Jake Gahart ’13
Meet Jake Gahart ’13
Jake Gahart was hired in July of 2023 and serves as a Director of Development in the Office of Advancement. Jake’s primary responsibilities include moving the college forward through engagement of major gift donors, oftentimes visiting alumni and friends of the college both locally and across the country.
Jake is a Ripon alumnus and member of the Ripon Athletic Hall of Fame, class of 2023. As a football student-athlete, he was a Fred Mitchell Award finalist following the 2011 season, as well as a BSN First Team All American placekicker. He majored in both History and Sport Management at Ripon and added a Masters of Education in Sport Management at Wichita State University in 2016. Jake has experience in college and university athletics departments at a variety of levels, including DIII, NAIA, small DI and Power 5 DI, working primarily in facility and event operations. He also was a part of the opening of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee in the fall of 2018, managing conversions of the new arena for Bucks games, Marquette men’s basketball, and concerts and shows like Metallica, Foo Fighters, Eagles, Twenty-One Pilots, and Kevin Hart.
When not in the office, Jake likes to golf whenever possible and spend quality time with his dogs, Thor and Whiskey.
What do you love most about Ripon College and your involvement here? The Ripon community is special and has always been welcoming to me. There is a very personal nature to which the college thrives on that makes it so easy to be passionate about.
What advice would you give to a potential donor who is considering investing in Ripon? Everything matters, regardless of how big or small. If you are considering giving, whether you’ve given in the past or not, there has never been a better time than right now to ask questions or request more information.
Why do you think giving back is important to the advancement of Ripon and its students? Ripon College doesn’t exist as we know it without significant philanthropic efforts from alumni and friends of the college. There is no student that walks our campus that isn’t touched by these endeavors.