R Connections

JASON L. WOOD ’96

(201)747-7719 / [email protected]

Happy Fall Class of 1996!

First off, I hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy after everything that has and is happening since the beginning of the year. Being in the travel industry and living across the river from one of the worst affected areas, I know what it means to take a massive impact on your life in every which way. But one of the critical lessons I learned at Ripon College is to look at things from all different directions even if it is a bad situation. And that is exactly what I did. In business in the past, I dealt with mostly group leisure travelers. But you can imagine that those people are not really traveling now, so we have re-focused on people that have to travel such as nurses, electric crews, and other first responders. It wasn’t something our business thought we ever would be doing, but to survive we had to change course. In life during quarantine where nothing was open I decided to focus on myself; running ten half marathons, learning to cook all my mother’s old recipes (and some of my favorite foods from closed restaurants), hiking empty state parks, and now biking around my state. The saying “when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade” really is true. And I hope that everyone else is taking that to heart as well.

Alumni Weekend 2021 will be held June 24-27, 2021, and next summer is our Class of 1996 Reunion, and because of the closure this summer of the campus, we will be combining our reunion with the Class of 1995. I am so excited about this fact since so many of their class were our good friends for the three years we overlapped. We hope to bring you a very memorable reunion with the two classes together. This is our 25th reunion, a milestone, so I hope to see you all there. (I might have to hunt you down if we don’t hear from you!). The weekend will be filled with lots to do not only for you but for everyone – bring your partner, your family, or anyone else you want to. Thank you again to everyone that keeps us posted on Facebook, Instagram, and all the other social media platforms. It is amazing to see you and your families as well as the fun adventures and those major life-changing statuses. 

Please keep posting, I know I love it.

Class Note:

CHARLES E. AMELOTTE ’67 of Kenosha, Wisconsin, died Jan. 23, 2020. At Ripon, he majored in history. He played football and was a member of the 1963 undefeated team, and also participated in ROTC and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He served in the U.S. Army and earned three bronze stars while serving in Vietnam. He owned and operated Kenosha Leatherette & Display Co. until his retirement. He was a former member of Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club of Western Kenosha; was involved in youth sports; was a member of Kenosha Country Club and enjoyed reading, golfing and fishing in Door County. Survivors include his wife, PENNY OVER AMELOTTE ’67; two sons, including DAVID AMELOTTE ’96; and one daughter.

Here is to 2021!

Regards,

Jason

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

LISA SPROSTON SUTTER ’94

(608) 347-6543 / [email protected]

Greetings, Class of 1994!

I hope this letter finds you all well. Since this is my first letter to you as a Class Agent, I’ll update you on my last 26 years…I have been teaching at the elementary level. This school year, I will begin my 27th year of teaching. My experience has all been at grades Kindergarten through second grade, with the majority of those years at first grade. I love it! Although, this is definitely a stressful time to be a teacher. None of us went into education to do it virtually. I teach in the Monona Grove School District. My husband, Paul, and I have two sons, Calvin (15) and Henry (12). We aren’t quite at the point of visiting college campuses, but I do dream that one of them will end up at Ripon College one day soon.

Since I only live slightly over an hour from Ripon, I return to campus fairly often. Sometimes it’s just for a visit to Roadhouse, or to shop the many cute shops that you can now find on Watson Street, and often it’s to watch a sporting event. If you haven’t been for a while, I highly recommend a visit! In fact, one day this summer I brought two friends with me for an entire day in Ripon. We are all teachers and needed an escape. So, one sweltering day, we toured the campus. They loved the intimate campus, the beautiful athletic facilities, and hearing my stroll down memory lane. They’re well into their fifties, but they jokingly inquired about enrolling.

One of the bright spots in this pandemic has been weekly Zoom meetings with many 1994 Alpha Chi Omega sisters. Sometimes there are just a small handful of friends and other times we’ve been in the teens, but it has been great catching up with friends. If you haven’t started this yet, I highly recommend connecting/reconnecting in this manner! You’ll probably find, as we did, whether it’s been a short period of time or more than twenty years, you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off with these friendships.

With “back to school” being front and center for me right now, I thought you’d like to read about Ripon’s plan for this fall. Here is the Reunite Ripon plan for the 2020-21 academic year.

CLASS NOTES:

TRACY RISCH ’94 of Frisco, Texas, became the Senior Vice President and Chief Information & Technology Officer in May for American Electric Power (AEP) based in Columbus, Ohio. She will lead technology initiatives across AEP including information technology, innovation, digital initiatives, and telecommunications.

LTC (RET) TODD J. JOHNSON ’94 and AMY CRAIG JOHNSON ’96 of Powell, Wyoming, write, “Amy is employed by Park County School District #1 as the Community Outreach Specialist and Technology Division Administrative Assistant.”

DENISE SHADRICK-OLSTINSKE ’94 was honored with the 2020 UW System Board of Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award. She is the Administrative Program Manager III in the College of Social Sciences and Professional Studies at UW-Parkside. These awards recognize exceptional service to the university and are the UW System’s highest recognition bestowed on members of its academic staff.

ERIC ATKISSON ’94 of Alexandra, VA, had two more essays published this year, “Point of Origin” in Entropy Magazine and “Noxious Animals” in The Hopper Magazine. Both can be found online. Eric still works at the Patent and Trademark Office, where he supervises all of the agency’s public and internal communications, and he recently agreed to serve on the Ripon College Alumni Association Board of Directors with CARRIE ROCA-DAWSON ’94 and JOY BORTZ SCHLEUSNER ’94 (also a new member).

I’d love to hear from you! Please send me an update for our next class letter. Your classmates and I are curious what you’ve been up to. Whether it’s job-related, family news, where you’re living, recent travel adventures, new pets, or alumni sightings. We’d love to catch up with you!

All the best,

Lisa

A Note from the Office of Constituent Engagement:  Stay up-to-date with our latest news and information. Make sure that we have your most updated contact information including email and phone number by visitingte-co ripon.edu/updantact-info/ or emailing [email protected].

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

MELINDA TRAINOR HUTCHINSON ’93

(651) 259-3459 / (215) 704-6478 / [email protected]

Hi All,

I hope you are all doing well and staying safe and healthy! Make sure that you’re checking in on www.ripon.edu and/or social media for the latest College updates.

Here’s some news from our classmates:   

LAURA SCHULTZ ’93 of Pitman, NJ, writes that August 13 was her one-year anniversary of working as a data scientist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Congratulations, Laura!

ANDREA CECCHI YOUNG ’93 of Irvine, CA, says “My eldest son, Alex, graduated from Yale in May with a degree in neuroscience and just started medical school at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL. My other son, Chris, will be a sophomore at University of California-Riverside.”

Andrea said she loves kid updates, so I promised her that I would include an update on mine: my son, Ian, will be in 8th grade this year and my daughter Melia will be in 5th. Their school district decided to start the year with a hybrid learning plan, so they will be going to school two days/week and distance learning 3 days/week. I am working from home, so this is not a huge issue for us—but yet it is a pretty huge issue. This year has put strains on every single one of us, everywhere! My kids are glad to be able to go to school, see their friends, and have a somewhat normal classroom experience, although they wish it would be ‘back to normal.’ (Don’t we all!) I keep reminding them that this is something none of us has experienced before, and we’re going to have to meet each new challenge knowing that the information we have might change and our schedules might change, and we have to be willing to be flexible.

I know that there’s amazing stuff going on out there among all of you, so send your updates—we’d love to hear from you! Make sure you keep your contact information updated so you don’t miss any Ripon news. Contact the Alumni Office directly with changes at [email protected] or via U.S. mail to Alumni Office, Ripon College, P.O. Box 248, Ripon, WI 54971. Or, contact me and I’ll get your info to Ripon for you.

Be safe, be well–

Melinda

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

ERIN M. MCCORMACK ’92

[email protected]

BONNIE DEMBROSKI FREDRICK ’92/P’23

262-796-1531 / [email protected]

JUDEE STOJSAVLJEVIC FISCHER ’92 

262-681-8509 / [email protected] 

Hello, Class of 1992,

BONNIE DEMBROSKI FREDRICK ’92/P’23, JUDEE STOJSAVLJEVIC FISCHER ’92, and I (ERIN M. MCCORMACK ’92) are reaching out to you to update you on what’s been happening in Ripon during this most unexpected and challenging of years. We hope that this letter finds you, your family, friends, and loved ones doing as well as possible in these truly unprecedented times. Instead of focusing on everything that’s been going on in the news, which I’m sure everyone is more than well versed upon at this point in time, we’d like to share updates from Ripon, which, like the rest of the world, continues to be impacted. However, if you have a great new recipe or life hack that you have developed or refined during the pandemic, don’t hesitate to share it with the folks at the College and we’ll include it in the next letter. Personally, I have finally perfected my banana bread recipe – since we live at about 6500 feet above sea level, it took some tweaks, some patience, and some time.

Like other colleges, universities, and schools in the United States, Ripon closed early in the spring and sent students home to avoid virus outbreaks and to maintain the safety of students, faculty, and staff. Classes went online and all the dedicated people who supported that change so rapidly should be commended. Over the subsequent months, many long-held traditions and events were canceled or modified to be virtual, rather than in-person, including Commencement and Alumni Weekend.

Most recently, the decision was made to cancel the 2020 Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble scheduled for the end of September. It was originally hoped that moving it from the canceled Alumni Weekend 2020 would allow it to be held, but as we all now know, that’s simply not the case. Additionally, this decision is in alignment with the College’s decision to suspend campus events and the Midwest Conference’s suspension of athletic competition, both through December 31, 2020. While these were difficult decisions, the spirit of the Ripon College community remains undaunted.

The College leadership, faculty, and athletic coaches continue to be inspired by the Ripon College community’s leadership and engagement throughout this challenging period. There will be an exciting announcement later this fall regarding plans to celebrate the tradition of Ripon College Athletics and opportunities to support the Red Hawks Club.

In the midst of everything, Ripon College continues to move forward with positivity, hope, and detailed planning and preparation. At the end of July, President Messitte announced “Reunite Ripon: Our Plan to Return to In-Person Learning.” He detailed a very carefully constructed course of events to return students to campus as safely as possible, while providing transparent communication to students and their parents and families. On-campus classes resumed Monday, August 17, 2020, as Ripon welcomed the Class of 2024 and welcomed back the classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023. As we all remember fondly, the heart of Ripon College has always been, and always will be, the people.

