DAVID FIRARI ’18 of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, completed their northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. They started on February 21 in Georgia and after hiking over 2,200 miles, arrived at the northern terminus in Maine on August 29.

Submitted by: Lauren Hince

COLLEEN ELZINGA ’18 of Gainesville, Florida, finished her rotating internship in veterinary medicine and surgery this summer at Louisiana State University. She recently moved to Florida to start her residency in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia at the University of Florida.

Submitted by: Lauren Hince

Dear Ripon College Class of 2011:

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. It truly is the best time of year in Wisconsin – so much so that I feel like the whole state tries to pack in as much as they can while we have those short months of blissful warmth. I had a busy summer knocking a few things off my bucket list, traveling (both for work and for pleasure) and generally trying to stay afloat. As much as I dread winter, I’m looking forward to a slower pace of life for a bit.

There have been both exciting and sorrowful things going on at Ripon, recently. Hopp Stadium had its soft opening on September 30 when the Ripon football team hosted Cornell College. The grand opening celebration is scheduled for October 21, 2023. In other construction related news, the renovation of the Franzen Science Center began in early August and is scheduled to be complete in December of 2024.

As I’m sure you remember hearing, Professor Vance Cope-Kasten passed away in March of this year. He had a major impact on me, personally, and from reading the memories and tributes shared on social media I can tell that he impacted the Ripon Community at large in a way that is hard to put into words. However, his family did their absolute best to capture something incredibly complex; you can read his obituary here.

On a happier note, I’d like to remind everyone that Alumni Weekend 2024 is scheduled for June 20th to the 23rd. It would be great to see as many people as possible. Along those same lines, if you have any suggestions on the best way to capture class updates, I’m all ears – the more updates I’m provided the less of my writing you have to read through. Please reach out on social media or via email. Thanks to those that provided updates!

Shane ’11

Submitted by: Shane Roeber

KRISTIN MERKER GREENBERG ’11 is expecting baby #2 in early March 2024!

Submitted by: Shane Roeber

CALLEN MARX ’11 continues to train for an Iron Man. He also binge watched all the Fast and Furious movies and wants everyone to remember the importance of family.

Submitted by: Shane Roeber

NICK OSENBERG ’11 enters his tenth year as a public school teacher. He continues to produce four to five shows a year with his high school students. He makes a point to impart the liberal arts education he received from Ripon College’s theater and classical studies departments into his teaching style.

Submitted by: Shane Roeber

RITA RAFAJKO LAZARUS ’56 of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died Sept. 16, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in English and participated in Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi.

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

LINDSEY RAY INMAN ’74 of Duncanville, Texas, died Sept. 14, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in biology and psychology and participated in Lambda Delta Alpha/Delta Upsilon and the Beta, Beta, Beta honor society. He served in the U.S. Army as a biological sciences assistant in the Department of Experimental Pathology at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He also qualified as an Expert in both M-16 Rifle and Hand Grenade and received the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. After earning a Ph.D. in experimental pathobiology from the Medical University of South Carolina, was a researcher and clinical scientist at the Dallas Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Survivors include his wife, Mary; and one daughter.

Full obituary: https://www.jaynesmemorialchapel.com/obituaries/Lindsey-Ray-Inman?obId=29080269#/celebrationWall

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

Frank C. Becker, 87 of Libertyville, IL died Sun. Oct. 8, 2023. Son of the late Carl and Josephine (nèe Neuwirth) Becker. Husband of the late Martha James Becker. Father of daughter Leslie Becker-Levinson (Bill) and his son Todd Becker. Papa of Luke, Sam, and Ben Becker (former wife Tulsi.). Brother of Shirley Haley (Dan) and brother William Becker (the late Nancy). Founder of Greenfield Chemical and Southport Marina Development Company, Kenosha. Vis. 10-11:30 a.m. with Service at 11:30 a.m. Tues., Oct. 17, 2023 at the Strang Funeral Home of Antioch, IL. Burial to follow in Millburn Cemetery. Donations can be made to Heifer International www.heifer.org in Frank’s honor. INFO 847-395-4000 or www.strangfh.com.

Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/frank-becker-obituary?id=53343613

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

Greetings!

We hope you are having a great 2023 and want to remind you to MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OUR 35TH REUNION . . . JUNE 20 – 23, 2024. This is not the traditional weekend, so please make note and be sure to plan ahead!

As you can tell from the pictures below, NIK and I have swapped roles as globe-trotters. NIK and TOBI CAWTHRA ’89 made it all the way to Antarctica (even bringing a Ripon pennant) and Nik was joined by SCOTTIE NICHOLS GIROUARD ’89, ANNE BURCHMORE MIES ’89, AMY WALDER CARRINGTON ’89, and ERIKA DAVISON-AVILES ’91 on a women’s trip to Greece. Future travel plans include Ireland, Germany, and Morocco!

As for me, I was able to spend time with NIK and JT earlier this summer and played host to MARC HEALY ’89 and his son in New York City. I’m thankful that my place on Maui survived the fires and look forward to supporting the island through what will be many years of recovery. I encourage everyone to visit Maui, spend money, and support the recovery efforts. If you are looking for a place to stay, hit me up and I can share the link for my place. For those of you on my FB page, you can pretty much tell where I’m flying and what I’m eating at any given moment.

With 2023 heading towards a close (New Years is only a few months away), please keep us posted on all of your travels . . . We’d love to meet up with you for mini reunions. And, of course we will see you for our 35th Reunion Weekend! Currently we are planning to host a “drop in as you wish” night at Roadhouse Pizza on Friday, June 21 and a bowling night on Saturday, June 22. Stay tuned for more details.

Room Blocks:

• Mapes Hotel (Ripon) – Book online (access code: riponcollege101)
• Heidel House (Green Lake) – Book online
• Cobblestone Suites (Ripon) – Book by calling 920.748.5500

We also encourage you to book your stay early . . . There are plenty of Airbnb places if you don’t want to relive your experiences on campus!

Cheers,

Mitch ’89

Nik ’89

Submitted by: Mitch Rosin and Nikki Zens Lindberg

Dear Class of 1960,

I hope that more of you will drop an email to me and tell me what you are doing now even if it is just sitting in your backyard with a beer. As for myself, other than a trip to San Diego to escape the heat in Scottsdale, I have just been simmering in the sun.

CLASS NEWS

KARL PIOTROWSKI ’60 safely lives on Oahu but has business on Maui. Several of his employees had houses burned and one had a house and boat destroyed. Karl and his company do inspection work in Lahaina. There should be a lot to do. Karl will be celebrating his 85th birthday in Chicago with his family at a Packers-Bears football game.

KEN LUBER ’60’s latest play, “Esperanza,” was produced in April in California. Ken wrote the lyrics and music. Check his website for more news.

SAD NEWS

HARRY “SPIKE” SNYDER ’60 of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, died February 23, 2023. Among many roles, he was a Wisconsin State Representative, Circuit Court Judge of Waukesha Count, and Judge for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. For more information, view Harry’s full obituary here.

MARVIN “BUDD” HUMPHREY ’60 of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, died June 23, 2023. He worked at Inland Mine Boat Company and then for Stuart Tank Sales in Elkhart as salesman, business partner and president. For more information, view Marvin’s full obituary here.

Your Class Agent,

Deb ‘60

Submitted by: Deb Johnson Van Slyke

Class of 1971,

Here’s to another great year!

It is hard to believe we were starting our freshman year fifty-five long years ago just as the Class of 2027 is doing now. Where did the time go? I remember very well my first few weeks of getting acclimated to classes and the campus as if it was just yesterday. Although there is a large time gap between our start and theirs, the quality of education has not changed in all those years. Through the support of our time, talents and treasures, Ripon College has maintained a superb educational experience.

OBITUARIES:

JOSEPH E. BARES ’71 of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, died April 9, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in chemistry and was commissioned through ROTC. He received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Northwestern University. He was a research scientist for LORD Corp. in Erie, Pennsylvania, as a Mellon Institute Fellow at Carnegie Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh, and in Cary, North Carolina. He then was a research chemist for Phillips Petroleum and Conoco Phillips until retiring in 2017. He loved sports, participated in baseball, wrestling, bicycling, whitewater rafting, volleyball, running, racquetball and soccer, and coached various teams for more than 50 years. He enjoyed gardening, hiking, traveling and ushering at his church. Survivors include his wife, Floran; and two sons.

JOAN C. BENNETT ’71 of Laurel, Maryland, died March 8, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in French and English. She taught English for a year in France. She then studied at the University of La Verne College of Law and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. She worked for the Port of Oakland in California, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, and the State of California as an attorney. She transferred to the U.S. Navy Reserves and specialized in loading non-nuclear weapons, traveling to Panama, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and onboard the USS Anzio before reaching the rank of Commander and retiring in 1996. She operated her own immigration law practice in Conroe, Texas, retiring in 2017. She enjoyed church activities, cooking, audiobooks, and gardening. Survivors include one daughter.

COLLEGE NEWS

ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024
Alumni Weekend 2024 is scheduled for June 20-23, 2023.

FOREVER RIPON CAMPAIGN
Ripon College celebrated its second largest fundraising year ever in fiscal year 2023 with almost $19 million in new gifts and commitments. This contributed to Ripon’s “Forever Ripon” campaign reaching more than $61 million — more than 80% of its $75 million goal — by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, with two years still remaining in the campaign.

As we look back at our experiences at Ripon, we can all see the benefits we derived from that special time. In some way, the Annual Fund (now the Ripon fund) assisted all of us. It underwrites all aspects of yearly operations, including but not limited to laboratory supplies, technological innovations, library resources, faculty support, financial aid and scholarships, athletics, opportunities to study abroad, the arts and facilities.

I urge your consideration to increase this year’s gift in recognition of all we have accomplished because of Ripon College. If you gave below the Heritage Society level, consider giving at that level. If you give at one of the society levels, think about increasing your gift annually to eventually elevating to the next highest society.

Jim ’71

Submitted by: Jim Beisner

Dear Class of 2000,

It’s our first class letter! Just a heads-up moving forward, we are going to be pretty informal in all of the letters. I can’t believe ANDRE ’00 has been doing this job for over twenty years! That’s amazing as I struggle to write just one letter – ha. Thank you, ANDRE, for the years of service to our class!

Our twenty-fifth reunion is right around the corner! 2025! Yikes, right? If you haven’t been back to campus for a reunion or anything else, maybe it’s time to come back for a visit! Knock the dust off and get out of your comfort zone. Maybe check out Hopp Stadium? I bet you will run into a familiar face and have a great time catching up!

I realize the majority of us follow the college on social media, so there is no need to repeatedly tell you what is happening at the college; you already know. Speaking of social media, we have our own page on Facebook called “Ripon College Class of 2000“. Thank you, JULIE KAISERLING PFEIL ’00, for making the page! For the most part, it’s a place to get important information out quickly or to gather information quickly. Back in March, I did put a Google form on the Facebook page asking for updates, and I did receive some updates. Thank you to those who shared!

Lastly, a big thank you to those of you who supported the college this past fiscal year! A little goes a long way.

IMPORTANT COLLEGE NEWS

• Starting in 2024, you can get a Masters in Exercise Science at Ripon College!
• Ripon College formally launches the Forever Ripon campaign, a $75 million effort to expand access through student affordability and innovative programs, enhance our facilities, and strengthen our institution through the Ripon Fund. This campaign will prepare Ripon for the celebration of our 175th anniversary in 2026, adapt to an evolving higher education landscape, and ensure a Ripon College degree is relevant for generations to come.

UPCOMING DATES

• The next Alumni Weekend is planned for June 20–23, 2024.

CLASS NEWS

ERIKA ENK ’00 works as a transgender health nurse care manager at UW-Madison University Health Services.

ERIN GATZKE MILLER ’00 and her husband own a brewery in Holland, MI (Brewery 4 Two 4); come visit!

GEORGE JOHNSON ’00 retired from the US Army in the summer of 2022; he now works as a government contractor. He and his wife, PATTI BECK JOHNSON ’98, live in Colorado Springs.

SARA ALLESEE KLEPP ’00 has been married to her husband, Jon Klepp, for 21 years, they have three daughters: Paiton (18), Addison (15), and Hana (11). SARA is currently in her 22nd year as a health and physical education teacher at Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego, WI.

KATIE VOIGT ’00 is currently serving as pastor of the United Methodist Church of Antioch, IL.

ED PALMER ’00 and JESSICA SCHULZ PALMER ’00 are teachers in the Westfield School District, and are getting ready to send their first kid off to college!

CHAD CLEVELAND ’00 is entering his seventeenth year of art education and is teaching middle school and high school art at Fennimore School District in Fennimore, WI. He has a son, Austin (17). CHAD got remarried to a beautiful Iowa gal, Jerilyn, in 2022.

CONTACT US

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• Facebook: “Ripon College Class of 2000“

Red Hawks Forever,

Chad ’00

Nick ’00

Submitted by: Chad Cleveland and Nick Parsons

Happy Fall, Class of 2003!

The Class of 2027 has recently started their new adventures at Ripon. The College looks much different than when we first arrived at school, but the important things have stayed the same.

Academics: Ripon is launching its first engineering program to coincide with the opening of the new Franzen Science Center in 2024. This curricular addition comes after the recent announcement of two new campus infrastructure projects: The Science Center and Hopp Stadium—Ripon’s new athletics stadium. The Franzen Science Center, scheduled to open in conjunction with the program launch, will have more than 5,000 square feet dedicated to the engineering program, including computer facilities, fabrication and electronic design spaces for prototyping, a makerspace, senior design studio and an additional 2,000-3,000 square feet of collaboration space. Also included in the newly renovated science center will be expanded lab spaces that enable new curricular offerings in biomedical science and biochemistry.

Ripon will also launch its first master’s degree program, in exercise science, in the summer of 2024. The program will offer three specializations: exercise physiology, for those interested in working with athletes and clinical populations; sport psychology, focusing on the psychological needs of athletes; and sport management, for those interested in sports marketing and sales or becoming athletic directors.

Ripon Rally Days: Ripon Rally Days, a spring online giving experience, was held April 20-23 during Inauguration Week. This year, donors could choose from 14 ways to support Ripon College in honor of President Victoria N. Folse, the institution’s 14th and newly inaugurated president. The 574 donors who participated raised $327,710. The Class of 2003 once again had a strong showing; we were one of three classes who met their gift challenges. Nice work!

Alumni Weekend 2023: A big thanks to all who made our Twenty-Year(!) class reunion a success this past summer. It’s not too early to mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend 2024: June 20-23, 2024.

Forever Ripon: Ripon College celebrated its second largest fundraising year ever in fiscal year 2023 with almost $19 million in new gifts and commitments. This contributed to Ripon’s Forever Ripon campaign reaching more than $61 million — 82% of its $75 million goal — by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, with two years still remaining in the campaign. This campaign will prepare Ripon for the celebration of our 175th anniversary in 2026, adapt to an evolving higher education landscape and ensure a Ripon College degree is relevant for generations to come. Please see ripon.edu/forever-ripon/ for more information.

Thanks to all who have supported the College this past fiscal year, especially those who supported the Ripon Fund.

CLASS UPDATES

BRIE TERRELL HADFIELD ’03 writes, “After 11 years as a PA with Mercy Orthopedic Trauma, I left to go to the ortho department at Washington University School of Medicine (here in St. Louis). No regrets! My girls are in first and third grades now & Jay’s glad school is back in as he works from home. It was fun to see people at our Reunion this summer!”

MIKE MAXWELL ’03 is recording a comedy album, “Wait It Out!” at an upcoming show at Zanies Comedy Club in Rosemont, IL on October 29th. Tickets are still available for those interested! This summer, Mike also booked his first professional voiceover project. Most recently, he was hired to write a script for an annual conference for a global insurance firm. He’ll be filming his next commercial soon in Racine, WI.

DARLEEN WULF ’03 recently completed her degree at UW-Oshkosh, through their online education program. She writes, “I will walk in December and receive a Bachelor’s of Professional Studies in Leadership and Organizational Development. Last year, I was promoted to Lead Supervisor of the FSQA Department (Food Safety and Quality Assurance) at Brakebush Brothers in Westfield, WI, where I am now over all three shifts of the department. Yes, this does mean I work at night once in a while. I have to see my third shift crew as well! Earlier this year, I was elected Town Clerk for my township, so I am now learning about QuickBooks and how to run elections. This is on top of being the Secretary for my local fire department, where I also help run their yearly fundraiser. We just had another successful Bratfest in Harrisville, with all proceeds benefiting the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department, over Labor Day weekend.”

Thank you again to everyone who continues to send updates. Remember that you don’t have to wait for the twice-a-year call for updates in order to share your latest news. Be sure to check out the online version of R Connections where you can upload updates, photos, and more!

Liz ’03
(920) 475-7415

Elayne ’03
(917) 509-4826

Submitted by: Liz Matelski and Elayne Monnens Norweb

 Dear 1973 Classmates,

All of us are now members of The Golden R Club! It means we graduated 50 years ago! I remember being at Ripon thinking someone who was 50 was old and now it’s been that many years since we wore our caps and gowns. Not saying we are old, just not as young as we once were. I saw that at the reunion with many of us having added a few pounds, having gray hair and not being as spry. Still going strong though! At the request of WENDY BRIDGES WAUGH ’73, I am going to try and add a few pictures of the Reunion to the end of this letter and you can see the changes in us for yourselves.

Speaking of pictures, I was glad a couple of you sent some along with your letters, and I will try to incorporate them as well. I am not tech savvy and am having issues as I just got a new laptop and am having trouble with its “bells and whistles.” But I will give it a try!

COLLEGE NEWS

Submitted by: Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer

Dear Classmates:

Trust all is well with you. It was good to hear from you.

It is hard to believe we were starting our freshman year fifty-five long years ago just as the Class of 2027 is doing now. Where did the time go? I remember very well my first few weeks of getting acclimated to classes and the campus as if it was just yesterday. Although there is a large time gap between our start and theirs, the quality of education has not changed in all those years. Through the support of our time, talents and treasures, Ripon College has maintained a superb educational experience.

CLASS NEWS

KAREN CARLSON ’61: “Miracle time. Sending a shout out to all who are asking for healing… Miracles do happen!

My daughter, Kim, has been wheelchair-bound for over three years and because no group home has been found, she has remained at the acute care nursing facility in San Mateo since June 2022.

She is the darling of the place, and I am blessed with finding miracle caregivers 24/7.

Two months ago, the husband of my caregiver came aboard saying, ‘We’ll get Kim walking.’

And he did! Last Sunday she took steps without the walker. It’s a start! My miracle caregiver is succeeding where physical therapy gave up and failed.

Praise and know all things are possible…”

MARY ANN CLAUDER JESSE ’61: “Not much going on in my neck of the woods. Guess we had the best of summer weather in comparison to the rest of the country. Have my daughter and her family staying here for the month of September, until they get packed up for their move to Scottsdale. Hope everyone has had a great summer.”

JEANIE VERMILYE JOHNSTON ’61: “I recently called LYNNE JOHNSON CLAFFEY ’61, my freshman year roommate and a sorority sister! She and I remain in fairly close contact!

We seem to be blessed with still being part of this world!

I live in Scottsdale, Arizona and have been here since 1967. I did send in an article to be published in the Ripon magazine in regard to SID JOHNSTON ’60’s death but I did never see it published! He passed away about six years ago.

Sid and I were married in 1959 and we had two children…. a boy and a girl! They have given me the joy of being a grandmother and even a great grandmother! Unfortunately, Sid and I divorced, but remained friends until his death….

I have been playing tennis for many, many, many years. This has occupied much of my free time! As time goes on though, rather than playing four or five days a week I’m down to about two days a week, but I am so happy that I can still play. It has really been the focus of my extracurricular life. I am planning to take pickleball lessons before long.

Obviously, I have been retired for several years, but when I did work, I worked in a school district here in the Phoenix area. After I retired from the school district, I was an administrative assistant in a church. Finally, I completely retired.

So many wonderful memories of our days at Ripon. In fact Lynne, and I drove up there a few years ago, but it was summer and the campus was pretty much closed. Those years were some of the best years of my life. MAC CLAUDER JESSE ’61 was out here a few years ago visiting her sister. We had lunch together and it was great catching up! I was saddened to hear about the passing of JOANNE TOSTRUD JOHNSON ’60 and Baumsy (JUDITH BAUM HALLORAN ’61).

I always love to hear about and from those I knew. Unfortunately, we hear from very few!”

DAVID MAWDSLEY ’61: “Recently I vacationed (isn’t every day a vacation when retired?) at a rental in Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. My son, daughter and their three children were there to enjoy. Two of the older grandchildren returned to their jobs mid-week. A nice time with local seafood, biking, whale watching and kayaking.  A great time to catch up on newsy stuff that didn’t get told before.

The vacation was a good temporary change away from my daily routines of piano practicing (lessons during the school year), minor bookkeeping for my church and weekday get-togethers with friends at the local mall after the breakfast hours. I try to eat right and stay fit with walking and biking so as to avoid the crazy medical/insurance services as best I can. My daily plans aren’t entirely consistent, but they’ll do.”

BILL PYE ’61: “I am on campus five or six times a year working with the Sigma Chi chapter. In that role I have had the opportunity to meet, and work with, a number of faculty and administration folks which has been delightful. Why didn’t I think of that when I was in college.

This year we lost one of our classmates, AKIRA TOMITA ’61, who lived near Tokyo. Most probably did not know him as he was only there for his freshman year. He loved Ripon and had fond memories. TIM BURR ’61 and I hosted him on campus a couple of years ago when he returned.

I see HOWIE MYERS ’61, retired attorney in Milwaukee, who works with me on the chapter. On September 8-10, our 1955-65 Sigma Chi Reunion Group convenes on campus for our annual get together. LEE JESS ’61 and MARY JO PIEHL JESS ’62 will be joining us this year and we are looking forward to seeing them.

We continue to spend five weeks on Ambergris Cayce, Belize each winter to break up the frozen tundra here in the Twin Cities.”

BILL TONTSCH ’61: “I am in Henderson, Nevada. I moved here in 1991. I have one daughter, and two grandkids. I am retired now but I was a house flipper in my younger days. I was married twice, but both mates have passed.”

As for me – Because I am a widow, to occupy myself I remain active in the community both in the nonprofit community and at the civic level here in Medford, Oregon. I have served on three City of Medford commissions including Budget, Community Grants and Urban Renewal. Now, I serve only on the Medford Urban Renewal Agency. In addition, I take classes at Southern Oregon University through the Osher Lifetime Learning Institute, (OLLI) am active in Rotary where I serve on four committees, one of which I chair, belong to two book clubs, serve on the OLLI committee organizing their social events, work out at the gym every day, and walk my two standard poodles. Sadly, the air quality in the Rogue Valley has been hazardous due to smoke from the fires in northern California which has greatly impacted outdoor activities. In between those activities, I volunteer usher at three theaters. The best part of that is that you get to see the performances for free! We are so fortunate to have good theater here.

In June, my younger daughter came from New York, and we traveled to the Oregon coast, which is magnificent, to visit the town of Florence. While there we visited the huge seal cave where hundreds of stellar seals congregate in a natural inlet cave off the ocean. From a distance you can watch them play and rest – wow what magnificent animals. Then we visited the White Wolf Sanctuary, maintained by a private nonprofit that maintains and cares for the rescued wolves. It was quite impressive.

Although I lost my older daughter in 2008, she is with me through her two extraordinary children, my wonderful grandchildren.

That’s all for now. Trust all is well with you and hope to hear from you in the future.

Regards,

Barbara ’61

Submitted by: Barbara Krieps Laskin

Dear Class of 1982,

Fall is finally upon us! I can’t believe that here in Minnesota we went from temperatures in the 100s in the daytime to the cool 50s at night, all in the matter of a day or two! I’m looking forward to the crispy air and pretty landscapes of autumn, even if it does usher in some cold Minnesota weather and snow! Hopefully, you have all had some great times over the summer with family, friends, nature or whatever you require to refresh!

Alumni Weekend had a good turnout again this summer. While it wasn’t a big reunion year for the Class of ’82, we had a few classmates in attendance, including JULIE PSYCHER FELLINGER ’82, PETRA JONES-TRUJILLO ’82 and KEVIN OSADJAN ’82. Mark your calendars for the fourth weekend in June 20-23, 2024 if you want to make a trip to see campus updates and connect with some of our classmates!

COLLEGE NEWS

The college writes, “Ripon College formally launches the Forever Ripon campaign, a $75 million effort to expand access through student affordability and innovative programs, enhance our facilities, and strengthen our institution through the Ripon Fund. This campaign will prepare Ripon for the celebration of our 175th anniversary in 2026, adapt to an evolving higher education landscape and ensure a Ripon College degree is relevant for generations to come. Please see ripon.edu/forever-ripon/ for more information.”

The three funding priorities are as follows:

Endowment Growth

• Creating Access
• Curricular Development and Innovation

Facility Enhancement

• Franzen Science Center, Hopp Stadium and Residence Hall Upgrades

Ripon Fund

As part of this campaign, Farr Hall of Science is undergoing a serious renovation. The newly named Franzen Science Center will be a complete renovation and will include instrumentation upgrades, more than 19,000 square feet of new construction and 68,500 square feet of renovation and expansion. The football and soccer teams will play in a new 157,000-square-foot Hopp stadium. In addition, this mixed-use space will provide a setting for concerts, intramurals and other student and community activities. What’s more, planned upgrades to the residence halls will enhance the campus living experience for all Ripon College students. This is necessary, but bittersweet for those of us who loved the charm of the old dorm rooms! To learn more, visit ripon.edu/infrastructure/.

Thanks to all who supported Ripon College this past fiscal year, whether you chose the Ripon Fund or Ripon Rally Days (formerly #OneDayRally). It is never too late to send a donation in support of all the college’s efforts. To donate, please visit alumni.ripon.edu/give/make-a-gift/.

If you’re wondering what any of our old professors are up to, check out the faculty news at ripon.edu/category/faculty/. We see fewer and fewer familiar faces here.

CLASS NEWS

We are always happy to share news from classmates who want to let you know what they’ve been up to. See the following information about some of our friends.

STEVE SHEA ’82 writes, “My wife, Laura, and I met CHRIS BENDER STARGARDT ’82 and her daughter at Milwaukee Irish Fest for music, tea, and scones. We convinced her to attend at last year’s reunion.”

STEVE also shares, “On vacation, Laura and I returned to Ireland. There is no country in the world that loves Americans more than Ireland. We arrived on the weekend of the All-Ireland Football final, their equivalent of the Super Bowl. We attended a poignant memorial service for Sinead O’Connor. Attendees ranged from non-conformists to families with little kids. We visited historic Dublin pubs. In the countryside, we visited castles, churches, and abbey ruins. In Co. Tipperary, we stayed at a Regency era manor house. One could imagine Mr. Darcy and Lizzie Bennett pulling up at the gate in a horse and carriage. (Yes, I took English Novel with Professor Ashley).”

LINDA JENSEN HALL ’82 shares, “KEVIN HALL ’82 and I retired on July 1, 2022. We are enjoying the feeling of retirement where every day is like a Saturday. This spring we were able to get our garden planted with flowers, and the front yard looks amazing (if only we could keep the deer from eating the hostas)! I’m working on training a bonsai, and training our two-year-old Sheltie for scent work. Both projects are a work in progress. Kevin is volunteering his time with the local pickleball club. It’s been a good summer with lots of sunshine and sweet corn. Thinking of all of you.”

GREG COX ’82 writes, “TERI SVITASKY COX ’82 and I went to Alaska in August and had a great time.”

SIOBHAN CHAMP-BLACKWELL ’82 writes, “In July this year, I was accepted as a 13th Generation Lineage holder of Chen Style Taiji (Tai Chi) along with 14 other students in my school. We were fortunate to have our teacher’s teacher, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglai, come from the Chen Village in Wen County, Henan Province China to Kansas City, Missouri, for our ceremony. You can read more about it here threedragonsway.com/grandmaster-visit. Attached are two photos, one of me with my teachers, Gary Huff and Kejia Lu, and one of me receiving corrections on my Lao Jia form from Grandmaster Chen Zhenglai.”

KRISTEN RASMUSSEN OLSON ’82 writes, “We have found that being grandparents is incredibly special. We are fortunate to have our daughter’s family living close by, so we have regular visits with the little tyke, Levi. Also, our youngest graduated from UW-Eau Claire in the spring and is working in Rochester as a management trainee at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. We are cherishing our family memories with both our kids close by.

CATHY LOTHROP HAGER ’82 writes, “Our family vacationed in Maui, near Lahaina about a month before the fires. We are devastated by the utter destruction.

Here are two pictures from July 2023, specifically in Lahaina at sunset. It is a special place and we are hoping for healing for the island and community.”

PETER HINTZ ’82 writes, “NANCY BUCK HINTZ ’82 and I are enjoying the Rochester, MN, community after moving here in 2021. Nancy is Director of Development and Engagement at Seasons Hospice, and I just began a new career as a staff attorney with Rochester Title. After teaching for 18 years, I have reinvented myself and begin a new chapter as an attorney again. Funny where life takes you. 

(Pictured from left: Eric Olson, Kristen Rasmussen Olson ’82, Nancy Buck Hintz ‘82, Peter Hintz ’82)

We are enjoying being in closer proximity to our family and are enjoying time with our grandchildren. We are also having fun meeting up with KRISTEN RASMUSSEN OLSON ’82 and Eric Olson, who live nearby.

Nancy and I welcome any of you to contact us if you find yourselves in the Rochester area.”

That’s it for now. If you’re ever in the Rochester or Austin, Minnesota, vicinity look us up! The Olson’s and the Hintz’s are always up for reconnecting with classmates!

Cheers,

Kristen ’82

Peter ’82

Submitted by: Kristen Rasmussen Olson and Peter Hintz

Hi All,

My thanks to the fab group that turned out for our 30^th Class Reunion this past June. I think this was the biggest turnout yet—even some first-timers who hadn’t seen the campus since 1993. There have been major changes, but in many (good) ways it’s still the Ripon College we know and love. JIM REUTER ’93 and I are honing our comedy routines for the 35^th Reunion—June 2028, save the date! In the meantime, the next Alumni Weekend is June 20-23, 2024, for anyone who is interested in attending.

Well, those of you who caught my plea for class news on our Facebook page did not disappoint (or you really, really did not want another Class Letter full of stories about me and my kids). Whatever the reason, we have news about alumni around the country doing great things:

JULIE TILLEMA HERNANDEZ ’93 completed her 22^nd year as a professor of psychology at Rock Valley College. She serves on the college’s academic council, institutional review board, and DEI committee. She enjoys spending time with her husband, George, son (20), daughter (17), two dogs, two cats, and two chinchillas.

Submitted by: Melinda Trainor Hutchinson

Dear Class of 1999,

We hope that you are all doing well. I cannot believe that another school year is up and running and that our 25th Reunion is right around the corner! I don’t know about all of you, but this summer was great, lots of time for fun and outdoor activities. The highlights of my summer were my annual trip with my son to Cape Cod and celebrating my son’s 10th Birthday (welcome to double digits). These letters give us all a chance to share what is going on in our lives and to stay connected with each other and our alma mater. Our next letter will be going out in February, so if you have fun updates, exciting vacations, or memories to share for that update, feel free to submit your updates on our google form which is always open.

Alumni Weekend is scheduled for June 20-23! More information about the event and activities occurring during Alumni Weekend will be available at alumni.ripon.edu in the upcoming months. Not sure about you all, but we cannot wait to celebrate with you in Ripon – 25 years later. Official information will be coming out, but in the meantime:

Are you interested in helping to plan this year’s Alumni Weekend events for the Class of 1999?

If so, email CHRISTINE at [email protected]. So far, SARAH HUBERT HEYN ’99, CHRISTA REBEK LEWIS ’99, ALEX ARIFIANTO ’99, SEBASTIAN CHARLES FOREMAN ’99, and KRIS GOLDSTON WEINAND ’99 have joined the planning team, and we would love to have more folks join us!

There are room blocks at Heidel House and at Cobblestone Suites (call 920-748-5500). There are also house rentals available, but they do fill up quickly. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to stay in housing on-campus (and you can even request to stay in groups or with your college roommate).

In an effort to plan our Reunion celebration, we have created this google form to fill out asking if you plan to attend the events. At the reunion we are hoping to highlight some fun photo memories from 1995-1999 (and even fun events since those glory years). You can upload your photos on the above form or send them directly to [email protected]. Even if you don’t have photos to share, please take a moment to fill out the form to indicate your plans to attend this upcoming summer.

CLASS NOTES/UPDATES

ALEX ARIFIANTO ’99 of Singapore, was recently promoted as a Senior Fellow with S. Rajaratnam School of International Students (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, where he has worked over the past eight years. He does research on contemporary Indonesian politics. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to jazz and American standards music. ALEX is looking forward to seeing his fellow classmates for the 2024 Alumni Weekend. Congratulations, Alex!

JULIE MATHERS HOGAN ’99 was promoted to Executive Vice President of Marketing & Communications at CCS Facility Services in Denver. Congratulations, Julie!

RIPON COLLEGE UPDATES

Ripon College formally launched the Forever Ripon campaign, a $75 million effort to expand access through student affordability and innovative programs, enhance our facilities and strengthen our institution through the Ripon Fund. This campaign will prepare Ripon for the celebration of our 175th anniversary in 2026, adapt to an evolving higher education landscape and ensure a Ripon College degree is relevant for generations to come. To date the College has raised over $61 Million.

If you also haven’t already heard, Ripon College has launched a Masters of Exercise Science Program. What an exciting time for our alma mater! You can check out more about the program here.

On August 26, our dear residence halls opened for first year students. I still vividly remember moving into Scott Hall in August of 1995 and cannot wait to see all of the updates this upcoming summer. In case you are curious, 195 first year students and 15 transfer students started classes this year and they are from 19 states and Pakistan.

Do you have other things you would like to hear about in our letters? Email us and we are happy to include information in the future.

Christine ‘99

Mike ‘99

P.S. If you haven’t already, make sure to join our Class of 1999 Facebook group so that we can all stay connected.

Submitted by: Christine Guy Winget and Mike Berens

Dear Classmates:

Happy Fall (Well, maybe when it cools down a bit)! I can’t believe summer has come and gone, all but the heat and for some, the heavy rains. I hope your summer was full of good times and memory making.

For those of us who attended our 55th Reunion in June, we had a great time and were able to see and hear our new President share a bit of her story and her vision for Ripon College. I hope you have been able to go to “The Spot” jukebox playlist sent earlier. It’s a blast from our past for sure.

CLASS NEWS

BOB MARTIN ’68 and Janet Meyerhoefer Martin were kind enough to meet me and my wife, Linda, while we were in Philadelphia as part of our Pennsylvania summer trip. We had a delightful lunch and then walked around a bit of downtown including the vast Reading Terminal Market, home to many food vendors and merchants including many Amish from Lancaster County.

DAVID ZERFOSS ’68 and Jenny Bennett Zerfoss were on the mainland, far from their home in Hawaii, taking in many sights in New England. They were able to arrange a meet-up with DOUG WHITELEY ’68 and DIANE THORSEN WHITELEY ’68.

From DIANE – “The WHITELEY’s and the ZERFOSS’s spent three days together in August, visiting Providence, Rhode Island, and neighboring towns. We never stopped talking and laughing”. As I write this, the WHITELEY’s are visiting Equador and the Galapagos Islands.

OBITUARIES

JANE FABER RUBIN ’68 of Maple Grove, Minnesota, died February 19, 2023. At Ripon she majored in biology and was an Alpha Delta Pi. She moved to New York City and did breast cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and then taught science at Grace Church School. After marrying, she returned to Minnesota. She taught at the Osseo Area Schools Adult Basic Education center for more than 15 years. She was an active member of her church and enjoyed music, playing piano, gardening and watching Minnesota sports. Survivors include her husband, Barry and two sons.

PATRICIA SLOAN CLOGSTON ’68 of Asheville, North Carolina, died March 12, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in history and was a member of Phi Betta Kappa and Alpha Delta Pi. She worked in the information technology department as a systems Analyst at Cargill. She was a pioneering woman in a traditional man’s field. She and her husband spent four years in Brazil where she was a consultant to automotive companies. Back in the United States, she developed a product that generated code for a small firm and then worked for IDS/American Express. She volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Asheville. After retiring she was an artist in pottery and glass. Survivors include her husband, Charlie Clogston.

COLLEGE NEWS

Thanks to all who supported Ripon this past year through the Ripon Fund, the special spring Rally Days or through other gifts. The continuing alumni support is now visible with the new, now almost completed, on-campus Hopp Stadium along with the large renovation and addition to Farr Hall, opening in 2024 as the Franzen Science Center.

The competitive pressures of higher education leave no time to rest in fundraising. Schools are competing for students and faculty and to attract them means a constant need to improve facilities, curriculum, scholarships and salaries. To this end, Ripon made the formal launch of the Forever Ripon Campaign at the inauguration of President Folse in April. It is already well on the way towards the $75 million goal.

The campaign aims to expand access through student affordability and innovative programs, enhance facilities, and strengthen the institution through additions to the Ripon Fund. This campaign will lead into the celebration of Ripon’s 175th anniversary in 2026 and will ensure a degree from Ripon is relevant for years to come.

STAY CONNECTED

Please visit our Facebook group page, Ripon College Class of 1968. Information about our class can be found here. Join the group to add information and make comments.

As always, if you have news to share, please send it to me or the Alumni Office at Ripon, at [email protected].

Peter ’68

Submitted by: Peter Uhrig