R Connections

Gregg Petersen ’78 of Columbia, Maryland displayed his Environmental Education Macroinvertebrate Health Scoresheets at the Southeastern Wisconsin Conservation Summit at the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory in Port Washington, Wisconsin in November at the request of Nancy Hintz ’82.  He had a great visit with Ripon biology professors Dr. Memuna Khan and Dr. Ben Grady and some of their students who were in attendance.

Submitted by: Gregg Petersen

Update from Helen Holter ’78: I had a wonderful opportunity last summer, when I was invited to be part of a Smithsonian/State Department project to assess rural development opportunities in Armenia. It was incredible!  Beyond 1,000-year-old monasteries, stomach-spinning mountains passes, hospitality in spades, and so much good food and wine I’ll never eat a McDonald’s hamburger again…. I’d say the personal highlight for me was visiting the town of Gyumri, which back in Soviet times was called Leninakan – site of a devastating earthquake in 1988 that killed more than 25,000. I covered it as a TV reporter back in the 1980s, so actually seeing it decades later — much of the earthquake damage exactly as it was then — was sad and sobering.  I’m thrilled to add that I’ll be returning this spring to Armenia, as well as to Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Pictured:  It’s worth driving switchback mountain roads heading north to Alaverdi to land here, at UNESCO-listed Haghbat (“Huge Wall”) Monastery complex in Armenia. It was first built more than 1,000 years ago, overlooking a steep gorge.

Submitted by: Gregg Petersen

Chris Corsten ’97, a native of Marinette, Wisconsin has just published his book “3,000 Days in Afghanistan” detailing his experience in Afghanistan over a ten-year period.

If you ever wondered just what in the world we have been doing in Afghanistan for the last 20 years, this book will help answer many of those questions.

Chris chronicles his experience as a U.S. Army Civil Affairs officer, trying to win the hearts and minds of local Afghans on the ground. Then sheds his uniform to become a civilian counternarcotics advisor, fighting against narcotics in the world’s largest opium and heroin-producing country. Later he becomes the senior program manager for U.S.-funded humanitarian aid projects, working to help build economic prosperity in one of the world’s most impoverished countries.

See Afghanistan and its people through the successes and failures that Chris experienced throughout his journey, and you may find a better appreciation of how dangerous and challenging the experiment in Afghanistan has been.

The book was released on Amazon.com on May 6^th, 2020 and on May 8^th, 2020 it became a #1 New Release in two categories and a Top 10 Best Seller in one category. It was described by one reader as “fun, unapologetic, and an easy read” and has received several 5-star reviews on Amazon.

The book is available exclusively on Amazon.com at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0884MH49T

Chris Corsten is a well-decorated U.S. Army veteran who served in Korea, Kosovo, Egypt/Israel, and Afghanistan. He attended Marinette Catholic Central High School, graduating in 1993. He later received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Ripon College in 1997, an MBA from the University of Maryland University College in 2015, and a master’s degree in Sustainability from Harvard University Extension School in 2019. Chris’ work has been featured on the CBS show“60 Minutes”,  CNN, and Slate Magazine. [Read More].

Submitted by: DevStudent

News Update from Lawrence (Larry) Honaker ’11: After finishing up a temporary postdoc in the Experimental Soft Matter Physics group in Luxembourg in March 2020, I moved to Wageningen, the Netherlands, to begin a position as a postdoctoral researcher in the Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter Chair Group at Wageningen University and Research. (I was supposed to have started in April, but, thanks to travel restrictions and limitations due to Coronavirus, I was only able to begin in May.) I’ll be working more on synthetic biology using microfluidics, while still trying to find ways to tie liquid crystals into research, and on learning yet another language along the way.

Submitted by: Larry Honaker

He was born January 16, 1932 in Racine, Wisconsin. He spent his early years in Clintonville and Wausau, Wisconsin. In his high school years, he excelled in forensics, extemporaneous speaking, debate and also played on the tennis team. Later at Ripon College he was a member of the varsity debate team and the freshmen tennis team.

