Class Agents:

Naomi Jahn Skulan

[email protected]

Mara Jensen Poullette

[email protected]

Tim Holme

[email protected]

Spring 2019

Greetings Class of 2014!

Hope you have all been staying warm during this frigid winter (and for those of you who have moved to warmer climates that was smart thinking!) It was hard to believe that it was so cold that classes were cancelled at Ripon. I don’t remember classes ever being cancelled for cold or snow when we were there!

It’s our reunion year! Don’t forget to keep June 27-30 open on your calendar so you can make your way to Ripon for Alumni Weekend and our reunion. The planning team has been able to confirm that our 5th Reunion party location will Knuth Brewing Company’s Beer Hall where we will enjoy delicious woodfire pizzas and wings, along with beer and wine. We’ll celebrate downtown from 7-9 PM and then head back to campus for dessert (complete with a chocolate fountain), live music, and the fire pit (complete with s’mores). All of this for just $25 per person. It is sure to be a great time reconnecting with each other and campus!

Full weekend details and online registration are coming April 1 to www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend, but also watch your mailboxes for the official Alumni Weekend brochure. On campus housing is a fun, nostalgic experience, not to mention, more inexpensive than a hotel ($55 per person per night) and includes continental breakfast. Online pre-registration will be open until June 24, so make your plans to be on campus this spring.

In addition, consider giving a donation to the Ripon Fund by June 30 this year, as it will count towards our reunion class gift. We’ll present our big check (like we did at Commencement) to the College during lunch Saturday (June 29) and we hope many of you can attend that event too. Alumni Weekend is sure to be a great time—we can’t wait to see everyone again after these past 5 years to catch up!

Speaking of catching up, here are a few notes about some of the new and exciting things some of our classmates have been up to this last year.

PENNY SHAPANSKY AUGUSTINE ’14 of Big Lake, Minnesota, is working as an HR information Specialist with Medtronic in Fridley, MN. She reviews background checks and drug screens for interns, candidates and current employees.

NATHAN DAVIDSON ’14 of Elburn, Illinois, is currently working as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Macon County, IL where he handles primarily misdemeanor DUIs.”

BENJAMIN FIRGENS ’14 of State College, Pennsylvania, is pursuing a PhD in Communication Arts & Sciences at Penn State University with a subspecialty in rhetoric with communication discipline.

ANNA GALLE ’14 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, writes “I decided on a career change and moved to Milwaukee to pursue a nursing degree at Marquette. I’ll be graduating in December 2019 with a Master’s in Nursing as an RN!”

LIZ GREVER ’14 of Chicago, Illinois, started a new job in Global Customer Success at LinkedIn and became and awareness speaker for the Selah Freedom organization.

AMANDA FINN HAGGERTY ’14 of Chicago, Illinois, is the Illinois editor and venue relations for Footlights, theatre contributor and social media for Scapi Magazine and a freelance writer. She has won a few WNA awards in her 2-1/2 years with The Wisconsin State Journal and has bylines with American Theatre Magazine, the Isthmus and BroadwayWorld.com.

SOPHIE KLINGENBERGER ’14 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, got engaged to CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ ’14 and will be getting married in June 2020.

DONALD MALCHOW ’14 of Madison, Wisconsin, writes, “This fall I begin my 2nd year of law school at the University of Wisconsin. Over the summer I worked as a law clerk at Community Justice, Inc, providing legal services to underrepresented communities.”

CASSIE BILOTTO PASBRIG ’14 of Verona, Wisconsin, writes “We had a baby! We also moved back to Wisconsin from Kentucky. I got promoted to Performance Operations Analyst within Conifer Health.”

CAM PLANTZ ’14 of Ripon, Wisconsin, is the Assistant Coach of Men’s Soccer at Ripon College.

MARA JENSEN POULLETTE ’14 and SAM POULLETTE ’13 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin both continue to work at Lakeland University. Sam continues in his role as Director of Admissions, and Mara has recently been named Director of Student Leadership & Community Service for the student development division. Mara is also finishing up her Masters of Arts in counseling degree at Lakeland and will graduate from the program in August with her emphasis in higher education and student affairs. Sam and Mara stay busy continuing to renovate their house and trying to keep their large fur baby, Arnie, out of trouble.

BRITTANY LAHAIE ’14 of Juda, Wisconsin, got engaged to Nathan Martlett in June and will be getting married in May 2019. She is still living in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

DAVID “TRES” REDEMANN ’14 of Spokane Valley, Washington, moved to Spokane, Washington and started working in the marijuana unit of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. He took Company Command of a US Army Reserve Unit located at Fort Lewis.

TYLER RUTKOWSKI ’14 of Wyandotte, Michigan, has continued his employment as a state trooper with the Michigan State Police, and recently purchased his first house.

KATIE DREW SCHUMACHER ’14 of Ames, Iowa, and BRIAN SCHUMACHER ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved back to Wisconsin and bought their first house. Katie recently started a new position as a marketing coordinator.

NAOMI JAHN SKULAN ’14 and NICK SKULAN ’14 of Morris, Minnesota welcomed baby Charles Xavier Skulan to the world on July 21, 2018 (photo on the left). Nick also started a new position as a One Stop Counselor at the University of Minnesota Morris this fall.

RACHEL WEDEWARD ’14 of Oak Park, Illinois, writes “In addition to my job, I will be teaching a course at the University of Chicago’s Graham School starting in March.”

Hopefully, you will all be able to make it to our reunion in June and we can catch up more then. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to become a member of the Ripon College Class of 2014 group on Facebook, so you never miss a call for updates or news about the reunion! You can also contact the Office of Constituent Engagement with any updates at [email protected].

Best wishes and see you in June!

Naomi Skulan, Mara Poullette, Tim Holme

Submitted by: Naomi Skulan

Tim Holme

608.333.9526 / [email protected]

Mara Jensen Poullette

952.412.1420. / [email protected]

Naomi Jahn Skulan

920.342.7288 / [email protected]

JILL VANEPEREN BEILFUSS ’14 and MITCHEL BEILFUSS ’15 of Fremont, Wisconsin, were married Dec. 15, 2018.

JEREMY BROUWER ’14 is a lighting artist in the Montréal location of Moving Picture Company, a major visual effects (VFX) studio. He recently worked on the Walt Disney film “Dumbo.”

JENNIFER GRANUM CARLI ’14 and KEVIN CARLI ’14 of Schiller Park, Illinois were married June 3, 2018.

NATHANIEL DAVIDSON ’14 is an assistant state’s attorney in Macon County, Illinois, where he handles primarily misdemeanor DUIs.

EMILY DOZIER ’14 is an adult education transition coordinator at John Wood Community College in her hometown of Quincy, Illinois. She assists adult students who are working toward their GED, improving basic education skills or improving their English. She then helps them find career and/or higher education opportunities.

BENJAMIN FIRGENS ’14 is one of just 10 graduate students to receive the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award at Penn State University. The award is sponsored jointly by the graduate school, through an endowment of the same name, and the Office of the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education.

ANNA GALLE ’14: “I decided on a career change and moved to Milwaukee to pursue a nursing degree at Marquette. I’ll be graduating in December 2019 with a master’s in nursing as an RN!”

ELIZABETH GREVER ’14 started a new job in global customer success at LinkedIn and became an awareness speaker for the Selah Freedom organization.

AMANDA FINN HAGGERTY ’14 of Chicago, Illinois, is the Illinois editor and venue relations for Footlights, theatre contributor and social media for Scapi Magazine and a freelance writer. She has won a few WNA awards in her 2½ years with the Wisconsin State Journal and has had bylines in American Theatre Magazine, Isthmus and BroadwayWorld.com.

BRITTANY LAHAIE ’14 got engaged to Nathan Martlett in June 2018 and got married in May 2019. She still is living in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ ’14 got engaged to SOPHIA KLINGENBERGER ’14 and will be getting married in June 2020.

DAN MILES ’14: “I am working for a company called Right at School as a program manager at Eisenhower Elementary in Wauwatosa.”

CASSANDRA BILOTTO PASBRIG ’14: “We had a baby! We also moved back to Wisconsin from Kentucky. I got promoted to performance operations analyst within Conifer Health.”

MICHAEL RAUSCH ’14 of Deerfield, Wisconsin, is pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

DAVID “TRES” REDEMANN ’14 moved to Spokane, Washington, and started working in the marijuana unit of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. He took Company Command of a U.S. Army Reserve Unit located at Fort Lewis.

TYLER RUTKOWSKI ’14 has continued his employment as a state trooper with the Michigan State Police and recently purchased his first house.

KATIE DREW SCHUMACHER ’14 and BRIAN SCHUMACHER ’15 moved back to Wisconsin and bought their first house. They love their new home and are saving up for some exciting new renovations — windows! Katie recently started a new position as a marketing coordinator. Brian is a research and development associate scientist in the materials science group at Millipore Sigma. His research has moved to graphene and derivatives for biosensors and drug delivery. In June, Brian and Katie visited BRAD ’15 and SHELBY CHOJNACKI ’13 at their home in Washington, D.C.

NAOMI JAHN SKULAN ’14 and NICK SKULAN ’14 of Morris, Minnesota, welcomed baby Charles Xavier Skulan to the world July 21, 2018. Nick also started a new position as a one-stop counselor at the University of Minnesota Morris this fall.

LIZ WALSH ’14 of College Station, Texas, received the 2019 Department of Entomology’s Outstanding Graduate Student Award at Texas A&M University.

RACHEL WEDEWARD ’14: “In addition to my job, I will be teaching a course at the University of Chicago Graham School starting in March.”

RACHEL ZEMAN ’14 of Chicago, Illinois, is a labor and delivery nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and works with women and their families through the process of childbirth.

Submitted by: Tim Holme

ALAN N. LAWRENCE ’77 P’14

153 Northbreeze Dr, Appleton, WI 54911-1224

920-730-9515 / [email protected]

Dear Classmates,

The coronavirus pandemic has made this year to be unlike any other any of us has experienced, and it is still without an end in sight. At the very least it has been scary, expensive, and disruptive.

You all know that in-person classes were stopped mid-semester at Ripon College and in most other schools around the world. You may also be aware that Ripon College is planning to open for traditional on-campus in-person learning this fall, with classes beginning August 17. But the college website says, “All college-sponsored events have been postponed until further notice or until virtual arrangements can be made.”  We all hope this is safe and productive, but we also know it is a vastly reduced experience than what we all had while we were students.

While watching our own personal trips and vacations go down the drain, I also watched as the annual Alumni Weekend was canceled in June. Since I live an hour away in Appleton, I’ve often been able to attend, and I long for that opportunity someday in the future. In lieu of an actual Alumni Weekend experience, the College put together a video, using snapshots and videos from previous weekends. I am again sharing a picture of those of us who attended the 2019 Alumni Weekend. 

I was joined by MARYJO MACSWAIN ’77, JEAN BLACK ’77 and CONNIE JESS ZOLKOSKE ’77.

Thank you to all of you who helped with Ripon’s #OneDayRally fundraiser on April 29.  Some of you were prepared for it, and some of you saw the frenzy of online activity.  MARYJO MACSWAIN ’77 again offered a matching pledge encouraging classmates to participate. #OneDayRally came to a close after 18 hours and 51 minutes with a record $1,918,598 was raised for the Ripon Fund and the new Emergency Assistance Fund, which is supporting the unanticipated needs of our students because of COVID-19. There were a record 2,015 donors, 108% of the goal. This was an additional 569 donors over #OneDayRally 2019.

With help from MARYJO MACSWAIN ’77 we have a Facebook page for our class. 

https://www.facebook.com/RiponCollegeClassof1977

Please visit it, then Like or Follow so that your news feed will include items about your classmates.  Please also leave a posting about yourself.

I have news from one classmate:

BIRGIT ABROMAITIS RETSON ’77 of Williamsburg, Virginia, writes, “Took my three young adult children on a cruise to Italian and Greek Islands last fall! It was a wonderful way to enjoy our family and surroundings to the fullest!”

I’ll add to BIRGIT’S note that she had some good timing, traveling before the world changed. I’m so glad that I did some traveling in 2017 to France and England, when times were still normal (and before Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned).

Please send news about yourself either to the College or to me to be shared in our next class letter. We’d love to hear from you.

Remember that your financial help is very important to help keep Ripon a competitive and quality institution. Your donations are important every year. Your participation is very important.

Always for Ripon, 

Alan

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

Dear Classmates,

46 years ago, this spring, many of us were enjoying our final semester at Ripon College before graduating. The Class of 2023 is currently in this position, finishing their final few weeks before the May 14th commencement ceremony. Some will continue on to graduate studies, most will enter society, as college graduates, ready to enter the workplace. Fortunately, employers are hiring, which has not always been the case. But it is always the case that a Ripon College graduate has received a good education and would make a good employee.

The new Class of 2023 proudly become Alumni of Ripon College, joining a distinguished group that includes our class and others since Ripon’s first graduating class of four women in 1867. In 2009 and 2014, I proudly attended Ripon’s graduation ceremonies for two of my daughters. I have seen that some of you also have shared your college with your children. Every alum parent I’ve met has been proud to share their school with their children or grandchildren. There are 19 Legacies of brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, grandparents and great grandparents that are calling Ripon home this year.

After graduation we’ve all gone where life takes us, sometimes returning briefly, and sometimes only able to remember Ripon. Every summer we have the opportunity with Alumni Weekend to return and mix with our classmates, and also with members of other classes. There is a lot that makes us alike and makes us all happy to have been part of Ripon’s history. Alumni Weekend is June 22-25 this year. Any year is a good time to visit, but our next special emphasis will be our 50th Reunion in 2027.

More information about the event and activities occurring during Alumni Weekend will be available at alumni.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend soon. There are room blocks at Heidel House in Green Lake (Book here) and at Cobblestone Suites in Ripon (Call 920.748.5500).

Alumni of all classes also do their part to help keep Ripon College financially viable and affordable to students. Please help as you can. Last year, more than 48% of our classmates contributed something. That’s 67 of us. Our class did well, with third in participation and seventh in dollars. Thank you!

In recent years, we’ve had #OneDayRally as a 24-hour period for donations. It has been fun and successful. This year it is replaced by Ripon Rally Days, 14 for 14, a giving event in conjunction with the Inauguration of Dr. Victoria N. Folse as the 14th President of Ripon College; on April 20-23. 14 ways to give in honor of our 14th president.

In my last letter to you, last October, I told you that I was on the verge of leaving for a European trip. Not to leave the suspense hanging, my wife and I took a cruise to Rome and back, and stayed 11 days in Italy using a VRBO. Now in retirement, it was possible to have a longer trip than while working, so this was seven weeks in duration. I recommend it if you are able. We are living near Roanoke, Virginia, now and hope to explore our new state more. I loved Wisconsin, but Virginia is where the next chapter of our life is based.

Several of you responded to my plea for information about yourselves. Thanks. Please remember that you can email stuff to me anytime, or just write to the college.

ANDREA MORRIS ‘77: “I had a great 2022. Enjoying semi-retirement. Teaching very part time in the nursing masters program at California State in Dominguez Hills. Got to visit my fifth and sixth continents with a trip to Brazil, Argentina, and Antarctica. Amazing is truly a word for Antarctica. And got to do some citizen science projects there. More trips planned for this year and just in general enjoying not going to work every day.

JOHN COLWELL ‘77: “I can contribute that as of 12/2022 I have stepped down, after five plus years, as the President of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA.org). I served one partial term and then two full terms, which is the longest time anyone has served as President of NACBA. It was a true honor and a privilege to work with my fellow Board of Directors in the advancement of the rights of consumer and small business bankruptcy debtors. I remain as a member of the Board of Directors as the immediate past President.”

ELENA KEZELIS ‘77: “Thanks for reaching out. I think we all enjoy reading what others are doing, but we forget to update information about ourselves. Retirement is lovely, as is my latest title: “Grammy”. My husband and I became Florida residents several years ago (but kept our house in Springfield, Illinois, for summer visits) and are traveling again post-pandemic whenever he’s not golfing and I’m not babysitting the little ones. We hiked Acadia last year, explored Costa Rica with National Geographic in March, then we are taking a longer trip through western Europe and Iceland this summer. I’d love to catch up with anyone who might be in the vicinity of our home in Fort Myers, Florida.”

J.J. VAN NAME ‘77:  [Now “J.J.” but was “Jeannie” during her Ripon years.]: “I had a challenging bit of interaction with ROB MEYER ‘78 last year when he was sick, and some challenging years before that as well. He was a force….  The good news is he was a total free spirit, and he had a lot of adventures and loved his world of radio and his animals and travels. (Rob died on November 22, 2021).”
J.J. wrote this life synopsis: “Moved from a lifetime in Philadelphia, my beloved home city with incredible historical Green Space, a 1740’s farm house, wildlife… largest city park in the world…to the Bay Area in 2018, Oakland California, a whole wide world of green space… mountains, ocean, redwoods, eucalyptus, evergreens, fruit trees, wildlife, birds. Came for the Shakespeare and the Women’s community. Have made a life in the theatre since leaving College, much of which has been Shakespeare, and a wonderful stint Off-Broadway in New York with great reviews and fun caricatures in The New Yorker. Have rekindled a close friendship with my college roommate, BETSY BAER ‘77, in Chicago, went to see her in October on Lake Michigan and did some sea glassing together, both of our hobbies!

The photos are me and Betsy back at Smith Hall at Ripon, roommates, probably sophomore year. And then on the beach, Lake Michigan looking for beach glass which is naturally tumbled pieces of different colored softened, broken glass. I am on the left with the long dark hair. Betsy has the short curly hair.” (I enjoy Then-and-Now pictures.  ~Alan)

EDWARD MORRELL ‘77 of Northfield, Illinois: “My wife and I are now married 45 years and still chasing adventure. One family is still the center of our life- four grown kids and five grandchildren. Working a bit less and more gardening and beekeeping!”

Notes provided by the College:

The college provided notes on two more classmates, both of whom had interesting articles about them.

DAVID EGGERT ‘77 of Appleton, Wisconsin: Ripon College Connection Brought Eggert Back to Serve Community: “Eggert, a West Bend native, spent his undergraduate years at Ripon College, where he studied medicine and was a member of the basketball and tennis teams. In 1974, during his sophomore year basketball season, he blew out his knee. His orthopedic surgeon was from Neenah, and that doctor became his mentor. At that point he decided, “Not only do I want to do medicine, but I want to be an orthopedic surgeon.” When Dr. Eggert was looking for a community in which to expand his orthopedic practice about 10 years ago, he knew Ripon was where he needed to be.”

PARKER VIVODA ‘77 of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin: Middleton Trio Enter Wrestling Hall of Fame: “Vivoda wrestled in high school as a heavyweight. He wrestled freestyle for the Wisconsin National Team. At Ripon College he was a three-time football letter winner and captain, and a four-time letter winner and two-year captain of the wrestling team. He also was a three-time NCAA Division III national qualifier. Vivoda graduated in 1977 and began his career coaching and teaching in Glenwood City. His team won the conference championship in 1979, then he left Glenwood City to move to Middleton in January, 1981.”

Please send news about yourself either to the college or to me to be shared in our next class letter.  We’d love to hear from you.

Remember that your financial help is very important to help keep Ripon a competitive and quality institution.  Your donations are important every year.  Your participation is very important.

Always for Ripon,

Submitted by: Class Agent: Alan Lawrence

Hello Class of 2014,

I hope all is well with my fellow classmates. Time has really caught up to me. I realize that I’m now considered the “old guy” because all of my pop culture references are some things my coworkers don’t even recognize. I also catch myself making dumb dad jokes even though I’m not a dad yet. When did that switch happen? Even now with a loaded resume and a laundry list of certifications, I still use what I learned at Ripon every day. Do not mix whites with darks, the xylem and phloem are the transport system of a vascular plant, double swipe wasn’t worth it, and how to stretch 14 dollars in your bank account for three weeks. What lessons do you have Ripon College to thank for? Thank you for participating in the #OneDayRally which supports students like we once were.

Alumni Weekend is coming up quickly! This year, it is June 22-25, 2023. Below you can find information if you are planning to attend!

The College is three hours north of Chicago, and served by airports in Milwaukee (a two-hour drive from Ripon), Madison (a 1.5 hour drive), and Appleton (a 45 minute drive). Milwaukee offers the most frequent service. From the Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago and Appleton airports guests may choose to rent a car. Ripon is served by taxi to and from the Appleton airport.

Room Blocks:
Heidel House (Green Lake) – Book online here
Cobblestone Suites (Ripon) – Book by calling 920.748.5500
On-campus lodging will be available in April

Class Notes

BEN JONES ‘14 – “Finally quitting the Army. Moving to the mountains, living in an RV, racing ultras.”

ARIANA MYERS ‘14 – “I completed my Ph.D. in medieval history at Princeton University and moved back to my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,  to become the new Director of LGBTQ+ Resource Center at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.”

CHEYANNE LEHMAN FOLEY ‘14 – “I have two girls, five & three years old, and got married in October of 2020! My husband is a chef for our family business, Foleys, in Lake Geneva, which serves delicious Irish food!”

TRES REDEMANN ‘14 – “I moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and am working for the federal government.”

ALLIE PASDERA ‘14 – “Left my job as high school French teacher in Whitewater after five years and am currently teaching English in Paris!”

JAY FISH ‘14 – “Now the Head JV Boys Basketball coach at Sun Prairie East High School. Nevaeh will be turning 8 and we still have a home in Columbus, Wisconsin.”

EMMA JELINEK NEVEU ‘14 – “MICHAEL NEVEU ‘14 and I are expecting our third child in April, who will join big brothers, James (4) and John (1). I am a Credit Officer at Bank First and recently finished my first 100 miler ultramarathon.”

BREANNA GRACZ FORSETH ‘14 – “Living in St Louis. Blessed with three beautiful children (Caleb-6, Noelle-3 and Isaac-10 months). District Sales Manager (KS, MO and IL) at Paychex. Lucky enough to support the needs of small business owners and offer their people much needed benefits.”

KRISSA HULTMAN ‘14 – “I got married last September to Steven Roberson. We have a two year old daughter together. We are currently living in Duluth, Minnesota, where I work as a mental health therapist running my own practice called Two Rivers Counseling.”

LIZ BLUM ‘14 – “I was recently promoted to Independent Living Skills Coordinator at College Living Experience in Costa Mesa, California. I also finished my Master’s of Education in December and am enjoying the sun!”

KARLYE WEHNER KRIEN ‘14 – “My husband and I welcomed our sweet baby girl, Blakely, in November. Our son, Kane, is loving being a big brother! I am still working at Children’s Wisconsin as a Behavioral Health Consultant.”

Thank you all for updating us with your awesome news! Here is my update: KATIE WILLIAMS ‘13 and I got engaged on Lily Mountain this past June. We are busy planning a wedding for this summer. We are still living in Portage, Wisconsin. I work as the Conservation Biologist Crew Lead for the Wisconsin DNR. It’s been a dream working for the department.

See you at Alumni Weekend this June 22-25, 2023. Remember Red Hawks fly together.

Yours truly,

Tim ‘14

Mara ’14

P.S. There will be a special giving event in conjunction with inauguration weekend, April 20-23, to celebrate Ripon’s 14th President, Victoria N. Folse, and the exciting momentum happening within our campus community. This event will be an extension of the #OneDayRally brand and experience. Stay tuned for more information. We look forward to your participation!

Submitted by: Class Agents: Tim Holme and Mara Jensen Poullette

Tom Mueller ’89 retired from HP in April 2023.

Submitted by: Office of Advancement

Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
– Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Ulysses

Dear Classmates,

After a summer of oppressive heat, cooler temperatures prevail. Sadly, I have no excuse to avoid weeding and trimming bushes! Now that fall is here, so is football. Those of you in Wisconsin would have had the opportunity to watch Ripon play Cornell College in the new Hopp Stadium on September 30, or attend the grand opening celebration on October 21 when the Red Hawks shut out Lake Forest College 12-0. I’m sure many of you have fond memories of walking to Ingalls Field on a Saturday afternoon to cheer our team to victory. Now students don’t have so far to walk!

Along with the new stadium there will be a renovation and expansion to the science center. The “F” is still there, but it is Franzen, not Farr! This expansion will enable Ripon to offer a new engineering program. But wait, there’s more! Next year the students majoring in exercise science will have the opportunity to pursue a Master’s Degree at Ripon College. All of these great enhancements have been made possible by generous donations. You, too, can have a named space on campus just by giving a huge contribution! But, seriously, any donation helps. It all adds up.

BILL NEILL ’67 pointed out that it’s been sixty years since we were naïve women and men embarking on a new adventure. How many of you remember the nickname assigned to you during orientation? Mine was Santa Claus! And who can forget the ubiquitous green beanies!

Speaking of green, this past summer, GREG ’68 and I visited Ireland for the first time. NANCY WADLEY KEOUGH ’67 and her husband, Jim, just returned from their umpteenth visit!. We spent the first three nights in Dromoland Castle. Fortunately, we had great weather – no rain! One of the highlights was visiting the home and dairy farm of a lovely local couple. They greeted us with an Irish coffee and delicious tarts served in their living room. We also learned how to make Irish soda bread and scones at the Ballyknocken House and School owned by Chef Catherine Fulvio. It was great fun!

Sorry to report that PHILIP METCALF ’67 of Bethel, Connecticut, died March 9, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in philosophy and participated in student theatre, music, government and Sigma Chi. He also received a degree in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He started his career in publishing at Random House, later moving into telecommunications and voice recognition software. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, hiker and church choir member. He also enjoyed gardening, travel, cooking and fine dining, architecture and garden design, reading, listening to music, and reciting trivia. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

I, and other classmates, would enjoy hearing about your adventures. Or anything else you would like to let us know! Have a happy, healthy fall!

Kathy

Submitted by: Kathy Santimays Dunn '67

Hello Class of 2012!

So exciting to learn more about the Forever Ripon campaign and its goals to expand access through student affordability and innovative programs, enhancing the school’s facilities, and strengthening our institution through the Ripon Fund – be sure to check it out! It has been amazing watching the growth and positive changes on campus since we’ve graduated, and I know there are still so many things to look forward to. And I can’t believe Ripon will be celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2026. Even though I know it is years away, time sure has a way of flying by now!

CLASS UPDATES

We hope you’re all safe, healthy, and excited for the rest of the year! Without further ado, here are the life updates you’ve shared with us recently:

MATTHEW BREUER ’12 is continuing the Psychology Doctoral journey.

SHARON KLAPPERICH DOLL ’12 is starting the final phase of her second masters degree: the dissertation, and with any luck, will be completing it in April.

KATHARINE SHADLE GAILS ’12 and her husband, RYAN ’13, welcomed Quentin Gails into their family at the end of December and he is the happiest little man!

STACEY HAMILTON ’12 recently celebrated a five-year work anniversary as an Assistant Director in the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment at Cornell University. Stacey and her husband also celebrated seven years of marriage this past May and are dog parents to two pups, Zena and Zeus.

JESSICA BRUNGARDT LARSON ’12 is still working for the El Paso County Attorney’s Office handling our Family Treatment Drug Court docket, the Well-Baby Court docket, and the Adult Protection Services (APS) docket. Jessica has been asked to join a panel to present for the Colorado Bar Association on APS in November and has also been helping create a new approach to building collaboration and cooperation in our child protection cases. This pilot program should fully launch in October. Lastly, Jessica has been an Advisor for the Women In Leadership Program for UCCS this last year. All that being said, Jessica’s most important role is wife and mom/pet-mom to two amazing kids, two dogs, and two cats. Life is always buzzing around here.

HAYLEY MUELLER-MILNE ’12 is celebrating her daughter, Juniper, who is a year and a half now; she’s sweet and wild! Hayley and her husband are celebrating their one-year anniversary in October and finally taking their honeymoon.

MEGAN MCGEE NORRIS ’12 continues to be her own boss and serves as a GAL for Racine County, helping out with the attorney shortage up north. Megan was also just accepted to Loyola University of Chicago to get her LLM in Child & Family Law. Her kids just started 3k and 4k.

SARAH JACOBS RUSCH ’12 is currently in her tenth year teaching social studies at Chilton Middle School. Sarah and her husband have two daughters, Wren and Molly, and are currently expecting a surro-girl due this November!

ERIN SCHAICK ’12 just celebrated one year as Director of Events & Corporate Relations at Easter Seals New Hampshire, Vermont & Farnum. She’s looking forward to their groundbreaking event for their new Military & Veterans Campus next week!

BRANDON TAYLOR ’12 is a Senior Manager at LinkedIn on the HR Enablement team leading some of the largest internal tech initiatives at the company.

SARAH WEINBERG UNDERHILL ’12 finally graduated with an MLIS and is looking for a position as a Teen Librarian!

Thanks again to everyone for sharing!

Be well,

Brandon ’12

Erin ’12

Submitted by: Erin Schaick and Brandon Taylor

JILL ALEXANDER WILLIAMS ’69 of Snohomish, WA: “I feel very lucky my husband, Dick, and I are doing a lot of traveling this year. In February & March we spent 2 nights in Tahiti and then 16 days exploring New Zealand and our two daughters were able to join us. This summer we stayed at a VRBO on Guemes Island and also made a trip in our pop top camper to rustic Shaw Island which is our favorite of the San Juan Islands we’ve visited so far. The ferry rides are so fun. Nature preserves, hiking trails, interesting houses, few people. Living in Washington state there are so many beautiful places to explore. Now we are planning a late October trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

BOB “OTTO” WACHHOLTZ ’69 of Papillon, NE: “No significant changes from past years and still trying to adapt to retirement after five years. Still active in two sports though I notice that everyone seems to get faster. Once again “summering” in New Hampshire during September and maybe stay into October to watch the colors ‘pop’.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

SCOTT NYQUIST ’69 and CYNTHIA SANBORN NYQUIST ’69 of Naples, FL: “As I write this, Cynthia and I are just back from a trip to Freiburg, Germany, to visit our daughter, son-in-law and 12-year old granddaughter. Remarkably, our flights to and from were no hassle and on-time (some even early). Normally, Freiburg has pleasant summer weather in August: 80s during the day, 60s overnight. But this year we had extremes. The first ten days were mid to high 90s. Only about 10% of the buildings in Germany are air conditioned. Then the next eight days were chilly (highs in the 60s) and rainy. But we had a fabulous time. Hadn’t been there since 2019. We celebrated my 76th birthday while there by dining at a Michelin star restaurant. Fabulous food! But the dinners at the beer gardens had great food also. Cynthia got to take our granddaughter, Emma, shopping. They also spent lots of time drawing and painting together, something they both love. Cyn and I enjoyed shopping at local markets, riding the tram around the city. (Freiburg has about 300,000 people.) Prior to leaving for Germany, the weather here in Naples was HOT. Many daily high temp records were broken this year. Hurricane Idalia hit while we were in Germany. Fortunately, Naples experienced only minor weather difficulties and there was no damage to our home.I did visit Ripon for Alumni Weekend 2023 and had a great time. I saw ART SCARLETT ’69, FRANK ANDERS ’69 and BOBBI SUESS ANDERS ’69, plus many friends who are alums from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Attended the memorial service for Seale Doss, and listened to former students and faculty (including Spud Hannaford and Doug Northrop) recalling their experiences with him. Walked the campus and went into every building. Saw the new football field being built. I think the week after Alumni Weekend, construction started on the new Franzen Science Center. Ventured up and down Watson Street and was amazed at how vibrant the downtown area is. Dined at the Fox & Crow restaurant, a new Ripon eatery that has great food. I still participate in a weekly Zoom call with seven other Beta Sigma Pi fraternity brothers. We talk about everything from politics, to sports, to kids and grandkids and a lot of discussion about Ripon. In October, the eight of us will meet for our annual four nights in Siesta Key, FL.”JOHN RICCIARDI ’69 of Raleigh, NC: “Debbie and I have a great year so far. We have managed to stay healthy and out of the doctor’s office! We had a great spring traveling in Switzerland and Italy. Spent two weeks in Lugano where our grandson goes to boarding school and then had the unique opportunity to travel on to Venice with our son and daughter without their spouses or grandkids. It was so much fun getting the original family band back together again! Summer here in Raleigh with the entire family and then off to Saudi Arabia to spend Christmas and New Year’s with our daughter. I hope to make the 55th Reunion next June.”TOM SCHARBACH ’69 of Madison, WI: I spent a day at Ripon last spring. I was asked to record an interview by EMMA SAGARTZ ’23, a drama student who planned to use the interview as the basis for a one-act play she was writing about the experiences of a closeted gay Ripon student in the 1960’s. Emma distilled several hours of the interview into a script, which I’ve read, but I didn’t see the play she wrote. The script was well done and I hope Emma got a good grade. I drove over in the morning, spent an hour wandering around campus, and then headed to the grill in Harwood Memorial Union, where I met Emma. The grill, which used to be tiny, is now large. The food isn’t as good now as I remember it being then, but then, I’m not young and constantly hungry any more. The campus itself has changed a lot, particularly in the area where Dawes Cottage used to be and I had to stop and think for a few seconds to get my direction sorted more than once. Merriman House is gone, and I spent a while sitting on the site, remembering the house and the friends I made during those years. Emma introduced me to several students (bright, energetic and, well, young), including a few who were LGBT.  As I talked with them, I realized both how different things are now, and how much the same, as well.  Emma took the time after our interview to show me things that are new on campus, including the Rodman Center, which is remarkable. I’ve stopped by the campus a few times over the years when I drove through Ripon for one reason or another, but it was good to spend a day meeting students, and I’m glad I did it.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

PHIL MCCULLOUGH ’69 of Woodstock, IL: “Just started my 47th year at the med school at Northwestern. Also, will be having our 50th med school reunion this fall. Time flies. Trying to spend a lot of time with five grandchildren ages two through nine. As an old Farr Hall rat, I am very excited about the upcoming major renovations and science curricular expansions. See you in June at the Reunion.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

NANCY OLIVER LEIFHEIT ’69 of Sycamore, IL submitted:

“A Class Letter poem”
It is with reluctance I search for the words, similar words to the past,
And know full well, this request won’t be the last.
So,
I feel sure the Class of ‘69
Has spent the year pretty close to fine.
Searching for something new to impart
When Scott Nyquist emails and asks us to start
Thinking about what we did this past year.
Was there anything different, did we go far or stay near?
Are your hips, knees, and shoulders all old or some new?
Did your children or grandkids grow taller than you?
Looks like Farr Hall will be new and the football field, too,
But our memories of Chem Phys and Homecoming we still view
With our minds that are sharp, fully remembering it all,
Getting our credit cards ready when the new students call
To ask us to support our Alma Mater this year,
And we say, “Of course! While we were here,
We earned much more than just an education of knowledge
But gained friendships, camaraderie, and the value of college
Not to mention the era of freedom and exploring of the soul
The water tower, Greekers, the Spot and the Toilet Bowl.
So, Scott, until next year, this is my letter.
Perhaps next year with 2 new knees, I’ll think of something better!

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

DAVE LEE ’69 and SUE STEGER LEE ’69 of Appleton, WI: Sue and I are looking forward to Alumni Weekend 2024. Hard to believe that our class falls into the elders group, but if, like me, likely retaining at least some of the wild ass elements of our youth – who am I kidding? Sue and I are beginning to spot vision screen this year’s batch of school kids for our Lion’s Club – at the rate of 13,000 screenings per year, we expect to surpass 100,000 vision screenings by Fall 2024. Sue is a Lion’s zone chair and I am secretary of our past district governors group for Wisconsin. Also this year I am serving as the Lion’s state chair for childhood cancer, which is one of Lion’s five global focus areas – we have an initiative to get donations from all of the 600 Lion’s clubs in Wisconsin this September which is childhood cancer awareness month – those funds will be used to help families of need who are dealing with childhood cancer. Wishing all of our classmates the very best of health and happiness for the coming year and hoping to see a mega turnout of classmates for our 2024 Reunion.

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

DAVE LEACH ’69 of Chandler, AZ: “After my travels around the US last year and my December trip to Israel, France and England, I came home and started to date, and quickly marry a lady I have known for about five years. We are now Mr. and Mrs. David and Judy Leach. We honeymooned in the RV boondock camping in Northern Arizona and Utah, visiting Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. If anyone has never been there they are incredibly beautiful and wondrous to behold. Once we got back I moved to Judy’s house in Chandler, AZ (I don’t recommend moving in Arizona in July!). Now we are planning to take a few months on a working RV vacation to Judy’s home in southeastern WI, then north to the lake areas in Northern Wisconsin to the Upper peninsula and back into the lower states to New England for the fall foliage. We’ll visit friends and family along the way and then press on down the East Coast to D.C., Virginia and the Carolinas. We’ll try to see a bunch of sights and points of interest as we go. Then west to Knoxville and down to Atlanta to see more friends and family. Then west and back to Arizona possibly through mid-Texas to see more places and people. We figure to be on the road for two to three months. It should be a great time. We’ve also got a Northwest tour to do some time, but I’m not sure when.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

DEBBIE HAMELE KUKLA ’69 of Long Boat Key, FL: “In early June, my husband, TOM KUKLA ’70, and I met JAN KINGERY BEVERLY ’69 and her friend for lunch on Anna Maria Island. It was a very special reunion sharing past and present happenings. Jan and I were Ripon classmates and Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters.

Florida feels like home, especially because we see our three grandchildren (12, 14, and 15) and daughter often. Being on the Gulf has opened up so many new adventures from turtle hatchings to seeing manatee and dolphins to magnificent sunsets! In two weeks, Tom and I are headed back to Italy to three of our favorite places (Sorrento, Cinque Terre, and Lake Como), as well as a stop in London, then back to the beach!”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

FRED KIEKHAEFER ’69 of Castle Rock, CO: “I officially retired in 2012; I finally admitted it in 2023. After building a marine propulsion company (in seven years), selling it to Mercury Marine and, then, managing Mercury Racing for 22 years, I moved to Colorado from Wisconsin. I started a small consulting firm, K-Lab Design Works. My first major project was again in marine propulsion: I conceived a variable pitch surface drive for high-performance diesel-powered boats. From concept to design. From design to prototype. From prototype to design refinement. From refinement to second prototype. From second prototype to project termination. Working mostly alone, this took eight years. In those eight years, my target market moved to outboard engines. So, I quit. That was a hard decision. In the midst of this project, my wife, Carol, and I moved to Miami (for the water and boat testing). Then COVID hit. We moved back to Colorado for more space; less restriction. Carol went back to graduate school studying artificial intelligence and machine learning as applied to targeted medical therapeutics. She’s a critical care physician and research scientist, so that makes sense.

Now, I spend time differently. With charities. Since I have a few exotic cars, I donate race track time and show time to entertain and raise funds for Morgan Adams Foundation (childrens’ cancer research), Warrior’s Chariot and Wounded Warrior Project (for military vets, police and first responders), AeroAngels (donated pilots and private aircraft getting sick and damaged kids to specialized, far-away treatment) among others. To keep my creative skills functioning, I am designing and building unique outdoor furniture (like my ergonomic hammock). In other down time, I hang out with three cats and a dog – or go to a gym (typically six days a week). Although voted “least likely to return for a second ski trip” by my Ripon frat brothers, I’m still skiing. I haven’t missed a season in 55 years. Catch me if you can, snow bunnies!”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

PAUL GELB ’69 from Stirling Castle, Scotland: “I’ve been traveling for a year now. Highlights include three months in Lisbon, three months in London, a month in Italy and a month in Edinburgh, mainly attending the Fringe Festival which had been a long-term bucket list item. With all the International traveling I’ve had little time to play in bridge tournaments but have been playing a little in online tournaments and recently reached the level of Diamond Life Master.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

ALICE HALL HAYES ’69 of Washington, DC: “We have had a whirlwind spring & summer. The winter and spring were spent preparing for Ed’s and my 50th wedding anniversary, occurring on April 22, 2023. Our children organized a lovely family celebration to recognize the occasion.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

BILL GEBHARDT ’69 of Portage, WI: “SUE ’70 and I are both well and enjoying our home on Swan Lake in Portage. Our flowers are in full bloom. We’re currently having our kitchen in Fort Pierce, FL remodeled. Also adding a small kitchen area and bar in our home in Wisconsin. Both projects should be completed in a month or so. In July, we went to Illinois to see our granddaughters participate in a dance recital. They were really terrific.

I played in the 120th annual Pater Filius golf tournament at Midlothian Country Club with our two boys. It’s an alternate shot event. Our oldest son, Matt, and I won the Pro Division. He’s one of the pros at Naperville Country Club in Naperville, IL. Best to everyone. We plan to attend my 55th Reunion next summer. We live only one hour from Ripon!”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist