hofa Park, located between Pulaski and Seymour, Wisconsin. She and her brother, my age, went to high school in Pulaski, after attending a one-room schoolhouse in Hofa Park. Storzer was the physical education teacher, taught chemistry, and was the football coach at Pulaski, when he was recruited to Ripon. Grace’s brother, Jim, played for the team and has numerous stories to tell.

We have signed up for our first-ever cruise this February. It follows the end of the football season, obviously, and the coaches and members of the Iowa Fan organizations are also attending. It is a 10-day cruise in the Caribbean, down to Panama, entering but not going through to the Atlantic. Should be fun, especially as we have high hopes for a successful year, as we did last year.

What follows is input from fellow classmates.

AKIRA TOMITA ’61, writes, “My wife, Tomoko, and I took a trip to the U.S., first time in four years, July 21-Aug. 15, visiting New York City, D.C., Greenville, Illinois, Iowa City and Portland. We found people we met were all kind, friendly and thoughtful to us, which certainly made our trip most enjoyable and pleasant. I feel we should be learning more from American people to be that way. The highlight of the trip was our visit in Iowa City, Iowa, with PETER JOCHIMSEN ’61 and his family (his wife, Grace, and his daughter, Cathy). When we were walking toward luggage claim area in the airport of Cedar Rapids, I found Peter waiting for us with a big smile on his face. It was in the academic year of 1957 when we were together at Scott Hall. Believe it or not, after the elapse of 60 years, I could immediately recognize him at my first glance of him in spite of some changes in his physical appearances.

“By the same token, he could instantly recognize me. He gave us a ride to his home in Iowa City. We were so amazed to find his house being so huge and decorated fabulously with many different kinds of fancy ornaments. He had a vast front and also back yard where he keeps seven beehives, which is his hobby.

I had a painful fingertip discharging pus and Peter took me, the following morning, to the nearby medical clinic.

Making the best of a bad bargain, I could find how a medical clinic in the U.S. looks and how treatment is performed, what are procedures filing out papers before seeing a doctor, etc. In the afternoon of Aug. 9 and the entire day of Aug. 10, Peter and his wife, Grace, took us to various places and showed us around. To mention a few, to the farm/forest he owns, the capitol of Iowa that existed there for two years before moving to Des Moines, a large bookstore, the birthplace of President Hoover and Hoover Museum, the antique shop Grace used to work

for, a gun shop to find out about the various legal requirements to purchase a gun, University of Iowa and the University Hospital, huge and well-equipped. He used to work there as a surgeon until his retirement. He currently assumes a professor emeritus role. I was most impressed with visiting the community of Amish people.

“I found a small grade school where they had just finished teacher’s meeting. I was allowed to step into the classroom (just one) and talk with some teachers. I felt like time went back to the 19th century by looking at the way female teachers dressed. ’Horse and buggy’ was much fun to watch. Streets were not paved, and they didn’t use electricity. I only wished I could have visited some home to actually observe how their daily practices may be.

“My wife cooked, with help of Grace, miso soup and curry and rice dinner. Peter’s daughter, Cathy, joined us, and we all had a pleasant time. After dinner, Grace brought and showed a piece of cloth that some of her Japanese friends had sent to her. Grace didn’t know just what it was. It was a sash to go with kimono, a traditional Japanese dress. My wife showed her how to wear it around her waist. Time just went by so quickly and the time for us to leave them arrived after staying with Peter over three nights. On the airplane, we looked below to see the vast corn fields and pleasant memories we shared with Peter flashed across my mind. It is proved that it was a blessing for me to have such a kind friend like Peter.”

SUGAR MALTBY BALMES ’61: ’Duffie girls never grow old; they just keep on dressing alike and laughing! Me and EDIE TULL JENDAL ’58 have lived blocks away from each other for decades but until a few years ago were unaware of the Ripon connection. We met in an aerobics class and now are volunteer salesgirls at the 800 Gift Shop at NCH hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois.”

PHIL WAITKUS ’61 of Kohler, Wisconsin, writes: “Things continue to perk along in the Waitkus household.

Audrey and I spend quite a bit of time at our cabin in Door County, refurbishing it with various local contractors. Our kids and grandkids come up at least a couple of times a year to spend time with us, and with us take the grandkids swimming, tubing and fishing on the bay. We think by fall we might have made the cabin truly ours with our own modifications. We still have the condo in Kohler and it is sort of our anchor place.

I still consult for my old employer, Plastics Engineering Co., on a monthly basis. It’s always fun to meet with my old staff and see how the industry changes. Audrey and I are still in pretty good health, I’m still able to walk almost indefinitely, chop wood, etc.

I don’t crawl on roofs anymore, at least when Audrey’s watching.

“We don’t have any travel plans for the near term, but I do a lot of photographic volunteer work for two local parishes in the Kohler area, and we both volunteer at the local folk school in Ellison Bay, The Clearing. We enjoy the Clearing’s classes, the food for class attendees, and the camaraderie. Great place, and it’s only four miles from the cabin.

“Well, that’s my two bits worth. I hope it’s enough to keep you from a ride on a 2x4 to Ingalls field in the CEOC’s finest suit of tar and feathers.”

BARBARA KRIEPS LASKINS ’61 of San Jose, California, writes: “Well, I’m still working as a management analyst for the County of Santa Clara with the overall responsibility for the county’s employee travel program.

Other activities include my alumna group of Gamma Iota Gamma (Alpha Chi Omega in the South Bay of

Fall 2016 11

Class Letters sunny California), Rotary, my book group, mowing the lawn, my volunteer work with Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services, where my boy dog (a gorgeous black standard poodle) is a Reading Buddy. He visits the library where the children practice reading to him, although I must say his reading comprehension has improved since he began. Other activities: the visual arts of theater, opera, ballet and, of course, the movies. Recent trips include Bali, Indonesia, Singapore and Cambodia. Forthcoming trips include the Inland Passage cruise to Alaska (one of the few places I’ve not visited!) and a long-awaited trip to Belgium and the Netherlands. When I do retire, I plan to move to Ashland, Oregon, home to the oldest Shakespeare repertoire theatre in the U.S., the Oregon Shakespeare Theatre. And that’s all folks!”

THOMAS ANDERSON ’61 of Minnetonka, Minnesota, writes: “Winters in Florida, summers in Minnesota.

Three kids, four grandkids, one wife. Fishing, pheasant hunting, golf, tennis, racquetball. Life is good, so far.”

MARA LATSONS WARREN ’61 of Morrison, Colorado, writes: “We have had an exciting summer. We took our two sons, their wives and our three grandchildren (ages 13, 11 and 3½) to Latvia this summer. Wanted to show them where I was born and lived for the first four years of my life. My husband and I have been back many times for family reunions after the Berlin wall came down and the Russian occupation ended in the Baltic States in the early 1990s. Our sons had not been there since the early ’90s when my mom, Velta Latsons, took them for a visit. They were overwhelmed by the progress made over the last 25 years or so. Riga, which is an 800-year-old city, has been wonderfully refurbished and renovated to its old grandeur. We had a wonderful time in Riga, Liepaja (where I was born) and the beach resort of Jurmala. The children especially enjoyed the sea shore; although it was July, the weather wasn’t really that warm. We were able to get together with some of my cousins, their children and grandchildren – three generations had the opportunity to meet and get acquainted. As always, there was not enough time to do everything, but our children and grandchildren had a chance to experience and learn of their heritage.”

Thanks to those who participate in this venture, please consider helping.

PETER JOCHIMSEN

1962 The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested or want to learn more, email alumni@ripon.edu.

Please save the date: June 22-25, 2017, and make plans to attend next year’s Alumni Weekend to celebrate our 55th Reunion. Events actually start on Thursday and end Sunday morning, ranging from social to educational, including the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble to benefit the Athletic Department, Annual Alumni Awards Banquet, Class Celebration and Reunion Parties, plus much more!

We still are looking for volunteers to help collaborate with the Office of Constituent Engagement on party logistics and communicate with classmates to encourage attendance. If you are willing to help, please call 920748-8126 or email alumni@ripon.edu.

THEODORA LEE GREGG ’62 of Athens, Ohio, writes: “Now have two grandchildren, Samantha Elise Lloyd, 2½, and Marjorie Elina Lloyd, born March 14, a Pi baby!”

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Connections

AL JARREAU ’62 was among a host of prominent jazz musicians to perform in April at the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert on the South Lawn of the White House. On Oct. 8, he received the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music. The gala event was held in his hometown of Milwaukee.

1963 Wayne Wolfgram 622 Lincoln Road, Grosse Pointe, MI 48230 313-882-1712 / waynewolfgram@gmail.com Greetings, classmates: Hopefully this finds you all in good health and enjoying what I consider the best season of the year! No doubt you were all as amazed as I was to see pictures of 96-year-old President Fred Pinkham visiting the campus. Good for him! May we all have his good fortune. Also, I noticed in the Spring 2016 issue of R Connections (1968 Class News, page 19), that there is a restaurant named Bud and Marilyn’s in Philadelphia. A co-owner is the granddaughter of Bud and Marilyn — the owners of The Spot from 1950 to 1990! What memories!

ELLIE RADER ALCOCK ’63 (ealcock@msn.com) writes: “My husband, Derrick, and I attended part of the 2016 Alum Weekend on short notice and had a great time.

The campus looks good, a biology lecture with photos about the College prairie was wonderful, and a tour to the local winery (not there in our time) plus some fun socializing made for a great visit. Beautiful weather also was pleasant. We do attend many of the Ripon Twin Cities Fifth Tuesday Happy Hour gatherings and find they help us stay connected (last evening being the most recent). We moved, not far, but to a town home two years ago and love it. Plenty of room for kids or friends to visit, a lovely corner lot with enough space to have small gardens, but no further yard work. We enjoy travel and had a wonderful first visit to Hawaii in May. We made a short trip to L.A. in July (joined by our son, Dave, from Colorado) to watch Derrick’s home soccer team, Leicester City, the big surprise winners in England in the recent season. They lost to a Paris team in California, but it was fun. We head up north tomorrow for the Labor Day weekend and have just booked a 10-day trip to England for the end of the month. Derrick has family there and we haven’t been back for five years. In addition to son, Dave, we have a daughter and her family (our two grandchildren) who live in Iowa and plan to visit us in early October.

Greetings and good wishes to all.”

SUSAN KELLER MATTHES ’63 (susanmatthes@ sbcglobal.net) writes: “Camping seems to be our thing the past two years — last year in Chaco Canyon Chaco Culture National Historic Park in New Mexico, tenting in high winds and low temperatures (17 degrees overnight). This was after visiting Acoma and descending their ’old steps.’ Chaco was on my ’want-tosee’ list after having visited New Mexico several times but with never enough time to drive the long road in and out. As Juergen and I are growing older, we’ve decided to take time — and thus the overnight camping trip. What stone masons those Ancient Ones were!

“This year, we made it back to the California redwoods in northern California and camped with our tent and sleeping bags under the redwoods at Elk Meadows.

That was on my bucket list! How serenely quiet it was in that forest for three nights! And, thanks to Dr. Wiley and Dr. Nichols way back when, for instilling the love of biology and botany during all those classes! Saw my first banana slug — did you know it has more than hundreds of teeth on its tongue? And though most people would

1961-65 say, ’Uuggh,’ it’s really quite beneficial to the forest!

And while the coastal mists often obscured our sight lines, those, too, are essential to the health of the redwoods. Isn’t it marvelous that learning is an ongoing life adventure?”

1964

DAVID NEUBAUER ’63 (dneubauer18@gmail.com): “My brother, JOHN NEUBAUER ’63, and I celebrated our 75th birthday jointly at a party Aug. 21, 2016. We figured 61 guests came and most all were folks we’ve known for many years, many for our lifetime. John and Joann were married 45 years ago, and he and I believe that year was the last year we were together on our birthday. So, this was a special one. Gosh, the numbers are getting HUGE. We conclude that 75 is the new ’middle age.’ I enclose a pic of us twins. My wife and I will be in Wisconsin next spring and will probably come to Ripon for a day.”

Greetings ’64 Classmates: I continue to enjoy living here at the Stoneridge Creek retirement community.

We now have 600 residents. It is hard for me to believe that I have been here three years. I feel very much at home in my apartment, but the best thing is the many new friends I have made here. I love my water exercise, Zumba Gold dance, chair yoga and line dance.

I facilitate a monthly book group. Our most recent book was The Wright Brothers, by David McCullough.

I also recently read the Carol King memoir A Natural Woman and really enjoyed the musical Beautiful in San Francisco. If you have an opportunity to see Beautiful, do it. My son, Bill, is living again in the Philippines with his family and working for NetSuite. Mark and his family are still here in California. Time seems to move quickly.

My oldest granddaughter is now a junior in college.

DAN SCHULTZ ’63 (deschultz41@gmail.com ): “Peg and I celebrated our 17th anniversary with a hiking trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and while we were there experimented with the locally grown Colorado weed while there. Not bad and it looks like Maryland will be at least approving Medical Use Grass, so our saving all of paraphernalia from our youth over the years is paying off.

“Our summer has been filled with travel to and visits from our children as well as a visit back to Wisconsin / Illinois to see my sisters who had the sense to stay in the Midwest where cheese is cheap and Old Style still rules. We also have a contract in on a home in the Jupiter, Florida, area so it looks like we will move from seasonal renters to ’second-homers’ this winter and won’t have to worry about rejections because of our large Labradoodle in finding a place to stay.

“I have also taken the next step toward full retirement by officially going to an ’of counsel’ status with my old firm. Next year it will be ’emeritus.’ I will be traveling to New Hope, Pennsylvania, in the fall to re-visit the 911 Memorial there now that it is complete and a birthday trip to Hilton Head in October with old friends. Light is always on in the window here in Maryland/D.C. and in Florida if you are in our neck of the woods.”

TONY STEPHANIE ’63 (anthonystephanie@comcast. net): “Becky and I are enjoying our retirement quietly in Granger, Indiana. Not much exciting going on right now so tor us that means we are relatively healthy with no pressing problems facing us. We winter in place, so no tales of travel to regale you. Just quiet, and we kind of like it that way.”

LYNN SIEBEL SUNDELIUS ’63 (sundeliuslynn@gmail. com): “After a delightful trip to Ireland and Scotland last fall, I have spent time entertaining family and friends at my lake home in Montana. I continue to volunteer for CASA, sing in a community choir, play bridge with a wonderful group of OLD ladies (I’m the youngster), and generally enjoy retirement. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate for children. As such, I am the voice of neglected and abused kiddos who have been removed from their parents by child and family services.

It is my role to represent the best interest of the child to the court.”

A big “thank-you” to those who have contributed to this and other class letters, and Happy Holidays everyone.

Keep in touch!

WAYNE

Pat Ostrom Kohnen 3441 Streamside Circle, #419, Pleasanton, CA 94588 925-201-7377 / pmko@aol.com

HARRISON FORD ’64 of Beverly Hills, California: July 20, 2016: Harrison Ford, EAA Lifetime 546164, has volunteered to fly Jodie Gawthrop, EAA 1108302, of Westchester, Illinois, who will represent the 2 millionth Young Eagle at AirVenture Oshkosh 2016. Ford, an avid pilot and longtime EAA supporter, served as chairman of the Young Eagles program for five years, from 2004 to 2009.

In addition to celebrating the 2 millionth Young Eagle, AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 also marks the 24th anniversary of the Young Eagles program. After reaching the 1 millionth Young Eagle flight in 2003, the program has continued to soar with the help of thousands of EAA volunteers and generous donors and sponsors.

I hope that many of you will join me in donating to Ripon College. I continue to feel grateful for the wonderful education I experienced at Ripon. Of course, I had the bonus of meeting Jim at Ripon. I would be glad to meet with any of you who might travel to San Francisco. My email is pmko@aol.com, and my phone number is 925- 201-7377. If you have news to share in a future class letter, you can either email it to me or send it directly to Ripon.

Happy Holidays, PAT KOHNEN

1965 John C. Hyde 3718 Silver Birch Road, Conover, WI 54519 414-530-4041 / jhyde65@gmail.com STEVE PETERS ’65 writes: “I haven’t been up to much this summer. In June, I had outpatient surgery for what turned out to be spermatic tube cancer. Never heard of it? It is an extremely rare form of cancer, and there haven’t been enough cases to do a research project.

As this was my second type of cancer, I now have an oncologist. She assured me that it is a one-and-done type of cancer if the margins were clear, and they were.

“When I left the hospital I had the following conversation with a nurse: NURSE: ’Do you have everything you came with?’

ME: ’Nope.’ (The doc took out the testicle as well.)

NURSE: ’I sure walked into that one.’ ” WIN RYDER ’65 says: “I am still working as a consultant representing manufacturers to electric utility companies nationally. Lot of travel but it does not bother me, and Mary goes along if I am going someplace nice. We

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Class Letters still travel to Europe once a year and make two trips to the Caribbean in the winter. We are cowards and leave Michigan when the snow flies.”

BARBARA BRADFORD SEWALL ’65 writes, “Had a great time at TED SEWALL ’66’s 50th in June. FRED BIGLER ’66 came out from Cape Cod and spent several days with us before and after the reunion. Lots of fun lake time with kids and grandkids over the summer. I am packing now as we leave for the UK in two days. We’re doing the trip with Globus Tours – first time. Extra two days and night in London on our own first, then hook up with the tour. We do London, Stonehenge, Bath, Wales, two days and nights in Edinburgh, Scotland, York, Cambridge, and back to London. 10 days in all. Should be interesting – have always wanted to see Great Britain. Happy fall to everyone.”

TOM BUESCH ’65 writes: “I am still working full time, teaching at Colorado Mountain College here in Aspen for another couple years at least. If I stay this healthy I’ll just keep going! This fall, I have English Composition, Modern Literature, Ethics and Humanities: the Modern World. Sound familiar? I still enjoy my teaching and am on a 12-month schedule, teaching also in the summer, when I have two sections of a Music Appreciation class with a total of 80 students. I attend a lot of the concerts at the Aspen Music Festival each summer and also teach a Listeners Master Class for the Festival on Fridays, where I have about 100 people in a local church for presentations on classical music on topics I choose and prepare each summer. It’s a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.

“My two children from my second family are both doing fine; my son, Greg, at the University of Illinois in computer engineering, and my daughter, Katrina, is working here in Aspen after graduating last year from the University of Puget Sound in psychology. She wants to get a graduate degree and work in counseling the military, which I fully support, of course.

“I still ski in the winter and bike and hike in the summer and enjoy the fabulous mountain environment up here.

I am in regular email contact with our classmate JOHN BURROWS ’65, but otherwise don’t hear from anyone in our class. I’d be happy to have visitors at any time!”

CHARLIE LARSON ’65 says: “It has been a fabulous summer, both hot and humid most of the time in Wisconsin. We have a pool in our backyard and the heat and humidity brought our kids and grandchildren to Ripon many times. The grandchildren love the pool. Golf and tennis have occupied our time for much of the summer. Karen and I will be taking a trip to El Paso, Texas, in a week to spend eight days there. We visit a different city each summer and have never been disappointed with what those cities have to offer.”

JOHN NEWHARD ’65 writes: “We had a nice summer with two trips with Road Scholar. The first was to Yosemite National Park in June. We got there early enough to see the waterfalls running and Tioga Pass was not still blocked by snow. We were glad we went with a tour; Yosemite Valley is very crowded in the summer, and even though I planned the trip in October, I learned no lodging was available in the park! Because we were with a tour, we got lodging in the park, had excellent lecturers/naturalists and were taken to dramatic and interesting places where there was no crowd. In August, we took a trip (also with Road Scholar) to the Canadian Rockies; from Calgary to Banff, to Lake Louise, to Jasper National Park, and then two days on the train (during daylight hours) from Jasper across the continental divide down to Vancouver. Both trips had beautiful scenery and interesting topics.”

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“Early in September, I visited with NANCY BUCK HINTZ ’82 from the College development department. Ripon College has adopted a revised curriculum, for required courses outside of one’s major, titled Catalyst. The faculty voted 60-4 to adopt it, which is, of itself, impressive. It is a very interesting concept which involves five courses over three years. The courses cover writing; quantitative reasoning; intercultural competence; interdisciplinary integration; and, in the third year, an applied innovation seminar. While each seminar covers similar material, each is taught by a tenure track faculty from different disciplines. Among its goals is a mastery of oral communication, written communication, ability to work collaboratively and to do factual research. I think it may help Ripon attract more students and prepare them for today’s employment.”

ROGER CRASS ’65 says: “Some quick, uninteresting thoughts on what I do with my time. I work part time at the YMCA in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin: three times a month, five-hour shifts. I bowl very badly two times a week. I golf terribly about once a week. I sing in a group of 60-plus singers. We have two performances on Mother’s Day weekend, and the same in December. I have been participating in the Senior Olympics in Wisconsin since 2010. They have many different sports that they provide. I participate in track and field and have won a medal in the high jump, shot put and discus each year.

Check out their web page to see what other sports they provide. There are 22 in Wisconsin. I have a son and family living in Lolo, Montana. He is a police officer. He participates in the Highland Games. I don’t know if they wear kilts or what. He also has a granddaughter, which makes me a ’great’. I also visit my sick cousin at assisted living and push her around in her wheelchair. I like pushing her around. My wife passed in 2012, and my daughter in 2013, both from cancer. I don’t like cooking and cleaning. I should sell my house and become an illegal alien.”

KEN MAHER ’65 writes: “After Ripon I worked for several companies in computer-related jobs before attending UCONN Law School at night. I worked for a few more companies after that before starting a pension consulting business that I’ve been doing for the last 40+ years. I’ve been taking courses at several Connecticut schools, currently working toward a master’s in sociology as a basis for my next career. Three children and six grandchildren. Winters in Arizona with my significant other and playing golf year round.”

JUDY GONIA SCHAEFER ’65 says: “My husband, Jerry, and I continue to enjoy our retirement and stay busy. We spend six months in Sterling, Illinois, our ’permanent’ residence, and six months at our lake home in Winter, Wisconsin. We have good friends and family in both places. I continue to bowl, sew (quilts), participate in community activities, and spend as much time as we can with our daughters and their families.”

RICHARD GRIMSRUD ’65 writes: “Working with a NYC agent on publishing a new sci-fi/political parable titled Empire Falls Fast.”

SOON LEE AHN ’65 writes: “Upon graduation from Ripon in 1965, I got an MA in drama from Tufts University in 1969. From 1969 to 1998, I worked with the World Bank (WB) in Washington, D.C., in HR, including international recruitment as recruitment officer. From 1994 to 1997, I worked with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, Philippines, as personnel officer. In 1998, retired from the WB and ADB. From 1999 to 2002, earned an MA in career counseling, University of Maryland College Park, working as career

1965-66 counselor for UMD Student Athletes. Since 1998, founder and principal career strategist, AHN Consulting LLC. Since 2013, founding president and legacy member, Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA). Since 2014, DACOR member and legacy member (2016).”

CATHY ZENDER CUMMINS ’65 says: “I am still teaching six to seven days a week because I am the weekend enrichment director at the San Antonio Academy. I have up to 140 students a week for Early Bird Reading, a reading-phonics program I created 32 years ago. For older students, I have Reading Masters. During the week, I also teach phonics and special enrichment classes for the boys at the academy. We have 345 boys, pre-K through eighth grade. I travel around Texas, training at other schools, too. I am the president of the Coppini Academy of Fine Arts here in San Antonio. Pompeo Coppini was the sculptor who created the Cenotaph in front of the Alamo. His residence and studio are used now as an art school. In free time, I like to go to Europe, especially to Scotland. Recently we went to Italy, France, Russia, Germany and Scandinavia. We also like the Texas coast. My daughter, MICHELE CUMMINS ’95, attended Ripon, and she now teaches with me. My son, Thomas, is an artist. He has had 14 art residencies in the past six years, including Yaddo and a Berlin residency through the Blue Star Museum. His photographs are currently on an art wall around the San Antonio airport.”

TERRY TOBIAS ’65 writes: “Not retired and no plans to.

Enjoy running my company. Never a dull moment.”

LARRY TICE ’65 says: “One highlight, at the 50th Saturday night dinner was the surprise Larson family (children and grandchildren) salute and tribute to CHARLIE LARSON ’65 for his years of stewardship as Ripon’s (fine) AD (athletic director) over so many years. It was a gr888! Surprise, done in high spirits, and set a receptive note for both high jinx and ’respect’ for a job well-done. The tribute also provided an inside chance not only to share in a great story; but, also to claim Charlie as one of our own. Impressive, too, are the narratives of so many other class members ...

“Am still in Chicago and remain semi-retired. MinJa is fully retired and still, as it seems, is catching up on some overdue sleep after 40 years as an RN at University of Chicago Hospitals. Chicago allows for many pursuits: cultural, film, etc. Of recent note is the Herzog (Werner) film: Lo and Behold, Reveries on the Connected World.

The film is both a documentary – retrospective on the age of interconnectedness (starting with the computer: about the time we began college) and a futuristic (’fairy tale’) glance at where all this ’interconnectedness’ (for some good and or its opposite) may take us next. And because the film reminds of many advances already made (over the last 50 years) or advances yet to be: it serves as a contribution for reflection at a 50th Reunion moment. In the meantime: ’Go Cubs!!’ (The Cubs success: perhaps a ’futuristic tale’ of its own.)”

JIM SEBBEN ’65 says: “Had to come up with something: after college graduation and a year of employment, our oldest daughter has decided to move to her own apartment and her sisters have eagerly filled the closet space available.”

BOB FLECK ’65 writes: “All is reasonably well in the very sunny South. I enjoyed attending my wife’s RUTH POTTS FLECK ’66 50th Class Reunion. The Service of Remembrance was very touching and worthwhile. I also connected with some fraternity brothers for a fun time outside of the reunion events. We intend to be back next year and as many years as we are able. It seems to be more fun each time.”

DAVE WORDEN ’65 says: “TERRI KRIKORIAN WORDEN ’66 I had a wonderful summer highlighted by our son’s wedding on Maui, Aug. 6. What made it special was it was on the same day as our 50th wedding anniversary and I married them as an officiant! Hope all my classmates are healthy and having as joyous a summer.”

ANN HASSLER ’65 writes: “I’ve just moved back to the Pacific Northwest from Hawaii.”

JOHN HYDE ’65:“Life is very good. Some of you know that Donna and I were married Aug. 12 near my lake home in northern Wisconsin. My three granddaughters were in the ceremony at Eagle Waters Resort. We honeymooned at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

We have moved into our new home in Pensacola where we will spend 8½ months each year with the remainder in Wisconsin.”

All the very best, JOHN

1966 Nancy Ostermeier Burrows noburrows@bellsouth.net Connecting…seems to be more important the older we become. Although JOHN BURROWS ’65 and I were unable to attend the 50th Reunion for my class, due to the wedding of our son in Portland, Oregon. I have heard many wonderful stories about it. Several of you responded to my “request” for updates for the newsletter, and it has been great catching up with old friends.

Speaking of connecting, PAT OLSON DESCHER ’66 and WILLIAM DESCHER ’66 were in Jacksonville for the Green Bay vs. Jaguar game! Which was very close! (Look out Jags are getting better ... we hope!)

We had a wonderful dinner and a chance to hear all about their family and all they have accomplished since Ripon. They could write a book about hurricanes and all they had to do when they were hit so hard by Katrina.

We also truly enjoyed reconnecting and remembering the Spot, Greekers, the Friendly ... parties etc! Our visit also reminded us how very blessed we were to receive such a great education. Many of our classmates have excelled in many different fields due to our great experience at Ripon. Fifty years have zoomed by … seems someone told me that would happen when you reached our age!

SUSIE SCOTT LASHLEY ’66 writes: “Of course, the best part of our reunion was connecting with friends and seemingly picking up right about where we left off.

Everyone looked great. I loved PAM KURZ GOODE ’66’s and SUZAN HELGERSON PRUIETT ’66’s story about our Dr. Lyon’s trip to Waupan Mental Hospital to dance with the inmates. I remember it with horror. Were you there?

And, finally, it was wonderful to see Dr. Northrop and Dr. Hannaford but most especially Dr. Larry Miller — our el ed professor — and his wife, Betsy. He and she are still as gracious as ever. I remember going to their Green Lake home to make potato pancakes.”

PHILIP M. CHASE ’66 of Kailua, Hawaii, writes: “Spent time in Syria, Virginia, with my Nepal Peace Corps members and visited with my 103-year-old mom in North Carolina.”

SUZAN HELGERSON PRUIETT ’66 of Tampa, Florida, writes: “Retired 7/31/15. Travel as much as possible; play bridge, ganast, and mahjong whenever possible.

Love being a grandmother to grandson, Maddox, age 5.”

GARY YERKEY ’66 of Washington, D.C., has a new book, He’s Coming to Start Riots: On the Road to Black Power With ’The Reverend’ Willie Ricks. No supporter of

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Class Letters the Black Power movement himself, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. nevertheless recognized Willie Ricks as a superb organizer and a “fiery” leader of the movement throughout the 1960s. His speaking style earned him the nickname “The Reverend.” He was everywhere. Stirring up crowds. Stirring up trouble.

A close associate of Stokely Carmichael, Ricks was one of the movement’s most militant, fearless, charismatic and effective organizers: the brains and brawn behind countless sit-ins, marches, demonstrations and boycotts throughout the Deep South. He has described his life as a series of “beatings, bombings, shootings, fights and assassinations.” This is his story, and the story of others like him who played a critical role in advancing the notion of Black Power and, in the process, touching off a firestorm of fear-mongering in white America and a revolution in the way that African Americans perceived themselves and their struggle.

KRISTEN WALKER OVERMAN ’66 of Dedham, Massachusetts, writes: “I am the president and cofounder of the Dedham Library Innovation Team (DLIT), a 501(c) (3) committed to supporting public and school libraries, helping them with transitioning to 21st-century needs.”

PAM KURZ GOODE ’66 of Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, writes: “TERRY GOODE ’66 and I enjoyed the 50th reunion immensely! Such fun seeing old friends. The years faded away and we all felt young again thinking back on our wonderful years at Ripon College. Reunion was made even better for us due to a pre-reunion visit in Door County from SUZAN HELGERSON PRUIETT ’66 and a post -reunion visit from RUTH POTTS FLECK ’66 and ROBERT FLECK JR. ’65. About a month after reunion, we traveled to Alaska for three weeks to celebrate our 50th anniversary with a trip to Denali and a small boat cruise through the Inland Passage. Marvelous!

As evidence that Riponites are everywhere and that the world really is a small place, while in tiny Thorne Bay Alaska, our paths crossed with MARK LISOWSKI ’15, who is there working as an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer.

He was one of the guides for our tour of the town.”

VIRGINIA KRIKORIAN WORDEN ’66 and DAVE WORDEN ’65 of Scottsdale, Arizona, write: “We enjoyed this year’s 50th and seeing so many friends! Thank you, Pam! We stayed with Claudia and Steve, which made our trip back to Wisconsin even more special! Our family is expanding!

We have a soon-to-be 13-year-old granddaughter and an 11-year-old grandson. A year ago, we were blessed with twin fraternal granddaughters. I can’t believe how much energy it takes to keep up with two! Our son just got married in Maui two weeks ago, and our entire family attended! They are expecting a little boy in October and are naming him after Dave! They asked that Dave be the officiant to marry them, and they picked our 50th wedding anniversary as their wedding day!

Needless to say it was very emotional for everyone, and we have memories to last a lifetime! We find ourselves going to California quite often to see our children and grandchildren, but still live in Scottsdale near our son.

With such frequent trips back and forth, we made the decision to buy a condo in Oceanside, California, and have enjoyed escaping the desert heat! We have relived many Ripon memories since our reunion! Those were very special years! Our best to everyone!”

Remember, Ripon College is a wonderful “old friend.”

We all need to donate frequently and help Ripon create memories and opportunities for the generations to come. Please continue to send me updates on your lives and plans for the future.

NANCY OSTERMEIER BURROWS

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1967 Kathryn “Kathy” Santimays Dunn 209 Stuart Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144 (704) 633-8999 / mamadunn@hotmail.com Dear Class of 1967: We have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate in excess on the occasion of our 50th reunion June 22-25! A committee of our peers has been feverishly working on making this reunion spectacular! They welcome any and all suggestions you may have. Feel free to email me at mamadunn@hotmail. com, and I will pass them on.

A key member of this committee, GEORGE GITCHO ’67, has volunteered to update our email list. If yours has recently changed or you want to receive reunion updates, please email George at george@gitcho.com BILL NEILL ’67 and SUE BOOTHROYD LOOMER ’67 are working very hard on a class memory book. You can help it become a best-seller by completing the questionnaire and adding your reminiscences.

Homecoming this year marked another significant reunion. Celebrating in excess were GEORGE GITCHO ’67, DICK KUEHL ’67, MIKE MILLER ’67, BOB CELICHOWSKI ’67 and DICK WRIGHT ’67, members of the 1966 championship football team! That year, they trounced Coe. While playing varsity ball, they lost only three games in three years.

Recently, Washington Monthly ranked Ripon third among all Midwest colleges. They also said Ripon was the Best Bang for the Buck and was the highest-ranked college in Wisconsin. Take that, Lawrence!

Ranking high with JIM ’67 and NANCY WADLEY KEOUGH ’67 was the birth of their first grandchild, Sean Aiden. Now that’s an Irish name!

GEORGE ’67 and MARY ULLAND PERABO ’67 traveled to England to attend the wedding of their son, Adam. It was a perfect setting in the English countryside. One almost expected to see William and Kate in attendance!

JIM ’67 and SUSAN WISE ’67 have recently retired, he as an attorney and Susan as a counselor. As a reward for their hard work, they purchased a live-aboard boat aptly called Bountiful Blessings.

NORM ’67 and SUE BOOTHROYD LOOMER ’67 was among 30 members of UCC gospel church choirs in Wisconsin to perform in Germany. They sang their hearts out during nine performances in two weeks. After that arduous schedule, they recuperated during a Rhine River cruise. Three other couples from Ripon joined them, including BILL ’67 and JUDY WILKINSON NEILL ’68.

G. JOHN HEYER ’67 of Arlington, Virginia, writes: “Grandson #2 (Ari Patal) born 4/22/16.”

Remember to put June 22-25 on your calendar and highlight it. With our reunion, we have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to our alma mater. Your hard-working committee has set 100 percent participation as their goal. I know we can do it. Along with all the amazing accomplishments you have achieved, 100 percent participation would be an outstanding legacy and example for all classes.

Well, folks, that’s all the news that’s fit to print! Have a Happy Fall, ya’ll! KATHY

1968-69 1968 Bob Martin 109 Terra Alta Circle, Havertown, PA 19083 porger@verizon.net When I read a statistical news story about colleges, two thoughts come to mind: How does Ripon College match up against the others, and, more personally, how does our class match up against the Ripon of today? In a July 26 article titled “Colleges try to speed up graduation,” the Wall Street Journal reported, “Nationally, four in 10 students who entered college for the first time as full-time freshmen in 2008 graduated within four years.”