He left college to join the Navy serving four years during the Korean conflict. The first one and a half years were spent on the USS Chara (AE31), an ammunition ship that rearmed carriers, cruisers and destroyers off the coast of Korea. The Chara operated out of Sasebo, Japan. He next served at Pearl Harbor and in Stockton, California.

Upon discharge from the Navy he resumed college studies, this time at the University of Wisconsin receiving a BS degree in Economics in January 1959, and soon afterwards began working for the then Hardware Mutuals (later becoming Sentry Insurance). He left Sentry in 1974 and spent the next seven years with a large agency as Vice President. He then started his own agency which he sold a few years later. Carroll worked for other firms and did consulting to complete a 37-year insurance career.

Carroll was preceded in death by his first wife, Marion Becker Dana, and their two children, Brian and Pauline.

In May of 2014 he moved to Georgia to marry a former college classmate of Marion’s and a long-time family friend, Alice “Kay” Brown, who survives him. Also surviving are his three grandchildren: Gage of LaCrosse, Amelia (Alex) Jaramillo of Wausau, and Marshall who is currently serving with the US Air Force in Afghanistan. He is also survived by five stepchildren and their spouses, nine step-grandchildren (plus one spouse) and one step-greatgrandchild.

Carroll will be buried in Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point. There will be a graveside service when circumstances permit.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Submitted by: DevStudent

A longtime executive in the retail shopping industry will take on a newly created position to drive digital initiatives, telecommunications and other technologies at American Electric Power.

Ohio-based AEP named Therace Risch to the new position of chief information & technology officer and senior vice president. Her work officially begins May 11.

Risch will report directly to AEP chair and CEO Nicholas K. Akins. AEP’s Information Technology, Innovation & Technology, Telecommunications, and Charge (AEP’s digital innovation hub) teams will report directly to Risch.

“Therace has extensive information and technology expertise in fast-moving, customer focused industries, including retail, insurance and financial services. As we focus on delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions for our customers and introducing new ways to work, her success in driving change and using technology to evolve legacy business models will be incredibly valuable,” said.

Risch most recently was executive vice president and chief information officer for J.C. Penny Co. He was responsible for strategic direction and tactical execution of the retail company’s information technology systems and teams, finding new solutions to help JCPenny compete in the online business sector.

She worked in a similar role at COUNTRY Financial. Prior to that, Risch worked 10 years at Target Corp., with her last position as vice president of technology delivery services.

A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Risch earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin. She also completed a pre-MBA education program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and attended the U.S. Army War College’s Commandant’s National Security Program as a civilian participant. [Read More].

Submitted by: DevStudent

FOREMAN, Roxana Griswold, of Richmond, died Sunday, April 19, 2020, from COVID-19, just 100 minutes from her 86th birthday. Born April 20, 1934, in Chicago, she attended Morgan Park High School on Chicago’s Southside. She later attended Ripon College (Wis.) and National Teacher’s College in Evanston, Ill. She was preceded in death by her husband, George H. Foreman in 2011; her parents, Margaret DeHaan Griswold and William Willys Griswold; and her brother, William W. Griswold Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Foreman Napier and her husband, Jeff; and her son, George W. Foreman and his wife, Lynne Helms Foreman, M.D. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Lauren Napier Rhyne (John) of Ashland, Va., Megan Napier Porter (Danny) of Quinton, Va., Alex Foreman and Jack Foreman of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Blake Foreman of Richmond, Va.; and her five great-grandchildren, Trey, Margaret and Jensen Rhyne and Riley and Mason Porter. Roxana loved playing tennis; her whole family started playing the same day in 1971 while living in Barrington, Ill. She loved Second Baptist Church in Henrico, singing in the choir and participating in the Sunday school class. She was an avid reader, a gift she possessed until her memory began to change these past few years. She loved the joy her cats brought her and deeply felt their loss. But mostly, she loved being with her children, no matter the occasion. Our family would like to thank William Ferrar, M.D. for his 40 years as Mom’s PCP. We want to acknowledge Autumn Care of Mechanicsville for their wonderful care and we’d like to thank Bon Secours Memorial Regional for their nurses, doctors and the Palliative Care Team for their diligence, compassion and expertise. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we will have a Celebration of Life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Roxana’s family asks that donations be made in her honor to The Alzheimer’s Association or The Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund. Woody Funeral Home-Parham is handling interment.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Submitted by: DevStudent

Co-Class Agents:

Nicole Baumann-Blackmore

[email protected]  

Dante A. C. Houston

[email protected]

Spring 2018

Hello Fellow Class of 2001 Members!

Spring has sprung on campus and the excitement of the upcoming Alumni Weekend, June 21-24 is upon us! While it is not a reunion year, many of the classmates we went to school with will be back for their reunions. It is always a great time to re-connect.

In a continual effort to keep you updated and connected, we offer the following updates. This edition will have you getting a hint of “BABY FEVER!” The Ripon College Class of 2039 has arrived and we can’t wait for them to visit our Alma Mater. 

• CHRIS and MICHELLE MIRR THOMAS ’01 welcomed Roman Charles to the world in November 2017. 
• RICH WANTA ’01 can’t get enough of the snuggles from baby Morgan Grace, born February 2018. 
• ZLATAN KRKIC ’01 has his hands full with the newest additions to his family, twin boys, who were born in January 2018. 

It’s always nice to hear what others have been doing since graduation. So, what have YOU been up to? Contact the college to update your records. 

Nicole Baumann-Blackmore          Dante A. C. Houston

Co-Class Agent                              Co-Class Agent

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Spring 2018

Class Agent:
Wayne Wolfgram ’63

313-882-1712 / [email protected]

Hi, Classmates,

Hard to believe, but it’s about to be 55 years since our Saturday, June 8, 1963 graduation day. I hope you are planning to attend Alumni Weekend, June 21-24. Those of us who attended our 50th really enjoyed it.

Class Notes:

JACKIE BLODGETT HUGDAHL ’63 of Hudson, Wisconsin, ([email protected]) writes, “TOM HUGDAHL ’62 & I were on a Columbia & Snake River Cruise last fall & experienced the stories of the Lewis & Clark expedition. A lady sitting next to me at dinner, knowing we were from Wisconsin, said she went to a small college in Wisconsin and wondered if I’d heard of it …. Ripon College. Well, Tom & I both looked at her & said “Oh Yes… Class of ‘62 &‘63 here.” She said Class of ‘64 here. It was nice to meet PAT OSTROM KOHNEN ’64. We reminisced about Ripon during our trip.”

L to R in picture: Tom Hugdahl ’62, Pat Ostrom Kohnen ’64, Jackie Blodgett Hugdahl ’63 and Todd Weber, the naturalist/story teller on board.

SUSAN KELLER MATTHES ’63 of Carson City, Nevada, ([email protected]) writes, “Spring and Fall of 2017 found my husband and I in Oregon and Washington state. We enjoyed the seashore, tidal pools and the might of the Pacific. A special stop at the Tacoma Glass Museum and bridge over the highway featuring some of the works of Dale Chihuly was a real treat. Too much winter/spring snow around Bend and the Newberry Volcano/Crater cut our hiking short. A return trip in September to Newberry Crater and a week’s stay at East Lake gave us time to explore the area and especially the Big Obsidian Flow. Ahh, the might and beauty of Mother Nature! We’re heading out to Arches and Canyonlands soon to do more hiking and some jeep tours of this extraordinary area. Will let you know how this trip went next time. Meanwhile, eat healthy, stay well and get lots of fresh air!”

DAVID NEUBAUER ’63 of Ormond Beach, Florida, ([email protected]) writes, “With my retirement decision behind me, my wife Linda and I have rediscovered our vacation house, which has been used largely by family and friends and others for the past years. It’s been painted and spruced up and I expect we will be taking weeks or months at a time there. A river flows by in the backyard and now I will find if there are any fish in it. It is the most tranquil place. I don’t feel any compulsion to “do” anything. I’ve worked for the last 60 years, so I will do something else now.

So many of my classmates have taken cruises—and so have we— and there will be another next year plus a visit to my cousin in France. This year, a neighbor offered us their condo in Maui in September. We accepted as we’ve never been to Hawaii and look forward to vacationing and also visiting our son in Los Angeles en route and my brother JOHN NEUBAUER ’63 in San Diego. Meanwhile, our children and granddaughter delight us. Our calendar looks so much different now than a year ago. Good different.”

JOHN NEUBAUER ’63 of Solana Beach, California, ([email protected]) writes, “I created a 501(c)(3), The San Diego Neuroendocrine Tumor Support Group, a California Benefits Corporation (meaning we do not solicit funds outside of California) that educates medical professionals and new patients of a slow growing but problematic mid-gut cancer. In a short 3 years, we have almost 300 members who seek more knowledge of their condition, referrals to doctors, range of treatments, etc. We champion the hospitals of UCLA, Cedar Sinai Medical Center, City of Hope, Stanford University Medical Center among others. We and our related organizations hold meetings almost weekly somewhere in California and invite leading national medical experts to present to our groups. We underwrite their expenses as the sole expense of our nonprofit.

Our education at Ripon was just a catalyst for life afterwards. We are grateful for life’s outlook instilled in us by the school.”

LES PERRY ’63 of Jacksonville, FL ([email protected]) writes: “Nice to hear from you, Wayne. It has been awhile. Since Ripon, I went to the University of Wisconsin and graduated in Civil Engineering. Spent 37 years with the US government working for NOAA. Served as officer and performed hydrographic surveys on the East Coast and for a potential track for laying a transAtlantic cable line to Spain. Was sent to army flight school and flew aerial photography for five years. One season landed in 47 states. Finished government career in Washington DC. Retired in 1999. I keep busy with golf, woodworking, and a little travel. Have two children from first marriage: Ted – Medical Doctor in Dallas, and Christy – managing clinical trials from D.C. Very happily married to Sandy.”

Note: Les left for Madison after his Freshman year at Ripon where he was a fellow pledge of Delta Upsilon.

LYNN SIEBEL SUNDELIUS ’63 of Kalispell, Montana, ([email protected]) writes, “I wish I had been cognizant of the dates of the June 21-24 Alumni Weekend when I booked my 3 week trip to Northern Europe! I was looking forward to attending, as the 50th was such fun. Say hi to all for me.”

CAROLYN QUILLING WOLF ‘63 of Valencia, California, ([email protected]) writes, “Tom and I are still enjoying our life at the Belcaro 55 and over living area. We’ve met many new friends and enjoy bocce ball, parties, book clubs, exercise classes, dance classes, etc. Tom is still working but might retire later this year. We visit our daughter and grandchildren who live in the Bay area a few times a year.”

Have a great spring and I hope to see you all at our 55th reunion – June 21-24!

 WAYNE

Submitted by: Wayne Wolfgram

FOND DU LAC – World War II hero and Fond du Lac son, James “Maggie” Megellas, died just weeks after celebrating his 103rd birthday.

The 82nd Airborne Division announced on Megellas passed away Thursday.

“This loss will be felt by us all. Remember, Paratroopers never die they, just slip away,” the division said in a Facebook post, Friday morning.

Born on March 11, 1917, in Fond du Lac, Megellas became the most decorated officer of the 82nd Airborne Division during his service in World War II. Graduating from Ripon College in 1942, Megellas became a second lieutenant with the United States Army Infantry, according to the Dallas Morning News.

During Operation Market Garden, he parachuted into the Netherlands, saw combat in Italy, crossed the Waal River as Germans fired, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, according to the division.

When in a firefight in Herresbach, Belgium, he disabled a German Mark V tank by throwing a grenade at it, and then mounted it, and threw another into the crew compartment. Not a single person was lost in his platoon that day, according to Fond du Lac Reporter Archives.

He was discharged from the Army as a captain, continued as a citizen-solider, and retired as a lieutenant colonel, according to the foundation.

He earned two Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1945, he was the first American to receive the “Military Order of Willhelm Orange Lanyard” from the Dutch Minister of War in Berlin, the foundation said.

Fond du Lac was proud to call Megellas one of its own. The American Legion Trier-Puddy Post #75 is named the James “Maggie” Megellas Fond du Lac County Veterans Memorial Building. In 2016, the post office was renamed the Lieutenant Colonel James ‘Maggie’ Megellas Post Office. In 2019, the city opened a new park near the Meadowlands Subdivision. Read more here.

Submitted by: DevStudent

It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday of the death of Honorary Life Trustee Sam Pickard ’55, who passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, in Springfield, Oregon.

Elected to the Board of Trustees in 1983, Sam followed in the footsteps of his parents, who were also lifelong supporters of the College. Sam served as the board’s chair from 1997 to 2003 and was named an Honorary Life Trustee in 2007. In 1994, he received the College’s Medal of Merit, the highest honor awarded to an alumnus.

In addition to the Pickard Commons, the Pickard Scholarship that also bears his family’s name is one of the largest endowed funds at Ripon and continues to benefit students.

Sam grew up in Wisconsin, attending elementary and middle school in Neenah and high school at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam. He went on to receive an Economics degree from Ripon College in 1955. Sam served as 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army at Fort Harrison, Indiana from 1955-1957. He moved to California in 1957 and earned his MBA from Stanford University in 1959. Sam remained in the San Francisco Bay Area to pursue a 30 year banking career and raise his family.

Sam was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, known by many for his generosity, sense of humor, kindness, and sincerity. Giving back to his community was important to Sam. He donated countless hours and money to organizations such as the Visiting Nurses Association, Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, YMCA, Wayland Academy, Stanford University, Kiwanis, Rotary, and United Way, to name a few. Sam was especially committed to his alma mater, Ripon College.

Good natured and humble, Sam was content with life’s simple pleasures whether watching the sunrise, working in the yard, listening to his wife play the piano, going for walks, enjoying a ballgame, or taking road trips. He kept a low profile even as an athlete, but knew his way around a golf course and the dance floor.

Sam is survived by his children Ann Pickard, Sam Pickard Jr., and Kathi (Steve) Bean, grandchildren Cameron and Dana Bean; brothers/sisters-in-law, David and Judy Kent, Mitzi Pickard, John Shaw,19 nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 45 years, Carmen, his parents, brothers Jim (Ripon Class of ’49) and Tom, and twin sisters Judy and Julie.

His family would like to thank the staff at Elder Health & Living in Springfield for their loving care of Sam during the past 2 1/2 years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

A private burial will be held in Neenah, Wisconsin at a later date.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Michael William Farrell, 69, passed away on March 14, 2020, at Loyola – Maywood (IL) Medical Center, just ten weeks after being diagnosed with cancer, eventually determined to be an aggressive form of non – Hodgkin lymphoma.

Mike was born in Winona, Minnesota, on September 27, 1950, the son of Mary Ellen Wilson Farrell and Francis M. Farrell. He was educated in Winona’s public schools and received his bachelor’s degree in History from Ripon
(WI) College in 1972. After two years of master’s degree studies in journalism at the University of South Carolina, Mike joined the staff of the Morris (IL) Daily Herald where he worked for the next 36 years as a reporter and editor until his retirement in 2010. Mike’s diligent and accurate reporting on local politics and government kept the citizens of the area well – informed for decades and won him several awards for his reportage and writing.

In 1982 he married Charlotte M. Bohner, an educator, and IT specialist, and together they formed an indissoluble partnership that flourished for 37 years, until her death in 2019. Active contributors to many facets of the Morris community, both before and after retirement, Mike and Charlotte also traveled widely both in the United States and the world, including Russia, China, Europe, Central and South America, and a photographic safari in Africa. Avid students of history, Mike and Charlotte included every extant Presidential library in their travels within the U.S. Mike’s hobbies included sports, especially following the Twins, Vikings and Ripon College teams, as well as gardening and reading history. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife and is survived by his brother Martin Farrell of Ripon, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to the First United Methodist Church of Morris or Ripon College are requested.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Ned Lufrano ’54 visited with Art Wong ’53 in Chicago.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Kylie Ainslie ’11, research associate in influenza dynamics at Imperial College London, was among a group interviewed for “The Agenda: COVID-19 special” on China Global Television Network. The international media organization brings a Chinese perspective to global news.

They talk vaccines, international co-operation and misinformation, and where the epidemic is headed. Ainslie graduated from Ripon with majors in biology and mathematics and a minor in chemistry. Watch here.

Her father, William Ainslie ’79 is also a Ripon graduate, who majored in biology.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Janet P. Wodrich, age 75, of Almond, passed away Friday afternoon, December 7, 2019 at BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay.   She was born March 6, 1944 in Wautoma, the daughter of Pearl (Fink) and Walter Bliske.

Janet moved from Wautoma area at a young age where she started a series of interesting jobs including working in the kitchen at Ripon College, Ripon Good Cookies, Shelmet, Berlin Foundry and also a Special Deputy for Waushara County Sherriff’s Department when she lived in what’s now known as the museum in Wautoma. Her favorite work was drawing, oil painting and photography. Janet was also a leader in the Waushara County 4H Club and shared her love of painting by teaching classes.

She later moved back to the Wautoma area and on October 12, 1974 Janet married the love of her life Carl W. Wodrich. They enjoyed 45 years of marriage together, where they spent their time raising and showing horses, gardening and spending time with friends and family.  Janet and Carl very much loved going to their grandchildren’s school and sporting events together.  She was an active member of the New Life Assembly of God in Plainfield.

She is survived by her husband, Carl W. Wodrich, Almond; her daughter, Carol Brewer (Greg Otto), Almond; daughter Kelly Lewallen, Berlin; son Clint Lewallen, North Carolina; brother Clifford (Debra) Bliske, Wautoma; grandchildren, Angela Rogers, Connor and Cody Brewer, Almond, Ethan,  Jenna and Evan Anderson, Berlin.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Ruby Mildred, (twin) Jane and brother Donald.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the New Life Assembly of God, Plainfield.  Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. Friday until the time of services at the church.  The Stahl Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Please visit www.stahlfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book or leave a message for Janet’s family.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Submitted by: DevStudent

Submitted by: DevStudent

GREEN BAY – It’s Skylar Liebzeit’s turn now.

Green Bay West announced Tuesday that it has hired Liebzeit as its new football coach. He replaces John Saharsky, who stepped down in December after two seasons.

Liebzeit, 27, has spent the past two years as an offensive assistant and wide receivers coach at Lawrence University, an NCAA Division III school in Appleton.

He also had stints as the athletic director and football coach at Manawa and roles as an assistant coach at Kettle Moraine and Reedsburg.

Liebzeit was a three-sport athlete in football, wrestling and baseball at Wisconsin Dells and played football at Ripon College from 2011 to 2014.

He converted from quarterback to running back his senior season at Ripon, rushing for 219 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per carry.

Football has been a big part of his life. He now hopes to have an impact with the Wildcats.

“Wherever I’ve been, it’s kind of an uphill battle to start,” Liebzeit said. “Even when I went to Kettle Moraine to coach with Coach Justin Gumm down there, they hadn’t been to the playoffs for a while and we were able to get them into the playoffs for the first time (in nine years).

“Same thing with Manawa. We were able to really turn things around. Anybody can go take over a good program and, hopefully, keep it afloat. The hardest thing is to really climb that uphill battle and create your own identity.”

Submitted by: DevStudent