Dear Classmates,

I am starting our Class Letter out with a tribute to our dear classmate who left us too early.

MARY PURDO PEKSA ’85 of Ringle, Wisconsin, died Oct. 17, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in physical education and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. She received a degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She worked for 30 years in cardiac health and rehabilitation at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. On her hobby farm, she raised sheep, chickens and yellow Labradors, and tended apple trees, a pumpkin patch and many gardens. She enjoyed biking, cross-country and downhill skiing and hiking. She also was a member of golf and curling leagues. She was active in St. Michael’s Catholic Church and enjoyed cooking and baking. Survivors include her husband, JAMES “JIM” PEKSA ’85; one son; and a brother-in-law, RICHARD PEKSA ’83.

As I reflect on the loss of our classmate MARY, I am reminded of the fragility of life. How it can be taken from any one of us at any given moment. My sincere condolences to JIM and his family. My brother recently passed away, so I find myself on a similar journey, grieving over the loss of a loved one. This fragility inspires me to embrace the miracle of life even more. Living and being surrounded by loved ones and enjoying life every day are good reminders for all of us to fuel our life journey with an abundance of love, happiness, adventure, energy, hope, inspiration – all the good things in life.

In addition to reflecting on the fragility of life, I’m reminded of the importance of “family” – whether we’re directly related or not – we can exemplify all the great things a family represents in our circle of friends, contacts, colleagues and yes, fellow classmates. Our class of over 250 Riponites is one heck of a large family. Each of us touches many lives and can have a significant impact reminding others about the importance of nurturing our life journey by taking good care of one another and treating each other like family. Today’s struggles are real – more than ever our world needs love, kindness, and compassion.

Our senior year, I was an RA on the fourth floor of Johnson Hall where Alpha Delta Pi resided. I can still see MARY’s brilliant smile – warm and welcoming; hear her laughter – genuine and sincere; and remembering how she was always ready to lend a helping hand, never hesitating to go out of her way to help others. Something truly to be emulated by all of us.

Let us remember MARY for all her amazing attributes – let us continue her legacy by reminding ourselves daily to practice random acts of kindness, go out of our way for others and embrace all the wonderful joy life offers and most important – live life to the fullest.

A message from JIM PEKSA ’85: “MARY did everything right by today’s medical standards and still lost her life to metastatic breast cancer. She was a 30 year medical professional and passionate about health her entire life. She began getting mammograms at age 35 because she had a history of cancer in her family (not breast cancer). What we quickly learned when she became symptomatic at age 51 was that mammograms can only detect 85% of breast cancers – the other 15% (lobular carcinoma) need to be diagnosed by ultrasound testing. However, most insurance plans will not pay for a preventative ultrasound so these cancers go undetected until it is too late. We lived with a false sense of security while her cancer grew in her for multiple years until it metastasized. I think we as a society are largely brainwashed in that regard. Mammograms, self-inspections, etc., are good – but they are not good enough. We can do better. One in eight women in America will develop some form of breast cancer in their lives. It is safe to say it will touch all of us at some point. If we are diligent the 85% have a fighting chance to beat cancer through early detection by an annual mammogram or 3D mammogram. The other 15% (like MARY) are at a much higher risk of losing that battle until ultrasound becomes the standard for early detection. How do we shine a light on that? If anything good can come of MARY’s passing, I think legislating that change to early detection practices would be a worthy legacy. I am encouraged by President Biden’s ‘Moonshot Initiative’ to reduce cancer by 50% – now we just have to figure out how to get this on that agenda.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

Ripon’s #OneDayRally – April 27, 2022
Alumni Weekend – June 23-26, 2022

CLASS OF 1985 NEWS:

KARA ZARTNER WOODS ’85 of Prescott, Arizona, is a candidate for Arizona State Superintendent of Public Education. She is a wife/military spouse, mother, grandmother, teacher, PUSD school board member, and small business owner. Her platform is as follows:

“I believe America is the land of opportunity and a great place to live and raise a family. I am a life-long Republican, Precinct Committeeman, and YavGOP Treasurer. I have degrees in Mathematics and Physics from Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin. I believe we in Arizona can do better for our children. Our children deserve the right to be well educated. Arizona K-12 education is ranked 48th in educating our youth in the United States and 47th in the amount spent on each student. Although I do not believe there is a 100% correlation between money spent and a good education, I would like to increase spending per student in Arizona to help make our students more competitive in the world economy. Fiscal transparency is necessary to clearly show constituents how our tax monies are being spent and push more money down to the district level where the education of our students happens without raising school taxes. Motivate parents and community members to get involved in their local schools by volunteering in classrooms, monitoring school boards, and taking back control of what is taught in their schools.”

STACY HEINRICH SHUDA ’85 of Faribault, Minnesota, writes, “In August 2021, I switched jobs at the United States Postal Service. I changed from UNIX systems administrator to Solutions Architect II.”

Joy and Peace,

HEATHER MCFADDEN BARRIE ’85/P’20
(262) 628-1377
Your 1985 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Heather McFadden Barrie

Dear Classmates,

It is the spring of 2021 and I am still working from home. Our hope is to start back to the office in April for two days a week. This Class Letter is being written from the airport as I await my first work trip flight since the fall of 2019 (which also seems unbelievable). Looking forward to leaving below zero temperatures for beautiful Palm Springs and enjoying a couple of days golfing, as well.

JOHN CLAY ’83 is thoroughly enjoying retirement and is able to watch almost every Olympic event. Colorado continues to call with family visits and especially to see our grandson who will be turning one in April. We have a road trip planned for the end of March and looking forward to seeing them. In July, we are heading out on a 17-day road trip to Banff with some good friends. Hopefully, we remain good friends after this excursion, but we are not too worried.

Here are the updates at the time that this Class Letter is being written:

• MARGARET ALGAR AARON ’83 of Oregon, Wisconsin, writes, “My husband and I are fully retired. 2020 brought the gift of a new granddaughter. I am studying Spanish and hope to do volunteer work with Spanish-speaking people.”
• A new book by Professor Emeritus of History William J. Woolley P’92 will be published in March by the University Press of Kansas titled, “Creating the Modern Army: Citizen Soldiers and the American Way of War, 1919-1939.” Dr. Woolley taught at Ripon from 1969 to 2001, and the book was inspired by the course American Military Institutions that he taught at Ripon.
• Ripon Hall of Fame Coach Bob Gillespie P’03/P’11 was inducted into Lewis University’s Academy of Coaches. He was honored with three others during halftime of the Lewis University men’s basketball game Saturday, Jan. 15. Gillespie is the winningest coach in Ripon College history in both baseball and men’s basketball.
• #OneDayRally was a great success last spring and we look forward to positive results for the 2022 #OneDayRally. More to come, mark your calendar for 4/27/22, and note that there will be a focus to invite new donors to be a part of a matching gift offering.
• Ripon graduation will be held on May 15th this year with plans to return to pre-COVID traditions.
• Ripon was recognized by onlyinyourstate.com as having one of the “Seven Best Downtown Areas in Wisconsin!” And, it was recognized as “One of the 10 Most Magical Christmas Towns” in Wisconsin.
• Alumni Weekend will be held 6/23-6/26/22, highlights include –
  • All-Class Gathering at Roadhouse Pizza – Thursday evening
  • Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble at The Golf Courses of Lawsonia – Friday
  • Lunch and Wine Tasting – Friday
  • Campus Tours, Faculty Talks – Friday
  • Rally Walk/Run – Saturday morning
  • Greek Socials, “That Was Then” Storytelling Session – Saturday
  • Farewell Brunch – Sunday

Thanks for your continued support and involvement with Ripon College. Our 40th Reunion is just around the corner… June 22-25, 2023! Mark your calendars.

BARB WILLIAMS CLAY
(612) 749-5010
Your 1983 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Barb Williams Clay

Classmates,

Welcome to 2022. I’ve always been an optimist, but this time I really think the world is showing signs of returning to somewhat of a normal life for all of us.

Thanks again to all of you who were able to make it to our 40th Reunion event in August. KATHY HARBUT NIKOLAUS ’81 and I really regret having to miss it. Despite all the COVID-19 turmoil, the Class of ’81 continued to be generous. In the 2021 fiscal year, our Class donated $25,945. Our contributions make a difference in helping Ripon College and its students to thrive.

Great news, the 2022 Alumni Weekend will return to its traditional schedule and be held on campus, June 23-26, 2022. The schedule will include 2022 Class Reunions, and options for campus tours, socials, activities, reminiscences, and plenty of time to explore campus and connect with each other. So if you were like me, and you could not attend last year’s Alumni Weekend events, put this on your calendar and check the website for details.



As you may know, the College is busy looking for a new President. Thanks to President Zach Messitte who ended his ten-year run as Ripon’s 13th president at the end of the 2021 fall semester and to Dr. Andrea Young who has been appointed Ripon College’s interim president.

Are you interested in keeping up with what is going on with our Alma Mater? For the latest goings-on and stories about Ripon College, alumni, and even some of our favorite professors, check out R Connections online at alumni.ripon.edu/rconnections. Also, be sure to check the latest news from the College at ripon.edu/news.

Back in our day, especially for us science geeks, Farr Hall was home almost as much as the dorms were. In a February article in the Ripon Commonwealth Press, Interim President Young gave an overview of the College’s plans for a major renovation of Farr Hall, upgrades of the residence halls, and plans for building a campus stadium on Lower Sadoff. You can check out the story here.

After 20 years in the Air Force and 20 more years supporting the Air and Space Forces with MITRE, I have decided it is time for us to retire and live the good life. KATHY and I are already making plans for more biking, hiking, and camping in Colorado and seeing more of the country and the world. Hopefully, it will give us opportunities to see some of you. We had the chance to spend Christmas with all of our kids in an awesome cabin in Buena Vista, Colorado. That also gave us the chance to visit with SETH WILLIAMS ’81 and LYNN FRISVOLD WILLIAMS ’80 in their new mountain home.

Scouting still fills my free time and keeps me young. In December, I had the pleasure of introducing my 77th Eagle Scout after 17 years as a Scoutmaster. This summer, I get to show the Scouts that the “old man” still has it when I join them for a 50-plus-mile canoe trip in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota.

Class Notes:

KAREN CHARLESTON ’81 of Battle Creek, Tennessee: After more than 30 years as a wildlife biologist, KAREN retired in 2009 to become a dog trainer. As a wildlife biologist, she worked actively with waterfowl and gamebirds. Trumpeter Swan and Hooded Mergansers were her passion. In Michigan, she held the first Trumpeter Swan cygnets (as an extirpated species…once wild…but none living wild in-state) being hatched in her hands. Now they are thriving. Now, she boards and trains dogs. She was actively competing on a national level in obedience with her Labs, Flint and Ciara, but has backed off that since COVID-19 hit.

BLAINE GIBSON ’81 of Grafton, Wisconsin: BLAINE is honored to join Ripon’s Board of Trustees and enjoys that it allows him to get to go back to Ripon on a regular basis. He had the chance to reconnect with MARK KSOBIECH ’81 (a fellow Beta Sig). After a two-year COVID-19 travel drought they are finally vacationing again and headed to Puerto Rico this month for a much-needed vacation.

DAVID JANSSEN ’81 and KRISTIN KOHLES JANSSEN ’82 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin: DAVE is still practicing at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery with no plans to retire yet. He and KRISTIN are looking forward to the birth of their Colorado granddaughter due on April 26 and their son, Geoff, and Cleo’s wedding in 2023. They are traveling a lot with a big trip to Egypt planned for October.

JODY HENDERSON-SYKES ’81 of Franklin, Wisconsin: JODY has been enjoying retirement, playing senior volleyball and softball, working with youth and youth leaders at church, and grandmotherhood. Her three daughters live in different states so that gives her a good reason to travel. Her oldest, MEAGAN SYKES-GEORGE ’09, and her husband, Major GREGORY GEORGE ’09, have four boys, ages seven, five, three, and one, and live in Colorado Springs now. The boys are quite energetic! In addition to visiting them for the holidays and birthdays, she really enjoyed visiting Zion National Park and Death Valley National Park in January with her sister. Her son finished his college soccer career last fall and is now focused on finishing school. The new news is that she just accepted a part-time job as an educator with the non-profit Sharp Literacy and is looking forward to working with them to teach their STEAM curriculum.

SUSAN “SUKI” FORREST-LOBB JEFFREYS: SUSAN, sorry, SUKI, is living in Phoenix, Arizona, and was recently featured in the new book Women of Courage, vol. 5, published by Professional Woman Publishing. The book was released in February and is an anthology featuring stories of and thoughts about courage by SUKI and 24 other women around the world.

After retiring from a career in corporate information technology, SUKI became a life coach and founded Courage Rises life and courage coaching. She is creating a movement where women feel safe to work through fears by understanding their behavior and experiencing the transformational aspects of courage. SUKI also has a blog where you can some of the awesome video interviews she has produced.

Some sad news:

LAWRENCE SMITH, JR. ’81 of McLean, Virginia, died Sept. 28, 2021. At Ripon, he was an All-American wrestler and a member of Phi Delta Theta. He also wrestled at Ball State University. He worked for Brooks Brothers and Cuffs in Washington, D.C., and the family business, Rodes Clothing, in Columbus, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky. In the Washington, D.C., area, he coached for the Capital Area Wrestling League where he cultivated several champions including his son, Trey, and Olympic Gold Medalist Helen Maroulis. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, an avid hunter, and especially enjoyed training Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Survivors include his wife, Nicole; and one son.

PATRICK TESTER ’81 of Texas died on January 29, 2021. He spent a year at Ripon and participated in Theta Sigma Tau. He then joined his family in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended Texas Christian University. He worked in education for more than 25 years in Austin, Denver, and, primarily, the Dallas Independent School district, focusing on special education. After retiring from education in 2006, he worked as a Realtor. He was an active member of Lions Club International.

Lastly, a plea for some assistance. For 40 years, the math and physics education I received from Ripon has served me well. But, when it comes to social media, I am lost in the woods. Therefore, I am looking for a classmate to help as a Co-Class Agent to help to improve the social media presence for our Class of ’81. Even some temporary support would be appreciated. Please contact me if you are able to help and would like to become a Co-Class Agent.

Thanks to all of the Class of ’81. When you have stories to share please send them my way at [email protected] or submit them on the Alumni page at alumni.ripon.edu/services/update-info/.

Here’s a picture of me, my wife, KATHY HARBUT NIKOLAUS ’81, SETH ’81 and LYNN FRISVALD WILLIAMS ’80. Feel free to send me your pictures with fellow alumni for our next Class Letter.

Best wishes,

Larry Nikolaus
(719) 314-5531
Your 1981 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Larry Nikolaus

Greetings All,

As I did with the Fall Class Letter, I’m sweating out working up this Class Letter. This time I can put some of it on work and my big College-related activity (more on that later). But just so you know, as of the time of writing this Class Letter, both the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams are in first place in the Midwest Conference and they play their first game of the tournament tonight, Friday, February 25 in Ripon at the Willmore Center! But you didn’t come here to hear that talk. You want to know what’s going on with your classmates, so here it goes!!

CLASS OF 1979 NEWS AND NOTES

MIKE ZACH ’79: I have a new gig playing guitar and leading singing at various senior living facilities in our area! (If you have Facebook, check out MIKE singing. It’s good stuff.)

ROYCE DUNBAR ’79: As I write this Class Letter today, let me extend a Happy Birthday to ROYCE. He’s been busy living the retired life having recently visited Iceland.

BETH PALMBACH NEMECEK ’79: Today (the day I am writing this Class Letter) is also National Donor Day which is a day to celebrate the gift of love through organ, eye, and tissue donation. As we are very much aware, our own Beth is in need of a kidney. It can be from a living donor. She is still going strong, but let’s keep her in our thoughts and prayers. But in spite of all that, her spirit is still strong!!

STANLEY CIEWLEWICZ ’79: STAN died Nov. 11, 2020. At Ripon, he participated in forensics/debate, student government, theatre, and ROTC. He received a degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. He retired in June 2019 after 37 years in federal service from the Office of the Judge Advocate, U.S. Army Europe. He had served as an active-duty officer, an Army and Air Force reserve officer, and as a civilian attorney in several assignments around the world. He was renowned throughout Europe and across the Services for his expertise in contract and fiscal law and was the U.S. Army Europe expert on Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreements.

Kevin Warmack ’79: On Thursday, February 10, 2022, I along with three other Black Ripon Alumni (BLAINE GIBSON ’81, NATASHA HOARD KING ’93, and ORNELLA UMUBYEYI ’13) participated in a panel discussion on Zoom with the Ripon College Center for Diversity and Inclusion. We were asked a series of opening questions about our lives at Ripon as persons of color. Let me say that I enjoyed every minute of the event. to hear how it went, click here.

NEWS AND NOTES FROM RIPON COLLEGE

College President:
Ripon College’s Board of Trustees has announced that Dr. Andrea Young will serve as the interim president of the College beginning in January 2022. As the first woman to lead Ripon College in its 170-year history, she will replace Dr. Zach Messitte, who announced last fall that he would be stepping down as Ripon’s 13th president at the end of the fall semester.

“Dr. Young understands what makes Ripon such a special place and has been a stellar administrator and professor at the College for more than a decade,” said TOM ABENDROTH ’81, chair of Ripon College’s Board of Trustees. “She has been a champion of the student experience and led the way on a number of important initiatives, including making better use of technology in the classroom and data in decision-making.”

As Ripon’s vice president for finance and director of strategic initiatives, Young oversees the business, financial and information technology functions of the College. She is the primary administrative liaison to the Board of Trustees on matters related to finance, investment, construction contracts and approval, risk management and audit. In addition, she is spearheading Ripon’s exploration of a partnership with Marian University in Fond du Lac.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Ripon College as the interim president,” Young said. “I have seen firsthand the transformative potential of a Ripon College education, and I am deeply committed to promoting our student-centered approach to living and learning.”

Prior to her role as vice president for finance, Young served as the acting dean of faculty for a semester and received promotion and tenure to be an associate professor of mathematics in 2016. The winner of several teaching awards, she has published multiple peer-reviewed articles, including several co-written with Ripon students and faculty. She is the principal investigator on a successful National Science Foundation grant to improve undergraduate STEM education.

Young also served as special assistant to the president and liaison to the Board of Trustees where she led a number of strategic initiatives that focused on the student experience, including promoting academic success.

Young received her Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Texas-Austin and her B.S. in mathematics with a minor in Italian from Pennsylvania State University.

The Presidential Search Committee:
In spite of the wishes of BOB SCHMITT ’79, I am not a candidate for the Office of President of Ripon College. However, The Board of Trustees has approved the formation of the Presidential Search Committee. Members of the committee will work closely with executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates, which was selected to manage the search process based on their depth and breadth of specialized expertise and high-touch client approach.

The search committee will actively engage the immediate and extended Ripon College community in the search, review the credentials of interested candidates, select a group of finalists to interview, and present to the Board a candidate they believe is best-prepared to lead the College into the future. Members were selected from among nominated faculty, staff, students, administration and the greater Ripon community.

Members include:

• Chair: MARK FRANZEN ’83, Trustee
• Administrative Liaison: Kara Kinas Jankowski, chief of staff to the president and dean of faculty
• Committee Members: TOM ABENDROTH ’81, chair of the Board of Trustees; Nick Eastman, assistant professor of educational studies; JACKIE HANSON ’23, current student; DANTE HOUSTON ’01, Trustee; SHAWN KARSTEN ’09, vice president for Advancement, and Marketing and Communications; Memuna Khan, professor of biology, chair of the Department of Biology; Linda Kinziger, director of financial aid; Rebecca Matzke, associate dean for faculty development and Ralph Hale Ruppert Distinguished Professor of History; Tom Moniz, attorney with Von Briesen & Roper, S.C., community representative; CONNIE HERBON MOSER ’84, Trustee; Travis Nygard, associate professor of art history, co-director of the Caestecker Gallery; CARRIE ROCA-DAWSON ’94, member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors; LISA WOLLAN ’78, Trustee; and KIMBERLY WOOLLEY ’94, Trustee.

As always, it is a pleasure to write to y’all.

Also, when you got news, don’t hold on. Drop me a note so I can make your Class Letter the best!!!

Love Always,

KEVIN L. WARMACK ’79
(773) 220-5360 / [email protected] / [email protected]
Your 1979 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Kevin Warmack

Dear Classmates:

It’s time once again for our class letter. Headlining our news is the loss of our larger than life, former Class Agent and friend ROB “TEX” MEYER last November. Rob was co-Class Agent with LYNN BANNON for seven years from 2001-2007 and visited many of us on several extended road trips across the continent over the last few decades. He recruited me to be your current Class Agent. If you were on his text list, once a week you would receive a Tuesday Trivia challenge question and many other texts day-to-day about his take on politics or about his beloved Mariner and Seahawks sports teams. Former Ripon staff members and alumni extending their condolences to our class included: BILL NEILL ’67, RUTH ANN STODOLA ’76, and Class Agents, JONDI GUMZ ’75, PETER TUZ ’76, and ALAN LAWRENCE ’77.

Another great friend of our classmates, ANDY MARVEL ’77 passed away last September, as well.

I did not get as many updates as were provided for the last letter, so that means I had to make “stuff” up by researching a few things that you would find of interest. Stay with me here, I think you will find some of it interesting.

April 27th is Ripon’s annual #OneDayRally. As a class, we have dominated participation for each of the four years since the #OneDayRally inception. We have a reputation to maintain as the “most loyal class” juggernaut that all of the other Ripon classes are shooting to emulate in April. For us to succeed again, we need everyone reading this letter to participate. Expect to get a call, email, or text from LISA WOLLAN, LIZ PECHA-POELKER, LOUISA GEBELEIN JONES, SUE FEITH SHANNON, or me on April 27th asking for your support. Please help us out with your kind support of this worthy effort to support our Alma Mater.

HEADLINES FOR THIS LETTER: 

• ’78 Classmate Updates
• Faculty Updates of Interest
• Sad News
• #OneDayRally April 27th
• 45th Class Reunion in 2023!
• Class Letter Updates for Fall Letter

’78 Classmate Updates: 

MIKE CHAMBERLAIN of Auburn, New York, continues some follow-on research to determine names of soldiers and details about locations shown in his father’s 900-plus World War II wartime photos that he recently donated to the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. “A couple more pieces have rolled in on my dad and his WW2 photos. One is from a national magazine – World War II, while the other is from a regional magazine geared toward seniors living in the Capital District (New York/Hudson Valley). I expect that these will be the last two articles, although I was contacted by a French website dedicated to commemorating the invasion of southern France. They asked for my father’s bio and some pictures to post on their site. That might shake loose some additional interest.” Regarding the pandemic, MIKE said, “Let’s just hope this all settles down before the 45th Reunion in 2023! Glenda and I are healthy but redoubling our efforts to stay safe given the latest surge. Hoping that everyone on your end is doing well.”

ROBBIE CORDO writes: “I moved from Minneapolis to Oshkosh to be near Ripon after 43 years. I love the area and my Minneapolis-based business is doing very well. I visit the Twin Cities three times per month. I often visit BOB PARDO ’77, CATHY LARSEN ’80, and MARTY ERNSER ’78. If you are in the area, please call me at 612-201-6106 or send an email to [email protected].

I was thrilled to get an update from ROBERTA deBOER DURHAM of Toledo, Ohio (pictured right). Before graduating from Beloit College, Roberta spent two years with us at Ripon. She was a freshman roommate to ERICA DOSS and ANNE ERNSER HANSON, respectively, and has great memories of her time at Ripon. With regard to what she is doing now, in 2019, Roberta pursued her passion and founded Toledo Better Together after she retired from 26 years in journalism (with the last 16 years as a columnist at The Blade). The Toledo Better Together non-profit which she also directs “Provides consistent, enduring mentor relationships to young adults exiting foster care. We bring together small groups of six to eight vetted, trained volunteers who commit for one year to weekly dinner gatherings with one young foster alum. The group offers encouragement and support to help that young adult reach whatever goals s/he/they identify. Above all, BTT volunteers offer foster alums unconditional belonging and community, ideally well beyond the initial one-year commitment.”

In early February, ALAN HODKIEWICZ wrote: “Hey Gregg, how’s life in the snowy Mid-Atlantic??? You probably have more snow than we do. Well, we moved the week before Christmas. We are back out in a rural area again. Not a farmhouse. – AL and SUSAN HIGBY HODKIEWICZ ’77 did extensive remodeling in a farmhouse in Columbus, Wisconsin, prior to this place. – This time we live in a one-story that was built in 2003, on top of a hill, with great scenic views in all directions and plenty of updating to be done. Soooooo our new address is in Albany, Wisconsin.”

JOE KEEGAN had a “…great time catching up with PARKER VIVODA ’77 in St. Petersburg. He was in town enjoying the beaches with his wife and family. We are hoping for a Bucs/Green Bay NFC Championship game.”

In November, DAVE HANUS of Salem, Oregon, was “…headed to Newport, Oregon, to spend the weekend camping at Southbeach State Park (in a little RV 🙂 …I’m at that point that canvas in winter is not so much fun anymore) we are getting battered by a succession of Pineapple Expresses (aka atmospheric rivers). Amazing to watch the surf!! A third of a mile inland over the foredunes from the beach and we can feel it when the big waves make landfall!! Pretty cool…”

I heard from WILL HIGGINS of Indianapolis, Indiana, in October as he was passing through New Orleans looking for any classmates that might be in the area.  I think he is enjoying his retirement.

DAVE JUNG of Purcellville, Virginia, asked me to reach out to MATT LEISURE of Manheim, Pennsylvania, for an update. I had a great talk with Matt. He became a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in 1988 and has been a Licensed Social Worker since 2001. Since 1988, he has been working as a therapist in substance abuse and outpatient mental health agencies. He is currently working as a partner for Psychological Associates of Lancaster, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, since retiring from WellSpan Behavioral Health (formerly York Hospital) in 2019 where he had worked since 1995. Matt has been happily married to his wife Vickie since 1990.

JONATHAN LOEW says, “After 40 years practicing law, I’ve retired. To anyone on the fence about it, don’t think twice. We’ll be moving from Chicago to Colorado in the spring to join our three kids, who are all living there.”

PAUL NANCARROW of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, said, “Thanks for being in touch on behalf of the Class of 1978. I’ve got the #OneDayRally on my calendar now, and I’ll look forward to making that donation. These days I’m splitting my time between residences in Minnesota and Arkansas, in order to be close to different branches of the family. Having two home bases means having a lot more variety in my bicycle riding as well. I’ve been able to get out for a couple of road rides — even some gravel riding — in Arkansas already this year; that is something I would never have been able to do in Minnesota! I preach occasionally for churches when their regular priests are away, which also offers more variety than being the regular priest in the same parish every week. I don’t have any academic accomplishments to report, but I do keep writing regularly for my blog of theological reflections at paulsnancarrow.wordpress.com.”

JOE O’SULLIVAN of Roy, Washington, says, “I hope everyone is doing ok and adapting to such changes we all have had the last two years now! I am amazed how much our lives, work, and relationships have changed due to this ‘plague’!! Anyhow, since I have had a lot of free time, I am currently back in graduate school, online of course. I am at Purdue University taking Health Informatics Master’s degree. I should be done by October 2022. Writing two-three papers per week is not much fun and I am not sure yet what I will ultimately do with this degree, but it does help to keep the brain sharp. Otherwise, have been visiting grandkids, hiking, going to the gym daily, plus taking care of chickens, dogs, cats, and 20 acres about one hour south of Seattle. Still doing research grants and hope to have another federal grant approved soon as my last two grants expire in 2022. And as we all are getting about that age, I hope everyone is signed up for Medicare!!! Hahaha…Anybody visiting the area is always welcome to an open bedroom!”

At the suggestion of NANCY BUCK HINTZ ’82/P’10 who is already a board member, GREGG PETERSEN of Columbia, Maryland, joined the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory Board of Directors in January. The WGLBBO (sometimes referred to as “Wiggly Bee Bow”) headquarters is located in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The Observatory’S mission is to advance the conservation of birds and bats in Wisconsin and throughout the Western Great Lakes Region through coordinated research, monitoring, and education. Why am I a member of a board back in Wisconsin? In addition to pursuing biology passions outdoors, the board meetings give me a great excuse to visit my mom and other family members in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin three times a year (at least!).

Faculty Updates of Interest:

ANITA WALLACE shared this update: “Olimpia Ogilvie’s daughter, Arabella, has set up a website on Olimpia and her work. Currently, there is an exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art of Mauricio Lasansky’s The Nazi Drawings. Olimpia studied printmaking in Iowa under Lasansky. Thought some of you might be interested to see her amazing work and legacy.”

Professor of History Emeritus Bill Woolley’s latest book, “Creating the Modern Army: Citizen Soldiers and the American Way of War, 1919-1939,” will be published in March.

Sad News:

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.

ANDREW “ANDY” MARVEL JR. ’77 of Weston, Massachusetts, passed away September 5, 2021, in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Andy majored in economics and modern architecture at Ripon, where he was also a member of Phi Delta Theta. He furthered his studies at the Boston Architectural Center, working for a variety of architects. This creativity evolved as the foundation for his business career when he founded Marvel Construction Co. in 1981, which he operated for over 40 years. Andy’s life revolved around his beloved wife, Elizabeth “Beanie” Marvel, who he married in 1987 and his three daughters, Stephanie and her husband Graham Allison of Cohasset, Jenna Marvel of Waltham, and Julia Marvel of Charlestown.

ROB “TEX” MEYER of Moscow, Idaho, succumbed to the effects from cancer on Nov. 22, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in drama and English and participated in College Days, Parallax, student government, WRPN Radio and theatre. He was a member of Theta Chi, Partners in the Legacy, Phi Beta Kappa, Alumni/Parent Admission Alliance, and the Alumni Board of Directors. He also served as Class Agent. He earned a master’s degree in education from Brown University. He worked as a journalist and English teacher, then as a freelance writer and editor after retiring. Pictured left, is ROB, at JFK’s eternal flame in Arlington National Cemetery when he visited in November 2009.

Annual Giving and #OneDayRally Coming Up on April 27th 
Annual Giving: We have 267 living alumni with 152 of those “solicitable.” Our 152 solicitable donors are the highest of any class before 1988 — thank you for being approachable! So…how does the Class of 1978 stack up to the other 81 alumni classes in the last year?

• #1 in total number of donors with 95.
• That’s 22 more classmates than the next closest – Class of 1969 with 73 donors.
• #2 in total participation at 62.5% – #1 is the Class of 1948 with 7 of 11 donors.
• #1 in participation to the Ripon Fund (formerly the Annual Fund) – 87 donors for 57.2%. The next closest class is the (11 alumni member) Class of 1948 with 54.6%.
• #1 in total number of donors to the Ripon Fund with 87 – 17 more than the next closest class, the just-graduated Class of 2021 with 70 donors.
• The only category we are not in the top ten is for total giving. And with that said, I would rather we be engaged as a larger group than focused on total dollars given. We all have many priorities of which Ripon is one.

#OneDayRally: Our goal for April 27th this year is to at least attain 78 donors for our Class of ’78 (#78for78) just like we did last year. That way other classes that want to achieve our gold standard will remember the number 78 stands for year group 78. In the month before he passed away, ROB MEYER pledged to give to the 2022 #ODR just like he did for every year since its inception, so I will be covering his pledge for him.

If you did not give last year, please consider doing so in 2022. It’s not about the amount, it’s about participation, showing our loyalty to Ripon, and our unity as a class. One of the key measures college rating services use to rate respective schools is alumni affinity. You can personally help Ripon boost that rating by making an annual donation.

Timing of giving: I know some of us like to give early in the year. I realize that it is not my place or ability to direct you to wait until late April to make your gift, but if you could make at least a nominal gift for the #OneDayRally, that helps our annual show of solidarity. Many of our 81 participants last year gave a second time to help our numbers for the #OneDayRally leaderboard.

This was one of the windows in Pickard Commons last #OneDayRally, April 28, 2021. The name of each of the #OneDayRally donors was written on a Rally sticker affixed to the windows. If you look closely, you may notice stickers displaying the names of nine of our 81 classmates who gave on this window: AL and SUSAN HIGBY HODKIEWICZ ’77, JIM WILKES, GRETA GLUEK PORTER, LISA WOLLAN, BETH BENEZRA, KAREN ROGERS YOUNG, JOHN ZINDAR, LARRY LAUX and NINA WULFF ’77, and HORACE and MARLA BRENDEN GARFIELD.

45th Reunion in 2023! Start planning for it! It will be June 22-25, 2023, and it will be here before you know it. For our last Reunion, we had so many folks come back that the College let us use the main meeting area in Harwood Memorial Union for our venue!! Let’s try to do that again. If you are interested in helping to plan our 45th Reunion, please let me know.

Why should you come back?

• Your friends!
• Great treatment by the College when you visit.
• The Heidel House has reopened!
• It will be FUN!
• Ripon is a great town! For example, various publications have recognized Ripon as having one of the Seven “Best Downtown Areas in Wisconsin,” one of “The 10 Most Magical Christmas Towns,” one of the 11 “Magical Main Streets In Wisconsin,” One of the “7 Small Towns In Wisconsin That Are Perfect For A Weekend Escape,” one of “5 Hallmark-worthy Wisconsin small towns to visit during the holidays,” and one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America.”

Class Letter Updates for Fall Letter:

Thanks again for the privilege of continuing as your Class Agent. Please make my job easy and keep sending in your updates or if you have never corresponded, let this next letter be the first one for your news! Your classmates always want to hear from you! If any of you would like to reach out to other classmates or faculty and need contact information, please let me know. I will do my best to find a way to help you reach out to them as we did with MATT LEISURE for this Class Letter. As a group, you are getting better and better at checking in and that eases my job of making these Letters interesting and informative.

Best wishes and warm regards,

GREGG PETERSEN
(202) 256-8166
Your 1978 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Gregg Petersen

MICHELE BARAN WITTLER ’76

PETER TUZ ’76
Your 1976 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Peter Tuz & Michele Wittler

Dear Classmates,

Give yourself a big pat on the back for making it through these past two years, and put a smile on your face!

In February, I read a study out of the University of Pittsburgh: 200 women, ages 45 to 67, standard ultrasound of their arteries, and a questionnaire asking them to rate how often they felt inadequate, disappointed by their (self-perceived) flaws or if they grant themselves caring during difficult life moments. Women who scored higher on the self-compassion scale had thinner carotid artery walls and less plaque buildup, which is linked to heart attacks and strokes, than those with lower self-compassion. So, all you perfectionists out there, give yourself a break!

If ever there was a perfectionist, it has to be U.S. figure skater Nathan Chen, the Olympic gold medal winner who dazzled in his performance of “Rocket Man.” He received a well-deserved two-page spread in The New York Times. Twenty years ago no one knew such a feat was possible.

The week before Valentine’s Day, we had amazing weather with temperatures in the 70s, people wearing shorts, and no need to turn up the heat at night! Last year, we had a couple of days like this at the end of January. Truth be told, we often have fog in summer – ask RICK ESTBERG ’75’s mom – some call it Faugust. So, we’re even.

Great news in California: The indoor mask mandate was lifted on February 16. Kids must wear masks in school, but state officials hinted a change could be announced on February 28. Sweden declared the pandemic over. Denmark, with only 30 patients in hospital intensive care, lifted restrictions. If you are among the 50% of Americans with a pre-existing condition, I offer a suggestion. Check your Vitamin D level with a blood test. I’ve done it at LifeExtension.com, founded and still owned by health-conscious Bill Faloon in Florida. Vitamin D plays a key role in the immune system and a low level is associated with depression. If your level is insufficient (below 50) or deficient, you can do something about it. If Bill had gone to Ripon, he’d be in the class of 1976.

Have a health challenge? See earthinginstitute.net for research (https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0820) on how Earthing (aka grounding) reduces inflammation and has helped a variety of people, including heart patients. Worked for me, so I’m a fan!

Read on for classmate news: Two trips to the Holy Land, a lifetime achievement award, artistic ventures, a candidate, fun with grandchildren – they are the best, and an apology.

SUE CHAPMAN CARLTON ’75 of Fort Mill, South Carolina, emails: “We had two new grandbabies in 2021 and we have one on the way in May. We were gone 102 days last year helping out in Illinois and Florida and visiting both places numerous times. One visit to the Midwest included an ADPi reunion in Door County in September 2021. KAREN KUCKHAHN KEHL ’75 was there and 14 others from the Classes of  ’72 through ’77. We went for a boat ride in Green Bay, a trolley tour around the island, and experienced our first fish boil. Some of the husbands toured Lambeau Field, a real treat for my husband, Ray, who has been a Packer fan all his life. We were in Door County when I learned from LIZ NICHOLAS WALKER ’75, my freshman year roommate, that ANNETTE REIGLE BARRETT ’75 had passed away. My deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved ANNETTE. We are planning a trip to Florida for February and will catch up with family and a few New Jersey friends. Can’t wait to get out of this cold and snow!

“Currently, most of my time is spent leading the Daytripper Club at our Del Webb community. We just had our first trip this week, to the BMW plant in Greer, South Carolina. Other trips that we are looking at include Shadow Springs winery, Kings Mountain, and a tour of the South Carolina capitol building. If you are ever in South Carolina, please give us a ring at (201) 707-3409 (we are 20 minutes away from downtown Charlotte, North Carolina).”

KATHY KURKE ’75 of Ormond Beach, Florida, emails: “I have become a ‘Resident Artist’ for the Concklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired creating textured and three-dimensional hanging art for appreciation by blind students. This has been a real stretch for me because I have always focused on mixed-media two-dimensional work. There are six of us and we also now have a resident gallery where we sell our more traditional art. 30% of the profits go to the school where they train blind and sometimes additionally challenged adults for employment. This school is the only of its kind in the United States. See: www.cvicentralflorida.org/about/message-from-the-president. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, we have not been able to paint together and the new gallery has not yet been announced or made open to the public. It is just beginning to gear up again.

“As for most, the pandemic period was very difficult. My husband, Rich, and I spent most of our time serving as caregivers for Rich’s brother, Jim, as he navigated treatment for his stage four pancreatic cancer. His cancer was considered inoperable but the oncologist found a surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, who specialized in ‘inoperable’ pancreatic surgery. After many months of chemo followed by weeks of radiation, he had surgery successfully removing all of the cancer. Jim is now considered cancer-free and there is a very high likelihood it will not come back. But the poor guy went through hell and back as he went through the process. He has gone back to his own home as he fully recovers and deals with the side effects of the treatment. He celebrates every day that he is now cancer-free.

“During Jim’s treatment, I postponed treating my severe sciatica until Jim did not need our help. I finally had my own back surgery in the late fall with some success. Since then, I have had radiofrequency ablation for my right SI joint and am returning back to normal. I no longer need to use a cane to walk and I can sit and stand long enough to return to painting. I will have the same treatment on my left SI joint in a few weeks and believe that will be the last of it. I had an artist’s block during the family health issues and the worst of the pandemic, although while recuperating from my surgery I did return to making some jewelry and gave it all away to friends.

“Lastly, January 6 was devastating for this old political science major with a career as a federal attorney who faithfully served and protected the Federal Government and its system of democracy. It has been particularly hard to see the government I so faithfully served and protected torn to pieces and continue to deteriorate. I am finally expressing my angst through art that is being shown in a local show. All in all, things are looking up for our family and I realize there is much to be thankful for at this time. Good health is returning for me and mine, I can enjoy the warmth of Florida, a loving husband, and spend my retirement doing something I have loved doing since childhood, painting. I hope all is well with my Ripon classmates and would love to reunite with my old friends. I rarely go on Facebook so I have not kept up except through your Class Letters. I have a new email address: [email protected] and hope to hear from Classmates.”

LITA KATZ ’75 in Baltimore, Maryland, has a weather report: “I just got back from a walk in the park with my husband. We got about ¼ inch of snow yesterday, so everything is just nicely frosted.”

DICK O’CONNOR ’75 of Olympia, Washington, emails: “Cathy and I both retired last summer, and it is even better than everyone told us. The gift of time simply cannot be over-appreciated! We have spent (some of) our time being volunteer math tutors at the high school I just retired from, going to the gym ‘regularly,’ working on building ramps for wheelchair-bound older folks in our parish, and providing emergency daycare for our grandchildren when daycares/schools need to close down for a few days. It keeps us busy, but not too busy, which is just right! In mid-February, we are going on a ten-day guided tour of the Holy Land with a group from our parish. This is a trip-of-a-lifetime thing, which will happen as long as we continue to stay safe and test negative in the 72 hours before we leave. I’ll let you know next time how it was.

“Yesterday, I went razor clam digging near Ocean Shores, Washington, with one of my daughters, her husband, and their three young kids. The limit is 15, so the kids and I (as a team) tried to race Mom and Dad to their limits. Digging was tough, but we persevered and I helped the kids find a total of ten just as each of their parents got their 15. Then I dug on my own as the tide started to turn and picked up five and a half clams before dark fell. (The half was the result of a poorly-aimed shovel stab just before the surf came in, washing away the other half!) Technically, Team Kids+Grandpa won, 15.5 to 15 to 15. At least, if I’m making the rules.”

MARY ELIZABETH DELK ’75 of Austin, Texas, reports: “JACK DELK ’74 fully retired on December 31 – we are very happy to be enjoying a more leisure pace. We are going to Israel in April and we are very excited about that. We have a son getting married this summer. We love Austin, Texas, love being near our grandkids, and are very grateful for good health.” Connect with her at [email protected].

Congratulations to BOB BARRINGTON ’75 of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin! He emails: “I was honored to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin District Attorney’s Association in November. Nominating letters focused on two things:

1.) My team and I developed a ‘paperless’ file system and then worked with the Wisconsin Court system to institute e-filing which allowed every prosecutor in Wisconsin to take their laptops home and not miss a beat during COVID-19. They had every document in every file in their respective offices accessible via VPN and could do everything from home that they had previously done in the office.

2.) The second theme of nominations discussed my efforts to tear down silos between justice partners, particularly with treatment courts – working to be less adversarial with people charged with crimes who need treatment rather than incarceration. I serve on the board of the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals.”

Apologies to LINDA MOGICATO SASSER ’75 of Peoria, Arizona. Her correct email is [email protected]. She has now lived in sunny Arizona for four years and “loves walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, playing bocce, and just being outdoors, all of which got easier once she got her new right hip last May!” Daughter, Nicole, and her husband (in Orlando) gave birth to a son, last March, so now LINDA and Carey (married 42+ years) have three grandsons they visit there several times a year. Son, Scott, (in-house counsel with NetApp) hopes to move out of California later this year since he can work remotely. Though she still does webinars, LINDA is looking forward to speaking engagements being in person again this year, including one at The Villages in Florida in April. Her book “Brain SENSE: A Guide and Workbook to Keep Your Mind and Memory Sharp” is on Amazon.

LEN KACHINSKY ’75 of Neenah, Wisconsin, emails: “I am coming out of semi-retirement to participate in school protests over mandatory masking and to run for school board in Neenah. The Primary is on February 15. The general spring election is on April 5. Not yet been interviewed by the FBI task force on domestic terrorism.”

BECKY HADLEY ’75 of San Antonio, Texas, emails: “In a few words, life has had its ups and downs, but my main mantra is ‘gratitude.’ Life is very good for Peter and me and we’re loving retirement. I officially retired on 12/31/20. I had a 17-year career in printing and graphic arts in Chicago and San Antonio and a 25-year career in nursing in San Antonio. I might have worked a bit longer in nursing doing “prn” but with the pandemic shutting down the surgical center I worked at for a while and some health issues, I decided to call it quits, I did have a time of finding it hard to let go of working for over 42 years, but now find retirement the BEST!

“Don’t want to bore folks with talking about my health issues, but I’ll mention them only to say that it’s so important to pay attention to your body and pay attention and get regular checkups even if you feel fine. In late 2019, I noticed a lump in my right breast—it was cancer. 2020 was an interesting year to have surgery but I did have a lumpectomy and then radiation. So far, I’m doing good and I’m followed closely. I’m also followed by a cardiologist as I’d reported intermittent palpitations; on a follow up I was found to be a potentially lethal heart rhythm (A-fib) and have consequently had two procedures to attempt to fix it. I now take some meds to help prevent a stroke. I am just so GRATEFUL to have had good care for these issues which are serious but treatable and I am grateful to be alive and feeling well.

“We have traveled quite a bit in the past two years. We’re triply vaccinated and most of our trips involve a lot of hiking and being outdoors. Like many, we’ve canceled several “big” trips, but have done much domestic travel—North Carolina, New Mexico, Colorado, hometown St. Louis, west Texas, the Texas coast, South Carolina, Washington D.C. (to visit our oldest daughter, Laura), and many trips to Houston to be with our youngest daughter Katy and son-in-law and adorable grandkids who are ages five and two.

“While in Taos, New Mexico last summer, I took a wonderful ceramics workshop on “spirit dolls.” It was hand-building with clay — no wheels involved! I’ve really gotten into this in a big way and have made a lot of stuff. Gift-giving this Christmas was a no-brainer! But I also answered a call for new artists in a cool gallery/shop here, and got my stuff accepted and have sold some things, and also work at the gallery one day a month. So art, painting watercolor, and now working in clay have been wonderful for me. I volunteer at least once a week for local Meals on Wheels. I saw DAVID GROSSMAN ’73 who was passing through San Antonio with his wife, Robin, a few weeks ago; we had a good time and I was a pretty good tour guide (if I do say so …).”

ANNETTE REIGLE BARRETT ’75 of Tucson, Arizona, died Sept. 8, 2021. At Ripon, she studied sociology and anthropology and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta. She worked in the construction industry. She was an avid reader, crafter, and dog owner. Survivors include two daughters; siblings, including a sister, SUDY REIGLE ALTHOLZ ’73, and a brother-in-law, THOMAS ALTHOLZ ’72.

BARB COLEOPY PORTER ’75 of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, writes: “I have moved to Nanaimo from nearby Lantzville and I am now on my own. This is a temporary landing spot where I can determine my next steps. I would greatly enjoy hearing from you, and I welcome you to connect with me through email at [email protected].”

Which Classmates are posting on Facebook? I’m starting with “A.” I may not get to “Z” so look for more updates in the fall. A reminder that we have a Class Facebook page: facebook.com/RiponCollegeClass75/.

I noticed NAN ANDREWS ’75 of Geneva, Illinois, shared a number of photos on her personal Facebook page that I found to be uplifting. They were a photo of the 2022 Ice Castle from the Eagle River Fire Department, poet Amanda Gorman reciting her latest, “New Day’s Lyric,” and a photo of her mom celebrating her 91st birthday.

SAM ARVANITIS ’75 Long Branch, New Jersey, has retired from university teaching — he’s a friend of BRUCE GUILFOILE ’75 in Japan.

In February, Black History Month, GLENDA HARRIS BARNETT ’75 of Hanover, Maryland, shared biographies of Louise Ceila Fleming, the first African American woman to the Women’s Medical College of Philadelphia, Surya Bonaly, who did a backflip at the 1998 Olympics (which was banned afterward), and Raven Wilkinson, the first African American woman to get a contract to dance full-time with a major ballet company, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo of New York City and she was barred from performing on tour in the South — to ensure her safety.

When the snow fell in DePere, Wisconsin, Grandpa BOB BARTINGALE ’75 got outdoors with his grandkids on skis.

MARY SCHULTZ BARTKOWIAK ’75 of Brookfield, Wisconsin, co-hosted a bridal shower for Katie in August.

WARREN BLUHM ’75 reports JIM HANEY ’76 died on Dec. 2. JIM had an unforgettable voice if you ever tuned into WRPN for news on campus. WARREN tells how he recruited JIM to do that daily broadcast and JIM helped WARREN get a job at WDUX, starting the morning after the Ripon graduation. He remembers JIM as “one of the most likable intelligent and intentional people I’ve ever met, with a smile that made you smile.” JIM was a professor of communications at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and was communications director for Attorney General Jim Doyle and then-Governor Jim Doyle. We’ve lost two more from WRPN, WAYNE DAVIS ’76, a walking encyclopedia, great photographer, tremendous wit and caring human being, and ROB “TEX” MEYER ’78, a truly original human, as WARREN put it, “My memories of them bring a smile to my face and an ache of nostalgia for what were truly good old days.” WARREN adds, “I find myself wishing I’d stayed in touch and making a mental list of people really need to touch base with again, while I can.” I agree 200 percent! I also noticed that WARREN posted a picture of a puppy on social media named Willow. Willow is a cutie! Here’s her picture as proof. I reached out to WARREN and it turns out this picture is 13 years old, but it is still worth sharing with all of you, in my opinion!

Let’s move on to Ripon College news.

I must thank Classmates who supported Ripon College this past fiscal year, especially those who supported the Ripon Fund, as well as #OneDayRally is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27. Mark your calendar!

Our Class gave $45,862 in 2021 — 32.21% compared to 26.67% of alumni as a whole. I’m sure we will have a higher percentage going forward! 🙂

I have been helping my daughter-in-law homeschool Matthew, who is five, who is very interested in planets and firefighting, and Amaris, four, who loves to draw. She has a very nice setup with desks, a whiteboard, an easel, and a desktop computer for educational videos, like one on Japanese calligraphy. Matthew remembers sakura means cherry blossoms and Amaris produced the symbol for the sun.

I am excited about 2022 Coastal Health & Wellness, the news magazine I’m working on, which will include a study on Earthing, an explanation of Ayurveda from a local practitioner, and a recipe from Chris Wark, who beat stage two colon cancer in 2003 with surgery and dramatically changing his life. He says cancer is not an emergency, it’s a wake-up call. So many people asked him how he did it, he created a ten-part online series (free in March) — forgiveness is a must — hosted monthly chats, wrote a book to inspire others, and now Beat Cancer Kitchen, written with his wife. Believe me, these recipes will have you salivating! More at ChrisBeatCancer.com. Our 2022 magazine will be posted at tpgonlinedaily.com.

Our Class is not in the reunion cycle this year but you are welcome to make plans to attend Alumni Weekend on campus: June 23-26, 2022.

Our BIG Reunion will be in 2025.
I am looking forward to seeing you!
Your Class Agent,

JONDI GUMZ ’75
H: (831) 461-1120 / M: (831) 461-5946

Submitted by: Class Agent: Jondi Gumz

Hello, classmates! “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”

I am really getting restless to be outdoors – to take longer walks and to play in the garden. I am not much of a tv-watcher, aside from some PBS shows and Sunday football. I do read an awful lot, bird-watch and hike locally, as well as volunteer at my library. We haven’t done any traveling in a very long time, and we are looking forward to taking some trips as soon as we can. But one thing COVID-19 has done for us is show us all the interesting things there are to do in our own backyard, so to speak – the museums, art galleries, and exhibits going on close by, and we’ve tried to experience as many as possible. Are you doing this, too? If so, I hope you will share your experiences with me so I can add them to future Class Letters.

I know the folks at the College are working hard as they always do on preparing for Alumni Weekend, and they are hoping we all plan to be on campus June 23-26. It’s not too early to make hotel reservations, and be watching for news of online registration later this spring. A list of area hotels is available at www.ripon.edu/lodging/.

How exciting it will be to get back to our traditional celebration!

You may also be excited to see all the changes taking place in downtown Ripon. Apparently, Ripon has received a lot of attention and recognition for upgrades to the downtown area, taking advantage of the lovely architecture of so many remaining buildings, and has become quite a popular destination for shopping and dining. It was recently named one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America!” And, if you check out Ripon’s Main Street Facebook page, you’ll see they have events planned for the rest of 2022, with something for everyone. I look forward to strolling down Watson Street and experiencing its charm once again.

There aren’t a lot of Class Notes this time, but I must say it was wonderful to hear from some folks we haven’t heard from in awhile. I guess the pandemic has kept most of us close to home, but even if you aren’t traveling, it’s great to hear what’s on your mind. Keep me in the loop!

KATHY WILLIAMS HOFFER ’74 and TERRY HOFFER III ’74 of Danville, Vermont, write: “We remember being puzzled when in 1992 Ripon decided to retire the Redman mascot. There was an emerging controversy about the disrespect such a mascot name extended to Native Americans, and ultimately the College became formally known as the Red Hawks. We are no longer puzzled, and in retrospect, we appreciate Ripon doing the right thing. We live in Danville, a small town in northern Vermont, with a high school that has represented itself as the Indians. The mascot controversy simmered until last fall when the pendulum swung to a point of agreement for change. Now we are the Danville Bears. GO BEARS!”

KIM KOBRIGER ’74 of Henderson, Nevada, sent the following news: “Teri and I have sold our house in Nine Mile Falls, Washington, and our new permanent address is in Sun City McDonald Ranch, in Henderson, Nevada. Teri is redoing the interior of the house – she is painting and doing new baseboards and door casings – she likes doing it herself!!

“I am hoping to make it back to Ripon this summer and MARK WRIGHT ’75 and I along with BILL BRUCATO ’73 are planning a 50-year swimming reunion for all swimmers for October to celebrate the 1970-71 and 1971-72 Swimming Conference Championships. I am trying to get back in shape by walking and golfing.

“We are guardians of Teri’s daughter’s oldest who is a senior at Coronado High School. I am an active member of Rotary and I volunteer with the Knights of Columbus to serve food at the Senior Center and at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry.

“All is going well and I wish you and your family a blessed and peaceful New Year ahead. I hope all this craziness settles out and people can get back to normal lives.”

Class notes

DEBORAH EVANS CLEM ’74 of Boulder, Colorado, writes, “We are long retired but my husband Steven is a faithful Habitat volunteer and I continue to write; participate in music in a variety of ways, especially in the World Wide Dalcroze Music Education Community. Mostly we enjoy our family from age 97 to ages 2-1 with (seven) grandchildren and another on the way.”

LINDA LANDIN KAROW ’74 of Silver Spring, Maryland, says: “Just got back from the Atlanta area, where we visited our first grandchild, Kennedy Faye. She was born on November 1st. Life in Maryland has been an adventure. My daughter is getting married in downtown D.C. in July. I am looking forward to that.”

Good to hear from you all, and I know all your Ripon friends will be as well. Please keep sending your news and views; I will hang on to them until I write our next Class Letter. Meanwhile, stay healthy and happy, and make plans to be on campus for Alumni Weekend! Happy Spring!

All the best –

JAN PETROVSKI MACLEOD ’74
(630) 460-0320
Your 1974 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Jan Petrovski MacLeod

Dear Classmates,

The countdown to our 50th Class Reunion has begun! Alumni Weekend 2023 will be June 22nd to the 25th. Please put it on your calendars now. It would be wonderful to have lots of you turn up for the event! I will be keeping you posted on plans. Right now STEVE ILLICH ’73, [email protected], is working on a slide show and would like pictures of couples who met at Ripon and are still together. He would like “then” and “now” photos if you have them. Also, it is traditional to put a memory book together for 50th reunions. If you would like to work on that, please let me know. Again, remember the dates June 22-25, 2023!!!

This year’s Alumni Weekend is June 23rd to the 26th, 2022. GARY LEDERER ’72 and I will be attending as it is his 50th Class Reunion! We are looking forward to it, and hope to see many of you there. In the meantime, we have had some little reunions of our own. Recently we had dinner with Dr. Zach Messitte, RANDY ROEPER ’88/P’24 and SHAWN KARSTEN ’09 on Zach’s farewell tour. Always so good to learn firsthand what is happening on campus. We also got together with alums LYNNE HORNE GASIOREK ’72 and her husband AL GASIOREK ’73, LINDA BRASSINGTON DANIELS ’72, and husband, Dave.

A few days later we met up with SUDY REIGLE ALTHOLZ ’73 and husband TOM ALTHOLZ ’72 who have recently purchased a winter home in nearby Naples.

It is always so much fun to catch up with Ripon friends. If you have any pictures of your own mini-reunions, put them online at alumni.ripon.edu/rconnections/ or you can send the photos to me and I will get them to the College. Be sure to check in on Ripon’s news site and R Connections where you can read other Classes’ Letters, catch up on alumni postings, and learn what is going on on campus!

Thank you to the 51 of you who gave to Ripon College this past fiscal year. As you know, Ripon relies on its alumni for support and appreciates each dollar it receives. 51 donors represent 32.08% of us in the Class of 1973 who are available to give. That ranks us seventh in Class giving among all the classes. It’s now a new year and time to think again about giving. The Ripon Fund drive for your fiscal year gift goes until the end of the College’s fiscal year: June 30. Please give generously! And, thanks again to those who have given, and to those of you who will give in the future.

My appeal for news from Classmates as always seems to take at least two asks and a plea! Here is what I heard from Classmates for this Class Letter:

HILDE BORMANN HENKEL ’73 and husband MARK HENKEL ’70 are happy and healthy in Rudolph, Wisconsin, where they are semi-retired, still practicing law, teaching Tae Kwon Do, and hobby farming.

BILL BRUCATO ’73 of Sterling, Virginia, writes, “Swimmers MARK WRIGHT ’75 and KIM KOBRIGER ’74 flew in to see me December 8, 2021, here in Sterling. It was an outstanding visit! I credit MARK and KIM for starting the initiative to raise at least $125,000 to support Ripon swimming (The real goal is much higher – $175,000). Obviously, I am working on it, too, as I was a swimmer during our Ripon years.”

KEN ELLIOT ’73 and MARCIA FRUHMAN ELLIOT ’75 of Malta, Illinois, write, “Our son, Benjamin, has been named the Engineering and Operations Manager at Genova Technologies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He has worked there for nearly 20 years. His wife, Amanda, is a pediatric psychiatrist at the University of Iowa in Iowa City and she is on the faculty there. Ben’s children, Carolyn, (age ten) has been competing at level four in gymnastics and his son, DJ, (age eight) is on an ice hockey team. Our daughter, Christina, has four kids (three girls and a boy). Her daughter, Brooklyn, (age 12) is competing in the Excel Silver program in gymnastics while the other three also take classes. All three girls are in dance classes and two of them are in swimming classes. One is a Brownie and another is a Cadette Girl Scout. It sure keeps us grandparents busy, since we are their major mode of transportation for school and after-school activities. We still have our store in downtown Sycamore. MARCIA makes things for the store and does the ordering while KEN has taken over most of the actual clerking in the store. We are still trying to find that elusive thing called retirement.”

CHRISTINE WOLK ’73 of Green Lake, Wisconsin, writes, “I am still not retired as a practicing lawyer but I am slowing down. I joined the firm of Krekeler & Strother SC in Madison as part of the departure plan. My sister and I were able to visit Paris in September for a river cruise. I felt safe from COVID-19. There were sani-pass demonstrations in Paris and police in abundance, but Paris is still the City of Light. I do not need to travel again soon. Leaving Paris Charles de Gaul was no picnic. I have never been so glad to go through customs in Chicago. I love my expedited entry card.”

MARILYN BAXTER CARVER ’73 of Wadena, Minnesota, and her husband, Johnny, are back in Arizona this winter, away from their summers in Minnesota. They were thrilled to host their children and grandchildren over the holidays, for a week of touring, bike riding, cookouts, and more. Now that the younger generations have gone home, MARILYN and Johnny are spending their time hiking and playing music.

JOE SANDRIN ’73/P’99 of Bayside, Wisconsin, writes, “Things continue to improve following a rough medical year in 2021. I am still seeing many doctors and doing physical therapy. I’m back to work starting this week with real plans to cut hours and ease into retirement by late spring or early summer. Of course, retirement will still include part-time work and consulting on my old projects a few hours here and there. Janice P’99 and I are planning a few road trips this year in our recently acquired RoadTrek Agile SS Class B motorhome and are practicing with day trips around Wisconsin. Longer trips are expected by summer. Things have been quiet as I have focused on recovery and stabilizing my Myasthenia Gravis impacts and treatments after a rough 2021. I am looking forward to a better 2022.”

KATE PARISH MILLER ’73 of Richland, Michigan, writes, “In my little COVID-19 world my family is vaxxed – adults and grands. Adults are also boosted. We are so fortunate. Some (adults and grands) have caught COVID-19 anyway but have gotten through it pretty easily! I am still building a house – COVID-19 has slowed it to a crawl but I am enjoying the journey, in slow motion. It is easier to understand the passive house, net-zero build.

“On another front, I continue to work for the planet. The latest effort on the oil side (think 350.org) is to encourage our senators and local leaders, school boards, local privately-owned stores, Federal Post Office… to implement ‘no idle.’ I have an assistant who keeps me organized and accesses the internet much quicker than I. In addition, 350.org ran a campaign to encourage people who hold credit cards that belong to banks who lead money to oil companies (primarily to explore and continue drilling, etc) to cancel their credit cards with those banks. There are twelve. I have been babysitting a new granddaughter once a week and doing playground duty with her brothers at school. I go to Duluth to see my daughter and family not often enough! I hope everyone is healthy and vaxxed and boosted! 2022 which will close with our 50th wedding anniversary on December 23 of this year.”

CHRISTOPHER CARR ’73 of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, is a consumer bankruptcy practitioner with over 35 years of experience. He and his wife, combined, have raised eight children. They have two spoiled Golden Retrievers. CHRISTOPHER expects his first grandchild soon.

MARTY MORRIS ’73 of Portland, Oregon, writes, “My spouse and I continue improving our little place on the coast. I might give up the city life? I am getting ready for another summer of camping around Oregon. Rain and snow levels are up so maybe there will be fewer wildfires. I have been going through old hard drives and DVDs and I hope I find some Ripon pictures for STEPHEN ILLICH ’73.”

DAVID GROSSMAN ’73 of Centerville, Massachusetts, writes, “While traveling out west this winter, my wife, Robin, and I stopped by San Antonio. We visited with BECKY HADLEY ’75 and her husband, Peter. BECKY showed us a giant tree made by the “Arbol” public art project she had worked on a couple of years ago. Here is a link for more: https://tinyurl.com/sanantonioarbol. Peter is displaying his photography at a local coffee shop. DAVID and Robin have been on the road since mid-December, traveling by car from Cape Cod to the Bay Area, California. We will be in Naples, Florida for all of February before returning to the Cape.

From left to right in the picture: Peter Szarmach and REBECCA HADLEY ’75, and Robin and DAVID GROSSMAN ’73 (taken January 17, 2022).

MICHAEL MIZEN JR. ’73 of Lakewood, Ohio, writes, “In March 2021, PEGGI SEELBACH MIZEN ’73 blew her left ACL while skiing. Replaced and with diligent exercise, she is back…February 2022…Snowmass…

KRIS DAVIS ’73 of Appleton, Wisconsin, writes “Hello everyone! Hope you are all doing well. Jim and I are fine; a few more aches and pains and sleeping at night is always a new adventure. Chocolate helps!!! We continue to stay active with family, friends, church, and now more outings (Earth, Wind & Fire comes to Appleton in May). We will go dancing at Northstar casino again soon. We hope to visit my parents in New York in April. I recently visited BEAMING, a program that uses horses to help veterans, youth, and seniors with various physical and emotional challenges to improve their well-being. I will be offering a class on self-esteem and one on how to reduce feelings of anxiety at the equine program BEAMING’s summer camp for teens in June. I will be sharing and teaching materials from a group for at-risk teens I created and led for Waupaca County with BEAMING’s director to use throughout her program. God bless.”

KATE LUHMAN WILLIAMS ’73 of Fox Point, Wisconsin, writes “I was going through some old boxes and found these two faded photos from the winter of 1970. Were we ever that young?! I sold my house and downsized to a luxury apartment a couple of years ago, but I still had some boxes to go through, which is a great mid-winter task. Hence the old pictures and other fun things I’m finding…”

KATHY SPANGARD PLAUSHINES ’73, JEAN KIRKPATRICK LEDERER ’73, KATY LUHMAN WILLIAMS ’73, KAREN JENNEKE ’73, DOREEN CONFORTI CHEMEROW ’73 circa 1970 in front of Evans Hall.

“Tide Charts: Ebb and Flow,” a posthumous exhibit of mixed-media artworks by JAMES THOMPSON ’73 was on view in Western Oregon University’s Cannon Gallery of Art earlier this year.

In other news, I am sad to report the deaths of CATHY MASSON LEWIS ’73 in October and SAM WELLER ’73 in September.

It is always good to hear from you. Keep sending me your updates and news.

All the Best,

JEAN KIRKPATRICK LEDERER ’73
(630) 987-9388
Your 1973 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer

Dear Classmates:

The expression, “spring forward, fall back” is how many of us remember what to do as we enter and leave Daylight Saving Time. For this Class Letter, l’ll let you know what is coming up for Ripon and what has happened in the recent, and not so recent, past.

College News
Goodbye and good luck: The recent big campus news involved bidding farewell to President Zach Messitte, Ripon’s 13th President. The late fall was filled with events and opportunities to say goodbye and good luck to Dr. Messitte and his family. His legacy includes the strong financial position of the College along with solid enrollment for the near future. I’m sure our class joins me in thanking President Messitte for his accomplishments, as well as for his vision and leadership before and during the pandemic.

Blast from our past: I hope you saw the article in The Winter 2021 Ripon Magazine, “Remembering Lester O. Schwartz.” Lester P’88/P’89 was a notable fixture on our campus from 1944 until his retirement in 1977. We knew him as an artist-in-residence and for his often unique, methods of teaching art, including having students spend time working at his Green Lake farm. I did not know, or had forgotten, that he founded the Department of Art at Ripon College. He was quite a guy and quite an artist.

Back in our day: We all remember going to the bookstore located in the Student Union. Over the years it moved over to the Pickard Commons. Beginning this school year, the Rally Store opened in Ripon Drug, just off the campus at the start of downtown. It features Ripon College items we used to buy at the old bookstore.

Ripon recognized: The town of Ripon was recognized as one of the Seven Best Downtown Areas in Wisconsin. It was also recognized as one of the Ten Most Magical Christmas Towns in December 2021.

Alumni Weekend: Alumni Weekend 2022 will go back to the usual end-of-June time. Save the date, June 23-26, 2022. Remember too, our class will hold its 55th Reunion next year (June 22-25, 2023). Hold the thought!

Fundraising: The spring #OneDayRally will be held on Wednesday, April 27. This special, one-day fundraiser has grown each year since it started. I hope our class will be a leader in showing support for our school and all it has accomplished.

Classmate News
MIKE CLAREY ’68 of Pymont, Australia, reports that Australia, where he has lived for 35 years, has had very tough COVID-19 restrictions. At one point last fall, it was closed to non-citizens who were not permanent residents. Because there was a required two-week quarantine in a hotel, at your expense, and with space limitations, about 30,000 Aussies who wanted to return were unable to do so. Additionally, if you wished to leave the country, you had to apply to do it. At that time, the Clareys were planning to leave in December for a visit with their older daughter in North Carolina, followed by some additional travel around the U.S., including a visit with ’68 classmate, JIM CLARK ’68 and wife, Martha.

Obituaries
RICHARD R. BROCKHAUS ’68 of Rockville, Maryland, died August 12, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in physics and philosophy and was a member of Partners in the Legacy. He received a Ph.D. in philosophy from Brown University and taught philosophy at Bucknell University. He later moved to the Washington, D.C. area and taught calculus and physics at Landon School for close to 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Ann; one son and one daughter.

DAVID KENNICOTT ’68 of University Place, Washington, died August 31, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in philosophy. After serving in the Army in Fort Knox and Bübligren, Germany, he received a Master’s degree in library science from UW-Oshkosh. He was branch administrator for the Pierce County Library Systems for more than 20 years. He enjoyed traveling and crossword puzzles, as well as traveling to car races along with collecting model cars and toys. He is survived by his wife, Elaine and one son.

BONNIE MACDOUGALL BECK ’68 of Hamilton, Missouri, died October 19, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. She also received a degree in education from Loyola University, Chicago. She worked for 17 years as a Chicago public school teacher while also managing multiple real estate properties. She then bought and operated a family-oriented campground in Turney, Missouri with her husband, Oren D. Beck. Here, she continued her career in education as a school librarian. She is survived by two daughters and two unofficially adopted sons.

Social Media
Facebook connection: I encourage you to become part of our newly-revised Facebook group, Ripon College Class of 1968. If you were part of the Facebook 50th Reunion page, you are already included. It is a great way to connect with classmates and it is where we will post information about our 55th Reunion (hard to believe!).

In closing, we are always interested in your news. It’s an important connection for those with whom we have a common bond but do not regularly see. Please let us hear from you. My contact information is included above, or you may always submit a class news note at this link: alumni.ripon.edu/services/update-info/.

Best wishes,

PETER UHRIG ’68
(512) 762-1479
Your 1968 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Peter Uhrig

Dear Class of 1966,

1966. Seems like yesterday…except when I get up in the morning with a pain in my lower back. But yoga takes care of it until tomorrow morning. Then, it starts all over again. But who’s complaining? I’m here to see the sunrise for another day.

I’m sorry that those who wrote me for the Fall ’21 Letter didn’t get posted. My confusion. But, here we all are in the Spring ’22 Letter!

For me, besides the slight aches and pains of aging, things have been going fine. I love Albuquerque after 40 years in a traffic-clogged L.A. We even had two snowstorms this winter! Plus, we have over 300 days of sunshine.

Here are the messages sent by our Class members:

HELEN HANSEN and Bob Collier of Saint Paul, Minnesota, write, “Thank you so very much for picking up the 1966 Class Agent role. I loved doing it until my husband’s Parkinson’s simply left very little time. We now know more about Parkinson’s than we ever thought we would learn.” [Agent Note: In February 2022, HELEN wrote that “all is good.”]

SUSAN SCOTT LASHLY and MARK LASHLY of Chesterfield, Missouri, write, “Both MARK and I are beginning to find a new path with a little more freedom from COVID-19. Both of us are retired and are involved in some community work which we enjoy. Our travels have been cut short but we have still managed our annual Door County family vacation where we love being together with our entire family and also enjoy the opportunity to renew friendships with Ripon friends – the Goodes and the Matheses.

“Our three granddaughters bring us great joy and are quite grown up now – ages 22, 19, and 15, with two in college at Missouri State University and one a sophomore in high school. Happily, our children and granddaughters live here in St. Louis so we can get together often.

“We look forward to the time when everything can get back to normal and hope all of our Ripon friends have managed to stay healthy and will continue to do so.”

PAM KURZ GOODE and TERRY GOODE of Bailey’s Harbor, Wisconsin, write, “As for what we have been up to (other than being extremely careful due to COVID-19), still enjoying life in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin! So much to do with an active theater and art scene, plus classes at Bjorklunden and the Clearing. Retirement had been good to us.

“Under normal circumstances, we usually travel quite a bit – a month in Mexico, a couple of weeks out East, etc. We are both Civil War buffs (thank you Ripon history professors for that) so many of our past trips have been to visit those historic sites.

“We are very fortunate that our daughter and her family live just a few minutes away from us, so we see lots of them and are able to attend many of the events those two teenage grandsons participate in. Our son and his family live in Syracuse, New York, so we don’t see them very often, but we try to keep up with that grandson’s activities as well.

“Having both lost our mothers to Alzheimer’s disease a number of years ago, we are trying to do our part by volunteering at the Alzheimer’s wing of the local care center on a weekly basis. We also tend a local wildflower garden in a nearby park, which is open to the community. TERRY serves on several boards, including the Merriman Board of Regents.

“We were back in Ripon briefly in August with friends RUTH POTTS FLECK and BOB FLECK ’65 and managed a nice visit with Dr. Hannaford P’68, aka Spud!  Also, I touched base with SUZIE SCOTT LASHLY and MARK LASHLY this past summer here in Door County. We also stay in touch via email and phone with SUZAN HELGERSON PRUIETT and her husband in Tampa. That’s our life in a nutshell! Take care and, again, thanks for assuming the class agent mantle!”

WILLIAM DESCHER and PATRICIA OLSON DESCHER of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, write, “We support Hillsdale College and Prager University as do most of my friends of 60s at Ripon. Your Ripon College president turned us off when disinvited the previous U.S. V.P.”

JOAN CHURCHILL of Exeter, New Hampshire, writes, “Suffice it to say, my life has been amazing. I left in ’66 on my way as a technician to Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico where I am now a patron. Then, I went onto Pittsburgh where I got my MFA at Carnegie-Mellon in Scene Design. The rest of the history is pretty much fairy tale.

“As a Santa Fe Opera patron, I am invited to NYC for a preview of any new opera they will present the following summer. In October of ’21, this was for ‘M. Butterfly’ with both David Henry Wang, librettist/playwright, and Huang Ruo, composer. The real star of the evening, however, was Kangmin Justin Kim, the countertenor playing the title role. He would be a great reason to travel to Santa Fe this summer, if for no other reason.

“While in New York, I saw “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” at the re-opened Met. It was too long, but I found it interesting and obviously a breakthrough piece. The house was packed. Two days later I went to the “Turandot” which was only half full. Strange; everyone needs to see that Zefferelli production at least once. (Agent note: The MET in HD broadcast will show Turandot on May 22nd. Check to see if it’s playing where you live. Putting aside questions about ethnicity and cultural appropriation, Turnadot is a must-see, mind-blowing production [the set even gets applause] whose music is glorious.)

“I return to New York for another round at the Met in March, seeing the premiere of the new ‘Don Carlo,’ along with an ‘Eugene Onegin.’ Since I haven’t yet given myself over to flying, I take the Amtrak Acela that goes along the coast and it is pretty breathtaking.”

PAMELA BEEKMAN ROGERS and STEPHEN ROGERS of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, writes, “We are both retired, and we have been married for 55 years. We have two children, two grandchildren, and we vacation in Florida during the month of January. Both of us are enjoying good health.”

JERRY THORNBERY of Baltimore, Maryland, writes, “Here is a brief summary of my life after Ripon College:

• 1966-1967: attended Emory University and gained a MAT degree
• 1967-1970: high school history teacher at East Atlanta High, Atlanta Public Schools
• 1970-1977: graduate student in American History at the University of Maryland, College Park
• 1977 dissertation: The Development of Black Atlanta, 1865-1885
• 1977-1979: part-time college teaching
• 1979-2016: high school history teacher and coach

Here is a link to the Gilman School newspaper that discussed my career and retirement. Most of the information is true.

Family History

• 1969: Married Carrie Himes, since 1969 Carrie Thornbery
• 1977: Son Reece was born – now lives in Chicago (with his wife) and is a projectionist at the Music Box
• 1980: Daughter Meredith was born – still lives in Baltimore with her husband, still a Thornbery, and is a 911 dispatcher for Howard County

          Note: all our grandchildren have four legs

“In the second semester of our senior year at Ripon, a movie series was shown. It included five or six Bogart films. When I moved to the DC area to begin my near-decade-long career as a grad student (surviving in part on Carrie Thornbery Renewable Scholarships), revival movie houses were popular. I must have seen every film that Bogie made after 1940. I will sail away with Bogie and Bacall to Key Largo any time, but some of my favorite films have been made by John Sayles, at least the ones from 1979 to early 2000.

“I was so impressed with what Brother Metcalf had done that I resolved to run a series on my own if I ever had the chance. For a decade in the 1980s at Gilman School, I ran the Brand O Film Society, promoting a Sunday fall and spring series. I gave extra credit to my students and, using two 16 mm projectors, made enough to break even. (Agent Note: This was the only way a fan of film could see older films since the video wasn’t invented yet. As a film careerist, I envy young people today who can see any film at any time, even on their phone!) At first, I hired a student to show the films but toward the end, I did it myself. The trick was to thread the third reel in the dark and have it set up so perfectly that the audience did not know that I had moved from one projector to another.

“By the end of the decade, however, students no longer had much interest in movies (except mall action or slasher flicks) and some complained so much that I concluded they thought that attending my films was worse than writing a term paper. Consequently, Brand O sadly was shut down. Later, I tried to give extra credit for seeing certain films at The Charles (where my son worked). But, when several students told me that Riffi was about a bank robbery, I knew that it was time to end the movie extra credit.

“And now with the pandemic, who knows if movie houses can survive? I have lost much of my hearing so I need to see a film with Open Captions (OC), meaning the subtitles can be seen on the screen. Fortunately, I get an email each week from OCDC (Open Captions Washington, D.C.) that lists every film and the times that will be shown in OC in the D.C. area. Both the AFI Silver in Silver Spring, Maryland, and the Avalon in Chevy Chase, D.C., show OC films and both require proof of vaccination and masks. So, we have started back to attending movie houses. We don’t tell our daughter.

“Did you happen to see the 1969 French film La Piscine with Alain Delon? We saw it at the AFI this summer and then read the review In the NY Times and decided to see it again at The Avalon a week or so ago. The next night we streamed the American remake of A Bigger Splash with Tilda Swinton. It blew us away. What a brilliant remake. But to appreciate it, you first have to see the original.

“You are scratching your head, no doubt, wondering why anyone would want to leave the comfort of their TV room when they can stream movies at home. But, I like to see films on the Big Screen and want to support my favorite houses. Note that no movie house in Baltimore shows anything in OC. Yes, we are a provincial town. But as the bumper sticker says, “Baltimore, Actually I Like It.” And we live in the city, near the Johns Hopkins undergrad campus. Gosh—it just occurred to me that if you aren’t deeper into movies (thank you, Pauline Kael) you must be asleep by now. If so, so sorry.

“Okay, one more Ripon story that has never been mentioned to my knowledge in a class of 1966 note as classmates get deeper into nostalgia and prove once again that they are closing in on senility. Digression: if so, what does this email say about me?

“In the spring of 1964, George Wallace entered the Wisconsin presidential primary. His opponent was Governor John Reynolds, an LBJ stand-in. Johnson claimed he was too busy carrying out JFK’s legacy and running the country to enter any of the primaries. He got state pols to run in his place, especially in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Maryland. Reynolds had run for governor as an enemy of the sales tax, but once elected, signed a bill for the sales tax. Then he said that a vote for Wallace was a vote against him. Not a great move. And that did not factor in all the Wallace supporters in the state who were going to vote for the Alabama governor anyway.

“Wallace was to speak one night in Oshkosh and two of his critics that same night came to Ripon College to attack him. William Bradford Huie was an Alabama writer who wrote a number of novels (several that became movies— “The Americanization of Emily,” “The Revolt of Mamie Stover,” “The Execution of Private Slovik”). Today he is remembered, if at all, as the journalist who got the killers of Emmett Till to give him a story in Look about how they murdered the youth. They did the interview for the money and because, after being found innocent of the crime, they could not be prosecuted again. The other speaker at Ripon that evening was the famous Socialist, Norman Thomas.

“I remember both of them and some of what they said. Huie pointed out that Wallace was still getting mental disability checks from his World War II experiences. Wallace later replied, “So what. I still have more sense than any or all of those Washington politicians.”  Thomas began by asking the tech people to turn off his mic. He explained that he still was not used to those new fangle inventions. And clearly, he did not need amplification; his voice boomed across the auditorium (or was it the gym?). He asked the students to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. When we got to “one nation under God” he exclaimed, “You can stop right there. Sit down. Students and friends, you have in a nutshell, the only contribution Dwight Eisenhower has made in eight years in office. He added ‘under God’ to the Pledge.” And then, he ripped into George Wallace and why all should oppose him.

“That’s more than enough THORNBERY for one sitting. But, here’s a little filler for the newsletter: Every summer since 1975, Carrie and I have gone to Belgium for July and August. Then you can add, that’s Belgium, Wisconsin, where we have a couple of shacks on Lake Michigan. Thanks to the pandemic (better not call it the Trump Virus in the newsletter), we did not make it there in 2020 as our daughter had us on lockdown in Baltimore City. But, we returned this summer to see that our $20,000 rockpile has stopped, for the present, Lake Michigan’s attack on our front yard. So far, so good. Our cottage is located on Sandy Beach South which currently has neither sand nor beach.

“Another piece of filler: Since 2016, I have spent part of my retirement in Wisconsin at our cottage and part of it in Baltimore, back at Gilman School, sitting in on a colleague’s fall English class on the literature of the 1960s. It has forced me to read two Kurt Vonnegut novels, Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse Five. I’m not a big fan but still glad I read them. In the spring semester, I read four or five Cormac McCarty’s novels. I came to appreciate the film version of No Country for Old Men after reading the novel. My real contribution to that literature course was to make sure that both my friend the instructor and the students knew that the correct pronunciation of that famous Wisconsin killer Ed Gein was Ed Geen, not Ed Gine, that came up in a discussion of McCarthy’s Child of God.

“Finally, a third and last filler: With the pandemic preventing me from attending a class at Gilman School, I had to do something to make Carrie think I wasn’t a total slug- Fat chance. For several months this spring, 2021, with the help of recently discovered letters my folks received from me in the late 1960s, I wrote a memoir about my first teaching gig, as a history teacher in the Atlanta Public Schools. It was written to amuse my former students of a half-century ago. Best comment: “JERRY, how do you remember all this crap?” The Johns Hopkins Medical Center has rated the memoir the best cure now known for insomnia. So, when I send it out, the reader is asked not to read the memoir while driving. I thank all of the contributors to this, my first “Class of 1966 Newsletter.” Given our ages, we have all lived very interesting and full lives, and I for one appreciate hearing about them.

“Let me add that this summer I am foregoing my annual trip to the Santa Fe Opera (if you have never gone it’s quite an experience given its location and the quality of its productions) and instead am going to the Central City Opera in Central City, Colorado. It’s located in a historic opera house built in 1878 (!) by Welsh and Cornish miners and town residents who had a tradition of music. Fortunately, it has been renovated several times over the past century and a half. Sitting in this theater is like going back in time and imagining what living in this once-thriving mining town that built an opera house must have been like.

“But before Colorado, I’m going to Brooklyn, New York, to see my granddaughter for the first time for her two-year birthday. My stepdaughter keeps me and her father, my husband, up to date with pictures of Raia nearly every day. But it will be great to actually see her and hold her in person. Plus, it’s New York City which means lots of theater-going, assuming the theaters will stay open and there’s something to see. Finally, I’m starting to make plans to see the Northern Lights in 2023 which assumes I will see 2023!”

In conclusion, as you may have read in the Winter Ripon Magazine, 2021 was the highest fundraising year ever for the college. However, just over 38% of our class contributed to this historic accomplishment. If you are in the 38+% who contributed, thank you. If not, perhaps you will consider making a donation during 2022 and, perhaps, we will not only beat the 2021 record but will increase the percentage of our class that is contributing. I look at it as planting seeds for the future as we help sustain the College while we help students by funding their education. It would be great to report an increase for the Spring 2023 Class Letter.

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from more of you for the next Class Letter. There are 168 of us still around, so let us know what you have done and are planning to do. My email is [email protected]. Don’t be shy.

Also, this summer’s Alumni Weekend will be June 23-26, 2022. After our 50th Reunion, we become part of what is known as the Golden R Reunion, which means we have a special celebration and dinner that we are invited to every year during Alumni Weekend.

This Class Letter is being snail-mailed in order to reach the most amount of Classmates. It is cheaper for the College to email out this Class Letter only. Therefore, I would encourage you that if you would like to stay up-to-date on your classmates’ activities, consider updating the College with your preferred email address using this form: alumni.ripon.edu/services/update-info/, or you can email me directly.

Yours—

BARRY SIMON ’66
(505) 967-5225
Your 1966 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Barry Simon

Greetings to my ’64 Classmates,

The months seem to go by so quickly. I am writing this Spring Class Letter near Valentine’s Day. Writing these letters causes me to reminisce about my days at Ripon. I am remembering the Valentine’s Day at Ripon when JIM KOHNEN ’64, my future husband, presented me with a beautiful rose in a bowl and his Theta Chi fraternity pin in Farr Hall where we often studied together. JIM had a desk in Farr Hall because he was in charge of the Greenhouse plus the mice and cockroaches. In May, it will be ten years since JIM died. We dated for most of the four years we were at Ripon except for a time sophomore year when he announced that he planned to become a Catholic priest. He did not arrive at Ripon until the second semester of freshman year and my roommate set us up on a blind date, which I almost did not agree to. The Ripon Greenhouse had beautiful Bird of Paradise plants. We have several of those plants here on the Stoneridge Creek grounds. The grounds are a great place to walk and we have many beautiful trees and flowers to enjoy.

I feel grateful to be living here, it has been eight-and-a-half years. I enjoy the excursions and they are starting up again. I saw a Van Gogh immersion show and will soon see one for Picasso. I also like the opportunity to eat with other residents. The only downside of living here is when people I know decline and sometimes die, although at our age that would happen wherever I lived. June will be the big 80th birthday for me, but I know several people here who are in their 90s and doing well. I keep being reminded that if I want to do something and I still can I should do it now. At the end of August, I have a cruise on a small ship scheduled; it is called Bourbon, the American Experience.

The biggest news at Ripon is that a Presidential Search is underway for Ripon’s 14th President because Zach Messitte resigned at the end of the first semester. The Search Committee hopes to make an offer in late spring. I enjoyed meeting Zach Messitte a couple of times when he was visiting alumni in California. The interim President is Andrea Young. The Governor of Wisconsin has appointed Ripon Professor of Art, Rafael Francisco Salas, to the Wisconsin Arts Board. Do you remember Lester Schwartz P’88/P’89 when we were at Ripon? I have a black and white print of his hanging in my kitchen; it is a man playing a clarinet.

I always like to encourage you to donate to Ripon’s annual fund, known as the Ripon Fund. For the last few years, I have made a donation from my required IRA distribution. When the donation goes directly from my IRA to Ripon, I do not pay taxes on the money. Last year, our class did very well in two categories. In the Honor Roll, of all classes ranked for total giving, our Class of ’64 was number eight. Also in the Honor Roll, of all classes for the percent of class participation, our Class of ’64 was number ten. Congratulations to us!

I have a few class notes to share with you. If you have something you would like to share in the future you can either send it to Ripon directly or to me!

CAROL RUMMEL DINGMAN ’64 of Dallas, Texas, received the Lifetime Achievement award from Metrocrest Services for “exceptional individuals who have spent decades serving the Metrocrest community.” The award was presented at the Golden Gala on October 30, 2021 at the Renaissance Hotel in Addison, Texas.

JAMES S. KLEINHANS ’64 of Whitewater, Wisconsin, died September 1, 2021. At Ripon, he played basketball under KERMIT “DOC” WEISKE ’50, who had been his coach at Fort Atkinson High School. He was also a member of Sigma Chi. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He had a 40-year career in journalism, printing and publication, serving as editor at newspapers in Ripon, Minocqua, Arcadia and Menomonie. He also was senior associate editor of J.J. Keller and Associates in Neenah and administration officer in the Bureau of Information/Education with the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He was active in environmental issues and sports activities at local, county and state levels throughout his life. Survivors include his wife, Penny; one son TODD KLEINHANS ’86 and two daughters.

JUVENNA CHANG ’64 of Honolulu, Hawaii, writes, “I am fully retired and keeping active with pickleball, aquajogging, quilting, volunteering at church, etc. So far, I have weathered the pandemic, vaccinated. Seven grandchildren keep me motivated.”

MARJORIE GEORGE WILLIAMS ’64 of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, writes, “When I retired from my Monday through Friday job about ten years ago, I continued to work as a church organist, but began to expand my musical horizons to include piano jazz. Five years later I resigned from my church position and began performing piano jazz weekly in two amateur-friendly venues, one of them an upscale memory care facility and the other a church dinner gathering. When the pandemic struck, all of that was curtailed for a time, but now I am back playing at the memory care facility. It is so rewarding to see the residents respond to my music. The church crowd is another matter. With them, it’s a bit like playing at a supper club, with frequent applause and the occasional vocalist coming on stage to sing along as I play.”

I wish you all health and happiness,

Pat Ostrom Kohnen ’64
(925) 201-7377
Your 1964 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Pat Ostrom Kohnen

Greetings, Classmates!

These are certainly trying times, but thankfully there are indications that COVID-19 is becoming manageable. But, oh, for the good old days!

Class Notes:

VERNON CRONEN ’63 of Wilmington, North Carolina, ([email protected]) writes, “Hi Classmates of 1963. There’s not much new to report. I continue to teach and do research at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. It has been great to teach face to face again (masked, and distanced of course). My wife and I do little outside the house as we are both at high risk for COVID-19. I hope to live long enough to eat at a restaurant (inside) and go to a basketball game. (UNCW has won 12 straight.) I very much appreciate my students and colleagues here and Myrna and I can still go to the beach, just ten minutes away. To those of you who, like me, will hit the 80 years mark very soon I offer this straight off a greeting card so it must be true: ‘Another day older only matters if you are a banana.’”

SUSAN KELLER MATTHES ’63 of Carson City, Nevada, ([email protected]) writes, “Hello, Classmates of 1963! How can it have been so long? Me turning 80 seems like somebody else – I really don’t feel much older than 60, except for a few occasional aches and pains! My husband and I have been staying safe in this COVID-19 environment – individual immunity is so important, as is diet and daily exercise. We haven’t done much in the way of travels these past two years – we’re hoping for some later this year, but it will all depend! Meanwhile, we enjoy the DVDs my husband has made of our past travels (now that we are ‘old and gray’ and we’ve seen so many beautiful places here in the USA!). ‘I never expected to see that’ are his words, often referring to growing up in Germany and seeing movies of the American West.

“I volunteer two-three times a month with Friends of the Carson City Library in our Browsers Book Store. It’s a really good store with volunteers even alphabetizing books, especially fiction and biography, by author! We’ve become a special place in Carson City! I also continue to volunteer as an election official here in Carson City – I remember starting in Hinsdale back in 1976!! Quite a run, wouldn’t you say? Do make sure you each get out and exercise your citizen’s right to vote. We each have a voice in the outcome if we all do vote! Stay safe, healthy, and enjoy each day – it is a gift!”

Unfortunately, there is sad news to report:

PAUL BERENS ’63 of Appleton, Wisconsin, died March 28, 2021. At Ripon, he studied economics and history. He was a member of Partners in the Legacy. He obtained a teaching certificate from Lawrence University and was a member of the National Guard. He had worked in retail clothing, had an antique booth at a downtown Appleton mall, and also was a teacher in the Milwaukee public school system. He enjoyed traveling, shopping and collecting antiques. He was a grateful member of A.A. for close to 50 years. He will be remembered by family and friends for his goofy smile and quick wit with a hint of sarcasm!

KAREN GOEPFERT JOHNSON ’63 of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, died August 7, 2021. At Ripon, she participated in Alpha Phi Sorority and became a lifetime member. In 1960, she joined her parents in Brussels, Belgium, and later lived in Germany while her husband served in the Army. They settled in Burlington, Wisconsin, where she worked in various administrative and clerical roles at Burlington Memorial Hospital for more than 25 years. She retired to Sturgeon Bay in 2002 and was involved with Birch Creek Music Theater, Crossroads at Big Creek, Friends of White Fish Dunes State Park, Miller Art Museum, Bay View Lutheran Church, and Learning in Retirement. She enjoyed painting, creating collages, attending concerts, knitting and participating in book clubs. Survivors include two sons.

HENRY “HANK” MATHEWS ’63 of San Diego, California, died February 22, 2020. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics and was a member of Delta Upsilon. He received an MBA in marketing from Loyola University Chicago.

MARCIA MACLEISH HIGGINS ’63 of Sarasota, Florida, died January 29th. She was born June 24, 1941, to Douglas and Jean MacLeish in Chicago. Marcia graduated Taft High School in 1958. She then attended Ripon College, where she was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority and met her husband, JUDSON HIGGINS ’62. She graduated in 1963 with a degree in Education. She worked as a teacher and later was the office manager for Libertyville Vision Center. She was an avid golfer who enjoyed travel and boating on Green Lake, Wisconsin. Marcia is survived by her husband, Judson Higgins; sons, Jeffry (Theresa) and Douglas (Carol); granddaughter, Madison; and sister, LORNA MACLEISH ’64. She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Caroline. Donations may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation at www.nationalbreastcancer.org.

We all knew MARCIA as a good friend and as a strong supporter of Ripon College and of our class. As you know, she served as our Class Agent for years, and she and JUD hosted many get-togethers of our class at their Green Lake cottage during our Reunions.

Stay safe everyone, and hopefully, I will hear from more of you for the next Class Letter. Just think, next year we will be celebrating our 60th Class Reunion (June 22-25, 2023)! I hope that many of us can attend! This summer’s Alumni Weekend is June 23-26, 2022.

Until next time,

WAYNE WOLFGRAM ’63
(313) 550-5094
Your 1963 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Wayne Wolfgram

Dear fellow Classmates,

Greetings from Southern Oregon! The response to my request to hear back from you about what has happened in the past year was disappointing, however, it is my hope that it was due to busy schedules. In any event, here is what is happening in our world.

AKIRA TOMITA of Japan, writes, “Greetings from Japan!!! Last night, I happened to skim through “Freshman Handbook” which brought me back to good old memories of my Freshman Year in 1957 of wearing “beanies,” having a “fresh-sophomore greased-pole fight,” polishing shoes for upper-class students, carrying books for them, etc. I also enjoyed “shaving cream fight” in the hallway of Scott Hall for which some blamed us being childish. The floor supervisor, Nick Whiteman, was busy getting out of his room and yelling, “All right, guys, get quiet and back to your rooms right now!!!”

“I continue to foster my friendship with TIM BURR, BILL PYE, and PETER JOCHIMSEN. A few years ago, my wife and I enjoyed staying at TIM‘s at Oostburg, Wisconsin, over three nights and seeing BILL at Ripon- it was my first time to see him after our Ripon days. We also had an honor to be welcomed by PETER at his home in Iowa City. ALLEN ANGSTEN invited us to his home several times. I cherish my friendship with them. Both my son and daughter had a privilege to visit Ripon College some years ago. I’m glad I attended Ripon College!!!”

MARYANN CLAUDER JESSE of Downers Grove, Illinois, writes, “Life goes on, hooray. COVID certainly put a hold on social life here. The holidays were better than last year-family could be together and everyone was vaccinated and tested. Hopefully, things will lighten up by spring. I wish I had more exciting things to tell, but maybe by the next time this Letter goes out, I will.”

And here is an additional note from MAC CLAUDER JESSE when I called her to remind her to respond for an update for our Class Letter: As an addendum to the first message… Ms. KRIEPS should let you all know everything she is involved in and does. I talk to her and have to catch my breath thinking about it. Another reminder…never give her your phone number…she’ll nag you to death. BARB, you had better put this in the newsletter. Love you! (Love you, too.)

SUGAR MALTBY BALMES of Mount Prospect, Illinois, writes, “I wish I had some exiting things to put in the class letter but I do not. Surely one of the best times this past year was our small, rain-drenched 60th reunion. It was great to see MARA LATSONS WARREN, KAREN SCHNEIDER CENTER, and MARY BACCHUS MILLER, all of whom look fabulous and share many joyful memories of our Ripon years. We were thrilled to spend some time with CLAUDETTE BEAL ROSELAND ’60, who was determined to come to Ripon in spite of battling serious health issues. Sadly, CLAUDETTE passed away just three months later.

“Because COVID-19 took over pretty much of our lives for the past two years, travels were very limited to my happy place, Key West, Florida, where I have family and memories of decades of visits there. COVID-19 also took away the two volunteer jobs I enjoyed since retiring from teaching. Because of a chronic medical issue, I must walk every day, a challenge I enjoy in summer but am forced to do on a treadmill all winter. The highlight of my days is a trip to the gym almost every day…gets me out to enjoy the sight of other masked aging exercisers. I do read many books while on that treadmill. Looking forward to resuming in-person activities (I hate ZOOM) and some more traveling!”

I am sad to report the passing of BOB TYKAL. The good part about this news is that he is reunited with his wife MARILYNN DEPLEWSKI TYKAL ’60.

ROBERT “BOB” TYKAL of Davis, Illinois, died May 4, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in physics and mathematics, participated in student government and athletics, and was commissioned through ROTC. He received a master’s of business administration degree from the University of Chicago. He served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. He was an information systems executive at Motorola Inc. in Schaumburg, Illinois, for more than 30 years, retiring in 1996. He enjoyed time at Lake Summerset and his second home in Naples, Florida, fishing, golf, and singing in church choirs in Illinois and Florida and in the barbershop quartet Three Shots and a Chaser. Survivors include three sons and one daughter. His wife, MARILYNN DEPLEWSKI TYKAL ’60, died in 2014.

This is from JACKSON PARKER in response to my question about why more of “you guys” did not attend the Reunion last year.

“A reasonable question about “us guys.” I had fully planned to attend, and was really looking forward to it. We had a gigantic family reunion over the 4th of July (including cousins I hadn’t seen since we were seven years old; I’m somewhat older than that now) and saw 50 people during the week of the 4th through golf tournaments, banquets, and fireworks. I still planned to attend the reunion. However, Jackson Parker V, decided to be born on July 24th in Minneapolis. We were there, in our best grandparent mode. Then they moved to Milwaukee which is their permanent home. The mom, Sara, is the Head Dietician for both the Milwaukee and Minneapolis VA Hospitals and knew the Minneapolis hospitals and liked the birthing approach better than Milwaukee. Mom, Sara, Dad (Jackson Parker IV), and JP5 moved back to Milwaukee the first week in August, we came with them providing support and getting their house ready (our main home is south of Milwaukee; close enough that we are the number one babysitters). Thus, no Reunion. I can’t speak for the other guys who weren’t there except to say we don’t live as long as you females do and enter senility earlier; some would say shortly after we turn 16. There I am letting myself off the hook again. But in seriousness, the birth was both a tense and cherished event for us. We were concerned how our son might handle it – but we didn’t need to be. He’s a great Dad and full partner with the Mom. This after he had some VERY difficult teenage and early 20’s years. This is more than you wanted to know I’m sure, but I felt bad about missing the Reunion. My bittersweet sentimentality always looks forward to it…and time runs through the hourglass, doesn’t it. Felt I needed to explain because I truly missed not seeing you. And, I mean that.”

BARBARA KRIEPS LASKIN of Medford, Oregon, writes, “As for me, life has slowed down a bit here in beautiful Southern Oregon. This past quarter I took three classes at Southern Oregon University but have decided that two is enough this quarter. In addition to that, I volunteer at one of the theatres here in Medford and subscribe to three other theatres. As you can tell, the visual arts play a major role in my life. Oh, and I am in two book clubs. The downside of belonging to a book club is that you have all those books to read! It’s like homework! The upside is that you read books you might not have chosen to read.

“I’ve also committed the egregious error of over volunteering at the community level. While my term on the City of Medford Budget Committee has expired, I still serve on two city commissions, the Medford Urban Renewal Agency and the Community Services Development Commission. That and Rotary serving on four committees, one of which I chair. I continue to be active in the American Association of University Women and am working on planning the annual Women’s Leadership Conference this May in Ashland.

“Every year my daughter and I make it a point to spend Thanksgiving week together. Last year I visited her in New York, and as always, it was memorable. There is no place like New York at Thanksgiving. We had tickets to the Tonight Show with Stephen Colbert but the fun part was being able to see the floats up close on Wednesday night prior to the parade. But the best part was that my granddaughter flew out from Chicago to spend the week with us. My grandson opted to remain in Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his aunt and girlfriend. This year my daughter and I hope to travel to Iceland. A friend and I were planning to travel to the Diocletian Coast to visit Croatia and perhaps Serbia this spring but now what with what is happening in Ukraine, we will postpone until next year. It would be interesting to see where Game of Thrones was filmed. Hey, who knows how much longer I’ll be able to travel? In between, I walk my two standard poodles and take classes at the athletic club. And that’s about it for me.”

I hope you can all make it to our Golden R Reunion celebration at Alumni Weekend this summer, which will be June 23-26, 2022. It is so good to see each other. Hopefully, we’ll celebrate with masks off!

Stay well, and please stay in touch.

BARBARA KRIEPS LASKIN ’61
H: (541) 778-6188 / C: (408) 309-1225
Your 1961 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Barbara Krieps Laskin

Dear Classmates,

This second year of the Pandemic was a most unusual one for my wife, Sandy, and myself as it was for most everyone else. But living in a very small town of just 800 people in Montana we were not affected by COVID-19 as most people were in the USA. I am happy to say our three children and eight grandchildren are healthy and we welcomed our first great-grandchild. The documentary on my life was accepted into 19 Film Festivals and we even won a few awards. And, the really exciting news is Sandy and I are now entering into “the next chapter” of our lives as we will be moving to Costa Rica in the spring of this year. I will still have my same email address which is [email protected]. Drop me a note and I will write you from Jaco on the Pacific Ocean.

Class Notes

RONELL BRADBEER ANDERSON ’59 of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, writes “I, like many others, found my plans were limited due to COVID-19. Luckily, I have not gotten it and hope to be more active in 2022. I have a large collection of antique valentines and I organized, photographed, and displayed them on various websites including Facebook. It kept me busy particularly since I went through two quarantines in my independent living apartment at Maris Grove in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. I welcome any of my classmates to email me at [email protected].”

CLIFF EIMON ’59 of West Bend, Wisconsin, writes “I am 86 years old and have four children and seven grandchildren with the youngest one-year-old and six still in high school. I am a “snow bird” and play golf twice a week. My two sons are great golfers and I enjoy playing with them. Our games have switched. They play the blue tees and I play the forward tees. God has blessed me.”

Don’t forget, all of us are invited to attend our Golden R Reunion Celebration that is held annually during Alumni Weekend. This year’s Alumni Weekend will be June 23-26, 2022.

Stay safe and well. God Bless.

DAVID MIRISCH ’59
(760) 715-0580 / www.dmirisch.com

Submitted by: Class Agent: David Mirisch

Greetings, Class of 1956!

Hi to all fellow Classmates!

Greetings from sunny Florida, though sometimes it seems it’s not very warm. Our senior center is open again and I enjoy attending most days. I enjoy going to Florida Orchestra Concerts about once a month for ten months out of the year. I play keyboard for a nursing home service once a month and I sing in the choir. Unfortunately, our handbell choir is still MIA.

Here are some Class Notes to share, and please contact me to share more at any time:

GERRY JENSEN JAMES ’56 of Dunwoody, Georgia, is still using the e-mail [email protected]. She reports her activities are curtailed because of Omicron. (I think all of us can relate to that!) She broke her foot a couple of months ago but was able to maintain contact with friends and family through the internet. A lot of her family is in Atlanta.

HARRIET BRUCKMAN ROOP ’56 is still in Costa Mesa, California, and has been a widow since 2011. She raised two children and has volunteered for many years. For 40 years she has enjoyed traveling and assisting others with their quests to enrich their lives. She has been back for several reunions.

EDWIN CROMEY ’56 of Tuxedo Park, New York, writes, “Life because of and after Ripon College: In 1934, I was born in Brooklyn, New York. For the first 18 years of my life, I never travelled beyond the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Ripon, Wisconsin, was a culture shock. In September of 1952, I arrived at the College and moved into a brand new dorm called Scott Hall. The student population was about 500 – two of which were from New York City and were minor celebrities. My academic aim was in the area of the ‘Gentleman C.’ To my surprise, I was enjoying classes and received my first A in second-year French. Philosophy became my major with Dr. Tyree. I played freshman football, wrestled, appeared in musicals and dramatic productions, worked in the kitchen, joined the Lambda Delta Alpha fraternity. There was a warmth and friendliness I remember whenever I think about Ripon. I left because of distance and a partial swimming scholarship at a college closer to home. I have donated to Ripon for many years not so much for development but as thanks for my experience there.”

ROGER GERTENRICH ’56 of Portland, Oregon, was highlighted in the November issue of the Portland Tribune in advance of Veterans Day. “Korean vet continues to give back” highlights ROGER’s efforts to preserve Portland’s maritime history, including its wartime shipbuilding history and other links to naval history. Here is the link to the article: https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/527671-420838-korean-vet-working-to-memorialize-uss-oregon-in-portland

It is with regret that I tell you the ROXANNA GRISWOLD FORMAN ’56 died April 2020 from COVID-19. She was preceded in death by her husband George H. Forman and her parents. She is survived by a daughter, Kimberly, and a son, George, and by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She loved playing tennis, singing in the choir, and reading. She loved her cat. But most of all she enjoyed her children and grandchildren.

College News:
Remember the Harwood Memorial Union? I remember us gathering for the meals and playing cards. What do you remember?

The recent big campus news involved bidding farewell to President Dr. Zach Messitte, Ripon’s 13th President. The search is on for a new President of Ripon College. The interim president is Dr. Andrea Young. She keeps up with the times and can be found on Twitter (twitter.com/RiponPrez) and Instagram (instagram.com/riponprez).

Thank you to all who are able to donate at any time during the year, as well as to the special giving day known as #OneDayRally, which will be held on April 27, 2022. This is a one-day fundraising rally that began several years ago and has become popular. It has been an effective fundraiser, but it has also proven to be a bit of fun and a way to competitively rally alumni classes. Consider checking in to the Ripon.edu website or on the College’s social media sites that day and join in!

Would you believe that Ripon College is 171 years old? The picture below, I assume, is what it looked like 171 years ago. Impressive, huh?

All of us are invited to Alumni Weekend which will be June 23-26, 2022. There will be a Golden R Reunion that our class is invited to attend every year at Alumni Weekend. So we can go to a Reunion every year! Neat!

More information regarding Alumni Weekend will be available at alumni.ripon.edu/special-events/alumni-weekend/.

Our Class Letters can be viewed at any time at this link: alumni.ripon.edu/rconnections

Our yearbook can also be accessed online. Here is the link: https://issuu.com/ripon_college/docs/crimson1956

If you want to look at other years, I suggest trying just changing the year in that string (substitute the year you want).

Now is the time to end this letter. I am looking forward to hearing from each of you with your thoughts, and your news.

Sincerely,

GLORIA BERTSCHIE LUDDECKE ’56
(813) 468-0997
Your 1956 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Gloria Bertschie Luddecke

To the Class of 1962,

Although our class is currently without a Class Agent, I, Dan Behring, am reaching out to all of you. Some of you may remember me as Sledge, Stanley Sledgenowski, a role I played in a talent show during freshmen orientation week so many years ago. I am encouraging you all to join me on-campus for Alumni Weekend, June 23-26, 2022. 60 years! Can you believe that!? I would like to have some company.

Where has the time gone? Each one of us can answer that question if we spend a few minutes reflecting. We have come a long way and done a lot of things along the journey we have been blessed to be able to take. Some of you have probably read the story about all of us starting out on a train ride, uncertain where we are going and uncertain when we will get off. Well, all of you getting this note are still on the train ride, and I hope you will add a tourist stop along the way in Ripon for Alumni Weekend and our 60th Reunion Celebration this summer. Let’s celebrate our lives together on the train ride we shared back from 1958 to 1962.

Now I know some of you are already thinking, why would I want to do that? I understand. Most of us are pretty much strangers and so it would be easy to say. Well, I can think of a couple of reasons to visit campus in June:

• Capture some of the good memories of 60 years ago

• Check in on how everyone looks

• Thank each other for the shared memories

• Remember those of us who got off the train early

• Check up on old flames and friends

• Meet the new College leadership and make sure the College is in good hands

• Walk around and see yourself then and feel gratitude

• Capture energy to continue the train ride for new destinations

Now I also know that some of you may be thinking this is going to be a hassle. As we age, a lot of things seem more difficult. Travel, packing, getting out of normal routines, health issues to take care of, more than we would like to admit, become barriers. Well, stand tall, take it head on and say “I’m not going to give up, I’m not going to give up,” and plan the adventure.

Our 60th Reunion celebration will be held on Saturday evening, June 25, 2022, but there are plenty of activities scheduled throughout the weekend for the Class of 1962 to enjoy.

The details of the weekend are still coming together, but here is what I know:

• Friday, June 24 – Weiske Golf Scramble, Campus Tours/Classes, Prairie Walk, Awards Dinner, Alumni-Faculty-Staff Social

• Saturday, June 25 – Class March, State of the College, Greek Socials, That Was Then, Golden R Reunion, All Alumni Party

As events firm up, the College will bring you up-to-date about schedules, registration, and safety protocols.

• To help you plan for attending Alumni Weekend 2022, make your lodging reservations early with these resources: Heidel House (Green Lake, 920.807.0300) and Cobblestone Suites (Ripon, 920.748.5500) both have room blocks, but you must call for the Alumni Weekend rate.

• Other area lodging information can be found at http://www.ripon.edu/lodging/.

• Online registration for the Reunion and on-campus lodging will be available April 1 at alumni.ripon.edu.

I promised myself that I would not get as involved for this reunion as I did for our 50th, and after Carol Pickhardt Fancher got off the train, I resisted taking on what she did so well. But, I will work it out with the College so that we will have a special gathering room for at least Friday and Saturday just for our class. The 60th deserves some special consideration.

Here is what I need from you: Bring any memorabilia you have that you can share with the rest of us. If you are like me you are trying to find some place for stuff you have. If you have some memorabilia that was special for you, bring it along and share it with others, maybe the archives will be interested in adding it to their collection. We will have tables for displays.

My partner of 60 years, Nancy (Steeno), also a member of our class, and I are planning on arriving June 23 and will be on campus on the 24th and 25th. Please consider joining us. Stay on the train and grab a short tourist stop at a place that meant so much to us and where we stopped before. Let’s do it again.

I would love to hear from you if you plan on joining Nancy and me on campus for the 60th Reunion Celebration in June – [email protected]. To make it easy, just say “I plan on being there.”

Hope to see you!

Dan Behring
(231) 889-5402

Submitted by: Dan Behring

Greetings, Class of 2017!

Hey, Classmates!

Writing the last class update before most of us convene in Ripon for our 5th Reunion feels so unreal! How have nearly five years passed since we wore our graduation regalia on that sunny day in May? Reliving some of those rare warm, sunny days in Ripon couldn’t sound like more of a blast. In case you have already forgotten, our Class Reunion will be on Saturday during Alumni Weekend, which is June 23-26. The College has put together some gatherings exclusively for the Class of 2017! On Friday, we will have Knuth Brewing Company all to ourselves and Saturday will be our official 5th Reunion at The Other Side in J’s BBQ.

If you are still looking for a place to stay for the weekend, a reminder that room blocks are available at the Heidel House (Green Lake, 920.807.0300), Cobblestone Suites (Ripon, 920.748.5500), and Boarders (Ripon, 920.748.7578), but you must call for the Alumni Weekend rate. Other area lodging information can be found at ripon.edu/lodging/. Online registration for the Reunion and on-campus lodging will be available on April 1 at alumni.ripon.edu.

Imagine how much fun you could have if you made plans to stay on campus with an old friend! That is what we plan on doing. You can even request a suite if you end up with a bigger group. What could be a more unique reunion experience?! We look forward to seeing everyone there!

We want to send a special note of appreciation to our classmate WINONA HOLMES ROBBINS ’17 who has served as our Class Agent since graduation. Thank you for your five years of service, WINONA, and we hope to see you at this summer’s Reunion! We would like to invite a new classmate to join us in being a Class Agent.

What does it take to be a Class Agent? We write a Class Letter each fall and spring, and we include updates from classmates as we receive them. Being a Class Agent gives us a direct line of communication with a staff member at Ripon College, and we collaborate closely with the Office of Constituent Engagement to write Class Letters. The College will take care of sending out Class Letters both through email and through snail mail.

Here are some reasons why you may want to consider being a Class Agent:

• You will have unique opportunities to get information, often before our general alumni population, and you will get to know campus staff and administration on a more personal level.

• You will help the College keep track of the contact information of classmates, helping ensure that all of us get to keep in touch. This is also important to help keep classmates connected to the larger Ripon College family.

• It feels good to give back to your Alma Mater in such a tangible way.

If you are interested in becoming a Class Agent or you simply want to learn more about this opportunity, email JOLENE RUEDEN SCHATZINGER ’07, associate director of engagement at [email protected], or you can call her at (920) 748-8354. You can contact one of us at any time. Because we are celebrating our Reunion this summer, we are hoping that we can have the open Class Agent position filled as soon as possible. Thank you for considering this opportunity.

Finally, #OneDayRally 2022 is on April 27. This is a one-day fundraising rally that began several years ago and has become popular. It has been an effective fundraiser, but it has also proven to be a bit of fun and a way to competitively rally alumni classes. Consider checking in on the College’s webpage or follow the College’s social media sites that day and join in! All money contributed by you, whether for the #OneDayRally or any contribution to the College during this fiscal year, will count towards our Class Gift.

Class Notes:

KONNER FELDHUS ’17 of Denver, Colorado, will learn where he will be doing his residency in March and will graduate from medical school in May!

JORDAN BRABAND ’17 of Batavia, Illinois, writes that she is excited to announce a career change! After four and a half years at FIS, she will be moving to Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management division.

Hope to see you at our Reunion this summer!

KONNER FELDHUS
(303) 280-5835

ERIN CANON
(414) 469-5945
Your 2017 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Konner Feldhus and Erin Canon

Greetings, Class of 2012!

Happy New Year, Class of 2012!

It has been great seeing so many updates on our Facebook group and beyond and, despite the past two years of the pandemic, it’s amazing seeing so many classmates thrive. Can you believe we will also be celebrating our 10-year Class Reunion this year? Please remember to save the dates of June 23-26, 2022, and we hope to see you on campus to reconnect in person and see the numerous upgrades around Ripon! During Alumni Weekend, in addition to celebrating our Reunion, we will also be recognizing three award winners from our Class of 2012. GISELA ORTEGA ’12 and ERIN SCHAICK ’12 are both being honored as the 2022 Outstanding Young Alumnae recipients. ARIS WURTZ ’12 is a 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee for his achievements on the basketball court. Congratulations to GISELA, ERIN, and ARIS! We look forward to celebrating with you at the 1851 Awards Dinner on Friday, June 24.

We are also actively looking for classmates to join me (BRANDON TAYLOR ’12) and ERIN SCHAICK ’12 as our Class Agents – please email ERIN and me to let us know you are interested!

Thank you to those who supported the College this past fiscal year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021), especially those who supported the Ripon Fund, as well as #OneDayRally. We had 34 donors from our class and 2,773 total donors! #OneDayRally is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, 2022, and more information regarding #OneDayRally will be forthcoming.

We hope you’re all safe, healthy, and ready to take on whatever you encounter in this new year!

Without further ado, here are the life updates you’ve shared with us recently:

HEATHER VANCUYK ANDERSON ’12 of Appleton, Wisconsin, had the opportunity to be a gestational surrogate and delivered a healthy baby last May. Heather and her husband will be celebrating ten years together this summer.

ARIEL DICKINSON ’12 of Madison, Wisconsin, welcomed a baby boy last July. Dorian is healthy, happy, and loves music. She has been working at Epic for six years now and still loves training there.

SHARON KLAPPERICH DOLL ’12 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, had the opportunity to take over the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition course at the school where she teaches. She could not love it more and has enjoyed working with motivated students who can discuss complex pieces such as “A Modest Proposal” but being able to stay grounded with her special education supported 9th graders.

RENEE DEBRUIN EISLEY ’12 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, moved into a new house this past summer and is expecting her fourth baby soon!

RACHEL WEYKER FELDMANN ’12 of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, is expecting her first baby in early March!

KATHARINE SHADLE GAILS ’12 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, left her manager job in September and has since been working on her art skills and is currently writing a children’s book! She is taking illustration classes to illustrate the book herself. She has a special shout-out to her amazing husband for his support through all of these recent changes.

ANNE RABACAL GROSS ’12 of Germantown, Wisconsin, is welcoming her first child within the next couple of weeks! She is looking forward to spending the remainder of winter and most of the spring inside, cuddled with her baby boy and her ten-month-old husky. She was recently promoted to Senior Research Analyst at Principia Consulting.

LISA HILLEREN ’12 of Chicago, Illinois, is looking forward to seeing people at our reunion! She is still in Chicago and has been at Adage Technologies for about six months and loves it. They are also hiring a bunch (full remote) so if you’re a project manager, programmer, or marketer, definitely reach out for networking!

AURORA POLLEI LAMKA ’12 and SPENCER LAMEKA ’12 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, love being parents to their determined, smiley girl, Millie (eight months old). AURORA is teaching Kindergarten in Milwaukee and SPENCER works for a managed care organization.

BRYANT VANDE KOLK ’12 of Ellicott City, Maryland, finished his Ph.D. and moved to Ellicott City, Maryland in May. This past summer, he joined the Alumni Board for Ripon College and he became a godfather to his niece. He is still a principal systems engineer at Northrop Grumman, working with teams of fellow engineers to solve mission-level analysis questions for our customers. And, this winter he joined a local queer hiking group full of amazingly kind members.

JESSICA BRUNGARDT LARSON ’12 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is expanding her family, adding another little boy in April. She still works at the County Attorney’s office in Colorado Springs, but her position has changed so she is working in Family Treatment Drug Court and Well Baby Court doing child protection cases and added adult protection cases to her caseload as well. She has really enjoyed the changeover to a more collaborative system.

KATE HAMM FRIEDL ’12 is a Business Process Owner for Bostik’s Americas region, in the process of remodeling her house and moving to Arizona with her one-year-old twins.

MEGAN MCGEE NORRIS ’12 of Kenosha, Wisconsin, just moved into a new house closer to work. She loves being a GAL in Racine County and continuing to take private cases as well. Somehow, she and the family continue to be relatively healthy, and she is just grateful for that.

GISELA ORTEGA ’12 and ZACH VORNHOLT ’13 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have been growing professionally this year! In November, GISELA was promoted to Director of Startup Community at gener8tor, a startup tech accelerator. Most recently, one of the companies GISELA worked with was able to raise $7M which was a huge win. ZACH has been working at G Strategies, LLC for the past eight years where he’s grown to his Director position at the company – working on political campaigns and with non-profits across the country. When they’re not working, they are spending a lot of time being active running, hiking, or riding their Peloton bike. They’re looking forward to splitting up their time further in 2022 in Wisconsin, California, and traveling across Mexico.

LAUREN PIERRE ’12 of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, is now the Access Services Librarian: Circulation Supervisor at Cedarburg Public Library and has been in the new position for about four months and is enjoying the change of pace.

AMY SPRANGER ROSSMANN ’12 is expecting her first baby in June 2022 and was promoted to English Department Chair last August at St. Cat’s High School in Racine.

BRANDON TAYLOR ’12, his wife, Christina, and his puppy, Waffle, are settling into their home in San Francisco, California. BRANDON is still at LinkedIn as a Senior Project Manager on the HR Enablement team and will be celebrating his one-year work anniversary in April.

ERIN SCHAICK ’12 of Concord, New Hampshire, is AVP, Director of Development and Community Relations at CATCH Neighborhood Housing in Concord.

Thanks again to everyone for sharing, and we hope to see you in person this summer!

Be well,

BRANDON TAYLOR ’12
2162 43rd Ave., San Francisco, CA 94116
(406) 274-4708

ERIN SCHAICK ’12
82 Warren St. Apt. 3, Concord, NH 03301
(920) 312-3825

Your 2012 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Erin Schaick and Brandon Taylor

Greetings, Class of 2007!

Hi, Class of 2007!

We hope this letter finds you well! In just a few short months, we will be gathering to celebrate our 15th Reunion. The Reunion planning is well underway, so make sure you keep an eye out for various updates, as well as registration for Alumni Weekend (open online April 1). Alumni Weekend and especially the Class Reunion is such a great time to connect and reminisce with former classmates and we hope to see many of you on campus June 23-26, 2022! Our Reunion will be celebrated on Saturday evening.

In addition to making plans to attend our Class Reunion this summer, all of us have an opportunity to support our Class Gift in a special way this year. Ripon’s #OneDayRally, a day of giving that is a fun day to follow Ripon College’s social media accounts, is also a great day to consider making a contribution to our Class Gift. We will present our Class Gift at Alumni Weekend, and it is a way that we can come together to support our Alma Mater. Remember that the percentage of class participation matters, which means a gift of any amount is important and makes a difference.

Below, you will find some updates from our classmates as well as College news. Enjoy!

JOSHUA ENGLISH ’07 of Louisville, Kentucky, writes, “The title of my short story is ‘The Human Animal’ and it won the 2021 Ember Chasm Review Fiction Contest. I live in Louisville, Kentucky with my wife, Jessie, and am a Senior Lecturer of English at the University of Louisville. My stories and reviews have appeared in Hobart, The Rumpus, Black Warrior Review, and a few other places; my short story collection, ‘Local Beasts,’ is presently a semi-finalist for Texas Tech University Press’s Iron Horse Prize for a 1st Book of Prose.”

MATTHEW HILDEBRANDT ’07 of Ellsworth, Wisconsin, writes, “I recently married Marena on September 18, 2021. Her current occupation is a clinical educator/registered nurse.”

PATRICK KERSTEIN ’07 of West Lafayette, Indiana, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Health Sciences, and a member of the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience. He received his BA in Biology and a minor in Chemistry and received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Vollum Institute at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, where he used advanced mouse genetic techniques to study the developmental processes that guide neuronal cell fate and connectivity in the visual nervous system. The goals of the Kerstein Lab are two-fold: 1) identify the genetic-molecular factors that define neuronal cell types and guide neuron-specific connectivity in the visual system, and 2) identify the gene-environment interactions that disrupt normal nervous system development during ocular toxicant exposure.

JOLENE RUEDEN SCHATZINGER ’07 of Ripon, Wisconsin, writes, “I am 100% looking forward to celebrating our 15th Class Reunion together! I hope to see as many of you as possible! Don’t forget to book your reservations if you plan to stay in a hotel, otherwise, there will be room to stay on campus during Alumni Weekend and that could make for some fun memories! Being that I work at Ripon College in the Office of Constituent Engagement as the Associate Director of Engagement, I am lucky enough to get to reconnect with some of you when you come back to visit and it is a real joy for me. Please do let me know if you are ever back in the Ripon area. I’m sharing a picture of when classmate, MATTHEW HILDEBRANDT ’07 and spouse, Marena, visited Ripon this past fall. It was great catching up with you, MATTHEW! As far as personal news goes, I was recently honored to receive the Legacy Award at Ripon College’s MLK Spirit Award ceremony that ‘recognizes a distinguished alumni who displays leadership and advances the cause of justice and equality in our community and society.’ This is an annual award so keep thinking about who you might want to nominate next year. I wish all of you a good spring where you can get outside and enjoy nature, and I hope to see you this summer for our Reunion!”

MARY STERRETT ’07 of Seattle, Washington, writes, “I graduated from Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship in Charleston, South Carolina, and received my MPH at Johns Hopkins. I now work as a perinatologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, and volunteer to teach with Global Ultrasound Institute.”

STACY KRUSA TEACHOUT ’07 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, recently received the Pinnacle Caregiver Award in which healthcare providers are recognized for providing exceptional care to patients. STACY is a critical care float Registered Nurse at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

HEATHER WITTIG ’07 of Redgranite, Wisconsin, died Nov. 9, 2021. At Ripon, she had a self-designed major in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. She played basketball and intramurals. She started her career at the Waushara County Sheriff’s Department in 2009, then became the jail administrator at the Waushara County Jail in 2014. She enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and celebrating her Irish heritage.

Ripon in the news!
Earlier this year, Ripon, Wisconsin was recognized as one of the “7 Best Downtown Areas in Wisconsin.” Only in Your State News describes Ripon as a “charming little college town that is filled with revitalized buildings, great restaurants, lively pubs and unique shops.”

The search for Ripon College’s 14th president:
Former Ripon College President Zach Messitte left his position at the end of the fall 2021 semester to return to his hometown of Washington, D.C. Dr. Andrea Young took over as the interim president of Ripon College beginning in January and is the first woman to lead the College in its 170-year history. How cool is that?! Over the next several weeks, Ripon College’s search consultants will advertise the position and search for potential candidates. The search committee anticipates that the first round of interviews will begin in March.

We are looking forward to a memorable 15th Reunion, so make sure to get the date on your calendar! We are hoping to have a great turnout at our Reunion and would love your help with spreading the word. If you are interested in helping us reach out to fellow classmates, please email one of the 2007 Class Agents to get added to the Reunion Planning Committee. As always, don’t be a stranger, and make sure to share your life updates. Thanks for continuing to support Ripon College. Take care and be well!

Hope to see you at our Reunion!

ADAM KRUEGER ’07
(857) 389-8617

LINDSAY KREYE HEIL ’07
(952) 944-7528

STACY KRUSA TEACHOUT ’07
(920) 345-1048

LIZ LEACH MORRELL ’07
(920) 279-0779

Your 2007 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Adam Krueger, Lindsay Kreye Heil, Stacy Krusa Teachout, and Liz Leach Morrell