With help from Yvonne Nicklaus, the College’s constituent engagement and outreach coordinator, I have these comparisons. For the school years 2012-16, 61 percent of first-time Ripon freshman graduated in four years. In our class, 329 incoming freshmen enrolled in 1964. By the time Topher Small, Sandy Bond, Concepts of Science and winters slimmed us down, we graduated 191. With my limited math skills (a C in calculus freshman year), I calculate our percentage at 58. So it looks like Ripon’s Class of 2016 beats not only the national average, but recent numbers as well. I guess you always have to mix a little humiliation in with pride.

RICH BROCKHAUS ’68 wrote of plans to tour Europe: “Ann and I are off to Prague and then down the Elbe, with bus transfer to Berlin. I hope it will offer an alternative to the horrendously hot summer here in Washington.” He also touted this obscure tourist site for visitors to Washington, D.C.: “About a block or so west of DuPont Circle is a little piece of land formed when two perpendicular streets are crossed by one of the diagonal avenues. It’s about the size of half a tennis court, contains a bench and is surrounded by an iron fence. Inside there is a plaque that tells this is Sonny Bono Park. No sign of the bearskin vest.”

DAVE WOODARD ’68 and LINN CLARK WOODARD ’68 reported: “Two years ago, we moved to a condo overlooking Lake Michigan. We love the community of Port Washington (half an hour north of Milwaukee) and can walk to the library, coffee shops, restaurants, parks, lakefront, etc. We no longer have a sailboat but do have a Roadtrek RV and have been enjoying excursions from Nova Scotia to Yosemite; Florida to Glacier, Zion to Yellowstone, and Seattle to Atlanta. Dave joined the Lions here and is serving on the condo board. I help at the Cedarburg Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts and quilt all the time. Enjoying retirement!”

From RANDY OLSEN ’68 and CINDY SHAW OLSEN ’68: “Randy retired from Ohio State University in June 2015. He continues to do his old job (working about 60 percent of his prior time) but without the administrative headaches. I am still happily retired. My mother died in January, just 13 days before her 100th birthday. We sold her Kennebunkport, Maine, house and bought a house in Kennebunk, Maine. We moved in on Aug. 1. We managed trips to Paris and Ireland in last fall and took our kids and grandkids to Italy in April. Our oldest granddaughter is in Holland in her first year of college. We have two other wonderful grandkids and a new one expected in February. We plan to be in Maine into December. Life is good!”

From CHARLES RODERUS ’68: “I am a retired banker and my wife, Sue, is a retired retailer and an avid gardener. We live in Bluffton, South Carolina, which is next to Hilton Head and near Savannah, Georgia. I decided to go from my relatively conservative banking career to an unbelievably risky job — concert promoter (CWR Entertainment LLC). Our venue is the Lucas

Theater in Savannah, and all profits go to charity. Our next concert is the Charlie Daniels Band on Oct. 6. I really miss my days at Ripon and hope to visit sometime soon.”

From MERLINE THOMA LOVELACE ’68: “It’s hard to believe my 100th published novel will hit the bookstores in November. And – ta-dah – several novels have been Manga-ized in both Japanese and English. (Manga is a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels, typically aimed at adults as well as children.) I love the comic book format, although reading from back to front and right to left takes some getting used to.”

From GUY HENSHAW ’68 and SUSAN SIEGEL HENSHAW ’68: “This July, I finally delivered on a promise I made to Susan 48 years ago to take her on our honeymoon to Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada. Still a beautiful place! Never let it be said that I don’t keep my promises.

I am working at slowing down, but there are so many interesting things to do, that I am having a hard time doing it.”

JAMES J. BARBOUR II ’68 of Erie, Colorado, wrote, “We are enjoying golfing and traveling. Jim is a member of Rotary, and Vicki volunteers for hospice.”

BOB

1969 Scott A. Nyquist 7747 Martino Circle, Naples, FL 34112 239-732-0523 / 630-632-1619 / scott.a.nyquist@gmail.com Hello Everyone. If you haven’t been back to Ripon in a while, there is lots going on. Here’s a quick update.

First, there is the massive upgrade and expansion of the Storzer physical education center. The $20 million project includes the addition of a 65,000-square-foot fieldhouse.

The work is scheduled to be completed before classes begin in August 2017. It will be a state-of-the-art facility.

Besides first-class facilities for team sports like basketball, volleyball, track, etc., it will offer lots of opportunities for students, faculty and local residents to enjoy working out in the fitness centers. There will more room for nonathletic events to be held there, too.

Right across from Storzer, Rodman Center for the Arts got a facelift. Pickard Commons also has had some updates in the past few years and looks good. You should see the food choices students have today! (Do you think there are still food fights?)

WRPN Radio, the voice of Ripon College, celebrated 60 years of broadcasting in September.

Ripon College ranks among the nation’s best colleges serving the public good and providing a marketable return on investment, according to Washington Monthly’s Annual College Guide and Rankings. Ripon ranks third among all colleges in the Midwest for Best Bang for the Buck, which recognizes colleges that are doing the best job of helping non-wealthy students to attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. Ripon ranks 18th nationally among liberal arts colleges, with particularly high scores on improving the social mobility of its students and also engaging a high number of students in community service work during college. Washington Monthly’s rankings consider such factors as the percentage of lowincome students receiving federal aid, colleges’ ability to recruit and graduate low-income students, produce cutting-edge scholarship and Ph.D.s, and the percentage of students who join the Peace Corps or engage in other forms of community service. Washington Monthly’s focus on social mobility and service sets it apart from most other college rankings and elevates some of the important

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Class Letters differences between public and private universities.

Did you know that Ripon College is just one of 280 select colleges and universities nationwide to hold a Phi Beta Kappa chapter (obtained in 1952), the oldest and most prestigious national honor society?

OK, enough about Ripon. Here is the news I received from you guys: MARK BAUER ’69 of Franklin, Wisconsin, writes: “In May, I developed sciatica. It regressed to a herniated disc in June and had my second back surgery in August. I have five grandsons and a new grandchild coming in September. It was a great summer; weather was very cooperative. Good time for a few outdoor excursions. I enjoyed the reunion of Beta Sigma Pi brothers over Alumni Weekend in June. It’s now more than two years since I retired from my orthopedic surgery practice.

Have a trip to Germany for a Rhine River Cruise in early November, with two days at the end in Berlin.”

JANE WIESER BAKER ’69 of Lake Forest, California, says: “If ONLY I had something exciting to share! Have morphed into a boring little old lady in the Land of Drought/Heat/Fires. In December will decide whether or not to hang up my keyboard and call myself RETIRED … yuck! I have loved technical writing for some time. Can’t think of doing anything else. But every now and then I see myself potentially as the most irreverent WalMart greeter ever!”

PAUL GELB ’69 of Palm Springs, California, sent this: “I’m still playing competitive bridge and reached the gold life master level earlier this year. Meeting up with LEE MILLS ’69 to take a two-week trip to Croatia in October.”

ALICE HALL HAYES ’69 of Washington, D.C., wrote: “Traveled to Cuba (Havana) with my husband, Ed, in December 2015. Stayed in Hotel Nacional, heard great music and saw wonderful art. Would go again in 2019 for the big anniversary of the country. I have had a great spring and summer with family, friends and my adorable two grandsons. In April, Ed and I had a wonderful trip to visit our daughter and her husband in New Orleans. We particularly enjoyed the annual French Quarter Music Festival. Now that we have experienced that festival, we can alternate between that and the famed New Orleans Jazz Festival. We recommend both highly! This fall, my Book Club will collaborate in executing a Book and Author Festival with the District of Columbia’s Public Library System as a means of celebrating our club’s 50-year anniversary. Lastly, Ed and I are thrilled to be charter members of the brand-new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, set to open Sept 24, 2016. I heartily encourage everyone to plan to include the museum on your next visit to the city.”

BILL JORDAN ’69 of Princeton, New Jersey, announces: “Christine and I welcomed a new grandson in May, Oliver Parker Gorman. He’s our second and has an older sister, Leila Grace Gorman. I was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Bard College in May.” PHIL MCCULLOUGH ’69 of Woodstock, Illinois, tells me: “Had our second grandson in May, thanks to our daughter KRISTEN MCCULLOUGH GRANCHALEK ’04 and her husband. Was given an award for 40 years of service on the staff of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in June. Still teaching at the Northwestern University medical school, coming up to Ripon for trustee meetings and am presently chairing the student life committee.”

SCOTT A. NYQUIST ’69 and CYNTHIA SANBORN NYQUIST ’69 of Naples, Florida, report: “We attended a lunch for Ripon alumni in Naples and met some guys from classes in the late ’50s and early ’60s. They had

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some interesting stories. In March, ART SCARLETT ’69 and his wife, SHERRY SWENNES SCARLETT ’70, spent a week with us. Scott enjoyed a trip back to Ripon for Alumni Weekend in June for a fraternity reunion. STEVE LEITSCHUH ’69 and Scott have lunch every couple of months. We took another trip to Germany to spend three weeks with our daughter and granddaughter. Beautiful country, nice people, great food (and beer)! We both continue to volunteer and love it.”

THOMAS Q. SMITH ’69 of Malvern, Pennsylvania, emailed: “I’m now semi-retired from full-time project management. I’ve started teaching it and hope to make a second career of it. I earned my master of project management degree a few years ago and maintain my professional credentials, so I might as well put them to use. I also teach first aid and CPR one weekend a month.

I retired from the Army a few years ago as a lieutenant colonel with 28 years of active duty and reserve time.

No more weekend drills or spending hot summers in the woods and swamps. I went to Airborne, Ranger, helicopter, air traffic control, and jumpmaster schools (the fun part) and served in a number of command and staff positions (the work part.) I got to do just about every crazy thing I wanted to do and didn’t end up with any extra holes. I’m now into amateur radio (call sign KB3TQS) and working with several emergency service communications organizations. One is a national with a very active high frequency radio program. I was ’volunteered’ to be the state training officer. Between working the radio nets several times a day and chasing after my new recruits, it’s keeping me quite busy. My local county group was activated on a limited basis for the Pope’s visit, the Democratic National Convention and several winter storms. Not much else interesting. I’m just sitting here watching the political theater as it plays out across the state and the nation. I wish I had a nickel for each stretched truth or outright lie I’ve heard. I’d be rich.”

BOB “OTTO” WACHHOLTZ ’69 of Papillon, Nebraska, sent this: “Joined 10 other DUs at the home of DAN WOLFGRAM ’69 and JOAN KNUTSON WOLFGRAM ’69 for our fourth Delta Upsilon Reunion. Other alums who attended included RANDY JEFFERSON ’70, CURT POWELL ’69, GORDON STEINBACH ’67, TOM KREUSER ’67 and NANCY ALLEN KREUSER ’68, BOB ZIMMERMAN ’70, KEN WARREN ’70, BILL GRIEB ’70 and DON NUNEMAKER ’69. No other changes as I’m still working and maybe I’ll retire next year, which is what I’ve been saying for the past two years.”

MICHAEL WILLIAMS ’69 of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, writes: “I was re-elected to the Manitowoc County Board, and my wife, Liz, was elected to the Manitowoc School Board this past April.”

JOHN WOLFE ’69 of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, says: “All’s well with me, still working at University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. In September, I co-hosted a reception for President Zach Messitte and Philadelphia area alumni with DAVE READ ’70.”

Don’t forget we will celebrate our 50-year class reunion in June 2019. Make sure that date is on your calendar. A reunion committee will be formed in July 2017, allowing us two years to plan for this monumental event. Let me know if you’d like to be on the committee.

As always, I close by thanking those of you who made a gift to Ripon during its last fiscal year (July 2015June 2016). Our class contributed $120,969 in the last year, with 44 percent of you making a gift. That’s an outstanding record. There are many projects the College needs to undertake in order to continue to attract highquality students, so please give to the 2016-2017 Annual Fund if you have not already done so. Any amount you

1969-71 give is much appreciated. In addition, please consider becoming one of the Partners in the Legacy by including Ripon College in your estate plans. It’s easy to do. Contact Tracy Muirhead in the Advancement Office if you have questions: 920-748-8351 or muirheadt@ripon.edu.

See you on campus some time!

Always for Ripon, SCOTT

1970 Susan Hecht Gebhardt 947 Shetland Drive, Frankfort, IL 60423 815-464-5761 / 815-260-1656 wmacrogeb@yahoo.com Bob Uehling 1261 Seventh Street, Monterey, CA 93940 831-373-4821 / 831-239-5754 bobuehling2@sbcglobal.net Hello Classmates. Thank you to all who sent news to Bob and me. It makes this job so much easier.

This has been a busy six months for my family. BILL GEBHARDT ’69 and I are enjoying our retirements. We spent January through March in Fort Pierce, Florida. We enjoyed golfing, sightseeing and relaxing. Friends from Frankfort visited us in January, one of Bill’s army buddies came in February, and relatives joined us in March. We returned home for a week in February to meet our new granddaughter and celebrate my dad’s 95th birthday.

This winter, we will try Arizona for six weeks and look forward to seeing friends from Ripon who have settled there.

This spring and summer have been filled with working on our house, my parents’ house, and the family cottage in Wisconsin. Of course, we have made time for golf and visits with the grandkids. Our older son, Matt, is a PGA club professional at Calumet C.C. in Homewood, Illinois.

With the good weather this summer, he has been busy with lessons, outings and managing club activities. He has been able to enter a few tournaments himself. Our younger son, Will, is a bridge designer/supervisor for CN Railroad. He has had a busy summer checking and repairing bridges in the flood areas.

Some of the AXOs got together for lunch in Milwaukee in September. COLLEEN BURR KAMIN ’70, CHRIS LYDON JONES ’70, JOAN REINKE ZIEGLER ’70, LINDA WOHLSCHLAGER LARSON ’70, BEV RICE PETULLO ’71, CONNIE JAYE HARRIS ’70 and I had a great time catching up with each other. All are well and enjoying retirement and time with family and friends. We are planning our next meeting in Nashville and will keep you posted. As have many of you, we have attended our high school 50th reunions and were amazed at how good all of the “old” high school friends looked. However some of them may have replacement parts, etc. Remember we only have four more years to make any “repairs” before we enter the Golden R Club.

News from BOB UEHLING ’70: “This has been an eventful summer for me, too. In late July, my children, spouse and three grandchildren all flew out from South Carolina and Georgia to visit me in Monterey for a week. We had fun biking along the Monterey Bay recreation trail, spent a day at the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk enjoying roller coaster rides, arcade games and food. I even had time for a round of golf with my two sons and daughter at a course before I started chemo treatments in early August.

I am taking a leave of absence from Granite Construction to fight bladder cancer and will keep you informed on my progress. That same weekend in late July, four of my fraternity classmates, RANDY JEFFERSON ’70, KEN WARREN ’70, BOB ZIMMERMAN ’70 and BILL GRIEB ’70

enjoyed a special ’67 through ’71 Delta Upsilon Ripon alumni reunion weekend get-together at the Chicago home of DAN and JOAN WOLFGRAM ’67.”

DAVE and LINDA TRACY FONDA ’70 sent us an email: “We’ve had a busy summer starting with our two annual cycling events in Freeport, Illinois, and Monroe, Wisconsin, where we raised more than $15,000 to assist cancer patients in our area. Then, we headed to the Dolomite Mountains in Italy with our family and afterwards spent another five days touring the Alsatian wine country around Colmar, France. Dave returned from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he was joined by our oldest daughter, Rachael, and grandsons, Luca and Massimo. The past two years, Dave has been battling metastatic melanoma — payback from countless sunny days on the bicycle. Although he has a way to go, the teamwork between the Mayo Clinic and our local cancer center in Freeport has validated all the years we spent raising money for cancer treatment in our community.”

CRAIG SPLINTER ’70 writes that he and his family are all well and have enjoyed visits with the Larsons and other Ripon friends. He encourages us to keep up with events at Ripon by reading the online newsletter and following its Facebook page.

DAVE REED ’70 and JOHN WOLFE ’69 plan to host a Ripon Alumni reception for President Zach Messitte in late September at Dave’s home in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Although this letter will go to press after the event, we thank Dave and John in advance for their hard work and continued efforts to profile Ripon College.

JANEEN SOLAK MILLER ’70 writes: “Since you requested updates, I decided to comply. I’m sure all of us are feeling the effects of time and wondering where the years have gone. I enjoyed an early retirement in 2005. Twentyeight years prior, I was the first women hired in sales by a national consumer healthcare company. Eventually, I became the first female regional manager for the company and was very fortunate to experience such a wonderful career. I have devoted most of the past decade to travel, hobbies and enjoying friends and family. I just returned a few months ago from my second trip to Africa, as safaris have become my favorite excursion. Hiking and gardening take up much of my weekly activities.

My only daughter has provided me with two fabulous grandchildren, ages 4 and 7. I recently moved to Luray, Virginia, to be closer to them. They are, of course, the joy of my life. Hope all is well with my classmates of 1970!”

DORETTA MILLER ’70, professor of art, Skidmore College, began her 35th year of teaching this fall.

She recently finished a commissioned official portrait for Honorable Judge Evan J. Wallach. It will be permanently installed at the U.S. Court of International Trade in Manhattan, where he served for 16 years. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for November 2016.

Sue and I thank you for all your contributions and please keep writing us!

BOB and SUE

1971 James Beisner 119 Starflower Drive, Griffin, GA 30223 770-227-2410 / beisner@bellsouth.net It is hard to believe we were starting our freshman year 49 long years ago just as the Class of 2020 is doing now.

Although there is a large time gap between our start and theirs, the quality of education has not changed in all those years. Through the support of our time, talents

Fall 2016 19

Class Letters and treasures, Ripon College has maintained a superb educational experience. The update on current college activities along with department updates and alumni news, continue to show the excellent contribution Ripon makes to the nation and State of Wisconsin. We had 12 people attend the evening gathering, but many more were seen around campus during the weekend.

I want to especially thank the classmates who so generously gave to our class gift in support of our 45th reunion. Our class was able to give Ripon College $26,750 and had 35 percent of our classmates contribute to the gift. Along with the other reunion year gifts, the College received $648,993. These funds will support the many and varied operations the College provides students that enhance their learning experience. I urge your consideration to continue your support of Ripon by increasing this year’s gift in recognition of all we have accomplished as a result of Ripon College. If you gave below the Heritage Society level, consider giving at that level. If you give at one of the society levels, think about increasing your gift annually to eventually elevating to the next highest society.

MIKE JULKA ’71 of Madison, Wisconsin, received the Wisconsin Athletic Service Award from the Wisconsin Athletic Director’s Association Feb. 6 during the Madison Memorial Girls’ Basketball game. Mike was nominated by the Madison Memorial High School Athletic Director Jeremy Schlitz for his many years of volunteering with the girls’ basketball program and also for his time working as a math tutor throughout the school year with the student-athletes. Schlitz said, “Mike is a great example of year-round commitment to developing student athletes, and his effect has resonated through many of our girls’ basketball players and the Memorial community as a whole.”

BRUCE T. KUKOWSKI ’71 of Richmond, Georgia, writes: “Bruce has just commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and is headed to Fort Richardson, Arkansas, as a platoon leader for the 716 ODCO (EOD) in November. Julie works as a part-time daycare leader in Richmond Hill, Georgia.”

JIM BEISNER

1972 Susan Frederick-Clarkson susieclarkson@aol.com Stephanie Greene steviegreene@msn.com As the Class of 1972 Class Agents, we want to personally extend an invitation to attend next year’s Alumni Weekend to celebrate our 45th Reunion. Please save the date: June 22-25, 2017. Events actually start on Thursday and end Sunday morning, and range from social to educational, including the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble to benefit the Athletic Department, Annual Alumni Awards Banquet, Class Celebration and Reunion Parties, plus much more!

We still are looking for volunteers to help collaborate with the Office of Constituent Engagement on party logistics and communicate with classmates to encourage attendance. If you are willing to help, please let us know.

Please make plans to join us in June 2017 for our 45th Reunion!

CONSTANCE E. HOLPERIN ’72 of Larchmont, New York, writes that she has said “goodbye to Broadway, except as an audience member, and now spends her days maintaining the library at the New York office of Jenner and Block, LLP. “I moved to Westchester County 12 years

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ago and now that I don’t work every weekend, I enjoy weekend trips to explore New England.”

NANCY BURRELL HAYS ’72 of Edina, Minnesota, writes that she and her husband JACKSON HAYS ’70 hosted a mini reunion for five classmates: CONNIE HOLPERIN ’72, JEAN MILLER MADDRELL ’72, MIMI ZINNIEL ’72, ANNE MACKENZIE ’72 and SUSAN FREDERICK-CLARKSON ’72 at their second home in Santa Fe in June. (Actually Jack volunteered to go fishing instead of staying home with six lovely ladies). Everyone enjoyed Santa Fe as there is always a lot to do between hiking, shopping and museums, as well as great restaurants!

MARY “MIMI” ZINNIEL ’72 reports she is “refreshed after a great visit with a few Ripon friends at NANCY BURRELL HAYS ’72’s fabulous Santa Fe getaway. She writes that retirement from her position as president/ cEO of Olmsted Parks Conservancy is looming brightly; she hopes this second attempt to quit working for good actually succeeds. Mimi looks forward to spending more time at her old log cabin in the woods in Kentucky’s most beautiful lake — so secret a place she won’t even divulge its name!

LYNN M. SPICER-TUCKER ’72 of Watertown, Wisconsin, wrote: “Last fall, my husband and I enjoyed 10 amazing days in London.”

SUSAN and STEPHANIE

1973 Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer 22001 Sycamore Grove Bonita Springs, FL 34135 239-390-1349 / 630-987-9388 jeanlederer@yahoo.com Dear Class of 1973 and whoever else may be reading our class news: As I get older, time seems to fly by faster and faster. Hard to believe that classes have started for another academic year at Ripon. My memories of the first few days there are still vivid. Wishing those starting out a great four years and hoping they come away with as many lasting friendships and the wherewithal to face an ever-challenging world.

The magazine gives us all the news from the College, so my letter really is only to pass on information from classmates. The amount of news contained here is limited by the number of people who respond to my pleas via Facebook and email. So if I do not have your email address, please send it to me at mine: jeanlederer@ yahoo.com, or friend me on Facebook. I am listed as Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer. Hope to hear from those of you I have not been in contact with! Thanks for getting back to me.

STEPHEN ILLICH ’73 of Crystal Lake, Illinois, put a little blurb on our class page on Facebook which made me chuckle, and I thought I would share it with you: “Turning 65 is like turning 18 in Celsius.” Just remember that when your 65th birthday comes around. And for those of us that have already hit that milestone, I hope this will bring you a smile.

I am going to start off with the class news by saying that GARY LEDERER ’72, retired from Honeywell on May 1. Our lives have been busy since as we have become guardians ad litem here in Florida. Some states call this CASA or point appointed special advocate. We are the voice of children in the foster care system looking out for their best interest. We are finding it interesting, frustrating and rewarding. This takes up more our time than we anticipated, but we feel good about doing it and are hoping we, in turn, are helping some children during

1971-73 a very tough period in their lives. In addition, we have done some traveling, visiting Iceland, which was weirdly beautiful, and spending 10 days in Scotland where we were blessed with blue skies and clear weather, which was great for playing golf and for attending the wedding we were there for. Next on our agenda is our own son’s wedding in California at the end of October.

Enough about me and Gary. Here is the news from our classmates: JOHN STIERNBERG ’73: “Jeanne Stiernberg and I continue to stay very busy with Stiernberg Consulting (www.stiernberg.com), now in its 24th year. We have great clients all over the world and enjoy our work a lot.

On Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, I had an enjoyable dinner with TYLOR LOEST ’07, Ripon College director of major giving. Tylor was on a Southern California trip to visit alumni. I am glad to hear of Ripon’s renewed focus on liberal arts curriculum through the Catalyst applied innovation program. Tylor also reported on the plans for the renovation and expansion of the Storzer athletic center. He said that it was decided to invest in the facility, in part, because it was time and in part to help with recruiting and retention of students. While Farr Hall of Science also needs renovation, it is a more expensive project. I am curious as to how our ’73 classmates and those from adjacent graduating classes feel about the decline and relevance of the liberal arts in U.S. education and culture. Glad to see renovations happening in any case.”

KATHARINE PARISH MILLER ’73: “I traveled to Dublin, London, Strasbourg area and Paris with friends from 1973 where I taught English as an assistant. One student and I have stayed in touch since ’73 and visit the U.S.A., and my family visits them. So, we traveled to visit their boys in London and Paris. My daughter and her family are now five: two girls and a little boy! All are doing well. My son had a traumatic brain injury in June and is recovering nicely, thankfully! I am volunteering at our local community center at times. I hope everyone is doing well and look forward to hearing news!”

MARTY MORRIS ’73: “I don’t have anything recent to report, which is probably a good thing. I am going to retire again in about seven weeks, and this time I am serious.”

JAMES B. THOMPSON ’73: “I have just been honored with a recent 20-year retrospective exhibition, James B. Thompson: Fragments in Time, at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art and an accompanying hardcover book of the same name has just been published in conjunction with the exhibition. The book is 128 pages with full-color images of my work and an essay by esteemed cultural critic and arts writer, Bob Hicks. I am announcing the book publication here as it is distributed

by University of Washington Press (Seattle/London) and available for $29.95 through them in their Fall 2016 catalogue.

KATHY GRAUNKE ’73 of Seattle, Washington, writes: “I’m really enjoying my retirement (as of June 30) so far. More time for gardening, hiking and travelling.”

J. TIMOTHY PETERSIK ’73 of Ripon, Wisconsin, writes: “The big news is that I’m a grandfather as of June 2015.

Ashton William Staples and my daughter and son-in-law were able to relocate to St. Paul while keeping their home base jobs in D.C. and Baltimore, so now it’s easier for me to see them. After 34 years of teaching at Ripon College, I’ve retired and moved to Milwaukee. I’ve enjoyed getting together locally with JIM STONE ’73 and JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74, as well as with a host of former students who live nearby. I plan to continue to teach, although part time, at area colleges. When in Milwaukee,

classmates and friends are always welcome to get in touch and hang out for a while.”

JOHN FREDERICK ’73 of Shorewood, Wisconsin, writes: “All is well in Shorewood. My garden is growing like crazy and has yielded many cups of jam, jelly and many quarts of soup, plus other crops to eat now or freeze for the winter. While it has been a relatively good year, garden-wise, it has been a challenging year health-wise.

After many tests, it was determined that I had Lyme disease. It appears that after a month of oral antibiotics and then a month of intravenous drugs, I am on the path to somewhat of a recovery. On another note, JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74 and I just returned from sunny and HOT Tucson, Arizona, where we helped our daughter, Sarah, settle into her apartment. After a year of working for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a hydrogeologist, she is beginning graduate school where she will be a research assistant in the Tree Ring Lab at the University of Arizona. We have decided that August is probably NOT the optimum time to visit Tucson, and we expect that visiting in January might be a better choice. Jane and I saw many classmates and friends during Alumni Weekend.”

ANDREAS A. MELAS ’73 of Lincolnshire, Illinois, writes: “Just published second book titled Slaughter us all and make our blood a river, Cyprus poetry and history.

MARK CONRAD ’73 of Chetek, Wisconsin, writes: “Just back with spouse Jane from a London theater binge. Enjoyed nine performances. Otherwise, I’m a senior lecturer in political science and criminal justice for the University of Wisconsin Colleges teaching in the classroom and online. No interest in retiring. May move back to Twin Cities if job applications to University of Minnesota come to fruition. Other than the occasional trip, living quietly in northern Wisconsin. Hope my classmates are all well.”

MICHAEL R. MIZEN ’73 of Lakewood, Ohio, writes: “Our youngest daughter, Jennifer Malpass, Ph.D., is doing a research project on Monomoy Wildlife Refuge off of Chatham, Massachusetts. MARGARET SEELBACH MIZEN ’75 and I visited in June and volunteered to tag horseshoe crabs. Did 300+ in 2.5 hours. We take to the road on 8/31 for a 5½-week adventure to Bozeman, Montana, Custer State Park for the Buffalo roundup and touring the Lewis and Clark Route 2 trail. Continue to enjoy living in Lakewood, Ohio.”

JAMES STONE ’73 of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, writes, “I guess I can help you a little bit with us. JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74 and J. TIMOTHY PETERSIK ’73 and I have been getting together on a regular basis in Milwaukee and enjoy ourselves. I helped Tim after his retirement decide to come to Milwaukee, and we have been meeting on a regular basis. Rachel and I are living in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Her daughter goes to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the youngest graduated from high school and is in rotary in Osaka, Japan, for the year.”

DARCI JAEGER JAYNE ’73 of Cleveland, Wisconsin, writes: “We are enjoying retired life and expecting our first grandchild in May. Luckily, she will be a Wisconsinite, since our son Ryan accepted a job in Madison after graduating from law school. The other sons are still West Coasters, so we are able to travel to lots of nice, warm places. A highlight of last year, though, was a visit to the Apostle Islands with TOM JAYNE ’73 and his wife, Lizz. Next on the bucket list: a trip to Maine and New Brunswick this fall. Any sightseeing suggestions from alumni are welcomed!”

BLAKE ISMERMAN ’73 says: “I retired as an audiologist in multiple Minnesota school districts in June. Now

Fall 2016 21

Class Letters back working part time as a teacher of the deaf in the same school districts. Define ’retire’ I suppose. Will be spending extended time in Arizona very soon.”

Thanks to all of you who contributed to this. Hope to hear from more of you for next time.

Cheers, JEAN

1974 Jan Petrovski MacLeod 2 Gilbert Avenue, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514 630-920-2450 / Bookmaven105@gmail.com Greetings, Classmates! The summer has gone by like a blur! We couldn’t wait for Alumni Weekend and Andy’s class reunion back in June, and now that seems like a distant memory. We are currently on baby watch since our daughter, Kate, is due to deliver our first grandchild any minute. As you can imagine, we are very excited, and we jump every time our phones ring or buzz. I thought I might have baby news by now but will definitely have the BIG NEWS in my next letter!

Alumni Weekend was fantastic. The weather cooperated and the campus was looking its best. I am always impressed by the great job the entire College staff does for this celebration. No detail is too small to ensure that alumni have a wonderful weekend. This year, they made buttons with fun references to places and things in “student history,” and I came away sporting one that says, “Meet me at The Spot” and another that says “Sold my soul to Greekers.” Sadly, neither place exists now, but if you were at Ripon back in the day, you totally understand.

I took Andy to Gallagher’s restaurant on Watson Street, and he really enjoyed it. I had been there on a previous visit to Ripon and kept telling him how great it was.

They are only open for breakfast and lunch, but the food, service and ambiance are wonderful. They even have an outdoor patio with umbrella tables for those of you who like to dine al fresco. We ended up eating there twice before we left. We did not make it to the new brewery (called Knuth Brewing Co., also on Watson), but I hear it’s terrific. And David Knuth is an alum (2008)!

If you were at our last reunion, perhaps you joined us at Vines & Rushes, Ripon’s own winery on the north side of town. Well, I visited again this summer, and they are in the process of adding on to their building and patio to allow for more visitors and bigger events. Let’s keep that in mind if you’d like me to plan another outing there for our next reunion.

JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74 of Shorewood, Wisconsin, writes, “JOHN FREDERICK’S ’73’s garden has been robust this year, and I have been busy making jam and jelly and freezing veggies to keep us going this coming winter. We took time out to attend alumni weekend and enjoyed seeing and catching up with many classmates.

John and I ran into BRONNA WOLLMAN ’73 at a Ripon event, and it was fun to talk about the Ripon dance program. We also traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to help our daughter settle into her apartment. She is a graduate student at the University of Arizona in the geography and development program, specializing in paleoclimatology/ hydrology, with an emphasis in water policy and use of climate proxies to advise water managers. She is a research assistant in the Tree Ring Lab. We have a new found reverence for trees. John and I decided that August probably is not the optimum time to visit Arizona and that January might be a better choice. I see TIM PETERSIK ’73 and JIM STONE ’73 more often now that Tim has retired to Milwaukee. Still doing limited college search consulting and doing volunteer work.”

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DEBRA LEE HORN-PROCHNO ’74 of Ripon, Wisconsin, seems to love being retired. She gets a big kick out of people saying “have a nice weekend” because every day is a weekend for her! She spends a lot of time taking care of her garden and watching the turkey family that frequents her yard. She still does needlepoint and was finally able to watch all her favorite Olympic events, no matter what time they were on TV. However, her most favorite Olympic events are in the winter, and she already is looking forward to the Winter Games a little over a year from now. Don’t call her house while it’s on.

DENNIS FRAHMANN ’74 of Cambria, California, has a new novel out! The Devil’s Analyst came out in early August and is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

That’s all the news this time. I hope to hear from more of you before the spring letter. In the meantime, be happy and take good care of yourselves.

JAN

1975 Jondi Gumz 1010 Whispering Pines Drive, Scotts Valley CA 95066 831-461-1120 / jondigumz@yahoo.com Dear Classmates, By the time you see this, it will be November, but as I write, it’s September and football season is starting, which reminds me of some Ripon gridiron games I watched in chilly to downright cold weather. Anyone else recall a flask being passed around?

I hope you enjoy the new class letter format. The tradeoff is the deadline is strict, so I appreciate you sharing news via email or Facebook on a short turnaround. Now the news: LEON PASCUCCI ’75 who’s on Facebook, writes: “My husband, Michael Craft, just published his newest novel, Inside Dumont, set in a small Wisconsin town. A delightful read! All is well in Rancho Mirage.” Kirkus Reviews says, “A delightful novel about a zany, lovable cast of characters and their goings-on in one tiny Wisconsin community” and “laugh-out-loud funny, if silly at times, and the author deftly incorporates weightier topics like sexuality, aging, and political corruption into larger, more humorous plotlines.” CYNTHIA BOONE WALLEY ’76 of Leavenworth, Kansas, was intrigued. She posted this on Facebook: “Read a sample & loved it. Just bought it.”

NICK VANDER PUY ’75 of Mellen, Wisconsin, is on Facebook. He’s a “hunter, gatherer, journalist, anarchist in black granite territory.” Here’s his update: “Ricing is ending for us. After the sudden downpour two nights ago, reseeded ripe seed heads today we picked up camp. I want to thank everyone we shared a boat with, Tinkerbelle, Melis, Rachel, Jake, Erik, Bill and Juliee.

With the deluge up north in July, we searched for rice and eventually found some, traveling home right now with several heavy bags. When we loaded up the canoe today with the tawny stalks still waving out on the lake I thought, ’Ahh, all this is over for another year.’ ” Nick has been following the dispute between the Standing Rock Sioux and a company named Energy Transfer Partners that planned to build an oil pipeline in North Dakota under Lake Oahe, created by a government dam 50 years ago that inundated tribal lands and is a water source for the Standing Rock Sioux. After the story made Page 1 of The New York Times, the U.S. Departments of Justice, Interior and Army paused the project. The ending of this story has yet to be told.

SUE CHAPMAN CARLTON ’75 of St. Charles, Illinois: “Just returned from a two-week Rhine and Mosel river

1974-75 cruise on Grand Circle. We would highly recommend it.

Thought of RICK ESTBERG ’75 when we toured Bonn and the university there. Back now getting into the swing.

Babysitting 4-month-old grandson, Noah, on Fridays; 3-year-old Brodie started skating lessons (hockey).”

To which PERRY HOWLAND ’76 posted from Novelty, Ohio: “Hope you enjoyed all the wines and beers and, of course, the scenery. Sounds like fun.”

ANDY RICHARDS ’75 writes from Littleton, Colorado: “Darlene and I are enjoying our seven-week trip through eastern Canada including the Maritime Provinces. We left Florida at the beginning of August and traveled to Niagara Falls, Toronto, Kingston, Montreal, Quebec City, Cape Breton Nova Scotia, Halifax, Prince Edward Island and St. Andrews New Brunswick. We have spent several days at each location hiking, golfing, visiting museums and enjoying the beautiful scenery. We are now in Maine visiting Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park and Ogunquit. We will be visiting friends in the Boston area and after a short visit to Charleston, South Carolina; we will make it back to Florida. Hopefully, the weather will be a bit cooler in Florida upon our return. Next year, we are hoping to visit Western Canada and hopefully Newfoundland (ran out of time on this trip).”

Sounds lovely! I remember hiking and camping in Acadia National Park and eating blueberries and lobster on the dock!

Easier to get to when I lived in upstate New York.

Here’s a world traveler from two classes ahead of us: BILL MACLEOD ’73 posted on Facebook after his visit to Korea: “Fascinating tour of the Demilitarized Zone on an eerily creepy day, while the Dear Leader was playing with nukes not far away. After a visit to the War Memorial of Korea, we had fun in Itaewon, where my own General MacArthur enjoyed a meal of bulgogi after storming Incheon.”

KAREN KUCKHAHN KEHL ’75 posted this update on Facebook from Manitowoc, Wisconsin: “It’s been one year since my allo transplant for stem cells. They came from a 19-year-old male somewhere in the United States, and my sister and I nicknamed him Pierre. I have had no more connections with him but hopefully we can meet someday. What a wonderful gift to give somebody you don’t even know. The Lord blessed my recovery and I have been doing well, and my one-year celebration took my mother, my sister, my niece and I on a cruise to Norway. It was a trip of a lifetime! I am teaching 50 percent in the morning, coaching volleyball and handling Floridian weather in Wisconsin just in time for school to start. Of course we have no air conditioning.”

LEN KACHINSKY ’75 posted this update from Neenah, Wisconsin: “Like Karen, I had a donor bone marrow transplant for leukemia in May from a 21-year-male somewhere in U.S. or Europe. The transplant was only four weeks of hospitalization at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. But had two ’picc line’ infections since diagnosis in September, good for 10 weeks of hospitalization. Forced to retire a bit earlier than expected, but our financial advisor said we could afford it. Still the municipal judge for the Village of Fox Crossing, Wisconsin’s newest municipality.”

Remember this old saying? “When you have your health, you have everything.” So true.

Nothing new from ROBERT SEGAL ’75 in Dublin, Ohio, or STEVE ANDERSON ’75 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, or DEE “DUSTI” AUSTRING ’75 in New Zealand.

Dee sends this greeting: “Kia kaha; noho ora mai!” It means “Be strong; stay well!”

Check out the latest work of art by KATHY KURKE ’75 on her Facebook page; It’s beautiful. Kathy recommends

a new book, Hidden Figures, by Margot Shetterly, about black female mathematicians at NASA, which will soon be a movie featuring Taraji Henson.

I asked for feedback on the new class letter format.

SCOTT TREMBERTH ’75 in Henderson, Nevada, votes for “100-percent electronic,” but I’m fond of print, going all the way back to the Ripon College Days. I like holding something to read!

Scott has these updates on classmates: “DOUG DUNCAN ’75 is a huge Florida Gator fan and has lots of grandkids.

STEVE RUGO ’75 busy designing and building incredible buildings and restaurants all over the world. His two kids, Peter and Aubrey, are University of Southern California Trojans for life. PETER SWAN ’75 enjoying the good life in South Carolina with his beautiful wife, Ali. They have a son who is a genius, Gregory. LEON PASCUCCI ’75 continues life in Palm Springs.”

STEVE SWANSON ’75 in Manassas, Virginia, has a family update: “Margaret, our youngest daughter, is living on the third floor of the Tri- Dorms as of Aug. 21, a class member of 2020. She is enjoying being a freshman, engaging in a variety of campus activities. The grandkids continue their respective education journey as 4th, 3rd and K-garden’ers.’ ” Congrats, Steve. I’m sure your daughter will make her mark.

BECKY HADLEY ’75 reports from San Antonio, Texas: “My happiest news is the arrival of our first grandchild, a boy on 9/7/16 in Houston! Just got back today to San Antonio, and I already miss the little guy like crazy.

Katy, our youngest daughter, is the proud mother. We’ll be on the road a lot, needless to say. We made our annual summer trip to northern New Mexico in August (wonderful Taos and Santa Fe), and this spring visited my hometown of St. Louis to see my brother, and my cousin, ELENITA JACKSON PARKER ’72 flew in from California (Healdsburg) for a rare cousin visit. Future plans are to retire from full-time nursing (I work in a surgical center) in about a year, though will probably work part time after that. I’m still on the board of a local nonprofit which serves women coming out of drug recovery programs; it’s a transitional home.”

So exciting! Perfect timing for this newsletter, too. I will look forward to photos.

One thing I like about Facebook is getting birthday wishes from KAREN KUCKHAHN KEHL ’75, BECKY HADLEY ’75, LEN KACHINSKY ’75, JILL GRAVES HARE ’75 in Silver City, New Mexico, KATHY KURKE ’75 in Ormond Beach, Florida, SARAH KURIAKOS ’75 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, BRUCE GUILFOILE ’75 in Tokyo, Japan, PHIL BOLDA ’75 in Tempe, Arizona, BOB BARRINGTON ’75 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, GREG SAMELSON ’75 in Citrus Heights, California, NANCY LAWS KERN ’75 in Littleton, Colorado, JIM WALLEY ’76 in Leavenworth, Kansas, TIM THOMPSON ’75 in Mundelein, Illinois, JULIE OLSON KEILMAN ’75 in Kansas City, CYNTHIA SHARP TOMLINSON ’75 in Birchwood, Minnesota, WARREN BLUHM ’75 in Luxemburg, Wisconsin, DAVE STOCKDALE ’75 in Alabang, Rizal, the Philippines, MARK WRIGHT ’75 in North Mankato, Minnesota, PETER SWAN ’75 in Hollywood, South Carolina, BEN LIMON ’75 in Stone Mountain, Georgia, GLENDA HARRIS BARNETT ’75 in Hanover, Maryland, and STEPHEN NG ’75 in Hong Kong.

My oh my, we are all over, aren’t we?

Plus, you can connect with Ripon alums from other classes on Facebook, and I appreciate birthday greetings from JOHN STIERNBERG ’73, LARRY LAUX ’78, CANDACE LEE HUTCHISON ’76, WILLIAM ERICKSON ’76, CYNTHIA BOONE WALLEY ’76, ALAN LAWRENCE ’77,

Fall 2016 23

Class Letters SCOTT DICKS ’73, DAVID KEIMACH ’74, JAN PETROVSKI MACLEOD ’74, STEPHEN ILLICH ’73, MATT RIESZ ’76, STEVE SARTO ’78, PERRY HOWLAND ’76, CHRIS WALLACE ’74 and JOHNNY RICHARDSON ’74.

Shout-out to ROGER THUMS ’75 in Omro, Wisconsin, hope things are looking up for you!

Ever been to Cleveland? I was there in April for a health journalism conference, where we heard from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy who aims to reduce opioid addiction. One of the evening venues was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, where I got to sing “Teach Your Children Well” with a virtual Graham Nash.

Brought back such memories. I wrote a short play for Dr. Clarkson’s drama class and staged it with that song! But don’t visit Cleveland in April — it was overcast, rainy and it snowed twice!

Then in May, when I was at a business writers conference in Washington, D.C., actually Crystal City, Virginia, if you know the area, I had enough time to hop on the Metro and meet up with RICK ESTBERG ’75 of Severna Park, Maryland. ’Twas raining as we drove to Annapolis, Maryland, which is quite distinctive and very walkable, but the company was good, and we snapped a photo and emailed it to GLENDA BARNETT ’75 since we were in her state. I am sure we will cook up something special for our next reunion.

My right foot, sprained at Devils Tower, Wyoming — close encounters of the worst kind — is better. No crutches or walking boot. I recommend apple cider vinegar and brown paper.

Please everyone stay well and mark your calendar for 2020, last weekend in June. It will be the next chance for our class to get together. We are all aging like wine, right?

JONDI GUMZ

1976 The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested or want to learn more, email alumni@ripon.edu.

Letter written by RICHARD RUSSO ’76. Thanks for stepping in!

You may be wondering why I am writing this class letter.

Our long time Class Agent, JULIE CARLSON ’76, has decided to relinquish her position as Class Agent after all these years. As I am on the Alumni Board, it was requested of me to take on this task for this fall’s letter.

The worst news is that Julie has decided to move on and do other things. The bad news is you have to read a class letter composed by me. However, the good news is this will be my first, last and only class letter.

As the math would have it, this past June we had 33 of our fellow classmates attend our 40th class reunion.

Where has the time gone? The organizers had hoped for a larger turnout but understand that we are spread all over the country and lead busy lives. The 33 is out of an original class size of 340 and a graduating class of 159.

We went above and beyond with our class gift this year.

It more than made up for the shortcoming of classmates attending the reunion. We had class participation of 46.21 percent and raised a total of $107,300, a record for our class. Over the years, it is my understanding that the class of 1976 has raised more than $800,000. Not too bad for a bunch of no-good long-haired youths from the 1970s. I am sure many of us can thank our liberal arts education as the foundation to our personal successes.

I believe most of the attendees of the class reunion had a really good time. The weekend was full of activities, such

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as a golf outing, a Rally walk/run, a wine tasting, tours of campus and the renovation of Storzer, an alumni parade, a class dinner and an alumni dance held on the grounds next to the student Union and Pickard Commons. Best of all was the camaraderie of being with fellow classmates again. The stories were told as remembered, but I am sure many were embellished as the years have gone by. It was still great to hear them all. The dinner tables all had pictures of us from our green book from our freshman year. What a motley crew we were. Dinner was great, but the conversation was better. Many of us stayed around in the Union afterward to continue our conversations and catch up on the last 40 years. I have to admit, I have taken a hiatus from Ripon for many years. This was my first class reunion, and I had only been back to campus twice before beginning my term on the Alumni Board. I encourage all of you to take time and visit Ripon. There have been many changes but there are also many things that have remained the same. I would like to thank all those involved in the planning and making our class reunion a great success. I know I will be attending more reunions going forward.

I would be remiss if I did not take some time to thank Julie Carlson for all of her years of service to our class and to the College. She defines what an outstanding alumna is. Here are few of the things Julie has done over the years: 1) Alumni Board member 1985-1993 (vice president 1991-1993). 2) Class Agent 1998-2106. 3) Class reunion coordinator 2011-2016. 4) Alumni Board of Trustee 2013-2016. This is in addition to living a full life in the Milwaukee area. I know I have enjoyed getting reacquainted with Julie over the past couple of years at our board meetings. She has put her heart and soul into making Ripon the best it can be. I encourage all of you to reach out to Julie and thank her for all she has done for our class and for Ripon. It is because of her behindthe-scenes efforts that our class reunions have gone off without a hitch, the class has been informed about what is happening at the College, and she was not afraid to give her input on various topics up for discussion that affected both the College and our class. I know she will not be a stranger to the campus. She always kept our interest at heart and relayed to them to the school. She has continued to stand up and represent our class for all these years.

Julie here is a big THANK YOU from me.

By the time you get this letter, classes will be in full swing and the class of 2020 will be doing many of the same things we did 40+ years ago. It is good to see Ripon is on its way to producing our future leaders.

In conclusion, I would ask each and every one of you to consider being our Class Agent going forward. I know the shoes to fill are big, but I also know everyone in our class is up to the challenge. I would also encourage all of you to get involved one way or another (time, talent or treasures) with our alma mater. Did you know our class has two members on the Board of Trustees and one on the Alumni Board?

RICHARD RUSSO ’76 of East Grand Rapids, Michigan, writes: “Retired at the end of December 2015 after 35 years in the banking industry. I am currently enjoying travelling, skiing, golfing, bicycling and spending time with my family. I rode a bike from Frisco, Colorado, to the top of Vail Pass this past summer.”

JUDITH REISINGER DAVIS ’76 of Rockton, Illinois, writes: “Two granddaughters. I will probably be retiring in January 2017 and hope to do more traveling with Dan and doing family research.”

JULIE CARLSON ’76 of Greenfield, Wisconsin, writes: “I am receiving The Volunteer of the Year Award from the

1975-78 Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) of Waukesha County (Wisconsin). They have more than 500 volunteers, so I’m really flattered and honored. Since I retired from UW-Milwaukee in October 2014, I’ve been helping out about 12 hours a week in their Development/ Special Events Office. I’m also finishing up my second term as vice president of the Friends of HAWS, the shelter’s support organization, this fall.”

ALLEN W. MCCUE ’76 of Rosemead, California, wrote: “Married in 2008 and retired August 2012 after 35 years of special education. Enjoying southern California!”

ROBERT HUGH MALTE ’76 of Woodinville, Washington, is leading Evergreen Health as CEO with a Human Touch.

RICHARD RUSSO

1977 Alan Lawrence 153 Northbreeze Drive, Appleton, WI 54911 920-730-9515 / alan_lawrence99@yahoo.com Dear Class of 1977: I’ve had the honor of serving as Class Agent since 2010. During this time, I’ve shared stories about my youngest daughter who was a high school senior applying for admission to Ripon, all the way through to her graduation two years ago.

During this time, I’ve tried to share your stories in the two letters I write each year to our classmates. The activity has kept me more engaged in Ripon College than I otherwise would have been, and more than I had been during most of our years since college. I would love to hear something from you that I can share. Some Ripon College alumni classes have their own Facebook pages to improve contacts. I’m considering getting one started.

What do you think?

June of 2017 is a special Alumni Weekend for us, our 40th anniversary. I want to personally extend an invitation to attend next year’s Alumni Weekend to celebrate our 40th reunion. Please save the date: June 22-25, 2017, to attend. Events actually start on Thursday and end Sunday morning, ranging from social to educational, including the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble to benefit the athletic department, Alumni Awards Banquet, Class Celebration and reunion parties, plus much more!

I was involved helping organize our 35th anniversary year and had a number of helpers. I believe it was a fun time for those of us who came back to the campus. The College organizes most of the activities, parties and fun that day. We work with the College to plan our dinner event. The night always ends with dancing and partying under the big tent.

I am still looking for a few volunteers to help collaborate with the Office of Constituent Engagement on party logistics and communicate with classmates to encourage attendance. If you are willing to help, please let us know.

Please make plans to join us in June 2017 for our 40th reunion!

I’ve missed most of our alumni gatherings over the years, but I have been to all of the recent Alumni Weekends.

You can come any year, regardless of whether it ends in a 2 or a 7, and I’m hoping you will consider joining us for our 40th.

DON W. STIERNBERG ’77 of Skokie, Illinois, writes: “It isn’t easy being a jazz mandolinist.”

LARRY MALCHOW ’77 writes: “I would like to share that I retired as the Ripon College Director of Development for Major & Planned Gifts in January. I am still in Ripon

’living the dream.’ but it now includes more golfing, fishing and time for reading and creative writing. I welcome visiting classmates who come to town to connect for a coffee or other beverage. As a retiree my email remains MALCHOWL@RIPON.EDU. BETTY LANGE STRADER ’77 writes: “After more than 40 years, we had a mini first-floor Shaler reunion in Williamston, Michigan, this May with Michigan residents JAN KOUJOURIAN BLACK ’77, BARBARA SCHANG ZIELINSKI ’77 and BETH STEWARD GARNER ’77, and Fred and I who were in the area visiting our son. Since Barb and I left Ripon after our sophomore year and graduated elsewhere, this group hadn’t been together since 1975. It was so much fun that we are hoping for a reprise with more of our freshman floor mates at the reunion next summer.”

SUE SOLBERG ’77 writes: “I have heard from several Ripon alums who are planning to attend next year and will try to help with planning communications: I, SUE SOLBERG ’77, NANCY TOLLESON ’77, ANDREA MORRIS ’77 and JANET REX ’77.”

DAVID CISAR ’77 is on the Alumni Board and also has volunteered to be on our Reunion Committee.

I attended the 2016 Alumni Weekend last June. I enjoy hearing how much other alums have appreciated their Ripon experience. Please make plans to join us in June 2017 for our 40th Reunion!

Please keep in touch, either directly to Ripon at alumni@ ripon.edu or to me.

ALAN N. LAWRENCE

1978 Gregg Petersen 10829 Hilltop Lane, Columbia, MD 21044 410-884-0407 / Sig29@aol.com Dear ’78 Classmates: Welcome to the fall class letter!

Greetings from steamy Columbia, Maryland, in early September. A record four tropical storms are currently closing with various respective parts of the U.S. as we are reminded that late August and September bring increased frequency of such storms. By the time this letter reaches you in late November, the storms will be over and most of us will be over 60 years young! Where has the time gone?

Today was definitely the day to start drafting the letter as I saw with delight that the Washington Monthly magazine ranked our beloved alma mater in the Top 20 of National Liberal Arts colleges (ahead of Grinnell) and Top 5 of the Best Bang for your Buck in the Midwest! I do not ever recall seeing such favorable rankings in our lifetime for Ripon! Washington Monthly states its survey is different from the more well-known U.S. News & World Report annual college ratings in that it uses more quantifiable measures of goodness for its college rankings.

The Washington Monthly announcement followed on the heels of several other such prestigious rankings. In July, Ripon was recognized as one of the most affordable private colleges in the country by Money Magazine. Money ranked Ripon 26th of the 50 schools on its list and second among private colleges in Wisconsin. In addition, U.S. News & World Report included Ripon among its “Great Schools, Great Prices” list (No. 34), Washington Monthly ranked Ripon 17th among liberal arts colleges in the Midwest based on economic value, and finally, Milwaukee Business Journal ranked Ripon first among all private liberal arts colleges in Wisconsin for “best value.”

Fall 2016 25

Class Letters Ripon Renaissance: It is not coincidental that Ripon’s reputation is rising in national periodical rankings.

President Zach Messitte has spearheaded an effort to invigorate and accelerate college infrastructure and curriculum improvements. One of the more powerful decisions he has made was to hire someone to apply for available grants and loans to facilitate his vision. You will see some fruits of his efforts below in a $14 million lowinterest loan for Storzer and an $800,000 grant for an innovative core curriculum program.

Storzer Center Renovation: Construction began on the three-phase Storzer Center renovation in April, the first major revamp since 1967 and is crucial to maintaining and gaining solid enrollment for our school. “Revitalize: The Campaign for Health and Wellness at Ripon College” had raised $7 million by the groundbreaking, but without the award of a $14.3 million long-term, low-interest loan from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development division, the beginning would not have been possible. The campaign continues, and Ripon needs our support to chip away at that $14 million loan. The new Storzer should be complete by the time our class reunion rolls around in 2018!

Ripon New Core Curriculum: Ripon received a four-year, $800,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the implementation of the College’s new core curriculum, Catalyst. Catalyst, launched with this fall’s 2020 class. The intent of Catalyst being “the continuous development of the intellectual and practical skills valued by employers and essential to human flourishing and career success.” Look for further details your summer issue of Ripon Magazine.

40th Reunion Project: The project is pretty much stalled at this point. Recall that Mike Chamberlain wanted to enlist your assistance on a class reunion bio project in support of our upcoming 40th reunion on June 23, 2018.

I know it seems like a long time from now, but the project will take time. If you are interested in helping, please send Mike an email at Michael_Chamberlain@juno.com.

To this point, we have no volunteers to assist Mike …

Washington, D.C.-area events: D.C. Happy Hour: In June, some of us got together for our quarterly 5th Thursday event in Crystal City (near Reagan National Airport), Virginia. Another was held Sept. 29.

Nats/Brewers Game: A few more Ripon alums also got together for the Brewers game versus the Nats in D.C. on July 5. I was a bit conflicted between my old and new home teams! The Brewers won.

LESLIE SPOON BALLESTRACCI ’78, of Stockton, California writes: “Paul and I traveled in May from California to New York and we had a great visit with JEANNE ANGELOMATIS GERACI ’78 and her husband, Phil. We enjoyed looking at pictures of our junior year travels as part of the Arts of London & Florence program in 1977 — great memories!”

KENT R. BLACKMER ’78 of Snowmass, Colorado, writes: “Old Snowmass cyclist Kent Blackmer used to yell at other road bikers for years to dismount for a minute and help him pick up roadside trash. Today, he’s launching a garbage collecting effort he hopes is more inspiring.”

MELANIE CIVIN KENION ’78 formerly of Brighton, Massachusetts writes: “We moved from the suburbs into Boston. Downsizing was liberating, and we love city living. I visited ERIKA DOSS ’78 and GEOFF THRUMSTON ’78 in South Bend, Indiana, this summer.

Erika and I hiked the four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu last summer and planned our trip to Cambodia and Thailand for next July.”

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ROB MEYER ’78 of Moscow, Idaho, continues to have adventures with his dog, Cooper, and shared that he just bought a (Mini) Cooper outfitted with Cooper tires — No, really. He also reports that his sister, Jeanie, died May 7, 2016.

JOSEPH O’SULLIVAN ’78 of Schertz, Texas, writes: “Continue to do research but otherwise loving retirement!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming 40th reunion.”

GREGG PETERSEN ’78 of Columbia, Maryland, got together with DAVE CISAR ’77 and his wife and friends when they visited the D.C. area in April for a tour of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. Dave is a lawyer for von Briesen & Roper, S.C. in Milwaukee and lives in Saukville.

In July, Gregg applied for and was accepted for Audubon Naturalist Training in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in September. It is a volunteer program that supports Maryland citizens in learning more about natural history within a structured, science-based certificate program. It is intended to develop a network of trained volunteers to serve their communities as catalysts for local environmental conservation through education, research and stewardship and promotes awareness and appreciation of ecological resources in Maryland.

SUE FEITH SHANNON ’78 writes: “We are moving the first week of September to our new home we have been building. It’s on the same tree farm property where we have been living since 2001, in Saukville, Wisconsin.

New address is 3510 Birchwood Road, Saukville, WI 53080. Other than making thousands of decisions about the new home for the last year and a half, I’ve been keeping busy volunteering at the Wisconsin Humane Society, Ozaukee Campus. Classmates in the Milwaukee area might even catch me on Fox 6 on any given Sunday or Wednesday for the Adopt-a-Pet segment.”

That’s all for this letter. Keep planning to return to Ripon for our 40th reunion June 23, 2018! Thanks to our classmates who sent in updates for this letter! You saw my plea for more input and responded! I hope this encourages others of you to send in a quick update and photo when you can.

GREGG

1979 Kevin L. Warmack 6110 South Rhodes Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 773-220-5360 / kwarmack@gmail.com / kwarmack@ sbcglobal.net Greetings, all. This is one of the toughest class letters that I may ever have to write. Since the last class letter, we lost some great people of both our class and our time at Ripon. We’ve seen that PETE WYNN ’79, DOC WEISKE ’50 and NATE BOYA ’79 have gone home to be with the Lord. It has been hard at times because you think of the influences that they all had on us in some way, shape and form while at Ripon and now after Ripon (well, in my view we still are at Ripon, just seniors on an off-campus adventure). You shed a tear or two or six, etc. Then you pick your head up and think about the good news about our class, i.e. graduations, promotions, grandchildren, etc. And then you smile. See the end of this letter for more.

AMY BRILL-TAYLOR ’79 and her husband have joined the Empty-Nesters Club when their children, Seth and Emma, went off to college, son Seth at Claremont McKenna and daughter Emma at Reed. They soon will learn the sayings that all of us have said to our college children, such as “When do you go back?”

1978-79 SUE RIGLER PALMER ’79 will once again be a part of the Ripon College Alumni Association Board for another three-year term. We wish you well.

HEIDI HASTINGS ’79 is manager of the NAMIWalks Dane County (Madison, Wisconsin). The National Alliance on Mental Illness is dedicated to improving the lives of people with serious mental illnesses and their families, and eradicating the stigma of mental illness. The walk took place Oct. 2, so if you’re in the area, help Heidi out in reaching their goal.

BETH PALMBACH NEMECEK ’79 writes: “I have had some challenges with kidney failure and am in need of a transplant. If anyone is truly interested, they will contact me.” Beth also became the owner of a Weber grill. More on that later.

TIM BEAUCHAMP ’79 says that there is nothing new from SeaHawks County and that he is still doing fitness consulting and working on a novel.

BOB SCHMITT ’79: When we last heard from Bob, he was at a golf course somewhere …

BILL EDDY ’79 has surfaced! Bill lives in Gurnee, Illinois.

In fact, there was a Bill Eddy sighting on the Ripon College campus during Alumni Weekend.

JENNIFER BRENGLE GIEDD ’79 retired from teaching in Randolph and is now at Beaver Dam High School.

STEVE RASHID ’79 is hosting jazz showcases at various spots around Evanston, Illinois. One on Sept. 22 featured Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman. Steve also has a radio show called “Chicago Jazz Live” on 90.9FM in Chicago or streaming worldwide at wdcb.org/internet-stream.

Pastor SANDRA BIASSEY MANTZ ’79 transitioned to a new church assignment in July when she became the pastor at United Methodist Church of Waterbury, Connecticut. Her previous assignment was at Setauket United Methodist Church.

MIKE ZAHN ’79 writes: “This summer has been busy! My daughter graduated from college (UW-Madison), we attended three weddings, got turkeys at the beginning of summer and sheep at the end. I continue as an account manager for hci chemtec, selling paint and coatings, having a pretty good year, and starting to contemplate the actual possibility of retirement becoming a reality in the not-too-distant future.”

KEVIN WARMACK ’79: “On June 28, I graduated — again from Concord Law School. Before you look confused, allow me to explain. I finished the requirements for my law degree in July 2011. The next graduation ceremony was in February 2012 in Los Angeles, California. In October 2011, my Mom died, and because of so many things associated with her death, I decided not to do Commencement at that time. My degree was mailed to me, and I was listed in the program. Fast-forward to April of this year. I received an email from the Concord Alumni Office stating that Kaplan University (Concord is a part of Kaplan) was having a graduation ceremony in Chicago and Concord was invited to take part. The kicker was that, “If you are a grad who did not have a chance to be hooded in Los Angeles and celebrate your degree, please email me and I will get your name to the graduation folks.” So there we have it. There is nothing like hearing, “Kevin Lavon Warmack, Executive Juris Doctorate,” shaking the hands of the dean of students and your legal research professor, having the hood placed over your head and shaking the president of Kaplan’s hand!

This class letter is dedicated to our classmates, THOMAS “PETE” WYNN ’79 and RICHARD NATHAN “NATE” BOYA ’79.

Pete died March 7, 2016.

Bob Schmitt: On the campus of the University of Illinois in 1980, I went to Pete’s place in nearby Danville and we watched the replay of the U.S. Olympic Hockey team’s victory over the USSR. As exciting as that moment was, Pete always seemed to maintain a steady demeanor. A few years later, he narrowly missed serious injury in a major car wreck. I last saw him in 1988, at which time he was preparing to embark on a different adventure, and our last communication, via LinkedIn was just a few short weeks before he passed away. I do miss playing ping-pong in Harwood Union with him in that lull between dinner at the Commons and those wild nights on Watson Street.

Kevin Warmack: Pete was the one person who got me to think in peace. He was a man that seemed that nothing really bothered him from the intense political discussions to just about everything. I kind of think of Pete as the Philosopher King of our class primarily because of the pipe which in some ways made him seem to be more of a professor at Ripon than some of the professors!

Nate died Sept. 4.

Tom Oakley: First, one of Nate’s favorite stories is about when he and Korg sneaked into the Sigma Chi lounge and put wolf bait on the heater. It stunk up the whole house! He couldn’t resist reminding Clark and me every chance he got. Another thing you have to find is the picture of all the Merrimen in those white leotards. It’s hysterical.

Finally, the thing I remember and love most about Nate is that he never did anything halfway. As a football player, he was all in. As a Marine, no one was more dedicated.

When he became a Christian, he dived in with a passion that was unmatched. And, as a friend, he was as loyal as they come. He was crusty on the outside and mushy on the inside — he was a real character who brought salt and light to everyone who knew him ... and I miss him.

Steve Novitske: Nate was one of my closest friends from my days at Ripon. Too many stories to share all of them, but I do remember the one time I got a hold of a couple of tickets to the Packers vs. Vikings game at Lambeau. The last game of the season. Nate and I drove up and met a couple of other Merriman guys at the game.

It was bitter cold and snowing the entire game. The game ended in a tie — even after playing a full overtime period. Following the game, Nate and one of the other guys somehow wandered into the “players only” areas of the stadium. Security came and Nate made his escape back to the car where I was waiting. The other guy, Frank Balistreri if I recall, got arrested and taken to jail for attempting to take a team rain coat or something. Nate and I drove to the jail but couldn’t come up with $60 cash between us to pay Frank’s bail. We ended up going to a Walgreens where Nate literally begged the cashier to take a check for a purchase and give us change back so we could get enough cash to make Frank’s bail. We finally got the cash and freed Frank from the jail.

Sue Rigler Palmer: I’ll never forget in first-year French class, Nate sat next to me. On this day, we were taking a quiz. He looked at my paper, quietly took out his front teeth and put them on my desk! Then he just grinned! I couldn’t cry and laugh enough because we were in class!

That was Nate.

Tim Beauchamp: I was shocked when I learned that Nate had checked into the hospital and was not expected to survive the night. I had known that he had the infection earlier this summer, but he never let on how serious it was, at least not to me.

I was in the room next to Nate’s freshman year at Scott Hall, and spent a lot of time there with him and friends playing backgammon. He was always a prankster.

Someone had come up with the idea of filling a large

Fall 2016 27

DO YOU LOVE STAYING CONNECTED WITH CLASSMATES? THEN WE NEED

You AS A CLASS AGENT!

Class agents are needed for the following classes: 1930-49 1953-54 1956 1958

1962 1976 1981 1985

Class agents do the following: n

Write two class letters annually; one in the fall and one in spring

n

Collect news from classmates for publication in R Connections

n

Encourage classmates to participate in alumni activities and Alumni Weekend

n

Serve as or assist College staff in recruiting a reunion coordinator/reunion committee every five years

n

Encourage classmates to give back to Ripon

Please contact Yvonne Nicklaus, constituent engagement and outreach coordinator, at 920-748-8117 or nicklausy@ripon.edu for more information.

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1979 Manila envelope with shaving cream, sliding the open end under someone’s door, and then jumping on it, which would cause it to shoot all over the victim’s room.

But Nate and his roommate decided that they had a better idea. They didn’t. They took a banana cream pie and tried to put the open end of the box under my door, but when they jumped on it, the pie exploded in the other direction, and when I opened the door, Nate was standing there with a shocked look, as well as half of the pie, on his face.

We argued a lot — I mean, a lot — about football (I was a traitor because I now support the Seahawks) and politics, and music, but there was always a mutual respect because we had both served in the military (although, as always, the Marines were the real deal, and the Army, well ...)

There is a real hole in a lot of lives with his passing, and it came way too soon. Semper Fi, my friend, Semper Fi. Mike Zahn: It has been sad to read of several passings of Ripon people instrumental in my development — notably Don Weiske, Doc Hyde and Dr. Schang. And then news that Nate Boya passed away — the quintessential Merriman, always had a fire in him-. Nate was an amazing individual.

Beth Nemecek: I write this with great sadness over the unimaginable loss of a close friend and classmate. He was 59. I first met Dick Boya downtown Appleton as high school seniors, both headed to Ripon. We had a ton of fun that summer before school started, one of those times in life I am grateful Facebook did not exist.

Somewhere in the middle of his crazy hairstyles under the football helmet (Go Redmen!) to the Zuma pants and, of course, that toga photo that made him famous, he became Nate. It is a combination of those visions I see now as I think of him. But always with a bandana on his head!

And a s**t-eatin’ grin! Especially as he was cheering on friends and brothers for whatever reason! Or racing through the cemetery from Johnson to Merrimen House. Family was huge to Nate as he told stories about his dad “red-lining” the errors in his letters home. His mom was his rock, and we all got to adopt her over the years. I pray for them often.

For the past days, I have been struggling to find just the right words to describe this incredible friend. And to somehow explain why this is so tragic. Nate was special, rather extraordinary. He was very selfless, he always worked to make me feel better, he never missed an opportunity to encourage me, tell me he loved me or supported what I was doing. He would say, “How can I help you?” And I know I am not the only person who heard those words over and over.

We would laugh, he would give me grief about grilling on a gas grill, telling me to take care and get a kidney — just last week. I wanted to go to see him, he sounded in good spirits, little did we know it was only a matter of time.

This is one of the things that is bringing me comfort now. I did not get to see him as I hoped. But we talked, we laughed and he sounded in good spirits. I still have the texts on my phone, the Facebook messages, posts, voice mail messages to read and reread.

Even faced with this extreme challenge, his faith and will to fight never wavered. He was a Marine, and he was fighting for his life.

Nate leaves behind a lot of people who loved him — you were a treasure my friend. I am better for having known this beautiful soul and will always miss him. My heart is aching but heaven is one star brighter. Always for life, Beth

Kevin Warmack: This is what I wrote in the spring class letter: “Nate Boya is doing well living in Arizona and beating me up over being a Bears Fan.” I was devastated when I got the news that Nate was in hospice and then I was at a loss for words and actions when I learned that he had gone home with the Lord! A friend of Nate’s related: “The last few days I spent with Nate in August, you were one of the people he talked about. He told me you had been friends for a long time and you were his brother. He said that you were an attorney and he was mighty proud of you. He said you were like him, you liked good women and the Bible. He said your wife was bigger than you and could beat you up so you would always be good, and he smiled. He said the only thing wrong with you was that you were a Bears fan and The Bears Suck. Nate was a good person.”

Heaven gained a new angel in Richard Nathan Boya, and I lost a college classmate, a great friend, a Packer Fan adversary, a lover of all and a True Brother in Christ.

A few years ago, when we were doing a Facebook Bible Study of Proverbs, Nate joined in and we had some great discussions of various Proverbs verses. But our true connection these days was Bears/Packers. So to Nate Boya, I say, Rest my Brother, you have earned the right to have the words said to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” I will see you on the other side!

By the way “The Bears Still Suck” #BearsStillSuck To close it all out, a word from Pastor SANDRA BIASSEY MANTZ ’79: Dear Friends of the Class of 1979: It is an honor to be included in this letter. I was a student at Ripon from 1975-1977. I then transferred to the University of Wisconsin- Madison and graduated in 1979. Over the years, I got in touch with many of my Ripon friends.

Nate was one of them. Of course, I knew him then as Dick Boya. Many of us know him as the Merriman Party guy and Football Player. The one who we would laugh, drink beer and eat brats with. I love Wisconsin and the Midwest and my time at Ripon.

Beginning in March of 2014, Nate and I would communicate over Facebook. We were devoted fans of Badger football and basketball and would track signing day as well as the NFL and NBA draft. We mourned our Badgers losses in a philosophical way. We celebrated our wins and together bled red. (For the Badgers).

However, the best gift that he gave me was friendship and encouragement. Despite his sickness, he thought of others. I want to add a full disclosure statement because while this is not a sermon, Nate was a faithful believer in God and really wanted to spread that. I apologize to all those who may have a different spiritual affiliation. God was the most important part of Nate’s life. Despite his ill health. He wanted to bring peace to others. He was a veteran and had been through a lot, but he had come to peace with God. He cared for other ailing vets, too.

He wrote this to me last year: “My Goal is this: A lot of my Friends on FB Post Wonderful Sayings and Quotes and I can tie almost all to the Bible. My Point: I want to share Authors, Time Frames, Places in the Canon, and Themes. The Bible is Not Chronological, as you know. I am almost done with the OT. I want your Opinion and Ideas of what I can do better ... Many friends of yours and mine don’t know how easy it is to access the Word of the Lord ... So many People don’t even know God said Moses was the Author of the Pentatuch! I will send you initial versions ... Love and God Bless to Long Guy Land Pastor! ... Nate”

Fall 2016 29

Class Letters I am a pastor now. Yes, God called me into the ministry.

I have many happy Ripon memories. I am a pastor in Connecticut. I am married to a David, also a pastor, and am the mother of three children. Emily is 17, Elizabeth is 16 and Wayne is 15. I served in a challenging church in New York, and Nate would message me and actually call me to talk.

We would talk and pray at many times. He would pray for my children, husband and encourage me. I know that we all our on different paths, but he really blessed me through his words. There are so many things that he shared with me. I have saved them.

But when I think about him, I think he would tell us to value each day and each other. He loved Ripon.

Although we miss him, we can be relieved because he is out of pain and in peace. He was one of my prayer partners, and I will share one of his messages with you: “Sandy, I have read your recent messages several times before responding thinking I could say something profound. Guess What? I don’t have to! I would be Honored and Humbled to be One of Your Seven. One thought that always comes to mind when I read your message about Ron. Psalm 117 is the Shortest Chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. There are 1,188 Chapters in the Bible, and the Exact Middle of the Bible is Psalm 118:8. How cool is that? This is NOT by accident. This is Trust in God. A Few Months ago, I started a little tradition that Denzell Washington does. Before I go to bed I put my slippers, in my case Flip Flops ;), underneath my bed. Therefore, in the morning I have to get on my knees to get them in the morning. My email address is: RNBoyaIII@gmail.com I hope you have a Wonderful Day! God Bless ... Nate” The last messages I got were in a response to a sunset.

He saved it to his “Official Sandy Folder.” He loved his sunsets. Sunset in some cultures represents the time of death. I have seen church bulletins that list the time of birth as sunrise and time of death as sunset. The sunset symbolizes the completion and the passage of time. The awesome beauty of the colors at the time of the setting sun is also symbolizes this is not the end. It is just something different. The colors may disappear under the horizon but the sun has just left for a time. There is beauty and mystery of creation. Next time you that you see a beautiful sunset, think of our Nate and how he is now at peace.

Ancient Egyptians believed that upon death they would be asked two questions, and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife. The first question was, “Did you bring joy?”

The second was, “Did you find joy?” — Leo Buscaglia Richard Boya III bought us joy. Was he perfect? No, but for me he was a good friend who made me laugh and who cared about my family. I am certain that when he arrived riding on the sunset and God in heaven, God said “Well done, good and faithful servant. What Nate brought will not be forgotten. Thanks for letting me share in this letter. May we live our lives caring for each other. Let us reach out to each other so that in our small way we can make the world a better place. Keep in touch; it is an honor to know all of you.

Blessings, Sandy The Rev. Sandra Biassey Mantz 329 Main St., Watertown CT 06795 sbmantz@yahoo.com 845-546-7173 Anyway, it has been a pleasure to write to all of you. But I need more news. So fill up the Class of 1979 Facebook

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page with your news. You also can send me notes through LinkedIn (where you get to see my handsome profile) or you can send it by carrier pigeon or snail mail.

Enjoy the coming fall and continue to be blessed! In the Spirit of Ripon College and the Class of 1979 — The Greatest Group I ever graduated with!

And “THE BEARS STILL SUCK!” KEVIN L. WARMACK ’79

1980 Margaret Gero “Peggy” DaValt W11557 County Highway D, Columbus, WI 53925 608-658-3779 / gorsetr@gorsetr.com Jeffrey C. “JC” Penney 15931 Ashville Lane, Granger, IN 46530 574-247-1182 / jeffpenneyno22@yahoo.com Hello classmates from 1980 (voted best alumni ever)!

Not sure if people have heard, but there is a bit of contention going on in the national elections. I will not proselytize (Thanks Doc Farrell, for the cool vocabulary word) here, however, I will mention that if nothing else this political cycle has gotten the attention of America.

I think we are finally seeing the impact, whether good or bad, of the 24/7 news availability and social media posts. Posts that run from goose-steppers to intellectual thought, a true reflection of modern America. What I fear is this election will end and the level of quality candidates will wither and die on the vine. Who would truly put themselves and family under that type of scrutiny? Letting Joe Sixpack examine and comment with microscopic vitriol on every aspect of your life.

Ugh, no thank you. What if, when history examines this age 100 years from now, the popular academic view is that Clinton/Trump were the last best candidates that the United States of Canada ever had (they have all the water and farmland in the post global warmed world).

I guess the only redeeming value of this election cycle is the energizing of our American youths. I have seen even middle school kids discussing the elections, almost as much as PokemonGO! Anytime you can get them to log off League of Legends to rally, campaign or vote is amazing. Probably what our parents said about us listening to that damn Led Zepplin. Perhaps, if I were an optimist, from this generation we will get our new politicians. They are relatively self-absorbed and would welcome any attention in the media, either social or mainstream. If only we could make the presidential race more like a video game, we would have the youths of America flocking to fulfill government services. #Maddengovernment.

On a sad note, NATE BOYA ’79, passed away very recently after a long illness. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. There are remembrances of him in the class letter of ’79. #bearsstillsuck.

JEFF PENNEY ’80 has been named director of lacrosse for Elkhart School Corp. “I will be creating a Middle School lacrosse program for both boys and girls. They will play in the Northern Indiana Lacrosse Association.

I will coach the boys for a year, then start a high school team the following year.”

CURTIS MONTAGUE ’80: “I have just been promoted to Business Class Inside Sales Rep at Comcast.”

PEGGY GERO DEVALT ’80: “I just celebrated 25 years of employment with the State of Wisconsin where I am currently an IS Comprehensive Services Senior for Central Wisconsin Center and Mendota Mental Health

1979-83 Institute. I provide computer support to about 1,600 users as part of the IT Staff. I started Sept. 3, 1991, working for the then Dean of The School of Family Resources and Consumer Sciences as the dean’s private secretary. I have loved the myriad jobs that brought me to where I am currently employed. The dean who hired me did so after he found out I was a Ripon College graduate and knew shorthand — lol.”

KATHY GOODBOUT ’80: “I am starting my 37th year at Dominican University. LISA HEIMLER ’80 and I will be on a cruise in the Caribbean in February.”

JENNIFER SPARROW ’80: “After almost three years of major (not desired ones) changes in my life, I finally updated my website: jsscollegecounseling.com; I downsized and am loving my new home; and evaluating new directions. Life is pretty good.”

SUSAN ANGEL SCHMIDT ’80: “ANDREW SCHMIDT ’81 and I celebrated our 34th anniversary this year. Doing it in style, we took our son, Alex, on a whitewater rafting trip in central Idaho. Seven days of rapids and bouncy water. Alex is junior at Hamline University and a history major. Just like his parents!”

JOE LUKANICH ’80: “I went before the Green Lake County Board to request a variance on my property to be able to shoot a paintball at any kids on my lawn. Sadly, they rejected that proposal, but I was given a certificate from the GLC that makes me Curmudgeon of the Month for October 2016.”

PEGGY and JEFF

1981 The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested or want to learn more, email alumni@ripon.edu.

PETER D. EMANUEL ’81 of Little Rock, Arkansas, received the Distinguished Alumni Citation Award from Ripon College on June 24, 2016.

NIKOS NAKOS ’81 of Fort Wayne, Indiana, writes: “I was remarried to a wonderful woman from Puerto Rico!

Still practicing law in Fort Wayne and enjoying life with Vanessa and our children Ashley, Nicholle and Christos, as well as our son-in-law, Tyler, and his and Nicholle’s kids, Klaus and Zayden!”

1982 Catherine Lothrop Hager 516 Cashew Court, San Ramon, CA 94583 925-984-6713/cathhager@comcast.net Peter Hintz 722 Woodside Avenue, Ripon, WI 54971 920-229-4399/hintzp@gmail.com Greetings, classmates: Did you get your Alumni Weekend “Save the Date” postcard in the mail? Your Class Agents and committee members hope so. It means our reunion is around the corner.

On behalf of the Class of 1982 Reunion Committee, we want to personally extend an invitation to attend next year’s Alumni Weekend to celebrate our 35th reunion.

Please save the dates: June 22-25, 2017, to attend. Events actually start on Thursday and end Sunday morning. So far, we have a reunion committee of 13 of your classmates dedicated to making next year’s reunion a fabulous event.

We invite any and all to join us in the planning and value everyone’s input.

Why attend the 35th, you may ask? Many of us still

fondly remember the great event on our 20th reunion sponsored by MARTI SPITTELL ZIEGELBAUER ’82 and DORIAN DES LAUIERS ’82, and missed the camaraderie of a big reunion. If not now, when? Forty years just seems too long.

Our committee currently includes PETER HINTZ ’82, LINDA JENSEN HALL ’82, KRISTEN RASMUSSEN OLSON ’82 (chair), MARTI SPITTELL ZIEGELBAUER ’82, TOBY STORZER ’82, KRISTIN KOHLES JANSSEN ’82, PETRA JONES ’82, TIMOTY T. BABCOCK ’82, LAUREL STEWART ’82, LAURA NORRIS ’82, BETH HELGESON HAUSER ’82, CATHY LOTHROP HAGER ’82 and AMY BAHR ’82.

Please feel free to contact any of us to volunteer or ask questions. Kristen’s information is kolsonc21@yahoo.com or 507-279-1091 We also have a Facebook page called Ripon College Class of 1982. You will have to ask to join as we have seen some weird requests come through. But the beauty of a small class is that most of know each other. Several of us are administrators and can approve your request.

This will be one way we will put information about the reunion out to you.

This invitation also extends to classes of ’80, ’81, ’83 and ’84 and any who may wish to join our class for this event.

Our committee has tentatively chosen Lane Library as our reunion dinner venue. For those of you who haven’t been back in a while, the library has been refurbished and is quite a beautiful space. It has been used by other classes in recent past and we feel lucky to have secured it as our dinner party venue. Also, like our 20th reunion, we are contemplating a boat ride on Green Lake the afternoon of the 24th before the evening dinner and other classsponsored activities for the weekend in addition to the College-sponsored activities.

We hope to be contacting all of you personally to extend an invitation and to get your input into the events and activities. We would like to make this a special event. If there are classmates you would like to see join us, please let us know if you know their whereabouts.

KELLY KEIDERLING CLARK ’82 wrote and told me that she retired on July 30 from the Department of Defense with 34 years of Federal Service. Congratulations, Kelly!

STEVEN WOODS ’82 and KARA ZARTNER WOODS ’85 write: “Steve and Kara Woods live in Prescott, Arizona, where Steve is the Chief Logistics Officer for the Northern Arizona Veterans Affairs Healthcare Network, and Kara teaches eighth-grade math at Mile High Middle School.”

As for the Hager household, my middle son, Stephen, graduated from Diablo Valley College with an AS in electronics. We are so very excited and proud of him. And, I know some of you have done this, but we lived through our first major renovation – our kitchen and family room. I don’t think I have ever seen so much dust in my life! But, it is so worth it. But I hope I don’t have to wash dishes in the bathtub again.

Save the date and hope to see you next June!

CATHY & PETER

1983 Barb Williams Clay 14794 Blakeney Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55347 952-949-0218 / jbemtclay@msn.com 2016 fall greetings from the Clay Family. This message is going to be short and sweet. My family is in the process of saying goodbye to my mom, and it will be happening very soon. Genie Williams was a pioneer for all women, was very thankful that I found Ripon as my college home,

Fall 2016 31

Class Letters and that I was united with my husband, John, from my Ripon experience. My parents spent many weekends enjoying the campus and sporting events and were especially fond of Coach Elaine Coll. Fall is my favorite time of the year and always reminds me of the fresh start that a new school year brings. My request is that you take time to connect with your parents if they are still here, and, if not, make sure to pass on the love and kindness they provided you to others that cross your path.

We hope you are enjoying this new approach for sharing school and class news. Please make sure to look through the publication to find the information and updates that are of interest.

Thank you very much for your support! Please keep your updates coming to Ripon, update your email address, and feel free to contact me at the email address listed above. It would be great to share your news with our classmates.

BARB WILLIAMS CLAY

1984 Krist Enstrom 510 Bede Circle, North Aurora, IL 60542 630-892-9156 / kenstrom@evergreenpark.org Connie Herbon Moser 33010 North Forest Drive, Grayslake, IL 60030 847-372-5410 / clmoser24@gmail.com Hello again Class of 1984! As always, I hope this correspondence finds everyone happy and in good health. Yet another year is in the books, and, despite all the troubles we read about in the news, The Power of Ripon continues to move forward. While many things change, many things remain the same. One thing that remains is my fervent hope that all these Ripon stories will encourage you to pick up the phone and call an old friend from Ripon. One thing that will change is that I have decided that this will be my last update as one of your Class Co-Agents. Perhaps when I retire in five years, I might feel differently and pick up the pen if needed again. However, I have decided to hang up my quill and let someone else experience the reward of this labor of love. I think it is appropriate that I take this time to reflect and go back to the beginning. When I started doing this almost six years ago, I thanked ERIC LUSTY ’84 for his years of service. He did this for longer than I did and I have a heartfelt appreciation for all the years he put out great newsletters. I decided to go way back for this last letter and gave a call to people I lived with on fourth floor Scott Hall — the Penthouse — our freshman year.

I have had a great many wonderful conversations over the years with Class of 1984 members (which also led to getting in contact with friends from other classes). However, the most enthusiastic one I have ever experienced was with BRET JAEGER ’84. He had fantastic passion from one story to another. The positivity oozed from Bret, and after listening to his story, I could see why.

After Ripon, Bret spent a year working with his dad in construction and “became buff.” Bret interviewed for a job at The Smithsonian but decided to go to grad school in Denver in the fall of 1985. He loaded up his station wagon and drove there only to find out that the program was cancelled the day before he got there.

He then decided to go to library school in Madison where he continued to play lacrosse and got his advanced degree. After this, Bret continued to grow no moss and went back out to Meeker, Colorado, where he spent seven years. He not only fell completely in love with mountains, but he also fell completely in love with his wife, Bernada.

They have been married for 23 years and have two children. Their daughter, Vanessa, 21, is still in college

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and is a freshman volleyball coach. Their son, Dennis, 18, is a freshman at Ripon College! Bret keeps in contact with several alumni — SUE SHEPARD ’84, SHELLEY ANDERSON BRYNES ’84, BOB BECHARD ’84, MIKE MULFORD ’84, TODD BUCHER ’84, TOM HORVATH ’84 (even though he is a Vikings fan) and LARRY HUEBNER ’83. He said he loves Facebook. Bret is also a Civil War re-enactor who gave a talk at Ripon and said that the only thing that would make him nervous was if Dr. William Woolley showed up. Dr. Woolley showed up. One thing that I am eternally grateful to Bret for was that he took pictures of me wrestling at Ripon. These were before digital, and he made two dozen copies for me and they are the only record I have of my wrestling days — 75 pounds ago. Bret said simply, “I was a historian at Ripon and didn’t know it.”

Bret, who is the library director in Waupun, Wisconsin, says he loves life and wants to retire in Colorado, Montana or Wyoming. Finally, when I asked him what his favorite memory of Ripon was, he laughed and said, “Man, so many.” However, his most unique memory was also shared by TOM HORVATH ’84. Somehow, and no one knows how, Romulus and Remus — the stone lions for the Beta Sigs — ended up at the bottom of the pool.

Coach Larson called Bret, Tom and BRUCE HORA ’84 over after playing tennis and asked them to get the lions out of the pool. I wonder why he chose those guys?

Speaking of TOM HORVATH ’84, I had a great conversation with him, as well. Tom made the point that even though we lived on the same floor freshman year, we didn’t hang out much. However, he pointed out, it didn’t stop us from talking about Ripon for well over an hour. Indeed, it was like every other contact with a Ripon alum that I’ve had — we picked up like we just left Ripon yesterday. Tom has been married for 30 years to his wife, Sandra, and they adopted two daughters who are busy starting their own lives now. Tom works at NASA for the Defense Department. He runs laboratory tests in a wind tunnel to study aspects of the space shuttle. I thought I was in over my head when MIKE ’84 and LAURA BISHOP GALLENBERGER ’85 were telling me about the science involved with their dairy records business, but Tom took it to a new level with me. In the category of “it’s a small world,” Tom works with five people at NASA who were all in the same physics class at Ripon. He has staff meetings with LARRY HUEBNER ’83 and still works regularly with DR. CAROLYN JORDAN ’84.

Tom had other favorite memories at Ripon besides the Romulus and Remus “caper.” He enjoyed riding his bike a lot and remembers fitting into a dryer at the laundromat next to the Beckoning. We both also fondly remembered the Saturday night steaks. Tom picked up the habit of drinking Mountain Dew at Ripon, and to this day he still drinks it instead of coffee. Finally, Tom stated that as soon as he hung up with me, he was calling BRET JAEGER ’84.

Pretty cool.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all the people who took time out of their schedule to chat with me about Ripon. I am grateful that I was able to reconnect with BRIAN PRINZ ’84 before he passed away, and I regret that I wasn’t doing this before JAY ARMSTRONG ’84 passed. Jay was at the center of some of my favorite memories at Ripon — like winning the DU Road Rally with VINCE TRTAN ’84’s motorcycle. I am also thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with old friends. Because of being able to be your co-Class Agent, I have been able to hang out and laugh with several old friends: TIM WHITE ’84, JIM BRAEMER ’84, JOHN HUBBARD ’84, MIKE FRANCOLUCCI ’84, CHRIS LUNDBERG ’84, KEVIN OSADJAN ’84 and CRAIG MAXWELL ’84.

1983-87 And what newsletter would be complete without mentioning GREGG HALVORSEN ’84? Playing poker, talking politics, or just hanging out at a Packer game, I feel fortunate to have had such an opportunity. I still plan on taking a road trip to the Delta Diner and seeing TODD BUCHER ’84. The two things I would ask the Class of 1984 before I sign off would be to update your phone numbers with Ripon or call your Class Agent back when he or she leaves a message. For this letter alone, I made 32 phone calls and only connected with two classmates.

Most numbers were no longer in service. It would help your Class Agents if they had a current number to get a hold of you with. I understand that we all have busy lives and giving an update for your college classmates is way down on the list of things to do. But I can honestly tell you that I have thoroughly enjoyed every conversation I have had with members of the Class of 1984. It has been my pleasure to be one of your Class Agents, and I thank you all for the great memories. Please feel free to stop if any of you are anywhere near North Aurora, Illinois. I hope you will all fare well.

Sincerely, KRIST ENSTROM

1985 The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested in becoming the Class Agent, or want to learn more about this role, please email alumni@ripon.edu.

KARA ZARTNER WOODS ’85 and STEVEN WOODS ’82 write: “Steve and Kara Woods live in Prescott, Arizona, where Steve is the chief logistics officer for the Northern Arizona Veterans Affairs Healthcare Network and Kara teaches eighth-grade math at Mile High Middle School.”

1986 Dan McNaughton 10021 Abbott Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431 612-209-2996 / dan@egpinc.net Class of 1986: I was lucky to be part of graduation again this year and thankful the weather was a bit cool but sunny as I was part of the ceremony and was wearing a robe. Coach Elaine Coll, who remembers me as that goofy track guy, received an honorary degree. I thought of myself as interesting, but she was probably more accurate. Coach was tough, fair and always working for her athletes. She is humble and so I was not aware at that time what a trailblazer she is. She pioneered women’s athletics at Ripon in response to the Title IX legislation passed in 1972. Starting in 1973, Elaine coached basketball, volleyball and track. She was the first women coach she had ever met. Still not done coaching, she runs a Pilates class for seniors in Ripon. In her speech, Coach Coll explained the challenges she faced and the way she turned them into advantages. I am still surprised by the greatness one is near and never notices until much later.

Pia Sundhage, the Olympic gold medal coach of the U.S. women’s teams in 2008 and 2012 and the coach of the Swedish team that beat the U.S. this year, also was an honorary degree recipient. Meeting her was something I’ll remember for a long time. Her passion for the beautiful game, as she calls it, is unsurpassed and her desire to improve her understanding and teaching of the game is inspiring. She was very approachable, funny, entertaining and always, always connecting things back to “football.”

The class of ’86 turnout for our 30th reunion was not spectacular, I assume no one wanted to admit it’s been

30 years already. SCOTT STRAZZANTE ’86 of San Rafael, California, received the Distinguished Alumni Award on June 24, 2016, for accomplishments including his book, Common Ground, and he gave an inspiring humorous speech. If you have not seen this, you are missing something special. Those of us who were there had a great time sharing a venue with the class of ”82 and marveling at how beautiful the campus is. We raised a total of $25,742.76 and had 26-percent class participation.

I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the class gift. My son is a sophomore this year, and so it helps me personally. I forgot the percent and amount, but we were very respectable. I didn’t get a chance to reach out much this summer for news from you, but hope you can send me something for the spring letter.

Please!

DAN

1987 Dorrie Smith Scranton 429 New Sweden Road, Woodstock, CT 06281 dsscranton@gmail.com Christine Templeton 2520 West Argyle Street, Chicago, IL 60625 christinetempleton17@gmail.com Hello Fellow Classmates! Hope this letter finds you all doing well. As summer turns to fall, it reminds us of that time 29 years ago when most of us first arrived for our freshman year at Ripon College. We fondly recall paging through the Green List, meeting new friends and the anticipation of the new experiences that awaited us.

Believe it or not, next June will mark our 30th reunion!

As the Class of 1987 Class Agents, we want to personally extend an invitation to attend next year’s Alumni Weekend to celebrate our 30th reunion. We had so much fun at the 25th and would love to see even more of you next summer.

Please save the dates: June 22-25, 2017, to attend. Events actually start on Thursday and end Sunday morning, ranging from social to educational, including the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble to benefit the athletic department, Annual Alumni Awards Banquet, Class Celebration and reunion parties, plus much more!

We still are looking for volunteers to help collaborate with the Office of Constituent Engagement on party logistics and communicate with classmates to encourage attendance. If you are willing to help, please let us know.

But, put in on your calendar now — Alumni Weekend 2017 is June 22-25, with our 30th reunion on Saturday, June 24. It’d be great to see you all!

Lots of us are celebrating milestones: MAUREEN FARRY DOLAN ’87 and her husband, JOSEPH DOLAN ’85, just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

RICHARD FOSS ’87 and MISSY LEAHEY FOSS ’87 just dropped their son, Sam, off at Ripon College to begin his freshman year. Class of 2020.

CAROL RAVITZ ’87, perhaps inspired by turning 50, set off to France to immerse herself into the local culture.

HEIDI KLEIN JUIRIS ’87 is putting her fashion sense to great use and recently has been appointed vice president of merchandising at Chico’s.

GEOFF BLANCO ’87, an avid fisherman for many years, has launched his own line of lures and baits called “Bite

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Class Letters Me.” We’re hoping to see them in local sporting goods store this fall.

Perhaps inspired by the closing of long-time Chicago Greektown institution The Parthenon, BILL TOURLAS ’87 and ANDY IRVING ’87 are partnering in a fast, casual Gyro restaurant concept. We hear plans include mobile ordering and even drone delivery.

KEITH VACEK ’87: In 2015, Keith fulfilled his longtime dream of following in Dick Van Dyke’s footsteps, donning the stovepipe hat and brush and he took to the rooftops to become a chimney sweep. Chim Chimeny, Keith!

Classmate Connections: And we’ve seen on Facebook, a few meet-ups from our classmates. Love that we’re staying in touch after all these years.

SCOTT MULLIN ’87 and CAROL RAVITZ ’87 met up after they both realized on Facebook that they vacationing near each other in NYC. RENEE PFEIFER-LUCKETT ’87 and CHRISTINE ELLIOTT ’86 took trip to Las Vegas and recreated some memories from their college days.

CHRIS TEMPLETON ’87 and DEB DAMROW-HANNI ’88 got a chance to catch up over a few glasses of wine in the San Francisco area earlier this year.

JANE SAUER BLANCHARD ’87 and KATHY KOSTELIC GUTGSELL ’87 had lots of laughs and fun memories during a quick visit together this summer.

CHRISTINE TEMPLETON and DORRIE SCRANTON

1988 David Jonas 202-251-9640 / djevents@aol.com Kathy Wade 248-470-4336 / wadekas@sbcglobal.net Dear Classmates: The heat wave is over. Well, almost. It is still hot here in the south. Ugh. So as students go back to campus, it makes me really nostalgic. What would I be doing right now if I were back on campus at Ripon? Picking up my books? Reconnecting with classmates because we didn’t have social media/ Facebook to stay in touch over the summer and phone calls actually were charged per minute? I would have joined the swim team, the yearbook staff and hit the library. Simpler times.

So I mentioned in the last letter that my very first children’s book, The Prince and the White Tiger, would be available soon (late spring/early summer). As of midAugust, it has been available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online. I am still trying to wrap my head around how big the dream was for so long and how easy the process was. Actually, I bumped into a publisher at a book festival and sold her using the “elevator speech.”

On the home front, my partner and I finally set a date.

Cordell came to our 25th reunion and met a lot of classmates. It was a great opportunity for him to see where I met some of the most amazing friends from around the world that I still have today. Cordell still agreed to marry me this fall. In 2018 (two years from NOW), at our 30th reunion, we will be legal. We will have about 120 guests coming into Baltimore for a fun weekend. (Look for pics on Facebook soon!)

Did I mention we have a class reunion in less than two years? KATHY WADE ’88 and I will be looking for classmates to help us plan. Please email or call or text us

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to let us know you are willing to help. Planning will kick off in the spring of 2017. Thirty is a big deal — well, OK, not as big as 21 — but if you haven’t been back to campus since graduation, this will be a GREAT chance to catch up in person.

LINNEA VALDEZ ’88: “I’ve been teaching ESL 25 years now for Minneapolis Public Schools, and I finally earned my National Board Certification. We’ll be back on Ripon’s campus in May when our older son, BEN ’16, graduates.

He’s finishing the last of his credits this fall semester at the American University Semester Program in D.C.” KATHY WADE ’88: “My second three-year term on the Alumni Association Board of Directors ended in the spring. This past Alumni Weekend was my last official event. Being on the Alumni Board was a fantastic opportunity. I was able to reconnect with the faculty and staff. I was able to meet many students, including a few of our classmates’ children. I will continue to be involved with the College by attending the Milwaukee and Ripon events, as your co-Class Agent, and on the reunion planning committee. If you are interested in learning more about the Alumni Board, please feel to reach out to me.”

In closing, the new format of this letter/R Connections is growing on me. We see more news about fellow alumni.

What is truly great about the time I spent at Ripon, and I think you might feel the same, is that we have all created some great memories and friendships. Kathy and I hope that you will consider helping current and future students create some really fabulous memories by donating to the Annual Fund.

KATHY and DAVID

1989 Nikki Zens Lindberg nicolelindberg67@gmail.com Mitch Rosin mitch.rosin2@gmail.com Dear Class of ’89: Another fall is upon us and it is time to do a little catching up on what some of us are up to. It has been fun to see some of the photos people have posted to Facebook, so don’t be afraid to scan that photo and share!

Mitch spent his summer on airplanes (shock) and Erik and I spent it working on what I am starting to think is the longest “quick” house project ever (replacing flooring and redoing the basement). Our family is now starting on the journey of college selection with our high school junior. What an exciting and enormous undertaking, but I know many of you have survived this already, so I have confidence we can make it through!

PAT FLORENCE ’89 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, reports that he has been officially named the last person in the world who does not own a cell phone.

DARLENE HONIE LOYER GERICK ’89 of Belleville, Michigan: “I have gone completely insane and I am running for school board.” Van Buren Public Schools will be voting in November, and lifelong Belleville, Michigan, resident Darlene hopes to become one of their newest school board members. Good luck, Darlene!

MICHELLE BROWN-DROESE ’89: “I am presenting my new OWNmba Business Model at Harvard next week!” Michelle the CEO of Surpass Business Alliance, a consulting firm focusing on the needs of small businesses, specializing in woman, immigrant and minority-owned including diverse disenfranchised groups and nonprofits.

Michelle created the OnlyWhatsNeeded MBA (OWNmba) Business Model.

1987-91 CALVIN J. BERGMAN ’89 of Madison, Wisconsin, started a new position at UW-Madison, associate dean for the College of Letters & Sciences, in April 2016.

OUSSAMA EL-HILALI ’89 of Dover, Massachusetts, writes that he was recently promoted to vice president of products at Arcserve. He assumed a pivotal role in managing its R&D, product strategy and emerging technologies. He brings nearly 25 years of senior experience from technology organizations including EMC, Symantec and cloud-based backup firm, Carbonite, where he was instrumental in expanding its product portfolio through organic and inorganic growth initiatives.

Additionally, he has consulted with software companies to amplify growth through new technology development and acquisition.

MITCH ROSIN ’89 of New York, New York, reports that he is “up in the air.”

JODI GIBSON ’89 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now president and CEO of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Jodi has spent the majority of her career outside of Wisconsin and is thrilled to be home.

NIKKI and MIKE

1990 Robert E. Corkery Jr. 283 Sylvan Court, Saunderstown, RI 02874 bcorkery@aol.com Christina L. Maggio-Kellerstrass 24 Windsor Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 christinacl27@aol.com Hello Classmates! Not much to report as fall is quickly upon us except … could there be a World Series victory for my beloved? (Bob, I know you’re rooting for us to win and I hate to even put this in print to get overly excited!)

Yes, Christina, there is a Santa Claus, and the Cubs will win the World Series! (Actually, really hoping for Red Sox/Cubs!) At least the Packers and Patriots are both undefeated!!

On a side note, it’s hard to believe that we graduated from college 26 years ago. Where has the time gone? Many of us have our own kids in college, worrying about the same things our parents worried about many years ago as well as cheering on our kids to succeed. Seems surreal that we can be getting older.

As we approach the winter season, we all know that our mail is flooded with year-end giving opportunities, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t put in a gentle plug for you to consider adding Ripon to your charitable donation list.

No matter how small, your gift does make a difference!

We would love to hear from all of you and the 25th reunion page is still up on Facebook. The Class of ’89 uses their page to update each other. Feel free to post a message.

Have a great holiday season! Fondly, BOB and CHRISTINA

1991 Tracy Maher 1437 Marchbanks Dr. #7 Walnut Creek, CA 94598 401-225-9189/tramtime@att.net Samantha Bailey 2821 32nd Ave So #1 Minneapolis, MN 55406 612-978-4124/Samantha@baileysorts.com

Dear Class of ’91: Fall is in the air, which means it’s time for another class letter. The class of 1991 raised $13,109.88 and had a 26-percent participation rate during our 25th reunion fund-raising campaign. Big thanks to TED UCZEN ’91 for heading up the fundraising.

Unfortunately, Ted had to attend a volleyball tournament with his daughter on reunion weekend and couldn’t present the check. CHARLES MERWIN ’91 and TRACY MAHER ’91 stepped up and presented it in his place.

We kicked off our official reunion party with an Oreo cookie toast for RICH WHIPPLE ’91’s son, Alexander.

Our reunion fell on the fifth anniversary of Alexander’s first Oreo cookie. Alexander passed away at 21 months from neuroblastoma cancer. The rest of the evening was spent catching up with classmates and learning the who, what and where of our lives 25 years post-graduation.

Following the class party, some of us attended the AllClass Party and had a dancing good time (I’m talking about you KRISTEN GRAY ’91, BRIAN FREY ’91 and BECKY HUSTAD ’91). Others went over to Green Lake to continue the party there. I solicited input from some of the attendees on their experience. I was originally going to add in a quote, but what MINDY YOUNG ’91 wrote resonated with me, and I believe it will resonate with our entire class so here is her full response: “My thought on the reunion was first and foremost that I could only come for one night, but that it was completely worth the trip. It was spectacular to see everyone and share in how much we care about each other — as is evidenced by the thoughtful Oreo theme to our picture. :) Each time I come, I get to know someone I didn’t know very well as a student but is now an instant new friend. Meeting spouses of alumni who are a blast and connecting with people who are now in my area in Chicagoland is also very rewarding.

“I am someone who grew up at Ripon (literally!) and who keeps in touch with people across many, many years.

That ranges from the psych majors who used to babysit me, guys my dad coached in basketball, upward-bound students, to people I recruited, who worked for me when I stepped in as student activities director, and ended up at Accenture with me. As such, I feel our class is a little bit of an aberration when compared to other classes at reunions. We don’t seem to want to stick to campus events, and it always a surprise how many people make it into town to meet with a few, close friends — but don’t show up at any events. I know I usually have some alone time with my ’besties,’ and I was thrilled to do the funky, rainy hotel thing this year! But I also wouldn’t trade seeing everyone else and being on campus for anything. The College really has made it a point to open up the weekend to all-campus events, and seeing faculty, networking with other alumni and families, and doing shots with a group I knew from another year I was in school are things I wouldn’t trade. They are all outside of the formality of the reunion itself. Although I am certainly not offended that people want a completely alternative experience and do not attend, I can’t help feeling that they still may be missing out on the wholeness that is the Ripon experience. I guess what I am saying is, if you couldn’t make it, you were sincerely missed and we hope you can join us another time.”

This statement sums up the Ripon experience. It’s never too late to make new Ripon friends. We hope to see more of you at the 30th reunion in 2021.

THOMAS G. GREVE ’91 of Chicago, Illinois, is a free-lance nonfiction children’s author and TV newswriter at WLSABC Chicago. “Married, two kids/starting college search with teenager. Time’s passage hard to follow.”

CHRISTINE ROBERTS HAMMER ’91: “25?! Those years gone by seem a blur. Frozen in time are the four years I

Fall 2016 35

Class Letters spent learning alongside many of you. It was wonderful to reconnect with so many Ripon alumni this summer at the reunion! I was particularly touched to find camaraderie with folks celebrating their 50th reunions and more. Our campus is special. And the College looks great by the way! As for me, I’m an RN now, working for a local hospice and loving it. My husband works for the State DOT. Our boys are 14 and 17, one deciding on where he will spend his college days. Ahh the memories of that time gone by!”

BECKY HUSTAD ’91: “Brian Frey and I enjoyed the reunion. We would have liked to see more of you, but I’m sure most of you have kids, jobs and obligations pulling you in many different directions. We were lucky that the timing worked out for us this time around. After dropping my 17-year-old daughter (gasp) at a camp in July, I was fortunate to stop in the Twin Cities and see MAURA MURPHY ’91, JULIE ARMATOSKI ’91 and SAMANTHA BAILEY ’91. It was great to catch up! I also visited Denver, Colorado, last March. KRISTEN GRAY ’91 and I had a relaxing time drinking coffee, going to museums, watching movies and laughing at political humor. Spring and fall are busy for me; the kids are in various sports and I have a seasonal job in garden education at the neighborhood elementary school.

It’s nice to be outside with kids and inspiring them to notice plants and ask questions. We have a good time, and they get some energy out so they can return to the classroom ready to focus. It’s a good contrast to my office employment which is on the dull side, but flexible enough to allow me to accomplish all the other things I like to do.”

MAURA MURPHY ’91: “I am still living in a suburb or Minneapolis with my husband, Steve Fillbrandt, and kids Truman, 12, and Claire, 10, and with our newest addition, our puppy Benji. The biggest change at our house is that Steve has now changed careers and is a certified Rolfer. It’s been a great change for all of us. I, on the other hand, am approaching the start of year 19 with General Mills. I am just coming off a wonderful weekend of celebrating my Mom’s 80th birthday. Lots of family and fun — and we were lucky to have ELIZABETH LAKE ’91 join us for the festivities. I am really looking forward to spending a girl’s weekend away in Nashville with JULIE ARMATOSKI ’91, RONA HENDERSON PARSONS ’91, HEATHER THIEME ’91, KRISTEN GRAY ’91 and VICKI HAAS SYMONDS ’92 in October. This past year I did a spring break in Mexico with JULIE ARMATOSKI ’91, RONA HENDERSON PARSONS ’91 and HEATHER THIEME ’91. As a family, we are trying to make a point to travel more. This past year, we made it to Disney World, London (where my brother was temporarily living and graciously hosted us), and two different trips to Northern Minnesota, which we adore. I think I have had my fill of Disney but would happily return to all of the others — but for the long list of the places we haven’t gone yet.

Despite my large collection of reading glasses, all in all, I cannot complain.”

AMY ANDERSON KESSLER ’91: “As development manager for Oakland Symphony, I oversee corporate and institutional giving, along with the Annual Fund for individual contributions. I also just got accepted into the Oakland Symphony Chorus Chamber Singers, a 24-voice ensemble selected from Oakland Symphony Chorus membership. The fun part is that I’m singing tenor.”

TRACY MAHER ’91: “After the reunion, I headed back east to my parents’ house and spent a couple of days with my family. I brought my 15-year-old niece back to California with me where we spent the next 12 days exploring Hollywood including two shows at the Hollywood Bowl:

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The taping on July 1 of Garrison Keillor’s final episode as host of A Prairie Home Companion and the Fourth of July spectacular featuring the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Chicago. In between, we found Frank Sinatra’s star on the Walk of Fame, saw Griffith Observatory, and hiked Solstice Canyon in Malibu. She had a great trip and already is planning to come back next summer.

Don’t forget about our Facebook group. If you’re on Facebook, please ask to join our Class of ’91 group for updates and Ripon news. Alternatively, send your email address to Samantha, and I can add you to the group that way.

Best wishes over the coming months!

SAMANTHA BAILEY and TRACY MAHER

1992 JuDee Stojsavljevic Fischer 6714 Bobolink Road, Racine, WI 53402 262-681-8509 / fofastoj@gmail.com Bonni Dembroski Fredrick 12750 West Bobwood Road, New Berlin, WI 53151 262-796-1531 / jfredrick1@wi.rr.com Erin Marie McCormack 1821 Saluda Court, Raleigh, NC 27608 erinmack2002@yahoo.com Greeting, classmates: I’d like to start this class letter with a little quiz. What is 2017 – 1992? If your answer is 25, you are absolutely correct!

And so with that knowledge, the next question is what does that mean? If your answer is that is that our 25th Reunion is next June, you get an A+.

Please plan to join us in Ripon the weekend of June 2225, 2017! We’d love to see all of us back together on the campus and in the town once again. Nothing would make us happier than to have the largest gathering on campus that weekend.

Several of us already have begun discussing plans for the weekend under the leadership of KATE BURRALL JUSTIC ’92, who has generously stepped forward to be the Class of 1992 reunion coordinator. Want to add your voice to the planning committee? The more input the better. Just contact Bonni, Erin or JuDee, and we’ll make sure you are aware of our next reunion planning committee.

As part of our reunion planning efforts, we also are planning on the presentation of our class gift to the College at the Sunday morning breakfast during Alumni Weekend. We’d love nothing more than to have our class representative step forward that morning and not only present the largest gift we’ve ever made previously as a class, but the largest of the weekend. Any contribution helps our overall cause — even $25 in honor of 25 years.

Wouldn’t it be spectacular if we could hit 100-percent participation?

AMIE DOUGHTY ’92 of Oneonta, New York, wrote: “My third book, an edited collection called Children’s and Young Adult Literature and Culture: A Mosaic of Criticism, will be released in August 2016 by Cambridge Scholars Publishing.”

Please read about all the great things happening on campus today, and come back this summer to see the gorgeous Ripon campus and catch up with all our classmates. See you next June!

BONNI, ERIN and JUDEE

1991-95 1993 Melinda Trainor Hutchinson 465 ½ Penkwe Way, Eagan, MN 55122 651-259-3459 / triangularfield@yahoo.com Marla K. May, RN 807 20th St., Mosinee, WI 54455 608-212-0595 / marlakmay@gmail.com Hi, all. I hope you are all well and enjoyed a great summer. Here are some updates from our classmates: In January, DEB JENSEN LAHTEINE ’93 became the president of the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth. She has been on the board since 2008. In March, Deb hosted Ripon College’s spring 2016 Career Discovery students at one of the Sheehan Family Companies in Everett, Massachusetts, Craft Beer Guild of Boston. Later that evening, Ripon and Deb hosted an alumni/student meet and greet in Everett. Deb is working with Ripon College to establish a scholarship for New England Area students. Please feel free to contact the College or Deb Lahteine if you are interested in contributing.

KIM SKERVEN ’93 was promoted to the position of associate dean for community psychology at Alverno College in Milwaukee. She has been chair of the department of psychology there for several years and now will also be directing the graduate program in community psychology. She also co-owns a clinic that specializes in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They went through a long process to seek program certification from the Linehan Board of Certification and recently learned that their clinic is one of the very first batches of four in the country to be awarded Program Certification. Kim is also a certified individual DBT therapist.

Thank you to all who shared news with our classmates.

Please feel free to send me your news throughout the year for future letters — anything great or small that you’d like to share with your Ripon classmates!

If you haven’t heard from me by email, it’s likely I either don’t have an email for you, or the one I have is incorrect.

There were a number of emails that bounced back to me, so be sure to update the College with your current contact information. Or email me and I can forward your contact info to the College if you’d like. You can contact the Office of Constituent Engagement directly with changes at alumni@ripon.edu or via U.S. mail to Office of Constituent Engagement, Ripon College, PO Box 248, Ripon, WI 54971.

Last, but not least, a huge THANK-YOU to MARLA MAY ’93, who has been our Class Agent since graduation and has turned the reins over to me. Marla, you have done a great job keeping us all informed. Thank you!

Regards, MELINDA TRAINOR HUTCHINSON

1994 Colin Dickerson colin1041@hotmail.com Kimberly Woolley kimberlywoolley@yahoo.com LTC TODD J. JOHNSON (ret.) ’94 of Tiverton, Rhode Island, writes: “After 22 years, I have retired from the Army and started a new career with Sigma Financial in Allentown, Pennsylvania.”

1995

BRIAN MARQUARDT ’93 of Seattle, Washington, is the 2016 FACSS recipient of the Charles Mann award for applied raman spectroscopy.

Vince Padilla and Amy DeKeyser Padilla 1357 Broadway Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590 (608) 445-1038 / vincepad@gmail.com / amypadilla@gmail.com

STEFF HOON ’93 of Laguna Niguel, California, recently bought a new home. Her address is 28084 Padrino, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677.

Angela Keith 522 Pawnee, Flagstaff, AZ, 86005 (928) 380-1880 / azee11@gmail.com

JEFF SCHLEUSNER ’93 earned a doctorate of physical therapy from UW-Madison in May 2016. He’ll be opening a clinic in Cross Plains called PRO Physical Therapy.

Hello Class of 1995! I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying your fall. August rolled around this year, and I had that lovely realization that 25 years ago, I left Portland, Oregon, on a Greyhound bus and headed across the country to Ripon, Wisconsin. It was definite culture shock for me, going from the Northwest to the Midwest.

The dense evergreen forests shifted into deciduous and mixed conifer woodlands that shifted into brilliant colors in the fall. The dramatic hills and mountains morphed into rolling grasslands and farmland. No longer was the Pacific Ocean a mere hour and a half away, but there were numerous lakes, including the deepest lake in Wisconsin, and a Great Lake, within driving distance. I probably don’t even need to mention the change in humidity in the air! In addition to the change in scenery, I had to get used to a new accent, and discover what a “Bubbler” was.

I remember picking up the Midwest accent very quickly, returning home for the winter holiday and having this conversation:

MARK J. GERRITS ’93 is a chocolate-maker in Chile!

Check out his story of OBOLO chocolate here: http:// eatwineblog.com/2016/02/19/the-chilean-chocolatero/.

DON FRANCIS ’93 was elected to the City Council in Platteville, Wisconsin, in April 2016. As one of seven council members, he will be an alderperson for a threeyear term representing District 1. Don also serves on various committees and has input on the many new and exciting projects that are helping Platteville grow (see more here: http://platteville.org/). Also, Don started his first semester as an instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He teaches an Introduction to College Life course to first-year students. He is in his third year as the Summer Camps Coordinator at the university, and is always looking for new camps. Don lives in Platteville with his wife, Kelly, and two kids, Adeline and Zavier.

DON FRANCIS ’93 and PETE THOMPSON ’93 had an impromptu meeting at a restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin, when they just happened to run into each other. I (MELINDA TRAINOR HUTCHINSON ’93) had a similar incident when I ran into VIKKI BLEISE ’73 at the Minnesota Historical Society Heritage Preservation Department’s 36th annual Preserve Minnesota conference in Hastings, Minnesota, where I was a session copresenter.

Me: Can I have a Het Deg? Friend: A what?

Me: A Het Deg? Friend: Oh, do you mean a Hawt Dawg?

Me: Yeah, that’s what I said … Het Deg. To this day, people know I have spent time in the Midwest because of how I pronounce Wisconsin, and Chicago! 25 years … It is so hard to believe, where the

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Class Letters time has gone? It has been fun watching Facebook posts from former classmates putting up pictures of their own children, or relatives from the next generation, starting at Ripon as part of the Class of 2020.

Nowadays, we all have created our own families, our own careers, but our time at Ripon sticks as a shared moment in our timelines. A place where we all connected, even if for a short period, sharing a class, being part of a team, sharing a job at the Commons, or being floor mates. I hope you all think of donating to the annual fund to help Ripon College continue to bring these experiences to the next generation.

As always, we truly enjoy hearing updates from our classmates! If there is something new and exciting in your life — let us know via email, Facebook, or one of those information cards that Ripon sends out when asking for money!

Best, ANGELA L. KEITH, AMY DEKEYSER PADILLA, and VINCE PADILLA

1997 Stephanie Bosman Fernhaber 633 Braeside South Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46260 812-320-2976 / sfernhaber@hotmail.com Kristin Bazzoli Piotrowski 4609 North Marlborough Drive, Shorewood, WI 53211 414-961-1059 / kbazzoli@yahoo.com Dear classmates: Another academic year is under way at Ripon, with the renovation and expansion of Storzer center in process along with a new curriculum titled Cataylst being launched.

It is hard to believe, but we will be celebrating our 20th class reunion next year! Please save the date for the weekend of June 22-25. If you are interested in serving on the planning committee, please let us know. We want to make this weekend a great one, and need your input!

In the meantime, enjoy the class updates.

Take care,

1996 Jason Wood 83 Monroe Street, Unit 3B, Hoboken, NJ 07030 jlwood3773@gmail.com Greetings Class of 1996. Can you believe that 2017 is only a couple of months away? That means it has been more than 20 years since we have graduated. Where has time gone by? This summer, I had the opportunity to head back for our 20-year class reunion, and, while there, we were asking ourselves that very question. It was so great to see our friends and classmates from that time and catch up, seeing what everyone is doing, where they are at and catching up on each other’s lives. And amazingly, everyone was still very recognizable and still the same personalities. On the other hand, even though the town and campus was familiar, it was neat to see how much changed and improved.

If you haven’t been to Ripon for a while, I do really recommend it. The Reunion turned out to be a super fun night! Here is a brief recap (at least what I can remember). We had an “informal pre-reunion gathering” at a new establishment on Watson Street – Knuth Brewing Company. (Yes, Ripon has its own brewery now). After sampling several of their products, we moved onto the actual reunion. That was held at one of everyone’s favorite hangouts, Roadhouse Pizza. It still has the delicious pizza, but the ambience has improved exponentially. After stuffing our faces with the unlimited pizza and beverages, it was time to join the rest of the reunions at a dance party on the grounds of the former gym. We were able to get our groove on, abuse the photo booth and, of course, partake in more libations. And, of course, a night isn’t complete until you shut down Miller’s. See, sometimes the 40-year-olds can hang.

I hope that everyone has a great remaining part of 2016 (hopefully not too cold this year), and you all better be there to celebrate our 25th reunion.

JASON WOOD ’96

STEPHANIE BOSMAN FERNHABER and KRISTIN BAZZOLI PIOTROWSKI

1998 Sarah Eng 1945 West Argyle Street. Apt. 1, Chicago, IL 60640 312-404-6732 / saraheng@gmail.com Leilani Kupo 575 Matmor Road, Apt. 76, Woodland, CA 95776 419-308-8574 / deli_by_the_pond@yahoo.com Hello everyone. Welcome to fall! In the social media feeds, all those “first-day-of-school” photos are giving way to “first pumpkin spice latte of the season” selfies.

Speaking of the social media, just a reminder that there’s a Facebook group for the class of 1998 if you aren’t already a member. It’s been quiet lately, but I’m betting that will change next year as we start planning for our 20th reunion. Never too early to mark your calendars for the last weekend in June 2018!

As always, it’s my delight as a Class Agent to read all of the news from you and compile it here. I’ve enjoyed the new format of the class letter – now that all the letters are published together in R Connections, we can get the news from other classes from our era (and beyond!).

DJ CURRAN ’98 is a senior consultant with Huron Consulting Group’s Middleton, Wisconsin, office. Also, he starts a term on the Ripon Alumni Association Board this fall.

LARRY DAUGHERTY ’98 and his son, Calvin, headed to Africa to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. The trip was part of a volunteer effort called “Radiating Hope,” which works to improve cancer care in developing countries.

KRISTIN DODDS ’98 and her partner, Tony Meucci, welcomed their second child Feb. 19, 2016, a boy named Benjamin. He joins big sister Liberty (2 years old). Kristin also started a new position as EHS&S specialist with John Crane (A Smiths Company) on Aug. 22.

BROCK GOEHLER ’98 and his family — wife Becky, son Rex, 5, and daughter Reese, 7 — enjoyed a beach vacation in Yorktown, Virginia, this summer.

LYNNE PHILLIPS ’98 of Saint Michaels, Maryland, wrote: “I will be starting a new phase in my career as the museum curator of the Museum of the American Sailor at Naval Station Great Lakes just north of Chicago.”

Talk to you again in the spring! SARAH ENG and LEILANI KUPO

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1995-2002 1999

2001

Mike Berens 6472 Wexford Ave SW, Port Orchard, WA 98367 617-512-5753 / mikeberens2@hotmail.com

Nicole Baumann-Blackmore 7535 Lockwood Lane, Verona, WI 53593 608-513-9078 / Baumannn10@hotmail.com

Trista Moffat-Larco 1523 Remington Road, Neenah, WI 54946 920-257-4800 / tlmoffat@yahoo.com

Dante A. C. Houston 1418 N 50th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208 414-378-4937 / houstondante@hotmail.com

Class of 1999: We send this greeting to you with hopes that you all enjoyed a great fall. We’ve been keeping busy with work, kids returning to elementary and middle school, and lots of fall youth sports. Tailgating, Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving Day plans pass by, and we are ready for winter. We hope you and your families are all happy and healthy.

We would like to start by giving a BIG shoutout to our amazing classmates and to the staff from the College who helped to make our 15-year reunion a huge success!

Those of us in attendance had a blast and are already looking forward to our 20th!

The Class of 1999 is lean on class updates this go-around.

The sole update we received is from our former Class Agent and friend MATT ONDRUS ’99, who informed us that he now lives and works in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains in Ogden, Utah.

DANA DELACH GARCIA ’01, her husband, Angel, and three boys recently relocated to Naperville, Illinois. She has accepted a position as medical director of the largest not-for-profit hospice program in Illinois.

We will be celebrating our 20-year reunion in just a few years. Please keep that significant milestone in your sights. In the meantime, please feel free to continue to email either Trista or me with any updates you’d like us to include in the 1999 class letter in appearing in R Connections. Trista and I can be reached via email at tlmoffatt@yahoo.com or mikeberens2@hotmail.com. We’d really like to see more updates between publications in the spring and the fall so don’t be shy — send it!

SARAH M. NEUMEYER ’01 of Kodiak, Alaska wrote: “I continue to work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Fisheries monitoring and Analysis (FMA) division, but in a new capacity. At the end of March, I moved to Kodiak, Alaska, to co-run a field station. I am here supporting the observer program which provides fisheries data for management of the Alaskan fisheries. I help to support the biologists collecting the data and also provide outreach to the vessels and captains participating in the fisheries. I am also in the process of purchasing my first home.”

MIKE J. BERENS ’99 of Port Orchard, Washington, recently was selected for national-level responsibilities in the Air National Guard and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States.

KRISTIN TOBOLSKI OLSEN ’01 is a fourth-grade teacher at Denmark Elementary School. She lives in Maribel, Wisconsin, with her husband, TOBY OLSEN ’01, and two kids, Brady, 10, and Aubry, 8.

MATTHEW J. ONDRUS ’99 of Ogden, Utah, is a math professor at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.

LAURA CLARK ’02 and Sean Cullinane moved back to Dublin, Ireland. They recently welcomed their first son, Liam, in February. They look forward to raising their family in Europe.

ERIKA HOULBERG GUYER ’99 of Farmington, New York, is a premium auditor with AIG Insurance in Farmington.

ADAM ZAKOS ’99 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, was named athletic director and varsity boys basketball coach at Valley High School, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

TRISTA MOFFAT-LARCO and MIKE BERENS

2000 Andre Miksha 11956 Hazelton Drive Noblesville, Indiana 46060-9101 andre.miksha@gmail.co Dear Class of 2000: So, with winter 2016 upon us, just be glad you’re not walking down to Storzer or Rodman on a blustery Ripon morning.

NICK PARSONS ’00 and his wife, Laura, recently welcomed their second child, Eleanor Grace, joining her big brother Benjamin, 2. Nick also recently earned his master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago in English language teaching and learning. Nick teaches middle school ESL teacher in the Chicago Public Schools while coaching various sports teams in the city.

Please keep the news rolling in – either directly to the school or to me via email or via this website: goo.gl/ forms/e0I7GRL8zm. Take care until next time!

Red Hawk forever, ANDRE MIKSHA

Remember to keep sending your news our way to share in the next class letter!

Take care, NICOLE BAUMANN-BLACKMORE and DANTE HOUSTON

2002 Leigh Mlodzik MlodzikL@Ripon.edu Corryn Siegel Greenwood Corryn.Siegel@gmail.com Dear Class of 2002: It’s hard to believe, but it’s almost time for our 15-year reunion. Mark your calendars for June 22-25, 2017, and watch your mailboxes for more details!

We want to personally extend an invitation to attend Alumni Weekend to celebrate our 15th reunion. Events actually start on Thursday and end Sunday morning, ranging from social to educational, including the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble to benefit the athletic department, Annual Alumni Awards Banquet, class celebration and reunion parties, plus much more (with plenty of free food and drink)!

Please make plans to join us in June 2017 for our 15th Reunion Party!

Here are the class updates. We know more of you have news to share--please email us at Ripon2002@gmail. com with your updates, and we can get them into the next newsletter.

Fall 2016 39

Class Letters CORRYN SIEGEL GREENWOOD ’02 has joined the staff of Lurie Children’s Hospital and working in the western suburbs of Chicago as a neonatologist.

TORI DAHL LEONARD ’02 and ANDY LEONARD ’02, with daughter, Charli, welcomed baby boy Isaac John Leonard into their family Aug. 15, 2016.

KATHERINE BROPHY ’02 of Madison, Wisconsin writes: “I graduated from MATC in December with an A.A.S. in IT Systems Administration. I work at WPS Health Solutions as an IT asset management analyst.”

HEIDI FOSTER DUSEK ’02 of New London, Wisconsin, and her husband, Brent welcomed their third child in 2015. Their son, Micah Lange Dusek, was born Aug. 5. Big Brother Caleb, 5, and big sister, EllaMae, 3, have thoroughly enjoyed the promotion to bigs! Heidi recently accepted the position of executive director for J.J. Keller Foundation Inc. ANNMARIE IBIS KREITZER ’02 of Delafield, Wisconsin, and her husband, Greg, along with their daughters Elsa Marie, 5, and Greta Marie, 3, welcomed daughter Hanna Marie on Jan. 1, 2016. She was a healthy 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 20½ inches long. Everyone is doing well!

JOSH MASON-BARKIN ’02 of San Mateo, California, recently welcomed a daughter, Sela Penina, on Feb 19, 2015. She joins Charlie, her older brother who is 3.

ZACH MORRIS ’02 of Madison, Wisconsin, and his wife, Camie, had their second child, a daughter, Adelle on Dec. 22, 2012.

ALAN ’02 and RITA REIFFERS HUFFMAN ’02 have grown a successful fund-raising business, Legendary Fundraising, which encompasses the state of Wisconsin.

Their business, along with their four children, keep them very busy.

See you in June!! LEIGH MLODZIK and CORRYN SIEGEL GREENWOOD

2003 Liz Matelski lizmatelski@gmail.com Elayne Monnens Norweb enorweb@gmail.com Happy fall, Class of 2003! Has it really been 13 years since we graduated? It feels like just yesterday! But as I read updates here and see posts on Facebook, it is clear that many of us have accomplished a lot since college and all of that takes time! Election years always make me wish I were back on campus to enjoy some healthy, lively debates with classmates and professors! I am sure this election and the results will open the door to many conversations.

With technology and social media these days, it should be easier than ever for us to stay in touch, so please feel free to email, text or Facebook us your updates so we can include them here for those of us who aren’t as active on social media! Check out our Facebook group, “Ripon College Class of 2003,” to reconnect with old friends and get the most up-to-date news!

CHERITH TREU BROWN ’03: “Doug and I now have three kids: Sydney, 6, Marcus, 4, and Brooklyn, 1, born May 21, 2015. Doug is the assistant executive director for the Dane County Humane Society, and I have taken a break from teaching to take care of our kids while running a small in-home daycare. I’m still directing the third-through-eighth grade theatre group, The Wisconsin Heights Players, however.”

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Connections

APRIL MARLEWSKI-HUDZINSKI ’03 says: “I came. I saw. I conquered. Five years ago, I quit my job and took a leap to create and operate a community icon in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. But there’s so much more to life, and I have far too large of plans to stick to just one thing, so with a little nudging from a Ripon Rockstar, a lot of support from friends and family and a few final blowout parties, I sold it! I’ll continue to offer small business and bar consulting, am in the process of getting my real estate license (just for fun) and will be rolling out my next business this winter. Stay tuned — it’s quite the 360 degrees from my last business! Time for the Next Best Thing!”

ELIZABETH HALEN ’03 says: “Well, I just opened a second business in the Reading Terminal Market. The new business is called Condiment, and we make fresh, preservative-free condiments including butter whipped from fresh cream. Our condiments aim to make local cooks into genius chefs in their own homes by doing all the sauce and condiment prep for you, and then you just have to add fresh proteins and veggies. Our condiments are also customizable. Like your marinara sauce spicy?

We can do that. Like your ranch dressing with a kick of chipotle? We can make that to suit your specific taste.

Wish me luck!”

RYAN ’03 and JESSICA STOCKTON JORN ’03 continue to live in Philadelphia. Ryan teaches physical chemistry at Villanova University while Jessica homeschools their four children ages 7, 5½, 3 and 15 months.

TONI KNORR ’03: “After years of working full-time in fundraising and event management, I am now a stay-athome mom, working to reduce stress and grow my two boys into good members of society. The change allowed us to move into a great new home in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and I get to volunteer. I have also recently launched my business as a LuLaRoe Fashion Consultant, where I get to use my creativity and management skills daily.”

HEATHER BRAUND KOTLESKI ’03: “I got a new job about a year ago as a Software Support Consultant for NetSuite software at a private company in Waunakee, Wisconsin, I called goVirtualOffice, LLC. It was a complete career change, but I love the new challenge.”

ELIZABETH MATELSKI ’03 married Courtney Lentz Aug. 28 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Two days later, they packed up their cat and turtle and moved to Boston where Liz is assistant professor of American history at Endicott College — a small, private liberal arts college very similar in size and mission to Ripon.

ANNE MONNENS ’03 continues working and loving her job as an RN at University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital. She lives in Minneapolis with her partner, Dario, and their three children Oscar, Juniper and Diego.

ELAYNE MONNENS NORWEB ’03 is still at home with her two little girls Penelope, 3, and Ophelia, 18 months, in Miami and loving it. With Penelope starting preschool this year, Elayne was quick to join the PTA and is currently in charge of the fall bake sale and the pumpkin patch.

PATTI REIMANN ’03: “I am currently teaching third grade in the School District of Waupaca and enjoying it very much. I started a grad program through Marian University in educational technology. I also recently got engaged to an amazing man and can’t wait to start planning a wedding!”

MITCH SMITH ’03 lives in Minneapolis and says: “Over the winter and spring, I completed the certification process to become a PADI Dive Master. In June, I joined

2002-2005 Code42 as an Enterprise Systems Engineer. My commute is a 15-minute walk because I now work and live downtown! Our puppy, Pearl, a nine-pound Shih Tzu, turned 1 in April. Her 13-year-old brother has adopted her well.”

CHRYSTAL PAGEL STEPHANY ’03 lives in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and says: “I own a private practice in Ripon called Phoenix Rising LLC. I partner with Suasponte Center in Ripon (in the Suasponte Center building).

I am a mental health and substance abuse counselor specializing in trauma counseling.”

JOE ’03 and SARAH PEERENBOOM VICARI ’03: “In October 2015, we moved our family from northern Illinois back to Wisconsin. We now reside in Wind Lake and have started new jobs. Joe is still with the federal government but now out of Milwaukee, and Sarah is working full time as a dermatology physician assistant at Ascend Dermatology. Our boys are Dean, 5, and twins Leo and Bennett, 3 in November, and we are loving being back in Wisconsin!”

ADAM WEISS ’03 says “Jamine and I welcomed a baby boy, Amani Joseph, Aug. 10, 2016.”

important process for the College to be undertaking, and as many student athletics can attest to, long overdue. Be sure to follow the progress online via the College’s social media sites.

Not to be singular in focus, the front entrance of Rodman also got a facelift this summer. Next time you’re back on campus, be sure to check out the new look of lower campus.

KRISTEN MCCULLOUGH GRANCHALEK ’04 and her husband, Gus, have a son born in May 2016.

ELIZABETH HUBER MCCLAIN ’04 of Cumberland, Wisconsin: “I got married to Kevin two years ago — 6-28-14, (same weekend as my 10-year reunion.

Ripon alums in attendance: STEPHANIE JENNIGES HYLLBERG ’02, JEREMY “BUDDY” HYLLBERG ’04, BETH OLMANSON ’03, JENNY VIDAL ’04 and DAVID WILLIAMS ’03.

RYAN JOHANEK ’04 and TARA RABIDEAUX JOHANEK ’07 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, celebrated their son Adler’s first birthday Sept. 6 and are happy to announce they are expecting their second child in February 2017.

JENNIFER WHITE ’03 was just featured in Science News for Students with a photo and this caption “Jennifer White is an engineer at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility in Suitland, Md. She studied physics and math. Now she works on a weather satellite called S-NPP, which is currently in orbit, and another called JPSS that is slated to launch next year. “Basically,” she explains, “I operate the simulator for the two satellites.”

For recreation, she has done more than 600 skydives and explored the Great Barrier Reef. She also rock climbs, mountain bikes, runs and has a motorcycle.”

CHRIS ZEMAN ’04 and MEGAN MANGERSON ZEMAN ’06 of River Falls, Wisconsin, and kids Aida, 6, Eli, 4, and Evie, 2, are moving to Wausau, where he’ll be attending the Medical College of Wisconsin in July.

ANDREW LAST ’03 and RACHAEL SMITHBACK ’06 of Ripon, Wisconsin were married April 23, 2016, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Daphne Meyers Leigh 7026 West Rogers Street, West Allis, WI 53219 414-841-7210 / Daphne05@hotmail.com

Our list of classmate updates seems to be getting smaller.

We have a very outdated email list that we would love to update. Please contact Elayne at enorweb@gmail.com or via text at 917-509-4826 with your current email address.

Greetings from the Class of 2005! You all never disappoint – check out some of the amazing things our classmates have been up to! Remember to keep those updates coming ANY time of year, either via email to myself or Amanda or directly to the College. We all love getting a little glimpse at life after Ripon.

LIZ and ELAYNE

2004 Nick Spaeth nick.spaeth@gmail.com 2004classletter@gmail.com Greetings, Class of ’04. In an effort to be better about keeping up with each other, there is now a Ripon College Class of 2004 Facebook group. Hopefully, this will help us (or me) in keeping up with all our life news. For those of you not on Facebook, you can still send information along to 2004classletter@gmail.com. We have a good number of emails, but not nearly everyone. If you have an update to share, please send it to the Gmail account.

The lack of specific classmate updates this edition is on me. We’ll be sure to get out the call for updates in a timelier manner next time!

If you weren’t aware, the College is in the early phases of some very significant renovations and improvements to Storzer. Bringing up-to-date the College’s wellness and athletic facilities matters for a lot of reason, and as I can specifically and professionally attest to, recruitment is a big one! Prospective students demand high class amenities, and as many of us know, athletics and wellness are a big part of the Ripon experience. This is a critically

Enjoy the fall everyone.

NICK

2005 Amanda Zahn Przybyl W2743 Cherry Lane, Green Lake, WI 54941 920-299-1081 / PrzybylA@ripon.edu

SHELBY DEERING ’05: I have my own writing business and love being a lifestyle writer, and am thrilled to now add “instructor” to my résumé. I recently taught a class called The Art of Creating Engaging Content at Madison’s American Family Insurance DreamBank space, where local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to attend free classes. I shared my tips and tricks with business owners and brand representatives, telling them in the space of an hour how to create their own authentic, soulful content that engages both new and faithful customers.

I really enjoyed it, and am looking forward to sharing my knowledge through future opportunities. To find out what else I’m up to these days, visit www.shelbydeering. com.”

EMMY FOERSTER ERNSER ’05: ’’John and I welcomed our baby boy, Huckston, in April 2016. I took a new position as a behavioral health case manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield last November. John accepted a high school PE position at Yorkville high school in August.

Maielle has started first grade and the craziness of two kids keeps us very busy. We will be celebrating our seven-year wedding anniversary in October and 15 years since meeting at Ripon. We took our first trip away from the kids in March and enjoyed a week in the Jamaican sun with friends.”

Fall 2016 41

Class Letters JOHN KARIJOLICH ’05: “After four years at UC Berkeley as a postdoc, I accepted a faculty position as an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology.”

that you consider coming back to visit Ripon for either Homecoming or an Alumni Weekend in the near future.

We hope that no matter how much the campus changes, coming back to Ripon College will always bring back happy memories of your home away from home.

LISA MAISONEUVE KICK ’05: “We bought a house last summer in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.”

In the meantime, we always look forward to hearing from you about what is going on in your life. We’re glad to share with you what we’ve heard:

JESSICA REED BOCCIA ’05: “We welcomed a baby girl, Faith Anne Boccia, on July 14. She weighed four pounds, 13 ounces, and was 18 inches long when she was born.

She spent five weeks in the NICU before joining us at home on Aug. 18. We are happy to be home together and enjoying our new family of four!’

JENNY REESE SCHROTH ’05: “My biggest update right now I that we are the new owners of Jeff Schroth Family Farm LLC. My husband manages the farm full time and I continue to work outside the home as director of career services at Globe University in Appleton, Wisconsin. We have two little boys, ages 4 and 2.”

AMANDA ZAHN PRZYBYL ’05: “I got a new job! Still at RC, though. I now run the Mail Center so I can spend more time with my family — two growing boys don’t leave much time to work 60 hours a week every summer.

Still glad to be working at RC and would love to see anyone who stops by campus!”

AMANDA and DAPHNE

​2006 Nicole Klaas Hands 1409 Grace View Place, Fayetteville, NC 28305 414-514-9231 / nicole.klaas@gmail.com Ed Hansen 901 Riggins Road, Apt 321, Tallahassee, FL 32308 920-279-8906 / hellowilbur@gmail.com Andrew P. Kitslaar 4514 Midmoor Road, Monona, WI 53716 608-469-7784 / andrew.p.kitslaar@gmail.com As difficult as it might be for some of us to believe, our 10-year college reunion has come and gone. The Class of 2006 was well-represented once again at this summer’s Alumni Weekend, and our own ANDREW KITSLAAR ’06 was presented with the College’s annual Outstanding Young Alumni award.

As the weekend festivities went on, it dawned on a few of us that, after a decade, perhaps members of our Class of 2006 might no longer be considered “young alumni.”

You would never think that in talking with the attendees of our reunion, of course. The memories and stories that were shared all seemed much too fresh in our minds to be 10 years old. Whether people were reconnecting with old friends or introducing their families, it seemed that everyone was enjoying that wonderful feeling that can only be recaptured by going back home.

For so many of us, that is what Ripon College came to feel like during the years we spent there: a home away from home. Now, as alumni, it falls to us to help ensure that this feeling will continue to be present for current and future Ripon College students. Therefore, we ask that you please consider supporting the College. Donations to the Annual Fund help maintain that welcoming, homey feeling we’ve come to know. You can either designate the donation so that it goes toward the College’s greatest need, or you can specify how you would like your donation to be spent.

If you are reading this and have not been connected with the College during the last few years, we highly encourage

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ED HANSEN ’06 of Tallahassee, Florida, and his fiancée, Megan Deichen, are engaged to be married next May in Winter Park, Florida. He continues to teach psychology at Florida State University but would root for Wisconsin in a bowl game if push came to shove.

ANDY KITSLAAR ’06 of Monona, Wisconsin, was elected April 5, 2016, to the Monona City Council.

BRAIN MACAK ’06 of Sobieski, Wisconsin and his wife, Jamie, have a baby boy, Rowan Henry Macak, born July 5, 2016. Additionally, in the midst of becoming a new father, Brian also completed his first Ironman Triathlon in Madison, Wisconsin.

RACHAEL SMITHBACK ’06 and ANDREW LAST ’03 of Ripon, Wisconsin, were married April 23, 2016, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

MEGAN MANGERSON ZEMAN ’06 of River Falls, Wisconsin, and CHRIS ZEMAN ’04 and kids Aida, 6, Eli, 4, and Evie, 2, are moving to Wausau, where he’ll be attending the Medical College of Wisconsin in July.

ED, NICOLE and ANDY

2007 Adam Krueger 30 Littell Road Apt. 3, Brookline, MA 02446 krueger.adam@gmail.com Lindsey Kreye Heil 15229 Spring Brook Terrace, Savage, MN 55378 lkreye9509@gmail.com Liz Leach Morrell 303 Linden Street Upper, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 lizleach.morrell@gmail.com Stacy Krusa Teachout 510 Cochrane Street, Waupun, WI 53963 krusast@gmail.com Hi Everyone. Here’s hoping this letter finds you all well. We will hit another milestone this coming year: our 10-year reunion! Can you even believe it?! It seems like yesterday we were just shy freshmen starting our orientation and moving into the dorms. Time sure flies. We hope you will join us in celebrating our 10-year reunion on campus next year. We are just beginning the planning phase and hope to have more definite plans for our party in the next coming months. Please join our Facebook group: Ripon College Class of 2007, for more information and details regarding this exciting event.

As the Class of 2007 Class Agents, we want to personally extend an invitation to attend next year’s Alumni Weekend to celebrate our 10th reunion. Please save the dates: June 22-25, 2017, to attend. Events actually start on Thursday and end Sunday morning, ranging from social to educational, including the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble to benefit the athletic department, Annual Alumni Awards Banquet, class celebration and reunion parties, plus much more!

Planning is under way (Thanks to STACY KRUSA TEACHOUT ’07 and TYLOR LOEST ’07 for being the coordinators, and to our other volunteers: LACY ROURKE

REFER A STUDENT Brooke Tireman Konopacki ’94 referred her niece, Sierra Tireman, to Ripon College.

Sierra is now a member of the Class of 2020.

“I knew how much my aunt enjoyed going to Ripon, and I wanted come back to Wisconsin to be near family. I liked everyone I met at the College when I visited, and the Catalyst curriculum gives me a lot of time to explore my options to see what I like before declaring a major.” ~Sierra Tireman ’20

You enjoyed your time as a student at Ripon College, and it’s very likely you know a young person who will equally enjoy and benefit from the rigorous liberal arts and sciences curriculum and the active residential campus experience Ripon has provided for more than 165 years.

Referring a student to Ripon is easy.

Please do one of the following to refer a student to Ripon College: 1. Fill out the online form at ripon.edu/refer-student 2. Call the admission office at 1-800-947-4766.

Fall 2016 43

Class Letters ’07, KEVIN GOYERT ’07 and ROB PERKINS ’07) to have great food, drinks, and events to reconnect with fellow Riponites.

Please make plans to join us in June 2017 for our 10th Reunion Party!

Please also consider donating monetarily to our alma mater. As always, keep us updated with any new happenings in YOUR life (marriage, job, birth, etc.). We love to hear from you!

Best Regards, ADAM, LINDSEY, LIZ and STACY MARA EVANS SHAW ’07 of Madison, Wisconsin, just returned from working with Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan. She recently started a doctoral program at John Hopkins this summer. She is happy to have married Jordan Shaw on Aug. 27, 2016 and is now off to Cuba to honeymoon!

KATHRYN GRIFFITHS ANDERSON ’07 of West Lafayette, Indiana, is a registered nurse at IU Health Arnett in Lafayette, Indiana.

LINDSEY KREYE HEIL ’07 and her husband, Christopher, of Savage, Minnesota, welcomed their daughter, Piper Quinn, into the world Aug. 31.

TYLOR LOEST ’07 of Ripon, Wisconsin, is starting his master of arts in art administration at Goucher College.

TYLER OTTO ’07 and ALISON KRINGS OTTO ’08 of Winneconne, Wisconsin, welcomed Thomas Allan Otto on Feb. 1, 2016. Tyler is self-employed in construction and contracting. Alison is self-employed as a post-partum doula.

TARA RABIDEAUX JOHANEK ’07 and RYAN JOHANEK ’04 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, celebrated their son Adler’s first birthday Sept. 6 and are happy to announce they are expecting their second child in February 2017.

PETER RODGERS JENSEN ’07 of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, completed his MA in communication at the University of Colorado in 2012 and just completed his Ph.D. in communication at the University of Missouri. He now is working as an assistant professor at the University of Alabama.

MARY STERRETT ’07 of Louisville, Kentucky, is working as an attending Ob/Gyn at University of Louisville, following her residency graduation in 2015. She is pursuing a master’s of public health at Johns Hopkins and in October, should find out if she received a fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine. She is engaged to Joseph Bloodworth, who is a pilot, and they are hoping to elope in late 2016.

ANNELI MARTINEK TAYLOR ’07 and her husband, Graham, welcomed their first child, a boy named George, on Aug. 9, 2016.

REBECCA PERK BRUSCH ’07 of Charlotte, North Carolina, lives with her husband, Ben, and two dogs, Kesha and Wicket. On June 25, they welcomed Avery Dakota Brusch to their pack. She was six pounds, 6 ounces, and 21 inches long at birth. During her nap time, Rebecca has been keeping busy volunteering for Carolina Poodle Rescue and the Carolina Show Ski Team.

AMANDA PICCIRILLO ’07 of Aurora, Ohio, is a community membership executive at Girl Scouts of North East Ohio.

RACHEL STORLIE PEDRAJA ’07 of Luck, Wisconsin, is starting her sixth year teaching fourth grade at Unity School District in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. She and her husband, Josh, were blessed with having their son, James Lincoln, in February.

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Connections

HILARY SMITH UYHELJI ’07 of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, received her Ph.D. from Georgia Tech. She has been appointed a supervisory research geneticist with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Part of her research is to investigate how sleep genes get turned on and off in people who do shift work. She now also supervises the research of others.

​2008 Stephanie Sommer Faulds 5543 River Oaks Drive, De Pere, WI 54115 608-630-3369 / Stephanie.Sommer@gmail.com Leah Hover-Preiss 1002 North Bowman Road, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 / 608432-2399 / leahhover@yahoo.com Zac Schwandt 8730 South Country Drive, Apt. 101, Oak Creek, WI 53154 920-291-5685 / SchwandtZ@gmail.com Greeting Class of 2008! It seems as if the year has flown by. Another class of first-year students has adjusted to life at Ripon and soon will be completing their first semester as Red Hawks. While the weather is turning colder and we are preparing for the holiday season, it is a good time to reflect on the fun we had while attending Ripon. While it does not seem long ago that we were sledding down the hill above Sadoff Field, attending Midnight Breakfast for a break during all night study sessions, or simply trying not to slip on the ice and snow as we were walking up the hill to class, we are actually nearing very close to our 10-year reunion. If you have not been back to Ripon lately, it would be a great time to visit. Enclosed in this publication, you will find information about many events that will be taking place on campus in the near future.

Take the time to attend one to see what life is like now on campus!

Please remember to send any updates you would like to share to the Class of 2008 Class Agents or the Office of Constituent Engagement. Announcements can be about new jobs, promotions, engagements, marriages, births or adoptions, continuing education, relocating — anything you would like to share with your classmates!

Additionally, if you are not a member of the ’Ripon College Class of 2008’s Facebook page, please send a request so you can be added. It is a great way to share announcements, post memories, and receive reminders about upcoming class letters or reunion information.

We look forward to hearing from you in the future! Go Red Hawks!

Sincerely, LEAH, STEPHANIE and ZAC MEGAN ANDERSON KAUTZER ’08 of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, is the assistant principal and athletic director at Nekoosa High School.

STEFFI BOSTEDT ’08 of Kapoho, Hawaii, earned her master’s of science degree in Community Psychology from Alverno University in 2014. She has worked at Creative Employment Opportunities as an Employment Consultant and was a state organizer for the APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment) Disability Mentoring Day. In July, she relocated to the Big Island in Hawaii with her partner Jesse Graves of Cross Plains, Wisconsin. Steffi enjoys rock climbing, foraging, and beekeeping and is currently doing work trade on a 22-acre permaculture farm in the rainforest.

JEFF JUDD ’08 of East Troy, Wisconsin, took a new position as sales engineer with Wisconsin Oven in East Troy. He and his wife, Bethany, welcomed their second child, a boy named Barrett Matthew.

2007-10 BRIDGET KRATZ-SCHWARTZ ’08 and her husband, Justin Schwartz, welcomed a baby girl, Brielle Christina Schwartz, on March 20, 2016.

ALISON KRINGS OTTO ’08 and TYLER OTTO ’07 of Winneconne, Wisconsin, welcomed Thomas Allan Otto on Feb. 1, 2016. Tyler is self-employed in construction and contracting. Alison is self-employed as a post-partum doula.

MEGAN KRUEGER KETTER ’08 of Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, began a new job in February as a medical social worker at Heartland Hospice in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

KRISTEN LEMKE DORSCH ’08 and her husband, Andy, of Ripon, Wisconsin, welcomed a baby boy, Henry Aaron Dorsch, Aug. 9, 2016.

ERIN MAGUIRE ’08 of Ripon, Wisconsin, graduated in 2015 with a master’s of social work from Loyola University of Chicago with a specialization in health and mental health. She recently passed her Advanced Practice Social Worker Boards. She is director of social services for Fountain View Care Center in Ripon, Wiscolnsin. She is collaborating with her former professor and mentor, Professor of Psychology Joe Hatcher, to implement a counseling program at the Fountain View Facility.

ERIN OAKLEY ’08 of Nashville, Tennessee, performed original music at AL JARREAU ’62’s Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony. A TV station reached out to her for an interview for Al’s documentary where Erin was invited to perform at the ceremony. Al is a seventime Grammy Award Winner who also happens to be a Ripon alum. The ceremony was held Oct. 8 at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee (Al’s home town).

KARA WAGNER PETZOLD ’08 of West Bend, Wisconsin, recently graduated from Concordia University with her master’s degree in educational leadership and administration.

STEPHANIE SOMMER FAULDS ’08 and BOB FAULDS ’07 of De Pere, Wisconsin, welcomed their daughter, Lenora “Lennie” May Faulds, on April 13, 2016. Her big brother, Mick, 3, loves to take care of her.

ALEX ROYZEN ’08 and KENDALL GUIMOND ROYZEN ’08 of Lindenhurst, Illinois, welcomed their second child, Avery Joseph Royzen, on Aug.15, 2016. Avery weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 21 inches long.

ASHLEY WILLMAN JANSSEN ’08 of Appleton, Wisconsin, married Jesse Janssen, Nov. 7, 2015. She earned her master’s degree in applied leadership in teaching and learning from UWGB in May 2016.

CPT. KYLE UNGER ’08 of Savannah, Georgia, is stationed at Hunter Army Airfield. In June, he became the Commander of Alpha Company, 224th Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation). He is engaged to MELINDA MCNETT ’09.

2009 Emily A. Meyer emilyannmeyer@gmail.com Angela Olivas Peña mihita.aco@gmail.com Greetings Class of 2009! I hope this letter find you well.

Summer and the start of fall have been unseasonably warm here in Kansas. We’ve reached mid-90’s more often than not. It makes me miss the fall weather at Ripon and being able to walk with class in a sweatshirt with some coffee from Starbucks. Lily is growing like a weed (her photo appeared in the last class letter publication). We

made the journey to Ripon for Alumni Weekend this summer and introduced Lily to the city and our friends.

One of the best parts of our trip was meeting up with BRUCE ’09 and ELIZA CHERRY STEPHENSON ’09 and their son, Ari. Lily and Ari enjoyed hanging out on Memorial Lawn and sharing their toys with one another.

We want to hear from you! Please remember to email Angela and me if you have any exciting life updates you’d like to share.

One exciting update we have to share is the engagement of MELINDA MCNETT ’09 to CPT. KYLE UNGER ’08.

The couple live in Savannah, Georgia, where Melinda works as a sales executive for Humana as part of their commercial group division.

CHRISTINE ANHALT-DEPIES ’09 of Madison, Wisconsin writes: “Hello. I was happy to read about the individuals receiving an NSF graduate fellowship and those receiving honorable mentions (in this article: http://www.ripon. edu/2016/04/01/ripon-college-students-earn-nationalscience-foundation-honors/). Great news for Ripon College! I am a Ripon College alumna (graduated 2009).

I wanted to pass along the news that I actually received an honorable mention for the NSF graduate fellowship this year, as well. My last name has changed since graduating (maiden name Anhalt), so perhaps that is cause of the mixup. Again, great to see this good news for Ripon!”

MATTHEW BARRILE ’09 of Columbus, Ohio, is working on his Ph.D. in Spanish literature at Ohio State University.

MEGAN PETRI MARX ’09 of West Bend, Wisconsin, writes: “My husband, Ed, and I just had our second child. We now have two daughters, Hattie and Winnie.”

JOSHUA FREY ’09 of Aberdeen, Maryland, writes: “I am a nuclear and counterproliferation officer with the U.S. Army Nuclear Disablement Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. I will finish my second master’s degree, in international relations, in the spring.”

If you haven’t made it back to Ripon lately, we hope you find time to stop by and see all of the changes and improvements to campus. Storzer is getting a huge renovation, as well as some cosmetic updates to Rodman.

Please continue to send us updates and information for future letters!

EMILY and ANGELA

2010 Ross Heintzkill ross.heintzkill@gmail.com Meagan Kochel meagankochel@gmail.com Leeanna Shultz shultz.annabanana@gmail.com Paul Williams pgwilliams5433@gmail.com Hello Class of 2010! One of the brilliant lessons that we learned from our alma mater is that participation is key.

We were forced to not just memorize facts and theories to simply fill in the blanks on tests, but to form our own opinions and justify our answers. I am calling you all out to action by doing what we all went to Ripon College to do in the first place: to get educated!

This will be our second presidential election since we graduated, and our third or fourth election we have been able to vote in overall. Can you remember the first time you voted and why you voted for the candidate you did?

Fall 2016 45

Class Letters To keep a potentially very long letter short, a lot has changed since then, particularly in the way voters can get educated. There are sites like isidewith.com that help people find candidates and stances on topics by answering non-partisan questions, and if you Google “how to vote in every state,” you can find out how to vote wherever you have moved since you’ve left Ripon.

Ripon taught us to be active listeners and inspired us to be constantly curious. Get educated and get out voting in November!

MATT DWYER ’10 and AIMEE PRUDHOMME ’13 were married July 16, 2016. They currently live in Marshall, Missouri. Aimee is an administrative assistant in the Advancement Office at Missouri Valley College, and Matt is an assistant baseball coach there.

LINDSEY KEOUGH ROJAS ’10 of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, is enrolled in the master’s program in Spanish at Marquette University in Milwaukee.

RACHEL JENKS SNYDER ’10 of Janesville, Wisconsin, has been a staff attorney with the Wisconsin Legislative Council since Jan. 20.

CHRISTOPHER SCHAEFER ’10, on April 1, 2016, announced his candidacy for the Wisconsin State Assembly, District Three.

PAUL G. WILLIAMS

2011 April Agamaite Pingel agamaitea@gmail.com Rusty Schultz WRussellSchultz@gmail.com Leslie Sullivan lesliesullivan15@yahoo.com Classmates: It’s hard to believe that it’s already been five years since we walked across the stage of Harwood Memorial to receive our degrees! In celebration of our success, it was great to see many of you this past June as a part of our fifth-year reunion and Ripon’s annual Alumni Weekend!

The weekend represented a great time had by all. Between the Greek socials, the 5K, the free beer, the golf outing, the campus-wide barbecue with President Messitte and the free beer, it was a lot of fun to reconnect with classmates, faculty and staff alike!

While I was expecting the trip back to Ripon to be fun, what I didn’t expect was how it would make me reminisce. If you weren’t able to join us this year for Alumni Weekend, I hope you have an opportunity to return to campus on your own in the near future. Simply put, it feels good for the heart. I think you’ll understand as soon as you step foot back on campus.

ANDY AYERS ’11 and RACHELL PACHNIAK AYERS ’13 are the proud parents of a baby girl, Evelyn Kelly Marie Ayers, born Sept. 21, 2016.

JOLINN THILL ENNIS ’11 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin: “Thanks to Ripon College, I was able to start my teaching career at Macarthur Anglican School outside of Sydney, Australia, where I lived for the past three years.

Last year, March 27, I married Dan Ennis in beautiful Wollongong, NSW, Australia. We moved back to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, this past year when I was offered a music teaching position at Parkside Elementary School in Fond du Lac. We are so happy to be back in Wisconsin, living in our new home with our little Australian Kelpie, Delilah.”

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CHRIS KOCHANSKI ’11 of Annapolis, Maryland: “While serving as a cryptologic warfare officer (CWO) at Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Maryland, I promoted to lieutenant junior grade and fully qualified as an information warfare officer (IWO).

In closing, I want to thank all of you who joined me recently in making a contribution to our alma mater.

With your help, our class was able to raise $3088 (16-percent participation) in 2015-16 for the College’s Annual Fund. It’s important to remember that the support we received as students doesn’t come for free. If you haven’t yet made your contribution to this year’s fund, I would challenge you to do so.

As always, I hope this letter finds you well, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Don’t forget, if you have any updates to share with us, you can do so by emailing alumni@ripon.edu Sincerely, RUSTY

2012 Katlyn Lee Schumacher 1627 Spring Square Alley, Monroe, WI 53566 608-558-9073 / kate020812@gmail.com Erin Schaick 67 Croteau Court Apt. 2F, Manchester, NH 03104 603-513-9965 / Erin.Schaick@gmail.com Brandon Taylor 367 Santana Heights, Apt. 5030, San Jose, CA 95128 406-274-4708 BrandonJTaylor2012@gmail.com Dear friends: Despite the many clichés about how fast time is flying by, it feels like both a lifetime and a week ago that I was struggling to move my old futon into the senior apartments for my final year at Ripon College.

My only regret is that I no longer have Orientation Committee friends nearby to help me move!

Along the same lines, enough time has passed that our five-year reunion is approaching next summer during Alumni Weekend, June 22-25, 2017! We want to personally extend an invitation to attend next year’s Alumni Weekend to celebrate our Fifth Reunion Party.

Please save the dates: June 22-25, 2017, to attend. Events actually start on Thursday and end Sunday morning, ranging from social to educational, including the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble to benefit the athletic department, Annual Alumni Awards Banquet, class celebration and reunion parties, plus much more!

Planning is under way (Thanks to ROBERTA MARTIN ’12 for being the coordinator, and to our other volunteers: BRYANT VANDE KOLK ’12, SAM MUTSCHELKNAUS ’12, CAROLINE ROTHROCK ’12, KURT HARDY ’12, MATT SWITZLER ’12!) to have great food, drinks, and events to reconnect with fellow Riponites. The weekend will be packed with entertainment and opportunities to catch up with fellow students and our favorite staff and professors.

As someone who lives many miles away from Ripon, I am really looking forward to seeing everyone in person!

NYE NYE AUNG ’12 of Kalemyo, Sagaing, Burma, moved back to his country. Now he is working as a project coordinator for a power project department of a Japanese company named Marubeni Corp.

MATTHEW BREUER ’12 of San Francisco, California, recently started a clinical internship with the Stonewall Project at the San Francisco AIDS foundation counseling individuals and co-facilitating groups. He is continuing to see clients for psychotherapy at Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center, and finishing up his master’s in

2010-12 counseling psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. The next step is to register as an MFT Intern, and continue earning hours toward the 3,000 needed to become eligible for licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

JESSICA BRUNGARDT ’12 of Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a staff attorney for the Office of the Guardian ad Litem, representing the best interest of children that have been abused and neglected. She got engaged to Drake Larson in May, and between the two of them they are proud owners of three adorable cats.

ELLIE BYLER ’12 of Jordan, Minnesota, married Nick Koller (again) on May 29. She’s still keeping her maiden name even though they’re double-married. She got a book deal, and her debut novel will be published in the fall of 2017!

HOLLY DOYLE ’12 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, recently was promoted to assistant front office manager at Bright Angel Lodge, located at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. She completed her second 23-mile rim to rim hike across the canyon in June and plans on hiking a third next May. She will have six weeks of an extended leave of absence from the canyon coming up in early winter. During that time, she will return to Normandy for the third time in two years with layovers in Iceland and Prague also on the agenda.

RENEE DEBRUIN EISLEY ’12 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and her husband, Ben, welcomed their second child, Owen Benjamin, into the world on July 19, 2016. He was 9 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 19½ inches long. Their almost-2-year-old daughter, Ada, loves being a big sister!

They feel so blessed to have two beautiful children who fill their hearts with so much love.

STACEY HAMILTON ’12 of Carson City, Nevada got married on May 20. They are looking to buy a house in Carson City, Nevada, in the next few months. And once they move, they’re probably going to adopt another dog to give Zena (Dutch shepherd/Australian cattle dog mix) and Zeus (German shepherd/Siberian husky mix) another playmate! She’s also still working as the assistant director of admissions at Sierra Nevada College.

KURTIS HARDY ’12 of Waukesha, Wisconsin recently was promoted to software operations project manager and appointed head of MC Services’ software development department, creating websites, databases and mobile apps. He also started ZerosOnTheBoard.com and a corresponding sports podcast, delivering fresh takes on national sports news stories.

LISA HILLERIN ’12 of Chicago, Illinois, still is a paralegal getting Chicago residents food stamps, Medicaid and TANF. She started a website dedicated to bike camping in the Chicago region (bikecampchicago.info), and is planning a bike route to our five-year reunion. If anyone lives between Chicago-Milwaukee-Ripon, hop on! It’s going to be a blast.

ROBERTA MARTIN ’12 of Ripon, Wisconsin, graduated in December from Loyola University Chicago with a master’s degree in community development and social justice with a certificate in urban ministry. Additionally, she recently was promoted to assistant director at the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

MEGAN MCGEE ’12 of Kenosha, Wisconsin, will marry on Oct. 15, 2016. She had been busy planning the wedding and becoming Megan McGee Norris. She has her own law practice in Kenosha, Wisconsin, The Law Offices of Megan McGee LLC. She does family, immigration and criminal for the most part. They have four dogs, two pit mixes and two yorkies. Life is good!

SAM MUTSCHELKNAUS ’12 of Hartland, Wisconsin, graduated with a master’s of divinity degree and is now a chaplain resident with Aurora Healthcare.

TONYA REETZ ’12 of Fairport, New York, works for a company called The Outdoor Group in Rochester which makes hunting/archery products like bows (Elite Archery), releases (Scott Archery), etc. She recently was promoted as the accounting/finance and AIS manager.

CASEY RIESING ’12 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is enrolled in the master’s program in Spanish at Marquette University.

EMMA ROBINSON ’12 of Madison, Wisconsin, defended her prelims and now is ABD in the Spanish literature Ph.D. program at UW-Madison. The focus for her dissertation is contemporary science fiction narrative and film in Spain. She also is head teaching assistant for beginning Spanish courses at Madison.

EMILY BRUNNER RODGERS ’12 and BILLY RODGERS ’12 of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary this year and purchased a beautiful home in Saint Louis Park. They are welcoming Huck, a beautiful Bernese mountain dog puppy, into their family.

Emily is currently getting her master’s degree from St. Thomas to work as a social worker in the Park Nicollet Hospital system. Billy is about to open the second office of Ascent Financial, the Financial Planning Firm he started last year.

JESSICA SCHMIDT ’12 of Winona, Minnesota, is a financial representative at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, but has just become eligible to be a teleworker, which means she can work from home. She’s now in the process of moving back to Ripon for a while.

KATLYN LEE SCHUMACHER ’12 of Monroe, Wisconsin, and her husband recently purchased their first home in Monroe and are enjoying all the extra space with their two sweet kitties, Napoleon and Eva.

BRADLEY R. JOHNSON ’12 of Bear Creek, Wisconsin: “Currently teaching sixth grade in Manawa where I am also the head wrestling and football coach!”

EMILY SHEEKS ’12 of Ripon, Wisconsin, completed a yoga teacher certification program in May and has started to teach yoga classes in the Ripon area. She still works in the Office of Admission at Ripon College and was extremely fortunate to travel to Rome this spring with 17 students, Professor Diane Mockridge and President Zach Messitte with the “Old Italy, New Italy” Liberal Arts In Focus course. She has kept two house plants alive for over two years, which is a personal record.

JEREMY JOHNSON ’12 of State College, Pennsylvania, is at Penn State working on his Ph.D. He recently completed his comprehensive exams and is now ABD. His dissertation is on algorithms and rhetoric.

AMY SONIER ’12 of Green Lake, Wisconsin, got engaged in July. Amy and her fiancé plan to get married in July 2017. She is a cross categorical teacher for the Fond du Lac School District, at the STEM institute.

SPENCER LAMEKA ’12 and AURORA POLLEI ’12, both of Milwaukee Wisconsin, were married June 11 in Mequon, Wisconsin. They spent their honeymoon on a weeklong road trip across the state, camping along the way.

AMY SPRANGER ’12 of Racine, Wisconsin, started a new job as an English teacher at St. Catherine’s Middle School in Racine.

Fall 2016 47

Class Letters BRANDON TAYLOR ’12 of Arlee, Montana, is a technology consultant at Accenture in northern California, supporting high-tech clients in Silicon Valley.

SNEHA THAPA ’12 of Lexington, Kentucky, is a caseworker for Kentucky Refugee Ministries, a refugee resettlement agency in Louisville, Kentucky. She gets to interact with a lot of Congolese and Syrian refugees who have just arrived to the United States (Kentucky).

She also is continuing research for her Ph.D. on Tibetan refugees living in Dharamshala, India and the United States.

JOSIE ULLSPERGER ’12 of Iowa City, Iowa, is working on her clinical psychology Ph.D. at the University of Iowa and is starting to write her dissertation proposal. She has three published papers. MITCH BROUSE ’12 and Josie are the proud owners of a 1½-year-old aussiedoodle named Ollie.

VICKY WEBER ’12 of Madison, Wisconsin, moved back to Madison from Colorado. She is a technical support analyst at a tech company in Middleton called Spredfast.

Spredfast has an office keg for FREE BEER. She’s also teaching a public speaking class at UW-Richland this semester. She has no puppies, houses, children, spouses or awards, but she has the world’s best cat and will soon be the proud parent of a gaming computer.

SARAH WEINBERG ’12 of Middleton, Wisconsin, is a sales coordinator at a hotel in downtown Madison (the same place she’s been working)! She will be negotiating group blocks and events for the hotel, managing their social media accounts, networking with local businesses in the downtown area and working on design and marketing campaigns! Super excited. On a personal note, she’s currently working on becoming TEFL certified to teach English in Busan, South Korea fall of 2017 with her partner in crime (JORDAN HILL ’11). Enjoying life in Madison! Missing Ripon always.

RACHEL WEYKER ’12 of Appleton, Wisconsin, is still at Alta Resources in Neenah (more than four years!), owns a house in Appleton (almost two years), still has a dog, now has a cat (he turns 1 on 9/4). In April, she changed roles in her company from team leader to operations analyst, which she’s enjoyed a lot more and it’s a fun but stressful challenge. She’s also begun some prerequisite classes on the way to a master’s degree in data science.

Thank you to all the people who sent us their life updates on Facebook or via email! Feel free to contact the College (or us) throughout the year and we will be sure to include them in our class updates. We hope that everyone is doing well and we hope you will plan ahead and join us for our reunion next summer!

KATLYN, ERIN and BRANDON

2013 Travis Bitters bitters.travis@gmail.com Charlotte E. S. Lee charlotteeslee@gmail.com Lauren Ott lauren.a.ott.42@gmail.com Alexandra Peltier alipeltier13@gmail.com Here we are again, 20-somethings with jobs, apartments or houses, marriages, babies and/or martinis. I find it incredible that one minute I feel like I am an adult.

Someone with a savings and 401K, someone with a purpose to get out of bed every morning (“wake up, you

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need to make money”). I am 25, with two computers and “dress clothes.” I am the future.

The next minute, the curtain line breaks, I spill water on my work laptop, I schedule a meeting on the wrong day and my mom tells me I have to schedule a doctor’s appointment. How does this happen? Who am I? What is an adult?

Maybe it is a fake it till you make it kind of deal. Act like adults, become adults. Some of our classmates seem to really be doing it. Boy, I am trying.

On that note, here is my update: KYLE GREENE ’15 and I have moved in together (another situation where visitors are accepted and encouraged), I am actively trying to eat the groceries I buy before they go bad, SARAH MOEHRKE ’13 visited in August, I take my car in for oil changes, I am going to conferences for work.

TOM ALBRECHT ’13 is living in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

If you want to join him for some fishing, he says you’re welcome to!

EMILY ANDERSON ’13 graduated from Mount Mary University this year with a post-baccalaureate certificate in graphic design.

HANNAH ANDERSON ’13 graduated this year from UW-Whitewater with a counseling master’s degree with a higher education emphasis. She is living in Fort Atkinson with her boyfriend and their cat, Gandalf. :) RACHELL PACHNIAK AYERS ’13 and ANDY AYERS ’11 are the proud parents of a baby girl, Evelyn Kelly Marie Ayers, born Sept. 21, 2016.

LIZABETH BARANCZYK ’13 teaches kindergarten in Spooner, Wisconsin, and is a youth minister at her church.

AMY BROWENDER ’13 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, works for College Possible, a nonprofit organization working to place low-income youths into college.

JOHANNA BURTON ’13 and MICHAEL LANIPHER ’15 are engaged and getting married in 2017 (coming up!). This year, JoHanna also became a full-time office manager for a sugar refinery and works part time as a seasonal educator at the Detroit Zoo. DANNA YU DIEHL ’13 got married in May 2016. She and her husband plan to buy a house in the Madison area soon.

AMY DOEFER ’13 is teaches band for the New Glarus School District.

SCOTT EVERSON ’13 was hired full time by CyntrX as a Level 2 technical support specialist and got engaged to his partner, Brian, on June 5. They celebrated three years together on Sept. 20.

ANDY FEHRENBACH ’13 is the UX and Design Lead for Homi Inc., a tech startup in Minneapolis. In December, he and KATE AMELL FEHRENBACH ’13 welcomed Nate to the family. Now Kate is rocking the stay-at-home mom life with TWO little boys.

DAVID FORSETH ’13 and BREANNA GRACZ FORSETH ’14 welcomed their first child, a healthy little boy, this September.

CHARLOTTE LEE ’13: “We changed the furniture layouts in our bedroom and living room, but haven’t gone as far as getting new furniture or anything grown up like that!

That’s the level of excitement in my life right now. In other news, Chester will be 9 in December! They grow up so fast.”

2012-14 JAKE GAHART ’13: “I moved to Tucson, Arizona, and started a job for the University of Arizona Athletics under the title of athletic facilities coordinator. I have a newfound respect for sunscreen and bucket hats.”

MAX HERRMANN ’13 and MADELINE SOCKNESS HERRMANN ’14 moved into their first house back in January. She is starting her master’s degree in educational studies through Appleton Area School District and UWOshkosh this spring. She is also coaching girls’ varsity hockey and girls’ varsity track and field in Appleton.

ALEC JALOVEC ’13 graduated from law school this year and recently passed the North Carolina bar exam. He also was engaged to be married Oct. 1, 2016.

KII KASTEN ’13 and Morgan Kasten were married July 30, 2016! They now live in Madison, and Kii works for BMO Harris Bank.

EMILY KIJEK ’13 teaches eighth-grade literacy at Cudahy Middle School. She also is the head coach for the Cudahy girls swim and dive team at the high school.

ANDY KRUEGER ’13 teaches fourth grade and coaches football in the Wautoma School District.

TREVOR LYNN ’13 continues to work towards his MAT and teaching certification. He also was promoted to senior airman, and is now assistant varsity volleyball coach and mentor/tutor at Knob Noster High School.

LORI SCHROEDER ’13 is now a design and education coordinator with Ideacom Mid-America in the Twin Cities.

CASEY SIMONSON ’13 has been working at the new Amazon Fulfillment Center in Shakopee and is currently training to run the compliance/hazmat department there.

MITCH STILTJES ’13 now lives in Kennewick, Washington, and works for Washington State Athletics as the Cougar Athletic Fund regional director for the Tri-Cities.

EMILY SUMMERS ’13 got a promotion in February to assistant director of major gifts at the University of Chicago. And she and Jack Rae moved into their first apartment together.

ZACHARY WIELAND ’13: “Becky and I got married in June and were lucky enough to have seven other Ripon grads standing next to us. Becky and I started dating in eighth grade, so we are happy to finally do it. We then enjoyed a week in Aruba for our honeymoon. We just completed the 9/11 stair climb at Lambeau Field where all proceeds go to families of fallen firefighters. Along with Becky, I started a youth group at our church and will be working with middle school and high school students. At the end of September/beginning of October, I’ll be going to help Alec Jalovec celebrate his marriage.”

BECKY MADSEN ’13 moved to Oshkosh and is attending the master’s program for professional counseling with an emphasis in student affairs and college counseling at UW-Oshkosh.

LINDSEY WHITE ’13 graduated with her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from UW-Oshkosh in May 2016 and works for the state as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. “I’m slowly adjusting to a life outside of school. It’s strange.”

EMILY MEYERS ’13 passed her preliminary exams and advanced to Ph.D. candidacy in plant pathology at North Carolina State University.

Thank you all for continuing to put up with our pestering. We like hearing where you are and what you’re up to. And Ripon does too! As always, stay in touch!

JENNA OSTROWSKI ’13 is starting her second year of graduate school. This year, she received her master’s in school psychology, and she is now working on her educational specialist degree and doing her practicum in the Milton School District.

LAUREN, TRAVIS, CHARLOTTE and ALEXANDRA

KEELIN MEESE PETROUSKI ’13 got married this summer, and she and her husband are now looking for a house to buy in the Madison area.

SHAUNA PICHETTE ’13 recently started a job as a behavior specialist at Rogers Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. She says, “I’m happy to be home!”

SAM POULLETTE ’13 and MARA JENSEN ’14 were married Saturday, May 14, 2016, in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin.

AIMEE PRUDHOMME ’13 and MATT DWYER ’10 were married July 16, 2016. They currently live in Marshall, Missouri. Aimee is an administrative assistant in the Advancement Office at Missouri Valley College, and Matt is an assistant baseball coach there.

JACK RAE ’13 wrapped up his master’s in philosophy last May from Western Michigan University.

AMY REULING ’13 is now a fourth-grade teacher in Gig Harbor, Washington.

JENA ROSCIZEWSKI ’13 got engaged to KEVIN CLUKA ’13 in Jamaica in March, and they will be getting married in June 2017. Kevin is a special education teacher for kindergarten and first grade at North Park Elementary in Racine, Wisconsin.

WALESKA RUSS ’13 is in her last semester at UWGB. She is getting her teaching certification and then working on her master’s. She and Spencer will be married for a year in September. And they are thinking of buying a house.

2014 Tim Holme 7626 W Beloit Rd, West Allis, WI 53219 608-333-9526 / holmet77@gmail.com Mara Jensen 924 East Juneau Ave #618, Milwaukee, WI 53202 952-412-1420 / marajensen1992@gmail.com Naomi Jahn Skulan 401 W 5th St., Morris, MN 56267 920-342-7288 / naomiskulan@gmail.com Wow! It has been two years since we graduated, and we are astounded by the great accomplishments and achievements. Please keep the updates coming and keep this world more together. If you have news that you would like to share with the class in the next letter, please contact us (your Class Agents) either at the contact information above or on Facebook. You also can contact the College’s Office of Constituent Engagement at alumni@ripon.edu.

In today’s society with media and financial pressures, we must remember that, like art, success is in the eye of the beholder. Keep humming, Red Hawks, and hope to see you guys soon for an alumni event! Just remember, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” — Henry Ford.

SAMANTHA ANGELL ’14 is in her third year of the school psychology program at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, working on her Ph.D. She also got engaged over the summer to Josh Eastberg.

Fall 2016 49

Class Letters AMANDA LAMAL CLARK ’14 got married in June to Wyatt and is now working at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the corporate training department.

LINDSEY DAWSON ’14 moved to Bellingham, Washington, and works at a medical clinic as a receptionist lead and handling all the medical records.

KATIE DREW SCHUMACHER ’14 married fellow Ripon grad BRIAN SCHUMACHER ’15 this June and recently started a new position at Heuss Printing in inside sales.

AMANDA FINN ’14 is an arts and lifestyle reporter at the Wisconsin State Journal and is a new member of the American Theatre Critics Association.

BREANNA GRACZ FORSETH ’14 and DAVID FORSETH ’13 welcomed their first child, a healthy little boy, this September.

DAVID GARCIA ’14 of West Chicago, Illinois, is attending the Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology at the University of Tennessee/Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, Tennessee.

SAMANTHA GOODWIN ’14 is director of forensics at Ripon College and is still the program assistant at the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association (WHSFA).

LIZ GREVER ’14 graduated from the two-year Finance Leadership Development Program at Rockwell Automation in June, and now lives in Berlin, Germany.

SARA HEITKAMP ’14 graduated from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management with a master of arts in human resources and industrial relations. She is a talent acquisition specialist at H.B. Fuller.

MADELINE SOCKNESS HERRMANN ’14 and her husband, MAX HERRMANN ’13, moved into their first home in January. She is starting her master’s in educational studies through the Appleton Area School District and UWOshkosh this spring. She also is coaching girls’ varsity hockey and girls’ varsity track and field in Appleton.

JORDAN HESTER ’14 works for Nasdaq as a senior sales analyst in the Global Corporate Solutions Division and still living in Chicago.

SOPHIA PUHL ’14 graduated in May with her MAT in secondary science education. She is currently employed in the College Community School District as a ninthgrade physical science teacher and is coaching eighthgrade volleyball. She recently moved in with fellow Ripon grad CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ ’14.

BECKY RAMAGE ’14 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been working at U.S. Bank in Milwaukee as an accounting specialist for over a year.

SPENCER REISBICK ’14 of Westminster, Colorado, is attending the Ph.D. program in chemical physics and material science at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and is researching the ultrafast dynamics of charge density wave materials and electron-phonon interactions at the atomic length scale.

NAOMI JAHN SKULAN ’14 of Morris, Minnesota, graduated in May with a master of library and information studies degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is now the Metadata and technical services coordinator at the University of Minnesota, Morris.

NICK SKULAN ’14 of Morris, Minnesota, is the student support specialist of the Student One Stop and the Office of Financial Aid at the University of Minnesota, Morris.

MARA JENSEN POULLETTE ’14 and SAM POULLETTE ’13 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, were married Saturday, May 14, 2016.

MORGAN POWELL SMITH ’14 and LANDON SMITH ’14 married July 16. Landon received a promotion to recreation department supervisor at Milwaukee Job Corps. Morgan graduates in December with a master’s degree in chemical product development through CUW. She currently teaches science with the Milwaukee Mad Science program and is the program coordinator for the Milwaukee Lil’ Kickers soccer program.

TIM HOLME ’14 currently transferred to the Milwaukee branch of AES and recently moved to the West Allis area.

TYLER RUTKOWSKI ’14 was hired by the Michigan state police and is currently going through recruit school to become a Michigan state trooper.

MARIAH JOHNSEN ’14 graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a master’s degree in prosthetics and orthotics and has just begun her orthotic residency in Richmond, Virginia.

LYDIA SONDALLE ’14 of Princeton, Wisconsin, is attending the University of New England’s doctor of physical therapy program in Portland, Maine.

BENJAMIN JONES ’14: “I was doing pretty good on a minor professional wrestling circuit in Florida under the name Bucksaw Johnson. Unfortunately, I tore some ligaments in my back after being power bombed through a table. Currently bar tending and hoping to be fully recovered by spring 2017.”

SOPHIA KLINGENBERGER ’14 of Iowa City, Iowa: “Starting in August, I will be a full-time ninth grade science teacher in the college community district in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.”

ARIANA MYERS ’14 of Princeton, New Jersey, is pursuing a Ph.D. in history at Princeton University.

ALI NEMECEK ’14 moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her boyfriend, Mike, to complete her master’s degree in political science and international affairs at Marquette University. While there, she is working as a teaching and research assistant for the political science department and aiding in writing a new book about presidential criticisms. She also serves as chapter advisor for Ripon’s chapter of Alpha Delta Pi.

50

KARL OSTERMAN ’14 received a master’s degree in athletic training from South Dakota State in May. He is now a sports medicine intern for MIZZOU (University of Missouri) Football.

Connections

SUNNY STROEDE ’14: “I am currently the director of merchandising for Apricot Lane Boutique in Wisconsin Dells and showing my wonderful paint horse Fancy Red Charisma. We were the 2015 Pinto Horse #1 Novice Amateur Equitation Horse/Rider in the Nation and the Novice Amateur Reserve Champion at Color Breed Congress in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as some other Zone and National Awards.”

ELIZABETH WALSH ’14 (double major in biology and English) is in her third year of study in the Rangel Honey Bee Laboratory for her Ph.D. in entomology. She also earned an honorable mention for her proposal for a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship. These are difficult awards to land.

RACHEL WEDEWARD ’14 graduated from Dominican University with a master’s in library and information science. She works for the American Library Association as a research assistant in downtown Chicago and moved into the suburbs in Oak Park, Illinois.

KARLYE WEHNER ’14 is in her third and final year of graduate school working toward her master’s degree in

2014-15 professional counseling with an emphasis in clinical mental health at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

She will be doing her internship at SuaSponte in Ripon. She also continues to work as a graduate assistant in the teaching and learning department at UW-Oshkosh.

EMILY SCHULTZ WHITE ’14 married Jake White in July 2015, and they run a nonprofit called Party.0, where she is the campus and organization outreach coordinator. They are currently prepping to go on a national tour starting this February, and she is also working in the membership department at the YMCA in Oshkosh.

SAMANTHA YOUNGLOVE ’14 is in her first year of medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri.

CASSANDRA BILOTTO PASBRIG ’14 of Naperville, Illinois, married Ryan Pasbrig, Aug.13, 2016. ’Til next time, TIM HOLME, MARA JENSEN and NAOMI SKULAN

2015 Sam Kay kaysamantha9@gmail.com Kaylie Longley kaylielongley@gmail.com Logan Soich soichlogan@gmail.com Hello everyone. Fall is upon us. For most of us, we’ve been out of school for over a year. Some of us have been done a little longer and for others, a little shorter.

Wherever you are, I hope you welcome this changing season with open arms. Or at least an open mind.

I encourage you to look for the little victories. Celebrate them, knowing you accomplished something. Whether they’re at home or work, school or play, these are tiny reminders that you’re doing something good, for yourself or others. There are plenty of things to be proud of — just look at what our class is doing. But there’s even more that goes unsaid or undocumented, and those moments matter just as much.

For example, I was sick, anxious over finding a new apartment, and stressed by work, and all I wanted to do was cuddle into bed with a big cup of tea, so I did exactly that. That’s right, I, Kaylie Longley, who at one time considered three hours of sleep successful, went to bed at 6:30 p.m. After a full night’s rest, I felt a little better, and that tiny shift made all the difference.

So, do things for yourself. As they say, “treat yoself.”

It’s not going to radically change your life, but it will help. Pencil in a day to hang out with friends, grab your favorite meal, visit Ripon, or get some necessary shut-eye like I did. Here’s to finding the good things.

MICHAEL ANDERSON ’15 of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is in his second year of law school at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He is interning at the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

CHELSEA GRAHN ANDREWS ’15 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, moved to St. Louis in August 2016. She completed her research mentorship training program and is a teaching assistant for the University of WisconsinMadison. She will be defending her first-year project to her department.

BROOKE BEHNKE ’15 of Brillion, Wisconsin, moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, and is teaching first and second grade.

KATIE BIEDLER ’15 of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, is a client support associate at Cetera Financial Group.

LUCAS BOLENDER ’15 of McFarland, Wisconsin, is attending the master of science program in conservation biology at the University of Uppsala in Sweden.

JORDAN BUHLE ’15 was awarded a 2016 National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship in the field of chemistry-chemical catalysis. Jordan is in her first year in the Ph.D. program in chemistry at UW-Madison.

ANDREW CARBALLO ’15 of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, spent his summer interning in Justice Michael Gableman’s chambers for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He will be working at the Hennepin County Attorney’s office in in the fall.

SYDNEY CHURCH ’15 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is working at Johnsonville as a business intelligence developer. She just started working toward her MBA through Marquette University as a part-time student.

Sydney is also teaching dance at Dollhouse Dance Factory in Sheboygan.

ZACH CONNERS ’15 of Hollandale, Wisconsin, has moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and is a pastry chef for Centerplate Catering at the Alliant Energy Center EMELIA ERICKSON ’15 of Bear Lake, Minnesota, is living in Cincinnati, Ohio, and looking to relocate to Wisconsin within the next year.

CHRISTIAN ERTEL ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a sales associate of the business consultant for the Milwaukee Bucks.

SERGE FEDOROWSKY ’15 of Kewaskum, Wisconsin, is a librarian.

EMILY LENSMIRE ’15 of Reedsville, Wisconsin, happily married Sam Lensmire of Cleveland, Wisconsin, Aug. 6, 2016.

TEAGAN FORD ’15 of Mantorville, Minnesota, is an office assistant at International Quality Homecare Corporate as of March 30, 2016. She was recently given a Customer Service Excellence Award.

ALEX HAGEN ’15 of Appleton, Wisconsin, is a financial representative at Modern Woodmen of America. He will be starting Police Academy School at Fox Valley Technical College this fall.

PETER HAYES ’15 of River Forest, Illinois, has been working in investment and insurance operations for Northwestern Mutual since September 2015.

LUKE HENNINGSEN ’15 of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, recently started medical school at the University of WisconsinMadison School of Medicine and Public Health. Over the summer, he got engaged to Janel Balsavich.

HANNAH HERZOG ’15 of Appleton, Wisconsin works at the Child Learning Center as a full-time teacher, focusing on infants’ progress through their early changes in life.

Additionally, she is coaching a swim team.

JORDAN HIBBARD ’15 of Sugar Camp, Wisconsin, is getting married in October 2016 and recently purchased a home.

MARIYA HINOJOS ’15 of Jackson, Wisconsin, is taking a short break from graduate school. She completed one year and will be continuing on the MS track at the University of Wisconsin-Madison next year. She is looking for an industry job in chemistry in her hometown.

HAYDEN HOERDEMANN ’15 of Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, is a graduate assistant men’s basketball coach at

Fall 2016 51

Class Letters Illinois Wesleyan University and getting his master’s from Illinois State in sports management.

SAMANTHA KAY ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to work for the Stronger Together campaign to elect Hillary Clinton for president.

SAMANTHA KLEIN ’15 of Baraboo, Wisconsin, is working as a health and wellness coach. She has been traveling a lot more, and started a passionate side job at Just B Still Massage Studio and Green Café.

ANDREW KLINE ’15 of Chicago, Illinois, is working at a tech company in Chicago.

MICHAEL LANPHIER ’15 of Westland, Michigan, is working in a lead analysis lab as a lab technician. He recently got engaged to JOHANNA BURTON ’13.

TAIHUA “RAY” LI ’15 of Chicago, Illinois, is in his final year of graduate school at DePaul University in Chicago working toward an M.S. in predictive analytics.

SKYLAR LIEBZEIT ’15 of Jefferson, Wisconsin, started graduate school pursuing his master’s in coaching and athletic administration through Concordia University Irvine.

MARK LISOWSKI ’15 of Chicago, Illinois, has been serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Thorne Bay, Alaska, since May 4, 2016, as part of the Southeast Alaska Libraries Build Communities Project. He works with the library in Thorne Bay to improve their outreach and services for the community. His key service responsibilities are to recruit volunteers for programs, coordinate their training, develop programs for early literacy for children and entrepreneurship for adults, write grants, and otherwise expand the capacity that the library has to offer specifically and our island community. During the summer months, Thorne Bay sees a small cruise line come through on a once-weekly basis. The library offers tours of Thorne Bay to the tourists to help with our fundraising for building a new library. While attending one of the tours, Mark had the luck of meeting Ripon alums TERRY ’66 and PAM KURZ GOODE ’66. They walked around the community and shared stories about our alma mater back in Wisconsin while enjoying beautiful Alaskan scenery.

KAYLIE LONGLEY ’15 is excited to have a place of her own in Greenfield, Wisconsin. As marketing associate of JB’s on 41, her latest mission is to establish consistent PR for the company. JB’s on 41 has been featured on CBS, NBC, radio station 94.5 KTI, and On Milwaukee, and she’s knocking on Shepherd Express’ doors next. She is enrolled in her first online class on headlines.

RAQUEL MACSWAIN ’15 of Stillwater, Minnesota recently moved from Madison, Wisconsin, to St. Paul, Minnesota, to serve a second term with AmeriCorps. She currently works with College Possible as a tech-connected college coach for students at a local community college. Her role requires her not only to serve as a resource for current students but also to assist those who are unenrolled.

NICOLE MALLI ’15 of Washington, D.C., is in her final year of graduate school. She works as a project manager for the Slave Wrecks Project.

BRI MILROY ’15 of East Grand Rapids, Michigan, moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is working in the Purchasing Department at Children’s Hospital.

EMILY MENGERT ’15 of Marion, Wisconsin, moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in April and is planning to attend graduate school next year.

MICHAEL MOUL ’15 of Burnett, Wisconsin, is attending the PharmD program in pharmacy at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin.

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Connections

KATRINA O’NEILL ’15 of Minocqua, Wisconsin, recently accepted the manager position for the Minocqua Sherwin Williams Store.

BEN PAULSON ’15 and ALEXANDRA PATZA PAULSON ’15 of Ripon, Wisconsin, recently purchased a home in Ripon, Wisconsin together.

BRANDI PELTIER ’15 of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, with DRE TINGLIN ’15. Brandi started a new position with VF Outdoor working for the Timberland Branch as a customer service representative.

KORRIN PETERSON ’15 of Burlington, Wisconsin, is long-term substitute teaching and also coaching the freshmen softball team.

SAMANTHA PETROSKI ’15 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, recently got engaged to ERIC SEILER ’15.

MADDIE POULLETTE ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is studying anthropology at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. She will be traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico, three times over the next year for her master’s thesis. She also works for the graduate office doing recruitment and marketing.

KATIE RODENKIRCH ’15 of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is working as a psychiatric social worker at AJA counseling. She also has two dogs.

BRISTOLE RYFF ’15 of Orland Park, Illinois, recently became a service coordinator at Suburban Access in Westchester, Illinois. She helps families with children with intellectual disabilities find and plan services. At her job, she helps families discover what child services they can receive from state funding, such as speech, occupational therapy, play therapy, and behavior therapy, focusing on early intervention for children ages 0-3.

CLARENCE SANON ’15 of Chicago, Illinois, is living in Fort Collins, Colorado, and currently studying communications at Colorado State University.

LAURA SAVALL ’15 of Ridgeland, Wisconsin, is in her second year of law school at Vermont Law School with a focus on environmental and social justice advocacy. She just finished her fellowship at Vermont Legal Aid and created a best practice manual for the Vermont Courts.

The manual increases safety in courts on Relief from Abuse days in Vermont courts.

DEREK SAXON ’15 earned a 2016 National Science Foundation Fellowship honorable mention in the field of chemistry-macromolecular, supramolecular and nanochemistry. Derek is in his first year in the Ph.D. program in chemistry at the University of Minnesota.

LAURA SHIVELY ’15 of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, recently accepted a position at Mycon USA as a receptionist. She is still coaching swimming at DSHA High School.

KARENA SCHROEDER ’15 of Mankato, Minnesota, recently moved to a new apartment in Mankato with her cat.

BRIAN SCHUMACHER ’15 of Ames, Iowa, married KATIE DREW ’14, June 4, 2016. Brian is attending Iowa State University to pursue a Ph.D. in organic chemistry.

KARLYN SCHUMACHER ’15 of River Falls, Wisconsin, is working as a visiting services librarian at Ripon College this semester and attending the University of WisconsinMadison for her master’s.

ELIZABETH SILVA ’15 of Catalina Island, California, moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. She is working at a family-owned clinic.

KARISA SIMONSEN ’15 of Waterford, Wisconsin, moved to Redgranite, Wisconsin, and is working at

2015-16 Aurora Medical Center in Wautoma as a patient service representative.

JESSICA SKIBA ’15 of Algonquin, Illinois, is a digital marketing specialist with .orgSource and .orgCommunity.

She creates graphic designs, promotional videos, writes blogs, manages social media accounts and teaches others how to use social media constructively JOHN SPADONI ’15 of Orland Park, Illinois, moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and started a new position at Carroll University in the HR department. He works with new adjunct professors and student workers to welcome them to campus.

ANTHONY TAUSIG ’15 of San Francisco, California, is living in Appleton, Wisconsin, working as a telecommunications specialist for Marvel.

ALISON THIEL ’15 of Ripon, Wisconsin, is the project manager at the Green Lake Association and loving it. She recently got engaged to JIMMY NIESCIER ’14.

ROB WATERS ’15 and KAMELLE VAN DER LEEST ’15 of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, were married Aug. 5, 2016. Many of their Ripon friends were in attendance.

DANNY WOHLFERT ’15 of Oxford, Wisconsin, moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and is working at PPD in Middleton, Wisconsin, as a pharmaceutical analyst.

Until next time, KAYLIE, SAM and LOGAN

2016 Elizabeth Konieczny Ekonieczny12@gmail.com Zachary Peterson zacharyjpeterson@icloud.com Sara Driebel driebels@ripon.edu Hello, Classmates! We hope that you have all found these last few months to be a great beginning to the next chapter of your lives. Because this is our first class letter, we wanted to take the time to introduce ourselves.

Hello! I’m SARA DRIEBEL ’16, and in my time at Ripon, I lived in Todd Wehr as a history and education student.

I loved Ripon and I am so excited to stay connected as one of your Class Agents. While I am still in the search for a job as a middle school history teacher, I am happily teaching kindergarteners about dinosaurs and critters and other fun things. I can’t wait to hear about all of you and how your post-grad adventures are going!

Hi! I’m ELIZABETH KONIECZNY ’16, and I studied business management and history while I was at Ripon.

I spent many nights in the basement of Smith Hall for Phonathon, and was also your Senior Class Gift Officer!

I have started my career as a commercial underwriter at Acuity, and recently got engaged! It has been a busy and exciting few months, and I wish each of you the best of luck as we continue our lives, post-Ripon!

Hi there! I’m ZACHARY PETERSON ’16, and I’m proud to be one of our Class Agents keeping us all informed of our post-Ripon experiences. During my time on campus, you probably saw me running around to one of my organization meetings or somewhere in Smith Hall, as I pretty much lived in the alumni office as a department intern. As I continue to look for a job in my field, I have landed a temporary job at Cray Inc., one of the world’s most renowned super computer companies, in assembly.

I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

STEPHANIE ALVAREZ ’16 of Chicago, Illinois, will attend a master’s program in social work at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California.

GARRISON ANDERSON ’16 of Amery, Wisconsin, will attend a graduate degree program in communication and rhetoric studies at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

MYAT AUNG ’16 of Yangon, Myanmar, will attend the MA-Ph.D. program in art history at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.

COURTNEY BLOOMER ’16 of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, is a dental assistant at Windsor Family Dental in Windsor, Wisconsin.

MARGARET BREEN-LYLES ’16 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, participated in a poster presentation Oct. 1 at the 36th Midwest Enzymes Chemistry Conference, Chicago, Illinois.

RAEANN BRIXIUS ’16 of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, is attending the International Studies Master’s Program at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado.

KARI BROWN ’16 of Lombard, Illinois, is a residence hall director at Saint Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.

SAMUEL CARES ’16 of Columbus, Wisconsin, will attend the MSW (Master’s in Social Work) Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

JILLIAN CLINE ’16 of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, will attend a graduate program in accounting at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

EMILY CONNOVICH ’16 of Ripon, Wisconsin, will attend the Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.

WILLIAM CRIST ’16 of Ripon, Wisconsin, will attend the master of arts in history program at Missouri State University (Springfield).

JANNA CROWLEY ’16 of Omro, Wisconsin, will attend the law program at the University of Saint Thomas School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

RODNIKA DAVIS ’16 of Ripon, Wisconsin, will be student-teaching in history and English in the Ripon and Oshkosh, Wisconsin, school districts.

SAMANTHA DEY ’16 of Union Center, Wisconsin, will be student-teaching in biology at Oshkosh West High School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

MARGARET DYKSTRA ’16 of Glendale, Wisconsin, will be student-teaching in English in the Ripon School District, Ripon, Wisconsin.

JANEMARIE ERICKSON ’16 of Redgranite, Wisconsin, is an education intern with Lexington Children’s Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky.

MICHAEL GABLEMAN ’16 of Greendale, Wisconsin, will attend the Ph.D. program in computer engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

EMILY GARY ’16 of Hartford, Wisconsin, is entering the retail banking development program at BMO Harris in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

NAYELY GONZALEZ ’16 of Joliet, Illinois, is entering the Ph.D. in counseling psychology program at Indiana University (Bloomington).

LAUREN GOTTSHALL ’16 of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is entering the doctor of allopathic medicine (M.D.) program at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

ANDREW KAATZ ’16 of Malone, Wisconsin, is entering the United States Navy as an E-3 Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewman.

Fall 2016 53

Class Letters JENNIFER KELLER ’16 of Lodi, Wisconsin, will attend the master of public administration (MPA) program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is a database intern at Ronald McDonald House Charities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

JADEE KELLOGG ’16 of Benton, Wisconsin, is a software engineer at The Boeing Co. in St. Louis, Missouri.

ALYSSA KENNEDY ’16 of McHenry, Illinois, is attending the doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) program at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, Missouri.

TYLER KETZ ’16 of Clayton, Wisconsin, will be studentteaching in physical education at Ripon High School in Ripon, Wisconsin; and in health at Markesan Middle School in Markesan, Wisconsin.

MCKALA KIESSLING ’16 of Waterloo, Wisconsin, is a wastewater treatment plant operator with the City of Ripon Department of Public Works in Ripon, Wisconsin.

ELIZABETH KONIECZNY ’16 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a commercial lines underwriter with ACUITY in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

SAMANTHA KOSTERMAN ’16 of Oakfield, Wisconsin, will attend the master of social work program (MSW) at UW-Milwaukee.

NATHAN KUEHL ’16 of Wausau, Wisconsin, is a personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Appleton, Wisconsin.

ALISON LEAVER ’16 of Bryant, Wisconsin, will attend the doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) program at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

YELIN LEE ’16 of Gwang ju, Korea, is a manager in training with Abercrombie & Fitch at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

AMBERLEE PERRY ’16 of Berlin, Wisconsin, is a content specialist at DealerSocket in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

ELIZABETH PETERS ’16 of Appleton, Wisconsin, is student-teaching in the school districts of Neenah and Appleton, Wisconsin.

ANDREW PIERSON ’16 of Neenah, Wisconsin, will attend the doctor of pharmacy program (PharmD) at Midwestern University of Health Sciences in Downers Grove, Illinois.

JORDAN POLK ’16 of La Valle, Wisconsin, is an assistant director intern at JustAgame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

PERRY POULOS ’16 of Carol Stream, Illinois, had a summer research internship at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

ERIKA RIEBE ’16 of Wausau, Wisconsin, is an admissions counselor at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin.

STEPHANIE ROSENOW ’16 of Appleton, Wisconsin, is a sales associate (product coordinator) at Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin.

JACOB SAHR ’16 of Menasha, Wisconsin, entered the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant; Infantry and is stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington.

ANDREA SCHULNER ’16 of Caledonia, Wisconsin, is a counselor director with the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast in West Bend, Wisconsin.

JUSTIN LEISTIKOW ’16 of Madison, Wisconsin, is a production supervisor at NVR Inc. in Fairfax, Virginia.

TYLER SHIMEK ’16 of Greendale, Wisconsin, will be student-teaching in mathematics at Oshkosh West High School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Waupun Jr./Sr. High School in Waupun, Wisconsin.

ANDREW LESHNER ’16 of Northbrook, Illinois, is a brand ambassador at LTG Marketing and Development Inc. in Queens, New York.

LANI SIEMS ’16 of Genoa City, Wisconsin, is a veterinary assistant/technician at Animal Clinic of Elkhorn in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

NICHOLAS LUEDTKE ’16 of Appleton, Wisconsin, will attend the Ph.D. program in chemistry at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.

JUSTIN SOSINSKY ’16 of Princeton, Wisconsin, will be student-teaching in elementary education in the school districts of Princeton and Berlin, Wisconsin.

MEGAN MAREMA ’16 of Union Grove, Wisconsin, will attend the master of science in prosthetics and orthotics program at the University of Washington (Seattle).

FRANK STELTER-HOGH ’16 of Skokie, Illinois, will be student-teaching in physical education and health at Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois, and at District 65 Schools in Evanston/Skokie, Illinois.

BRANDON MASTALISH ’16 of Mayville, Wisconsin, is a manager and clerk at the BP gas station in Mayville, Wisconsin.

NICHOLAS MASTERSON ’16 of Janesville, Wisconsin, is a loader/unloader with Cintas Corp. in Madison, Wisconsin.

JOHN MERWIN ’16 of Barrington, Illinois, is entering the U.S. Army as a 2 LT, Armor and is stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia.

LONDON MOSHER ’16 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is a seamstress and bridal assistant at Vera’s House of Bridals in Madison, Wisconsin.

ZACHARY MUENCH ’16 of Franklin, Wisconsin, is on the summer conferences staff at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin.

JONATHAN NOEL ’16 of Appleton, Wisconsin, is entering the National Guard as a Platoon Leader, 2 LT in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

ALYSSA NYCA ’16 of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, will attend the MD program at the Medical College of Wisconsin in De Pere, Wisconsin.

54

BROOKE OLSON ’16 of New London, Wisconsin, is a medical scribe at Elite Medical Scribes in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Connections

KATLYN TROISI ’16 of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, will attend the master of clinical social work program at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.

MADESON WALGENBACH ’16 of Oakfield, Wisconsin, is a third-grade teacher at Janet Berry Elementary School in Appleton, Wisconsin.

LYNDSAY WILDE ’16 of Racine, Wisconsin, will attend the ASD-BSN program in nursing at Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

NATALIE WILLIAMS ’16 of Middleton, Wisconsin, will be student-teaching in language arts at Chicago Center for Urban Life & Culture in Chicago, Illinois.

Wishing You All the Best, ELIZABETH, SARAH & ZACHARY

Staying Connected with Ripon

Kathryn Schultz ’89 inspires the next generation KATHRYN SCHULTZ ’89, of Fairfax, Virginia, says she would not be where she is professionally, personally and financially were it not for her Ripon College education and the experiences she had here.

So she believes in staying connected with Ripon and supporting the College in any way she can. She has supported Ripon financially and made the College the beneficiary of a revocable trust as part of her estate planning.

However, she also says there are so many other ways that alumni can stay connected to Ripon. She

Kathryn Schultz ’89, left, connects with Angela Pamperin ’16 during a campus

says they can help with recruiting

visit and public talk in October. Angela’s mother, Barbara Thompson Pamperin,

and the admission process, being

is a fellow 1989 graduate along with Kathryn.

active with Ripon organizations and providing professional

She also served as an Alumni

would want to share their work

expertise to current Ripon

Board member for 2½ terms;

experiences, too, if they were

students.

has been active in alumni

tapped for that and were made

“I believe in a Ripon College

events in the Washington, D.C.,

aware of the opportunity. It’s

education,” Schultz says. “I

area; made contact with Ripon

another way of giving back. It’s

remember what it’s like to be a

students attending the American

a lot of fun to do, and I enjoy it

student. I can be a resource on

University in Washington, D.C.;

immensely.”

other levels.”

sponsored Ripon students to attend the Carnegie International

Schultz is a native of Schofield,

Nuclear Policy Conference;

Wisconsin. She now works for

has been a host at the State

the U.S. Department of State.

Department for two Career

She is a senior advisor and team

Discovery Tours to the area;

“It’s really important

chief, leading efforts related to

and given in-person and Skype

South Asian nuclear weapons

to help connect what

presentations to numerous

issues.

classes at Ripon College.

“It comes down to thinking about

“It’s really important to help

what had a huge impact on me

connect what people are studying

and my life, and what would

with real-world and career

have a huge, positive impact on

opportunities,” Schultz says.

others,” she says. “It’s important

“When I was a student at Ripon

to support Ripon College.

College, I would have been

I recognize people before

thrilled to death to have more

me helped make the college

of that.”

people are studying with real-world and career opportunities.”

KATHRYN SCHULTZ ’89

something I could afford. I got a lot of grants and scholarships. It’s

“I see that as a really important

only appropriate to give some of

thing I can give back to the

my financial resources back.”

College. I know other alumni

Fall 2016 Fall 2016 55 55

Staying Connected with Ripon

Schwengel ’97 focuses on giving back to Ripon College, raising money for social justice work

Christy Schwengel ’97 and her daughter, Anna

Consistent yearly gifts to the

friend, MELISSA MANN ’97, who

focused on raising money for

Annual Fund are vital for Ripon

died in 2006. “Giving to Ripon

social justice organizations.

College to maintain and expand

each year just feels like the right

the day-by-day functions of the

way to remember her,” Schwengel

College. CHRISTY SCHWENGEL

says.

’97 has been a loyal contributor since her graduation.

is extremely important to

The Cedarburg, Wisconsin,

Schwengel. “During my four

native says that she chose to

years at Ripon College, I

attend Ripon College because

witnessed countless acts of

of the friendliness of everyone

generosity, from staff members

on the campus and the sense

going above and beyond the call

of genuine community. “Ripon

of duty to show sincere interest

College is a special place that

in students, to professors inviting

has enriched my life,” Schwengel

students into their homes. Ripon

says. “I’m grateful for the

College is a true community, and

amazing professors, the dedicated

as a member of that community

staff, the lovely campus, and the

I want to contribute, as well,”

unique sense of community. I

Schwengel says.

was lucky to spend four years at Ripon, and perhaps my support of the Annual Fund will make that personal college experience available to others.”

Schwengel also contributes to Ripon College in honor of a close

56

Donating to her alma mater

Connections

For the past 16 years, Schwengel

“I’m grateful for the amazing professors, the dedicated staff, the lovely campus, and the unique sense of community. I was lucky to spend four years at Ripon, and perhaps my support of the Annual Fund

has lived in the Washington, D.C., area, trying to build a community such as the one that Ripon College modeled for her.

Her work primarily has been

will make that personal college experience available to others.”

CHRISTY SCHWENGEL ’97

Campus Snapshots

THE CLASS OF 1966 celebrated its 50th (Golden R) reunion during Alumni Weekend.

THE CLASS OF 1991 celebrated its 25th reunion during Alumni Weekend.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker addresses an assembly, including President ZACH MESSITTE, far right, during Badger Boys State in June.

ERIC GALLAGHER ’06 and AMANDA HOEFNER McHENDRY ’09 catch up at Alumni Weekend.

The theatre department staged a production of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” in October.

This aerial photograph taken Oct. 3 shows progress on the revitalization of Storzer Center.

Fall 2016 57

Campus Snapshots

Members of the 1966, 1996 and 2001 Midwest Conference championship football teams are recognized during halftime of the Homecoming football game at Ingalls Field.

PATRICK BARANY ’17 and JARED ZEMAN ’19 celebrate a play during the Homecoming football game.

MELANEY CASTILLO ’19, center, embraces RACHEL HAWLEY ’19, left, and ERIN CANON ’17 after being crowned as Homecoming royalty.

Homecoming and Family Weekend concluded with fireworks above Sadoff Fields.

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Connections

KATELYN PEROUTKA ’20 and members of the Red Hawks dance team perform during halftime of the Homecoming football game.

Fooling around with Rally during Homecoming are members of the Class of 1967, from left, SUSAN BOOTHROYD LOOMER ’67, DENNIS RILEY ’67, DICK WRIGHT ’67, GEORGE GITCHO ’67, DICK KUEHL ’67 and BILL NEILL ’67.

Members of the Alumni Board of Directors posed for this photo while on campus for meetings in October.

Professor of Exercise Science RICK COLES hands out apples to students between classes in September. Each year, members of the student life and athletics departments give the apples to students to celebrate fall and mark the start of Homecoming week.

HEATHER McFADDEN BARRIE ’85 returned to campus in April with her daughter, Erin, for one of the admission office’s Accepted Student Days. ERIN BARRIE is now a member of the Ripon College Class of 2020.

The softball team held an alumni game Sept. 25 on Tracy Field. Participating were, in front from left, CASSANDRA BILOTTO PASBRIG ’14 and STEPHANIE RIEUWPASSA ’13; in row two from left, MEGAN SOCKNESS ’11, KARISA SIMONSEN ’15, ERIN FRITZ ’20, CASEY O’MALLEY ’18, MELANIE KOBELT ’19, SARA ERTEL ’18, HAYLEA HOSKINS ’17 and KORRIN PETERSON ’15; in the back row from left, STEPHANIE CARTWRIGHT ’17, JESSICA BRAUN ’02, ASHLEY PARKKONEN ’17, EMILY KOLLMAN ’19, TEARA MORGENROTH ’19, JESSICA KOBELT ’18, KELLY JOHNSON BECKER ’99, TENE ROBINSON ’18, JULIA SANCHEZ ’20, ELIZABETH “BIFF” FLOODSTRAND ’18, ISABELLA OSBORN ’20, REBECCAH JONES ’18, CHEYENNE WATTS ’20 and LEXI REETZ ’19.

These ladies returned to campus in February for the annual alumni basketball game and reception. Pictured, seated from left, are BRITTANY JOHNSON ’13, ERIN LIND ’13, JESSICA GOUDREAU BRAUN ’10 and ASHLEY MEISTER HUSS ’10.

Standing, from left, are JESSICA DEHAMER ’10, CARISSA ZUERCHER KARSTEN ’10, SKYE GONYO ’12 and ASHLEY KAMINSKI RANDERSON ’10.

Returning for the alumni basketball game and reception are, from left, BRETT VRANEY ’01, MARK BECKER ’01, MATT BECKER ’99, JERI BELONGIA LOEWE ’96, HEIDI CHRISTENSEN ’00, ANDREA WEPNER ’96, KELLY JOHNSON BECKER ’99 and JAY FISH ’14.

Fall 2016 59

Ripon News College News

Ripon College named to President’s Honor Roll for community service

Ron Ernst completes video promoted nationwide

Ripon improves rankings on U.S. News “Best Colleges” lists

Ripon College has been recognized on the 2015 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary community service. This distinction is the highest federal recognition that colleges and universities can receive for community service, service-learning and civic engagement.

RON ERNST, head coach of football, professor of exercise science and assistant athletic director, has completed a four-set DVD coaching instructional video for Championship Productions.

Ripon College ranked 29th in the nation (up from 34th in the 2016 edition) and the only school in Wisconsin recognized for best value on a 40-school list of national liberal arts colleges in the 2017 Best Colleges rankings of U.S. News & World Report.

Washington Monthly’s annual College Guide and Rankings placed Ripon third among all colleges in the Midwest for “Best Bang for the Buck,” helping non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. Ripon ranks 18th nationally among liberal arts colleges. Ripon was the highest-ranked school in Wisconsin across all ranking categories and the only college in Wisconsin to make the magazine’s Top 20 for value in the Midwest and for overall quality within its category.

Money Magazine ranked Ripon College 26th of 50 private colleges nationally for affordability by Money Magazine.

Ripon ranked second among all private colleges in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Business Journal ranked Ripon first among all private liberal arts colleges in Wisconsin for “best value.”

Ripon receives $800,000 grant for new curriculum Ripon College has received a four-year, $800,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the implementation of the College’s new core curriculum, Catalyst. Catalyst, which launched this fall, places at the center of a Ripon education the continuous development of the intellectual and practical skills valued by employers and essential to human flourishing and career success.

The Mellon funds will support the creation of up to 140 new Catalyst seminars designed to develop transferable skills that will be applied to problems of significance, provide robust faculty development support, and ensure deliberate and careful oversight of implementation. The funds also will support visits by external experts, and allow Ripon College to send faculty to national conferences to share the lessons of our work with a broader audience of peers.

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Connections

At Ripon College during the 2015-16 school year, 79 percent of students volunteered time to the service of others, with 5,115 total service hours recorded.

Soccer coach Pia Sundhage, Ripon’s own Elaine Coll honored at Commencement The theme for Ripon’s 150th Commencement was “Women, Athletes and Coaches: A Half-Century of Progress” and highlighted the changes in women’s sports since the introduction in 1972 of Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.

Honorary degree recipients were legendary women’s soccer coach Pia Sundhage, who led the U.S. women’s national soccer team to two Olympic gold medals and now coaches the women’s national soccer team in her native Sweden; and ELAINE COLL, who founded the modern-day women’s intercollegiate athletic program at Ripon College in 1973. She organized and coached women’s volleyball, basketball and track and field until her retirement in 1993.

President Fred Pinkham, age 96, revisits Ripon College campus FRED PINKHAM, age 96, Ripon College’s eighth president, visited campus June 17. He met with current President ZACH MESSITTE; ROBERT “SPUD” HANNAFORD, professor of philosophy emeritus; WAYNE LARSON, professor of mathematics and computer science emeritus; and other campus staff, before viewing changes to the campus from the back of a golf cart.

Pinkham served as Ripon College president from 1955 to 1965. At 34, he was one of the youngest college presidents in the nation. He went on to work in the areas of higher education accreditation and on population and humanitarian issues, including stints at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Stanford University.

Ernst earned the 160th win in his 25year career Nov. 14, 2015. All his wins have come at Ripon. He has recorded the highest number of victories of any coach in the 95-year history of the Midwest Conference, and is the only coach in the 124-year history of the Ripon College football program to win more than 100 games. He has compiled a winning percentage of .653 in his 245 career games.

Students, community work together to beautify downtown Work on a new community green space for public use has brought together members of the Ripon College community and downtown Ripon alike. The space at 310-312 Watson St. was the site of two buildings that were destroyed by fire in late 2013.

The proposal to create the green space was formulated and presented by the Environmental Group of Ripon (EGOR), the campus’ sustainability group. The proposal was presented in front of the Ripon Common Council on April 12 and received unanimous approval with minimal changes.

EGOR’s efforts are being supported by both students and the downtown community. Several local businesses have donated services or are giving discounted prices for materials. Ripon students and faculty are volunteering their time. Grass seeds planted in the green space were collected from the Ceresco Prairie Conservancy by Professor of Biology GEORGE “SKIP” WITTLER.

New leadership in Advancement, Marketing and Communications TRACY MUIRHEAD was appointed vice president for Advancement and MELISSA ANDERSON ’02 was appointed vice president for Marketing and Communications in July. Both serve in Ripon College’s Administrative Council that serves as the President’s cabinet and officers of the College.

Anderson now is leading a new administrative division. She has been executive director of Marketing and Communications since 2012 and last year was interim vice president for Advancement. She is a 2002 graduate of Ripon College.

Academic Department News LIBRARY This summer, the archives finished digitizing editions of Crimson from 1907 to 2010. The link can be found here: http://www.ripon.edu/library/ archives/archives-bookshelf/ BIOLOGY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MEMUNA KHAN presented the poster “Androgen metabolite measurement in eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) adults and nestlings” at the North American Ornithological Council meetings Aug. 17-20 in Washington, D.C. CHEMISTRY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOE SCANLON attended the American Chemical Society National Meeting in Philadelphia Aug. 21-25. He presented research by himself and PAIGE BIRSCHBACH ’17 of Eden, Wisconsin, on “Computational Characterization of the Form of Ag(phen) Catalyst for Amination and Aziridination Reactions.”

Two of his papers were accepted to Chemistry: A European Journal, and one paper was accepted for the journal Tetrahedro.

PROFESSOR DEAN KATAHIRA: “Early in 2016, we received funding from the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN) to study pernambuco wood by scanning electron microscopy and by secondary ion mass spectroscopy. We had been studying the material properties of this wood for several years, and our interest is related to the wood’s use in fine musical instrument bows. Of concern for users of this wood is its placement on the CITES endangered species list as of 2007 (CITES Appendix II classification). In order to conserve and best utilize already harvested stocks of this wood, we became interested in chemical treatment of the wood that prevents the natural radial cracking.

“My research group had the opportunity to visit RTNN on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Our group consisted of Ripon College research student SOE TUN ’17, Chicago bow maker John Norwood Lee, and myself. We were able to see by electron microscopy, application of a focused ion beam to probe and section layers in an inorganic solid. We had a tour of their labs that house a range of instruments used in the analyses of nano-materials.

“While in the Research Triangle, we met with CARRIE DONLEY ’98, director of the impressive Chapel Hill Analytical and Nanofabrication Laboratory (CHANL). Carrie showed us the instruments there used for analysis and fabrication of all sorts of nanomaterials. We got to see their X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, a range of nano-fabrication instruments including a deep reactive ion etcher and stylus profiler, an atomic force microscope, and many more

instruments and labs used in nanofabrication processes. Carrie is keen on greater utilizing CHANL’s instrumentation through more developed, real-time (live) communication with off-site users. A link to CHANL is found here: http://chanl.unc. edu/index.html ASSISTANT PROFESSOR PATRICK WILLOUGHBY had a paper accepted in the journal Tetrahedron. Four of his students presented posters at the March 2016 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego, California.

PROFESSOR AND CHAIR OF CHEMISTRY COLLEEN BYRON organized and took a group of 13 students to the 251st American Chemical Society National Meeting, March 12-17, 2016, in San Diego, California. Each student presented a poster on her or his research from on campus collaborations with Ripon College faculty or from research performed off campus in a summer research program. Another poster presentation was held Oct. 1 at the 36th Midwest Enzymes Chemistry Conference, Chicago, Illinois.

It was presented by lead author DAVID KNAPP ’18, MARGARET BREENLYLES ’16 and Byron.

THE CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT bought an Ion Trap Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometer and a High Performance Liquid Chromatograph this summer from the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy. This is the third mass spectrometer for the department, and this one allows us to do tandem mass spectrometry that is useful protein sequencing and other structural characterization studies. LINCOLN WURTZ ’17 and DAVID KNAPP ’18 were instrumental in the assessment of the instrumentation at UW-Pharmacy prior to purchase and were involved in the disassembly at UW and skilled reassembly at Ripon College.

GLOBAL STUDIES AND LANGUAGES LORNA SOPCAK received a travel grant/scholarship from the Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC) in Milwaukee for participation in the twoweek Holocaust Study Institute study trip to Israel, June 12-26. The trip was a collaboration between HERC and The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Milwaukee.

Sopcak also completed a book review of Grimms Manga Sonderband Perfect Edition. Hamburg: TOKYOPOP, 2012, published in Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German.

TIMOTHY REED, associate professor of Spanish, attended an ACM SAIL seminar in San José, California, in July 2016 with HENRIK SCHATZINGER, associate professor of politics and government, and MOLLY OBLINGER, associate professor of art: “Silicon Valley as an Innovation Ecosystem.”

Two recent graduates in Spanish are in the final stages of their Ph.D. work in Spanish literature: MATTHEW BARRILE ’09 at Ohio State University, and EMMA ROBINSON ’12 at UW-Madison.

Two recent graduates have enrolled in master’s programs in Spanish at Marquette University: LINDSEY KEOUGH ROJAS ’10 and CASEY RIESING ’12.

ARIANA MYERS ’14, a history, classics and Spanish major, is pursuing a Ph.D. in history at Princeton University.

PSYCHOLOGY Two visiting colleagues for the 20162017 academic year are GARY YOUNG and JENNIFER JOHNSON. Young is a doctoral candidate in counseling and health psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He soon will be defending his dissertation. He previously was a Lutheran pastor to two churches on the west side of Chicago for seven years directly out of seminary.

Young will present a research poster, “Hitting the Mark: Examining the Effectiveness of First-Year Residents’ Self-Assessments” at the Learn Serve Lead 2016: The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual meeting Nov. 11-15 in Seattle, Washington.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY KRISTINE KOVACKLESH presented a poster in May that included data collected on her sabbatical. Exploring the development of scene memory during infancy was presented at the biennial meeting of the International Congress of Infant Studies in New Orleans, Louisiana.

This year, the department is offering two new minors, one in French language and one in Francophone Studies.

JEAN-BLAISE SAMOU, assistant professor of French and francophone studies, is organizing an In-Focus May term course to Africa in the spring of 2017: “History, Culture and the Politics of Development in Francophone Africa.”

Fall 2016 61

In Memoriam MARY JANE LORIMER BAUCOM ’38 of Roscoe, Illinois, died March 31, 2016.

At Ripon, she was a member of the Delta Phi Sigma sorority, then studied architecture and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1940. She received her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1948. Mary Jane worked as an architect with her husband, Ivan, until the late 1960s, then was a librarian at Keith Country Day School in Rockford.

In 1957, she and her family moved into the house she and her husband designed. She was active in her church, on local boards, The Natural Land Institute and prairie restoration concerns. Survivors include one son and one daughter.

GEORGE H. BECHTEL ’39 of Land O’Lakes, Florida, died April 30, 2014.

At Ripon, he studied English and psychology. He was a World War II veteran and a director at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. He was the president and retired journalist at Bechtel & Associates. Survivors include one daughter.

DAVID CHARLES MILLER ’39 of North Olmsted, Ohio, died June 8, 2016.

At Ripon, he studied physics and mathematics and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha fraternity. He was an officer during World War II, stationed in England and France. He worked on the development of the radar and had a part in the planning of Overlord. He was awarded two bronze stars. He then went on to get his Ph.D. in physics from Washington University in 1947 and worked for the newly formed Defense Department. He enjoyed reading the Bible and working on his computer. Survivors include one daughter and two sons.

ROBERT LOUIS DAUTERMAN ’40 of Dallas, Texas, died June 10, 2016. At Ripon, he studied economics and was a member of Delta Sigma Psi. He was called to active service in the Army and was named captain of the 819th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He worked at Mercantile National Bank in Dallas for 13 years, rising to assistant vice president in the loan department; president of the Bank of Dallas and then the Bank of San Antonio. In San Antonio, he was instrumental in promoting the Southwest School of Art and founding Club Giraud, focused on conservation efforts and the arts.

He and his wife, Betty, traveled Europe extensively, and he collected and created paintings. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

VERNA M. ZANDER ’40 died April 24, 2016. At Ripon College, she majored in biology. She received her master’s degree in zoology in 1942 from the University of Colorado. She taught at Colorado A & M and was active in PTA, Scouting and the United Methodist Church. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

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DONALD A. WILLIAMS ’42 of Concord, Massachusetts, died Oct. 7, 2016. At Ripon College, he studied speech communication and English.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as 1st Lieutenant Infantry in the 91st Infantry Div. on the Italian front. He was a 1948 graduate of Garrett Biblical Institute (now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary) in Evanston, Illinois, and served as a pastor in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, Algoma, Wisconsin, and several churches in Massachusetts.

He rejoined the military service as a chaplain of Army engineers during the Korean Conflict, then in the Army Reserves until retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Survivors include one son and three daughters.

HARRIET COX HALL ’44 of Whitewater, Wisconsin, died Aug. 30, 2016. At Ripon, she studied history and English and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She had a deep respect and love for nature.

She enjoyed sunsets, fresh air and reading. She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Whitewater. She was an enthusiastic teacher, first in Mount Horeb prior to marriage, and later in Whitewater as a substitute teacher for the Whitewater School District. Survivors include her husband, FRANK JAMES HALL JR. ’50, 1702 South River Road, #38, Janesville, WI 53546; two sons and two daughters.

HARRIET HADLER RECHT ’44 of Libertyville, Illinois, died Nov. 26, 2011. She formerly was employed with the U.S. Navy as an inspector in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a tax preparer for H&R Block in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, as a volunteer at Lake Forest Hospital and was a HAM radio operator. Survivors include two sons.

Her husband, ROBERT E. RECHT ’44, died in 2015.

ROBERT E. RECHT ’44 of Libertyville, Illinois, died Nov. 14, 2015. After serving in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot during World War II, he joined the Square D Co. and served in a variety of locations and capacities including chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Square D Canada. Survivors include two sons.

His wife, HARRIET HADLER RECHT ’44, died in 2011.

MARY EGEMAN TREMBOUR ’45 of Boulder, Colorado, died May 22, 2016.

At Ripon, she studied German and sociology and was a member of Kappa Sigma Chi. She received a master’s degree in library science from the University of Denver and worked as a computer tape librarian at NCAR. She also worked in Germany as a civilian with postwar military government. He husband, Fred, worked for USIA, the cultural arm of the State Department, and family travelled the world. After retirement, Mary spent extended periods of time in Colombia and Mexico, setting up and maintaining libraries in international schools.

Survivors include two daughters.

MARY JANE LORIMER BAUCOM ’38

GEORGE H. BECHTEL ’39

DAVID CHARLES MILLER ’39

ROBERT LOUIS DAUTERMAN ’40

DONALD A. WILLIAMS ’42

MARY EGEMAN TREMBOUR ’45

MARILYN BATTERSON BURCHSTED ’46 died June 17, 2011. At Ripon College, she majored in psychology.

She received a degree from Northwestern University. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth, 3407 Spanish Oak Drive, Austin, Texas 78731; and two sons.

MARIE NELSON SHEAHEN ’46 of Stuart, Florida, died Oct. 11, 2015.

GEORGE HENRY SCHOMER ’47 of Northfield, Illinois, died Sept. 4, 2014.

At Ripon, he studied chemistry and was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. He retired from George Schomer Co. as a manufacturing representative. Survivors include one son and two daughters.

NANCY SCHOMER VINCENT ’48 of Northfield, Illinois, died Feb. 14, 2016. At Ripon, she studied Spanish and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Chi sorority. Survivors include one son and two daughters.

ROBERT E. HINE ’49 of Scottsdale, Arizona, died Nov. 15, 2007. At Ripon, he studied English and was a member of the Theta Sigma Tau fraternity. He was a World War II veteran. An avid hunter, fisherman and skeet-shooting champion before contracting multiple sclerosis, Robert first visited Arizona as a child and then moved his wife and children to the state in 1972. He passed on his love of literature and jazz to his two daughters. Survivors include his wife, June Hine, 10123 E. Topaz Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85258; and two daughters.

MARVIN G. HOLPERIN ’49 of Arlington, Virginia, died April 12, 2016. He was an entrepreneur in the food business, a 32nd degree Mason and former member of Tripoli Shrine Temple. During World War II, he served in the AAF as MSG Bandsman attached to Gen. Douglas MacArthur in New Guinea and the Philippines.

He enjoyed music and was happiest playing baritone and trumpet, whether for the Shrine Circus or in concerts for POW camp survivors. His wife, ELIZABETH LAWSON HOLPERIN ’44 died in 2013. Survivors include two daughters, including CONSTANCE HOLPERIN ’72.

LOUIS LANZER ’49 of Torrance, California, died Feb. 13, 2016. At Ripon, he studied mathematics and later received his master’s in mathematics from Northwestern University in 1953. He retired from TRW in 1987 after 34 years in the aerospace business. His great interest was in rare books and historical material about Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. Survivors include his with ELIZABETH CARMAN LANZER ’49, 4229 Paseo de las Tortugas, Torrance, CA 90505; one son and one daughter.

ROBERT BARRETT CLARKE ’50 of Neptune Beach, Florida, died July 14, 2016. At Ripon, he studied history and speech communication.

He received his JD degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Law in 1954. He retired after 31 years of active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

He had served in the Caribbean, Korea, France, Germany, Vietnam and the United States, and had been awarded several service and campaign decorations. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Anne Clarke, 536 McCollum Circle, Neptune Beach, FL 32266, and one daughter.

DONALD GOODRICH ’50 of Menomonie, Wisconsin, died March 18, 2016. At Ripon, he studied biology. He served in the U.S. Army Engineers of 7th Division in Korea from 1951-1952. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, with a degree in mortuary science.

He returned to Menomonie to join his father, Donald L. Goodrich, in the Goodrich Family Funeral and Furniture businesses. He was a member of the Menomonie Lions Club for more than 35 years; the American Legion and V.F.W.; Menomonie Moose Lodge; Order of Eastern Star; Menomonie Lodge# 164 F & AM; Eau Claire Scottish Rite Consistory; Zor Temple Shrine and First Congregational Church.

Survivors include his wife, Olive, 4210 U.S. 27 N, Lot 32, Davenport, FL 33837; and three daughters including: JANE GOODRICH CHRISTENSEN ’76 and GAIL GOODRICH TRACY ’79; one brother, JOHN WOODRUFF GOODRICH ’46; and one sister, PATRICIA GOODRICH CHRISTENSEN ’54.

GEORGE W. LITTRELL JR. ’50 of Shalimar, Florida, died May 13, 2000.

At Ripon, he studied French.

DEANE HOULAHAN CARLBORG ’51 of Tiburon, California, died April 30, 2016. At Ripon, she studied biology and was a member of Pi Tau Pi sorority. She earned her master’s degree in anatomy and physiology from the University of Illinois-Champaign/ Urbana in 1954. She taught at Aurora College, North Park College in Chicago and for 20 years at Elgin Community College. She also was an accomplished athlete, Girl Scout leader and musician. She enjoyed traveling, books, lectures, museums, the arts and food. Survivors include one son and two daughters, including ANNE CARLBORG MCCORMACK ’81. Her husband, FRANK CARLBORG ’50, died in 2014.

BARBARA SCHAEFER JESPERSEN ’51 of Coarsegold, California, died Oct. 7, 2016. At Ripon College, she studied music. She had worked as an accountant. Survivors include one son and two daughters. Her husband, ALAN JESPERSEN ’49, died in 2011.

GEORGE HENRY SCHOMER ’47

ROBERT E. HINE ’49

LOUIS LANZER ’49

ROBERT BARRETT CLARKE ’50

DONALD GOODRICH ’50

DEANE HOULAHAN CARLBORG ’51

Fall 2016 63

In Memoriam NANCY LAMAR NORDQUIST ’52 of Shoreline, Washington, died July 1, 2016. She enjoyed reading, eating popcorn, visiting her grandkids, the Oregon coast, doing crossword puzzles, and life in the Pacific Northwest. Survivors include two daughters. Her husband, DEAN NORDQUIST ’52, died in 1999.

RONALD J. BALEJ ’53, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, died Sept. 5, 2016. At Ripon, he studied physical education and history, and lettered in football, basketball and track. He later served Ripon College as the 1953 and 1954 Class Agent for six years, and on the Alumni Board of Directors from 2010-2013. He worked for nearly 20 years at S&S Jobbing (later Minnesota Industrial Tools) and with his wife, Mary, owned and operated Minnesota Lapidary Supply for 21 years. He coached his children through hockey, softball and baseball, and was a Sunday school teacher and youth leader at St. Mark’s. Survivors include his wife, MARY ALICE MILLER BALEJ ’55, 2825 Dupont Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55408; one son and one daughter.

JEAN WILLIAMSON BRAINERD ’53 of Winnetka, Illinois, died Aug. 29, 2016. At Ripon College, she majored in music and psychology. She studied speech and political science at Northwestern University and broadcasting at Columbia College. She played the piano and sang with a choir group that traveled the Midwest. Her love of flowers and plants took her to the Chicago Botanic Gardens where she founded the topiary department.

She also worked in radio and television production. She served on many local community boards. She served on the board of Vandercook School of Music from 1992-2012. Survivors include two sons.

JANE SHOEDER CASKEY ’54 of Grayslake, Illinois, died Oct. 20, 2013.

At Ripon, she studied psychology and went on to get her master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Survivors include her husband, Leonard; and two sons.

THOMAS J. KNUDSON ’54 of Memphis, Tennessee, died April 17, 2016. At Ripon, he studied economics. He retired from Georgia Pacific. He was a parishioner at the Church of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church and a Eucharistic minister to the sick. He enjoyed working in his wood workshop, fishing and golfing.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Knudson, 6349 Wood Bridge Road, Memphis, TN 38119; one son and two daughters.

ROXI-ANN PARKER DONOVAN ’55 of Vancouver, Washington, died Dec. 3, 2012. She earned a teaching certificate and two master’s degrees. She first came to Alaska in the early 1960s to work at Wendler Middle School. She and her husband, Harry F. Donovan, moved to Anchorage permanently in 1972, after his retirement from the military. She lived in Anchorage until 1999, where she was an active member of her church and worked as a substitute teacher. She retired from teaching in 1998, moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, until two years ago, then moved to Vancouver, Washington.

She enjoyed knitting, handicrafts and letter-writing. Survivors include three daughters; one stepson, and two stepdaughters.

DAVID FRANK MINNE ’56 of Atlanta, Georgia, died Sept. 23, 2014. At Ripon, he studied mathematics. He worked at IBM. Survivors include his wife, Maureen, two sons and one daughter.

KENNETH R. STAIR ’57 of Libertyville, Illinois, died May 24, 2016. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Beloit College and CPA from Northwestern University.

He received his MBA from Loyola University in 1972. Ken was a certified public accountant with his own firm and was an accounting professor at the College of Lake County. He was treasurer for District #70 Schools and the Woodland School District. He was a member and ordained deacon and elder at the First Presbyterian Church and enjoyed his winter home and boat in Palm City, Florida. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

NANCY LAMAR NORDQUIST ’52

RONALD J. BALEJ ’53

JEAN WILLIAMSON BRAINERD ’53

THOMAS J. KNUDSON ’54

ROXI-ANN PARKER DONOVAN ’55

KENNETH R. STAIR ’57

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LYNN HOLDEN NOAKES ’58 of Seminole, Florida, died April 8, 2016.

DANIEL GUSTAV ANDERSON ’59 of West Chester, Pennsylvania, died Sept. 26, 2016. At Ripon, he studied chemistry. He received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago. He served his country in the Army at Natick Labs in Massachusetts.

He then had a 35-year career with the DuPont Co., where he worked in plastics at the Experimental Station, Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Glasgow, Delaware. He loved the Cubs, Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. He was a college basketball player and enjoyed golf, tennis and skiing. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Kennett Square Country Club. Survivors include his wife, RONELL BRADBEER ANDERSON ’59, 939 Stoney Run Drive, West Chester, PA, 19382; two sons and one daughter.

JOANNE TOSTRUD JOHNSON ’60 of Oak Park, Illinois, died July 19, 2016. At Ripon, she studied speech communication and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

She was a certified financial analyst, a lifelong Lutheran an avid Bridge player. Survivors include one son and one daughter.

ROBERT “BOB” PERRY RIDPATH ’60 of Lorton, Virginia, died June 11, 2016. At Ripon, he studied speech communication and was a member of Sigma Chi. Bob was commissioned to 2nd Lt. upon graduation and spent 20 years in the Army Intelligence Corp., earning several honors, and retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1981. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Southern Illinois University and worked in real estate.

He also coached sports and taught elementary school. He enjoyed travel, golf, fishing, sports and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, BETH MCMILLAN RIDPATH ’62, 8896 Calla Lily Court, Lorton, VA, 22079; three sons and two daughters.

RAYMOND SCHIEFELBEIN ’60 of Blue Springs, Missouri, died May 1, 2016. At Ripon, he studied history and philosophy and was a member of Lambda Delta Alpha. He worked for AT&T, then graduated from d Concordia Theological Seminary, received a master’s degree in counseling and education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a doctorate in ministry from Concordia Seminary in 1992. He spent six years in the Army Reserves during the Vietnam War and served several churches, After retirement he served a shut-in ministry, taught senior Bible class and was a substitute preacher.

Survivors include one daughter.

DONALD G. HUSEK ’63 of Ritzville, Washington, died March 18, 2016.

At Ripon, he studied politics and government. His military service started at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, as a platoon tank leader; he served as captain during the Vietnam War and was platoon leader of a helicopter unit. He built a fly baby airplane as a member of the Fairbanks Experimental Aircraft Association, enjoyed fly fishing, volunteered with his wife for the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race and worked for the Fairbanks FAA Flight Station as a flight information specialist. Survivors include his wife, Elinore Kletthe Husek, 316 N. Marcellus Road, Ritzville, WA 99169; and one son.

LYNN HOLDEN NOAKES ’58

DANIEL GUSTAV ANDERSON ’59

JOANNE TOSTRUD JOHNSON ’60

ROBERT “BOB” PERRY RIDPATH ’60

RAYMOND SCHIEFELBEIN ’60

DONALD G. HUSEK ’63

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In Memoriam ROBERT JOHN DOMANN ’64 of Howards Grove, Wisconsin, died June 22, 2016. At Ripon, he studied history and was a member of Lambda Delta Alpha. He worked at Garton Toy Co., Kohler Co. and Eclipse Manufacturing.

He enjoyed New Orleans Jazz music and visiting the New Orleans French Quarter Festival every April. He also was an avid golfer, enjoyed traveling with his wife, and sports. He was a member of the Sheboygan Noon Lions for many years. Survivors include his wife, Denise Domann, 879 Cobblestone Drive, Howards Grove, WI 53083; one son and one daughter.

JOAN EGAN KERSTGENS ’67 of Holliston, Massachusetts, died May 11, 2008. At Ripon, she studied history and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. She formerly taught high school history in Illinois.

She also formerly was employed by Dennison Manufacturing in Southfield, Michigan, and in Framingham. In the late 1980s, she was employed by Diebold Safe Co., as well as working as an accountant with various computer companies. In her leisure time, she enjoyed cooking, reading and crossword puzzles. Survivors include two sons.

PAUL L. AGRONIN ’65 of San Carlos, California, died June 24, 2016. At Ripon, he studied economics. He was a partner at Executive Resource. Paul was an active community volunteer for many organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Healthy Cities Tutoring and Sequoia Village.

He was a member of American Legion Post 0585. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Raskas Agronin, 596 Club Drive, San Carlos, CA 94070; and three daughters.

SUSAN DOROTHY ROBINSON HERMES ’68 of Nicols Hills, Oklahoma, died June 7, 2016. At Ripon, she studied English and educational studies and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. After a career as a teacher, she was involved in many nonprofit activities, including service on the Oklahoma City School Board from 1980-1988, Oklahoma City Public School Foundation, Oklahoma City Beautiful, Hospice of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tree Bank, Literacy Coalition of Oklahoma County and Habitat for Humanity. She was also an avid golfer, devoted Christian and was active in St. Stephens Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her husband JOHN NICHOLAS HERMES ’68, 1807 Drakestone Ave., Nichols Hills, OK 73120; and two sons.

DOUGLAS W. BRADLEY ’66 of Madison, Wisconsin, died July 15, 2016. At Ripon, he studied physical education and was a member of Phi Kappa Pi. He was most proud of being a first-team, all-conference receiver in 1963 on the last undefeated Ripon College football team and of being an athlete of the class 1966 which remains the only class in Ripon College history to compile a three year varsity win record of 90 percent or higher. Doug was inducted into the Ripon College Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 and presented the same award to his son, Mark, in 2010. Doug and Mark Bradley were the first father/son duo inducted as athletes into Ripon’s Hall of Fame. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba, Michigan, and served on the church council; a past member of the Ripon Rotary Club and, in 2009, was named a Paul Harris Fellow for his work with the STRIVE program at Ripon High School. Survivors include his wife, Gaylene Bradley, 5293 11th Road, Escanaba, MI 49829; one son, MARK DOUGLAS BRADLEY ’96; and one daughter, KRISTINE BRADLEY TIMM ’94.

KENNETH SEMON ’67 of Santa Fe, New Mexico, died July 28, 2016.

At Ripon, he studied drama and English and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin and received a Ph.D. from the University of Washington. He was an assistant professor of English literature at the University of Kentucky. He was one of about 40 religious and community leaders who worked together to establish the Interfaith Community Shelter. He served numerous parishes.

Survivors include his wife, Caroline; one son and two daughters.

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ROBERT JOHN DOMANN ’64

PAUL L. AGRONIN ’65

DOUGLAS W. BRADLEY ’66

CHARLES “CHUCK” COLEMAN BATE ’71 of Appleton, Wisconsin, died Aug. 19, 2015. At Ripon, he studied biology and was a member of the Phi Kappa Pi fraternity. Survivors include his wife, Pamela Bate, 1227 S. Mason St., Appleton, WI 54914; one son and two daughters.

KENNETH SEMON ’67

SUSAN DOROTHY ROBINSON HERMES ’68

CHARLES “CHUCK” COLEMAN BATE ’71

PETER HIGGINS HOYT ’74 of Chardon, Ohio, died May 1, 2016.

At Ripon, he was a member of Sigma Chi. He graduated from Lake Forest College and received his MBA from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management.

He rose to vice president and general manager for Fairmount Minerals (now Fairmount Santrol “FMSA”), led a group that bought out the Fairmount Custom Products division, and served as CEO for the new venture, Black Lab, until retiring in January 2016.

He enjoyed boating, motorcycle trips, traveling, photography and skeet shooting. Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline Lohr Hoyt, 11730 Ravenna Road, Chardon, Ohio, 44024; two daughters and two sons.

JOHN K. BARRETT ’75 of Scottsdale, Arizona, died March 17, 2016.

At Ripon, he studied history and philosophy and devoted his career to the high-tech recruitment field. He was an avid sports car enthusiast and a former member of the Scottsdale Corvette Club. He greatly enjoyed music, tennis and sailing. Survivors include his wife, Karen I. Barrett, 4901 E. Annette Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85254; one son and two daughters.

RICHARD NATHAN BOYA III ’79 of Mesa, Arizona, died Sept. 2, 2016. At Ripon, he studied physical education.

He was a member of the Merriman fraternity and a stand-out football player. He served in the Marine Corps after graduating and later was the president of NCK Telecom Services LLC. LACEY MAY CHIER ’07, of Berlin, Wisconsin, died July 11, 2016.

At Ripon, she studied business administration and psychology and was working on her master’s degree from the University of WisconsinOshkosh. She worked at various jobs, including Heidel House, Thomas Keuler CPA and Plexus.

She loved NASCAR (especially #11 Denny Hamlin), swimming, traveling to Cancun, Cabo San Lucas and Sweden, and was a member of Ducks Unlimited. Lacey treasured her two dogs, Shatzee and Schmultzee.

Survivors include her parents.

PETER HIGGINS HOYT ’74

JOHN K. BARRETT ’75

LACEY MAY CHIER ’07

Fall 2016 67

In Memoriam Faculty and Staff JAMES F. HYDE JR. of Ripon, Wisconsin, died Aug. 1, 2016. He was a professor of German emeritus at Ripon College. James received an AB degree with a major in German from Princeton University in 1955. He then did graduate study in German literature at Indiana University, while teaching as a resident assistant. He earned the AM degree (1957) and Ph.D. (1960). While completing his doctorate, he also taught German at the University of California, Davis, and in 1961 was appointed assistant professor of German at Stanford University. In 1964, Hyde moved to Wisconsin, assuming the position of associate professor of German at Ripon College, where he taught for the next 35 years until retiring in 1999. He developed the College’s German program extensively, serving as department chair for much of that time, and teaching courses in German culture and literature (especially the poetry of Goethe).

Early in his career, he was honored with a May Bumby Severy, Class of 1908, Award for teaching excellence.

To extend the German program, in 1968 he founded an International Study Center in Germany, initially in Hamburg but then more permanently in Bonn, Germany. Professionally, Hyde served on the editorial board of Monatshefte, a quarterly journal devoted to German literature and culture, and contributed scholarly articles and book reviews to that periodical.

A man of diverse interests, Hyde was a talented musician, playing and performing on violin, piano and organ.

For many years, he played in the Ripon College Orchestra, served as its concertmaster and performed several violin concertos with the orchestra as soloist. A devoted hockey fan, in the 1970s he was faculty advisor for the Ripon College Hockey Club. He learned to fly private aircraft and had a pilot’s license.

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DONALD K. LUEPTOW of Ripon, Wisconsin, died Aug. 4, 2016.

He began his career working with his father, whom he credited with teaching him the skills he needed to go on to become a “jack of all trades, master of each.” He owned the Clark gas station prior to beginning his primary career as director of buildings and grounds at Ripon College, a position he held for more than 30 years. During this time, he also taught a variety of classes at Moraine Park Technical College. His skills, knowledge and willingness to help others made him the “go-to guy” for many area residents who truly appreciated his talents. Don loved traveling, restoring cars, woodworking, fishing with his boys, golfing, and his family and friends.

One of his great joys in life was making other people laugh. His oneliners were endless and continued right up to the end. Survivors include his wife, Bernadine “Billie” Laboyseke, 315 E. Jackson St., Ripon, WI 54971; three sons, including MATTHEW JOHN LUEPTOW ’84; four daughters, ANNE LUEPTOW TUCKER ’77, MARY LUEPTOW ROHDE ’73, MICHELE MARIE LUEPTOW ’76 and CATHERINE L. LUEPTOW ’83; and a brother, ARTHUR J. LUEPTOW ’46.

CHARLOTTE GRACE PRUESS of Tomah, Wisconsin, died Oct. 3, 2016, at the age of 100. Then known as Charlotte Taylor, she was a housemother for freshmen men at Ripon College from January 1957 to May 1958. She also was a clerk at Kroger’s and Schultz Bros.; a receptionist at a photography studio in La Crosse; and in the main PX at Fort McCoy for two summers. She conducted craft classes for CAP at senior centers in three counties; and was a volunteer for many years at the Monroe County History Room in Sparta. She enjoyed reading, sewing and animals. Survivors include one son and one daughter.

JAMES F. HYDE JR.

DONALD K. LUEPTOW

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