2009-Spring ’19 Class Letter
Class Agent: Emily Meyer
(920) 369-8707
Spring 2019
Hi Everyone~
I hope this letter finds you happy, healthy, and warm (especially if you’re in the Midwest that has been perpetually cold since the beginning of 2019). Stephen and I have been settling into a new routine since he started a new career with BNSF Railroad this past fall and we prepare to welcome our 2nd child in April. We’re also on the cusp of signing the final paperwork to purchase our first house (finally) and are very excited to move into something that is not an on-campus, 2 bedroom apartment after way too many years of living on college campuses. Between Polar Vortex Days, Snow Days, and a busy work schedule, I’m still not sure exactly what month or what day of the week it is. Thankfully, things seem to be calming down a bit, and hopefully our schedules will be back to semi-normal soon-ish.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about out upcoming reunion and how there is no way we graduated 10 year ago! And while somethings never change (like me procrastinating writing this letter until right up to the deadline) and others change very quickly. I’ve been fortunate enough to be back to Ripon and to visit campus frequently since we graduated, and am amazed and the changes, renovations, and improvements that have occurred since graduation. Some are small like the fire pit outside what we know as The Pub (now The Spot), while others were major undertakings like the Willmore Center. While I’m sure we all fondly remember our time at Ripon, it is wonderful to see the college continuing to advance and challenge itself to continue to improve the education that Ripon students receive. This is one of the main reasons I choose to give back financially and in service to the college.
So, now it is time to think about celebrating the past 10 years. Please join me in Ripon for Alumni Weekend (June 27-30). The weekend is full of opportunities to reconnect, celebrate, and honor our classmates (JENAN KHARBUSH ’09 will be receiving an Outstanding Young Alumni Award and BRITTANY DICK ’09 and JOSHUA KRAEMER ’09 will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame!). Information (and soon registration) can be found online at https://www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend/
Shameless plug: if you’re tired of getting letters from me and are interested in writing one yourself, volunteer to be a Class Agent! I promise the time commitment is low, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have; I do plan to continue in the role as well, but wanted to extend an invitation if you’re interested in joining me! Contact Amy or Yvonne at [email protected] in Constituent Engagement for more information.
Finally, here are a few updates you all have sent in:
ANN KENSETH BERGFELD ’10 and ROBERT BERGFELD ’09 of Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, write, “Currently married to Robert Bergfeld, Ripon Class 2009 for 6 years. We have two daughters Amelia (4) and Calliope (3). I am a case manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Wisconsin and currently finishing up my social work certification through Upper Iowa University and Robert works as a Relationship Manager for US Bank in Wausau.”
SHAWN F. KARSTEN ’09 and CARISSA ZUERCHER KARSTEN ’10 of Ripon, Wisconsin, had a baby boy, Adler Adrian Karsten, who was born on 12/7/18.
JOSHUA KRAEMER ’09 and KATIE KRUEGER KRAEMER ’09 of Cedarburg Wisconsin, manage their nutrition company Isagenix which provides natural nutrition products for weight loss, energy and performance and healthy aging. In addition, Katie manages their Anytime Fitness in Hartford and Josh is the Regional Personal Training Manager for 3 Anytime Fitness locations: Cedarburg, West Bend and Hartford. Josh and Katie also recently welcomed a daughter to their family!
HALEY MADSON ’09 has been named the new Director of Communication and Special Events for The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership.
TOM MILLER ’09 has been on staff for University of Minnesota Crookston football program for the past three seasons has been promoted to defensive coordinator. Miller will also retain his title as assistant head coach.
JONATHAN PARETSKY ’09 of Neenah, Wisconsin, is a research scientist at Georgia-Pacific.”
CURTIS SCHMITT ’09 and his wife SARA KUSSMANN SCHMITT ’08, who welcomed a baby boy (Finley John) on October 18, 2017! Curtis and Sara both work from home, which allows them to spend lots of time with Finley.
ELIZA CHERRY STEPHENSON ’09 and BRUCE STEPHENSON ’09 of Ripon, Wisconsin, write, “We welcomed Vivian Lorraine into our family on 5/24 at 8:30 pm. She is so precious.”
Stay warm, stay in touch, and I hope to see you at our 10th Class Reunion at the end of June!
~Emily