Ripon is providing detailed updates through social media and its website in order to ensure clear and ongoing up-to-the-minute communication. Currently, as/of August 22nd, the College’s COVID-19 Campus Scenario status is “Green,” with 0 positive cases and 0% current isolation/quarantine beds being used. The college has developed three scenarios: Green, Yellow, and Red. Green is “The New Normal” with students on campus and limited in-person operations. Classes are offering a hybrid of online and in-person instruction. More details are readily available on the college’s website.

During these times, Ripon needs your support more than ever. We realize that so many people have been negatively impacted by the ongoing pandemic, but if your personal financial circumstances permit, now would be a highly meaningful and impactful time to donate to Ripon.

A donation to the Ripon Fund will involve the College directing funds to where they are most needed, or a directed donation or ongoing pledge allows you to support selected areas of the college. I’m personally getting ready to send my annual pledged donation to support the Track and Field/Cross-Country Coach’s Office in the Willmore Center that is named in honor of Coach Dick Hendricks, who coached me in Cross-Country and Track and Field while I attended Ripon. Another way to give to Ripon which won’t impact your current budget is to add Ripon College into your estate gift planning. The Office of Advancement stands by to answer any questions or share information with you in regards to this option. We were all able to get a great education at Ripon through the assistance of generous donors and Ripon supporters. As a point of pride, our class had 15 individuals who made a gift for a total of $8,246 on the College’s giving day known as #OneDayRally. We also had two individuals who stepped up to give to the Emergency Assistance Fund from the Class of 1992.

Wishing you all the best in the days to come, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the College and share any personal news and updates to be included in future class communications. Don’t forget to vote in November!

News notes:

KATHERINE GATCHELL SEARLES ’92 and CLARENCE SEARLES ’91 of Babcock, Wisconsin, write, “Our eldest daughter MAGGIE SEARLES ’24 is now a member of Ripon College, Class of 2024.” 

AMY ECKER REISDORF ’92 of Waunakee, Wisconsin, died Aug. 22, 2019. At Ripon, she majored in economics and French, participated in student government and athletics and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She had a successful career in financial services and enjoyed midget auto racing, UW athletics and travel. Survivors include one son; and her father, Bill Ecker.

Kind Regards,

Erin M. McCormack

Bonnie Fredrick

JuDee Fischer 

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

SAMANTHA BAILEY FAST ’91

(612) 978-4124 / [email protected]

Greetings, Class of 1991!

Hope everyone is managing in this unprecedented year. Ripon has welcomed students back to campus where classes have resumed since Aug 17. If you’d like to learn more about their coronavirus safety strategies refer to: https://www.ripon.edu/coronavirus-information/

Don’t forget, 2021 is a reunion year for us: THIRTY! No idea whether we’ll be able to gather in person or will be Zooming (maybe some of both?), but TRACY MAHER ’91 would still love to have help with the planning committee—so reach out to her at: [email protected].

New Class Notes:

DIONNE GREENE CAMPBELL ’91 of Arlington, MA, writes “DEVON ’88 and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary! We have four children, two college graduates, and two more to go! 🙂 Our second son, Daytawn, graduated in May 2020 from college, and our daughter, D’ara, graduated from high school (also class of 2020) and will begin college at the end of the month. All the best to the class of 1991! Continue to stay safe and be well!”

SAMANTHA BAILEY FAST ’91 of Minneapolis, MN, writes “Our house is less than a mile from the 3rd precinct police station on East Lake St in Minneapolis, so the George Floyd tragedy and aftermath remains very much on our minds. I just passed the two-year mark in my role at Optum (United Health Group). I am fortunate to be able to work from home, but miss the camaraderie of the office and find it much harder to have a good work-life balance without the clear divide between the two worlds. Casper (the friendly dog) joined our family in May, reminding us of all the things we have missed (and a few of the things we haven’t) since saying goodbye to my beloved Lucy dog last year. My kiddo starts 6th grade next month, but Minneapolis public schools will be remote for the foreseeable future, so it will be interesting to see how the transition from elementary school goes.”

KARL FELD ’91 of Clayton, NC, is currently working as a strategic public affairs research consultant for the Defense Media Activity (www.dma.mil). While the job is based at Fort Meade, MD, COVID-19 has cemented his ability to continue working remotely from home outside Raleigh, North Carolina. Karl still has two teenagers (and one adult child) at home and is deep in keeping them busy so they don’t go crazy with cabin fever. In other big news he is now engaged to be married to Lindsay Gardner, which was supposed to happen in Raleigh in October, but was rescheduled to 2021 due to the pandemic. Even though he’s stuck at home, Karl continues to work on his violin, piano and vocal skills and work out in the home gym and on the heavy bag while trying to stay motivated to finish his PhD. He has successfully used the downtime to complete genealogical research for his application for the Sons of the American Revolution, which was accepted July 4th weekend appropriately enough, and is working in parallel on chapters of a long-term book project on physical places and artefacts left across the US, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands by his ancestors. Karl recently connected with RANDALL WICKMAN ’91 and ROB RUFFOLO ’89 in the D.C. area before the lockdown. Both are well, have now retired from the Army, and are doing the next thing. Drop him at note at [email protected]!

CLARENCE SEARLES ’91 and KATHERINE GATCHELL SEARLES ’92 of Babcock, WI, write, “Our eldest daughter MAGGIE is now a member of Ripon College, Class of 2024.”

In case you missed them in the spring update:

BRIAN FREY ’91 and 16-year-old son, Spencer Frey, competed in a Generation Gap Tennis Tournament in February 2020. After giving tennis a pass a few years ago in favor of baseball by saying ”Dad, tennis will be my old man sport”, Spencer hit the courts again in Spring 2019 to make the varsity team at Memorial High School. Brian is having lots of fun sharing this interest with his son. BECKY HUSTAD ’91 says “There is quite a bit of talk about racquet string choices and other vital aspects of tennis. It’s fun to watch them sharing this interest.” Also, Brian enjoys playing tennis regularly with another Ripon alum, BRUCE BARTELT ’83.

TRACY MAHER ’91 – I’m on the move again and by the time you receive these updates I will be settled in my new home in Tampa, FL. I’m still with the same company, HDR, and in the same role, Area Human Resources Manager. My new territory is Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. I’m excited to be working with a new leadership team and bringing my ideas around coach as manager to the southeast. Last summer I took my family (mom, dad, sister, niece) to Ireland. While I was in Ireland my Shih Tzu, Bear was in NJ visiting his buddy Rusty who is a senior dog.

MAURA MURPHY ’91 – I am still working at General Mills and living in St. Louis Park – a suburb of Minneapolis. My kids Truman (15) and Claire (13) are keeping busy with all things school including Quiz Bowl and gymnastics, respectively. My husband, Steve, has a wonderful Rolfing practice. I am looking forward to a great spring break in Mexico with JULIE ARMATOSKI ’91 and KRISTEN GRAY ’90 in March, and a long weekend at KAREN MILWESKI DYMOND ’91 and ABE DYMOND II’s ’90 cabin in the mountains of West Virginia this summer, along with JULIE, KRISTEN, RONA HENDERSON PARSONS ’91, BECKY HUSTAD ’91, HEATHER THIEME ’91, ELIZABETH LAKE ’91, and VICKI HAAS SYMONDS ’92. And to top off the year’s travel, my family and I will take a trip to Seattle and Olympic National Park at the end of summer. And of course – I am trying to keep hold of my sanity in these crazy political times.

BART O’CONNELL ’91 has recently returned to the U.S. from Cuba. Now that he’s back he has moved from Chicago to Austin, TX and will be looking for a new job locally (probably as an account manager at a software company).

Help us reconnect with other ’91 Alums

The College has been moving toward increasingly digital communications and in non-reunion years, class letters will be exclusively published digitally (online and email), unless you specifically request a hard copy by mail. Print copies of the class letter will be mailed to classes celebrating reunions—so we’ll receive a hard copy of this letter this fall and next spring, but then won’t get another class letter in the mail until 2025. This is a great opportunity for us to request updated email addresses so we ensure you’ll get class letter communications over the next five years!

Don’t Forget About Our Facebook Group

If you’re on Facebook, please ask to join our Class of ’91 group for updates and Ripon news. Alternatively, send your email address to [email protected] or text me at 612-978-4124 and I can add you to the group that way.

Warmly,

Samantha

A Note from the Office of Constituent Engagement:  Stay up-to-date with our latest news and information. Make sure that we have your most updated contact information including email and phone number by visiting ripon.edu/update-contact-info/ or emailing [email protected].

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

ROBERT E. CORKERY, JR. ’90

283 Sylvan Court, Saunderstown, RI 02874

(508) 930-9027 / [email protected]

CHRISTINA L. MAGGIO-KELLERSTRASS ’90

24 Windsor Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126

(708) 764-1881 / [email protected]

Greetings Classmates!

As we pen this letter it’s hard to believe the surreal time we are all facing. We hope that you and your families are safe, healthy and doing as best as possible under these extraordinary and overwhelming circumstances. 

Despite the cancellation of our 30th Reunion, a big ‘hats off’ to our class for the 30th Reunion gift of $32,995! This was a wonderful and generous contribution in these challenging times. Grateful thanks to everyone who made donations in honor of our class and for all who helped solicit gifts!

We are fast-forwarding to a hopeful next year! Our reunion has been rescheduled to late June 2021 so mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend 2021 (June 24-27). With much hope (and a vaccine) we will be able to gather together in Ripon in the summer of 2021. Until then … be well!

Here are a few notes from our classmates:

RICHARD T. ELROD ’90 Attorney of Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd. was appointed in early 2020 to serve as a member of the Paralegal Advisory Committee for Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) in Grand Chute, Wisconsin. Richard focuses his practice on personal injury cases, including those who have been injured in the workplace. In addition to personal injury, he also handles labor law matters.

SUSAN FRIKKEN ’90 of Madison, Wisconsin, writes, “It feels like after 30 years, my Ripon education and experiences and friendships, and subsequent life have come together in a really wonderful way. 

I feel that Ripon, along with my family, was my foundation and springboard for a rich life, one measured by experiences and relationships. My work as a physical therapist in private practice (yaharatherapy.com) feels like a culmination of these experiences and people. I get to help people get better, but I also get to focus on prevention, wellness, and trying to be part of a reimagined system of health care. 

