R Connections Fall 2015

Connections Fa l l 2 01 5

A Ripon College Class Letter Publication Fall 2015 1

Welcome to Your New Class Letter If you were wondering where your class letter has been this fall, here it is!

The book you hold, R Connections, combines all of the class letters into a single publication. You are able to read just your letter, catch up on friends from other class years, or read it cover-to-cover to discover what your fellow alumni are doing.

Ripon ties us all together, and we hope that R Connections serves to strengthen that tie, renew friendships, and bring you home to your alma mater, whether in spirit as you read or in person for a visit to campus.

AMY GABRIEL GERRETSEN ’04

Everything you are used to seeing is here: class letters – still written by your class agent(s) — news from the College and academic departments, and a full listing of obituaries. There is also a section of alumni photos, and we encourage you to submit your own for consideration in the next edition.

Changing up the class letters allows us to make changes to the Ripon Magazine. The class notes and obituaries that were listed there will no longer appear, starting with the upcoming winter issue. It also means that there will be additional space to share more in-depth features with the broader audience of the magazine.

Ripon ties us all together, and we hope that R Connections serves to strengthen that tie, renew friendships, and bring you home to your alma mater, whether in spirit as you read or in person for a visit to campus.

Speaking of change, the former alumni relations and career development offices are now operating as the Office of Constituent Engagement and Career Services. Our new office offers alumni the opportunity to work with students, providing events like Alumni Career Day and Career Discovery Tours, while still hosting events on and off campus, including Rally Hours, Friends of the Arts, Kettle Club, Homecoming, and Alumni Weekend. We welcome volunteers to help with events and to mentor students in career paths and networking.

Please stay in touch, and we hope you enjoy this first issue of R Connections.

Sincerely,

Amy Gabriel Gerretsen ’04 Director of Constituent Engagement and Career Services

If you have photos for future editions, please send them to Amanda R. Liethen ’07, Assistant Director of Annual Fund, Alumni Relations and Parent Programs, at LiethenA@ripon.edu. You also can contact Amanda if you are interested in serving as a class agent.

News to share can be sent to alumni@ripon.edu or your class agent, or can be submitted via the online form at ripon.edu/update-contact-info.

CONTENTS

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Alumni Sightings

6

Class Letters

70

Campus Snapshots

74

News from Ripon

76

Staying Connected: Brian Wegener ’86 Susan Reigler Palmer ’79

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In Memoriam

R Connections is published twice annually by Ripon College, 300 West Seward Street, Ripon WI 54971-0248. Postage paid at Ripon, Wisconsin.

Copyright © 2015 Ripon College.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to R Connections, PO Box 248, Ripon, WI 54971-0248.

Connections Fall 2 0 1 5 Volume 1, Issue No. 1 On the Cover: KEVIN

To submit a note for a future issue or to update your contact information, contact Ripon College Office of Constituent Engagement and Career Services, 300 West Seward Street, Ripon, WI 54971-0248. Phone: 920-748-8126 Email: alumni@ripon.edu Web: www.ripon.edu/updatecontact-info

WARMACK ’79 waves to the crowd during the annual All-Alumni March at Alumni

ri p on. ed u

Weekend. Photo by Jim Koepnick.

Editor Amanda R. Liethen ’07

Editorial Assistants Jaye Alderson Lori A. Schroeder ’13 Nancy Buck Hintz ’82

Design Ali Klunick Ric Damm

facebook.com/ripon.college flickr.com/photos/ripon_college instagram.com/riponcollege linkedin.com/company/ripon-college twitter.com/riponcollege youtube.com/riponcollegevideo

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AlumniSightings

STAN EVANS ’78

Celebrating her mother’s 105th birthday last year was JANE BENSON ’73. Jane says her mom is still very active and beats her at Scrabble nearly every time they play.

JEFF BAEFSKY ’78

ERICA SHUTTER HILL ’78, JEANNE SPYCHALLA LIETZAN ’78, ANN LALUZERNE VANDENACK ’78, JOAN MUCCI ESPOSITO ’78, CARLA OLSEN LARSEN ’78 and CAMILLE BERGGREN WEHNER ’78 held their annual Shaler third-floor getJILL PEDIGO HALL ’78

together this summer.

DAVID L. MIRISCH ’59

A class photo from the 1995 reunion during Alumni Weekend 2015. Pictured from left to right are SARA SEDLACHEK ’95, ANN

DINGMAN ’95, MICHELLE BUSS ’95, SHEA HARDY ’95, RYAN COX ’95, TODD SIPPEL ’95, SARA LARSON SIPPEL ’95, ANGELA KEITH ’95, TOM LUFT ’95, JEFF WALSH ’95, AMY DEKEYSER PADILLA ’95, VINCE PADILLA ’95, DAN YOST ’95 and ROB NEUMAN ’95.

KATHLEEN GIBSON MARTIN ’78 and JIM MARTIN ‘78

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Pictured here at the Milwaukee Rally Hour in July are ERIC GALLAGHER ’06, DANTE HOUSTON ’01, CHELSEY FOSTER ’10, CARLOS SOTO ’11 and SEVERIN LARSEN ’13.

DAVID NEUBAUER ’63 and his wife, Linda, enjoyed a stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, during a recent cruise that took them through the Panama Canal.

DAVE LEIFHEIT ’67 and NANCY OLIVER LEIFHEIT ’69 pose for a picture at Puget ANDRE KRAINIK ’96, JASON WOOD ’96 and LORI BERGERON ’95 at Alumni Weekend 2015.

Sound during a trip to Seattle, Washington.

A class photo from the 2000 reunion during Alumni Weekend 2015. Front row:

ERIN GATZKE MILLER ’00, PATRICK CASEY ’00 and ROBERT FRAZIER ’00. Second row: ANTON THURMOND ’00, KERSTEN HOLM LARSON ’00, CHARLIE LARSON ’00 and ANDRE MIKSHA ’00. Third row: SADIE GEIGER MLEZIVA ’00 and KELLY KOEPP ZIMMERMAN ’00. Back row: TERI HEPLER ’00, LINDSAY DANNER ’00, JULIE KAISERLING PFEIL ’00, TIMOTHY POMEROY ’00 and TIMOTHY BARBER ’00.

SHARON GRIGGINS ’76, ANDREA TOPETZES MANN ’76 and JULIE CARLSON ’76 enjoyed a mini-reunion this summer, pictured here at the Bainbridge Island, Washington, marina.

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AlumniSightings

LISA ULLMEN ROACH ’85

JENA ROSCIZEWSKI ’13 and KEVEN CLUKA ’13 stand in front of the house they recently purchased.

JIM WILKES ’78

MIKE MIZEN ’73 and PEGGI SEELBACH MIZEN ’75 celebrated the marriage of their daughter Alison. Pictured from left to right are GARY SHARPE ’73, ROB GADDIS ’72, PETER TULLIO ’73

SYLVIA ASHTON ’64 met up with AL JARREAU ’62

and Mike.

backstage at his recent concert in Milwaukee.

STEVE MARTIN ’96, JASON WOOD ’96 and CAREY MOLINSKI ’96 during Alumni Weekend 2015.

Pictured from left to right at their reunion in New England are

DORRIE SMITH SCRANTON ’87, LIVY HECHT ’87, CHRIS TEMPLETON ’87 and MICHELLE MARTIN ’87.

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A (mostly) Merriman reunion in Flagstaff, Arizona, last year featured a lot of catching up, reminiscing over old stories, and golfing. Pictured from left to right are JIM JANIKOWSKI ’69, BILL TESTIN ’69, JOHN CORSO ’68, DON MCNEIL ’68, GORDON HANNAFORD ’68, WALTER WAXMAN ’69, KIPP JOHNSON ’69, JOHN WIECHMANN ’69 and RICH KIRSCHMAN ’69.

MICHELLE BUSS ’95, ANGELA KEITH ’95 and AMY DEKEYSER PADILLA hold the class sign while alumni march during Alumni

ERIC SCHUMACHER ’12, JIMMY RINDT ’13, ADAM SELLNER ’13 and JAKE GAHART ’13 show off their self-described “epic” facial

Weekend 2015.

hair at the golf scramble during Alumni Weekend 2015.

waiting for the start of the all-

JOHN STIERNBERG ’73, left, was introduced to guitar legend

JOHN SCHULTZ ’78

Duane Eddy, second from right, at a reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville this summer.

BILL TOURLAS ’87 sports his Ripon College sweatshirt.

Former Vice President for Advancement WAYNE WEBSTER, left, receives a farewell gift of a Ripon quilt, commissioned by GREGG

PETERSEN ’78, from Alumni Board President DAN MCNAUGHTON ’86, CRAIG FERRIS ’65 and Director of Development LARRY MALCHOW ’77.

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CLASSLetters

1930s & 1940s The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested in becoming the Class Agent or want to learn more about this role, please email alumni@ripon.edu.

JIM “MAGGIE” MEGELLAS ’42 of Colleyville, Texas, has received the Audi Murphy Award for Distinguished Service in the United States Military during World War II from the American Veterans Center. A retired colonel, he is the most decorated officer of the 82nd Airborne Division.

DONALD WILLIAMS ’42 of Concord, Massachusetts, writes, “My wife, Adelaide, died November 1, 2014. At 93, I still sing in chapel choir and play piano twice a week for another choir in this retirement center.”

changes in course offerings and approaches that have taken place at our alma mater since our classroom days of the 50s. As technology has expanded and changed, so have opportunities for student involvement both inside and outside the classroom. For example, earlier this year the Physics Department’s Red Hawks Rocketry Team won first place in the Non-engineering Division of the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium’s Collegiate High Powered Rocketry competition. Even more impressive: The team’s point total would have been enough to give them second place in the Engineering Division competition, had they chosen to enter that division instead, beating out engineering teams from UW-Madison and UW-Platteville engineering schools, among others. Who would’ve thought?

writes, “My cherished memories of Ripon College (Professor Crump in math and Professor Barber in physics, as well as Tracy House) have not faded over the years as I pass my 95th birthday, and my wife and I celebrate our 75th wedding anniversary. The Jamrich Hall Dedication Program, held on September 25, 2014, at Northern Michigan University was such a very special honor; I served as president from 1968 to 1983. Not forgotten, either, is the alumni honor

by Ripon College many years ago.”

Alumni Weekend this year was, as usual, a huge success. The nearly 700 alumni and friends who participated hailed from 33 states and Morocco.

The 179 golfers who participated in the annual Red Hawk Scramble raised over $20,000 for the College’s Athletic Department. Along with a few “old” friends, we enjoyed the all-school buffet luncheon on Saturday and the dinner in the evening. We say few because there weren’t many of us from ’50, ’51, or ’52. But we like to think that what we lacked in quantity we made up for in quality: the two of us and BILL BRENNAN ’52 did our best to represent our classes. We were joined by a number of “younger” alumni from ’55-’59.

MARY EGERMAN TREMBOUR ’45 of Boulder, Colorado, writes: “I moved this year to the Meridian, a retirement community, and am enjoying it a lot.”

Some musings and notes from and about our classmates ….. only a few because we’ve heard from very few of you.

JOHN X. JAMRICH ’43 of Jacksonville, Florida,

DOROTHY NEESE EVANS ’46 of Miami, Florida, writes, “I’m still singing in my church choir. 35 family members and friends gave me a lovely party for my 90th birthday, April 22. Youngest attendee was my great-grandson, Cameron Moore, grandson of James Evans ’79.”

ELEANOR HEALY ANDERSON ’48 and her husband, Henry, of Racine, Wisconsin, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 17, 2015.

They have two children and five grandchildren.

ELIZABETH TILDEN BEATTIE ’49 of Kirkwood, Missouri, directs a choir in her retirement home.

LOUIS LANZER ’49 and ELIZABETH CARMEN LANZER ’49 of Torrance, California, write, “We’re still living in the house we bought in 1957.”

RUTH KORTEMEIER ROEBER ’49 of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, writes: “Cincinnati Alumni — great, friendly group!”

1950, 1951 & 1952 Jo Klawiter Cochrane ’51 & Jim Cochrane ’52 415 Wells Street #206, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 262-348-1900 / 847-951-2969 gilbertlake@sbcglobal.net Greetings from Gilbert Lake …..

Labor Day is just around the corner as we sit down to put this fall class letter together. It’s still summer here at the lake, with temps in the high 80s and even higher humidity levels. Two of our sons will be coming this weekend to take out the swimming raft, the pier and various beach “toys” — a sure sign that fall is fast approaching.

News of the College In reading through recent news and highlights from many of the school’s Academic Departments (See Page 66), we were struck by some of the significant

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Our faithful correspondent, CHAD GIBBONS ’52, emails, “Daughter and family went on vacation and left me to care for three dogs and several cats — fortunately, the ferrets are being boarded at the vet. Getting ready to release my investment letter — wish I had better clairvoyance about the future — cautious. Still hitting tennis balls with the younger guys.”

ROBERT G. “BOB” HESS ’52 is one very loyal alumnus. We certainly appreciate all of his efforts to let us know what he and his wife, Phyllis, are doing and how much he enjoyed his time at Ripon.

He wrote to tell us that they have four children and, because their twin grandchildren were graduating from high school this year, he and Phyllis were unable to join us for Alumni Weekend. He reminisced about earlier times when they had three children in college at one time (a struggle many of us had back in the ’70s and ’80s): “Raising a family was a big thrill. Back then, when the kids were home, we had three cars and one TV. Now we have three TVs and one car. We are down-sizing and sorting out, but every time we find something the kids made or were associated with, we find it hard to part with.” Doesn’t that sound familiar? We certainly can identify with that. Thanks, Bob, for that bit of nostalgia.

Recently the two of us stopped by to see GORDON “BUD” KADOLPH ’52 at the Crossroads Care Center of Weyauwega, Wisconsin, where Bud has been a resident for several years. Jim and Bud enjoyed reminiscing and talking about old times … sharing memories from their basketball days as Redmen in the early ’50s. Bud was in good spirits.

His memory is “right on,” and he certainly has great recall of his days at Ripon College. He would love to hear from some of his old friends. You can brighten his day by dropping him a line at the Crossroads Care Center, 717 E. Alfred Street, Weyauwega, WI 54983.

1930-54 PAUL NANCARROW ’52 of Maple Grove, Minnesota, emails, “Some worthwhile news at last: Debbie and I will be celebrating our 60th anniversary in October with a gathering of children and grandchildren.” How great! Our hearty congratulations to the two of you. A real milestone, indeed … but we’ve got you beat by two.

Sadly, we note the following classmates’ deaths. The obituaries are printed in the In Memoriam section.

1951: JACK D. POINTER 1952: KENNETH D. MILIUS, JERRY W.

PFAFFLIN, JAMES R. POWERS, PAUL J. SPHEERIS, GERMAINE “GERRY” DOBRATZ SPOONER, BETTY CROMER TROMBELLO

In closing, we would once again remind all you “old” friends to LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN, and LOVE MUCH! ALWAYS FOR RIPON..........

Jim and Jo

1953 & 1954 Ron Balej ’53 3111 Toledo Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55416 952-929-6398 / rmbalej@hotmail.com Hi to you all!

An email from HELEN BILLETT WARREN ’54: “We do get used to change, at our age, but I’ve had, for me, a really big one this year. For 19 years, I have lived with a dear companion, a handsome, genial fellow, beloved by all who knew him. Sylvester died in May, and there will never be another cat for me!

Seriously, this was terrifically sad, though of course to be expected, and I am still getting used to his absence. On a happier note, my daughter and I went to Cuba in June. A really interesting trip, the people were delightful, welcoming and, for the most part, spoke frankly about economic and political matters and the changes they hope for. A beautiful country.”

A letter from CARROLL DANA ’54: “Hey Ron, just a note to thank you for the great job you are doing with the class letter. I really enjoy them. It is probably too late, but here are some of my memories of my short, but wonderful, time at Ripon. I arrived in September 1950 and had the honor of moving into the delightful Siberian dorms. JIM WAGNER ’54 was the upper classman resident. Much to my surprise, I ran into him in 1961 when I went to Stevens Point with Sentry Insurance. It started a friendship that lasted for many years until his death.

In Stevens Point, I also ran into and worked with JIM MENDYKE ’51. At your request, I once asked him why he didn’t throw more passes to you and he said it was because you couldn’t catch. Jim also has died. I recall the various jobs I had: waiter in the dining hall, pin setter at the bowling alley, picking apples at a local orchard, a soda jerk and campus representative for Chesterfield cigs. Pledging Alpha and becoming skilled at long marches at night with SMOKEY BLOCHWITZ ’51 as our DI. GLEN BUCHHOLZ ’53 and I were freshmen on the varsity debate team. We got strange looks as we went to tournaments with ‘A’ shaved in our heads. Prof. White was the coach and I had him for a class at U of W when I got out of the Navy in 1956. There also was the tennis team — at least they let me stay on the team. I believe you know I lost my wife, Marion, to a stroke in 2013. She was a graduate of Mount Mary in Milwaukee. We had remained friends with many of the couples where the gals were classmates. One

of them lost her husband in 2012 to cancer. We got together and were married in 2014. We have been doing a lot of travelling. We live in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Enough for now. Hope to join you on one of the Alpha gatherings. Stay well and best regards.”

BOB CLEMENS ’54 writes: “Ron, you got a friend request from me on Facebook the other day and probably thought, ‘Who the heck is Bob Clemens?’

Well, we were both students at Ripon College back in the very early 1950s. I would have been a class of 1954 graduate had I stayed at Ripon, but I transferred to the University of Illinois after my sophomore year. Although you and I had little contact back then, I ran against you and Fran Blaise ’53 in the spring 1952 intramural track meet 220 race, finishing third behind the two of you. I still receive the class letter and, although it’s been 63 years since I’ve seen most of the folks mentioned in it, I still enjoy my long ago association with Ripon.

The one Riponite that I still stay in contact with is KENN JACOBS ’53. He worked here in Rochester at an ad agency that Kodak used and as a staff photographer at Kodak. Kenn and I collaborated from time to time. He and I had met and worked together at Ripon as staff members of the College Days. On August 19, my wife, Bernadette, and I will celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary, and therein lies a tale with a Ripon connection. As a junior at Illinois, I had twice seen a very attractive coed who really caught my eye, once in the school library, once on a bus. I had no idea who she was, but her image stayed with me. The next fall — 1953 — I had just left a class building. Down the sidewalk I saw a fellow Ripon transfer who I would run into from time to time named GRACE SCHLAGER ’55 (she had been a freshman my last year at Ripon), walking toward me. Beside her was that same coed I had twice seen the year before. I waited until they were near and said hi to Grace, who promptly introduced me to her friend, Bernadette Rubis. It turned out they were both pledges at the same sorority.

Bernadette and I started dating right after that. We were married in 1955 while I was at Fort Benning starting my two years of service in the Army required by my ROTC commission. Following that, I began my career as a professional photographer, the last 25 years of which were spent here in Rochester with Eastman Kodak. So ... had I not gone to Ripon for two years I would not have known Grace Schlager, who decided to transfer to Illinois, and who by pure chance and good luck was walking up that sidewalk with my future wife when I, by pure chance and good luck, had just exited that class building. You get the picture. We have two grown sons and four grandchildren. I retired from Kodak in 1989 and have now been retired for one year longer than I worked there. We recently sold our home of 43 years and have moved to an apartment and are looking forward to the more relaxed life that goes with it.

I’d enjoy hearing from any of my old classmates (who still remember me!) at rclemens2@rochester. rr.com, and anyone wishing to see a selection of my photographs can do so at www.flickr.com/photos/ robert_clemens.”

JIM CUNNINGHAM ’54 writes: “I cannot believe another year has gone by. The good thing is that Ripon College is and was a great experience and other students also will be able to enjoy it. We are still living in the same house, but it seems like all our friends are now buying condos and downsizing.

We are still in good health although Dee has become a bionic woman with five joint replacements. No more tennis or skiing for her. I am still playing tennis four days a week. I might try skiing one last year if we get any snow, but carefully. We had a trip to Montana last month visiting friends at their cabin

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CLASSLetters then on to Glacier Park and the Calgary Stampede ... my last rodeo! We are heading out to Zurich in September visiting a few places we used to ski. Also Lake Bodensee, then a river trip from Prague through southern Germany, Luxembourg, Paris and home.

I’m still active in Rotary and our Men’s Book Group.

We hope to be in Florida with Chuck ’53 and Joan Hurley Van Zoeren ’53 this winter and hope to see some Ripon alumni. Keep up your good work with the Class Letter.”

From NED LUFRANO ’54: “The summer is winding down and soon we will be returning to Ripon for our annual reunion. We call ourselves Ripon ’50s Reunion Group. We have been returning to Ripon for more than 50 years. This year, we will be returning the weekend of October 2-4.

This also happens to be Homecoming weekend.

Some of our people arrive on Thursday and others on Friday. Most are staying at the Heidel House in Green Lake. Our scheduled activities include Friday night cocktails at the Heidel House followed by dinner at the Goose Blind in downtown Green Lake. Saturday will feature breakfast at any number of places around Green Lake followed by a trip to the cookie factory , then the Ripon bookstore.

After that, it will be time for an all-school lunch and then on to the football game. Ripon will be playing Illinois College. Then we will again enjoy cocktails at the Heidel House followed by dinner at the Grey Rock Restaurant, which is the main restaurant at the Heidel House. Then, before you blink your eyes it will be Sunday morning and we will have another nice breakfast before we all start our journey home. We will continue returning to Ripon for as long as we possibly can. It has always been fun reconnecting with dear old Ripon friends.

Here is the list of those that will be with us this year: VERNE CHURCHILL ’54, RON BALEJ ’53 and MARY ALICE MILLER BALEJ ’55, BOB WITT ’55 and Pat Witt, BILL DONALDSON ’54, DON DEIKE’56 and Maggy Deike, DUKE PEPKE ’54 and Carol Pepke, CHARLES BRINTLINGER ’53 and Pat Brintlinger, JIM LANDWEHR ’56 and CAROLINE CALLAHAN LANDWEHR ’55, KENN JACOBS ’53 and Sara Burke, DICK HALLOCK ’53 and ANN BARBER HALLOCK ’53, ART WONG ’53 and Elaine Wong, WOODY MOY ’56, JOHN FUCHS ’53, SYDNEY ROUSE ’54, MARY JANE BUMBY ’52, JIM THAYER ’54, DOC WEISKE ’50 and Lois Weiske, BILL NEILL ’67 and JUDY WILKINSON NEILL ’68, ELLIOT SAMUELS ’66 and Debbie Samuels. Be well and best to all.”

A note from PAT JENKINS STEAFFENS ’54: “Right now I can’t think of much that would interest anyone else! However, I do have a new ‘find.’ As are many of you, I’m still digging through ‘stuff’ — and came across a Ripon College Christmas album. It must be from our years. William Peterman directs the Ripon College Choir in Christmas music — sacred and traditional carols. I no longer have a record player, nor does anyone I know. How about you alumni? If someone wants it, let me know (pbsteaffens@att.net).

All four platters are in good shape.”

JOHN FUCHS ’53 writes: “I stopped at the bank today where my wife, MARY HOLYOKE FUCHS ’53, had worked a good number of years. I was immediately surrounded by her friends who told me how much they still missed her. This was good to hear but brought tears to all of our eyes. We met at Ripon at the start of our freshman year. And for all the passing years, Ripon has always held a special place in our hearts. I can imagine that there are a number of students there today who are having

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similar experiences. If Mary had not received a scholarship and a job in the kitchen, we would not have met and had so many joyful years together. So for Ripon, I am eternally thankful.”

From RUSS BREMNER ’53: “I’m still here (that counts for a lot). Still teach ESL and mentor at SCORE and still remember the many good times and friends at Ripon. Parkinson’s problems are beginning, but all else is OK. Family and a passel of kids and grandkids compel our interest, demand our involvement, cause us to worry and mostly bring us great joy. Thanks for keeping the letters coming.”

A short note from GERRY KOSSORIS ’53 and PAT COZART KOSSORIS ’53: “Not too much is new in our lives except we are still here! Pat and I will soon be celebrating our 62nd anniversary. We look forward to spending the winter in Florida and getting together with DICK COZAD ’53 and Bonny. Nice to get out of the Wisconsin winters. Go Packers!”

BILL DONALDSON ’54 reports he is leading a dull life: “Ron, I appreciate your personal appeal for class letter info but have to confess that I have nothing noteworthy to report. Sounds pretty dull, doesn’t it?

You have a hard and thankless job pulling together newsworthy nuggets from a bunch of octogenarians and I wish I could make it easier for you, but not much is happening with me at the moment. I’ll happily contribute when something comes up in the future. I look forward to seeing you and MARY ALICE MILLER BALEJ ’55 at Green Lake next month.”

But guess what? After a bit of prodding Bill’s life is not so dull after all: “I’m still active in the Wheaton, Illinois, community theater, no longer on stage but work on set construction and decoration. It’s a very active group, six productions a year. We wound up last season with Spamalot and are opening this season with Play It Again Sam. About 150 members with a wide range of age and backgrounds. It’s a great creative outlet. I’m glad to hear that your daughter, Janet, is affiliated with the Guthrie Theater. That’s a superb regional theater. There was a nice piece about them in the New York Times a week or so ago. It’s nice to have a source of free tickets! See you in a few weeks.”

A note from PAT CASPERSON ’54: “Ripon memories come up so very frequently. Just yesterday, a phone call from DOUG PETERSON ’56 — after his freshman year at Ripon, he transferred to his hometown college of St. Norbert. His call was to pass along sad news. One of the all-time greats of St. Norbert, Jim Ritchie, passed away. He played us in our senior season and was a standout. Perhaps you ‘Alphas’ would remember Doug — he is doing well and living in the Denver area. I was best man at Doug and Peg’s wedding. On a sad note – a super guy and a friend to so many of us, JIM POWERS ’52, passed away August 27 in Neenah, Wisconsin.

Jim represented Ripon extremely well in sports — particularly in basketball. He also did an excellent job cleaning the dining room floor in the evenings for ‘The Hawk.’ After his army years in Korea, Jim returned to his hometown and headed the personnel department of Bergstrom (later Gladfelter) for his working years.”

A sad note from JIM COCHRANE ’52 and JO KLAWITER COCHRANE ’51: “Fellow alumni & friends: Sadly, we report the passing of classmate

JAMES R. ‘JIM’ POWERS ’52 on August 27, 2015, in Neenah, Wisconsin. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary ‘Mickie,’ two sons, and two granddaughters.

