Archives

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.

Savanah Cousert ’22

Originally from Campbellsport, Wisconsin, Savanah is a 2022 Ripon College Graduate with a degree in Education, with minors in English and Music. During her time at Ripon, Savanah was in Chamber Singers and was a member of Honor Societies: Sigma Tau Delta (English), Mu Phi Epsilon (Music), and Pi Lambda Theta (Education). She had many on-campus jobs including being a student worker for the Education and Music Department, a front desk worker at the Willmore Center, and a member of the Summer Conference Services Staff. Savanah now serves as the Engagement and Communications Specialist, where her focuses are in the Ripon Parent Network (parents and volunteers), Class Agents communication, and supporting Advancement events and communications.

In her free time, Savanah likes to bake, drink new coffee recipes, sing songs really loud, and spend time and create new memories with her significant other, Adam Sierra ’24.

Ryan Weir

Ryan Weir joined Ripon’s Office of Advancement in 2022. As a Director of Development, Ryan works closely with major gift donors to the college that help advance strategic initiatives including endowments, scholarships, program investments and facility enhancements. Ryan is often on the road visiting alumni and friends of the college across the country and looks forward to meeting to share news from Ripon and learning about donors’ personal philanthropy.

A Ripon High School alumnus, Ryan is a graduate of the University of Iowa, and UW-Madison. He was a student-athlete while at Iowa, competing on the track & field team. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and being outdoors.

If you are interested in discussing your philanthropic goals with Ryan while he is traveling in your area, please reach him at [email protected].

Solangel Pappas ’22

Originally from Irving Texas, Solangel Pappas is a 2022 Ripon College graduate with degrees in Business Management and Communication. During her time at Ripon, Solangel was on the Alumni Board, President of COMMunity and served on the Student Senate. Joining the Office of Advancement as a student worker, and now as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, she supports the Ripon Fund, advises the Senior Class Gift Committee and focuses on young alumni giving.

In her time off, Solangel likes to cook and go on adventures with her husband Igor.

Peggy Hutchings

Peggy Hutchings is the Gift Administration and Stewardship Coordinator at Ripon, working in her 12th year. She lives in an old house in Ripon with her husband and three dogs, and enjoys gardening, reading, spending time with her daughter, and volunteering with local dog rescue and veteran non-profit groups.

Amanda Liethen Glass ’07

Amanda is a 2007 Ripon College graduate with a major in French and minors in philosophy and politics and government. She has worked in the Advancement Office since August 2009, first in various roles within annual giving and constituent engagement and now as the Associate Director of Advancement Services and Data Analyst. Amanda’s focus is primarily in working with the database: reporting, querying, and analyzing data for all areas of the Advancement Office. She produces mail, email, and phone lists for fundraising and stewardship purposes, as well as visual representations of fundraising metrics. Amanda also creates the annual Honor Roll of Donors and works with the Business Office on the yearly audit.

Amanda lives in Random Lake, Wisconsin, with her husband Michael, teenage step-son Matthew, toddler son Theodore, and soon-to-arrive daughter. When she is not working, Amanda keeps track of her family’s diverse schedules, sports practices, and games, and in her spare time enjoys ballroom dancing with her husband and baking.

Amy Gerretsen ’04

Amy Gabriel Gerretsen, a 2004 Ripon College graduate, has been on staff with the Advancement Office focusing on alumni relations since September of 2006. In her role as Director of Constituent Engagement, she oversees all events, communications and volunteerism for alumni, parents, friends and donors to the College. Amy plans and executes all regional programming, while also managing on campus engagement events, including Alumni Weekend and Class Reunions, Family Weekend, and Commencement. She prides herself on the creation of unique student-alumni experiences with the support of the Alumni Association Board of Directors including the Career Discovery Tour program, and continued development of student education events.

Besides attending Ripon College events, Amy truly enjoys meeting new people and collaborating with Ripon volunteers like Alumni Board members, Class Agents and Reunion Volunteers to create stronger engagement opportunities for all alumni. As a chemistry major, her analytical skills, attention to detail, and process-orientated nature allow her to continue to creatively engage constituents through both in-person and online methods with personal service and authentic connections. Amy met her husband, Bryan, Class of 2003 on campus more than 20 years ago, and they are raising their daughters in Ripon.

Brendan McCoy ’17

Originally from Peosta, Iowa, Brendan McCoy is a 2017 graduate from Ripon College with degrees in Economics and Sport Psychology. In his time as a student he was a member of the 2017 Midwest Conference Tournament Championship Men’s Basketball team, Student Athlete Leadership Team, and College Days student newspaper. He has been part of the Advancement team since concluding his time as a student a few years ago. Brendan’s responsibilities include prospect management and research, and leading stewardship efforts throughout the department.

Away from the office, Brendan enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife, Maddie, who is also a 2017 Ripon College graduate. Brendan and Maddie were married in Great Hall on the campus of Ripon College in the fall of 2018 and live in Ripon with their dog, Finn.

Randy Roeper ’88

Randy joined the Advancement team in April of 2020 shortly after COVID 19 hit. Although the virtual environment was a strange way to start, Randy’s knowledge of the college and the Ripon community made his transition seamless. Prior to joining Ripon College, Randy served as Chief Operating Officer for ThedaCare in Appleton, WI. Randy’s strong professional background will translate well with his role in building strong relationships with Ripon College alumni, foundations and corporations. Randy will also focus his efforts on process improvement, data management and developing data driven initiatives.

Randy lives in Green Lake with his wife, Tanya Schwartz ’88, and two boys Jonah ’24 and Oliver. He enjoys spending time outdoors on his family farm or out on his boat on Green Lake. He is an avid gardener and grows over 3000 bulbs of garlic every year.

Kelly Nielsen

Kelly Nielsen joined the Office of Advancement in 2017 as Associate Director of Annual Giving. Within a year she moved into the Director position and now manages Ripon Fund initiatives like #OneDayRally, Phonathon, reunion gift efforts, the 1851 Club, Senior Class Gift and other annual fundraising projects. She also works closely with volunteers on the Alumni Board and Reunion leadership committees. Kelly also looks forward to hitting the road this fall to meet with many of Ripon’s alumni in person!

A Ripon High School alumna, Kelly attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and graduated from the College of Liberal Arts with a major in Urban Studies. From there she moved to Portland, Oregon, where she worked for 11 years as an admission recruiter for a local art school. After her daughter was born, her young family moved “home” to Ripon to be closer to her parents. Today the family lives across the street from campus where they love to garden, host backyard gatherings, and participate in many College activities. Their nightly routine in the warmer months is to walk around lower campus and into the Prairie, always on the hunt for wildlife and wildflowers. During the winter they enjoy basketball games at Willmore, snowshoeing on the trails and sledding at Sadoff.