2008 Fall ’23 Class Letter
Greetings, Class of 2008!
We hope this letter finds you well! As this correspondence is being written, the newest Red Hawks are starting their first semester of college. The Class of 2027 (How strange is it to think this class will be graduating in 2027 when 2008 doesn’t seem that long ago!) is made up of 195 first year students and 15 transfer students. Two thirds of the students are from Wisconsin, but 19 other states are also represented including Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Taxas, Nevada, Utah, and others around the country. The Class of 2027 also includes a new Red Hawk from Pakistan and 17 legacy students. We wish these students luck as they begin their journey at Ripon College!
Thank you to everyone who attended the 15th Reunion held this summer. We hope you were able to connect with old friends, reminisce about our time spent at Ripon, and see the changes that have taken place on campus since we graduated. If you were unable to make it this summer, there are many alumni events happening at Ripon and in locations around the country that we hope you are able to attend. Additionally, it is never too early to begin preparing for our next reunion. If you have any ideas for our 20th Reunion taking place in the summer of 2028, let a Class Agent know!
We would also like to thank everyone who has donated to Ripon College over the past year. Your donations are crucial to providing a quality education for future Red Hawks for years to come. If you have not donated recently or if you are planning to donate in the future, we would like to inform you about an upcoming fundraising campaign. The college shares “Ripon College formally launches the Forever Ripon campaign, a $75 million effort to expand access through student affordability and innovative programs, enhance our facilities and strengthen our institution through the Ripon Fund. 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 the Case Statement here for more information. Contact a Class Agent if you would like more details about this fundraising campaign.
As you finish reading, make sure to check out the class updates shared below. As always, if you have any updates you would like to share with the class, please contact your Class Agents listed above anytime throughout the year. You can also post your update on the Class of 2008 Facebook group. Updates can include births, adoptions, new jobs, new pets, continuing education, promotions, moves, run-ins with other Ripon Alums…. Your classmates want to hear what you are up to! Please let us know if you have any information to share. Starting with this letter, class letters will only be coming out in the fall (once a year instead of twice) so we want to be able to share as many updates as possible each time the letter is published!
Go Red Hawks!
CLASS UPDATES
ERIN OAKLEY KOLTES ’08 shared: “My husband, Mike, and I welcomed our second baby girl, Josephine Michael Koltes, on March 2, 2023. I also just celebrated my five-year work anniversary of being a worship director at Door Creek Church.”
JENNI MARCELL D’ACQUISTO ’08 shared: “I’ve moved back to Wisconsin and am working for the Eye Clinic of Wisconsin. Got married March 17, 2022 to Daniel D’Acquisto. I gained an amazing step son, Eli, and welcomed our daughter, Sophie, on May 14, 2022.”
ERIN MAGUIRE ’08 was recently promoted to Director of Social Services at Leo N. Levi Hospital, an inpatient adult psychiatric hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She also has obtained her Licensed Clinical Social Work certification to be able to counsel independently.
KEN LEIVISKA ’08 and ELIZABETH KUNDE LEIVISKA ’09 welcomed their second child, Vincent, into the world in February 2023. Big brother Mason is a happy helper. The family of four lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
DANA MOORE KIBBEL ’08 said: “My husband, Gerrad, and I live in Waupun with our three boys – Cooper (11), Easton (9), and Krew (3.5). We are involved in all things hockey and baseball. We have also become heavily involved in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and supporting their mission, as our two youngest boys live with cystic fibrosis. (If anyone has any further interest about the CFF or has any connections to the CF community, I’d love for you to reach out.)”