Dance Company was at the core of my Ripon experience; affecting every realm of my life (physical, organizational, emotional, social, environmental). After a winding journey, I finally landed on a certification in massage therapy and then a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in my 40s. Along the way, one of the experiences I had was as a ballroom dance instructor. Non-profit work (Whitman-Walker Health in metro DC) gave me crucial experience with administration, fund-raising, support-group facilitation, and coordinating volunteer programs. 

One of my projects, Ballroom Basics for Balance(TM) [ballroombasicsforbalance.org], started as a whim and has grown. It’s a class that helps improve balance and prevent falls in a fun way, using dance. We collaborate with students, educational institutions, government and private agencies, community members, and more. Recently, UW-Madison created a video about it. Please enjoy and share! https://news.wisc.edu/ballroom-balance/ 

This video feels like a representation of my good fortune to have a loving and valuable community, which includes Ripon College. What I get to do every day is not work, but a culmination and continuation of the education and experiences and people. I want to share with my classmates and alma mater and future grads as a proud one, myself!

My life includes a happy home in Madison with my wife and many critters.” 

If you have news that you want to be included in the class letter, please send it our way so we can make sure it’s shared!

Cheers to 30 years classmates! Please be well!

Fondly,

Bob 

Christina 

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

Co-Class Agents:

MITCH ROSIN ’89

 [email protected] 

NIKKI ZENS LINDBERG ’89

[email protected] 

Dear Class of ’89 and riff raff,

To say that 2020 is a year to remember may be an understatement. Having just helped move our oldest into her first apartment for her senior year of college, I know she is handling this with way more maturity than I might have if faced with a pandemic in our college days. I am glad we have our Facebook group to keep some of the memories alive, remind us of the crazy kids we were, and catch glimpses of the crazy grown-ups we’ve become.

Cheers,

Nikki

Mitch 

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

Co-Class Agents:

DAVID L. JONAS ’88

(202) 251-9640 / [email protected]

KATHY S. WADE ’88

(248) 470-4336 / [email protected]

Greetings Classmates from David,

I don’t know where to start. This is one of those years you never want to repeat. 

It is the middle of the summer and I have not stepped foot in the office since sometime in late March. I guess I can count myself as one of the lucky ones who still has a job that I can do from home. Working for a national nonprofit, our CEO told us within a week of locking us out that we may go through layoffs and furloughs. Two weeks later, on a town hall video chat, we were told that over 400 of the 1,500 people at our nonprofit were no longer employed, furloughed, or working part-time.

When we walked out of the office on March 13th, we just assumed it would be for a couple of weeks or maybe two months. I plan an annual event that was to take place the first weekend of May. We held out hope and waited until the beginning of April and rebooked the event until October and finally as the spike in the virus hit in June, we moved the event to May 2021.

In the midst of all this, my mother was hospitalized several times in February, March, and April having trouble breathing. Not sure if it was the flu or something else, but my father who is over 88 has had to deal with this alone in Chicago. After four and a half months they have diagnosed early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Also in the midst of the pandemic, my partner and his doctor conferred in June when elective surgeries were able to resume in late July that he would have open heart surgery to take care of a hereditary heart ailment to prevent a heart attack in the future. The surgery went well, and recovery will take us through the middle of September. 

I am sure that I have gained stress weight through this whole ordeal, so when our gym opened in July I was thrilled. The gym informed us the showers were not available and they would only allow 25% capacity. Then there was the mask/no mask during rigorous activity. You only had to wear the mask to the machine, then you had to wear it the whole time (talk about sucking wind) then you only had to wear the mask to the machines. Talk about trying to dodge a bullet.

Through all of this being socially distant, being unable to travel, Zoom meetings, and Zoom birthday parties, I am exhausted. It is really hard to take “vacation” when you really can’t/don’t want to go anywhere that might be considered a hot spot. One of our friends had planned a destination wedding that was scheduled for mid-May, then the end of August, and has now been completely canceled. We decided that our first trip after recovery will probably be via car to Chicago.

I know a lot of the news these days revolves around students going back to school via online learning vs being on campus. Students at several universities on the east coast have already returned to campus. One of my favorite parts of the school year was move-in day when we finally returned to campus. Getting back to “normal.” Meeting new people. Ripon was just one of those tight-knit worlds where I found the best part of the whole experience was actually interacting with my fellow classmates outside of the classroom. I hope the students who return to campus will be able to experience what I got.

Class Notes:

BETH LAUFENBURG BARTON ’88 shared: Beth and her husband celebrated their 25th anniversary by traveling to Ireland prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Prior to COVID-19, Beth honed a new skill via YouTube in masonry and created a whole new fire pit and patio in the back yard. On her way back from Ireland, while going through the airport in Philly, she saw some furniture made out of pallets. She went home and taught herself how to make chairs out of pallets to enjoy the firepit. Beth highly recommends YouTube for learning new hobbies. 

JAMIE HAWLEY ’88 shared: “KRIS DIEMER HAWLEY ’88 and I are doing well, working from home in Halifax. The mask project is still ongoing, and I have sent out hundreds and hundreds of kits to people. I still have kits available (free, but they need to be sewn, instructions included!). Stay healthy!”

LINNEA HEMPEL DE VALDEZ ’88/P’17 shared: “I finished year 29 in Minneapolis Public Schools, and I am adding another license, English Language Arts. Over the summer Ripon professors supported me in adding the teaching license by sending me lots of old syllabi and course descriptions. Our 15-year-old son just started high school where I teach. That’s fun going to school together. Our older son, BEN VALDEZ-HEMPEL ’17, started working for the American Councils of International Education in D.C., managing social media. He loves communications now and is re-designing our website for Brushabilities, his father’s painting company of 23 years. Having Ben off living his dream in D.C. largely in part why Ripon means so much to us. Life is good on the home front. A COVID-19 silver lining is our younger son joined my husband and painted with Brushabilities. So fun and proud of him!”

TANYA SCHWARTZ ROEPER ’88 shared: “After working 20 years as a health care executive, RANDY ROEPER ’88 was ready for a career change. He is now the new Associate VP of Development and Operations at Ripon College! He’s enjoying his job immensely. Our oldest son JONAH ROEPER ’24 graduated from high school in the spring. He was torn between being a Lawrence Viking or a Ripon Red Hawk. He chose to be a Red Hawk! Our youngest son Oliver is a sophomore. Ripon College Alums are always welcome to visit us at our Green Lake home. Look us up if you’re in the area, we’d love to see you.”

In closing

KATHY WADE ’88 and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who gave to the #OneDayRally, to the Ripon Fund (formerly, the Annual Fund), and to the Emergency Fund. Twenty-three of you gave to the #OneDayRally and 11 of our classmates gave to the Emergency Fund! We had the second-highest number of #OneDayRally donors when comparing Classes from 1983-1992! That is awesome!!! Thank you!!!!

The admissions office is always looking for referrals of potential students. If you know parents who are looking at colleges for 2021 or beyond, please let the admissions office know and maybe help them get the application packets.

Please update your contact information, especially your email address, with the College at https://www.ripon.edu/update-contact-info/. We are going to send out this Class Letter through regular mail and through e-mail. The next Class Letter will be sent out via email only. All of the Fall Class Letters will be posted at R Connections, https://www.ripon.edu/rconnections/. 

Again, KATHY WADE ’88 and I want to extend a very big THANK YOU for everyone who has sent us class notes and donated to Ripon during the pandemic.

David

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

Hello Class of 1987!

As always, we hope this note finds you and your families well as we navigate through these strange times. Despite the challenges of job security, working from home, dealing with our kids’ online learning, social distancing, etc, there have been many bright spots. For us, we’re reminded of the enduring friendships that we made many years ago with our classmates. We’ve hosted several Zoom happy hours and invited any of our classmates to join in – that’s the beauty of a small school – no matter how long it’s been, we’re happy to reconnect. Follow the Ripon College Class of 1987 Facebook page for future call info and join us! Pictured below from top left to bottom right: BILL TOURLAS ’87, CHRIS TEMPLETON ’87, DORRIE SMITH SCRANTON ’87, and ALICE LIGHTNER JOHNSON ’87.

Class News:

MICHELLE MARTIN ’87 of Madison, WI, is cleaning out her childhood home and continually discovering a trove of memories – her elementary school valentines, all her college papers, every summer letter received from college friends, and some really awesome original vinyl too. We hope she’s bringing those albums to our next reunion dance party!

ANDREW IRVING ’87 changed jobs earlier this year and was adjusting to the challenges of teaching 10 to 12 year-olds in French – a dramatically different experience from university students – even before classes went online. He’s also mastered 10,000 piece puzzles and has “adopted” a family of woodchucks that have taken up residence in his garden.

ALICE LIGHTNER JOHNSON ’87 of Saint Paul, MN, has put her estate sale business on hold and spent the summer teaching socially distanced stand up paddleboard lessons at her family cabin in the Northwoods of Minnesota.

KIA KJENSRUD ’87 is living in Oconomowoc, WI and working as the Executive Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

DORRIE SMITH SCRANTON ’87 just recently celebrated an amazing experience – piloting a hot air balloon over her hometown of Woodstock, CT. After apprenticing for months, she finally took the reins this August, calling it “both peaceful and exhilarating at the same time.”

We always look forward to hearing from you, and please keep sending us your news and updates. 

Your Class Agents,

Dorrie

Chris

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

Dan McNaughton ’86

(612) 209-2996 / [email protected]

I do not know if everyone agrees with me, but I think it’s great that Ripon College started classes on August 17th. I am jealous of the new schedule, it would have been great to have two weeks in August to hang out at Green Lake and to be home from Thanksgiving through into January.

I feel extremely lucky that COVID-19 has not affected my life in any significant way, I believe I must be in the minority. DR. CHRIS LELAND ’86’s life was briefly put on hold due to the outbreak. Chris, currently living in Upland, California, writes: “For the last two years I have been battling end-stage kidney disease and was on track to have a living donor transplant (and the biggest gift was my living donor is my wife – married well!) 🙂 But the COVID-19 hit and UCLA shut down all elective surgeries – and that included ours. April 1 was our date, then “April Fools” – no transplant could be scheduled. Days later the doctors and surgeons decided that they might be able to sneak in a few folks into the schedule but only if several precautionary steps could be overcome. All fell into place and on April 22 they rolled my wife in, harvested a great kidney and then by the end of the day I had a new functioning kidney. COVID-19 reared its head in the heart of Los Angeles, but now three weeks later we are so grateful to the hard-working and sacrificial health care workers at UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center. They risked their own health and safety to save a life. There are some silver linings. 

