2006 – Fall ’20 Class Letter
NICOLE KLAAS HANDS ’06
ED HANSEN ’06
ANDY KITSLAAR ’06
Dear Class of 2006,
So much has changed since our spring class letter. Since that time, the COVID-19 pandemic stretched out throughout our spring and summer and a spotlight has been directed on racial injustice and inequality throughout the country. Wisconsin, and Ripon, are not immune to either. Today’s environment can harness us all to focus on the negativity of our world. However, we hope this letter provides you a short reprieve, reading some good news from a few of our classmates.
There are many ways to get through this “pandemic life.” We recently asked on our Facebook page (Ripon College – Class of 2006) what is something you’ve started during the pandemic you hope to continue afterward? Some of you shared how you have worked through the pandemic by creating stronger connections with fellow classmates or finding new hobbies. ED HANSEN ’06 mentioned having a weekly virtual card game with myself, JONNY GAUSEWITZ ’06, BRIAN MACAK ’06, and SHANE EBEL ’07 along with other virtual chat sessions along with MICHELE BERGMAN ’06 and other Ripon graduates spanning the years. Michele also mentioned cooking, working on her wildflower garden and not taking hugs for granted. EVELYN BRUNT GREGORY ’06 has taken up weaving, while KHAATIM BOYD ’06 is doing some online gaming with friends. NICOLE KAPLAN SCHOLES ’06 mentioned something many of us might have wanted in the past, “not having to make excuses for why I don’t want to leave the house.” Whatever it is you are doing to pass the time – entertaining kids, house projects, etc. – we hope you are finding time to enjoy the little things.
Ripon College was and continues to be a special place for us. We hope you continue to be connected with each other and the college. Check out the latest happenings at www.ripon.edu.
ERIC EGUINA ’06 is living in Japan with his wife and baby girl. He is working in Health & Safety for AWS.
JESSICA FORMAN GOLDBERG ’06 of Clarksville, Tennessee, has been selected as the Director of Communications and Marketing for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. She also serves as the president of Clarksville Young Professionals and was a graduate of the Leadership Clarksville Class of 2019.
NICOLE KLAAS HANDS ’06 of Weehawken, New Jersey, was hired as Director of Marketing for Blueprint Investment Partners.
ANDREW KITSLAAR ’06 of Monona, Wisconsin, and his wife, Laura, welcomed a baby boy, Jack Brooks Kitslaar, on 5/24/2020.
GUY MCHENDRY ’06 of Omaha, Nebraska, has been busy recently. Guy and his wife, AMANDA HOEFNER MCHENDRY ’09 welcomed their first child, Nora Marie in March 2019. Recently, Guy was awarded tenure and promoted to Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Creighton University. In the last year, he has published several works including The Rhetoric of Western Thought (11th Edition), an undergraduate textbook on the history of rhetoric.
Please mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend 2021 (June 24-27) for our 15th Reunion. We will celebrate jointly with the Class of 2005 whose 15th had to be canceled this summer. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Cheers to better times ahead,
Nicole
Ed
Andy
A Note from the Office of Constituent Engagement: Stay up-to-date with our latest news and information. Make sure that we have your most updated contact information including email and phone number by visiting ripon.edu/update-contact-info/ or emailing [email protected].