Ripon Magazine Summer 2018

MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018

Lifting our

voices

Launching the Class of 2018

Bringing home the memory of Willy Lyons ’62

Housekeepers: Red Hawks fans extraordinaire!

Summer 2018 VOLUME 51, ISSUE No. 2

RIPON COLLEGE SOCIAL NETWORKS facebook.com/ripon.college flickr.com/photos/ripon_college instagram.com/riponcollege linkedin.com/company/ripon-college twitter.com/riponcollege vimeo.com/riponcollege youtube.com/riponcollegevideo

ripon.edu

Ripon Magazine (ISSN 1058-1855) is published twice annually by Ripon College. Postage paid at Ripon, Wisconsin. Copyright © 2018 Ripon College POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ripon Magazine, 300 W. Seward St., Ripon, WI 54971

Ripon College prepares students

Editor: Jaye Alderson, email: aldersonj@ripon.edu, phone: 920-748-8364 Editorial Assistants: Melissa Anderson ’02, Loren Boone, Ric Damm and Mike Westemeier Student Assistants: Lauren Hince ’18, Nhi Le ’21, Dakota Marlega ’21, Marshall Sohr ’18 Design: Ali Klunick Photography: Ric Damm, Jim Koepnick Office of Constituent Engagement: 920-748-8126

citizenship. Our liberal arts

of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible and sciences curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education.

Inside 4

COMMENCEMENT With a Commencement theme of “Civil Discourse and Dialogue,” the Class of 2018 is urged to be respectful of all points of view.

10 CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT A remodeled and restructured Center for Career and Professional Development is using a unique approach to build stronger relationships with students and employers to ensure graduates thrive.

15 LIFTING OUR VOICES Ripon College encourages our faculty, staff, students and alumni to be engaged in the world and help make a better, more just society. See how many in our Ripon family are taking active roles in addressing the needs of their fellow global citizens.

26 ALUMNI SIGHTINGS Alumni share their photos of what is going on in their lives — at home and around the world.

44 EXAMINING ‘FREEDOM OF SPEECH’ What does the First Amendment really mean? Associate Professor of Communication Steve Martin ’96 is developing a new course that will examine what the First Amendment protects — and what it doesn’t.

DEPARTMENTS : 32 Sports 34 Around the Clocktower 39 Obituaries 45 Remarkable Ripon ON THE COVER: Members of the Ripon College

community are picking up the bullhorn to make positive impacts on societies near and far.

PHOTO: A crowd of family, friends and members of the Ripon College family gathered to welcome the College’s newest graduates at Commencement May 13, 2018.

Photo by Ric Damm.

PRESIDENT

The Glue that Holds Us Together

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n 1996, I was winging around the country with Judy Woodruff — then of CNN, now of the PBS NewsHour and Ripon College’s Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient in 2018.

As her researcher, I helped her cover the U.S. presidential elections that year between the incumbent president Bill Clinton and the challenger, Bob Dole. I did lots of interviews with average voters in places like Iowa, New Hampshire and Louisiana. In the rearview mirror, now 22 years later, it seemed like a kinder, gentler time where people could, at least generally speaking, agree to disagree without being too disagreeable.

Among the many things I learned that election year was that the United States remained a wonderfully vast and diverse country with many different perspectives and beliefs about the American ideal. In some ways, it’s that ambiguity that is part of the glue that holds the country together.

You have your idea of what it means to be an American, and I have mine; I’ll respect your opinion of what it means to love your country if, in turn, you respect mine. We don’t necessarily have to agree, but we do need to have a place for civil discourse because, as Theodore Roosevelt said, “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”

The Ripon College alumni and friends you read about in this issue are not presidents or senators, but they are working in their own ways to make our country a more perfect union. Collectively, their actions are helping to define the American experience.

Associate Professor of Communication Steve Martin ’96 will be teaching Ripon College students about the importance of the First Amendment to the Constitution in a special class that unpacks what it means that “Congress shall make no law respecting 2

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an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Lamont Colucci, associate professor of politics and government, and Kenneth Kaliher ’67, who lived in South Korea for decades and served on the staff of a fourstar Army general, illuminate us as experts on critical events happening on the Korean peninsula.

Sara Spafford Freeman ’99 is running for office in Minnesota and telling her story as a sexual assault survivor on a platform that highlights the need for more awareness against sexual harassment and misconduct in politics. Erin Bavery ’11 dives more deeply by working with teen suicide prevention. And in our Remarkable Ripon feature, we revisit the work of Harold Engel, Class of 1925, who worked in the early days of radio, bringing educational and political debates to the public.

Finally, we have a follow-up story on Willy Lyons ’62, a brave Ripon alumnus who was killed while serving in Vietnam, and how the College family recently stepped up to provide stories to the son who never knew him.

We are all better off because of the work, insight and sacrifice of all of these dedicated people. And because we live in a country where civil discourse is cherished, we keep on speaking to each other and trying to find common ground in the hope that we will continue to progress as a nation for the sake of our children, our grandchildren and the future generations of Ripon students.

ZACH P. MESSITTE, PRESIDENT

FROM THE RIPON ARCHIVES

Ripon College’s first graduates were all women — a rarity In the spring of 1867 — a time when about 15 percent of higher education degrees conferred in the United States went to females — Ripon College graduated its first class of students, all four of whom were women.

LUTHERA HARRIET ADAMS of Omro, Wisconsin, studied in the classical course. It took seven years to complete her degree because her attendance was frequently interrupted by teaching school in Waupun and Omro to earn funds with which to continue. She taught Greek and mathematics at Ripon College from 1867-76.

She then cared for her widowed father at the family home in Omro and privately coached and taught students who were preparing for college. She was a frequent visitor at Ripon College Commencements and lived to be the oldest alumnus of the College at that time. She died Feb. 14, 1929, at the age of 87.

HARRIET HEMANS BROWN of Lamartine, Wisconsin, studied in the scientific course. She taught in Rosendale, Wisconsin, in 1868 and in Baraboo, Wisconsin, from 1872-76. She then took care of her parents and occupied herself with painting. She died in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Sept. 7, 1893, of heart disease.

MARY FRANCES SPENCER of Poy Sippi, Wisconsin, studied in the scientific course. She married the Rev. Carmi Chandler Thayer on Oct. 8, 1867. They served as missionaries in Aintab and Antioch, Turkey, from 186873; then resided in Greenwich, Massachusetts; Poy Sippi, Wisconsin; Maywood, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Clifton Springs, New York. She was engaged in literary and missionary work.

SUSAN ANN WRIGHT SALISBURY of Metomen, Wisconsin, completed her preparation for college in the classes preceding regular college work at Ripon, where she then studied in the scientific course.

She taught at Ripon College in 1867; in New York City in 1868; and in Oconomowoc in 1869.

She died Oct. 18, 1871, after being lost overboard from the steamer W. P. Clyde while traveling from New York to Washington, D.C.

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COMMENCEMENT 2018

‘Civil Discourse and Dialogue’

JUDY WOODRUFF In the midst of turbulent and contentious times, the Class of 2018 was urged to be respectful of all points of view and to always listen to others to forge a path forward.

Ripon College held its 152nd Commencement ceremony Sunday, May 13, 2018. Honorees were Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, who received an honorary degree and delivered the Commencement address; Rep. Joan Ballweg, who represents Wisconsin’s 41st district in the State Assembly, who received an honorary degree and Ripon College’s 2018 Founders’ Day Award; and Dr. Richard Zimman, retired superintendent of the Ripon Area School District, who received the Distinguished Educator Award.

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graduates to share their service, wisdom and talent with the world, and to “create space for crucial conversations.”

opportunities in your life to give a hand to others who have not had the opportunities you had.”

Ballweg spoke of the importance of compromise in bridging the gaps between differences of opinion.

She added, “You have to agree to disagree or you can’t get to any kind of compromise.

Hold your strong beliefs and principles, but recognize that others have a different set of views. … As a society, we have to have agreed-upon rules, and we’ve got to find some common ground. We need to do a better job of listening to each other.”

Zimman said common ground among differing factions can be found by establishing a basic set of facts on which they can all agree and examine the pros and cons from each side of various issues.

“If we can build that foundation, we can begin the discussion” he said.

Woodruff said the graduates now have the responsibility to give back to society, bearing in mind the need for civil discourse and the importance of truth. “Take the good lessons you learned here and commit to yourself that you will live those values in your own lives,” she said. “Find

She told the graduates not to be afraid to fail. “No matter what disappointments you suffer, be disappointed for a moment but keep going. Try again and again.”

A video of the entire Commencement ceremony and speeches can be viewed at ripon.edu/springcommencement18.

A video of the Sunday morning Senior Brunch and Forum with the honored guests can be viewed at ripon.edu/ springbrunch18.

“TAKE THE GOOD LESSONS YOU LEARNED HERE AND COMMIT TO

REP. JOAN BALLWEG, R-41

YOURSELF THAT YOU WILL LIVE THOSE VALUES IN YOUR OWN LIVES. FIND OPPORTUNITIES IN YOUR LIFE TO GIVE A HAND TO OTHERS WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITIES YOU HAD.”

JUDY WOODRUFF

JUST THE STATS

• Top majors:

Business Management Psychology Exercise Science English Economics Biology Politics and Government

• Double majors: 45 • Triple majors: 2 • Phi Beta Kappa: 16 • Summa Cum Laude (highest distinction): 10 • Magna Cum Laude (great distinction): 26 • Cum Laude (distinction): 29 • Senior Class Gift: $2,832.62; 72 percent participation

DR. RICHARD ZIMMAN

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COMMENCEMENT 2018

2018 graduates prepared to carry passions beyond Ripon Students at Ripon College have opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in their chosen areas of study, while also expanding their horizons to new areas of interest, service to the wider world around them and engaging possibilities they never could have imagined. Our recent graduates are following their passions and moving on to exciting new careers and graduate programs. Here are a few of them.

JOSH SCHUBRING Development manager at Green Lake Association in Green Lake, Wisconsin “While at Ripon College, I was able to start a Ducks Unlimited chapter.

Since then, I have developed a passion for nonprofit environmental work. I look forward to bringing that passion to the Green Lake Association.”

EL MUELLER Sales account representative at Schneider transportation company in Green Bay, Wisconsin “The work environment is teamoriented and fast-paced,whichwill allow me to use the teamwork skills I’ve gained from the basketball court. Also, it will allow me to use my interpersonal skills with clients, coworkers and other associates at Schneider. Schneider has an awesome presence in the Green Bay community and gives back.

Joining a socially responsible company was a motivating factor during my job search.”

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ROSE HOGMIRE Market analyst for Stage Three, a start-up partnered with Microsoft and the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin “I will analyze market activityin the supply chain and healthcare industries and aid start-ups and large companies in disrupting these industries with innovative products and services. I’m excited to brainstorm with industry professionals on how to solve huge problems.

“I would like to get my MBA and either lobby on behalf of a healthcare company or direct their government relations. Working in creative product design now allows me to understand from the bottom up how a company’s vision influences the changes they would like to see in the industry.”

CEANNA CAELWAERTS Attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a master’s degree in social work “I have been dreaming of going on to graduate school for a more than a year now, and I am thankful for the opportunity! I cannot wait to learn more about social work and how I can help others so I can follow my dreams of helping those in need!

“Throughout my three years of intern experience at Crossroads Academy, I encountered many students who were in need of help that I and other mentors provide. I have seen students come into Crossroads dealing with their own battles and demons and have witnessed them come out stronger and braver than they ever were before — not to mention with their high school diploma under their belt! I have seen several students graduate and have witnessed the impact that mentors can have on at-risk high school students, which inspired me to pursue a career where I can continue to do just that — help those at-risk students in need!”

NICHOLAS “NICK” HENNING Engineer officer and second lieutenant in the United States Army “I will be serving on active duty as an officer in the Army’s Engineer Corps, where I will be responsible for 30-45 soldiers. I could be building bridges and other infrastructure or serving as a combat engineer. Being in the Army has always been a dream of mine, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to be able to do so.”

EMMA MCDONALD Attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a degree as a doctor of physical therapy “I’m excited to move to Madison andpursuemydreamofbecoming aphysicaltherapist.Iwanttoworkin physical therapybecause I want to treat people who are recovering from surgeries, injuries and chronic pain to improve their long-term health.”

LAUREN HINCE Inbound sales representative for Groupon in Chicago, Illinois “I grew up using Groupon with my family. We love Groupon so much we even gave them as Christmas gifts. When it came time for my job search, I knew I wanted to work for a company where I am passionate about the work. I am so excited to be working for such a cutting-edge and innovative business.”

LEAH BLAZKOVEC Rehab assistant at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, while applying for occupational therapy school “With this job opportunity, I will be assisting occupational and physical therapists. This job is a perfect steppingstone for where I want to end up in five years working as an occupational therapist.”

EMMA ALLEN Attending Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, to study chronic disease with a concentration in global health “This program allows me to combine my passions for social reform and healthcare in a cohesive, productive manner. I’m passionate about rectifying the disparities in refugee and female reproductive healthcare. I plan on either attending medical school or additional graduate school for epidemiology following the completion of my master’s degree.”

DAVID KNAPP Attending Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., with an emphasis in international law “ I a m exc i t e d a b o u t t h e opportunityto be part of solutions to global problems by enhancing the United States’ position in the world. I want to do all I can to advance the United States as a global force for good. I am also excited about being able to serve my country in a meaningful way.”

JAKE BAUS Attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a degree as a doctor of physical therapy “I am excited to experience a new city and to begin the path toward my future career. I am pursuing my DPT because I think it is the best opportunity for me to use my skills to improve the lives of others. I’ve always enjoyed helping people, and physical therapists have a unique influence on their patients through recovery that I think is extremely gratifying.”

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Commencement 2018 in photos

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1. Lawn seats on the hill are a favorite for the outdoor ceremony.

2. Sara Ertel of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, shares a smile upon noticing the camera.

3. Todd Behrens and LarryMiller, professor of education emeritus, like many spectators, brought their own chairs.

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4. The graduates rise, ready to receive their charge from President Zach Messitte.

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5. ROTC cadets present the colors. From left are Aubreigh Zimmerman ’19, Nathan Faucett ’19, Justin Lafleur ’19 and Austin Heiselmann ’19.

6. Senior Class Gift Officers present the senior class gift — $2,852.62 to President Messitte. From left are Lauren Hince, El Mueller, Corey Beecher,Avery Herbon, Sophie Widman and Kat Kulas.

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7. Decorated mortar boards — once the exception — now are commonplace.

8. Registrar Michele Wittler ’76 hands a diploma to President Messitte.

9. AdriannaAnding of Marshall, Wisconsin, waits behind reflective shades.

10. Kat Kulas of Appleton, Wisconsin, is all smiles after the ceremony as she hugs a family member.

11. Daniel Zipperer of Necedah, Wisconsin, give the thumbs-up to friends and family.

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12. President Messitte and Commencement speaker Judy Woodruff during the Senior Brunch and Forum.

13. This enterprising young couple set up a hammock between two trees to enjoy the ceremony.

14. Richard Zimman, recipient of the Distinguished Educator Award.

15. Rep. Joan Ballweg, recipient of an honorary degree and the 2018 Founders’ Day Award.

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16. Judy Woodruff, honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker, enjoys her new Rally the Red Hawk plush doll.

17. Mollie Carlson of South Elgin, Illinois, poses for a selfie with her father, Ken Carlson.

18. Professor of Theatre Bob Amsden and Sophie Widman of Boulder Creek, California, share a laugh.

19. Faculty Marshal and Professor of Religion Brian Smith leads the faculty processional.

20. David Firari of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, addresses his classmates as senior class speaker.

21. Senior members of the Choral Union and Chamber Singers underthe direction ofAssistant Professor of Music John Hughes sing the Alma Mater at the conclusion of the ceremony.

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CATALYST T H E

F I R S T

Y E A R

Wooing Gen Z into career planning is not for the faint of heart

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SMOOTH JAZZ, MOOD LIGHTING, THE SCENT OF LAVENDER, A VISIT FROM MVP QUARTERBACK AARON RODGERS ...

A PERFECT DATE, YOU SAY?

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ipon College’s Career and Professional Development staff are counting on it. Since taking over two years ago as assistant dean of career and professional development, Lindsay Blumer and Assistant Director Sara Hathaway have been pulling out all the feels to ensure the relationship between their office and Ripon students is as stimulating and fruitful as possible.

“Visibility, integration and credibility is essential to helping students and parents understand that a liberal arts college is compatible with getting a career,” Blumer explains. A newly remodeled Center for Career and Professional Development on the first floor of S.N. Pickard Commons, which opened in summer 2017, has helped the office gain attention. Big front windows invite students and visitors into an engaging, collaborative and innovative space constantly in use. On any given day, passersby can witness the energy of students gathered on couches or working in groups in the open collaborative space, some while hugging comfortable pillows that encourage them to work hard and dream big.

Students can practice for interviews at the center with computerized simulations and conduct real interviews via video conferencing.

The new Center for Career and Professional Development surrounds students with support and encouragement.

Intentionally situated on the path to the dining hall and popular spots like student activities and the campus Starbucks, center staff have been known to use a variety of clever gimmicks (i.e. dressedup mannequins, Ripon swag, a themed Rally the Red Hawk) to stop students in their tracks, pull them in and make what could be an intimidating experience for many much less so.

Center logs show more than 500 students visited the new space in the first semester just to hang out and study. In addition, a steady volume of students are reserving the two digital media rooms for Skype interviews and making appointments to seek career advice, résumé and professional portfolio help, and everything in between.

“Everybody knows where career and professional development is located, they have credibility and have a relied-upon menu of activities and programs,” says Vice President and Dean of Faculty Ed Wingenbach.

One-hundred percent of student visitors who were surveyed by staff indicated they felt better after stopping in and would recommend the center to their friends.

Khun Maung ’19 of Myanmar and Ermias Woldu ’19 of Ethiopia check out online resources at the Center for Career and Professional Development.

Payton Blessing ’19 of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, embraces some encouragement.

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CATALYST T H E

F I R S T

Y E A R

“There is a lot of support and love built into our relationship with students — that’s what Ripon is known for,” Blumer says. “We can use that in the same way to help students get ready for life after Ripon. We want to help each and every student tell their Ripon story strongly. By the end of senior year, we want students to be ready to let go of the pillows and embrace the world.”

To better understand the inner workings of this courtship, you have to dig deeply into the motivation of current Ripon College students born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s, otherwise known as Generation Z or Gen Z. In their book Generation Z Goes to College, Corey Seemiller and Meghan Grace (2016) demonstrate that Gen Z is bringing a whole new set of expectations and attitudes to the college campus from the previous Millennial generation. With the average Gen Z’er multitasking at times “across five devices at a time,” it is essential to find ways of gaining and keeping their attention. The global brand and retail consultancy Fitch found in a retail study that touch, contrast and color are important parts of the transactional relationship for Gen Z’ers and that music is critical for drawing foot traffic.

“Gen Z has unique learning styles and attitudes about careerreadiness,” Blumer says. “Our space evolves to meet each generation’s needs. When it comes to Gen Z, we incorporate smart technology in each room so students can surf the internet, prepare for online interviews and listen to live streaming — sometimes all at the same time. We also have changing scents, hotspots which feature moveable work stations and daily music selections that provide ambient noise to encourage conversation. Gen Z are multisensory learners, and our goal is to stimulate all five senses so they can focus when it comes to career-readiness.”

Cutting through the noise and getting to know the students early on helps the team identify abilities, core values and career-ready strengths. This helps them know with whom they are working and how best to personalize each student’s experience with the office throughout their four years on campus.

Mollie Carlson ’18 of Elgin, Illinois, and Payton Blessing ’19 share resources.

company tours help students develop critical career-ready skills in how to work a business lunch, network with employers, shake hands and learn what key terms mean from experts.

“Gone are the days where employers don’t know Ripon College or where we are located,” Blumer says. “We are building relationships with employers and graduate schools and demonstrating the success of our process and the career-readiness of our students.

They are taking notice.”

After meeting with students at one of several center-sponsored events, recruiters like Alliance Laundry Systems, Target, Kohler, Milwaukee Bucks and Green Bay Packers are following up to request student résumés and asking when they can return to campus. Staff, in turn, are asking employers to hold an internship for Ripon students — a practice Blumer hopes will evolve into much, much more.

“Being career-ready means to us that our students have every opportunity to practice skills learned in- and out of class,” she says.

“We need to start thinking about how we can support our students in internships and how we can help them afford to take advantage of these opportunities. It is not unfathomable that we could have employers holding internships and even employment spots for Ripon College students.”

Every student connects with the office as part of his or her firstyear Catalyst courses and again in sophomore and junior years.

“A lot of what we do is analyze our students and take in as much information about the market, employer trends, what we’re seeing in entrepreneurial trends, compensation and more, so we can show them what employers are looking for,” Blumer explains.

Wingenbach says the focus is to make sure the College is consistent and gets to every student in a formal way. “We are at 100 percent all four years,” he says.

Unique co-curricular experiences developed by the center, like “What the Fork?,” 45-minute “Lingo Lunches,” trips to major career and internship fairs and extra-curricular activities like on-site 12

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Leading up to Lambeau Field’s Internship Draft Day this fall, staff stopped by the dining hall at lunch with a gummy bear version of Aaron Rodgers in tow as they evangelized the importance of internships.

#OneDayRally giving day exceeds expectations

Members of the Ripon College community near and far came together in big numbers April 25, 2018, to support #OneDayRally — the College’s first-ever giving day. To no one’s surprise, the event was a smashing success in terms of participation and dollars raised for the the Annual Fund.

The campaign, which lasted a total of 18 hours and 51 minutes resulted in:

$666,626 raised from a total of 940 donors 165 Game Changers who helped us inspire participation and new gifts through unique challenges.

98 new donors to Ripon College.

68 lapsed donors who gave to Ripon College.

507alumni who gave to Ripon College.

292 donors who graduated in the last 10 years out of the total 940 donors.

36 current students who gave to Ripon College.

43 parents who donated to Ripon College.

58 employees (faculty and staff) who donated to Ripon College.

39 friends who donated to Ripon College.

TOP THREE CLASSES FOR TOTAL DONORS: 1978 2018 2014

48 donors 39 donors 36 donors

TOP THREE CLASSES FOR TOTAL DOLLARS RAISED: 1983 1981 1973

$113,865 $84,025 $65,800

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GIFTS AT WORK

Carol Dingman ’64 helps to change lives by financing education discover their strengths, build confidence in their abilities and skills, and empower them to make positive changes in their own lives,” says Dingman.

Joe works regularly with a local sixthgrader named Alexander. Last year, Alexander declared he would be in the top 10 of his class. At his graduation, he ranked number 10. The Dingmans have set up a graduation fund plan for Alexander to help with his pursuit of higher education.

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he life path for Carol Rummel Dingman ’64 has come full circle. As a first-generation student at Ripon College, the generous financial assistance of others allowed her to excel in her studies.

“I can safely say Ripon taught me about life and how to live it responsibly as a member of the greater community,” says Dingman. “I would not be who I am without the financial aid and opportunity I received at Ripon.”

While at Ripon, Dingman majored in chemistry and was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority where she met lifelong friends, learned to climb the water tower and developed leadership skills. Following graduation, she became increasingly aware of the world around her.

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“I learned in 1964 that when a female chemistry major applied for a lab job with a major company, they did not want to hire you if you were not married, despite the recent passage of the Civil Rights Act,” adds Dingman.

Carol and her husband, Joe, have given back to Ripon College throughout their lifetime. The Joe and Carol Dingman 1964 Family Endowed Scholarship was established in 1996 and revised in 2014, aimed specifically at first-generation, minority students.

In their home community of Farmers Branch, Texas, an inner-ring suburb of Dallas, the Dingmans mentor at-risk youths with their local Rotary Club. “The ultimate goal of mentoring is to help students

She says that any time someone can help a student get a good education, it’s a great thing. “It’s important this opportunity is offered as broadly as possible because we believe everyone has something to offer,” she says. “What more of a reward do we need? These kids’ success is our legacy and the future of our country.”

Carol also is doing her part to help level the playing field for women in politics.

In 1981, she was the first woman elected to the local City Council, shattering the historical “boy’s club” dominating her city. Since then she’s become an informal mentor to several women interested in running for office locally.“I think this coming year — again working with the younger generation — we’ll have a real chance to change things.”

DAKOTA MARLEGA ’21 WAUPACA, WISCONSIN

Lifting our voices

From North Korean relations to the #metoo movement, teen suicide and more, Ripon College faculty, staff, students and alumni are dedicating their expertise, hard work, insight and resources to positively impact the biggest social and political issues of our time.

Ripon College students take part in anti-war demonstrations and

Learn more about their efforts to make the world a better, more just place for those who live in it and those who will follow.

a Vietnam moratorium parade in 1969.

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Special commentary

North Korea: The larger picture Author’s note: This piece was written in mid-May before the June summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un of North Korea.

The world waits with great anticipation for the June 12 United States–North Korea summit in Singapore. The anticipation is primarily about the possible de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula and the methods and means that any such policy would be verified.

In foreign policy and international relations, there is always a root cause. This root cause creates the tributaries that create friction or friendship. The root cause of American and Soviet friction was not the Soviet nuclear arsenal, but imperialistic Marxist-Leninism.

However, from President Johnson onward, we’ve focused on tributary problems resulting in failed nuclear agreements that did nothing to secure the American people.

The SALT/START/INF agreements (which the current Russian state is also violating) never stopped the Soviets from engaging in ruthless actions abroad and horrific behavior at home. It is interesting to note that the same root cause exists in North Korea today, and it has nothing to do with nuclear weapons. The root cause is communist ideology interpreted by a corrupt dynasty. Remove the cause and the symptoms will expire.

People often wonder how the world could have sat by while Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s Soviet Union, Mao’s China, Castro’s Cuba or Pol Pot’s Cambodia exterminated, tortured and abused millions of people. The evils of Communism and National Socialism scarred humanity like no other evil in the history of the world. We are witnesses to this same inhuman event today. In the left-wing totalitarian nightmare that is North Korea, people are exterminated, tortured, raped, starved, abducted and forgotten. These people have been reduced to a level of barbarity not seen since the Killing

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Fields of Cambodia, the concentration camps in Poland or the gulag archipelago of the Soviet Union.

These North Korean camps have names, too, names like Kaechon, Yodok, Pukchang and Hoeryong. They should be memorized just as the world has memorized names like Auschwitz and Kolyma.

Estimates of those murdered in this North Korean democide range from 700,000 to 3.5 million over the majority of the regime’s existence. Some defectors report the use of poison gas chambers and harmful medical experiments. It is believed that Communist guards are under orders to slaughter prisoners at these camps should the North be invaded. The American people are unlikely to tolerate fair dealing with a regime that is the touchstone of evil.

Then there is the Songbun caste system, which creates an unbreakable system of slavery for all except those approved by the Communist party. It has three large categories (loyal, wavering and hostile) and 51 sub-categories. The regime uses food as a weapon, depriving those considered disloyal and rewarding those on top. Any policy restricting food shipments to North Korea will result in those that oppose the regime being starved first.

The regime also uses public executions to keep the people in line.

This policy is particularly used against religious believers, especially Christians.

How can a media that explodes over issues of perceived inequality in America or other western nations be silent perhaps acquiescent, to such a system? There is no case of discrimination or inequality in any western nation that comes close to the horrors inflicted by the communist system in North Korea against its own people.

When the news is not focused on North Korea, it is focused on Iran. The same issue of root cause exists here: Iran’s apocalyptic interpretation of Islamic jihadism. However, the media focus is always on the tributary issues.

Questions about any agreement between the United States and North Korea are many: 1. Will the agreement lead to the curtailment of human rights abuses in North Korea?

2. Will the agreement promise that the United States will not threaten the North Korean regime?

3. Will the agreement lead to trade and economic development that will bolster the regime’s power?

4. Will the agreement be based on a treaty and ultimate diplomatic recognition between the United States and North Korea?

The existence of this regime and its actions is inimical to the security and values of the United States. The illegal regime in North Korea is an abomination against both God and man. It violates the bedrock of natural law that the United States was founded on: life, liberty and property. It has wantonly attempted to destroy all of these. The regime’s days should be cataloged and numbered; the Kim dynasty should be ended, and the great powers ought to be embarrassed at how long it is taking.

LAMONT COLUCCI ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT AND CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES PROGRAM AT RIPON COLLEGE

5. Will the agreement address other Weapons of Mass Destruction such as biological, chemical, radiological or mass cyber attack?

6. Will the agreement address contraband trafficking, transshipment and facilitation by North Korea in narcotics, weapons proliferation and counterfeiting currency such as the U.S. Dollar?

7. Will the agreement end the unholy alliance between North Korea and Iran, especially concerning weapons and missile technology?

The question for the United States government and the electorate is whether or not the tradeoff of promises about nuclear weapons is worth any or all of the above concerns. It goes without saying that if there is an agreement about nuclear weapons and if at some future date, 10 days, 10 years, the agreement is violated, what is the result?

We will have given the North Koreans ample time to bolster their offensive and defensive capabilities which will only increase the pain and suffering of the North Korean people and the forces that will ultimately need to be used to stop the regime.

Dr. Colucci regularly publishes opinion pieces related to current world events in such publications as The Hill, U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Times and AMI Newswire.

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Special commentary

Thoughts on Korea by an expatriot There are some enduring truths which long have characterized North-South Korean relations and Pyongyang’s interactions with the outside world.

1. The two Koreas’ political systems and ideologies are simply and irrefutably incompatible. The South is a thriving, if sometimes boisterous, capitalist democracy; the North is a totalitarian state reputed to have the world’s worst human rights record.

The “peaceful unification” to which both sides occasionally pay lip service cannot occur between these two systems as they currently exist.

The U.S. Army sent Ken Kaliher ’67, a mathematics major and ROTC cadet, to Korea in 1969. He enjoyed his tour, returned to spend another three years in the Peace Corps and five more years with a Korean news agency. Then in 1981, he returned to the U.S. military in Seoul as a civilian analyst, helping U.S. commanders understand events and trends occurring on the Korean Peninsula. Since retiring in 2009, Ken and his wife, Mary-Lee, have lived in Bellingham, Washington, in a 90-yearold log cabin looking out over the San Juan Islands.

2. Throughout their 70-year reign over the North, three generations of the Kim monarchy have maintained an unwavering goal to leverage U.S. troops and weapons off the Korean peninsula through a peace treaty to end the Korean War, which was suspended in 1953 only by an armistice agreement.

The parties are thus, technically, still at war. The Kim regime keeps the country on a permanent wartime footing with internal propaganda demonizing U.S. imperialists and their South Korean puppets. A national policy of son’gun — “military first” — justifies the sacrifices most of the 25 million North Koreans must endure until the regime can unite the peninsula under “pure” Kim clan leadership, alleged to be unsullied by foreign influences.

3. North Korea will never, ever willingly abandon or dismantle its nuclear weapons capabilities. With no nuclear devices and only a bankrupt economy, the regime would gain little notice from the rest of the world, except for Seoul, Beijing (which reluctantly props up the obstreperous Kim regime, rather than face a strong U.S. ally on its border), rogue countries which provide the North with precious hard currency through covert arms purchases, and perhaps a few persistent, well-meaning aid organizations.

Kim Jong-un might speak of “denuclearization” as a tantalizing tactical ploy, but he will never trade away the only real bargaining chip he holds. South Korea, meanwhile, has developed into one of the world’s great economies. Among South Koreans, those still harboring a strong sentimental desire for unification are aging and dying off.

KEN KALIHER ’67 BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

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OUTSTANDING ALUMNI

#MeToo movement emboldens alumna to seek state office

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ara Spafford Freeman ’99 of Eyota, Minnesota, has worked in the healthcare industry for 18 years, starting her own consulting business in 2011. She’s also volunteered at local school districts and served as the chair of the board at the Domestic Abuse Project.

Recently, she has taken on another project: running for Minnesota state office.

Freeman is a survivor of sexual assault and says she was emboldened to act alongside others during women’s marches and the #MeToo movement. As the spotlight is shining on sexual harassment and the misconduct at the Minnesota State Capitol, now was the time.

“The women making the allegations had to go public with their stories because there was no process at the Capitol to handle such allegations,” Freeman says. “That was the final straw for me.”

Freeman prides herself not only on being a survivor, but also being a fierce advocate for fellow survivors of sexual assault, violence and harassment. She finds it important for her children to witness her doing something incredibly hard, knowing that she may not win.

“I saw both a teachable moment and an opportunity to support and lead conversations about the impacts of violence and harassment

culture, and the steps we can and should take to address them and support survivors,” she says.

Freeman’s campaign platforms focus on the impacts of violence and harassment culture. She also wants to abolish the Minnesota caucus system, believing it to be an antiquated system focused on voter disenfranchisement.

She strives to “walk the walk” in her everyday life, volunteering at Minneapolis North High School and working with the Domestic Abuse Project nonprofit organization.

“For my fellow survivors: you’re not alone, and you’re not a mess – the world is,” Freeman says. “We have untapped power and momentum, and this is our moment to make important progress.

“I believe electing survivors is part of that, but it’s not a panacea. We need more survivor representation everywhere, from our state houses to our sexual education curricula.”

DAKOTA MARLEGA ’21 WAUPACA, WISCONSIN

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Lifting our voices

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI

Combatting teen suicide with personal experience

Erin Bavery ’11 during her running days at Ripon College.

said. “I was in so much pain, I just wanted the pain to go away.”

While she was planning her suicide, she posted on social media.

Friends, family and school administrators reached out to let her know they cared. Now, she does the same for her young students who also are struggling and need extra support.

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She spoke about the topic at a school-wide assembly and also has been featured in local media. “I’m not looking for recognition, but awareness,” Bavery says. “I felt a calling, a feeling inside, that I should do this for students. We forget that people have their own struggles. There are so many emotions and feelings going on inside.”

Erin Bavery ’11, a special education teacher at Dodgeville Middle School just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, wants her students who may be suffering from depression to know that she has been there, she understands, they are not in this alone and they have a purpose for staying alive.

She says a key factor is connectedness. “I wanted to showcase that even teachers struggle,” she says. “When I’m able to connect to a student, I feel a sense of power and a purpose. Everybody has a purpose to stay and can overcome their negative self-talk.

ach year, thousands of teenagers in the United States – more than 700 in Wisconsin – commit suicide. In fact, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

It has been 10 years since Bavery thought about ending her own life. As a dedicated runner on Ripon College’s cross country team, Bavery was devastated when injury ended her running career and brought on debilitating pain that impacted her studies.

“We all need a little love. It’s OK to take that breath, relax, be in that moment and bring yourself back down. We need to create a dialogue and not be afraid of the stereotypes that are put on people who have depression or anxiety. We need to open that conversation, open that door.”

“I thought this is the end. I’m done. I’m done. What am I going to do? Because running for me in high school was my outlet,” Bavery

A video featuring Erin Bavery can be viewed at ripon.edu/ combatwithbavery.

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OUTSTANDING ALUMNI

Helping those who commit minor offenses make amends

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hose who commit minor crimes could go to court with a lawyer and meet with a judge or jury, but “you may well never say a word, and that’s not a good way to assume responsibility for what you did,” says Terry Hoffer ’74.

Hoffer and his wife, Katherine Williams Hoffer ’74, live in Danville, Vermont. Hoffer volunteers on the Danville (Vermont) Restorative Justice Panel, allowing those who have committed minor crimes to take accountability for their actions and make amends in their community. He has been involved in 15 cases so far.

After graduating from Ripon College, Hoffer received a master’s degree in city and regional planning. While working on a land use project, Hoffer says, “Ultimately, I realized that the kind of town I wanted to live in would be populated with people who like it just the way it is.” Instead of developing land, Hoffer wanted to develop his community.

Hofer worked for 20 years in nonprofit economic development, helping to stimulate job creation in the New England area. He helped entrepreneurs write and finance their business plans. In 1998, Hoffer purchased The North Star Monthly, a local publication.

He became involved with the St. Johnsbury Organization, which works with local courts to create restorative justice panels. “The theory is that, for a long time, criminal justice has been all about punishing people, and that, presumably, that will fix the problem of people breaking laws,” Hoffer says. But he feels that “punishing people is not the way to get them back on a path that is good for the community.”

Members of the panel work one-on-one with those who commit nonviolent crimes to realize the harm they have caused the community and come up with a plan to amend that harm. Hoffer believes that sometimes good people make mistakes, and they are capable of making amends.

He thinks his service fills a need. “In rural America, if you’re willing to stand up and provide service as a volunteer, I believe that’s a good thing,” he says. “I really feel connected to this, not just the town but the entire area. And I believe, in this way, I can make a difference.”

MARSHALL SOHR ’18 OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN

“All of that has given me an appreciation for people who look beyond themselves and serve their community, who accept people how they are and work with them,” Hoffer says.

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Lifting our voices

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI

Bringing chocolate making back to its South American roots

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BOLO Chocolate is a labor of love years in the making. Mark Gerrits ’93 created Chile’s first bean-to-bar chocolate, inspired by his love of Latin America, chocolate and of the environment.

After he graduated from Ripon in 1993, Gerrits, who majored in Latin American studies and Spanish, decided to see the area for himself. In 1994, he took a three-month vacation to Latin America.

He extended his stay another three months, then six, before his plane ticket expired. He has been there ever since.

After working in Chile for five years, Gerrits decided to take his backpack and see more of the region, with no itinerary. “I let myself be attracted by the different places and people around the continent for a year,” he says. “After that year, I made a couple of decisions: I wanted to continue living in Latin America and I wanted to dedicate my life to social and environmental causes, and create a life for myself around that framework.”

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Gerrits’ travels led him to the Ecuadorian Amazon and to Yachana Gourmet, his first experience working with small cacao growers in the jungle and making chocolate. Gerrits was working on a program in the Amazon that helped with the environment, health and education. The project needed funding, and he decided to use the cacao fruit in the area and created Yachana Jungle Chocolate.

In 2003, Gerrits returned to Chile and worked for The Nature Conservancy for the next 10 years. When his daughter was born, he had an epiphany. “One night, reflecting on how happy I was with Emma’s arrival, my life and our family, I thought, ‘When had I been so happy and fulfilled before?’ It was when I was working with cacao and chocolate. Those feelings came really sharply to my mind and my heart.”

He started asking around in different chocolate shops in Santiago about how they made their chocolate and where their beans came from. They all responded that they used Belgian chocolate.

This was a shock to Gerrits. “Why do you use this bulk industrial chocolate, processed in Europe, when cacao is native to South America? We’re neighbors to the best cacao in the world. We have access to these countries, and the carbon footprint would be a tenth of that produced in Europe.”

Other chocolate makers thought bean-to-bar chocolate would be impossible to make because of the machinery needed and the difficulty of importing cocoa beans. Gerrits wanted to prove them wrong. He spent the next two years preparing, importing machinery and hunting down the perfect cacao beans. Eventually, he found a co-op with high-quality beans that pays its farmers fair trade prices.

To import the beans back to Chile, Gerrits had to learn the rules and regulations. He started importing small amounts, 20 kilos, then 50.

This year, he will be importing at least four tons of beans by sea.

Gerrits wears many hats at his company, OBOLO: he is the repairman, businessman and chocolatier. OBOLO won the gold medal at the 2016 Academy of Chocolate Awards in London and the silver medal in 2017. The next step will be a small craft factory, where people can come and see how chocolate is made, up close and personal.

“One important thing for customers to know is that chocolate should be savored and valued like specialty coffee or fine wine,” he says. He also wants them to think of where their chocolate comes from and who produces it. “It’s fruit, grown by small farmers. It’s millions and millions of people around the world who grow these fruits, then produce cacao beans,” Gerrits says. “Depending on which chocolate you buy, you’re directly impacting their livelihoods.”

MARSHALL SOHR ’18 OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN

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SPECIAL ALUMNI PERSECTIVES

Reviving the voice of a long-lost father What a difference a random photo selection can make! In the Summer 2015 issue of Ripon Magazine, we ran a photo of unidentified students gathered outside of former South Hall in the early 1960s.

In the Winter 2017 issue, we published a letter by Jerry Barr ’61 of Kissimmee, Florida, who identified one of those students as William John “Willy” Lyons ’62, who died in 1965 as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

Barr fondly recalled how special his former classmate and Delta Upsilon fraternity brother was to him and other Ripon alumni.

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Both had come to Ripon from Banning Union High School in California, and Lyons was a Native American who lived on the Morongo Indian Reservation. “His enthusiastic approach to life and the good he could have accomplished for the people of the Morongo Indian Reservation is incalculable,” Barr wrote.

Bob Henry ’53 shared that story with his cousin — Willy Lyons’ son, William “Jamie” Lyons, who lives in California and is now 55 years old. Jamie Lyons had just turned 2 when his father died and has no personal

memories of him. His mother, Kay Shorey ’63, died in July 2017, and a fire destroyed almost everything Jamie Lyons owned related to his father, including photographs and letters.

He asked for a copy of the photograph from Ripon Magazine. When the word went out that Jamie Lyons was looking for remembrances of his father, Ripon alumni came out in full force.

“I cannot even put into words what has happened for me,” Lyons says. “When my mom passed away, I thought, ‘I have nobody

Willy Lyons ’62 is on the right in this archive photo.

now to turn to who knew my dad.’ I never knew him but sure had some incredible phone calls from alumni who knew him. I could not believe the response from people.

The first few weeks, I got 25 calls a day, some lasting from 20 minutes to more than an hour.”

One told Lyons that he had been called Buster as a child. “The only one who knew that was my mother!” Lyons says.

Russ Ackley ’62 and Nancy Hutt Ackley ’63 babysat Jamie when he was a toddler, and Russ had attended Army jump school with Willy.

Ripon College’s Office of Constituent Engagement supplied copies of papers, letters and yearbooks that contained information about Willy.

“So many people said he was such an incredible person and his sense of humor was fantastic,” Lyons says. “I got a pretty good perspective of what my dad was like. I ended up being like him without ever seeing him. Even my mom used to say, ‘You would

not believe how much you are like your father right now.’

“It’s just awesome, and it means absolutely everything to me,” Lyons says. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“SO MANY PEOPLE SAID HE WAS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE PERSON AND HIS SENSE OF HUMOR WAS FANTASTIC. I GOT A PRETTY GOOD PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT MY DAD WAS LIKE. I ENDED UP BEING LIKE HIM WITHOUT EVER SEEING HIM. EVEN MY MOM USED TO SAY, ‘YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH YOU ARE LIKE YOUR FATHER RIGHT NOW.’” S U M M E R 2018

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Alumni sightings 3

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1. Jan Petrovski MacLeod ’74 visits campus.

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2. GaryYerkey ’66 and his wife, Karin Henriksson, speak on campus in the fall of 2017.

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3. David Schwarz ’65, left, and Gary Yerkey ’66 speak on campus in the fall of 2017 about Ripon College race relations in the 1960s.

4. Ripon College Swim Coach Ryan Goggans, left, with Rick Scott ’70.

5. From left, Professor of Religion Brian Smith, President Zach Messitte, Rick Scott ’70 and Associate Professor of Politics and Government Henrik Schatzinger.

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6. Margaret Paschen Wright ’73 and Nick Wright ’70 during a day of skiing in Park City, Utah.

7. Jim Hajim Haag ’64, center, with friends at a second-degree black belt event.

8. Leslie Paulsen ’90 receives a toast at her wedding with husband Christopher Purvis and is walked down the aisle by her son, Ben, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, on Dec. 30, 2017.

9. Amelia Ferris, 5, models the Ripon College sweatshirt of her grandmother, Siobhan Champ-Blackwell ’82.

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10. Gary Lederer ’72, left, and Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer ’73 golf with Karen Teschner Dorn ’72 and Linda Brassington Daniels ’72 in Bonita Springs, Florida.

11. Michael Mizen ’73, left, and wife, Peggi Seelbach Mizen ’75, with daughter, Alison, and son-in-law, Joe, at the Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort in February 2018.

12. Peggi Seelbach Mizen ’75, right, celebrates with her older daughter, Alison, and grandson, Kael, at her January 2018 surprise birthday event.

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14. Celebrating the 70th birthday of John Wolfe ’69 in Deer Isle, Maine, in October 2017 are Jim Danky ’70, John Thompson ’71 Michael Peterson, Mike Summers and John Leonard ’70. Wolfe is second from the right.

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13. Barb BergerLascody’67, left, and NancyOstermeierBurrows ’66.

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15. James Thompson ’73 this spring showed a new series of artwork dealing with contemporary environmental damage. “Water is Sacred: Water is Life” was a solo show at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem, Oregon, April 14 to May 13, 2018.

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19 16. Renee DeBruin Eisley ’12 with husband, Ben, and three children, Owen 1½, left; Ada 3½, and newborn Ella.

17. The children of Kayla Wallick Mendez ’12: Giovani, newborn, and Natalie, 3½.

18. Larry Lascody ’65 and John Burrows ’65.

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19. Elizabeth Silva ’15, left, and Raquel Macswain ’15 were reunited in California after two years apart. They lived together on third floor of Johnson Hall, and now they both live in the same state.

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20. Pam Kurz Goode ’66 and Terry Goode ’66 in Costa Rica.

21. From left, Art Peters ’80, Ruth Peters ’79 and Kathy Pine Avery ’80 visit George Mort ’80 in Marco Island, Florida.

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22. In October 2017 in Sedona, Arizona, Class of 1985 alumnae Nadine Kingston Salem, Juli Welk Jensen, Carol Malek Lund, Mary Peksa, Carol Wood Brooks and Jean Kellogg Clark got together for the first time in more than 30 years.

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23. Tom Hugdahl ’62, Pat Ostrom Kohnen ’64 and Jackie Blodgett Hugdahl ’63 chat with a naturalist/storyteller during a Columbia and Snake River Cruise in the fall of 2017, engaging in stories of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

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24. Sam Kay ’15, Bri Milroy ’15, Kristy Oglesby ’15, Mara Jensen Poullette ’14, Jen Keller ’16 and Ali Nemecek ’14 attended the Anniversary Women’s March in Milwaukee in January 2018.

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25. Diane Quon ’79, left, and her team won the Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Filmmaking in the U.S. Documentary Competition at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Their documentary is called “Minding the Gap.” 26. Eric Sorensen ’74 of Marengo, Wisconsin, traveled to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the Siouxland Renaissance Faire Winter Feast on Feb. 17, 2018, where he portrayed the character of Mustafa Ali.

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27. Amanda Lamal Clark ’14, Karisa Simonsen Kreuger ’15, Nikki Athanasiou ’16, Courtney Bloomer ’16, Bailey Bodeen ’14, Tessa Dillenbeck ’17, Jessica Morga ’15, Sarah Carballo ’13, Waleska Russ ’13, Bri Milroy ’15, Karena Schroeder ’15, Maddie Poullette ’15 and Sam Kay ’15 celebrate the wedding of their sorority sister — Jessica — in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

28. At age 65, Leon Pascucci ’75 took part in his first political protest March 24, 2018, with March for Our Lives. “Enough with gun violence, school killings and the citizenry not being safe,” he says.

29. From left, Jenelle Simon ’15, Allison Thiel ’15 and Katie Rodenkirch ’15 celebrate Allison’s wedding in the summer of 2017.

They all were part of the Ripon Dance Team and continue to be close friends.

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Lifting our voices around campus Ripon College contributions to social and political issues are visible through a variety of guest speakers, special workshops and community engagements.

Erin Forrest, executive director of Emerge Wisconsin, left; Gail Gitcho ’01, president of First Tuesday and political consultant and communication strategist; and Joan Ballweg, Wisconsin state representative for the 41st Assembly District, share their perspectives about engaging women in politics and elected office as part of an event sponsored by the Center for Politics and the People on March 21, 2018.

Frankie Meeink, a former neo-Nazi and gang leader, speaks in September on the importance of fighting hatred with empathy.

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Hosts of the critically acclaimed bipartisan podcast “Pantsuit Politics” give a keynote address March 23, 2018, as part of Women’s History Month. The hosts of the show, Beth Silvers, left, and Sarah Stewart Holland, share their views about the importance of keeping it nuanced and learning from all sides.

In a panel discussion hosted by the Center for Politics and the People on Nov. 14, 2017, Jimmy Amedeo ’18 of Orland Park, Illinois, left, and Jacob Kramer ’19 of Kenosha, Wisconsin, debate fellow classmates about what steps the United States should take toward North Korea.

Members of the B.R.O. (Brothers Reaching Out) mentorship Program collaborated with the Ripon Police Department and Ripon Fire Department to hand out hot cocoa at a local grocery store and encourage community visitors to recall the dream of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day in January. From left are Ripon Fire Department Chief Tim Saul; Ezekiel Carson ’21; Deonte Perry ’21; Parker Anding ’18, Ripon Police officer Bret Henning; Associate Professor of Educational Studies Hervé Somé; former Ripon Police officer Marcus Feucht; Ripon Fire Department officer Ron Fenner and Ermias Woldu ’19.

Tommy Thompson, former Republican governor of Wisconsin and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under the George W. Bush Administration, talks about his career in politics and the importance of working across the aisle on Nov. 29, 2017.

Members of Speakers Bureau lead an education session on April 10, 2018, for Rosendale, Wisconsin-area parents about how to have a productive dialogue about technology with their children.

Sammy Rangel delivers the keynote address Jan. 24, 2018, for Martin Luther King Jr. Week. Rangel is a former member of the Maniac Latin Disciples and spent the first part of his life in and out of foster care, mental institutions and prisons. Rangel now is the co-founder and executive director of Life After Hate, a group that works to prevent violent extremism.

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Alternative academy creates unique mentor relationship for Ripon students

Ceanna Caelwaerts ’18, left, works with Crossroads Academy student Anastasia Garrido.

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“I want to be a part of the change in the lives of at-risk high school students; I want to be someone who does not give up on them like many of their previous teachers have in the past,” says Ceanna Caelwaerts ’18 of Suamico, Wisconsin.

For the last three years, Caelwaerts has volunteered at Crossroads Academy in Ripon, a program that helps high school students who struggle in a traditional education format. When the program began in 2008, Professor of Psychology Joe Hatcher saw an opportunity for both the College and Crossroads.

“I heard while I was on sabbatical that the alternative school would be in the basement of the Congregational Church and immediately thought that we had a winwin situation,” Hatcher says. “I contacted the dean of Crossroads, and they were very enthusiastic, as well.”

Hatcher and the previous dean worked out a mentorship program, allowing Ripon College students to assist at Crossroads.

For nearly a decade, Ripon students have interned at Crossroads, helping students with their online classes.

The current dean of Crossroads, Lisa Burdick, believes that the services provided

by Ripon College students have been an asset. “With only one teacher and one instructional aide at our off-site location, the additional assistance and attention for the students helps them recover credits and get on pace with their courses,” she says. In addition, Burdick says, mentors offer the students social support, help them to focus and encourage them when their coursework is daunting or frustrating.

“When I first started out, it was something that I thought I might do for only a semester or a year,” Caelwaerts says. “However, I never could have imagined how much I would fall in love with the program and how much of an impact each and every mentor can make on a student.”

Caelwaerts has been helping at Crossroads since her sophomore year, when Hatcher recommended the program to her. She spent

her senior year serving as the internship’s site coordinator, advising other student mentors and helping them to grow as helpers.

“Everyone who does this internship, even if they only do it for one semester, will leave this internship with new tools and skills than they had prior,” she says.

Internships like those at Crossroads also help Ripon students navigate their interests and apply their knowledge in a real-world setting. “It’s very important to take information outside the classroom, especially for those who want to work in the ‘helping fields,’’’ Hatcher says. “The actual work experience is the important part. It’s crucial, I think, to learn fairly early in the process whether one really likes the work.”

Crossroads has given Caelwaerts that insight.

She will attend the University of WisconsinMadison to obtain a master’s degree in social work. She wants to be a school counselor or social worker.

“If you want to make an impact on the lives of high school students who need someone to look up to, look no further than this very opportunity,” Caelwaerts says. “It taught me patience, the importance of volunteering my time, and that I love working with adolescents and high school students in need.”

MARSHALL SOHR ’18 OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN

The 2018 Distinguished Educator Award winner, Dr. Richard Zimman, introduced Crossroads Academy in 2008 while serving as superintendent of the Ripon Area School District. Crossroads students have the opportunity to earn their high school diploma through a structured learning environment with an emphasis on community building, practical application of academic skills, employability skills and development of positive post-high school transitions.

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COLLEGE HOUSEKEEPERS ARE ATHLETES’

It was a nail-biting game for the Ripon College men’s basketball team this past December at Monmouth College. Trailing behind early on, the team made a comeback during the second half, only to lose by one point, 58-57.

The resolve that Ripon College athletes have is impressive by all counts; behind them is a strong support system featuring friends, families, coaches and, for nearly two decades, the Ripon College housekeeping staff.

Aside from making Ripon feel like home for students, the housekeeping staff members are avid basketball fans, happily traveling more than 300 miles to cheer on the Red Hawks whenever possible.

“Once I went to the games, I was hooked,” Luann Judas confirms.

The homemade signs the crew brings to every game are their trademark. Emboldened with words of encouragement for the players, these fans proudly display them as they cheer on Ripon. Donna is in charge of designing the signs and frequently enlists the help of her friends to make them. For the Monmouth game, the ladies stayed up until 4 in the morning, making signs requested by parents and other friends of the College.

“People say ‘make me a sign’ — I make them a sign,” Donna nonchalantly shrugs, with a hint of pride behind her words.

Eighteen years ago housekeeping manager Georjean Cotton, at that time a housekeeper at the then-Storzer Center, began watching men’s basketball games with her granddaughter, and it evolved into a fulltime passion. Georjean roped housekeeper Jason Gloyd into going with her, creating another lifelong fan.

The love that this group has for Ripon athletics extends well beyond the court.

This year, the plant department started the first of what is hoped to be a long-standing tradition, serving the women’s basketball team lunch during winter break. Georjean and her husband, Dennis, regularly invite the men’s basketball team over for dinner during breaks.

Fellow housekeeper Donna Wianecki describes a similar experience. “Once I went (to a game), that was it. I never stopped.

Then I dragged Luann with me, saying ‘You’ve got to come to the games!’”

“You watch (the players) when they’re freshman, and then they’re seniors,” muses Luann. “It’s like losing a member of the family. You watch them grow up. It’s such a difference.”

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The appreciation isn’t one-sided, either. “It feels good when you see a student walking into Willmore and they take out their earbuds just to say good morning to you,” says Luann.

Retired housekeepers Karen Clark and Sandy Toshner also frequent games with the rest of the group. Both formed very close relationships with students and to this day receive hugs from players when they return to campus.

“We hate senior day. Saying goodbye, getting all teary-eyed … ” begins Georjean, as Luann jokingly interrupts, “Jason is the worst of all.

He gets all choked up — he just won’t admit it.” Infectious laughter erupts all around.

“I have been trying to figure out how to get more people to come to girls’ games. Guys’ games are always packed,” Donna says. “I would love to figure out how to get more people to stay — I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’ve been thinking. I just think, how do we think they feel? As a student? As a person? To me, they’re just as important as the guys!” she exclaims.

During the summer, Georjean heads to Wisconsin Dells to watch a number of the Red Hawks participate in recreational games there. “I need my basketball fix,” she grins.

Ripon College housekeepers show their support for the basketball teams at a home game this past season. From left are Karen Clark, retired; Georjean Cotton, housekeeping supervisor; Donna Wianecki, Luann Judas and Sandy Toshner, retired housekeeper.

“That’s also when you get to see the new freshmen, the ones we don’t know yet,” interjects Luann.

Through their love of basketball, these friendships have blossomed. The camaraderie of this group is undeniably strong; as they reminisced and expressed their love for supporting student athletes, there was no shortage of inside jokes.

“We do what we do for the students,” Georjean says. “I think a lot of the time, people don’t realize how hard the housekeepers work. The students do more than anyone else. It’s hard work, but we really, really love the students. The housekeeping department has the biggest collective support for the students. We love the students,” she adds proudly.

The housekeepers work hard every day and work even harder on game days, decked from head to toe in Ripon gear, waving their signs in whole-hearted support of the Red Hawks. Their passion truly embodies the spirit of the College, and they are an undeniably integral part of Life Well Lived® here at Ripon.

DAKOTA MARLEGA ’21 WAUPACA, WISCONSIN

SPRING SPORTS UPDATES

• BASEBALL: Ripon’s baseball

team received three All-Conference selections this spring, with Nick Taranto ’19 of Ellsworth, Wisconsin; Michael Barnes ’19 of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; and Drew Slade ’18 of Pardeeville, Wisconsin; each receiving the honor. Austin Fox ’21 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, also received the Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year Award. Earlier this season, Fox was chosen as the Division III National Rookie of the Week for his performance in an 8-0 win against Beloit in which he pitched a one-hit shutout.

• SOFTBALL: Ripon’s softball

team earned two All-Conference selections this season. Lexi Reetz ’19 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, earned First Team honors, as she was named to the All-Conference team for the third consecutive season, while Micaela Encarnacion ’21 of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, was named to the MWC’s Second Team. Ripon softball also won

the MWC’s Sportsmanship Award, voted on by the league’s coaches, for the second consecutive season.

• TRACK AND FIELD: The Ripon

Track and Field teams turned in a total of eight All-Conference performances at the 2018 MWC Outdoor Championships. Lateesha Hiser ’18 of Douglas, Wyoming, and Brady Stockwell ’18 of Brandon, Wisconsin, won the hammer throw and shot put, respectively. Stockwell also finished second in the discus and third in the hammer, while Hiser placed third in the shot put. Other All-Conference performers included first-years Andrew Fuhrmann of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; Jackie Zeman of Sussex, Wisconsin; and Brittny Brown of Independence, Wisconsin; and sophomore Callista DeCramer of Princeton, Wisconsin.

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1. Robert Enright ’17 becomes National Science Foundation Fellow Robert Enright ’17 of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is a recipient of the 2018 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program award. The NSF received more than 12,000 applications; just 2,000 applicants were awarded. Emily Cliff ’17 of Seattle, Washington, received an honorable mention.

Recipients of the award receive a three-year annual stipend of $34,000, as well as a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees. Recipients then become inducted as Fellows into the NSF and are granted opportunities for international research and professional development as well as the freedom to continue research at any U.S. graduate institution of their choice.

Enright’s proposal was titled “Bottom-Up Processing of Polymer Thin Films in 3D.” A first-year graduate student in the Polymer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Enright is “interested in studying the behavior of micro-particles at fluid interfaces and the synthesis of polymer-particle composite films.”

2. Franzen gift establishes new professorship in applied mathematics Ripon College has received a gift from alumni Mark ’83 and Janice ’83 Franzen to establish an endowed professorship in applied mathematics. The Franzen professorship will support a full-time, tenured or tenure-track professor in applied mathematics and provide faculty development funds, equipment and resources to support the teaching of mathematics.

The number of students majoring and minoring in mathematics at Ripon has increased in the past decade.

Each year, Ripon students in the mathematics department

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present research at conferences across the U.S. and graduates go on to pursue careers in a variety of STEM fields.

3. Professor of Music Kurt Dietrich publishes book about jazz Kurt Dietrich, professor of music and the Barbara Baldwin De Frees Chair in the Performing Arts, has a new book out.

Wisconsin Riffs: Jazz Profiles from the Heartland was published in April by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. The book is available on Amazon.com.

4. Ripon College Ethics Bowl team places third in nation The Ripon College Ethics Bowl team placed third in the nation at the 22nd annual Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National Competition in Chicago, Illinois, March 3-4, 2018. Wyatt McGillen ’19 of Kalispell, Montana; Erika Isaacson ’18 of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Lauren Hince ’18 of Blaine, Minnesota; Rose Hogmire ’18 of Lake Elmo, Minnesota; and DeLou Wilson ’18 of Madison, Wisconsin, competed against Oklahoma City University, University of Central Arkansas, Whitman College, Utah Valley University and Santa Clara University with a 4-2 record throughout the course of competition.

5. College Days honored in awards competition College Days, Ripon College’s student newspaper, was honored by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association in April with several 2017 WCMA Better Newspaper Contest Awards. The publication won an honorable mention in General Excellence, the top award available, indicating that it is judged to be one of the best overall college papers in the state.

Members of the staff from last year also earned several honors: • Khun Maung ’19 of Myanmar, first place in Feature

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Photography; second place in News Photography; third place in News Photography; and third place in Sports Photography.

• Hannah Tetzlaff ’18 of Brandon, Wisconsin, second place in In-Depth Story.

• Emily Janssen ’19 of Mayville, Wisconsin, second place in Arts and Entertainment Story.

• Becky Bajt ’19 of Mazon, Illinois, second place, in Sports Photography.

• Cordell Walker ’18 of Ripon, Wisconsin, third place in Page Design.

• Madeline VandenHouten ’17 of Ripon, Wisconsin, third place in Feature Story and honorable mention in Feature Story.

6. Associate Professor of Biology Barbara Sisson earns research grant The Franklin Research Grant of the American Philosophical Society has been awarded to Associate Professor of Biology Barbara Sisson. The funds are supporting her research on the biology of cartilage and bone development in vertebrate organisms. The research will generate a large data set that she and her students will analyze in the future.

7. Nation’s first Rural Prosperity Roundtable held at Ripon College The first Rural Prosperity Roundtable in the nation was held Monday, Feb. 5, in Ripon College’s new Willmore Center.

Anne Hazlett, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, led the first of several such events with federal, state and community leaders. Panelists discussed rural America’s unique challenges and needs.

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Associate Professor of Politics and Government Lamont Colucci had an essay published April 20, 2018, under the peer-reviewed Praeger Security Series. “Syrian Civil War: The Necessity of a Tactical, Operational, and Strategic Response” focuses on the American response to the Syrian regime of Bashir Al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons against his own people. This response, Colucci writes, “was a political and moral failure. Ethics and morality are fundamentally based on religious principles. This applies equally to individuals, nations and international systems. We use the term ‘civilized world’ to denote those same human demarcations that use ethics and morality in their decision-making, and those who do not are, by default, ‘uncivilized.’”

9. Theatre major Jimmy Balistreri ’19 excels at regional theatre festival In the annual Kennedy Center for the Arts Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in January, Ripon College theatre major Jimmy Balistreri ’19 achieved a first in Ripon College history: becoming both an Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition semi-finalist and a Design and Technical Management finalist.

Balistreri has attended the annual festival all three years that he has attended Ripon. KCACTF has given more than 400,000 college theatre students an immersive theatre experience, allowing them to receive feedback on dramatic, technical and playwriting activities and competitions.

10. Alumnus/adjunct scholar publishes new book about philosophy Steven Miller ’07, an adjunct scholar of philosophy in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, spoke about Hinduism for Professor of Religion Brian Smith’s Comparative World Religions class last fall. He also gave several other lectures during the academic year. His new book, Community and

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Loyalty in American Philosophy: Royce, Sellars, Rorty, was published in the Routledge Studies in American Philosophy series in March 2018.

New Berlin, Wisconsin, trombone; Lillian Lenk ’18 Amery, Wisconsin, clarinet; and Cris Magana ’19 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, bass clarinet.

11. Professor, students present papers at Midwest religion conference

14. Exercise science students host schoolchildren at Willmore Center

Professor of Religion Brian Smith presented a paper, “What Does the Bible Say about LGBTQ?” at the Midwest American Academy of Religion annual conference, March 2-4, 2018, at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Three Ripon students also presented papers: Kim Frisque ’19, “Was the Korean War Just? An Application of Just War Principles;” Justine Jacobsen ’18, “Validity of Spiritual Gifts Today”; and Mark Krause ’19, “Late Antiquity and the Early Christian Poet Prudentius.”

The Department of Exercise Science hosted Journey Charter Elementary School children in several sessions at Willmore Center as part of their health and wellness units in school.

Ripon students led the Journey students in a variety of physical activities and games to help support their interest in lifelong physical activity. Ripon students gained classroom leadership experience.

12. Physics professor Brett Barwick secures $300,000 research grant Brett Barwick, associate professor of physics and the Harrison E. Farnsworth 1918 Chair in Physics, has received a $300,000, three-year grant from the National Science Foundation that will provide equipment and monies for several summer research students. Research with ultrafast electron microscopes will combine electron microscopy with ultrafast lasers.

13. Ripon College students participate in state honors band Six students from Ripon College participated in the 2018 Wisconsin Collegiate Honors Band Jan. 18 and 19, 2018, at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Participating students are nominated by their college band directors, and they are chosen by a selection committee.

Ripon College participants included, from left: Kate Myszewki ’19 Appleton, Wisconsin, clarinet; Eric Westberg ’20 North Mankato, Minnesota, trombone; Brittny Brown ’21 Independence, Wisconsin, tuba; Wyatt Thomas ’20

15. Artworks from Ripon College collection loaned for museum exhibit Two pieces of artwork from the Ripon College permanent collection were included in “Masterpieces of the Valley,” exhibited Feb. 10 to May 27 at the Paine Art Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The exhibit included works from the Paine, Ripon College, Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh Public Library and Lawrence University. On loan from Ripon College were “Varenna of Lake Como,” by August Wilhelm Leu (1818-1897) (pictured); and “Woman Spinning,” by Camille Roqueplan (1800-1855).

16. Ripon College Chamber Singers go on annual tour of Midwest The Ripon College Chamber Singers conducted their annual tour during spring break March 9-13, 2018. John C. Hughes, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, is the conductor. The ensemble performed a variety of unaccompanied choral works from Renaissance madrigals to new arrangements of Native American music. They were joined by guest choirs and artists at several locations, including Fond du Lac, Green Bay and Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Round Lake High School, Round Lake, Illinois.

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Curtain rises on a modernized Demmer Recital Hall D

emmer Recital Hall in C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts received a major renovation this spring, thanks to Annual Fund donors. The facelift brings it up to par with contemporary standards in performance venues.

The renovation has helped to transform the 1970s-era space into a proud reflection of Ripon’s many talented faculty, student and community performers. Enhancements include new seating, flooring, paint and doors, modern LED lighting, state-of-the-art audio/visual, new acoustical treatments and an inviting entryway.

“This renovation has really preserved the historical feeling of Demmer Recital Hall, while at the same time injecting it with new life and bringing it up-to-date with modern times,” says John Hughes, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities. “The possibilities it has created for us in terms of event hosting and teaching opportunities are limitless.

It’s been a real joy to see how amazed students are with the renovation and how much they enjoy it.”

The 280-seat recital hall serves as the main performance stage for Ripon’s instrumental and choral groups as well as the Green Lake Festival of Music. Now, in its newly renovated state, it also offers new opportunities for other campus and community events.

View a video of the newly remodeled Demmer Recital Hall: ripon.edu/demmerremodel.

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Associate Professor of Politics and Government Lamont Colucci had several online opinion pieces published in The Hill, U.S. News, The Washington Times and AMI Newswire.

The late Dick Rehbein ’77 was featured in an article Jan. 24, 2017, in the Star Tribune newspaper in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Former Vikings assistant was early Tom Brady believer” tells how Rehbein, then quarterbacks coach of the New England Patriots, championed the draft selection of the then little-known Tom Brady.

Ripon College Vice President and Dean of Faculty Ed Wingenbach, Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences Andrea Young, and representatives from Goucher College and the College of William & Mary spoke on a panel Jan. 26, 2018, at the annual meeting of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. The panel, “From Content to Inquiry: How Three Liberal Arts Colleges Radically Reimagined General Education,” was highlighted in a feature Jan. 29, 2018, in Inside Higher Ed; and in a feature Feb. 12, 2018, in GW Hatchett, a student newspaper of George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

dance professors at Sweet Briar College. They each recently published chapters in “Perspectives on Dance Education,” edited by Mohd Anis Md Nor.

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“Coming Full Circle on Teaching Trump,” a commentary piece by President Zach Messitte, was published in The Chronicle of Higher Education Feb. 6, 2018. It was a follow-up to an opinion piece on then-candidate Donald Trump that Messitte had published in The Washington Post Aug. 11, 2016.

On Feb. 5, 2018, the first Rural Prosperity Roundtable in the nation was held at Ripon College. Coverage included a piece in Wisconsin State Farmer, Ripon Commonwealth Press and Jackson County Chronicle.

Ben Konecny ’07 of Greeley, Colorado, wrote an opinion piece about looking for humanity in others that appeared in The Tribune, serving Greeley and Weld County, Colorado, Feb. 17, 2018.

WLUK-TV FOX 11 was on campus March 6 to cover the Ripon College Center for Politics and the People-sponsored “Democracy Beyond the Ballot Box” discussion.

Former Ripon College physical education instructors Mark and Ella Magruder were featured in an article March 7, 2018, published by Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, Virginia. The Magruders now are

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A letter to the editor in support of Andrew Kitslaar ’06 was published March 12, 2018, in The Herald-Independent newspaper of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. Kitslaar was seeking his second term on the Monona City Council, which he won in the election on April 3. Kitslaar formerly served on the Alumni Board of Ripon College.

Robert L. Wallace, the Patricia and Philip McCullough 1969 Professor in Biology at Ripon College, was mentioned in an article published March 13, 2018, by EurekAlert: The Global Source for Science News and was a coauthor in an article published March 13, 2018, in Limnology and Oceanography Letters, a publication of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography and the El Paso HeraldPost. Wallace was a participant in a multi-year interdisciplinary research effort with faculty and students from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in waterborne microinvertebrates.

Former Ripon College basketball coach Harold Olsen, who led Ripon teams to three conference titles, was featured in an article March 18, 2018, in the Leader-Telegram newspaper of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. “Rice Lake native helped create March Madness” details how Olsen, head coach of basketball for 24 years at Ohio State University and a posthumous inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006, came up with the idea in 1939 of the 68-team, single-elimination NCAA basketball tournament.

The same topic was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on March 21, 2018.

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Kaitlyn Welzen ’15, an environmental studies and Spanish graduate, is the compost coordinator at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and is affectionately called “Dr. Doo.” During their annual “Fecal Fest,” she was interviewed on KPCQ-SEA television in Seattle on March 19, 2018.

Brad Alberts ’92 of Southlake, Texas, has been promoted to president of the Dallas Stars Hockey Club. An article about his promotion, “Alberts’ star shines brightly,” was published March 19, 2018, in the Janesville (Wisconsin) Gazette. His sports activities and graduation from Ripon College are cited.

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A donation to Ripon College by Mark ’83 and Janice Heinz Franzen ’83 to endow a professorship in applied mathematics was shared by several media outlets, including WLUK Fox 11 News.

“The Legendary Lanphears,” an article concerning the death of Dan Lanphear of Madison was published April 9, 2018, in Madison Magazine.

It referenced his father, George Lanphear, who coached at Ripon College before becoming the freshman football coach for the Badgers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A high-spirited and skin-baring beach party held on campus during the mid-April record-breaking snowstorm was highlighted in several media outlets, including the Fond du Lac Reporter newspaper and The Weather Channel.

Kurt Dietrich, professor of music and the Barbara Baldwin De Frees Chair in the Performing Arts, was featured in several media outlets in relation to his new book Wisconsin Riffs: Jazz Profiles from the Heartland. Outlets included the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison and a guest appearance Thursday, May 17, on “Central Time” on Wisconsin Public Radio.

A brief biography of famed movie and stage actor Spencer Tracy ’24 was published April 26, 2018, in Milwaukee Magazine. It references the Milwaukee native’s time at Ripon College, his early days in Milwaukee and his nine Academy Award nominations.

Mark Baladad ’88 of Chicago, Illinois, was profiled in the Chicago Tribune newspaper Thursday, May 17, 2018, as the general manager of the Glenview Tennis Club.

John Dunlavy ’07, a former hitting coach at Ripon College, received a sports award in Clintonville, Wisconsin, and was featured May 24, 2018, in the Waupaca County News.

James Megellas ’42 of Colleyville, Texas, and the ongoing campaign to secure for him a Congressional Medal of Honor, were featured May 23, 2018, by The Dallas Morning News.

Ripon College President Zach Messitte and graduate Kyle Greene ’15 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, were featured in a June 11 Wall Street Journal article, “How College Alumni Donors Can Get What They Pay For.” The article explores ways to give back to your alma mater and profiles Greene’s unique gift to support Red Hawks Cycling and Willmore Center.

In memoriam LORAINE GOODRICH BLOCK ’39 of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, died Dec. 15, 2014. At Ripon College, she studied history and sociology. After graduating, she worked in her family business, the Goodrich Lumber and Coal Co. in Durand, Wisconsin.

Her husband was a forest ranger with the United States Forest Service, and they were stationed in Idaho, Missouri, Minnesota and Michigan. She enjoyed wildlife and the outdoors, golfing and traveling. Survivors include one son and two daughters.

DONALD ANDERSON ’42 of Middleton, Wisconsin, died April 12, 2018. At Ripon College, he majored in economics and served as captain of the football team. He founded two insurance agencies and owned a share of a title company in Wisconsin. He served on Ripon’s Board of Trustees from 1984-93 and was named an Honorary Life Trustee in 1993. He was a substantial supporter of Ripon College, making major contributions to the Annual Fund, student scholarships and infrastructure projects. He was a charter member of Partners in the Legacy. He received the Medal of Merit in 2007, and Anderson Hall was named in honor of him and his wife. He also was a prominent Wisconsin philanthropist, supporting a variety of organizations in and around the greater Madison area. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and deer hunting.

Survivors include two sons and three daughters. His wife, MARILYN DIXON ANDERSON ’42 died in 2008.

SYBIL A. HANNA ’43 of Burlington, Iowa, died Jan. 5, 2018.

She earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois.

While at Ripon, Sybil studied history. She was a children’s librarian and story teller at Eudora Welty Library in Jackson, Mississippi, until retiring back to Burlington in 1992. She enjoyed cats, traveling to annual children’s book conventions and collecting autographed children’s books. She contributed to the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi McCain Library and Archives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Survivors include three children.

MARY MICHIE UDALL ’44 of Madison, Wisconsin, died Oct. 26, 2017. She grew up along the south shore of Green Lake.

At Ripon College, she earned degrees in sociology and in history. She then traveled to England and studied sculpture at the Center School of Art in London in 1952. She returned to Madison and earned her master’s in art education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1962. She served as the director of the Rural Art Project through the UW Extension and as an art researcher in Kenya. Her works were exhibited at the Wright Warehouse Museum, Fanny Garver Gallery, Pilsbury Midwest Juried Exhibition, Seuferer-Chosy Gallery and Artspirit Sings. She also has sculptures permanently displayed at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Rahr-West Museum, Madison Art Center, the Marshfield Health Clinical and the Madison Public Library. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

VIRGINIA CARSON KELLEY ’45 died March 25, 2018. She attended Ripon College for two years and graduated from the University of Arizona. She spent most of her life in Mequon, Wisconsin. She was devoted to her family and friends. She enjoyed tennis, walking in the woods, reading, playing bridge and watching the Milwaukee Brewers. Survivors include one son and two daughters.

KATHERINE “KAY” KOHLSIMMONS ’45 of Ripon, Wisconsin, died Jan. 6, 2018. While at Ripon, she studied psychology.

She was a social worker in Cleveland, Ohio, aiding and caring for the family needs of children. She later worked as the office assistant for a doctor for many years. She and her husband, Robert, enjoyed their farmette at the outskirts of Ripon, with horses, pets and gardening, and getaways to her parent’s fishing camp on the Mecan River. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Ripon. Survivors include one son and two daughters.

ELIZABETH “BETTE” ROYCE ’46 of Fort Collins, Colorado, died March 18, 2018. She lived in Colombia, Mexico City and Ridgewood, New Jersey, before her father’s job brought the family to Ripon where her father helped develop Barlow and Seelig Corp. (later Speed Queen). She attended Ripon College for two years, studying Spanish, before completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Middlebury College in Vermont. She taught at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; worked for the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C.; worked in publishing in Madison, Wisconsin, and Denver, Colorado; and taught Spanish and French in Denver until retiring in 1985. She participated on national committees to develop the S.A.T. and A.P. exams in Spanish and was among the first non-government Westerners invited to join an educators’ tour of Communist China in 1978. Bette was awarded a Colorado Distinguished Teacher award in 1983. She enjoyed traveling to every continent and dozens of countries, genealogy, photography, anthropology and archaeology, as well as various forms of needlework.

FLORENCE R. ZICK TINKHAM ’48 died Oct. 29, 2017. At Ripon College, she studied chemistry. She and her husband lived in Anaheim, California, for 50 years. She was an active volunteer and a lifelong learner. She traveled extensively and summered in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. Survivors include one son and two daughters. Her husband, CLAYTON TINKHAM ’49, died in 2015.

PEGGY DOOLIN MARTIN ’49/P’74/P’78/P’81 of Racine, Wisconsin, died March 3, 2018. At Ripon College, she studied psychology and sociology. She worked for the Racine Public Library for 61 years, starting in June 1949. She was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and served as president of the Junior League of Racine and Jaycees. She enjoyed volunteering, reading and baking. While at Ripon, Peggy earned degrees in both psychology and sociology. Survivors include two sons and one daughter. Her husband, ROBERT B. MARTIN ’51 died in 2011.

SUE MORAN SCHRAM ’50 of Reston, Virginia, died March 21, 2018. She attended Ripon College for a year before completing her political science degree in 1950 at the University of Michigan. During the early 1960s, she and her husband, Ward Remington Schram ’50, were actively involved in the Civil Rights movement. Because of this, they relocated to the Washington, D.C., area where Ward worked in the Johnson Administration on the War on Poverty. They moved to Reston in June 1966. Sue was a circulation manager for the Reston Times, co-founded Reston’s Used Bookshop and worked on a number of Democratic campaigns. Survivors include two sons and one daughter. Her husband died in 2001.

KEITH MELVIN THACKRAY ’50 of Bainbridge Island, Washington, died Dec. 11, 2017. He served in the occupation Army in Europe after World War II. He attended Ripon College and Iowa State University, earning a degree in landscape architecture. He worked as a city planner in Spokane, Washington, from 1951-85. He was a member of Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ. He moved to Bainbridge Island in 2010. Survivors include his wife, Marian Knight Thackray, and four sons.

R. RAMONA “MONA” FISHER POTTER ’51 of Asheville, North Carolina, died March 7, 2018. At Ripon College, she majored in English. During her career, she had been honored as Teacher of the Year in the state of Virginia. She was a world traveler, teaching English in China and Japan.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Asheville. She was a seventh-generation member of the Fisher family in western North Carolina. Survivors include two sons and one daughter. Her husband, THOMAS POTTER ’52, died in 1993.

WILLIAM F. BRENNAN ’52 of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, died Oct. 21, 2017. He was a retired Army colonel. At Ripon College, he earned a degree in economics, played football and was selected All Midwest Conference as a fullback and a linebacker in both his junior and senior years. In 1950, he scored five touchdowns in a single game, a Ripon College record. He was selected to the Lakeshore Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. He was one of four cadets to receive a regular Army commission upon graduation. His career included assignments around the world, including Korea during the combat years and the American Embassy in Karachi, Pakistan. His many decorations include the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Ribbon with Cluster, Parachute Wings, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and several other unit and individual awards. Survivors include his wife, Helen, and five children.

DALE R. HINZ ’52 died Feb. 15, 2017. At Ripon College, he studied history. He was a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. He taught in the Milwaukee Public Schools, primarily at Custer High School. He enjoyed golf, music, and Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers and Milwaukee Brewers games.

Survivors include one son.

JOHN MOODY KAHOUN ’54 of Chicago, Illinois, died Jan. 11, 2018. He attended Ripon College where he majored in economics and played football. He attended Kent Law School before becoming a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. While stationed in Germany, he fell in love with beer gardens, which led him to open his first Moody’s Pub in 1959. Moody’s II established him as a founding father of Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, drawing local artists and folk musicians including Joan Baez. In 1969, he designed and built Moody’s Pub in the Edgewater neighborhood. He enjoyed fishing and established a family gathering spot in Puerto Rico. Survivors include his wife, Katie Madden Kahoun, one son and two daughters.

KATHERINE “KATHY” FRYE RICHARDSON ’54 of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Marco Island, Florida, died March 8, 2018. She enjoyed the Green Bay Packers, tennis, golf, aerobics, modeling, curling, performing in plays with Basement Theater, traveling

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IN MEMORIAM

and shelling on Marco Island Beach in Florida. She was a member of Catholic churches in Appleton and San Marco, the Service Circle of International Order of the Kings Daughters and Sons, Appleton Medical Center Auxiliary, for which she served as president, acting as a docent at Hearthstone Museum in Appleton and various activities in San Marco. Survivors include two sons and two daughters. Her husband, JOHN “JACK” RICHARDSON ’52 died in 1994.

MARK A. DEWOLFJR. ’55 of Bristol, Rhode Island, died April 9, 2018. At Ripon College, he majored in English. He served as a Winant Volunteer in the East End of London where he received a call to ordained ministry. He did his theological studies at Trinity College, Cambridge and Ely Theological College in England. He was ordained to the priesthood in St. Paul’s Cathedral by the Bishop of London in 1960. He served on the staff of St. Mary of Eton Mission in Hackney Wick, London, for eight years, and parishes in Brooklyn, New York, Amityville, Long Island, and for 25 years at St. Andrew’s Church, Stamford, Connecticut. After retirement, he was a hospice chaplain in Rhode Island. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, the Rotary Club, vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard and theater. Survivors include his wife, Jennifer DeWolf, two sons and one daughter.

JOSEPH A. MAZANETZ ’56 of Marshfield, Wisconsin, died Feb. 5, 2018. At Ripon College, he studied economics. He was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant on the day of graduation and was in the Army Reserves for the next 20 years, earning the terminal rank of major. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Marshfield, a lifelong member of the Masonic family, including Masons, Shriners, York Rite and Order of the Eastern Star; a life member of the Elks Lodge; and a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed being involved with children at the Shriners Hospital, fishing, playing sheepshead, feeding ducks and watching wildlife.

He especially enjoyed spending time at the cottage boating with the dog and making ice skating rinks for his children.

Survivors include one son and two daughters.

ROBERT J. FLUHR ’57 of California died Dec. 15, 2017.

While at Ripon, he earned degrees in history and English. As president of Beacon Cycle based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he led a multi-generational bike industry family. Beacon Cycle once had five warehouses and was the largest bike distributor in the country that was not a bike manufacturer. It was the first U.S. importer of Giant-made bikes from Taiwan. Survivors include his wife, Jackie, two sons and one daughter.

BETTY TRINRUD BABB ’57 of Franklin, Tennessee, died Nov. 15, 2017. At Ripon College, she majored in English and psychology. She worked in senior management at Babb Enterprises. While at Ripon, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and volunteered on the Ripon College Class of ’57 50th Reunion committee.

DAVID CHASE ’58 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, died Oct. 10, 2017. At Ripon College, he majored in economics, was president of Theta Chi, played football and was a member of the ’57 undefeated conference champion team which was ranked second in the nation. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served several years at the National Headquarters Selective Service System in Washington D.C., receiving the second highest award for achievement. He retired as a colonel from the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1996 after 30 years of service. He resumed his career at Chase Lumber, where he served as president until his death.

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He enjoyed traveling, family, sports and dining out. Survivors include his wife, Janet, one son and one daughter.

JAMES M. HIGGINS ’58 of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, died Feb. 6, 2018. During high school, he was a state champion hurdler. He studied physical education at Ripon College. He received a master’s degree from Colorado State College in 1962. He was a teacher and coach at Hancock Grade School, Plainfield Tri-County High School, Reedsville High School and P.J. Jacobs High School 1959-66. He coached football, basketball and track. He was a driver’s education teacher at SPASH until his retirement in 1994, developing a three-phase instruction program. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve, receiving his Officer Commission while at Ripon College in 1958. He was Commander of the 213th Supply and Service Battalion, and 376th Finance unit in Wausau, and a graduate and instructor in the Army Command and General Staff College. He retired in 1988 with the rank of Lt. Colonel and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. He enjoyed traveling, researching his lineage, the outdoors, skiing and attending sports games. He also was involved in professional and community organizations. Survivors include his wife, Joanne Van Hoof Higgins, three sons and one daughter.

THOMAS DAVID MOORE ’58 of Traverse City, Michigan, died March 4, 2017. At Ripon College, he studied physics.

He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT and a master’s of engineering sciences degree from Penn State University. He held jobs in various states before settling in Traverse City in 1967. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting and traveling. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Moore, one son and two daughters.

LIVIO “LEE” VALLI JR. ’60 of Chicago, Illinois, died Oct. 1, 2017. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife, Janet Ann Nee Pojman, and three children.

JAMES L. BURDON ’61 died Nov. 13, 2017. At Ripon College, he played basketball and earned a degree in economics. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Army, completed training as an Army Airborne Ranger and served two years’ active duty and three years’ reserve duty as Army Captain. He then enrolled in the University of Akron Law School and in 1969 began his law career in the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. Soon after, he went into private practice where his reputation as a detailed researcher and scholar of the law earned him the respect of his peers. He was consulted by national news networks for opinions on high-profile cases. He enjoyed coaching basketball for nealy 40 years and produced numerous championship teams. In 2013, he was inducted into the Diocese of Cleveland CYO Hall of Fame. Survivors include his wife, Patty, two sons and two daughters.

JUDITH JENZ HOULIHAN ’62 of Wichita, Kansas, died Feb. 10, 2018. At Ripon College, she was a charter member of the Ripon’s chapter of Alpha Chi Omega and majored in English.

She lived in New York, California, Michigan and Kansas. She enjoyed golf, music and teaching middle school and high school. She won many “all-city” tournaments and invitationals wherever she lived and sung with Sweet Adelines. Survivors include one son. Her husband, J. PATRICK HOULIHAN ’57, died in 2012.

DAVID A. GRABSKE ’64 of Garland, Texas, died March 16, 2018. At Ripon College, he majored in mathematics. He lived in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Texas. He enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. Survivors

include his wife, Karen Grabske, one son and one daughter.

THOMAS HAMILTON REDNER ’64 of Hudson, Wisconsin, died Feb. 4, 2018. At Ripon College, he studied chemistry.

He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged as a captain. He worked for 3M for more than 31 years, retiring in 2001 as a manager in the medical division. He was involved in his community, serving for many years on the Hudson City Council and Police and Fire Commission and for four years as mayor. He served for 13 years as an EMT with St. Croix EMS and was a member of the Willow River Cemetery Board.

He enjoyed trains, model railroading, the Green Bay Packers, Civil War history, deer hunting, fishing and woodworking.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Redner, and one daughter.

JOHN V. BURMAN JR. ’65 of Marquette, Michigan, died Jan. 17, 2018. At Ripon College, he majored in history. In 2000, he retired from Crawford and Company following 35 years of service and returned to live in Marquette. He was an avid reader and outdoorsman. While at Ripon, he studied history. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Honorable Order of the Blue Goose and the Elks Lodge.

Survivors include his wife, Judy McElroy Burman, one son and two daughters.

PETER R. BIRD ’66 died Dec. 24, 2017. At Ripon, he majored in political science and was a member of Phi Delta Theta.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1969-70, then earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1972 and practiced law for several years. He then entered Perkins Theological Seminary in Dallas and moved home to run the family dairy farm while completing an master’s of divinity degree at the Episcopal Nashota House Seminary. His volunteer ministry included national church leadership, youth organizations, establishing a young adults’ ministry in England and mission work in Honduras. He was an ordained Episcopal priest and served Holy Trinity Church in Waupun. He enjoyed trains, the Green Bay Packers, golfing and traveling. Survivors include his wife, Lila.

DIEDRE “DEEDEE” SCHULTZ LUZWICK ’67 of Cambridge, Wisconsin, died Jan. 4, 2018. At Ripon College, she majored in philosophy. She lived in Chicago, Illinois, for 10 years before moving to Cambridge in 1975. She was a highly regarded fine charcoal graphic artist, a biblical scholar, a visionary philosopher and a social critic. Her drawings were the subject of two books, The Surrealist’s Bible, published by Jonathan David in 1976, 60 drawings in which she interpreted the Old Testament with a contemporary focus; and Endangered Species, published in 1994 by Harper Collins. Her book, The Catcher of the Wise, published in 2006 by King House Publishers, contains poetic and whimsical interpretations of the main stories and lead characters in the Old Testament.

DENNIS RILEY ’67 of Appleton, Wisconsin, died March 14, 2018. At Ripon College, he studied psychology. After graduation, he received his commission in the U.S. Army. His lifelong career in the information technology field began in Milwaukee with J.C. Penney and then Miller Brewing Co. In 1984, he and his family moved to Appleton. He worked for Kimberly-Clark Corp. and then for Appleton Papers for more than two decades, retiring in 2006. He enjoyed volunteering with the Appleton Art Center and Trout Museum of Art, reading, traveling and attending live theater performances.

Survivors include his wife, BONNIE BINKOFF RILEY ’68; one son and one daughter.

NORMAN N. HULL ’68 died Feb. 2, 2018. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Ripon College with degrees in Spanish and philosophy. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he graduated with honors from the University of Florida School of Law. He served as a federal law clerk to Chief Judge George C. Young at the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida.

He received the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Award for his extensive pro bono service and as a guardian ad litem in Florida Association of Retarded Citizens v. Graham. He was an adjunct professor at Florida A&M School of Law and Barry University School Law. He enjoyed reading, theatre, opera and all forms of classical music. Survivors include his wife, Miriam “Mimi” Hull, one son and one daughter.

JOHN STIERNBERG ’73 of Sherman Oaks, California, died Nov. 11, 2017. At Ripon College, he majored in music and anthropology. He earned a reputation as a highly revered pro audio business consultant throughout his career, founding Stiernberg Consulting in 1993 with his wife, Jeanne. The company also catered to the music, AV and entertainment technology industries. He also was an accomplished bluegrass and gospel musician and a strong supporter of music and technology education, maintaining an active role in numerous trade organizations. A dynamic keynote speaker, he was a frequent contributor to industry publications, creating hundreds of white papers and reports, and writing the music industry guidebook, Succeeding in Music: Business Chops for Performers and Songwriters. Survivors include his wife, Jeanne.

THOMAS K. CONNOLLY ’76 died Jan. 2, 2018. At Ripon College, he studied philosophy. He earned a master’s degree from Franciscan University. As a young man, he was an athlete and passed along his knowledge and love of sports by coaching his sons’ youth teams. He was an avid reader, outdoorsman and skilled carpenter. He was working for the City of Lancaster at the time of his death. Survivors include his wife, Ann, and two sons.

JEAN UETZMANN PORDON ’77 of Delafield, Wisconsin, died Dec. 27, 2017. At Ripon College, she majored in physical education. She sang in her church’s choir and praise band, led women’s ministry and volunteered. She taught at Divine Redeemer Lutheran School for many years and coached youth sports. She enjoyed tennis, kayaking, gardening and sewing.

Survivors include her husband, DENNIS PORDON ’74, one son and one daughter.

KIMBERLY KALLI ’84 died Jan. 8, 2018. She received a degree in biology from Ripon College and a Ph.D. in immunology in 1993 from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in 1997. She then joined Mayo Women’s Cancer Program and was an associate professor of oncology. She was instrumental in the gynecologic oncology research program at Mayo Clinic for 25 years. She was an award-winning scholar, reviewing research grants for the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense and manuscripts for multiple scientific journals.

She enjoyed reading, doing the New York Times crossword puzzles, animals and her hobby farm. Survivors include her partner, Sharon Johnson.

ALAN M. DAUS ’86 of Onalaska, Wisconsin, died Jan. 1, 2018. At Ripon College, he studied physics, computer science and math. He served as a first lieutenant from 1987-90 while assigned to the 75th U.S. Army Field Artillery Detachment,

294th U.S. Army Artillery Group, as maintenance and assembly platoon leader. In 1990-91 he served as a supply officer during the Gulf War. After receiving his master’s of science degree in radiological physics from the University of Oklahoma in 1995, he taught physics at West Point from 1995-97. He then served as a radiation safety officer at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and retired from the Army as a major in 2003. In August 2003, he was hired as a medical physicist in the radiology department at Gundersen Health System. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Medical Physics (DABR) and was both an active member and volunteer with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. He enjoyed running, biking, hunting, fishing and volunteering as secretary of the Brice Prairie Conservation Association. Having been an Eagle Scout himself, Alan was involved in helping out the local Boy Scouts of America Troops. He enjoyed music from the 1980s and jazz. Survivors include his wife, CATHERINE GROGAN DAUS ’86, and two sons.

DAVID J. GATZKE ’86/P’07 died Dec. 21, 2017. At Ripon College, he studied computer science and philosophy along with science fiction writing. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force to serve his country and pursue his interest in electronics. He spent nine years in the Air Force and served stateside during a portion of the Vietnam War, manning surface to air missile radar systems. He worked at Alliance Laundry Systems for nearly 30 years, starting in the lab and working his way up to senior electrical designer. He enjoyed fixing up his 150-yearold house, caring for stray cats, finding and tumbling rocks, star gazing, swimming in his pool, and grilling. Survivors include his wife, Linda, two sons, including JONATHAN GATZKE ’07, and one daughter.

DANIEL A. STRAND ’86 of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, died Feb. 4, 2018. At Ripon College, he studied physics and education. He later received a master’s degree in education.

In 1987, he started his first public school educator position as a math and physics teacher in the Argyle School District for four years. He taught in the Elcho School District for 25 years. He enjoyed family, cooking, listening to music, golf and bowling. Survivors include his wife, Candy, and two daughters.

JOHN A. FISHER ’94 of Florence, Arizona, died Dec. 6, 2017.

At Ripon College, he majored in economics and was a member of Merriman fraternity. He spent his career in the banking/ mortgage industry and had a great passion for numbers.

He loved to work on cars with his brother, Doug, and he enjoyed building model and radio-controlled cars. He loved to wakeboard and bike. He was a state wrestling champion in high school. He loved all sports, especially football, which he played in college. Survivors include five children.

DAVID A. JAMES ’97 of Tulalip, Washington, died Dec. 23, 2017. He attended Ripon College, majoring in economics and political science, and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. While at Ripon, he was a member of Merriman fraternity. He was a master carver for the Tulalip Tribes as well as a commercial fisherman and crabber. Survivors include his wife, Crystal Gobin; and two sons.

at the YWCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor. She loved swimming, participating on swim teams for both the Green Bay Swim Club and for Ripon College. She also enjoyed boating, playing cards and playing bells in the choir at St. Anne’s.

COURTNEY DAWN KELI ’11 of Cascade, Wisconsin, died March 8, 2018. At Ripon College, she studied psychology, anthropology and history. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She worked at Anita’s Garden in Plymouth, Wisconsin, for many years. She enjoyed reading, book reviewing, editing, cooking, music and animals. Survivors include her mother, Doreen Keli, Cascade, Wisconsin.

FACULTY AND STAFF

PAUL BYERS RANSLOW, 11th president of Ripon College, died April 9, 2018, in Lincoln, California. He was born in the Republic of the Philippines and grew up in Southern California. He earned a B.A. from Pacific University, Ed.M. from Springfield College, and C.A.S and Ed.D. from Harvard University. He served as president of Ripon College from 1996 to 2002. During his tenure, Ranslow oversaw the dedication of Francis and Tracy Fields, broadened the geographic, racial and ethnic diversity of the student body, and concluded the Securing the Vision capital campaign, including the $4.6 million addition to Farr Hall and the $2.2 million Harry W. Knop Jr. ’42 Endowed Scholarship. He also worked with faculty in the sciences and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to introduce the Ceresco Prairie Conservancy. After leaving Ripon College, Ranslow went on to serve as president of Sierra Nevada College and later as a consultant. Survivors include his wife, Stephanie Ranslow.

RICHARD HENDRICKS of Ripon, Wisconsin, a former cross country coach at Ripon College, died May 26, 2018. He worked for Green Giant Canning Co. and then as a bindery supervisor for Ripon Printers, from which he retired. Running was his life. He was Ripon College’s men’s and women’s cross country coach from 1987-97. He started the women’s cross country program and brought back the men’s cross country program after a 10-year hiatus. He also was a marathoner and a member of the Fond du Lac Running Club. He was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon. Survivors include two daughters.

DIANNE TILOT ’04 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, died Dec. 9, 2017. At Ripon College, she majored in business management.

She received her R.N. degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in 2007. She worked with Bellin for 13 years, starting in staff and later working as a basic life support instructor. Starting in high school, she also worked off and on

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FROM THE RIPON ARCHIVES

Exchange program brought new perspectives to both sides I

n 1964, a small contingent of Ripon College students and faculty spent their spring break at Tougaloo College, just outside of Jackson, Mississippi. Tougaloo is a historically black college of approximately 900 students and was a nexus of social activism in Mississippi during the 1960s.

The college was struggling academically when Dr. Daniel Beitel, former chaplain at Beloit College, became Tougaloo’s president in the 1950s and worked to improve the college’s standing. One aspect of this effort involved developing exchange programs

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with other high-quality schools. Ripon’s participation was coordinated primarily through the office of the chaplain, the Rev. Jerry Thompson.

Originally intended as a one-to-one, semester-long exchange of students, the program carried on until 1968 as an alternative spring break for Ripon students.

Its original intent was realized in the spring of 1965 when each school exchanged two students for the entirety of the semester.

The Tougaloo Exchange Program provided

PHOTO: From left, Tougaloo exchange students at Ripon College in 1965: Hazel McGee, Willie Anderson, Marvin Plamore, Sheryl Miller, O.B. Farish and George Cole.

DICK GRIMSRUD ’65

DR. WILLIAM ALEXANDER

an aspect of diversity that both Ripon College and the city of Ripon lacked. Many Ripon students first experienced the Deep South and its deep-seated, violent racism during their participation. They were shocked to see the segregation they had read about in books was a part of daily life for their Southern contemporaries. As Jim Hess ’67 noted on the 1964 trip, the “water out of a fountain labeled ‘colored’ … tasted just as good as ‘white’ water to me.”

exchange participant, wrote in College Days upon their return that “as of now this (ignorance of the fight for civil rights) is no longer the case and that a clear majority of the students at this school have become more fully cognizant of that nature of the problem confronting all Americans, both those in the North and those in the South.”

He also urged students not to take off to Mississippi to help but to get more involved locally.

That same exchange exposed one student directly to the reality of police brutality.

As Dick Grimsrud ’65 toured downtown Jackson with Carla Metting (Lawrence ’66) and Ken Hayes (Tougaloo), they heard stories from other students of police warnings to not touch as they walked down the sidewalk. It was their group, however, that would have the most contact with the police as they were arrested for jaywalking after hurrying to catch a traffic light within a crosswalk. After a quickly escalating interaction with a police officer, they were treated to a deliberately intimidating ride to the station in the back of a paddy wagon.

After driving into the basement garage of the station, Dick was prevented from riding the elevator to the headquarters with the others and subsequently was beaten by the police officer when they were alone. Dick was dazed by the incident, but wisely did not retaliate and eventually was released.

In 1965, two Ripon students exchanged places with two Tougaloo students for the duration of the spring semester. Though the students from Tougaloo were impressed with the superior facilities at Ripon and found the classes interesting, the social apathy of Ripon students made the most significant impression. They found that very few students made an effort to get to know them and the Greek system was ignored as a tool to promote education. The community of Ripon College was challenged to reach outside its own social structure — whether by getting to know strangers on campus or taking an interest in issues of national and global significance. For the majority of campus, this appeal fell on deaf ears, but for the few who heard and participated in the program themselves, it would shape the people they became.

Though all charges, jaywalking and otherwise, eventually were dropped, many Ripon students were startled into social consciousness as a result of their schoolmates’ experiences. Dr. William Alexander, professor of psychology and

JENNIFER COX ’71

way, but Jennifer was most affected by this statement made by Lois Todd, her new Tougaloo friend: “Before, I thought white people could smile and be nice to you if they had to or if it would get them something and they would kick you as soon as your back was turned. But your girls don’t do that. Before, whenever I was with white girls, I could never forget what color their skin was and I always thought ‘white girls and me.’ Now we’re sitting here together, and I’m thinking ‘my friends and me.’”

That is what the Tougaloo Exchange Program was about. Some may have hoped for more engagement and activism as a result, but the personal connections made by those who participated had a lasting effect that nurtured future actions and attitudes — the building blocks for social change.

ANDREW PRELLWITZ ASSOCIATE LIBRARIAN AND ARCHIVIST

The final exchange between the schools was over spring break in 1968. Jennifer Cox ’71 was shocked by the “subtle warfare” between races. Though their trip did not require the police escorts of those in the past, they were consistently met with discrimination as an integrated group. Their time at Tougaloo was significant for everyone in a personal

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CONSTITUTION OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1789 (REV. 1992):

Freedom of speech: What does it really mean?

The First Amendment is about much more than “free speech.” A new course at Ripon College, offering a critical look into what the First Amendment is about, is being developed by Associate Professor of Communication Steve Martin ’96.

When the Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation sought proposals for research projects that advance our understanding of our civil liberties, Martin was intrigued. “I thought that maybe they would be interested in developing college courses related to civil liberties, as well,” Martin says.

He is focusing on the First Amendment because it offers necessary protections to citizens, but it also is often misunderstood. “Many citizens do not understand what it actually protects them from and what it does not,” Martin says. “It extends beyond that into other areas, such as the freedom to assemble and petition the government.

It protects a free press. And it protects citizens’ rights to practice religion or to choose not to observe or practice any religion at all, 44

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and to be free from the religious practices and beliefs of others. The course will explore all the components of the First Amendment to foster a greater depth of understanding.”

For Martin, the biggest challenge with creating this course has been fitting everything he wants to teach into a single semester. Unlike other similar courses around the country, many of which focus on freedom of the press, Martin wants to offer a holistic view of the First Amendment.

“I hope that students will complete the course with a much more nuanced and complex understanding not only of the significance of upholding and protecting the First Amendment, but also of the many important landmark cases that have shaped our interpretation and current application of the First Amendment,” he says.

Martin received a grant from the Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation to help support his efforts.

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REMARKABLE RIPON

HAROLD ENGEL, CLASS OF 1925:

Bringing educational and political ideas to the people

Expanding educational and political discourse opportunities across the state of Wisconsin was a mission embraced by Harold Engel, Class of 1925, a broadcasting pioneer during the formative years of radio and television.

He promoted the concept of using radio for social good.

Born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, in 1903, Engel majored in economics and educational studies at Ripon College and earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. From 1931-68, he worked in a variety of roles at WHA radio and television, one of the oldest stations in the United States, and as a professor of radio and television at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He first produced a children’s safety program.

Then, in 1933, he conceived and developed Wisconsin College of the Air and Wisconsin School of the Air, which offered educational opportunities to listeners in even the most remote regions of the state. In the mid-1930s, he created “The Political Education Forum,” which provided free, equal time on air to candidates for state office.

From 1946-57, he guided the building of Wisconsin’s public broadcasting FM network, expanded the station’s facilities and worked on legislative lobbying with the state and the Federal Communications Commission. He also served as a consultant for educational program development in other states and as a Fulbright Scholar to the Philippines.

He advocated extensively for the necessity for university stations to be independent and nonprofit: “In radio, we find the most potent device ever conceived for influencing human minds and actions.

Uncontrolled, it could wreck the morale of the nation. Judicially handled, it could raise the level of American life to a plane never before attained. To place such a giant power solely in the custody of those whose primary interest is in its pecuniary earning power is folly.”

Engel died in 1985.

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

RIPON WI PERMIT NO. 101

300 West Seward Street Ripon, WI 54971 ripon.edu Change Service Requested

Flash BACK 1961 The 1961 team finished in fifth place in the Midwest Conference with a 4-3-1 record. They were coached by John Storzer and had six All-Conference selections. Ken Dunlavy was named to the MWC First Team Defense, while James Miller, Bill Stege and Sid Frame were Second Team Offense, and Jim Miller and Tom Hugdahl were named to the MWC’s Second Team Defense. It was John Storzer’s fourth season as head coach. This fall, Ripon welcomes more than 50 new football players from all across the United States to the Red Hawks squad.