Ripon College Magazine 2020

4 LAUDING THE FIRST GENERATION

About 340 current students - more than 46% of the student body - are eligible to receive the financial, academic and mentoring assistance they need to become the first in their families to earn a four-year degree

8 STARTING THE JOURNEY

These scholars exhibit their excitement and pride at being first-generation students at Ripon College.

14 FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF FIRST-GENERATION

No one can relate better to first-generation concerns than someone who has walked in those shoes Several Ripon College faculty, who were the first in their families to receive a four-year degree, reach out to today's students in a meaningful way

18 LAUNCHING NEW LIVES

Once first-generation students at Ripon College, these alumni have leveraged their liberal arts education into successful and meaningful careers

30 NEW CAMPUS SPACES

From fresh looks to cutting-edge technology, Ripon College enhances the educational experience with ongoing revitalization projects across campus.

DEPARTMENTS:

24 Sports

28 Around the Clocktower

33 In Memoriam

37 Remarkable Ripon

ON THE COVER: Celebrating their educational opportunities at Ripon College are current first-generation students Alexis Riggs '21, left, Maythe Salcedo '23, Luke Dretske '21 and Sol Gonzalez '22

LEFT: The Harwood Memorial Union lights were green the night of Nov ll - Veterans' Day - as part of the national "Greenlight a Vet" campaign to honor United States military veterans. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion supported the cause on campus stating that the green lights are "a simple reminder about the sacrifices veterans have made for our country and to show our appreciation to them "

Education is the Premise of Progress

In the 1990s, l worked at the United Nations in New York, writing speeches that sometimes wound up on the desk of Secretary General Kofi Annan. The Secretary General was born in Ghana, won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize and attended Macalester College in Minnesota where he studied economics. He liked to say, "Knowledge is power Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family."

Ripon College is proud to empower students who are the first in their families to go to college. Almost half of our student body are first-generation college students, more than all but a small number of schools in Wisconsin and in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest.

Our Faculty and staff take the responsibility to these unique students very seriously. We can see the results of generations of Ripon alumni who also were first in their families to go to college. Many have gone on to achieve success in careers all over the world But it took a lot of hard work to get there, and it still does today.

Our outstanding Student Support Services staff, the Bridge program, the investment in the new Franzen Center for Academic Success in Lane Library, our emphasis on one-on-one turoring programs and, of course, the care and dedication of Ripon's faculty to individual teaching and advising make a critical difference

Being a school that truly cares about first-generation college students is doubly important to the Ripon community because many of our faculty and staffshared the experience of being the first in their families Lo graduate from college. They know just how criLical an extra word of encouragement, thoughtful advice or a helping hand that goes above and beyond to find a solution can mean to a student

who doesn't have a parent at home who went through a college experience themselves.

In this issue of Ripon Magazine, you V,[ill hear the scories of current first-gen studems, faculty, srnff and alumni and how Ripon College has made a difference in their lives and continues to do so today.

A quick side note: Please pay special attention to the feature story starting on page 24 about Kassidy Walters, an exercise science major in the Class of 2022 from Greenfield, Illinois. Kassidy is back at Ripon after dealing with Hodgkin's lymphoma last year We exchanged handwritten letters during her treatments, sharing our mutual experience with chemotherapy and how much we love basketball.

Watching Kassi dy score a couple of baskets against Illinois College in January for the 2019 Midwest Conference Champion women's basketball team warmed my heart - and others, I am quite sure!- on a very cold winter day.

C, T:r

The evolution of Lane Library

From periodical rooms to databases, from card catalogs to online discovery layers, lane Libra1y has continued to evolve over the past 90 years The librarys namesake and Hollywood land developer, Rollin B. Lane, an 1872 alumnus of the College, donated $l 00,000 in 1930 saying, "I am repaying lO a slight extent my debt to this college and especially to that noble band of teachers whose instructions and characters have influenced and benefitted my entire life."

In 1962, an additional $100,000 was provided by the United Church of Christ for renovations and improvements to the library. In 1974, the Wehr Learning and Resources Center was added onto the back of the library to provide more space for collections and for students to work. In 2019, the Franzen Center for Academic Success opened on the first level through the generosity of Mark Franzen '83 and Janice Heinz Franzen '83. This dynamic new learning environment centralizes all academic support services and ensures that students have easy access to resources. See FlashBack on the back cover for a profile of Rollin B Lane

Ripon College ranks highly in percentage of first-generation students

NUMBERS HAVE GROWN TO MORE THAN 46% OF STUDENT BODY

More than 46% of Ripon College's student body self-identifies as first generation college students. Some come to Ripon on a journey having big dreams like law school or medical school. Many come to Ripon needing a high level of information to help them make important decisions about their college educations

Some first-generation students come to Ripon having questioned whether higher education was in their future and many come having thought a private college ·was

not possible based on their background and family finances.

In all, more than 340 Ripon students are first generation, meaning neither parent earned a four-year degree. The percentage of first generation students at Ripon continues to inch upward - the percentage of first-year students in the first-year class has increased from 40% in 2014 to 48% in 2019

Ripon's 46% first-generation students is higher than 19 of the 22 institutions in the Wisconsin Association of Independent

Colleges and Universities (WAICU)

First-generation students at Ripon include Maythe Salcedo '23 who is the first in her family Lo graduate from high school and now Lhe first to auend college She is among a growing number of sLudents of color who are destined to be first generation graduates.

So, why has Ripon become, or always been,_ such a welcoming institution to first generation students?

As a faculty member and a former first generation student herself.Jean Rigden, director of teacher education, will tell you it's the relationships that faculty and staff develop with students that sets Ripon apart. Many faculty, alumni and undergraduates

share that thought

Rigden has spent 11 years helping students become teachers "We make connections with swdems so they have a person with whom to relate," she says. "Sometimes, a student will come to me and ask if they can just talk about something And, I tell them, 'Yes, I'll be your college 'mom' right now'."

Rigden is alsoa faculty mentor in the new Franzen Center for Academic Success working with students who want to improve their academic performance. She also helps train and supervise tutors and has been pan

of a faculty panel that talks with participants in a Bridge Program for first-generation students that aims to ease the transition to college. The bridge effort is sponsored by Ripons U.S. Department of Education funded Student Support Services (SSS)

"I encourage students to meet with their professors and advisor and not be afraid to ask questions," Rigden says, adding that she can't emphasize that enough with students "Every student meets with their advisor once a semester at Ripon. That's not the case everywhere."

While other reasons are tied to those relationships, some faculty, staff and alumni indicate it's the nurturing naLUre at Ripon

and the intimate experience that makes the College welcoming.

Another reason Ripon has been successful recruiting and graduating firstgeneration students, according to Michele Wittler '76, associate dean of faculty and registrar, is that "we appeal to families who are pursuing the American Dream in that they want their kids to be better off than they are, that they have better lives, interesting work and are financially better off."

Undergraduates say it's the admission process, financial aid and fellow first generation students who share their experiences that make Ripon their choice.

First-Year, First-GenerationStudents

Neither parent completed a four-year degree

U.S. Deportment of Education definition most common/!/ used

Ripon College: 48%

Foll 2018

WAICU Schools: 27%

Foll 2018

University of Wisconsin System: 33%

Foll 2017, All 4-yeor institutions

Overall Enrollment, First-GenerationStudents

Neither parent completed a four-year degree

U.S Deportment of Education definition most commonly used.

At Ripon College: 46%

Foll 2018

WAICU Schools: 28%

Foll 2018

UW System: Not tracked beyond first year

DIVERSE, Fl RST-GEN ERATION POPULATION GROWING AT RIPON

With more and more students of color and those from rural areas going to college, it is likely that many of them will continue to be first generation as neither of their parents would have earned a four-year degree

Ripon, despite being in a non-urban area, has built a diversity population of 18% and of those who entered this fall in the class of 2023, 25% (55 students) are from diverse backgrounds.

Building a diverse student body is "a strong initiative everywhere," saysJennifer Machacek, vice president for enrollment.

Machacek and Leigh Mlodzik '02, dean of admission, say that current first-generation students are their best recruiting tools for prospective students who are first generation "First-generation students find value in relating to both studems and faculty who are just like them," Mlodzik says.

Several Ripon faculty members were first generation. "They know what these students are experiencing. Faculty are documented proof of the experience and success," Machacek says.

Mlodzik adds, "Ripon offers a very intimate, inviting, personalized educational experience. lt's a comfortable environment" without a lot of competition to succeed "Fellow students are the best support."

everyone and brings all tutoring and academic resources inlO one coordinated, high-tech space in Lane Library The center has tutoring contracts with more than 300 students, the highest in 12 years Seventy-seven students serve as tutors, including 35 who are first generation. It also offers extensive walk-in and group tut0ring for specific academic areas and courses and has six collaboration meeting rooms.

Along with the facilities and programs to help first-generation students is a high level of commitment to student success demonstrated by faculty and staff who assist stuclems well beyond traditional expectations

Others point to services available to the many first-generation students who participate in the SSS programs and extensive one-on-one and group tutoring programs in the Franzen Center. Students point to SSS where staff work with students to ease the transition, become academically successful, learn financial literacy and are exposed to the potential of graduate school.

Dan Krhin, executive director of SSS, says the program focuses on first-generation and low-income students and those wi.th physical or learning disabilities About 160 Ripon students, the vast majority of them first generation, use the services offered in an intimate setting in Bartlett Hall.

While SSS, which Ripon has had for 40 years, is focused on a specific population ofstudents, the Franzen Center is open to

About 40% of incoming SSS first-generation students annually participate in the intensive three-day Bridge Program before school starts tO assist in setting them on the road tO success in college.

Participants meet with their peer contacts who work directly with the first-generation students. They are introduced to their first Catalyst curriculum class and learn about the importance of time management and good study habits They attend their first college class, learn about academic resources and about connecting majors to careers and graduate school.

The Bridge Program, Krhin says, takes an integrated approach tO assist students with a smooth transition. "Students may have the support of parents, but they don't have the experience of belonging to an institution, nor how to use the SSS program " He adds, "First generation students are as talented as other students but often lack information that could help them be more successful."

ln addition, the Bridge Program encourages students to see college as an interdependent experience, not an independent one

And, academic success is the key. "We tell students that your journey to a successful career is a path that you need lO follow and adhere co," Krhin says. "That starts with academic success "

He adds first-generation students use the program in a variety of ways from talking with staff about increasing academic skills tolearning about connecting majors to careers and how the graduate school process works He says the biggest element first generation students and their parents need "is more information upon which to base their decisions You don't know what you don't know." Some students hit the ground running, Krhin says, "others don't have the tools and information about beingsuccessful. We try to help both types of students."

Study skills, Krhin says, are key to any student's success and especially first generation. They need to use the college's tutoring services, seek assistance from faculty and keep a planner. "We have always encouraged students to see tutoring as guided practice," he adds

Tutoring, Krhin notes, is not just for students who may not be doing well in a class or classes. "Our philosophy is that tutoring is actually practice in academics.

You wouldn't want to go to class without practice just like an athlete wouldn't want to go to a game without practice." Students are encouraged to start tutoring as soon as a semester starts

"The message is clear," Krhin says, "start mwring in the first week of school so you can practice being a good student," regardless of whether you're first-generation or generational.

Perhaps the reason Ripon attracts and retains so many first-generation students is all the combined efforts of so many members of the facully and staff "It takes a village to recruit and retain a student," including first-generation students, says Leigh Mloclzik '02, dean of admission.

LOREN BOONE FORMER DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE RELATIONS

Dakota Marlega '21, a first-generation student from Waupaca, W1scons1n, presents at the I communication and theatre. I

fall 2019 Catalyst Day She Is maIoring In

Empowering the First Generation through Education

GIVING A TO FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS

At Ripon College, we believe in the transformative power of education. Nowhere is this more evident than with first-generation students, those whose parents did not graduate from a four-year college.

First-generation students often come from families with little first-hand understanding of higher education or those who may have a lower economic status First-generation students, who often are the first even in their extended family to seek higher education, are especially empowered to use their education and experience gained at Ripon College to achieve their dreams and rise to new economic and career heights.

In the incoming first-year class of 2023, 105 students - 48% of the class - are first-generation students

Maythe Salcedo '23 of Round Lake Beach, Illinois, Sol Gonzalez '22 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Luke Dretske '21 of Berlin, Wisconsin, are among the first generation students currently at Ripon who are seeking to advance their lives through education

All three say they had had a college education as a goal since they were young, buLnone of them had previously been aware of Ripon or were immediately sold on the idea

Salcedo learned about Ripon during a college presentation at her high school. She wasn't sure aboUL Ripon because of its sticker price, blll "I had to start the college application process, I didn't know where to start and I knew it was free to apply, so I applied," she says. "Little did l know that

The family of Maythe Saldedo '23 celebrated with pride her first day at Ripon College. "The lady on the left is my grandmother, Rosa Ramirez; following is my Uncle Antonio C. Beltran; across the front are my sisters, 13-year-old twins Claudia Salcedo and Miryam Salcedo; behind my beautiful sisters is my amazing father. Marco Antonio Salcedo; the little boy there is my dear baby brother, Marco Antonio II; then there's me and then my outstanding mother, Claudia Mariana Salcedo. My grandma and uncle took the day off of work just to be here. My uncle wanted to come with us, but there was no room in our van for my things and all the people so he decided to take all my things in his truck so that I maybeable to enjoy time with my family. I am a first-generation Mexican American college student, and this not only brings me joy and pride but also to my family in Mexico. Most of my family resides in Puente Grande Jalisco, and they were kept updated throughout the day."

BRIDGING THE TRANSITION

Each summer, four days before the start of the fall semester, the Bridge Program at Ripon College welcomes incoming rirst-generation first-years

Sponsored by Student Support Services (SSS), Bridge helps these students make a smooth personal and social transition to college life The Bridge experience provides information on available campus resources; facilitates workshops on success techniques with an emphasis on early tuwring services; offers actual classes with Ripon professors; demonstrates the connection between a college degree and a successful life and career after graduation; provides information about graduate school; and creates opportunities for students lO create a support network with other first-year students.

"Students are exposed to a wide range of information about best practices related to academic achievement, the value of a four-year college degree, what lO expect in an actual college classroom and how to successfully function in a college environment," says Dan Krhin, executive director of SSS.

The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Education Student Support Services grant.

Ripon was going to accept me and give me a hefty financial aid award."

Gonzalez had a similar experience. "Ripon sent me their free application and I said, 'Wby not?'," sbe says. "It was a free application. I never saw myself going to a private liberal arts school but learning a little more about Ripon and their curriculum after sending in my application, it became an option. It cook me a while tO commit to Ripon but after a long thought and more researching, Ripon felt like the right choice."

Dretske says his parents always discussed the importance of a college education, but he didn't look into Ripon at first because he lived close to Ripon and initially wanted to go to school a bit further away. "However, after further thought, I decided it was the most suitable choice for me," Dretske says "lt allowed me to pursue my desired majors, continue to sing in a choir and become involved in the student government."

Although none of these students initially expected to come to Ripon, they have found great value in their decision tO become a

" I never saw myself going to a private liberal arts school, but after learning a little more about Ripon and its curriculum after sending in my application, it became an option. It took me a while to commit to Ripon but after a long thought and more researching, Ripon felt like the right choice."

SOL GONZALEZ '22

LEFT Luke Dretske '21attended The Institute of Counter-Terrorism World Summit in Tel Aviv, Israel, in September 2019 In the bottom photo, he tutors Abigail Urbina '23, a first-generation student from Round Lake Beach, Illinois, at the Franzen Center for Academic Success.

Red Hawk. Support services and financial aid have been quite helpful for all of them.

"Starting with the SSS office, they try to help all of their students as mucb as they can," Gonzalez says "The office really helped me find my place here and not ever feel like l didn't belong. Ripon also was very generous with my financial aid; without this, l would have never been able to afford an education here on my own."

Dretske adds, "Student Support Services helped with building resumes for internships, graduate school applications, summer research opportunities and scholarships."

All three of these smdems have a lot of support from family members. Gonzalez's

parents always pushed her to do her best in school, to take things one day at a Lime and to make sure Lo enjoy every moment. "They are my biggest supporters in everything I do," she says

Dretske adds, "Growing up, my parents placed a priority on education and set . a hard work ethic each and every day, which has pushed my brothers and me to strive toward success."

Salcedo is the first in her family to graduate from high school much less go to college Her family has aided her in much of her college search process and decisions "My parents were very proud of me when I graduated from high school and they helped me through the college application process," Salcedo says.

"My father drove me to my college visits, and my mom listened to me rant about my college options A part of the journey also included my grandmother who works the night shift at Walman, my uncle who works at Thornton's and my siblings who encouraged me throughout!"

Salcedo is a self-designed major with a focus on subjects such as philosophy and religion. She hopes to gain a better understanding of subjects such as- religious persecution and religious asylum, with an ulLimate goal of attending law school in Washington, D.C.

Dretske is a double major in finance and politics and governmem and hopes Lo work in the privale sector while going through a pan-Lime graduaLe program. After that, Dretske hopes Lo pursue a career in public office "LO implement real change in the world."

Gonzalez is a double major in business management and communication. She hopes to open a Tex-Mex restaurant after graduating

ZOE HAZEL '22 FRIENDSHIP, WISCONSIN

RIGHT Sol Gonzalez '22 serves as a student representative on the Alumni Association Board of Directors In the photo below, Sol Gonzalez '22 discusses the positive effects of wind energy as part of a Catalyst 220 group poster presentation in Todd Wehr Hall in December 2019.

FINDING OPPORTUNITIES IN HER OWN BACKYARD

ALEXIS RIGGS

Photo by Hanan Maji.d '21

121RIPON College

Alexis Riggs '21 of Ripon, Wisconsin, had challenges as she prepared to achieve her dream of higher education She is a first generation college student from a family with limited means and she was born missing the lower parl of both arms.

Bur with a lot of determination and a lot of help, her dreams are coming true Riggs is majoring in anthropology and minoring in sociology. She plans to go on to graduate school to study vocational rehabilitation counseling and become a Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) counselor

She wants LO help people with disabilities get the resources they need Lo get jobs

She says that being a person with a disability and having her own DVR counselor gives her a unique perspective that will enhance her ability to advocate for others with disabilities.

Since May 2018, Riggs has been a job coach for Diverse Options in Ripon. She accompanies people with disabilities to their communi.ty workplaces and helps them develop the skills they need to succeed. On campus, she works for the Office of Financial Aid and tutors in anthropology and sociology at the Franzen Center for Academic Success

She also participates in Love Your Melon, an organization that supports the fight against pediatric cancer; is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority; and is on the executive board of Panhellenic Council.

She says her family is really proud of her, "especially being first generation and having a disability. They don't always know how to help me because they haven't experienced this kind of thing I always knew college was something I would have to do because it's hard having any kind of physical disability and trying to get employment.

I had to get some type of higher education. It gives me more options

"I'm setting an example for my younger brother and trying Lo do my best for both him and my parents," Riggs says

BEING A FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT BRINGS PRIDE TO A WHOLE FAMILY

Higher education was always the goal for Jacob Cedar '23 of Oakfield, Wisconsin

"I have always strived to be the best person I can be, and I felt college would be the perfect next step for me to better myself," he says

But it was a big step as no one else in his family had attended college. After enjoying a baseball camp at Ripon, Cedar did further research about the College and its academic programs "I found all of the things I wanted to see, including the major 1 was pursuing, and fell it was a good fit for me," he says.

Student Support Services has been especially helpful in his transition, providing services such as the opponunity to move in early, participate in a program to help him succeed and provide guidance such as note-taking methods.

"To have this opponunity is truly a blessing," he says. "Being the first person in my family to attend college, l have been able to achieve goals that haven't been achieved before. In addition, I want to represent the family the best 1 can and make everyone happy "

His parents tell him this opportunity is a blessing for them, as well. "It is tough to put into words," they said. "lLmeans so much to us on different levels Hopefully achieving high education success gives you the ability to do and be better than us. Be better prepared for life.

"But it also represents another time in your life where we, your father and mother, can share in firsts. Especially because you are our firstborn Like your first steps, the first time you talked and walked The first time with throwing a ball and playing baseball. We all shared that together. You represenL the Cedar family as the first in the family so the pride runs deeper than us "

Ripon College has a number of programs and initiatives to foster the success of first-generation students A large part of this support comes from the faculty and stall. Especially meaningful is support that comes from those who were first generation students themselves.

"IL is one of the things that makes Ripon College so special," saysJean Rigden, director of teacher education and faculty mentor in the Franzen Center for Academic Success She was a first-generation student and says, "There are several other faculty and staff who were also first-generation coliege students. We understand the difficulties that our students may be encountering Helping students see the value of their education and the opportunities that will open up to them with a college degree is so rewarding "

Joe Hatcher, professor of psychology and the Pieper Family Chair in Servant leadership,

Professors who were first generati • on themselves inspire students

agrees. "I think that being mentored by someone who sees you as a person and who understands something about the difficulties of being first generation can be priceless," he says. "I enjoy being part of that expetience for first-generation students, and 1 enjoy telling them that they couldn't possibly know less about college than I did "

Associate Professor of Sociology t--farc Eaton remembers what it feels like being a first-generation student. "I do remember feeling a bit out of place when ocher students would mention what their parents did," he says "My father worked in a sawmill and my mother was the bookkeeper for an orthodontic office. So, while we were able to remain in the lower middle class, we cenainly were not living lavishly. In my hometown, the 'people on the hill' (figuratively and literally, as the most expensive homes were on the hills surrounding the valley in which the city was built) had professional jobs, such as doctors, lawyers, investors and successful small business owners of all stripes. These were the people who the 'people in the valley' (like me) generally thought of as rich, spoiled and full of themselves

'f\t Western Washington University (in Bellingham, Washington), I found out that nearly all of my friends' parents were these people in their respective communities This caused me to question whether I belonged at college, since I had never been affiliated with or been

"There are several other faculty and staff whowere also firstgeneration college students. We understand the difficulties that ourstudents may be encountering Helping students see the value of their education and the opportunities that will open up to them with a college degree is so rewarding "

JEAN RIGDEN Director of Teacher Education and Faculty Mentor in the Franzen Center for

Academic Success

"Feeling connected to a faculty member, having someone to talk

accepted by the 'rich kids' in high school. Academically, I felt confident that I could make it through college, but seeing that I

especially at firsL," he says. "I think a lot of students think, 'Do 1belong here? Can I do this7' When you consider that being first with when self-doubts are strong, was one of a few blue-collar kids on campus generation often goes along with coming

and knowing that others have succeeded from the same start can be critical to helping students stay on track."

JOE HATCHER

Professor

of

Psychology and the Pieper

Family Chair in Servant Leadership

made me feel inadequate and out of place

"It wasn't Lhat 1 was ashamed of my parents; in fact, I was very proud that they had worked hard to provide for my brother and me. I felt a great deal of responsibility to take college seriously so as to make good use of the money that they were spending on my educaLion. 'v\lhat I feared was the judgment of my peers: that sense that once they knew that I was not 'one of them,' perhaps they would reJect me."

Over time, Eaton says, he began to see his blue-collar background as a badge of honor "I took pride in the fact th a t Ihad made it to college despite not having the same kinds of opportunities as some of these other kids.

l dedicated myself even more to succeeding to prove to myself and others that students coming from my type of background could thrive at college," he says

HaLcher sees this in today's first-generation students, as well. "College is hard and

from less financially secure backgrounds, these students face obsLacles that others don't. lt is more likely, all things being equal, that they may decide or be forced to decide to leave college.

"Feeling connected to a faculty member, having someone to talk with when self doubts are strong, and knowing that others have succeeded from the same start can be critical to helping students stay on track," he says

All these faculty members felt the same uncertainty about how to navigate the college experience as do today'sfirst generation studems

"My family and I bad no idea about how Lo visit a college,'' Rigden says 'We didn't call or make an appointment, we just showed up to the college one day that my mom didn't have to work. We found out that it just so happened to be a pm ew day and we were quickly added to a tour and group to

participate with. We also weren't sure how to complete the forms for financial aid "

Hatcher says, "I had a great attitude toward learning but knew essentially nothing about college, about residence halls, how to sLudy or anything else. I really had to figure everything out by myself and didn'L become a 'good' student until my senior year Knowing what J now know about how good advising can be, I look back and see that I didn't get much help from my advisor beyond picking classes that didn't conflict. I didn't really have any aspirations beyond 'doing OK; and no one encouraged me to think beyond that; my parents never really asked me how I was doing or asked about my daily experience."

Eaton says one of the things he likes most about Ripon College is that it serves so many first-generation college students and students coming from lower socioeconomi c backgrounds. With his background, he says, he can identify with these students and approaches mentoring them differently.

'ti.re they questioning whether 'people like them' belong al college)" Eaton says. 'l\re

they carrying the emotional burden of their family's hopes and dreams, which are often foisted upon the shoulders of the first child to head off to college? Are they worried about whether their family can afford the financial burden of their education? Are they working pan Lime (or more) to pay for school, and that's why they're always so tired and having a hard time studying? Are they afraid to ask for academic help, and are they even aware that offices such as Student Support Services are available to assist them in their college careers?"

'These types of questions run through my head I make a point of mentioning thaLI, too, was a first-generation college student as a way of relating to them and showing them that the fact that they are the first in their family to pursue a four-year degree should be something they reflect on with pride, not a fact that they try to hide or ignore."

Rigden finds it an honor Lo help first-generation studems find their way in their educational journey "1 want to be a person that they can reach out to when they have concerns or aren't sure how to navigate something on campus," she

"I make a point of mentioning that I, too, wasa first-generation college student as a way of relating to them and showing them that the fact

that they are the first in their family to pursue a four-year degree should be something they reflect on with pride, not a fact that they try to hide or ignore."

MARC EATON Associate Professor of Sociology

says ''I have developed some wonderful relationships with students and it is so powerful Lo see them become successful in their academic pathway as ,veil as Lheir goals for their careers "

The standout moment of a first-generation journey, for Eaton, is seeing the pride on the faces of first-generation students and their families at graduation. "Sure, every family is proud of their children when they walk across the stage and receive their bachelor's degrees," he says "But the pride and elation that first-generation students and their families feel is almost palpable

"It is a sense that we did this; that the family has succeeded because the student has earned that four-year degree Nothing in the college experience matches the sense of accomplishment that first-generation students feel when they hold that degree in their hands and smile ear-to-ear for family photos at graduation."

Through Ripon education, Tom Kolpien '01 1 'learned how to learn'

"Ripon College provided me with close student-professor relationships, which looking back, allowed me LO learn how to learn It provided a level of accountability to professors that assisted me developing critical-thinking skills, preparedness and organization. After all, there was no hiding in the ba ck of a large lecture hall if I was not prepared for class!"

Kolpien majored in history with an emphasis on historical culture and race relations in the United States He had a minor in law and society. He received a juris doctor from Marquette University Law School and worked in private practice from 2003 to 2013. He became the assistant corporation counsel for Rock County,'Wisconsin, in July 2013 and was appointed as Rock County Family Court Commissioner in August 2014

He presides over a variety of family law actions from initial divorce and post-divorce hearings, paternity actions, child support hearings, domestic abuse restraining orders and other custody/placement proceedings.

Sports brought Tom Kolpien '01 to Ripon College, but the foundation he gained through the liberal arts impacted the rest of his life

He didn't have a distinct plan for his life but wanted to play college sports.

He chose Ripon because it was close to his parents' home in Appleton, Wisconsin, and he wanted them to be able to watch him compete

"(Football) Coach Ron Ernst was instrumental in my decision by introducing me to the wonderful educational experience that Ripon College has to offer," Kolpien says "The small-school atmosphere was instrumental in my college education As a first-generation student, I had no real understanding of what college would email and how the level of independent learning would impact me

"My parents were extremely supportive of me attending college," Kolpien says "Neither of them attended college My father worked tirelessly for many years as a lead mechanic for Air Wisconsin Airlines, also known as United Express, and is now retired. My mother, who passed away a couple years ago, worked various part-time jobs outside of the home ,vhen she was able, however she spent the vast majority of her work life managing a household for our family.

"My parents sacrificed in immeasurable ways to allow their children to pursue their various dreams. l know they felt a sense of coni fort sending their youngest to Ripon College because of the wonderful atmosphere it offered "

Network connections

I from Ripon College propelled career of Christopher Graham '93

community almost always gave me the confidence that I had the support to persist • and obtain my degree," Graham says.

Graham majored in bu siness managemem and minored in leadership studies. The connections he made at the College helped him to be successful as a student, and they continued to help him past graduation and into his current career.

He has been in collegiate atb letics administration for almost 25 years Jn his current position, he presides over more than 6,000 student-athletes at the NCAA Division 11 level and oversees the competition, recognition, health and safety, and athletic experience of all of chose student-athletes. Prior to moving to Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Conference in 2013, Graham was executive director of the lvlidwest Conference for nine years and was headquartered in Ripon

He says, however, that the largest impact his status as a first-generation student has brought him is the different kinds of assistance he has been able to give his children as they reach college age that his own parents ,vere unable Lo provide. He knows whaLkinds of information they are gwing and what kinds of questions they are and should be asking

The netwoi·k he created al Ripon College has positively impacted the career of nrst generation student Christopher Graham '93 of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is now the commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

The knowledge of the potential of these connections affected Graham's decision to

attend Ripon in the first place. He knew he could build better connections here with his professors because of the small class sizes, because of the opportunities the classes he could take at Ripon would provide, and because of how well Ripon's men's basketball team was doing.

On top of chat, "The welcoming campus

He wants his children to complete most of their college exploration on Lheir own and so he is remaining fairly hands-off. BUL he says he does take "seriously the opportunity to provide guidance and experience when possible" to ensure he can help them when necessary in their own educational goals

JILLIAN HEIDENREICH '22 MONROE, WISCONSIN

Ripon College helped Jake Baus '17 feel right at home

First-generation student Jake Baus '17 grew up in a small town and hopes to one clay work as a licensed physical therapist in a rural area, so Ripon College's small campus "felt right" Lo him for his educacion.

Baus grew up in Mount Calvary, just 35 miles ease of Ripon He and his parems were comforted by che small size of the school chat would make it easier for him to reach out for help from professors or classmaLes since there would not be a larger crowd for him to get lost in, he says.

Ripon also was his most cost-effeccive choice after reviewing scholarship offers

The final deciding factor was che face chat Ripon is a small town. ''The area reminded me of my home, and the people around

town were very kind and accepting," he says.

Ripon gave Baus the opportunity to explore a yariety of career options before finally seLLling on physical therapy All of Ripon's resources, including accessibility of professors, advisors and Student Suppon Services staff, helped him experience different areas of the medical field by volunteering at the local hospital, working as a summer research intern at a nacional class children's hospital, and observing local clinicians in their private praccice settings. These led him to physical cherapy and helped him build a strong resume for graduace school applications.

Being a first-generationstudent gives Baus "a unique world perspeccive that many people don't get to experience," he says. His parents

run a family business, which instilled in him responsibility, respect, communicaLion skills and a strong work ethic.

At Ripon, Baus majored in chemistry and minored in biology. Now he is a doctor of physical therapy student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison He wants to someday work in a rural area because "chis population is under-served and benefics most from che addition of strong healchcare providers," he says.

'Ac other universities, l felclike jusLanother application or a name on a list, but Ripon made me feel like more than chat," Baus says. "lt felt like I belonged there "

JILLIAN HEIDENREICH '22 MONROE WISCONSIN

Ripon professors kept Carey Molinski '96 on path toward her dream

As a first-generation college student, Carey Molinski '96 had an idea of what she wanted to do \vith her life career-wise, but she had no idea how to meet that goal and "I was paralyzed by fear," she says. "! didn't know what questions to even ask or who to ask," she says. "I didn't even know how to search for a college or what tO look for in a college that would best suit me. My clad had long loved Ripon College, despite having absolutely no connection LO a college or education, so my parents and I toured Ripon over the summer before my senior year."

Their LOur guide, Steve Woolley '92, shared his love for the College in such an authentic and personal way, she says, and that impressed her. Strong support and personal interest by numerous faculty members led her on the path to becoming a licensed counselor.

"Ripon College transformed my life in more ways than 1could possibly list," she says "Professors were incredibly selfless and generous They invested in me and poured themselves selflessly into me, meeting me right where 1 was at, never Judging, and challenged me to push myself harder and develop strong skills They never chastised me for wayward choices but instead helped me pick myself up every single time. In other words, they formed authentic, personal relationships with me that truly changed my life."

She says her family was always proud of her, "however, the way my dad hugged me on Commencement Day when we were all lining up to proceed to the ceremony was something I'll never forget."

She earned a master of arts in professional counseling in 2009, completed her post graduate supetvised hours and now is

a licensed professional counselor with Catalpa Health in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

"Ripon College was the foundation that weathered the storm," lv!olinski says "l couldn't be prouder of my Ripon College education so I have passed on the legacy. Alexandra Molinski, proud Ripon College Class of 2020 member, is continuing to fan the flame. I now know what my dad felt when he hugged me when l graduated in 1996. It's that same larger-than-life pride l feel towards All)"s upcoming graduation in May. Relationships made at Ripon College are lifelong relationships, and nothing and no one can take those relationships away."

Ripon education transforms lives of first-generation students

Providing educational opportunities to students whose parents did not graduate from a four-year college is a strong focus at Ripon College Indeed, 48% of the Class of 2023 and 46% of the student body as a whole are first-generation students

U.S News & World Report ranks Ripon College as the top liberal arts school in Wisconsin and 22nd nationally for colleges that promote social mobility The ranking measures schools' success at supporting their students from low-income families and rates them based on the graduation rates of those students. Many of the first-generation students also are from low-income families.

Here are stories from among the thousands of Ripon's first-generation graduates

Asa freshman in 1957 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, l was thrown into the higher education grinder. I, along with probably at least 20% of the freshman class, exited after a grinding year.

From my Chicago church, a fellow teen was attending Ripon l visited immediately that summer. What a difference from the grinder. Here was a relaxed loving home for srudents to be immersed in true education in the direction of their choosing1 Everything about Ripon made me enjoy learning, from the formal process but equally for the association v. th my classmates due to the homelike intimate surroundings.

I do believe Ripon provided me with a great degree of social mobility. lt also provided me with a solid foundation that I built upon by earning my MBA at the University of Wisconsin-v\/hitewater. lam the only person in my immediate family to earn a graduate degree.

Myeducation was beyond the classroom - my classmates exposed me to a variety of viewpoints and social classes that were different than my own - in a safe environment. I was also fortunate to study abroad in France during my sophomore year - just as I was seriously considering dropping out.

Renee Pfeifer-Luckett '87 Janesville, Wisconsin

My parents were Geiman emigrants who greatly valued education, but through circumstances never had the oppornmity for higher education themselves But through hard work in Ametica they were able to pay full tuition for the education of their l\vo children.

Ripon was and always ,vill be a sanctua1y for those who wam to get truly educated. Dr (Vvilliam) Tyree told us that sometimes you have to "put aside the books and tend to the education."

Ripon does that and turns out good, educated citizens. Me. Always thankful to Ripon

Henry Holzkamper '62 Bonita Springs, Florida

DLivingon campus at Ripon College and being ina learning environment evenoutside of the classroom helped me learn how to be a successful college student The guidancel received from my on-campus employers helped me determine my path forward as a professional.

I received mentoring from my peers, the staff and the faculty I learned how to ask questions, find support and have confidence in myself lam proud that l am the first in my family to graduate witha AB, MA and Ph.D. Ripon College gave me the foundation to keep pushing ahead in myeducation and career.

Carolyn Duven '04 Duluth, Georgia

Tbe personal relationships I developed at Ripon helped me overcome the challenges I faced as a first-generation college student. Various professors, staff and administrators helped me believe that I could go anywhere and do anything. I'm now a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies in China; l wouldn't be here if not for the memorship l received at Ripon College.

Daniel Mikesell '14 Nanjing, China

Ididn't think of myself as a first-generation college student because my mother had graduated from Oshkosh Teachers College in a two-year certificate program in 1931; and since it was at the beginning of the Great Depression was unable to find a teaching position, so she worked at Kline's Department Store in Oshkosh selling shoes My father had grown up in rural Missouri, and Paris High School only went through 11th grade. He received a scholarship to tbe University of Missouri in Columbia, but he couldn't afford the clothes and shoes to go to college. So he left home to work at OshKosh B'Gosh Overall Co., where he worked bis way up from the shipping department to the cutting room and was president of the Gannent Vvorkers Union and vice president of the State Federation of Labor. He made overalls until the day he died in 1967 at age 63.

I received three scholarships to attend Ripon I graduated with no debt, got married and began to teach in Columbus, Ohio Four years later, my husband and I were sent as Lutheran missionaries to Ethiopia and attended Amharic Language School for the first year My husband later died of injuries from a jeep accident and was buried in our Mekone Yesus Church Cemetery in Adult, Ethiopia. After a year of traveling with my two young children, speaking to churches around the counuy, I entered libra1y school at the University of Wisconsin in lvladison, earning a masters degree 1 worked as a school librarian over a 41-year pe1iod. I also earned a "Plus 30" Graduate Certificate in gerontology at the University of Louisiana Monroe.

Ripon provided lifelong sisters. I was a member of Pi Tau Pi sorority, a charter member of Delta Pi Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi and was chosen for Phi Beta Kappa. Our Pi Tau group meets every two years; we are lifelong friends In 2020, we will gather ln Omaha, Nebraska

Neither of my parents was able to finish high school because tough economic times in their families forced them to quit school to get jobs to support their families. So, completing college was ve1y special for me.

My mom and clad worked in factories

My clad laLer shifLed to a technician job developing new products My mom worked in a factory umil her first son was born. l have often wondered what career my clad would have had if the Depression had not prevented him from going to college He would have been quite an engineer. Nevertheless, my folks were smart, and they were ve1y good parents \Ne were always content ,\ th what they provided, and we enjoyed life

Going to college enabled me Lo study physics and then work as an engineer on various aspects of commercial nuclear power for my entire career, putting my family in the upper-middle class More importantly, what l learned enabled me to use my talents to serve others. And, beyond career, Ripon broadened my knowledge clramatically, making life more interesting and more rewarding

Xavier Polanski '74 La Grange, Illinois

1 arrived on campus in late summer 1967, so naive 1 didn't know you had to pay your tuition bill before you could register for classes 1 had earned enough from summer work to bridge the gap between scholarships and Luition owed, but had to phone home and borrow money to pay for books.

At Ripon, I had a freshman ad\ sor plus an advisor for political science, my intended major. Dr Seale Doss, my freshman advisor, signed me up for his intro philosophy class and I became a double major. Ripon faculty consistently understood when to hold out a hand and when lo kick me in the butt. 1 learned that grammar and spelling mattered I learned how to sLudy. How to write How to think about different Lhings in different ways. I developed a love for higher education that charted my career path

Because of Ripon, I was able to attend Lhe University of Chicago's Law School. Because of Ripon, l understood that l had no interest in practicing law but could use my law school learning to build a life in higher educaLion

Every day, something] learned at Ripon helps me solve a problem or move a project forward I'm not rich and never will be, but I've been contributing to the Annual Fund (Ripon Fund) for more than 40 years I won't ever repay the investment Ripon made in me, but l'm never going to cease trying.

Richard A. Wueste '71 Winchester, Virginia

Nancy Lee Reno Thomas Meinel '60 Monroe, Louisiana

KASSIDY WALTERS:

Champion on the court and in life

Most college first-year students face a big transition coming from high school, but for women's basketball player Kassidy Walters '22 of Greenfield, illinois, her transition was magnified. Midway through the school year, after averaging 2 7 points in 11 games for the Red Hawks, Walters was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of a part of the immune system

"From the time I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma to my last radiation treatment, I was physically and emotionally drained," Walters says. "1 tried keeping a positive attitude during that time. While (team members) were fighting their battles on the court, they continued to cheer

me on while l was fighting my battle with cancer."

While she was receiving treatment back home, the team kept Walters in their thoughts and prayers, displaying her number 22 jersey on the bench before and during each game

"Even though I was missing being there physically, the team di<;al great job Face Timing me during practice and games," Walters says. 'They never failed to make me laugh or ask how I was doing every day."

The Red Hawks finished last season with a 19-9 record and a second consecutive M.idwest Conference championship,

"The best thing about being back on the court and in school is that I get a daily reminder of how blessed I am to have the opportunity that I have."

KASSIDY WALTERS '22

advancing to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Walters watched every game during their run, attending as many of them as was possible

"The biggest thing I missed being apart from my team was missing out on being at the game when they won the conference tournament," Walters says. "I was so happy for them and just wi.sh I could have been in the stands to watch them in person "

Now back in school for her second year at Ripon, Walters has a whole new perspective from when she stepped onto campus one year earlier.

"The best thing about being back on the

court and in school is thaLI get a daily reminder of how blessed I am to have the opportunity that I have," Walters says "1 get frustrated and overwhelmed sometimes with being a studenL-aLhlete, but at the end of the day 1 know I have something to look back on and see how far I've come."

Not only has she built new and stronger connections at Ripon, but Walters also now is connected to many people across the world.

"I feel like I have a new connection to every person who has had to go through some type ofcancer," she says. "It's something only people who have had to deal with it before know, and 1 want to be able to be

there for others going through what I went through. Going through this has helped make me cherish the small things in life and wam to help change others' perspective for the better>'

On Nov. 30, Walters scored her first points since she had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and she continues on a path that wi.11 prepare her for the future.

"My goal after gTaduation is to be a collegiate basketball coach or a spons psychologist," Walters says "I would love ta make an impact in this world in any small way l can "

MIKE WESTEMEIER DIRECTOR OF

RIGHT Kassidy Walters' basketball jersey is on display as she was with her team in spirit during her physical absence

BELOW Skyylar Brescia '22 hoists Kassidy Walters' jersey as the team celebrates its 2019 Midwest Conference tournament win over Monmouth College last February

Four decades do not dim grand memory of unlikely lacrosse victory

Momentous victories by an underdog team 40 years ago will be celebrated again in 2020 by the championship 1980 Ripon College lacrosse team.

This inexperienced team - more than two thirds of the team members had never played lacrosse before college - prevailed in many bouts against Big 10 teams they were not supposed to be able to beat. Bob Fines '80, now of Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Art Peters '80, now of Mukwonago, Vvisconsin, ,vere the team organizers from 1977 to 1980. They had been recruited by the graduating seniors of 1977

Fines and Peters attribute most of the team's success to each player's love of the game. Despite mismatched uniforms, shared equipment and a lack of funding for traveling to matches, they beat some of the

top teams in the state.

Fines, one of the players who joined the team not knowing how to play, ran the business side of the team to ensure that they had the necessary equipment and adequate transportation to games. Some of his responsibilities included going before college funding officials to get funding, attending league meetings to set up the schedule, finding referees and scorekeepers for games, ensuring the field was lined properly, trying to get equipment donated from suppliers, and ruru1ing fundraisers such as selling T-shirts and bumper stickers.

Peters, one of the few who had played lacrosse during high school, took over teaching the new students how to play and making sure everyone knew what they were doing on the field He was proud to see the growth as "some of these players who

could barely catch and throw their first year (became) starters and major contributors by the time they were seniors."

Anyone who wanted to be a part of the team could join, and only a few of the members were involved in other athletics.

Everyone on the team grew close. Fines and Peters say that some of their best memories of Ripon come from the lacrosse team. Fines went on to coach elementary, middle and high school teams and he said that "the JOYhas been exponential" while balancing coaching with traveling for his career in business.

The 1980 team had an undefeated season in the Great Lakes Lacrosse Association including matches with Big 10 teams such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Northwestern University and the University of Iowa

The most exciting game was against Lake Forest College in a home game which they won 10-7 Lake Forest was considered the best team in the Midwest at the time and they had refused to play Ripon in 1976 and 1977 because of Ripon's inexperience

Huwever, when Ripon played them in 1979 and lost by only 18-10, Lake Forest became willing Lo play them again.

The victorious Ripon team held alumni games in 1987, 1988 and 1989. A few years ago, Jim Mendyke '83, now of Stevens Point, Vvisconsin, started organizing alumni games again and is organizing the 2020 reunion game which will be held June 27 at Ripon College during Alumni Weekend.

Peters says he is not sure how many more reunion games the 1980 team will be able to participate in since they are gelling into their 60s now, but the 40th anniversary reunion is bound to be a grand time.

CROSS COUNTRY Ripon College's men's and women's cross-country teams finished fourth and sixth, respectively, al the Midwest Conference Championships. For the first time in 30 years and second time in school hiswry, a Ripon student-athleLe was the women's individual champion as Madie King '21 of Wisconsin Rapids, \Visconsin, shovm right, won with a new personal record time of 24:03 On the men's side, David Potter '22 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, came in third place to become only the second Ripon male runner to finish in the top three at the championsl1ips.

CYCLING Two Red Hawks qualified for the USA Cycling Nationals, Elliott Hole '22 of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and Nick Niemi '23 of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

FOOTBALL Ripon finished 4-6, with their win total including a 44-20 victory at Lawrence to retain the Doehling Heselton trophy, given annually lo the winner of that rivalry game That marks the 20th consecutive year Ripon has - defeated Lawrence.

Ripon received seven All Conference selections. Earning First Team honors were Austin Bunders '20 of Almond, Wisconsin, Lane Barnes '19 of Selma, California (pictured), and Cameron Gruenwald '20 of Iola, Wisconsin. Earning Second Team honors were Gruenwald, Tim Ladewig '21 of Palos Heights, lllinois, Cormac Madigan '22 of Rosendale, Wisconsin, and Brad Guell '22 of Malone, \Visconsin.

Barnes, a defensive back, also earned All-Region honors for the second consecutive season, garnering Second Team honors

MEN'S SOCCER Won the Midwest Conference Sportsmanship Award.

WOMEN'S SOCCER Won the Midwest Conference Sportsmanship Award. Camrie Schmitz '21 of Kiel, Wisconsin, was named First Team All-Conference

WOMEN'S TENNIS Steve Burns was named head coach of men's and women's tennis in August.

VOLLEYBALL Finished the season winning its final three matches and four of their last five

JILLIAN HEIDENREICH

'22 MONROE, WISCONSIN

AROUND THE CLOCKTOWER

1. Ripon makes commitment to neighboring four counties

Ripon Collegeis doing something remarkable-delivering a top-quality private school education to studentsat a cost that is about the same as many public schools in the University of VVisconsin System.

One hundred percent of our students receive financial assistance. Ourmission to provideanaccessible and premier liberal ans education remains unchanged) even during an ever-changing and challenging higher education landscape Ourdedication toaffordability is no stronger than right here in our own backyard

Introduced this year is the local Commitment Award. All new smdents from high schools in the surrounding Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Winnebago counties who are admitted for the 2020-2021 academic year will qualify for our Local Commiunent Award, bringing total awards up to

$36,000 annually. A student from a high school in one of thosecoumies will payno morethan$19,776 to atLend Ripon, including room and board, and even less if they qualify for need-based financial aid.

2. Leadership changes made in several College departments

• Andrea Young is the new vice president for finance and direclorof strategic initiatives. For the previous sixmonths, she hadservedas acting deanof facult)' Prior tothat she had beenan associate professor of mathematicsstaning in 201 l.

• Shawn Karsten'09 is thenewvicepresident foradvancement. He had served as the College's interim associate vice president for advancement for the previous 11', years.

• Ryan Kane is the newdirector ofathletics and v.;11continue to serve as the head men's basketball coach In December 20!8, heearned his100thcareer victoryin a winover Illinois

College and earned the status of the thir,dvinningest coach in program histoty. Kane replaces the lateJulie Johnson, who died in June 2019

• Professor of History Rebecca Matzke isservingas interim ,;ce president and deanof facultrShehas servedon the faculty since2003ina vatietyof facultyleadership roles,includingchair ofthe Faculty Advisory Committee and Facuh)•Development Committee,co-<lirector of theCenterfor Politicsand the People, and as associate dean for faculty development

3. Ripon College places on prestigious rankings lists

Ripon College is one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education,according toseveral recent rankings.

Ripon is recognized in IliePrinceton Reviews Best 385 Co\lcges: 2020 and The Plinceton Reviews Best Regional Colleges: 2020 in the Best Midwestern category. About 140,000 students around Lhe country were surveyed about their campuses' food, career services, happiness of students, classroom expe1iences and more

Ripon alsois recognized asone of the most affordablecolleges in the countryon Kipli11gersBestCollegeValues listand Moneys Best Colleges for Your Money 2019.

U.S News& World Report again hashonored RiponCollegeon itsannual rankingslistsof BestColleges. Ripon Collegeranked the top liberal artsschool in Wisconsin and 27th nationally among liberal ans collegesthat offer students the best value

On the listing for colleges that promote social mobility, Ripon was ranked first in Wisconsin and 22nd nationally. The ranking measures schools' success at supporting their students from \ow-income families and rates them based on the graduation rates of those students

RiponCollege placed third in Wisconsin on the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges listing

28 IRlPON College

4. Grant from National Science Foundation

advancing chemistry research

A gram of $400,400 has been awarded to a program of the Midwestern Undergraduate Computational Chemistry Consortium (MU3C), of which Ripon College is a part. The National Science Foundation Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure and Chemistry divisions awarded the grant through its Major Research Instrumentation Program

JoeScanlon, associate professor of chemistry a, Riponand a member of the MU3C,said thelastsimilar gram wasreceived nine years ago, but computing h s changed so much in the past decade that an update ;1,ill make a large difference in the speed of their calculations as well as h1 their ability to pursue larger and more ambitious projects

Scanlon says the increased supercomputing capabilities will enhance his research as well as that of his smdents.

(Pho,o; Associate Professor of Chemistry Joe Scanlo11, cenwr; assists srndenis Sam FoS5 '20 and Julia Lilly '20011 a project i11 FalT Hall of Science)

5. 'Touchable art' collection will teach museum studies students new perspectives

Acollection of touchable an to promoteand teach about the creation of art for the visually impaired is beingassembled by Travis Nygard, associate professor of art and director of the Caestecker Galleryin C.j. Rodman Center for the Ans.

Funds from a Kohler Foundation grant recemly were re allocated to the art department to assemble the collection. The collec1ion is being used for the first time during the spring semester of 2020 when Nygard is debuting the class "Museums, AnifactsandCulturalHeritage "Theclassis being offered as part of the new Museum Studies minor Asa part of the class, Nygard also is developing exercises to help students understand how a visually impaired person might interact with art pieces

(Phorc: Travis Nygard shon ate collection in progr S5.)

The expanding interests of space strategy, national security and great-power conflict inspacehavebeen addressed across thecountrybyLamont Colucci,associate professor of politics and government.

He addressed both the Space Futures Workshop at USAF Space Command, now United States Space Command, and later Space Command Headquarters in spring 2019 This fall, he presented at two private-sector space entrepreneur conferences in California and Texas, once again at Space Command,and onceat the NationalSecuritySpace Institute

7. Professor, alumni publish collaborative paper

Pa,rick Willoughby, assistant professor of chemistry, and recent alumni published a paper in theJournal of Chemical Education. The paper, by Rylie Morris '19, Abby Hilker '18 (Abby Hilker Penterman),Shane Donovan']4 andWtlloughby, was in collaboration with Augsburg Universityand describes a teaching lab where students make and analyze self-healing materials.

(Plroto: Patrich \Vil/oughby)

8. Schatzinger, Martin publish research findings on campaign financing

Henrik Schatzinger, associate professor of politics and government and co-director of the Center forPoliticsand the People, and Steven E. Manin, professor ofcommunication, have recent p blications.

"The lnfluence ofC01porate Lobbyingon FederalContracting,'' bySchatzinger andcoauthors, was published bySocial Science Quarterly in botl1onlineand print versions. The peer-reviewed study,vaspublished in theortlineversionin May2019,and in tl1e prim version injul)c It can beread here:goripon edu/ml k

Theauthors analyzed the influence ofdirect lobbying of

five federal departments, along with dataon the lobbyingof,and

campaign contributions LO, members ofCongress on patterns of contract awards broken ouLbycongressional districts.

The book Game Cliangers: Now Darh Money and Super PACs A• TransformingU.S Campaigns, bySchatzinger and Martin, is available on amazon com

(Pl,oto: Steven E. Martin,left,mrd Henrik Schatzinger)

9. Chamber Singers selected for special appearances off-campus

The Ripon College Chamber Singers, directed byJohn C. Hughes, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, were invited to perform at the 2019Wisconsin $1aie Music Conference Oct 24 in Madison K-12 music teachers from around lhe:slate convened LO develop new techniques and learn new strategies foreffective teaching.

The choir also performed Oct. 27 at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, for Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church Michael Curry Curry was elected to his position tn 2015 and is the first African American LO serve as presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. He is noted forspeaking at the wedding of Prince Marry of Great Britain and Meghan Markle

Professor of English Emeritus David Graham publishes book of poetry

Professor of English Emerims David Graham has released a newbook of poems, Tire Noneyof Enrth,published by Terrapin Books It is available on amazon com

In 2016, he retired from teaching writingand literature atRipon College, where he alsohosted the Visiting Writers Series for 28 years. I-le hasserved on The Poets' Prize Committee and the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission and was a Resident Poet and a faculty member at The Frost Place Currently he is a contributing editor for Verse-Virtual, where he contributes a monthly column, "Poetic License,'' on poetry and poets.

6. Colucci speaking across the country on 'new space'

After retiring, he returned to his native upstate New York with his wife, the artist LeeShippey

10. It's a small world with Ripon College connections

David Minor'68 raninto the J-Jon Jon Wilcox '58 while both were vacationing separately in the Fort Myers, Florida, area They recognized eachother in, ofall places, a grocery store!

They havebeenfriends foryearsas their Ripon Collegeclasses were aneven lOyearsaparc and held observances inthesame reunion years. Both are members of Panners in the Legacy Minor is a former director of corporation and foundation relations at the College Wilcox served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 1992 to 2007 and has received the College's Distinguished Alumni Citation

(Photo: David Minor'68,left, andjo11Wilcox'58)

11. Sarah Frohardt-Lane has chapter in new book

Sarah Frohardt-1.ane,assistant professor ofhistoryanddirector ofenvironmental studies, has achapter inan edited volumeof environmental histories of World WarII "Imagined Resilience: U.S Conservation Campaigns and Fat Salvage" appears in Resilient City: Urban E11vi,vnmental Histories of World War11, published by Palgrave MacMillan.

12.Book by Matthew Knoester receives national recognition

A recent book by Matthew Knoester, associa1e professor of educational studies, has been recognized by the American Educational Studies Association. Beyond Testing: Seve11 Assessme11ts of Swde11ts and Scliools More Effective than Standaidized Tests received a Critics' Choice Book Award

The co-author is Deborah Meier, an educator and a strong advocare ohhe school reform movement

Fresh looks, updated technology enhance Ripon experience

ngoing revitalization projects at Ripon College are continuing the momentum to invest in infrastructure that will improve educational opportunities and campus life.

"Thanks to gifts from generous donors, we have been able to invest in areas central to the student experience," says Andrea Young, vice president for finance and director of strategic initiatives. "These spaces promote active and hands-on learning, collaboration, experimentation and student-centered approaches to teaching in ways that are forward-thinking and based on the needs of our students and faculty We have continued to invest in our physical spaces that are so important to the experience we provide at Ripon College."

THE FRANZEN CENTER

The Franzen Center for Academic Success clebmed in fall 2019 on the first floor of Lane Library. This dynamic learning environment was made possible through the generosity of Mark Franzen '83 and Janice Heinz Franzen '83 lt centralizes all academic support services, improves resource allocation and provides space for student tutoring services, group collaboration and sLUdying

"SMART" CLASSROOMS

Farr Hall 122 and Todd Wehr B22 classrooms have been renovated into active learning classrooms These are providing student centered experiences and collaborative technology and allow seamless integration between lectures and labs.

Farr Hall 122, Physics Active Learning Lab: This space seamlessly combines lecture and lab environments to provide instruction that can alternate between experimental observation and immersive activities and traditional classroom activities The room is lined all around with whiteboards and has large threesided tables, both designed to facilitate collaboration. The tables have integrated powerand room for assembly of apparatus or other data acquisition analysis equipment.

Todd Wehr 822, Active Learning Classroom: Hanan Majid '21 of Kashmir, left, and Adrian Granados '20 of Ripon, Wisconsin, work together in Todd Wehr 822

PIANO LAB

A high-tech, professional-grade piano lab was installed in Rodman 146 to facilitate Class Piano instruction With eight student pianos and one instructor instrument, the College can be more efficient with piano instruction, teaching more students in the same amount of time. The technology also allows students to develop skills at their own pace, saysJohn Hughes, assistant professor of music and chair of the department.

"The instrumems are networked together and come with headsets. Students can talk to each other, ask questions, record themselves and even play duets from across the room," he says The instructor controls all of the instruments from an iPad "

BENSTEAD THEATRE

A gift from Doreen Chemerow '73 and David Chemerow provided a significant facelift to Benstead Theatre in CJ Rodman Center for the Ans The theatre was repaimed and new carpeting added.

"A new light board was installed and several new LED theatre lighting instruments were purchased," says Ken Hill, professor of theatre. "These new lights and the new board give our students the ability to work with the next wave in theatre lighting design and technology."

Safer and lighter risers also have been ordered for audience seating.

Rodman 146 are, from left Spencer Hornung '23 of Appleton, Wisconsin; Grace Sullivan '20 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Caleb Kllnzlng '22 of Sheboygan. Wisconsin; Balley Jerrick '20 of Stoughton, Wisconsin; and Abbegayle Lane '22 of Neenah, Wisconsin

POLLINATOR PATH

Through the class ENV 210: Sustainability Lab and Sustainability Fellowsbips, students helped create a new pollinator path in spring 2019 It celebrates our connections with the Ceresco Prairie Conservancy, student-run campus garden and a sustainable arboretum.

Ecologically friendly flowering plants were placed across the landscaped areas of the school to attract bees and butterflies and promote the natural ecosystem around campus

Benstead Theatre, C.J Rodman Center for the Arts John Dalziel. left,associate professor of theatre, explains light board procedures to BalleyJerrick, '20 of Stoughton, Wisconsin, center,and Lindsey Wigand '22 of West Alhs, Wisconsin

Practicing in the new Piano Lab in

Shreeya Gautam '21 of Kathmandu, Nepal. left, andDirector of SustainabilityAlice Reznickova plant flowers along the Pollinator Path.

DOROTHY BOERS SCHATTSCHNEIDER '42 of Ripon, Wisconsin, died Sept. 21, 2019 At Ripon, she majored in English, Spanish and educational studies. She received a bachelor!;degree in English from theUniversityof Wisconsin Oshkosh and a master's degree in educational studies from UW-Madison. She taught for 45 years in Green Lake and Fond du Laccounties, FoxLake, Wisconsin,andWadsworth, lllinois She panicipated in numerous educational activities and professional organizations; was a member of the Fox Lake Girl Scout Council, Green Lake Preservation Society, Our Saviour's United Church of Christ in Ripon and Ripon Lions Club; and enjoyed outdoor activities and traveling.

DON0. SCHUELER '43ofRhinelander, WJSConsin, died May 30, 2019 At Ripon, he was a member of Delta Sigma Psi He joined the Armed Forces in J943. He owned a lumber company in Rhinelander

GERALDINE A. BIRKHOLZ '47 of West Bend, Wisconsin, died June 29, 2019. At Ripon, she majored in English and participated in Ver Adest and Alpha Gamma Theta She did graduate work at 1he University of Wisconsin and the University of Colorado She caught English for 40 years in Westfield, Nonh Fonddu Lacand Fond du L1c, retiring from the West Bend School District in 1987. She also coached dramatics, forensics and golf She was the only surviving chaner member of Grace Lutheran Church in Omro and a current member of St John's Evangelical Lu1heran Church She also was a member of several civic organizations. She enjoyed traveling, visiting more than 40 coumries; and the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.

MARYPAPPAS KRUEGER '47 of Ripon,Wisconsin,diedjan 10,2020.Sheattended Riponand participated in Ver Adest Shealso attended the University ofWtsconsinMadison.She enjoyed skiing, fishingand water skiing, cats and obsel'\ ng wildlife. She was a member of Holy Ttinity Greek Orthodox Church in Fond du Lac and Our Saviours United Church of Christ in Ripon.Survivorsincludethreesonsandonedaugh1er.

ROBERT J. BEDNAREK '49 of Truro, Massachusetts, died Dec. 7, 2019. At Ripon, he was a member of Omega Sigma Chi He participated in an exchange program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.1.T.) and studied drafting, design and architecture He worked on numerotts residential and commercial design projectsfrom hisofficein Camblidge and later Truro. Heenjoyed biking, hikingon the shore and bird watching He was a longtime member of the TruroConsel'\,ation Trust and had held positionsas secretary and trusteeemeritus 1-te wasa member of the Truro Council on AgingSeniorCenter and FirstCongregational Parish,and he attended the Christian Union Church.

DONALD P. LARSEN '49 of Chicago, Illinois, died June 5, 20I9 AtRipon, he majored in business management and was a member of Omega Sigma Chi and Partners in the Legacy He wasa VVorld War II veteran Survivors include onesister, BARBARA LARSEN ARATA '47

GEORGE M. THOMAN JR.'49 ofTempe, Alizona, died Oct. 31,2019. At Ripon, he majored in chemisuyand mathematics and was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha While attending Ripon, he entered the Army andserved during World War ll After returning and graduating from Ripon, he studied analytical chemistry at Purdue Universi1yand later became a

vicepresident a, Vulcan Materials Co He had livedin Illinois,

NewJersey, Ohio and Arizona He began a family-owned business in Tempe, Action Garage Doors Inc., and retired at the age of 78 He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel church. Survivors include one daugluer.

MARIETTAMORGAN PAYNTER ·so of Lake Forest, Illinois, died April 23, 2018. At Ripon, she majored in English and participated in Ver Adest, music, College Days and Pi Delta Omega. She was a member of Glenview Community Church and its Women's Association. She belonged to the Northwestern University Social Se,vice, Leadership Circle and Music Advisory Board as well as the North.shore Concen Band Auxiliary Shewasa lifelongCubsand Blackhawks fan. Survivors include one sonand one daughter

ERNEST F. TALARICO SR. 'SO of Glenwood, Illinois, died June l5, 2018. At Ripon, he majored in biology and was a member of Lambda Delta Alpha. He was a veieran of World War IIandthe Korean War Sul'\'ivors include his wife, Alice Jean Indovina; Lwo sons and two daughters; and a sistcr-in law, MARLENE BOCKSTRUCKTALARICO '53.

JOANNE KLAWITER COCHRANE '51of Plymouth, Minnesota, died Sept. 30, 2019 At Ripon, she majored in music and participated in VerAdest and Delta PhiSigma.She remained active with Ripon College, including membership inPa1tners in the Legacy, Friends of the Ans and the Alumni Board of Directors,as a reunion committee volunteerand asa founding member of the Leadership Alliance. She performed as a pianist, directed children's church choirs and worked with highschoolchoir programs Survivors include her husband, JAMES F. COCHRANE '52; three sons and one daughter.

VINSONW.BRONSON'52 of Hingham, Massachusetts,died Oct. 30, 2019 At Ripon, he majored in mathematics and participated invarsity wrestlingand Delta Sigma Psi.Hewas a 1953graduate of the Massachusetts Instituteof Technology andservedas a combatengineer in Korea Heattended Hal'\>-ard Law School for two years then received a master's degree in education administraiion from Harvard Gradua1e School of Educa1ion in 1965. He ,aught at several schools, including teachingchemisny, pfiysicsand mathematicsat NewtonSouth High School for 37 years. After retiringin 1999, he earned a bachelors degree in philosophy al Stonehill College, served as a senior warden at T1inity Episcopal Church and attended Second Parish Unita1ian Universalist Churchi n Hingham He enjoyed tutoring, reading, practicingyogaand qigong, bowling, cribbage and cooking Survivors include twodaughters.

PATRICIAJENKINSSTEAFFENS '53 ofStoughton,WJSConsin, died Dec.29,2019 At Ripon,shestudied English and Spanish and panicipated in Ver Adest. She was an administraiive assistant at Nelson Industries for many years. She was an active member of Stoughton United Methodist Church and served in various capacitie5; was a member of Oregon Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which she served in several roles, and the Madison Area Chapter ofthe Embroiderers Guild ofAmerica.She wasa founding member of the Southeast American Cancer Society in Dane County and wasVolunteer oftheYearin 1987 Survivors include one son and twodaughters, including DEBRA STEAFFENS '76. Her husband, WILLIAM C STEAFFENS '50, died in 2009

GRAHAM FOSTER JR. '54 of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, died May 28, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in English. Hestarted '-'1th the Tomahawh Leader newspaper in 1954 as an editor

and retired 38 yearslater Hewon awards from the \Visconsin Ne\ vspaper Association as an editor, reporter andcolumnist. He was a fom1er member of the county board and libra,y board He was a Korean War veteran1 serving in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed golfing, camping and reading, and he was a member of the Newwood Clubhunting shack Survivors include one son and one daughter.

JOSEPHINE "JO" HARTOUGH FRANZ '54 of Arvada, Colorado,died Sept. L,2016.AtRipon.she majored in French and panicipated in Ver Adest, music, student governmenl, Crimson yearbook and Alpha Gamma Theta. She received a degree in accounting from Indiana State University. She worked for Coopersand Lybrand in Philadelphia as a certified public accountant, was active in church choirs andenjoyed reading and the Green Bay Packers. Survivors include one son and one daughter.

JAY NORMAN FUES '54 of Ashburn, Virginia, died May 6, 2019

He majored in mathematics at Ripon andparticipated , in VerAdest, ROTCand Omega SigmaChi. Heearned degrees in industrial engineering and math from ,he Massachusens bistituteofTechnology;a masters inindustrialengineeringfrom Southern Methodist University;andamastersmaccmmrnncy from the University of Texas at Dallas Heserved two years in the U.S. Air Force and had a 34-year career v.ith Texas Instruments, ultimately becominga general managerofstrategic planning. l le lived in Dallas and Houston, Texas, England, Germany and Brazil. He enjoyed traveling, photography, woodworking and creating stained glass Survivors include his ,vife, Louise; twosons and one daughter

DWIGHT C.HARRIS '54 of Henderson, Nevada, died July 11, 2019 At Ripon, he studied economics and French and panicipated in athletics and L1mbda Delta Alpha. He earned MBAs from Indiana University Bloomington and the University of Pittsburgh. Hiscareer in bankingspanned nearly 40 years in Pennsylvania, including leadership positions at Mellon Bank, Pinsburgh; Farmers Bankand Trust Company, Hanover; and Peoples National Bank, Lebanon. In l993, he joined the Pennsylvania State Treasury as an inves11nem officerandaccount manager until retiringin 2008. Heserved on various boardsand community associations and enjoyed tennis,jazz, bridge and gourmet food Survivors include his ,vife, Marlys Trimpe)' Harris; threesonsand three daughters.

CONSTANCE "CONNIE" SMITH LINDE '54 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, died Dec. 24, 2019 At Ripon, she majored in mathematics Survivors include her husband, RICHARD LINDE '54; and fourchildren.

CAROLYN c.OHNSTAD'54 of Menomonie, Wisconsin,died July 31 20L9 At Ripon, she participated in Ver Adest and Alpha Gamma Theta. She received a degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin-Stout She was a fourthgeneration resident of Menomonie and the fifth generation to own a private business in the second block of downtown.Shewas involved in manycivic endeavors, most recently serving as sexton and preservationist of Evergreen Cemetery. Survivors include her children

LOWELLD. LAPER '55 of Fail'\viuer, WJSConsin, died Dec 5, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in economics, was a member of Sigma Nu/ThetaSigmaTau and wascommissioned intotheU.S. Army through ROTC. Heserved as a finance and accounting officer at the New Orleans Army Terminal. I-le owned and WINTER 2020 I 33

operated Fairwater Garage lnc since 1957, was a Che\ onlet dealer and provided school bus mmsponation for the Green lake,MarkesanandRosenclale-Brandon schooldistricts Hewas a lifelongmember of Zion LuLhernn Church in Fairwater. and wasinvolved witl1tl1e Fairwater Village Board, liredepanmem. Lions Club, Fond du lac County Airport Zoning Board of Appeals andboard ofdirectorsof theMarkesan Resident Home He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Survivors include his wife, Kailiy; two sonsand one daughter.

JUDITHPALLETTKAESTNER '57 ofOconomowoc, W1SCOnsin, ·died Aug 26,20l9 At Ripon,shemajored in psychologyand French and panicipared in CollegeDays, musicand tl1eatre She wasa member of Pannersin the Legacyand Pi Delta Omega. She received her master's degree in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in J978. She worked at Dixon State School in Dixon, Illinois; Wisconsin Powerand Electric in Milwaukee; and Racine Unified School District as a middle school guidance counselor from 1978- 1998. She founded a childrens cheater group; and enjoyed singing, traveling, se,ving and painting Survivors include her husband. the Re, James Kaestner, ofOconomowoc; two sons and one daughter, MARY KAESTNER MARCUS '84

JOHN"JACK" L. MCMAHON '57 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, died Dec.6, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in economics, was a member of Theta Chi and played on the football team. He helped run the family business, E.R McMahon and Sons Concrete, in Sun Prairie for more than 70 years He loved his dogs. the nonh woods and his family. He had a quirky sense of humor and loved to play pranks Sun1vors include his v.1fe, NANCYCHASEMCMAHON '57; lWOsons,including PATRICK S. MCMAHON '80; two daughters; and a brother in-law, THEODORE W.CHASE JR.'74

ALFRED ADAMSKI '58 of Fort Worth, Texas, died Sept. 17, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics and was a member of Theta Chi. He then joined the Army and was stationed in Germany. He worked for Zenith's Rauland Corp. as an engineer, designing television picture LUbes. He enjoyed astronomy. camping, fishing, sports, music and art. Survivors include oneson and one daughter; and a brother, ROBERT J. ADAMSKI '58.

KENNETH A. STUESSI '58 of the Villages, Florida, and Jefferson, Wisconsin, died Sept. 9, 2019 At Ripon, he participated in football, basketball and Alpha Phi Omega. He sen•ed in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was an executive at Schlitz Brewing Co. for 23 years. then owned Ken's Towne lnn in Jefferson from 1983 to 2004 He enjoyed golf, tennis, the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Jefferson Survivors include his wife, Palricia; and three sons.

JOHN B. FAWCETT '59 of Duluth, Minnesota, died May 23, 2019. ALRipon, he majored in biology and chemistt)', panicipated in football and was a member of Phi Kappa Pi He owned an insurance agency, was a member of \ Vaters of Life Lutheran Church and the Vermilion Club. Survivors include his ,vife, Judy; one son and two daughters; and three stepdaughters

DONNA WYATTPLACZANKIS'59 ofChurchville. Maryland, died April 1 2019. At Ripon, she majored in speech communications and educalional sLUdies. She served for manyyearsat the Greater Cleveland Chaprer of the American RedCrosswhereshe rose10 director ofdisaster reliefservices She alsovolunteered at Hospice of the Western Resen,e and the ladies' auxiliaiy of Fain1ew

General Hospital where she

34 I RIPON College

worked in the flowershop.She also was involved in Alanon Survivors include oneson and one daughter

MICHAEL OWEN WILLSON '60 of Chicago. lllinois, died March 7, 20l9 At Ripon he studied English and history and participated insrudentgovernment, athletics and SigmaChi. He was a charter member of Parmers in the Legaci, He also was a graduate of the Universiry of Illinois. In 1961, he was selected as one of the first volunteers in the newly formed Peace Corps. Following training al Rutgers University and meeting,vithPresidemJohn E Kennedy al theWhite House. he and 61 other volunteers were assigned co Colombia, South America, for two years He larer lived in Panama and Venezuela where he worked forGrantAdvenisingand Brown and Williamson Tobacco Co ;Chicago; and Louisville, where he was advertising/marketing director for Kemucky Fried Chicken until his retirement in 2000.

JUDITHZINDATRUDEAU '61 ofJanesville, Wisconsin,died Nov. 19, 2019 At Ripon, she majored in French and was a member of Delta PhiSigma She also studied education at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood ,tichigan. She was formerly employed by the Janesville Chamber of Commerce, Parker Pen Co.and MCI Mechanical Contractors as an administrative assistant She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church,Tuesday MorningOptimist Club, Janesville AthleticClub and Mercy Health System Volmueers. Survivors include her husband, Walter"Wally"Trudeau; two sons and one daughter.

RUSSELL C.ACKLEY '62 of Pewaukee,Wisconsin,diedMay 23,2019. At Ripon, h.emajored inhiscoty, pruticipaced in ROTC and was a member of Delta Upsilon Hestudied premed al Nonheast Missouri State/Truman State University. Heserved in the U.S. Anny during the Vietnam War and retired as a captain in 1967 I-le served on the Pewaukee Village Board of Trusteesand asa supervisor for the Tm,01of Delafield. He enjoyed cookingChinese food,gardening, painting andsailing, and was a member of the Pewaukee Yacht Club. Survivors include his"ofe, NANCYHUTTACKLEY '63; and three sons MICHAELT.MILNAMOW '64 ofValrico,Flotida, died Aug 18, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in economics and participated in athle,ics, ROTC and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He received his commission to the U.S. Army through ROTC, starting as a second lieutenant and becoming a military intelligence officer He served two tours in Vietnam and his military awards included two Bronze Slars. He reLire:d as a colonel in July 1990. He worked ,vith the Florida Depanmem of Transportation umil his retirement in 2011 He enjoyed classic cars, foreign travel and local spmts teams. Survivors include his wife, Philippa Milnamow; and twodaughters.

LYMAN S. NEWTON '64 of Greensboro, North Carolina, died Sept.18, 2019. AtRipon, he majored in economics and panicipated in mllSic, student government, ROTC and Phi Kappa Pi. Hereceivedan M13Ain matketingfrom theUniversity of North Carolina atGreensboro. Me entered t.he U.S Armyas a second lieutenant at.Fort Riley. Kansas. in Vietnam and lat.er as an Army Reservist. After a successful career in sales and marketing, he obtained his teaching credentials from North Carolina A&T State University, taught at a middle school and then at Davidson County Community College until his death. He waselected the communitycolleges Teacher ofthe Year in 2017. Heenjoyed music, boatingand sports.and was active in hischurch.Survivorsinclude his wife. Karen"Kacy" Carnelly Newton; and two daughters.

JOHNMICHAEL "MIKE" PEPIO'64 ofCarlsbad, California, died Sept. 18, 2019 At Ripon, he majored in ph.ysics

and mathematics, and he received an MBA in production management from the University of Colorado Boulder. He worked for the U.S Departmem of Commerce & Bureau of Standards, 3M, Litton Industries and Ampex Corp. on aerospace and electronic engineering advancements He obtained an MBA rrom the University of Colorado in 1983 and then served in manufacturing programs at TRW, ITT Corp., 1lamilLOn Standard, United Technologies Corp and ultimately Bose Corp., from which he retired in 2006 He enjoyed baseball, reading, woodworking, classic and modern cars and model railroads Survivors include his wife, Catherine; twosons and one daughter.

LEE K. GORDON '66 of Newport Beach, California, died June 20, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in philosophyand was a member of Sigma Chi. He also studied philosophy at the UniversityofWestern Ontario in Canada. Heenjoyed planes and boats Survivors include his wife, Dr Elaine Clough

RICHARO w. "RICK" SCHROEDER '67 of Greendale, Wisconsin, died Dec. 25. 2019. At Ripon, he majored in economics and his10ry and participated in ROTC and Delta Upsilon He earned an MBA from Marqueue University He served as a tank unit commander in the U.S Army with the 32nd Annor Regiment, Fort Knox, Kentucky. He worked in financial planning mostof hiscareer. He wasactivelyinvolved ,vith the Shorewood High.School Alumni Association and enjoyed history, German language andcultural activities, the outdoors, fishing, archery, hunting and his dogs. Survivors include his wife, Teri Clapper; one son, one daughter, one stepson and one stepdaughter.

FRANK M WHEELER '67 of Traverse City, Michigan, died Aug. 14, 2019. ALRipon. he majored in history and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon He received an MBA in finance from \Vestcrn Michigan University He worked in business financein Chicago,Illinois, Milwaukee and Madison, \Visconsin, Juneau, Alaska, and Traverse City He enjoyed traveling, cross country skiing. biking, and boating, water skiing and relaxing at a cottage in northern \.Visconsin. He was a deacon in the Presbyterian church and a volunteer patiem escon at Munson Medical Center I-le was active in the Parkinson's Support Group, served on the Parkinsons Network North Boardof Directorsand the Munson Volunteer Board. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; and two sons.

HARVEYB. FULLER IV '68 of Tnttnbull, Connecticut, died Aug. 23, 2018. At Ripon, he majored in English and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and PhiSigma Iota, the highest academic honor in the field of foreign languages.

DIANN WATERBURY GRAEBER '68 of Bonita Springs, Florida, died Oct. 17. 2019. At Ripon, she majored in Englishandwasa memberofAlpha Phi.Shewasan educator, manager, advocate, supporter and volunteer. She lived for many years in Connecticut Survivors include her husband,

CHARLES w.GRAEBER '68; and LWOsons

JAMES J. MURFEY '70 of Aiken. South Carolina, died July 25,20.19 At Ripon, hestudied historyand wasa member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon He received his MBA from Cleveland StateUniversit)' Heworked at Pickands Matlierand Cleveland Cliffs,was a longtime member ofKirt.land CountryCluband Tavern Club, and served as president of the board of trustees of Red Oak Camp for many ye.,rs In 2005, he moved to a horse farm in New Hampshire, thentoAikenfiveyearsago. He enjoyed golf,shootingand helping with computer problems Sun•ivors include his v.1fe,Janet; oneson andone daughter

SPENCER C.PETERSON '70 of Eden Prairie,Minnesota. died Oct 25,20.19 AtRipon, he

and drama and was a member of Phi Kappa Pi. He was a renowned local performer and guitarist, both individually and with the JR Spencer Band He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team Surviving are his partner, Lucy Stringer; and four children.

JAMES s.KLOOSTERBOER 72 of Fennimore, Wisconsin, died Nov. 7, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in economics, played on the tennis team and was a member of Sigma Chi. He received master's degrees in economics and finance from the UniversityofWisconsin-Oshkosh. Heworked forseveral banks, including as chief credit officer of Prosperan Bank. Sun1vors include his wife, Laura Kloosterboer; one brother, THOMAS B KLOOSTERBOER '77

KENNETH H. MAGRATH73 of Richmond, Virginia, died Dec 15,2018.AtRipon, he majored in psychology and patticipmed in studentgovernment,athletics and Delta Upsilon He earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Syracuse University. He lived in Ridgefield and Nonvalk,Connecticut, before m0\1ng to Virginia to be close to family. Survivors include his wife, JULIE FENWICKMAGRATH '73; oneson and one daughter.

JAMES B. THOMPSON '73 of Salem, Oregon, died Oct. 27, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in art and was a member of Parallax He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis He taughtat Washingt0n University, as an instruct0r of att at Ripon College and at the University of Alaska. He worked in the art department of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, from 1986 until his death, as a professor of art and curator. As an anist, he was known primarily as a painter and printmaker, and later a kiln-formed glass artist His work is shown in exhibits throughout the world and is included in many privateand universitycollections.Survivors include his wife, MARTHA CLAPP THOMPSON'83; and one son.

STEVAND ZIMMER '73 of Minnetonka, Minnesota,died Feb. 1, 2017.At Ripon, he majored in psychologyand panicipated in swimming and Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis in 1981. Survivors include his mother, Marjorie Zimmer; two sons and one daughter

JEFFREY ROBERT MARTIN '74 of Delafield, Wisconsin, died July l3, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in economicsand history and was a member of Phi Kappa Pi He had a long career in sales. When his children were young, he coached youth soccer and basketball and timed at high school track meets. He enjoyed cooking, tending his rose garden and puttingon FourthofJuly fireworksdisplays.Survivorsinclude his wife, MARY BINZEL MARTIN '75; two sons and one daughter; asister,JANEMARTINFOX '81;and a sister-in-law, KATHLEEN GIBSON MARTIN '78.

MARYMUNR0'74ofEvanston, Illinois, died Dec IO, 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; twosons and one daughter.

AMYECKER REISDORF '92 of Waunakee, Wisconsin, died Aug. 22, 2019. At Ripon, she majored in economics and French panicipacedin student government and athletics and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega She had a successful career in financialservices andenjoyed midget auto racing, UWathletics and travel. Survivors include one son;and her father, Bill Ecker.

LISAM.KRAUS'98 of Fonddu Lac, Wisconsin, died Dec .3, 2019. At Ripon,she majored in global studiesand Spanishand played volleyball. She wasa billingspecialist withSpectrum. She loved water, the ocean andbeingon the lake.Sheenjoyed musicand going 10 concetts,dancing, Salvador Dali,watching moviesand watchingsports, especially the Packers, Brewers, Lakersand Bucks.Survivorsinclude her father, Roben Kraus.

FACULTY AND STAFF

Former Ripon College President FREDERICK0 "FRED" PINKHAM of Holland,Michigan,died Nm, 26,2019 He was RiponColleges eighth president from 1955 to 1965, and one of the youngest college presidents in the nation at age34

He served in the U.S. Army from [942-1945 l le graduaied from Kalamazoo College and earned a master's degree and doctorate in education from Stanford University. He also received honorary doctorates from Lawrence University, KalamazooCollegeand RiponCollege. At Ripon, he oversaw the building of several facilities, including Farr Hall, S.N. Pickard CommonsandKemper Computer Center, which was first built as a medical facility. He grew the enrollment and endowment, substantially raised facultysalaries,and helped found Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM). I-le went on to work in the areasof highereducation accreditation and on population and humanitarian issues

He was president and CEO of the Populmion Crisis Committee and washired by President Gerald Ford as assistant administrator for ,he U.S. Agency for lntemational Development (USAID). Pinkham and h.is wife, Helen, traveled all over the world assistingdevelopingcountries promote progmms in primary health care, population and family planning. Later, he was involved with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, recommending grants for funding projects in numerous fields. Survivors include twosons and one daughter

MARY BEAUMONT of Kansasville, Wisconsin, died June 11, 2019. She 1,vasan instructorof mathematicsat Ripon College from 1959-63. She graduated from Beloit College and completed her graduate degree and post-graduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison She also taught at CatToll College, Port Huron 1-iigh School in Michigan and Burlington HighSchool in11\risconsin Sheenjoyedgenealogy, reading and gardening

EVELYN A GIESE of Van Dyne, Wisconsin, died Dec 22, 2019. She most recentlyworked as a server in the RiponCollegeCommons.Previously,she wasa bookkeeper for the family-owned Van Dyne Bowling Alley for 30 years;a

prison guard for Taycheedah Correctional Institute; in sales fo, Fuller Brush Cleaning Products and Tupperware; and a housekeeperat the Green LakeConference Center.She wasa member of St.Catherine ofSiena Catholic Churchin Ripon She enjoyed fishing, polka dancing, the Brewers, crocheting and working,vith the Junior Bowling League in Van Dyne. Survivors include two daughters.

IONE "ONIE" RADKE HOEHNE-HARRIS of Niagara,WtSConsin, died Dec.18,2019. Shewasa secretaryin theOfficeoftheDean of Students for 29 years until retiring in 1987 Shegraduated from businesscollege in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and worked as secretary 10 the president of Oshkosh TeachersCollege, now the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She enjoyed nature, animals, classical music and reading. Sun-ivors include 1.wo sons and twodaughters, SUZANNE HOEHNE KILLIAN '75, THEODORE HOEHNE '77, VICKI HOEHNE MATHIAS '77 and THOMAS HOEHNE '83; and a daughter-in-law, KAREN STOCKDALE HOEHNE 78.

mMABEL "MAE" LEHMAN of Ripon, Wtsconsrn cited Sept 12, 2019. She formerly worked as a secretary, PBX switchboard operawr and m the mnneograph depanment at RiponCollege She wasa member ofOur Savtours Uruted Church of Christ in Ripon, a lifetime member of the Ripon VfV,,1Auxiliary, Post 5278,anda member oftheAuxiliary at Ripon Medical Center She enjoyed walking, roller skating, bowlinganddancing Son-ivorsinclude herhusband, Arland; , one son and one daughter.

ANNA SHERWOOD, a housekeeper at Ripon College since 2018, died Sept. 19, 2019. She was a lifetime member of Our Saviours United Church of Christ of Ripon, where she hadserved as an usher and Sunday school superintendent. She also was a Boy Scout leader, mentor for Green Lake County Social Servicesand a member of the Nepeuskun Anti-Horse ThievesAssociation.

JOHN H "JACK" STEINBRING, adjunct scholar to the department of Sociology and Anthropology from 1998 until his death,died Nov. l9, 2019 I le earned his Ph.D from the University of Minnesota in 1975. 1-Je served in the U.S Army and was an archaeologisLfor Lhe University of Winnipeg from 1963-1990 Hewasa member of the Ripon HistoricalSociety, Princeton Historical Society, Wisconsin Archaeological Society,Mid-American Geographic Foundation and Manitoba Histmical Society He wrote seveml books on Manitoba rock art archaeology of the Winnipeg River and petroforms of central Canada. I le wasa member ofGrace Lutheran Church in Ripon. I-le enjoyed photography, rock art field recording, anifact restorations and historicarchitecture. Survivorsinclude four sons and one daughter.

RALPH L. WICKSTROM of Ripon, Wisconsin, professorofphysicaleducation eme1ittts, died Dec. 13, 2019. Heserved in the Navy Air Corpduring World War II, received a bachelor's degree from Morningside College and master's and Ph.D. degrees in physical education from the University of Iowa. I-le taught at three Midwestern universities before coming to Ripon In l 961, he was appointed as a professor of physical education and athletic director at Ripon and remained at the College until his retirement in 1990. After retirement, he began conveningscrap metal into sculptures and objects of beauty. He madeabout 350 works, and many have beenfeatured insix Wisconsin galleries and numerous private collections. Survivors include hiswife.Jo Wickstrom: and twodaughters.

Ripon College in the news

• Tara LaChapell '92, former executive director of informational technology, was part of the panel "Women in Leadership: Driving a Culture of lnclusivity" June 25, 2019, at the ACUH0-1 2019 Conference & Expo in Toronto, Canada. It wasannounced on finance.yahoo.com

• Ripon College was cited in stories about test optional schools. "Marquette joins more than 1,000 schools in making ACT,SATscores optional for admission" was published June 18, 2019, in theMilwaukeeJournal Sentinel "More Wisconsin colleges dropping ACT/SATrequirement" ranJune 24, 2019, in the w;sconsin StateJournal.

• A state task force hearing on suicide prevention, held at Ripon College in June. was referenced in anarticleJune 26,2019,on current.erg:"Milwaukee PBS teams up with newspaper chain to help communities address teen suicide.·

• Numerous newspapers throughout Wisconsin reported the attendance of theirlocal students at the 78th year of Badger Boys State, heldin June at Ripon College.

• Brett Barwick, associate professorof physics and the Harrison E. Farnsworth 1918 Chair in Physics, is co-author of an article about ultrafast election vortex beams published in Nature Materials in July 2019 Barwick, along with other physicists havebeenableto create thesebeams which have significant implications for fundamental physics, quantum computing,future data storage, andeven certain medical treatments, according to EPFL, a science and technology institution in Lausanne, Switzerland

• An opinion piece by Brian Smith, professor of religion and the Van Zoeren Family Chair in Religion, Ethics and Values, was published July 28, 2019, in the Cap Times on Madison.com It addressed people of different faiths protesting current immigration practices

• ChadHendee'97 ofOxford,Wisconsin, waselected a Marquette County judgein April 2019 and took hisseat Aug.l He wasfeatured Aug.l, 2019, in the Portage Doily Register newspaper.The articlealso mentioned Columbia County Circuit Court Judge W.AndrewVoigt '97 andtheir mutual attendance at Ripon College.

• "Virtually Irreplaceable: Cash as Public Infrastructure;' byVisiting Professorof Anthropology Ursula Dalinghaus, waspublished byCashMatters, a movement by the International Currency Association(ICA). Dalinghaus also is an affiliated scholar at the Institute for Money, Technology and Financial Inclusion at the University of California. She makes the case that cash is a public good, examining its role in society andthe characteristics that make it a public good, citing relevant studies, scholars and field experiments

• Ripon College's Catalyst curriculum was featured in Insight magazine's August issue focusing on educational innovation

• FormerRipon Collegefootball coach BobNielson and hiscurrent program at the University of South Dakota were featured in an article Aug. S, 2019, in the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan newspaper. Nielson spent twoyears,from19891991.at Ripon Collegeasassociateprofessorof physicaleducation and head football coach. His 38-year career in college football includes time at six schools, two NCAA DivisionII national titles and three national coach of the year honors.

• AlexRoyzen'08 of Lindenhurst, Illinois,wasfeatured in thecover storyaboutOpticsPlanet, "Focusing on the Details," in the August issue of Boss Magaz;ne. Royzenis director of supply chain management for OpticsPlanet's parent company, Ecentria.

• Helen Gerrels Stoddard, an early student at Ripon College duringthe late1860sor early1870s, was featured in the Gainesville Doily Reg;ster newspaperin TexasSept.11,2019 Stoddard became a leader in Texas, was an early professor and pursued causes including child welfare, women's education, food safety, prohibition of alcohol and women's suffrage

• Ronald Bolding '71 of Claremont, California, was featured Oct. 22, 2019, on mcknightseniorliving. com for being named CEO of Pilgrim Place, a continuing care retirement community. At Ripon College, he studied economics and history.

• Ripon's new Local Commitment Award was featured on several print and broadcast media around the state, including FOX ll News on Oct. l The pilot program offers a $36,000 incentive to come to Ripon College for graduating seniors from high schools in the fourcounties surrounding Ripon College: Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Green Lake and Dodge

• The book RepubUcon Populist: SpiraAgnewand the Origins of Dono/dTrump'sAmerica,co-written by President Zach Messitte, wasreleased Oct 18, 2019, by the University of Virginia Press. Articles related to thepublication and its topic ranin news outlets acrossthe country. Messitte made several media appearances, including the Yahoo News Podcast Skullduggery on Nov.18and C-SPAN3's "American History TV" program on Nov 23 and subsequent airings, as well as on the C-SPAN website The book also was reviewed Nov 18 in The Washington Times.

Liberal arts opened up the world for coaching legend Dick Bennett '65

Having the opportunity co be a first generation student has meant more to him as he gets older. "I really wanted co go to college," Bennett says. "I went there as an athlete because 1 knew 1 wanted LO coach basketball. But I was recruited to play football and baseball by John Storzer and (Kermit) 'Doc' Weiske '50 - who are still two of my heroes. My athletic dreams overshadowed my educational dreams, but it didn't take long for me to

really appreciate the liberal arts approach. It enabled me to study literature and associated kinds of courses, and it opened up a whole new area in life for me "

Dick Bennett '65 of Nekoosa, Wisconsin, was a first-generation student and a star student-athlete at Ripon College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education. He played four years each in basketball (guard), football (halfback, returner) and baseball (third baseman)

As a coach, he built the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball program into a powerful program and revitalized the University of Wisconsin Badgers basketball program, guiding Wisconsin LO the Final Four in 2000 - a first for the school in more than 50 years He amassed an overall coaching record of 489-307.

He says he fell in love with his courses in literature and drama at Ripon. "I got to . sample the real liberal ans strength of the College," he says "It opened my eyes to a whole other kind of education, and that has stayed with me. I still love to read all the time."

After Ripon, lie earned a master's degree in education from UW-Stevens Point and a teaching certificate in English. Before turning to full-time coaching, he taught physical education for rwo years and literature for nine years.

Bennett says two of his brothers attended public universities. He and his brother, John "Jack" Bennett '71, both attended Ripon They have discussed the differences in their education and Bennett says, "T still think my brother, Jack, and I did the right thing in coming to Ripon!"

Bennett's coaching legacy continues through two of his children. His son, Tony Bennett, is head coach of the University of Virginia's Cavaliers men's basketball team, which won the NCAA Div. 1 National Championship in 2019 His daughter, Kathi Bennett; served as head women's basketball coach at Marycrest College; UW-Oshkosh, where her team won the 1996 National Championship and she was named Coach of the Year; University of Evansville; Indiana University; and Northern Illinois University She served as an assistant coach at UW-Madison and is currently in an assistant position at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin.