R Connections

CLAUDIA L. KASPEREK ’70 of Chicago, Illinois, died Oct. 29, 2021. At Ripon, she participated in Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi. She earned a degree in art from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Survivors include her wife, Susan Prohaska.

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

JOYCE ANN PROUT KASSON ’61 of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, died April 3, 2022. She attended Ripon from 1957-1959, studied biology and physical education, was a cheerleader and participated in Alpha Chi Omega/Alpha Gamma Theta. She later served on reunion committees and supported the Red Hawks Club and Ripon Booster Club. She received a degree as a registered nurse and worked for Portage County and St. Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point before her retirement. She was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. She enjoyed reading, tennis and traveling to visit family. Survivors include her husband, PETER KASSON ’59; two sons and one daughter, including RICHARD KASSON ’91 and CONNIE KASSON NEGAARD ’85; and a sister, BARBARA PROUT DIXON ’58.

Full obituary: tributearchive.com/obituaries/24479736/joyce-a-kasson/stevens-point/wisconsin/shuda-funeral-services-crematory

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

Sarah Uihlein Fitzgerald ’50 of Mequon, Wisconsin, died Aug. 16, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in philosophy. Survivors include her children.

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

Charles P. Stathas ’55 passed away on February 16, 2022.

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

PATRICIA KEELEY WINTER ’50 of Downers Grove, Illinois, died Feb. 20, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and participated in Ver Adest and Alpha Delta Pi/Pi Tau Pi. She was a former co-publisher and business manager of Reporter/Progress Newspapers and Printers, publishers of numerous newspapers. She was active in several clubs and organizations, including the Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce, Downers Grove Women’s and Junior Woman’s clubs, AAUW, DuPage Easter Seals, Downers Grove Special Events Committee, Downers Grove Community grants Commission, and Good Samaritan Auxiliary. She enjoyed traveling and spending winter months in Marco Island, Florida. Survivors include two sons, including CRAIG R. WINTER ’76; and a nephew, ROBERT S. KEELEY ’79. Her husband, CHESTER JOHN “JACK” WINTER ’49, died in 2001.

Full obituary: toonfuneralhome.com/obituary/patricia-winter

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

NATALIE S. ADAMS ’77 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, wife of former Ripon College president Bernard S. Adams, died Feb. 13, 2022. In Ripon, she was a founding member of the Green Lake Festival of Music, board member and president of the Ripon South Woods Park Association and a choir member at First Congregational Church. She enjoyed tennis and for one year coached the Ripon College women’s tennis team, leading to a conference championship. After retiring in Colorado, she was a member of Broadmoor Community Church where she was a member of the choir, chair of the Arts Committee and a lay caregiver minister. She also served as president of the Symphony Guild and volunteered at Pikes Peak Hospice. Survivors include one son and one daughter.

Full obituary: obits.gazette.com/us/obituaries/gazette/name/natalie-adams-obituary

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

JAMES H. FALKENRATH ’63 of Locust Grove, Virginia, died Feb. 3, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics, was a member of Sigma Nu/Theta Sigma Tau, was vice president of his class and was commissioned through ROTC. He earned a master’s of business administration from the University of Alabama. He served in the U.S. Army for 21 years, with assignments all over the world. He earned the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star and retired as a lieutenant colonel. He then worked for Honeywell Federal Systems Inc. as a tech support manager, including leading major efforts throughout the Republic of South Korea. He enjoyed watching football, playing golf and traveling. Survivors include his wife, Sharon; one son and one daughter.

Full obituary: www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/fredericksburg/name/james-falkenrath-obituary

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

Andy Beswick ’06 passed away peacefully on January 26, 2022, after years of battling cancer since his initial diagnosis in August 2017. A GoFundMe page has been created to support Andy’s wife, Jessica Fuoco Beswick ’07, and son, Tristan, as they navigate this challenging time.

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

It is with our deepest sorrow to inform you of the passing of beloved husband, father and grandfather, William “Bill” Andrew ’64, on September 5, 2019. Bill is survived by his wife, Edith, two daughters and three grandchildren.

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

Kenneth von Kluck ’65 died peacefully at home on February 10, 2022. He was 78. Ken was a devoted husband to Martha (née Chernov), father to Jordan (Ashley) of Chicago and Alex of San Diego, adoring grandfather to Grace, and half brother to James (Janet) Rosellini of Racine. Ken was a lifelong resident of the Chicago area until he and Martha retired to Eagle River in 2014. He had strong ties to Wisconsin, graduating from Ripon College and the University of Wisconsin Law School as well as vacationing all his life in the Northwoods.

Ken was a man of many talents and interests. A practicing attorney for 46 years, he was also an artist, served on many civic, health related and not-for-profit boards and committees, and was an aficionado of the cultural arts, history, sports cars, Scotch and more. Ken was an outdoorsman who loved to bike, boat, garden and chop wood for nightly campfires. Yet he always had time for his family, whether coaching soccer, rebuilding the car of his youth with his sons or encouraging nightly family discussions around the dinner table.

Full obituary:  gaffney-busha.com/obituaries/Kenneth-A-von-Kluck

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

STEPHEN F. MOWE of Ripon, Wisconsin, professor of military science at Ripon from 1980-1983 and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, died Feb. 3, 2022. He studied at Wentworth Military Academy, Murray State University, Georgia State University and The Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, commander and educator for 24½ years, including service in Vietnam and Iran. He was awarded three Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. After retiring from the Army, he was a professor at Camden Military Academy in Camden, South Carolina, for seven years. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, watching sports, and volunteering in his community and at church. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

Full obituary: riponpress.com/obituaries/stephen-frederick-mowe

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer ’73 and Gary Lederer ’72 had dinner with Suellen “Sudy” Reigle Altholz ’73 and Tom Altholz ’72 in late January in Florida. Jean writes, “Fifty years of catching up! Such great fun!”

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

JOHN E. ROMBERG ’64 of New London, Wisconsin, died Feb. 4, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in economics as well as politics and government, participated in Beta Sigma Pi and was commissioned through ROTC. He received a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University Bloomington. He was assigned to the United State Army Mobility Equipment Command, Secondary Items Division, in St. Louis, Missouri, and retired as captain. He worked for Bemis (Curwood) for 34 years before retiring in 2002. For the city of New London, he was mayor for four years, alderman, and member of the New London Family Medical Center Board and Foundation Board. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and membership in the Twin Hunter’s Club. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; one son and two daughters.

Full obituary: postcrescent.com/obituaries/wis350145

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

BEVERLY LLOYD KAAP ’49 of Hendersonville, North Carolina, died Jan. 14, 2022. At Ripon, she studied psychology and participated in Kappa Sigma Chi. She lived in LaGrange, Georgia, from 1952 to 2003, and then in Arden, North Carolina. She was active in church activities in all communities where she lived. She also was active in Girl Scouting, was an original member of the Tabard Book Club, a former member of the Talisman Garden Club and the Highland Country Club, and a tutor with the LaGrange School System Learning Disability Program. She enjoyed crafting and performing as a member of a dance team and a singing group. Survivors include one daughter. Her husband, GILBERT T. KAAP ’50, died in 1989.

Full obituary:

Mrs. Beverly Lloyd Kaap, 94, of Hendersonville, NC went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 14, 2022.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

Greetings, Class of 2008!

We hope this finds you well. Even though this Class Letter is being written while it is cold and snowy, spring is right around the corner. One of the highlights of spring is the #OneDayRally. #OneDayRally is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27. More information from the College regarding #OneDayRally will be forthcoming. Updates will be posted in the Class Facebook private group, “Ripon College Class of 2008,” as well. We would like to thank and congratulate the Class of 2008 for ranking seventh in giving due to the total number of donors for the last fiscal year. While this is a great accomplishment, we would like to challenge our wonderful class to move up in the ratings (or even make the rating for total giving amount or total giving percent participation). Let’s make sure to help support the institution that has given us all so much!

Even though it is not our reunion year this summer, we would still like to encourage you to consider attending Alumni Weekend. It is a great time to see old friends and make new connections! Alumni Weekend will be held on June 23-26, 2022. Watch for more communications from the College soon. If you have any ideas for our upcoming reunion year, feel free to reach out to a class agent at any time.

As always, we would love to hear your class updates. Please contact any class agent throughout the year with information about marriages, new family members, continuing education, moves, promotions, new jobs or businesses, exciting life adventures…anything! Our Class Notes (shared below) are a little short this time around. We would like to have more for our Fall 2022 Class Letter! Please stay connected with us!

Class Notes:

MESHELLE SHAVON DAVIS ’08 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, married Alex Boehlke of Germantown in Thiensville, Wisconsin, on September 11, 2021.

ERIN R. MAGUIRE ’08 of Hot Springs, Arkansas, is employed as a mental health therapist with Community Counseling Group and is planning to adopt a child in 2022.

ERIN OAKLEY KOLTES ’08 of DeForest, Wisconsin, and her husband, Mike, welcomed their baby, Abigail Elizabeth, on June 21, 2021.

LESLIE REINKE LUEDTKE ’08 of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, has started a new career with Village Caregiving. She is the Executive Director for the state of Wisconsin. RYAN LUEDTKE ’08 is a draftsman for Actuate Improvement of Middleton. They have two children, Teagan (age six) and Rory (age four).

LEILA KEÏTA ’08 of Saint Paul, Minnesota, is Associate Individual Giving and Fundraising Events Director at Minnesota Opera. She successfully helped Minnesota Opera pivot from an in-person gala to a virtual benefit in February 2021 called “Art is a Verb.”

Go Red Hawks!

LEAH HOVER-PREISS ’08
(608) 432-2399

STEPHANIE SOMMER FAULDS ’08

ZAC SCHWANDT ’08
(414) 312-3531

Your 2008 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Leah Hover-Preiss, Zac Schwandt, Stephanie Sommer Faulds

Dear Class of 1991,

I’m hoping that by the time this Class Letter arrives Omicron will be further on the wane and a new variant won’t have cropped up to wreak havoc!

Thanks so much to everyone who was able to make a financial contribution in the past fiscal year for supporting the College, especially through donating to the Ripon Fund and participating in #OneDayRally. Your generosity enabled the Class of ’91 to contribute $25,638.32 in 2021 giving.

Save the Dates:

• #OneDayRally is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, 2022. More information will be forthcoming.
• Alumni Weekend: June 23-26, 2022.

On a fun note, the College’s interim president has a new Twitter: twitter.com/RiponPrez and Instagram: instagram.com/riponprez/ that you are invited to follow.

Obituary:
MARK SCOTT ’91 of Racine, Wisconsin, died Sept. 13, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in politics and government and played basketball. He worked as a procurement specialist with SuperValue, then with WE Energies. Since 2009, he worked with Miller Brewing, now Molson/Coors, most recently as senior category manager of capital expenditures. He loved all sports and watching Wisconsin teams. He coached and supported his children in sports and all other endeavors. Survivors include three children; and his companion, Jennifer Altenbach Maxwell.

Class Notes:
TINA BENSHEL ’91 writes: For the last three years, I have been working as an on-site Project Manager for The Ohio State University. We have been conducting a Department of Defense-funded study to ascertain if peer mentoring can reduce suicidal behaviors at a military installation. As of March this year, I will be working full-time in the Mental Health Clinic at Whiteman Air Force Base. My hubby and I are hoping our postponed 25th anniversary trip to Greece will be able to happen this year if the world ever settles on its new normal.

ERIKA DAVISON-AVILES ’91 writes: I am Co-founder and Head of Product for TempoPay. A new payment solution for employees to manage medical expenses not covered by traditional medical expenses. We are launching this July. On the family front, our family is doing well. My stepsons are at UW Milwaukee and Utah State. My daughter got married last May at the Paine ArtCenter in Oshkosh and lives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. My son is serving with the 101st Airborne 3rd Brigade Combat Team. My husband, Kevin, and I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

KARL FELD ’91 writes: KARL is finally marrying Lindsay Gardner this October, after a two-year delay and multiple foiled attempts due to COVID-19. KARL was also recently admitted to the Raleigh Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution where he voluntarily serves as Communications Director. Check out the Facebook page at sarraleigh. He was also just accepted into the Cary, North Carolina chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. His middle daughter, Amelia, graduates from high school this Spring. One left to go!

RICHARD KASSON ’91 writes: Entering my 25th year of practicing law here in San Antonio, Texas. It will be our 23rd wedding anniversary in April. My son, Pierce, is graduating high school and is mulling over the big college selection decision and my daughter, Hadley, is a freshman in high school. All good in Texas!

STEVE WOOLEY ’92 writes: I got to spend time with SCOTT BOBACK ’91 in August and saw firsthand the lab that he created and cared for over the years. I doubt there are many like it. Dr. SCOTT BOBACK ’91 Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was promoted this year to Full Professor of Biology at Dickinson College. As the son of a Ripon faculty member, I know what a huge accomplishment that is and should be recognized and celebrated.

SCOTT is doing great work at Dickinson – as a teacher and researcher. His devotion to teaching – something he picked up at Ripon – and research in animal ecology with a focus on constrictors are producing interesting results. Although I do not have any expertise on the topic, the fact that I read an article in which Dr. BOBACK was quoted means that he is recognized in the field.

More News: 

• News stories published by the College: ripon.edu/news/
• Latest Ripon Magazine, which includes features of alumni and faculty: ripon.edu/about-ripon/publications/

We love hearing from you!
You don’t need to wait to send an update – send one anytime (like today, as soon as you’re done reading this) and I’ll be sure to include it in the next letter. Or, send an update to the College and they’ll pass it along.

Do you need to update your email address on file?
Please be sure to update your email address (and other contact information) at: ripon.edu/update-contact-info/

We have a Facebook group:
If you’re on Facebook, please ask to join our “Ripon College Class of 1991” private group for updates and Ripon news. Alternatively, send your email address to [email protected] or text me at 612-978-4124 and I can add you to the group that way.

Warmly,

SAMANTHA BAILEY FAST ’91
(612) 978-4124

TRACY MAHER ’91
Your 1991 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Samantha Bailey Fast and Tracy Maher

Happy Adulting, Class of 2021!

What a year it has been! It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since we graduated from Ripon College. It has been amazing to see all the great things that our Classmates have been doing and the difference we are making in the world.

We briefly want to say a massive THANK YOU to our incredible Class participation in monetary support of the College, including #OneDayRally 2021 and Senior Year participation. Here are some brief stats on our Class participation:

• In total giving participation, our Class ranked 9th with 45% of the Class. We are the youngest by 43 years!!!
• In total number of donors, our Class ranked 3rd with 72 donors; ranking 7th was the next youngest Class since the Class of 2003.
• In the Ripon Fund participation, our Class ranked 10th with 43.75% participation of Classmates participating. Youngest Class by 44 years!!!
• In the Ripon Fund number of donors, our Class ranked 2nd with 70 donors; Ranking 4th of all Class years!!!

Though we all probably got sick of hearing about giving from the Senior Class Gift Committee, these are some really great numbers that are definitely representative of the hard work and dedication put into things we care about!

To receive the best and most innovative College communications, please update your email address and/or postal address to [email protected] or go to alumni.ripon.edu/services/update-info/. Also remember, our “ripon.edu” accounts are terminated on May 16th so get your documents and presentations saved to your personal account!

Some important dates for all to mark on the calendar include #OneDayRally and Alumni Weekend! This year’s #OneDayRally falls on April 27th and we wanted to remind you to connect with the College and your Classmates and make your annual gift to Ripon. Additionally, after a couple of years of cancellations and hybrid events, Ripon College’s Alumni Weekend is back! Just as it’s been in the past, it will be held on campus the last weekend of June, the 23rd through the 26th. The Office of Constituent Engagement provides a weekend full of food, drink and events to walk down memory lane. Though that last part doesn’t necessarily apply to us already, Alumni Weekend is one of the biggest events that the College hosts.

Lastly, check out what some of our Classmates are up to:

ERIN BAILEY ’21 – After graduating, she moved to Washington, D.C., and started working at a government relations firm, Stateside Associates. She recently adopted a one-year-old cat named Winnie and is enjoying exploring the DMV.

CALLY HANSEN ’21 – Since graduating, she has moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and started working as a laboratory technician at Labcorp Drug Development. Outside of work, CALLY has gotten more acquainted with Madison and has visited Ripon a couple of times to visit her younger brother ETHAN HANSEN ’23. This summer, she’s planning on getting out on the lakes via paddle boarding.

KYLIE TOMASHEK ’21 of Plymouth, Wisconsin, is currently working with New Holstein Elementary School as a paraprofessional, and she will be transitioning to a fifth-grade teacher this fall.

ELLY KLAWITTER ’21 recently moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and is working at Esker Inc., a software company as a Customer Advocate helping our clients improve their business processes. Her goals for 2022 are to become fluent in Spanish (thanks DuoLingo) and really hone her craft of quoting Marvel on a daily basis. And with that, always remember: “kick names, take ass.”

CAMERON KLEIN ’21 of Clinton, Wisconsin, is currently working at Continental Plastic in Delavan, Wisconsin, as an Accounts Receivable Specialist and Accounting Assistant.

MACKENZIE WARNER ’21 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, finally met fellow NASA interns in person for airborne flight data collection and celebrations, after the program she had been admitted to for the previous summer (NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program) was postponed due to COVID-19. Currently, she is working as a clinical lab specialist in a hospital lab.

RACHEL HICKS ’21 of Endeavor, Wisconsin, is currently teaching middle school English language arts and is recently engaged with LUKE DRESKE ’21.

EMILY ALLARD ’21 – Since graduating, she has moved to Aurora, Illinois, and started working at Walter E. Smithe as an interior designer. She says that she is thriving!

DOMINICA CIPRIANI ’21 of Oak Lawn, Illinois, moved back home to Chicago after graduation and is currently working part-time as a behavioral therapist and a waitress.

MADELINE KUHL ’21 of Madison, Wisconsin, is working as an IT Technical Recruiter. Her cat’s favorite toy is a wooden stick.

CAMRIE SCHMITZ ’21 of Kiel, Wisconsin, was accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is working towards her Masters in Social Work with a Certificate in Applied Gerontology.

Thank you to all of the Classmates who sent in their life updates! We’ll be looking forward to touching base with you all again this fall. Until then, we wish you all the best!

Cheers,

ERIN BAILEY ’21
(262) 949-2190

CAMERON KLEIN ’21
(608) 201-5334

MACKENZIE WARNER ’21
(920) 232-1579

Your 2021 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Erin Bailey, Cameron Klein, and MacKenzie Warner

Fellow 2020 Classmates,

The start of a new year always provides a fitting opportunity both to reflect on the past and to look ahead to the future. I hope that while reading through this letter and the provided updates on our Classmates, it brightens your day to not only remember the wonderful times we had together on campus but also to see all of the impressive futures we are each working to build for ourselves. Furthermore, as we continue to adjust to the unexpected twists and turns of the pandemic, I hope that this Class Letter finds you and your loved ones all in good health.

On campus, the new semester began on January 18th and, after a short quarantine period, campus activities and life are as busy as ever. In particular, I’m proud to say that both our men’s and women’s basketball teams have continued their dominance of the Midwest Conference (MWC), as they both hopefully work their way towards yet another conference championship. On this topic, one of the best ways to support our athletics and all of the other organizations that made campus feel like home is to give your support to the College. The fifth annual #OneDayRally is scheduled for April 27th, 2022, and I look forward to seeing our Class beat our donation record from last year!

Finally, I encourage you all to join us at Alumni Weekend this summer, from June 23-26, 2022. Although we don’t get the excitement of finishing this weekend graduating in front of our friends and family, it will nonetheless be a great opportunity to reconnect with each other, as well as meet alumni of all generations who share a passion for this great institution.

Here are our Class Notes!

ADAM WRONSKI ’20 of Waco, Texas, recently started his second semester of graduate school at Baylor University. His research focuses on emerging environmental contaminants of concern and he hopes to begin publishing his research soon. Furthermore, he looks forward to joining his classmates at Alumni Weekend this summer.

ABBY KORB ’20 of Washington, D.C., recently started a new job working in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Constituent Liaison for Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC00). Additionally, she looks forward to graduating from American University this May with her MA in Political Science.

BAILEY JERRICK ’20 of Stoughton, Wisconsin, has been working at American Girl in Middleton, Wisconsin, for almost two years now, where she does set work as well as making and filming all of the DIY crafts for their YouTube page. More recently, she has also been working as a product stylist and is helping to create YouTube content.

MAX MINDIOLA ’20 of East Troy, Wisconsin, is enjoying the final months of his second year of dental school at Creighton University. He looks forward to his upcoming white coat ceremony and the start of his work with patients.

DEVIN HOAGLIN ’20 of Davenport, Iowa, is an ichthyoid concierge at the premier food market west of the Mississippi River.

ANDREW JOHNSON ’20 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has continued teaching at St. John’s Northwestern Academies in Delafield, Wisconsin. In addition to his teaching, he coaches the school’s track team and recently adopted a dog (Echo). Furthermore, he looks forward to introducing three new classes to his school next year: AP Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry.

MIYE AOKI-KRAMER ’20 of Seattle, Washington, is currently teaching middle school science, where she developed a sustainability curriculum for sixth-grade students using the game Minecraft. Furthermore, she looks forward to her upcoming marriage to STEVEN LANPHIER ’17 this fall.

MORGAN EXNER ’20 is teaching first and second-grade dual language immersion courses in Beloit, Wisconsin, and has recently taken up curling in her free time.

FORREST GRADE ’20 of Appleton, Wisconsin, recently joined the alumni association for the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Sigma Chi at Ripon, where he hopes to support future generations of Sigma Chi leaders. Additionally, he looks forward to Alumni Weekend 2022 (June 23-26th) and reliving the glory days of last year’s Alumni Weekend.

RYAN KROGSGAARD ’20 of Lewisville, Texas, is currently going through infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He will graduate from his re-training on April 28th and hopes to be stationed in Alaska after that point.

MACKENZIE SWART ’20 recently finished the Disney College Program and is now working full-time at Disney World.

SIERRA TIREMAN ’20 recently moved to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and adopted a second cat, Sprout.

ALAURA LEMIEUX ’20 recently moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin, where she is working in the main lab responsible for conducting COVID-19 testing for the CDC.

KAYLIE MARKS WILCOX ’20 married DAKOTA WILCOX ’19 at Ripon College in August 2021. They both attend Northwestern Health Sciences University, where they recently started an evidence-based chiropractic club that discusses current issues in the professions and actions their peers can take to improve them. Furthermore, KAYLIE recently won a national sports chiropractic research award for her rehabilitation protocol on SLAP tears in the shoulder. She is currently interning at a high school athletic department and will begin treating professional athletes at her next internship this summer.

MEHDI EL YOUNSI ’20, unfortunately, had to return to Morocco due to the pandemic. He now works in his family business, producing and exporting essential oils in bulk. Additionally, he has started teaching English and is applying to get his master’s degree in diplomacy from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.

ADAM WHITE ’20 moved to Gainesville, Florida, where he has been doing ecological restoration via the treatment of invasive plants for Kestrel Ecological Services. This summer, he plans to return to Wisconsin to work for Aquatic Plant Management in Minocqua.

Best wishes,

ADAM WRONSKI ’20
(651) 301-9390

KAILEE BETLER ’20
(920) 290-1327

MITRA KERMANI ’20
(303) 807-3662

HALEY STOWELL ’20
(715) 214-8025

Your 2020 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Adam Wronski, Kailee Betler, Mitra Kermani, and Haley Stowell

Salutations, friends!

As the snows melt, the birds return, and the flowers begin to poke through the ground, we once again want to extend a happy and healthy 2022 to you and yours. While the world continues to throw challenge after challenge at us, from the third year of a global pandemic to the continued economic and racial injustices affecting so many communities, don’t forget to love each other and spread kindness and compassion wherever you go.

Hearing from all of you on the remarkable achievements you have accomplished and the contributions you have added always reminds us that there are remarkable people doing incredible things across the globe. Although we may be physically separated, we remain connected by our shared memories as the Class of 2019. We would love to see each and every one of you and reconnect at Alumni Weekend this year, June 23-26. More details about that will be available soon! And as always, we have a few updates to share with you about the goings-on around Ripon’s campus.

Despite the pandemic and all the problems that come with it, Ripon College once again saw outstanding support from friends, family, and alumni, with total giving for the past fiscal year reaching over $4.6 million. Thanks to your generosity, Ripon will continue to inspire future generations to be leaders in our communities.

Rafael Salas, professor of art, was appointed to the Wisconsin Arts Board by Governor Tony Evers in February, where he will serve for three years to continue supporting and developing the arts across the state.

As of writing this, Ripon continues its search for a President to replace Dr. Zach Messitte, who stepped down after the Fall 2021 semester. MARK FRANZEN ’83, a trustee and chairman of the selection committee, recently updated our community stating that there is a strong number of applications coming in and an overwhelming interest from alumni, staff, community members, and students. The committee expects to begin interviewing candidates sometime in March with an offer to a candidate in late spring.

And now our Class Notes!

SHANE STRABLEY ’19 of Waterford, Wisconsin, writes, “I will be graduating Marquette Law School in the spring.”

BRENT ANDERSON ’19 of Columbus, Ohio, writes, “I recently moved to Columbus, Ohio, after receiving my Masters in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University in Chicago this past May. I’ve been working for the Student-Athlete Support Services Department at The Ohio State University since July of 2021. I’m currently an academic advisor for Student-Athletes on the football team, softball team, women’s basketball team, and men’s and women’s fencing team.”

AMBER HAUGEN ’19 of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, started medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

MELISSA MICALE HACKBARTH ’19 of Neenah, Wisconsin, writes, “At the beginning of March, I will graduate with a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and will be working in the private practice-outpatient setting.”

OLIVIA HECK ’19 was featured in the Ripon Magazine‘s Winter 2022 edition. You can read the Ripon Magazine online at ripon.edu/about-ripon/publications/.

PAYTON BLESSING ’19 of Appleton, Wisconsin, writes, “This past summer, I moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, and started a new marketing job with Jewelers Mutual Group! This move was particularly exciting for me as it meant moving back to my hometown, allowing me to get back involved with a community that’s near and dear to my heart. I also adopted my first dog, a tiny German shepherd-beagle mix named Pippin!”

LAUREN GOOD ’19 of Wautoma, Wisconsin, writes, “I bought my first house and have been traveling throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, and Colorado skiing!”

BECKY BAJT ’19 of Coal City, Illinois, writes, “The eighth of May 2022 is the day I get married to my high school sweetheart! Ripon gave me friends that will be standing alongside me, MARI LASKA JORDAN ’19 and RAUL HARO ’19! My College roommate of all four years, EMMA LEMKE ’19, will be our officiant!”

CARLY WESNER BOWMAN ’19 of Charlotte, North Carolina, writes, “Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the time being! I continue to work from home, while my husband, Ryan, pursues a career in youth ministry. Things are never dull! My husband, Ryan, and I have the exciting opportunity to take on a position together as youth organization leaders at a local church. Excited for what’s to come! Until then, Ryan and I work part-time as we explore further opportunities. Life in Charlotte is nice! The warmer weather, and of course, no snow, is perfect for us!”

VANESSA VILLARREAL ’19 of Waukesha, Wisconsin, writes, “In October 2021, I started a job as a registration and regulatory compliance associate for SC Johnson in Racine, Wisconsin. I will be moving to Racine in June.”

RACHEL HAWLEY ’19 of Madison, Wisconsin, writes, “Not much is new! I am still living in Madison, Wisconsin, and finishing up my Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Please reach out if you find yourself in the area! I’d love to take you out for a beer!”

TARYN BOSQUEZ ’19 of Bloomington, Indiana, writes, “I am currently in the middle of the third year of my Ph.D. program in Neuroscience and Psychological & Brain Sciences at Indiana University, and will be entering my fourth this coming fall. Doing research has kept me quite busy; however, the project I’ve been working on, which will be a component of my thesis, has really taken off and I am excited for where it could lead down the road. Also, this past year I have gotten engaged and will be getting married this summer!”

ERIC FELS ’19 of Hubertus, Wisconsin, writes, “After completing my stint with the U.S. Forest Service, I recently started a new role as Ticket Staff & Office Coordinator at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton! I am ecstatic to be returning to the Fox Valley and living close to friends and family.”

As the warmer weather starts to arrive, we once again look forward to being able to spend time with family and friends outdoors. We are eager to hear all about the life events you have experienced since leaving Ripon and hope to spend some time with you in June. Until next time!

Cheers,
Your 2019 Class Agents,

Eric Fels ’19
(262) 365-9726

Rachel Hawley ’19
(224) 688-3049

Olivia Heck ’19
(262) 408-3785

Tyler Sturzl ’19
(715) 889-3672

Submitted by: Class Agents: Eric Fels, Rachel Hawley, Olivia Heck, Tyler Sturzl