AROUND THE CLOCKTOWER 1
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Megan Gannon
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Rafael Francisco Salas
Nicholas Eastman
Steven Martin
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1. New micro grants support diversity and inclusion
• Senior Class Award: Professor of Communication Steven Martin.
5. Robert L. Wallace receives four-year NSF research grant
The Office of the President launched a new annual grant initiative. Awards of up to $2,000 support projects designed to enhance the quality of life at Ripon College with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
3. Lamont Colucci book explores international relations in Bible
Robert L. Wallace, professor emeritus of biology and the former Patricia and Philip McCullough 1969 Professor in Biology, has received a four-year research grant from the National Science Foundation of more than $100,000 to study aspects of the ecology and evolution of rotifers.
The first awarded projects included a “Bringing Drag to Campus” event by the Queer Straght Alliance; a Men of Color Initiative; and a project to assist international students upon their arrival to Ripon College. A mural celebrating the message of diversity was painted on campus. Painting II students of Professor of Art Rafael Francisco Salas submitted proposals for the design, which then were sent to diversity groups on campus for feedback. The winning design is by Bailey Zanck ’22 of New Berlin, Wisconsin. It features the words Diverse Not Different enhanced with traditional ethnic textile patterns from a variety of cultures. The mural was painted on the south exterior of Johnson Hall. (Bailey Zanck ’22 helps paint the mural she designed.)
2. Faculty members honored for 2020-21 academic year Four faculty members were honored for the 2020-21 academic year at the spring awards ceremony. • Faculty/Staff Mentor Award: Associate Professor of English Megan Gannon. • James Underkofler Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching: Professor of Art Rafael Francisco Salas. • May Bumby Severy 1908 Award: Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Nicholas Eastman.
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The International Relations of the Bible, a new book by Professor of Politics and Government Lamont Colucci, explores the world, politics and people of the Old and New Testaments. Its description states: “International relations is an increasingly important topic for the average American. It determines job prospects, economic growth and decline, war, peace and whether or not a foreign entity uses a weapon of mass destruction.”
4. Ripon, Marian University exploring possible partnership Ripon College and Marian University in Fond du Lac have created a joint working group to examine the possibility of a more collaborative arrangement. Administrators, faculty, staff, trustees and students from both institutions, with the support of consultants from the Registry Advisory Services, explored potential benefits of establishing a closer partnership around administrative, academic and co-curricular activities. The joint working group presented their findings to the boards of trustees at both institutions, and further summer exploration is ongoing. “We’re two different schools with two distinct histories and cultures, but we’re not looking to merge — rather, find some ways to cooperate,” said Zach Messitte, president of Ripon College. “We each care deeply for our students, and we each want to provide them with a comprehensive and quality education that is affordable and enriching. I’m hopeful that we will find areas where, by working together, we might be able to enhance our respective institutions.”
This research is a collaborative effort with colleagues from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the University of Texas El Paso. Those institutions have received their own support for the project. The research will focus on the life cycles and reproduction processes of phylum Rotifera, typically called rotifers.
6. Henrik Schatzinger now a U.S. citizen Associate Professor of Politics and Government Henrik Schatzinger became a U.S. citizen in March. A profile about his 20-year journey to American citizenship ran March 10 in the Ripon Commonwealth Press. The profile can be read at ripon.edu/citizenship. He joined the Ripon College faculty in 2009 and also serves as co-director of Ripon College’s Center for Politics and the People. Schatzinger now has U.S., German and Finnish citizenships, but he says he’s “all about America right now.” Schatzinger also was cited in an article in March published in the Belgian newspaper La Libre. Because of his book Game Changers, written with Professor of Communication Steve Martin, Schatzinger was asked to comment on former President Trump’s possible plans for spending the millions in dollars he has raised after the 2020 election.
