2019 Fall ’23 Class Letter
Wow, it has been five years since we all graduated on that stormy day in May 2019.
As we have experienced a period of growth and change over the past five years, so has our Alma Mater. This year, we celebrated the inauguration of a new president, Dr. Victoria Folse, and welcomed her new leadership to campus. We have also built a brand new football stadium for our Red Hawks football and soccer teams, and are undergoing a major renovation of the new Franzen Science Center, which is replacing the beloved Farr Hall. These follow the large-scale updates to the Franzen Center in Lane Library in the fall of 2019 just after we graduated, and the excitement of the Willmore Center opening during our time as students.
Ripon College is not the only place where we see change. Many of our classmates are now experiencing growth and new life. We’re moving to different areas of the world, finishing advanced education, starting new jobs, building families, and bringing new life into this world. It’s remarkable to see the growth and diversity our class network has across the world.
Looking ahead, our 5th Reunion during Alumni Weekend is planned for June 20-23, 2024. We are looking for a few extra hands in planning this event. If you are interested in helping plan events during Alumni Weekend this year, please contact Eric, Rachel, Olivia or Tyler, or email us at [email protected]. There are multiple ways to contribute to reunion coordination, such as aiding in increasing gift contributions, and finalizing the schedule of events for the weekend, or even helping with outreach!
Looking for a place to stay during our class reunion? Hotels in Ripon are limited, but there is a room block set at Heidel House and Cobblestone Suites (call 920-748-5500 to reserve blocked rooms). House rentals are also available in the area, but we encourage fall reservations for the best options and pricing given summers in Green Lake are busy! On-campus housing will be available with online Alumni Weekend registration starting April 1, 2024 and you can request to stay with friends in the dorms.
We want our 5th Reunion to be catered to you all. Please reach out to the Class Agents if you have ideas on how you want to spend the weekend together. We have a few tentative ideas, such as a bar crawl, wine walk, and hosting the reunion party at Knuth Brewing Company, though these are always subject to change based on your input!
We will continue to update you all on the Reunion and Alumni Weekend, so continue to monitor our Class of 2019 Facebook Page and check your emails for related information.
Finally, we wanted to sincerely thank everyone in our class that has contributed to the Ripon Fund or those who have given back to the institution with time or service. Your contributions mean everything to our College.
And now our class notes!
KIM FRISQUE FOOTE ’19 of Marinette, WI, writes: “My husband and I are expecting our first child! She is due in early September and we have decided on the name Juniper Marie. I am also going back to school in the fall to get my Master’s degree in Special Education thanks to a grant the school district I work for applied for in the spring. We are excited for all the life changes that are coming our way!”
RACHEL HAWLEY ’19 of Plymouth, MA, writes: “I graduated with my PharmD from UW-Madison this past spring and recently started a Post-Doctoral Medical Affairs Fellowship at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA! I’ve been loving living out east and exploring all New England has to offer.”
OLIVIA HECK ’19 of Evansville, IN, writes: “I am in my last year of my PhD program at Indiana University – Bloomington. I am completing my predoctoral psychology internship at Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center in Evansville, IN. I am looking forward to finally finishing up my PhD in May 2024!”
Looking forward to seeing the Class of 2019 in 2024!