We all hope Chris’s recovery continues without drama. The silver linings I have found are more time with family and close friends. Also, lunch with some former Ripon track stars. 

Pictured here, left to right, me, JOHN CLAY ’83, GARY JUDSON ’84 and JOEY WATKINS ’83)

In other news from classmates, WILLIAM E. SOMMERS ’86 has a new position with Wilson College. William currently resides in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and started his new position on July 1 as Vice President for Enrollment Management at Wilson College. Previously, he served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Of note from this past fiscal year, we had seven individuals who contributed to the Emergency Assistance Fund, and our class had eight individuals who made a gift on Ripon’s #OneDayRally. Thank you to everyone who supported and continues to support the College.

Don’t forget, our 35th Class Reunion is coming up the last weekend of June (June 24-27, 2021). Please contact me if you want to be involved in planning or just reach out and talk about someone you think about from time to time so we can encourage them to meet you on campus.

Cheers. 

Dan

A Note from the Office of Constituent Engagement:  Stay up-to-date with our latest news and information. Make sure that we have your most updated contact information including email and phone number by visiting ripon.edu/update-contact-info/ or emailing [email protected].

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

HEATHER MCFADDEN BARRIE ’85

(262) 628-1377 / [email protected]

Reflecting on everything that has transpired in the first eight months of 2020, I am reminded of a class I took when I was working on my MBA – Finance Analysis – not one of my stronger subjects – nonetheless a course required to obtain my master’s degree. Two words the professor told the class at the beginning of the semester – “Don’t Panic!”

I “struggled” with the class – I “struggled” with the professor – I “struggled” with everything about the class every time I entered the classroom. I eventually came to realize that my internal “struggles” with this class – the “struggles” I had control over would never help me prevail until I took control of the situation! In other words, “Don’t Panic!” became my mantra to get through this class.

Here I am 30 years later hearing that professor’s words ring loud and clear in my head – “Don’t Panic!” – as the world endures a pandemic. Easier said than done! As the fall semester begins, Ripon College students, faculty and staff – “Don’t Panic!”

Let’s remind ourselves what happens when we panic – we get stuck focusing on fearful thoughts!

When we become anxious, stressed and start to panic, we should remind ourselves to pause and focus on what we can and can’t control that is causing us to feel this way. Control becomes the operative word. For me during this Pandemic, it took me a while to truly embrace the things I could and couldn’t control that caused me to panic, become anxious and more stressed out. I realized that watching too much TV, participating in too much social media, and engaging with people who had negative energy increased my stress levels, making me more anxious and causing me to panic. The solution became quite simple – turn off the TV, put my phone down and ensure I hung around people with positive energy.

As a new school year begins at Ripon College and on other campuses around the world, there’s no doubt this Pandemic will continue to generate panic, anxiety and stress in some shape or form among the student population. Let the words of a wise Professor prevail – “Don’t Panic!” Focus on what you can control within your environment to help alleviate these feelings.

Stick to the basics: Get plenty of rest — Eat well — Stay active

Beyond the basics: Identify what triggers your negative energy and what triggers your positive energy.

And most important: “Don’t panic!”

Advice from a fellow 1985 classmate, MARK JONAS ’85: “…enjoy the process. It is memorable, historic, unprecedented, etc… and it is your history. Have fun with it!”

As always, I look forward to hearing your updates and news so that I can share them with classmates in our upcoming class letters. Thank you to everyone who supported the College this past fiscal year. Our class had nine individuals who made a gift on #OneDayRally and we had 12 individuals who stepped up to support the Emergency Assistance Fund.

I look forward to hearing from you in the future!

Heather

A Note from the Office of Constituent Engagement:  Stay up-to-date with our latest news and information. Make sure that we have your most updated contact information including email and phone number by visiting ripon.edu/update-contact-info or emailing [email protected].

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

BARB WILLIAMS CLAY ’83

(612) 749-5010 / [email protected]

Greetings Class of 1983 – 

It’s been a while since we last connected and what a difference a year can make. JOHN CLAY ’83 is managing through the challenges of distance learning and working through constant change. It’s hard on all involved and especially for the kids. I am thankful to be working from home for RGA. It has been an amazing company, has been strong on retaining the workforce, and getting more involved in social justice.  

We got a chance to see our kids this summer and we were so grateful for that opportunity. It was more than a half year which is the longest we have gone without seeing them. This along with so many other situations will make the stories to be told in years to come. 

Here are the updates for Ripon at the time that this letter is written:

• #OneDayRally (ODR) was a wonderful success with a total of $1,918,598 raised for the college from 2,015 donors. The Class of 1983 has been consistently strong in giving with 32 participants raising $499,064 for ODR and 15 participants supporting the emergency assistance fund. This support is especially appreciated during these unprecedented times. 
• Students will be returning in the fall with Reunite Ripon precautions to ensure safety for all.
• Ripon has been supporting connections with alumni and current students through the R Connections Webinar Series to assist in navigating the pandemic along with many other topics. Check out the schedule and you can watch the recorded webinars at your convenience.
• The Alumni Board continues to meet via Zoom with a focus on supporting our current students and alumni connections. 

We have such an amazing class with so many making impacts.

LAWRENCE D. HUEBNER ’83 of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, writes, “I was fortunate to have received two special NASA awards during the past year. The first was the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Director’s Award. This award honors individuals for defending a technical position that conflicts with the Program or Organization’s initial or prevailing engineering perspectives, and for taking personal initiative to foster clear and open communication and resolve controversial issues. It was awarded to me in recognition of outstanding achievement of upholding the guiding principles of the NESC in leading the Boeing Commercial Crew Program Aerosciences Peer Review Team. The second award was for NASA Exceptional Service medal.”  

Thanks for the privilege of being your Class Agent and please take time to look for the blessings that come your way. 

Barb

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

PETER HINTZ ’82/P’10 

W844 Lakeside Drive, Green Lake, WI 54941

920-229-4399 / [email protected] 

KRISTEN RASMUSSEN OLSON ’82 

1204 10th Street NW, Austin, MN 55912

507-279-1091 / [email protected]

Dear Class of 1982:

We hope this letter finds you and your families well! 

KRISTEN RASMUSSEN OLSON ’82 and I (PETER HINTZ ’82/P’10) write to kick off our reunion preparations for our 40th Reunion in the summer of 2022. With enough help and interest, we can truly make this 40th a reunion to remember! 

At this time, we are forming a reunion committee to help create an unforgettable weekend, and we are also seeking volunteers to contact hard-to-reach classmates and to help plan events. If any of you would like to volunteer, in any capacity, we would be happy to have your assistance. We look at this reunion as an opportunity to reestablish connections for those who may have fallen away from contact with the College, in addition as a chance to gather with old roommates, dorm mates, living group friends, fraternity and sorority brothers and sisters, and all other classmates and friends!

Some ideas for the Reunion in June of 2022 include the following:

1. Class Booklet

Since many of us have not been in contact with each other in quite a while, a compilation reunion pamphlet/booklet/digital book would provide an opportunity to share and catch up. Many classes for 40th and 50th reunions have done this. Information included in the booklet could be, among other things,

1. Majors/living group
2. Family
3. Post-Ripon education & careers
4. What you are up to now
5. Favorite Ripon memory (class, professor, activity, music, roommate)
6. Share photos: Green List, graduation, submitted photos

We can also pay homage to members of the class who we have lost. 

2. Dinner

Normally, for significant reunions like our 40th, a formal dinner has been offered at a location on campus. As with our 35th reunion, which we held in Lane Library, we can have an informal entrée-type hors d’oeuvres dinner. We can also opt for an off-campus location. Another alternative, which Kristen and I find intriguing, is to have a “Springfest” type of event on the lawn outside the reunion with a keg and other beverages and informal music and food, and maybe even a band. Some of you are talented musicians in your own right, and maybe you would consider being part of the entertainment. That would certainly be special.

3. Other Reunion Activities:

We rented a big boat on Green Lake for our 35th Reunion. As you may know, the Heidel House closed in 2019, but talks are in the works here in Green Lake for a revamped resort. We may be able to avail ourselves to some of the amenities of the lake on this public space by then.

We welcome any of your ideas! 

Assuming and hoping that our current pandemic is resolved in the near future, Kristen and I encourage all of you to try to attend, but if that is not possible, please try to connect in some way. I am reminded of lyrics from The Car’s song, “Just What I Needed,” from their first album from 1978, “It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, as long as it was deep. Yeah.” We’ve all been on our own journeys. Alumni Weekends and Class Reunions are a great opportunity to share these experiences and celebrate our common experience as students.

For those of you who haven’t been to campus in awhile, you will note some things have changed. The road in front of Tri-Dorms and the Commons is closed, creating a nice campus walkway, and there is a campus green where the old gym used to be. There is a newly remodeled gym and fitness center and a new collaborative learning center in the library called the Franzen Center for Academic Success. Many things, however, are much the same. Living in nearby Green Lake and close to Ripon, I have taken advantage of walking the beautiful (and sadly vacant) campus this summer. Recently, on a whim, I tried a door to Scott Hall, and, finding it open, meandered up the 63 stairs (I remember counting them as a freshman) to 4th floor New Scott, to visit my old room, Room 406, which I had not visited since the spring of 1979. The hallway was much smaller and shorter than in my memory. They had painted some of the woodwork in the rooms “Ripon red,” but otherwise the rooms and furniture (and the view- spectacular for a college dorm) were much the same. 

While peeking into JOHN COLLIN ’82’s freshman room, next to mine, facing Lane Library side, I was reminded of the time John and I were in his room, in the spring of 1979, with the windows open, listening to Van Halen’s first album at a rather loud volume on a fine sunny afternoon, when Steve, the RA from Scott Hall (who lived exactly 63 stairs below us), came up to inform us that the library had called him and requested that we turn down our stereo, since it was bothering students in the library studying for exams. What a trip down memory lane.

For many of us, the freshman experience on campus was so profound. It is this residential and community experience that makes Ripon so special. Happily, the College is opening to in-person classes in the fall, with very thoughtful precautions and preparations. You can find this and other news online at https://www.ripon.edu/news/.

Best wishes to all of you and your families. Please submit any ideas you’d like to share to us for the reunion, and let us know if you’d like to help in any capacity. With your help, we can make it a fun and memorable event. Even if you are unable to help, we would love to hear from you. Drop us a note to our emails and we will be happy to pass along any news you wish to share. Don’t forget pictures, too!

News from our classmates:

We recently posted our spring class letter online on the R Connections website (https://www.ripon.edu/rconnections/). Please read news from KRISTIN JANSSEN ’82, MARTI SPITTELL ZIEGELBAUER ’82, KEVIN SHERIDAN ’82, KRISTEN OLSON ’82, and NANCY BUCK HINTZ ’82 and myself. 

Additionally, STEVEN WOODS ’82 of Prescott, Arizona, writes, “As the chief supply chain officer for the northern Arizona VA healthcare system, the COVID-19 emergency has been a trying time, but also rewarding knowing that keeping our medical facilities supplied and equipped enables our clinicians to save veteran lives.” 

Cheers,

PETER HINTZ ’82

Co- Class Agent with KRISTEN RASMUSSEN OLSON ’82

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

1981 – Fall 2020

LARRY NIKOLAUS ’81

[email protected]

Class of ’81,

Hopefully, this Class Letter finds you healthy and creating new ways to keep yourselves entertained and happy in this crazy COVID-19 world we are living in. It is hard for me to believe that in just nine months we will be celebrating 40 years since our graduation from this fine institution called Ripon College. I am glad to see that for most of us, we are proving that being 60 does not mean over the hill. Everyone seems to be biking, hiking, walking, running, traveling, and generally taking advantage of what life has to offer. Keeping my fingers crossed and saying a prayer that we have the chance to meet in person at our reunion next June.

Please look at your calendar and consider making the pilgrimage back to Ripon for our 40th Reunion on Saturday, June 26, 2021. We will be also looking for volunteers to help us plan a memorable gathering for the Class of ’81. If you are interested in helping, please let me know!

LARRY ’81 and KATHY HARBUT NIKOLAUS ’81: Here in Colorado, Kathy and I are attempting to excel at social distancing by getting out into nature for some camping, biking, and climbing an occasional 14ner. I continue to work for MITRE supporting the Air Force missile warning program. Like most folks, I am working from home 90% of the time. Kathy, as a physical therapist, is still seeing patients a few days a week. The biggest challenge for me has been keeping my Scouts together with virtual troop meetings and campouts (all of us in our own backyards and Zooming).

JEFF GILMER ’81and Mary have been busy with the move to retirement, and Jeff finalized his two-year transition from the company. They are enjoying wintertime in South Carolina- cycling, running, and getting time to see MIKE ’83 and ELI PETERSON GUZNICZAK ’83. They purchased a lake home in Minnesota that kept them busy with lots of remodeling and are looking forward to making the permanent move there.

Delta Upsilon: The brothers of DU (classes from ’78 on) have been making the best of social distancing by joining together in regular virtual pub crawls. Great beer, greater company, awesome memories, and no drive home. 

JEFF MCANDREW ’81and his wife, Debbie, celebrated 26 years of marriage this year and have taken some time to travel. They went to New Orleans for Jeff’s 60th and to Door County this summer for biking and hiking, staying at their favorite resort called The Country House. Jeff published a book of fiction in May 2019 called “Numinous” about a pastor who struggles with his faith. Jeff finds time to keep in touch and collaborate with FRED HERSOM ’82 and MICHAEL TOLLIFSON ’82 on song ideas and songwriting in general. Jeff’s family has stayed in regular contact with CRAIG SATHER ’80 family over the past 20 years and their sons have become good friends.

BLAINE GIBSON ’81 is looking forward to being a grandfather soon and working on his golf game. Living in Wisconsin as empty nesters they are looking to downsize in the next few years. Blaine recently co-curated his first art exhibit at the Cedarburg Art Museum featuring Black Collectors of Art titled ‘Eye Of The Beholder.’ It was a lot of fun and runs through September 27th. Blaine will step down as the museum’s board president in January. He is still working his day job with RBC Wealth Management. Life is good and they are blessed.

DAVID ’81 and KRISTIN KOHLES JANSSEN ’82 traveled to Alaska this summer. They visited with GREG GERBOTH ’81 and his family in Anchorage. They spent time on Fox Island in the Kenai Peninsula where we saw lots of orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions & puffins, as well as incredible glaciers. They were able to see Denali in all her glory as well as caribou, dall sheep and even grizzlies up close & personal (a mom & 2 cubs walked right behind their car)! They held their son Michael’s & Silvie’s wedding at their home in August of 2019 and they are moving back to Wisconsin from Colorado in October. They will be celebrating their son Greg’s & Lindsey’s wedding in Boulder on September 12.

Thanks to all of you that contributed to Ripon’s #OneDayRally. Our class contributed over $80,000. Remember what Ripon College meant for you and continue your support.

Best,

Larry

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

PEGGY GERO DAVALT ’80

608.658.3779 / [email protected] / [email protected]

What Did We Do During COVID-19? Inquiring Minds Want To Know!!

There has been so much that we have all endured since March of 2020, when the world that we all knew and loved, suddenly changed overnight. For those of us who are still in the workforce, life changed. For those of us who are huge sports fans, life changed. For those of us who have hobbies that allowed us to travel all over the US, life there changed. For those of us who loved to travel abroad and domestically, that changed as well. The overall theme is that life changed.  Long ago and far away, my dad, Bob Gero P’80/P’82/P’84/P’85, shared with me one day, when I was lamenting something that “the only thing that is constant in life is change.” Truer words have never been spoken. Thanks, Dad, for those words of wisdom. I am going to keep any more of my thoughts on the COVID-19 life we live to myself as there are outlets for all of us to discuss the pros, the cons, the ins and outs of it on social media or amongst each other. I would like to think that if we are adults about all of this, we can agree to simply disagree on anything related to this current life we’re all living now.

As you all know, we were to have celebrated our 40th Class Reunion during Alumni Weekend 2020. Chalk that up to another “life changed” event. What did we do? We had some fun!! Since I work in technology and spent many days early-on in during the COVID-19 crisis, setting up Zoom meetings, Skype for Business meetings as well as GoToMeetings, it quickly became apparent that we could do weekly Zoom meetings leading up to the Class Reunion.

The Ripon College Class of 1980 has a Zoom Room that I host and own (my contribution to any of you that wish to join) – and we refer to it as the Ripon College Class of 1980 Digital Hot “Spot” – (for those of you that forgot…the “Spot” was a place to go and I have a small jetpack (country life) that is referred to a digital hot spot…so…once you’re done moaning, let me share what we do.

Back in April we started with our weekly meetings. They start at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights and go to 10 or 10:30 depending upon our discussions and how tired we all are.  I am going to salute my partners in crime on this – THANK YOU all for doing this with me. It really has made me get through this difficult time we live in and it’s just been plain fun!! Fun is good!!

We have had many laughs, total outrageous things happen – I’m thinking of a comment about a “burner phone” that caused us to just not stop laughing.  In a story that JEFF PENNEY ’80, BERT KOHLHAGEN ’80 and KATHY GOODBOUT ’80 were discussing – how the Theta Chis would need help getting ready for formals, Jeff shared this quotable quote, “We needed Garanimals for men.”  Let’s not forget the excitement of my wild house…complete with the occasional winged attendee (i.e., a bird that flew in the house while I was chatting…not to mention a bat, as well as a snake that have visited….not all when Peggy’s been on the Zoom room).  

Regular Attendees – 

PEGGY GERO DAVALT ’80 – I am considered an essential worker at the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health Services working as an IT professional for Central Wisconsin Center (CWC) and Mendota Mental Health Institute (MMHI). She will have 29 years in working for the state in September of this year. I do not plan to retire yet, and am looking more at my dream of building a new home. My mom, Anne Gero P’80/P’82/P’84/P’85, passed away in October 2019 at the age of 88. I still raise and show Gordon Setters and have been recently re-appointed to the Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc., Board of Governors. My youngest sister, RUTH ANNE GERO ADAMS ’85 – was going to be awarded one of the Distinguished Alumni Awards during Alumni Weekend 2020. We had been planning to make this a family outing where all four of us would be at Ripon at the same time. My brother, PAUL GERO ’82 and his family, have returned to Lake Mills, WI where Paul did an amazing photographic study he called, “Portraits in the Time of Corona” that was featured on area TV stations. My other sister, MARY GERO GRONHOLZ ’84 and her family also live in Lake Mills and they spend time with Paul and his family. Mary is in charge of her Mary Kay Unit where she is the Senior Cadillac Sales Director with Mary Kay. She has worked for Mary Kay for 29 years. We all miss Mom and we all know that she had a deep love for Ripon College.

KATHY GOODBOUT ’80 – Kathy retired on May 1, 2020 from Dominican University where she worked for 40 years in the Admissions Office. 

ROBERTA KOHLHAGEN ’80 – Bert is still working for the Rockford Park District in Rockford, IL, where she has been for 15 years. Her duties are wide and varied and now with COVID-19 around, it has been interesting to figure out who plays what team, who CAN play what team, where is the compressor when you need it? It’s pretty crazy most days. They have not had ice since May, however, they are hoping once the compressor is fixed then they can have lessons again.

JEFF PENNEY ’80 – Jeff sent me this information to publish in this edition of the R-Connection.  Jeff makes frequent stops to the Zoom Room. I think the first time he arrived, it took us all about 20 minutes to get him completely set-up properly.  ☺  Gotta love technology, right?

Here’s Jeff’s message to me – 

Peggy, I want to tell you about the great 40th reunion that I had this June. It was a gorgeous Wisconsin summer weekend. White billowy clouds drifted over Rodman creating a postcard scene. It was Saturday afternoon and another renewal of the spirited Alumni Lacrosse game was taking place. This bunch of geezers reliving their glory day never fails to entertain. Between the huffing and puffing and the celebratory cheers of goals scored, a faint murmur wafted up the hillside where the thousands of fans were cheering. Excitement built as a few people started to make out the sound? The vibe in the crowd grew as did the sound, still, some could not hear it well. What could it be!  Finally, as the speed of sound crested the lip of the curb by Bovay, the sound was unmistakable; it was the trademark of Ripon Lacrosse, PEEB (BILL SCHNESE ’79)!  Many cried from the pure emotion of the moment. Afterward, the players and the thousands of fans mingled and talked. Soon some adult beverages made their way onto the hallowed grounds and there was a great joy. The camaraderie, memories, laughter and hope continued into the Class dinners and onward throughout the night of immense revelry. All eventually passing out from the revelry of the Blessed Cow or the excitement of a great time. It was another classic Ripon party. When I woke the next day, to my heartbreak it had been just a great and vivid dream. The realization that that great weekend just didn’t happen was an extreme disappointment of epic proportions.Throughout the entire day, I was filled with melancholy, but for the life of me, I could not explain why I had a smile on my face.

KEVIN WARMACK ’79, KENNETH P. CAMPBELL ’82, and CATHY LATHROP HAGER ’82 join as they can. Thank you for joining the Class of 1980 on our Zoom Room meetings!

The week of the reunion, we opted to start the Zoom meeting a bit earlier and we had DEBBIE ALLEN SHEPERD ’80 stop in from Florida where she is at the moment. It was great to talk to her and to hear how she has been doing since she left Ripon in 1978, I believe she said and headed to the University of Texas at Austin (I think). 

A regular for a few weeks was SARA MAURER ’80 back in Wisconsin to visit with her dad. Sara has been retired for a couple of years and Kathy, Bert and I had great visits with her for the time she was back in WI. Thanks Sara for joining us. Hope all is well back in Alaska. It was great to visit with you.

Last week, LISA HEIMLER ’80, joined us (along with KATHY GOODBOUT ’80) as they were in Wisconsin doing their own “State Fair Gathering” which I’ll share more about in a bit. Lisa just retired from a career as a physical therapist in a nursing home in the greater Chicago area.

Thank you to all the Zoom Room folks who stop in to visit. It is fun and just in case you want to join, here is the permanent link to the room.

Weekly Zoom Meetings on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. CDT.  (ANY Ripon Alums are welcome to join). Questions call me at 608.658.3779

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86022070250?pwd=UHlvMDBSQ1Z2OXZPczJMdGZYeWVtdz09#success

Meeting ID: 860 2207 0250 // Password: 733821

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+13126266799,,86022070250#,,#,733821# US (Chicago)

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+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

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Other Awesome News From Classmates

TOM JACKSON ’80 – shared this with me – “Hi Peggy!  Quick update – I recently retired after a wonderful career in analytical chemistry – helping preserve memories at Kodak, moving the future of transportation forward at GM’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell research center and finishing by working at the University of Rochester (NY) Medical Center developing methods to measure lung cancer biomarkers. Now Deb and I are traveling and enjoying retirement!”

CHARLOTTE POHANKA SPARROW ’80 – shared her news with me – “Hi Peggy – How about – still living in the Chicago area and working Risk Mgmt. Interesting time to be in Risk Mgmt. Eek! Oldest daughter has shifted gears and moved to Madison last year working on her masters in modern day library science (not what it used to be for sure). My younger daughter just moved back to Chicago following four years in Boston. Still working for a luxury travel operator, but heading to new opportunities. WFH has allowed me to nurture my garden in the early morning hours and enjoy it in late summer evenings. Also, I manage to get in golf and patio social distancing. Hi to all. Thanks for working so hard for us Peggy!!”

(You’re quite welcome, Char!!  I love doing this….Ripon rocks!!  Peggy)

SUSAN ANGELL SCHMIDT ’80 shared this tidbit of information – anyone up for a road trip to Wausau? Susan is married to ANDREW SCHMIDT ’81.  

WINNETTA “WINNIE” JONES ’80 of St. Louis, Missouri, writes “greetings to classmates and hopes everyone is doing well and staying safe.” Thanks for writing in, Winnie!! Hope you are well too!

Dr. Robert Wallace – shared this with me: “Dr. Bob Wallace has been retired from teaching for just over 1 year, but he has an office and laboratory in Farr Hall and is still publishing papers on rotifers.”

I also want to give a huge shout out to BRICE TERBEEST ’14, who, through a series of synchronicities, has ended up helping me with some retirement stuff (that’s likely why I’m still working). His business partner is my massage therapist’s daughter. She told me that I just need to meet with her dad and his business partner (who went to Ripon)…..and that was really enough for me (plus she scheduled the appointment…)….and the other thing is that her son, SHAUN ROBERTS ’23 is also at Ripon. And….Brice plays tennis with JOLENE RUEDEN SCHATZINGER’s ’07, husband professor of politics and government, Henrik Schatzinger, at the Willmore Center. Guess that Ripon Connection has always been in my life and that is one thing that has not changed. It’s an incredible constant that many of us share and will forever share.

What do you do, when there is no State Fair in Wisconsin? You create your own!! I share with you some photos from the “Life Changed State Fair” that LISA HEIMLER ’80 and KATHY GOODBOUT ’80 created the week of August 3!!

The “official” cow of choice that came from the Dime Store in Sheboygan, WI (right Bert?)

The cow is looking at all of us on last week’s Zoom meeting – 

Upper left  PEGGY GERO DAVALT

Upper right – LISA HEIMLER ’80 AND KATHY GOODBOUT ’80

Bottom – BERT KOHLHAGEN ’80

State Fair Food Fare – COVID-19 Style – 

Must be breakfast of champions….I notice the Bloody Marys.  ☺ 

State Fair Food Fare – Dinner

Lienie’s Canoe Paddler and another libation that I’m not sure the variety.

Thanks for sharing this with us!!  HOW. FUN.!!!

I think that I got everyone that sent something to me!! I’m so excited to have shared all of this Class of 1980 information!! You are all amazing to send me information so that others can see just how engaged we are in being retired, still working, still drinking and still enjoying fun – even when life changed. We, too, can all be able to change so that we can still do the things we want to – albeit with a bit different spin.

To Ripon College,

Peggy Gero DaValt ’80

Ripon College Class Agent

PS – D’uh – Our 41st Reunion will be in conjunction with the Class of 1981’s at the old Pub now called The Spot. I believe that we’ll also be sharing with the Class of 1985 and 1986. Should be a GREAT time!! Mark your calendars for June 24-27, 2021. See you back on campus for Alumni Weekend, 2021, for an amazing gathering of epic proportions!! ☺

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

KEVIN L. WARMACK ’79

(773) 220-5360 / [email protected] / [email protected]

 Greetings All,

When we last communicated in early March, it was pre-COVID-19 shut down when a mask was something we wore to a masquerade ball; COVID-19 was something strange, and Corona was the beer that you inserted the lime in. Since that time, we have all probably gone from commuting to and working from an office to working remotely from home; Zoom is one of your favorite venues to meet your family, friends, and co-workers to ensure that no one gets the virus and above all, watching reruns of sports events became a substitute for a live game (I’m sure we were all glued for “The Last Dance”). So I have stories from some of our classmates on their COVID-19 pandemic survival.

First, to my knowledge, we have not lost anyone from our class to the virus. I know it’s funny for us, but if you’re like me, you’ve been taking advantage of the “Senior Hours” at the local stores.  Hey, we worked hard for this. I’m glad to know that we are all still here, still at it.

Class of 1979 News and Notes:

DAVID SPENCER ’79 writes, “COVID-19 life: Fortunately in Northern Minnesota, the trails, lakes, rivers, and back roads allow for plenty of social distancing and space to get out on a daily basis. We have not missed much of our former lives except for friends, family, and a sense of comfort in going out. But, we are healthy and can get outside every day: it is enough.”

MIKE ZAHN ’79 writes, “Unbeknownst to him, JAY MCDONALD ’79 helped us decide to buy a Speed Queen washer! My wife looked at online reviews and Speed Queen looked awful. Then we found an enlightening article in Wirecutter that quoted Jay and we were sold. So Ripon connections just never wear out. . .Other than that, I’ve been doing some songwriting and dusting off some old garbage I wrote in college and beyond. My wife continues to raise some lambs and turkeys on our small farm, with some help from me. And we keep efforting to keep connected in our current distantly social world.”

TIM BEAUCHAMP ’79: “Oddly enough, I’ve kept about 75% of my fitness consulting and training client load during this COVID shutdown, training most by remote (FaceTime, Zoom, Google Duo) but some one-on-one in a private gym where we have really strict hygiene rules and the ability to stay at a distance. Still have had plenty of time to work on the house, but I am getting ready for shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff from a fall this spring. I was looking forward to getting back to the Midwest for some reunions, and still might do a drive out there in the fall depending on how the shoulder recovers, and if we manage to get this damn pandemic under control. And yeah, I’m wearing a mask when I’m around other people.”

 BOB GRANT ’79: “My COVID-19 story -In March I took three months off to self-isolate and I learned a few things. In no particular order:

• I have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree and it took me two days to figure out how to file for unemployment in Maine. I have no idea how people less fortunate managed. The State website is not optimized for a phone. Their solution: go to the library. Except the libraries were closed. My eyes have been opened.
• We fostered a Golden Retriever puppy for two months until her forever owners were ready. It was heartbreaking to give her up. We’ll never do that again.
• My wife and I rebuilt our main staircase in the Craftsman-style. The hand-built newel post and railing came out beautifully. This the fourth house we’ve renovated and we’ve still got the touch.

 During my three-month practice retirement, I learned: sitting still is of the devil and not anything I can do for very long; the pizza place in town also delivers cocktails, wine, and beer; apparently toilet paper is a commodity; carpenters are essential workers (really?); I can still grow my hair to Ripon era length.”

My COVID-19 story began March 17th. That was the last day that I commuted to downtown Chicago. I was due to be off on March 20th because I was scheduled for a radical prostectomy for the removal of my prostate due to me being diagnosed in December with prostate cancer (there’s a story there on how I found out while checking into my hotel in San Antonio, Texas but that’s another time). My office had offered us the opportunity to work remotely from home and my manager insisted that I take advantage of that. So then on March 18th, while working from my home office, I get the call – your surgery, which is considered elective surgery, is postponed. No date was given as to when I could have the surgery. 

So I began doing branch office reviews, virtually. I have not seen the inside of an airport since Valentine’s weekend. Not that I’m complaining, but we had over 100 reviews to be done this year, so being able to do those reviews and interview virtually was both a fiscal savings and a physical savings. So every day, I travel the country virtually, talking to our representatives in offices from Florida to Washington and all parts in between. I have also become adept at cooking. By the way, I did have that radical prostectomy on June 12th. Everything is ok and they got all the cancer. So I’ll be around to torment all of you to write something for this Class Letter!! 

Pray for the College and the students as they continue their academic semester. These kids are facing things that we could never have imagined in our years at Ripon.

 As always, it is a pleasure to write to y’all. Also, when you got news, don’t hold on to it, drop me a note so I can make your Class Letter the best!!!

Love Always,

Kevin

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

Gregg Petersen ’78

10829 Hilltop Lane, Columbia, MD 21044

410-884-0407 / [email protected]

Dear Classmates:

Happy fall classmates! My most fervent wish for you and your families is that this letter finds you in good health and spirits as we wait for the COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed. This letter will be much shorter than the one you did not have sent to you from the spring due to the interruption of the academic year with COVID-19. However, your spring class letter is uploaded to the R Connections webpage (ripon.edu/rconnections), and I will include it after this letter. In news since the spring, we led the #OneDayRally participation for the third straight year, we became aware that our classmate LIZ PECHA-POELKER ’78 is one of Ripon’s newest Trustees, and sadly we lost two of our classmates. 

HEADLINES FOR THIS LETTER:

• Sad News
• ’78 Classmate Updates
• #OneDayRally-Class of ‘78 Again Tops Participation
• Class Letter Updates Needed for the Spring

Sad News:

THÈRÉSE DES LAURIERS FOX ’78 of Golden Valley, Minnesota, died May 15, 2020. At Ripon, she majored in French and business management and participated in Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She worked for the Robbinsdale School District for 20 years. Survivors include her husband, Chuck; two sons and three daughters.

NANCY SCHNEIDERS KREJCI ’78 of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, died June 5, 2020. At Ripon, she majored in economics and politics and government, and participated in Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She received a law degree from Marquette University Law School and was an administrative law judge for the State of Wisconsin for 38 years. She enjoyed attending sporting events and theatre and taking summer road trips. Survivors include her husband, GREG KREJCI ’78. 

Some of you asked about a memorial fund for Nancy. 

While I am not aware of a specific fund that was set up in Therese’s or Nancy’s memory, you can send a donation in their memory to Ripon: You can make a donation to the Ripon Fund, for instance. You do this by noting the purpose on the online gift form or send a note if you mail in a gift.

’78 Classmate Updates:

DAVE HANUS ’78 of Salem, Oregon, writes, “Surviving our stay at home order, working on the “honey do” list (amazing how the list grows while staring at the walls for months). Dreaming of trips to take and family to visit. Drove the Indian Ocean Drive, Hwy 1, Perth to Broome then to Horizontal Falls last November.”

LIZ PECHA-POELKER ’78 of Saint Louis, Missouri was elected to the Ripon Board of Trustees last fall! Liz was officially elected a Trustee in October of 2019 and her first meeting was in early February. She reports that the current staff –  the VPs are doing a great job. “Enrollment is looking so good for the fall, if they can, of course, keep it up.”

 #OneDayRally April 29th-Class of ’78 Leads Participation for the 3rd Straight Year!:

We did it again!!! Thanks to our 63 donors! Thanks to you, we broke the 2018 participation record of 48 donations set by our class in the inaugural year of the #OneDayRally! Our impressive show of support during #OneDayRally helped the College exceed the donor goal of 1,851 donors in 20 hours and 20 minutes. Special thanks to those who gave a second time to add to our number. And I do appreciate all of you that had the will but not the ability to be a part of this record this year. Finally, very special thanks to LOUISA GEBELEIN JONES ’78, LISA WOLLAN ’78, LIZ PECHA-POELKER ’78, and SUE FEITH SHANNON ’78 for their support reaching out by email and phone during the Rally.

So….what is our goal for next year? Since we hit 63 this year, I think we can hit 78 next year…and the name of our 2021 #OneDayRally Campaign?: “78 for ‘78” of course!  We will need 15 more of you to give on the #OneDayRally date. I know we can do it. Please consider timing your Ripon Fund gift to Ripon for the last week of April next year.

I am very proud to be a part of this very spirited, charitable, and warm group of friends and classmates bound together by our Ripon experience that continues to endure 42 years later. Our list of donors follows. From JEANNE LIETZAN and ROB MEYERS’ initial advanced donations to JOHN ZINDAR’s in the final minutes before midnight central time, everyone’s support was needed to distance ourselves from the classes of 2000 and 2019 that tied for second at 52. 

#OneDayRally Supporters (some were anonymous-thanks to you too!): Jose Aleman, Denise Baird, Leslie Balestracci, Beth Benezra, Danni Caldwell, Julie Sharon Chovan, Ginny McGehee Condon, Danny Davis, Catherine Depew, Barb Doerrer-Peacock, Erika Doss, John Ehrhardt, Rebecca Galloway, Patricia Gardner, Bryan Habeck, Mark Hebda, Susan Hedman, Alan Hodkiewicz, Helen Holter, Mary Holtrop, Erica Hill, Meredith Valentine Johnson, Louisa Gebelein Jones, Terry Jones, Melanie Civin Kenion, In Memory Of Tim Kingston, Greg Krejci, Sharon Raupp Langley, Carla Olsen Larsen, Karen Leahy, Kevin Leavitt, Bryan Lemmenes, Jeanne Lietzan (Game Changer), Karl Loucks, Beverly Spittell-Lehman, Jonathan Loew, Rob Meyer, Ann Miller, Paul Nancarrow, Justin Niebank, Jeff Orear, Liz Pecha-Poelker, Gregg Petersen (Game Changer), Barbara Janssen Pugh, Mike Rainey, Linda Brown Remick, Tom Ritsch, Sue Feith Shannon, Eddie Smith, Mary Sweeney, Geoff Thrumston, Kathryn Vermoch, Jon & Joan Verson, Laurie Wagner, Anita Wallace, Jim Wilkes, Lisa Wollan, Lud Wurtz (Game Changer), and John Zindar.

Class Letter Updates:  

For the next letter, please send me your thoughts about Ripon or what you and your family are doing and include a picture. Do you have any new hobbies or experiences as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic? Send me a note about those! In the meantime, have a happy, healthy fall!

Best wishes and warm regards,

 Gregg

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

JONDI GUMZ ’75

(831) 461-1120 / [email protected]

Dear Classmates,

What a totally crazy year! Unpredictable to say the least! I hope all of you are finding ways to deal with the COVID-19 situation. Thanks to everyone who gave to #OneDayRally in the spring — $98,317 and 43% participation by our class! It’s exciting to see the support for Ripon College in these challenging times.And thanks to SUE CHAPMAN CARLTON ’75 who helped get the word out on this class letter!

I have been enjoying my new job, editor at Times Publishing Group, a locally owned business in Aptos, California — using my reporting skills to keep folks up to date with the COVID-19 situation. See for yourself at tpgonlinedaily.com. And I’ve been enjoying my grandchildren, Amaris Joy, who turned 3 this week and has a good arm for throwing a ball, and Matthew, who turns four next month and is really into fresh produce, like the tomatoes and padron peppers growing on our deck and the lemons he can pick in the backyard. My husband is the gardener but he’s been sidelined by a foot fracture, his driving leg, after running barefoot on the beach. Oh, and I got my hair cut, so I’m almost unrecognizable!

I do hope we can gather in Ripon, June 24-27, 2021 for our 45th class reunion to be celebrated with the Class of 1976! Please mark your calendar.

Keep sending your news to me at [email protected]

SUSAN SCHREYER STANDER ’75 emails from Paradise Valley, Arizona: “Quarantine and retirement feel pretty much the same, minus the travel. Thankfully, I love my house, so staying home is not unpleasant. Our daughters took turns quarantining with us, one of them for three months! Our nest is now empty, once again, and my cat is grateful the granddogs are gone. My husband and my daughter are both hospital-based health care providers, so I devote considerable time to worrying about their health and safety. So far, everyone is healthy. And I spend a great deal of my free time calling voters in our Legislative District to check up on their physical and financial well-being during the COVID crisis, and encouraging anyone who hasn’t already, to register for Arizona’s Permanent Early Voters List, so they can receive their ballots early, via mail. I am also actively campaigning for astronaut and all-around good guy Mark Kelly for US Senate. I wish all my classmates good health.”

Connect with Susan at [email protected].

CHARLES “RICK” ESTBERG ’75 emails from Severna Park, Maryland: “He has pushed back plans for his retirement from the National Security Agency and now is hoping to cash in his proverbial chips around Christmas this year. On a happy note, the Red Cross has at long last (it’s been 19 years) liberalized its blood donation restriction policy to allow those who spent extended periods in Germany to donate once again. He donated this week, the first time since 2001, bringing his total to 99 donations. The very first two took place at Ripon all those years ago. On a far sadder note, and as the reunion committee already knows, he mourns the loss of his older son, Charlie, who died on April 25th after a decade-long struggle with drug addiction. Rick has begun writing a book about Charlie’s life, as a testimony to all the positive things his son was, as well as a warning to parents (or even grandparents), in the hopes that they will be wiser than Rick and his wife Lucie were, and will not casually overlook the myriad warning signs that they did during Charlie’s formative years. With luck, the book will be finished by the end of 2020. He’s looking forward to our postponed reunion next summer! The Jeopardy game sits in wait…”

Connect with Rick at [email protected].

ANDY RICHARDS ’75 emails from Florida: “Darlene and I are looking forward to seeing 2020 move on and getting back to normal. We cancelled all of our travel plans for the summer and fall and are staying safe in Central Florida (Howey in the Hills). Fortunately, we are able to play golf often, socially distanced, so that helps to pass the time. We were hoping to visit our daughter Jennifer in St. Charles, Illinois for her 30th birthday, but instead we will be doing a celebration remotely. Both Darlene and I enjoy staying active and we recently purchased a Peloton exercise cycle and absolutely love it!”

Connect with Andy at [email protected].

STEVE SWANSON ’75 emails from Manassas, Virginia: “Continuing my second journey with the Department of Defense in the Pentagon representing the US Southern Command responsible for overseeing DoD activities in the Caribbean, Central and South America, our neighborhood. Planning a third voyage with Barbara via real estate investing in Virginia–join us. Enjoyed the Outer Banks last week with the three grandkids, Athena 13, Colin, 12, and Deanna 9, and, Alison, my eldest daughter. Grew a beard during the week- my youngest daughter’s reaction, upon return -‘scruffy’ — shaved the next day).  As to ‘surviving COVID,’ I conducted a ‘virtual’ annual cardio exam (ensuring my three stents of nine years are functional (no EKG!) (The real secret–‘running’ more so as an ‘aging’ Airborne Ranger, ‘shuffle’ with the grandkids).  Be safe, better yet, live!”

Connect with Steve at [email protected].

SUE CHAPMAN CARLTON ’75 emails from Fort Mill, South Carolina: “We just returned from a week’s long vacation in Lake Lure, NC. Both of our daughters and their husbands and our 2 grandsons met at a VRBO house. We had great fun swimming, boating, golfing, hiking, playing games and dining in. We felt safe and hope the next two weeks will be virus free for all.

In South Carolina, I’ve been playing golf, doing water aerobics, and going to the gym. Our Del Webb community provides some activities and we socialize on Friday evenings in our driveways. Some ADPi sisters have been doing a Zoom happy hour on Saturday evenings and a few girlfriends here do a Zoom game night on Thursdays.”

Connect with Sue at [email protected].

LEON PASCUCCI ’75 of Rancho Mirage, California, emails, “All is well in California desert as we cope with self-quarantine since mid-March; seeing very few friends and basically going nowhere while we remain healthy.  But time for reflection, reading and gobs of junk TV. “

Connect with Leon at [email protected].

DALE HARING ’75 of Skokie, Illinois, retired in May from Cobra Electronics as the director of facilities. He and his wife of 43 years, Renee, expect to be grandparents by Independence Day weekend.

Connect with Dale at [email protected].

KAREN “KUCKS” KUCKHAHN KEHL ’75 of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, emails: “Dealing with some health issues from my multiple myeloma have kept me very close to home. My fantastic sister came to visit and we are now going by the Property Sisters as renovating my bedroom was on the agenda. My son got engaged in Newport Beach and we are excited to welcome Sara into the family. Had a Zoom birthday party for my 93-year-old mother and she marveled at the technology!!! Amazing what she has seen in her lifetime. Stay safe everyone!!!!”

GAIL BARTKOWSKI ’75 emails from the southern tier of New York State: “Pretty much isolating except for groceries/essentials & some short shopping trips. I was able to recently swim in Seneca Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, & visited a winery – don’t get excited – didn’t even have a wine slushie & I still fell! ? I’m OK!  I’m OK! I just have balance & proprioception issues. I may hold a record for ankle fix’s within five months. Anyhoo, always great to hear from RIPON friends.”

NANCY LAWS KERN ’75 of Littleton, Colorado, emails: “We’re entering Smoke Season on the Front Range of Colorado. Four major wildfires have turned our lovely blue skies a little pale, and the mountains look like a hazy landscape painting. But this, too, shall pass. Probably before COVID does. Other than no traveling and very limited dining out, life isn’t too odd. Walking, biking, and swimming outdoors with my pals have gotten me through the summer. Our weekly free City Park Jazz concert has morphed into BYO picnics in various backyards, socially distancing, but at least able to see our friends. I really missed the Reunion this year, and hope we can all celebrate our 46th in 2021.” 

Have you stopped getting emails from Ripon College? It could be the College does not have your new email address. You can update your email and contact information — very important because our class reunion has been rescheduled for June 24-27, 2021 and you’ll want details. So go to http://www.ripon.edu/update-contact-info/. It’s that easy.

If you have a question, just email [email protected].

Class letters will be posted online at www.ripon.edu/reconnections if you want to catch up with classmates before our reunion.

Is there a classmate you want to reconnect with? Email me [email protected] and we will figure something out!

Best,

Jondi

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

JAN PETROVSKI MACLEOD ’74

(630) 920-2450 / [email protected]

Hello, everyone! The pandemic has thrown a wrench into the workings of all our lives but I trust you are finding ways to stay healthy, happy, and busy even if you must stay at home. Andy and I were planning to do a lot of traveling this year, but instead have embarked on reclaiming our gardens and decluttering the house. We read, take lots of walks, and get excited about running errands. We could get our groceries delivered, but Andy insists on going because it’s the one thing that gets him out of the house. Our ancient microwave died a while back, and we were thrilled to have a reason to venture out to find a replacement! I will never take shopping for granted again.

JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74, of Shorewood, Wisconsin reports it’s pretty much the same thing at her house. She has been busy with her gardens, and also making jams and jellies with her rhubarb and currants. She says the tomatoes, grapes, beans, and pumpkins are all coming along. Meanwhile, she takes lots of walks and gets excited about trips to the grocery store. Sounds all too familiar!

SELMA BAYDOUN CEMAN ’74, of Green Lake, Wisconsin says she has “doubled her grandchildren!” She had two already, but two new ones arrived this year, and she’s happy to be retired so she can enjoy all of them. She adds that she loves her new condo and is looking forward to Ripon gatherings in 2021.

LINDA LANDIN KAROW ’74 of Elkhorn, Wisconsin was supposed to take a long-awaited trip to France this summer, but that has been put on hold. She has been reorganizing her home, and has posted photos on Facebook of some beautiful shawls she has made. You are truly talented, Linda.

LISA JENNI LAATCH ’74 is now living in the Ft. Myers, Florida area, and “enjoying the slower pace of not working.” She says they sold their business last year and traveled around in their RV. They can’t do that now, but I would bet she’s planning new adventures for 2021. It’s great to hear from you, Lisa, and happy trails!

SCOTT DICKS ’74 & LINDA MOHR DICKS ’74 of Middleton, Wisconsin have been hunkered down at home since mid-March, venturing out only for exercise and necessities. Scott and I have been swapping coffee memes and wildlife stories on Facebook. I must say, Facebook can be lots of fun if you forego the politics and stick to joke-swapping and photo sharing! Scott has lots of time for deck sitting since he retired in January. Congrats, Scott, and know I am raising a glass in your honor.

VIRGIL STUCKER ’74 of Tryon, North Carolina writes, “Retirement became even more distant as my heart felt the burden of families coping with a mentally ill family member who was suddenly turned out of residential care or who was not able to access needed mental health care, even when hospital support was needed. I collaborated with a NY Times reporter on this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/health/coronavirus-mental-health.html. Also, we published a Guide which takes COVID-19 into consideration: A Family Guide To Mental Health Recovery: What You Need To Know From Day One https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088GGDQ6D?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860.

New hobbies? During the shutdown, I am trying to find more time to play my Native American flutes and my saxophone.”

ERIC K. SORENSEN ’74 of Marengo, Wisconsin writes, “ I continue to bring my ren faire character, Mustzfa Ali, to life at the Janesville Renaissance Faire, REN in the Glen, and a gathering of Rogues and Ruffians.”

BIL LEWIS ’74 of Cambridge, Massachusetts writes, “ I continue to perform and teach as James Madison (#4). I am, with my friend, a farmer in Idaho – dairy goats.”

MARY MUNRO ’74 of Evanston, Illinois, died on December 10, 2019. At Ripon, she majored in English and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She attended Indiana University Bloomington for her master’s degree in English before embarking on a career in publishing in Chicago. She enjoyed literature, reading, listening to National Public Radio, gardening, and being outside. Survivors include her husband WILLIAM LEINER, JR. ’74, two sons and one daughter.

So that’s all the news I have for you this time. Please stay in touch and let me know what’s keeping you busy. I have been trying to find a balance between staying busy and slowing down to enjoy the simple things. I wish I could have you all come over to sit on the deck with me, but since we can’t do that, know that I am thinking of you and wishing you good health and happiness while we wait out the virus. I look forward to seeing your smiling faces down the road.

See you in Ripon –

Jan 

A Note from the Office of Constituent Engagement:  Stay up-to-date with our latest news and information. Make sure that we have your most updated contact information including email and phone number by visiting ripon.edu/update-contact-info or emailing [email protected].

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

STEPHANIE GREENE ’72

[email protected]

Dear Classmates, 

As fall approaches, the year seems to have been going in slow motion as it has been speeding up. The winter sped away as COVID-19 caused the spring and summer to disappear into something that we have never seen. New York, the city that never sleeps, had an eerie quiet throughout the spring, yet you could hear the birds singing and see the trees and flowers blooming. During the summer months, the pandemic has subsided here and the city is coming back to life. As we remember all those lost to the pandemic, let us take a few minutes to remember and offer condolences for a few classmates who left us this year. 

GLEN R. GASIOREK ’72 of Spring Hill, Tennessee, formerly of Arlington Heights, Illinois, died Jan. 15, 2020. At Ripon, he majored in Politics and Government and History and was a member of Beta Sigma Pi fraternity. He graduated from Loyola Academy and Drake University Law School. He was an attorney for the State of Illinois Department of Insurance. He enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and golf. In 2010, he hiked the Grand Canyon with his brother, ALAN GASIOREK ’73, and a sister, brother-in law and niece. Survivors include his wife, Corryette Gasiorek; one son; and a sister-in-law, our own LYNNE HORNE GASIOREK ’72. 

MARIAN WIEST SOMMERFELDT ’72 of Green Lake, Wisconsin, died May 24, 2020. She studied English at Ripon and received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She worked on the board of directors at Community Options in Green Lake. Survivors include her husband, Glen; and one son. 

MICHAEL W. FARRELL ’72 of Morris, Illinois, died March 14, 2020. At Ripon, he majored in history. After two years of master’s degree studies in journalism at the University of South Carolina, he worked for the Morris (Illinois) Daily Herald for 36 years as a reporter and editor until retiring in 2010. He and his wife travelled widely in the United States, Russia, China, Europe, Africa and Central and South America. He was an avid student of history, visiting every presidential library. He enjoyed sports, especially the Twins, Vikings and Ripon College teams, gardening and reading history. Survivors include a brother, Martin Farrell, professor of politics and government emeritus. 

I trust that all of you are staying safe as we move through these difficult times. Classes have started at Ripon College and there will be a blend of in-person and online learning. Each Monday, there will be a dashboard on the College website to keep us all informed on the progress of the academic year, especially as it relates to COVID-19. 

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the 2020 #OneDayRally giving day for Ripon College. Our class was in the top tier of giving this year. If you have not made a contribution to the College, please consider making a gift by the end of the calendar year. 

I wish all of you and your family well and that we will be able to visit the campus soon. Please feel free to send any news about how you have been spending your time. 

Sincerely, 

Stephanie

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement