2003 Fall ’23 Class Letter
Happy Fall, Class of 2003!
The Class of 2027 has recently started their new adventures at Ripon. The College looks much different than when we first arrived at school, but the important things have stayed the same.
Academics: Ripon is launching its first engineering program to coincide with the opening of the new Franzen Science Center in 2024. This curricular addition comes after the recent announcement of two new campus infrastructure projects: The Science Center and Hopp Stadium—Ripon’s new athletics stadium. The Franzen Science Center, scheduled to open in conjunction with the program launch, will have more than 5,000 square feet dedicated to the engineering program, including computer facilities, fabrication and electronic design spaces for prototyping, a makerspace, senior design studio and an additional 2,000-3,000 square feet of collaboration space. Also included in the newly renovated science center will be expanded lab spaces that enable new curricular offerings in biomedical science and biochemistry.
Ripon will also launch its first master’s degree program, in exercise science, in the summer of 2024. The program will offer three specializations: exercise physiology, for those interested in working with athletes and clinical populations; sport psychology, focusing on the psychological needs of athletes; and sport management, for those interested in sports marketing and sales or becoming athletic directors.
Ripon Rally Days: Ripon Rally Days, a spring online giving experience, was held April 20-23 during Inauguration Week. This year, donors could choose from 14 ways to support Ripon College in honor of President Victoria N. Folse, the institution’s 14th and newly inaugurated president. The 574 donors who participated raised $327,710. The Class of 2003 once again had a strong showing; we were one of three classes who met their gift challenges. Nice work!
Alumni Weekend 2023: A big thanks to all who made our Twenty-Year(!) class reunion a success this past summer. It’s not too early to mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend 2024: June 20-23, 2024.
Forever Ripon: Ripon College celebrated its second largest fundraising year ever in fiscal year 2023 with almost $19 million in new gifts and commitments. This contributed to Ripon’s Forever Ripon campaign reaching more than $61 million — 82% of its $75 million goal — by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, with two years still remaining in the campaign. This campaign will prepare Ripon for the celebration of our 175th anniversary in 2026, adapt to an evolving higher education landscape and ensure a Ripon College degree is relevant for generations to come. Please see ripon.edu/forever-ripon/ for more information.
Thanks to all who have supported the College this past fiscal year, especially those who supported the Ripon Fund.
CLASS UPDATES
BRIE TERRELL HADFIELD ’03 writes, “After 11 years as a PA with Mercy Orthopedic Trauma, I left to go to the ortho department at Washington University School of Medicine (here in St. Louis). No regrets! My girls are in first and third grades now & Jay’s glad school is back in as he works from home. It was fun to see people at our Reunion this summer!”
MIKE MAXWELL ’03 is recording a comedy album, “Wait It Out!” at an upcoming show at Zanies Comedy Club in Rosemont, IL on October 29th. Tickets are still available for those interested! This summer, Mike also booked his first professional voiceover project. Most recently, he was hired to write a script for an annual conference for a global insurance firm. He’ll be filming his next commercial soon in Racine, WI.
DARLEEN WULF ’03 recently completed her degree at UW-Oshkosh, through their online education program. She writes, “I will walk in December and receive a Bachelor’s of Professional Studies in Leadership and Organizational Development. Last year, I was promoted to Lead Supervisor of the FSQA Department (Food Safety and Quality Assurance) at Brakebush Brothers in Westfield, WI, where I am now over all three shifts of the department. Yes, this does mean I work at night once in a while. I have to see my third shift crew as well! Earlier this year, I was elected Town Clerk for my township, so I am now learning about QuickBooks and how to run elections. This is on top of being the Secretary for my local fire department, where I also help run their yearly fundraiser. We just had another successful Bratfest in Harrisville, with all proceeds benefiting the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department, over Labor Day weekend.”
Thank you again to everyone who continues to send updates. Remember that you don’t have to wait for the twice-a-year call for updates in order to share your latest news. Be sure to check out the online version of R Connections where you can upload updates, photos, and more!
Liz ’03
(920) 475-7415
Elayne ’03
(917) 509-4826