Live well, Laugh often and Love much! Jo & Jim

1953-54 Bad news from the College: FAYE BACKUS HERBST ’53 of Vernon Hills, Illinois, died August 19, 2015. At Ripon she studied Spanish, was a member of Pi Delta Omega sorority, and participated in Ver Adest. Her husband, HENRY HERBST ’53, passed away in 2000.

JEAN SPIKINGS DAVIS ’54 about her old friend David: “I just thought of something funny for the newsletter. I was in the front hall at the Duffy house signing out – remember we had to do that? – with a large bottle of Mogen David wine in a sack on the table. Some gals and our dates (maybe you were mine, Ron?) were going to a party and my job was to bring the wine. Unfortunately, the bottle fell to the floor RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE MOTHER – it did not break – and she NEVER said a word. I could just imagine my father’s reaction if I’d been kicked out of school! One more thing: We, Jim and I, also just celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary — amazing!”

From RICHARD “TEX” HALLOCK ’53 and ANNE BARBER HALLOCK ’53: “In response to your request for family info for our class letter: Ron, you have obviously done a better job of recruiting attendees for our Alpha fraternity reunion gathering at Ripon this coming October than I did.

Way to go! Although we hope that this problem does not impact you, Anne and I are getting old.

But we are, happily, still both vertical and mobile.

Anne is currently dealing with breast cancer, but we have every reason to hope that she has won.

We won’t know for sure for three more years. I, too, am suffering a major disappointment: I no longer ride on the Wyoming roundup as I did twice each year for the past 30 years. It would be just too embarrassing to have to get on my horse from the bumper of a pickup with all those real cowboys looking on. We are now, and have been for a long time, ensconced in the southern Colorado home we built in 1974, after three U.S. Army moves back and forth into the same house. Easier moves than most as we could tell the movers to ‘just hang that picture right there on that nail.’ Sadly, we lost our number one daughter to cancer a year ago last March. She is very much missed. Anne and I are just back from a family vacation at Glacier National Park. We rented a very nice comfortable private home for us (13 with one grandson-in-law having to work). We assembled in northern Montana from Pueblo and Boulder in Colorado, with the rest coming from Moscow, Idaho.

Had a nice time: walkers walked, loafers loafed and enjoyed the beauty of a pretty wild landscape.

We’ll see some of you in Ripon in early October and, with fond memories, wish you all health and happiness.”

Some memories of Ripon from KOKKI SHINDO ’53: “Ron, you have shamed me into responding.

Everywhere I went, I was always grouped with the foreign students. In my two years at Ripon, I must admit that I was relatively invisible on the social scene. I would be shocked if the majority of the Class of ’53 remembers me. I think I got to know President Clark Keubler and some of the faculty members better than most students. A glimpse of my life: After graduating Ripon and doing graduate work at USC and UCLA, I worked in the southern California aerospace industry before joining academia teaching mathematics. My avocation is probably unlike most Riponites. For 40 years, I was an avid ocean sailboat racer campaigning primarily in southern California. I did numerous long-distance races as crew to Mexico (Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexican Ocean Racing Circuit) and to Hawaii (Transpac). Twenty years ago, I sold my sailboat and bought a powerboat. Today, my wife

and I spend much of our summers at Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island. In the spring and fall, we generally travel abroad. Surprising news: currently there are five coeds attending Ripon College on scholarship from Avalon High School on Santa Catalina Island. They are children of Latino workers in Avalon (Latinos make up the majority of the population of Avalon). About five years ago, I was asked to sponsor a couple for membership at the Fourth of July Yacht Club in Two Harbors since they are members of King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach where I am a past commodore. He turned out to be a Ripon graduate and a member of Merriman.

His best friend is the son of DON FOREST ’54 and ANN FRANKLYN FOREST ’53. What a small world!”

Editor’s Note: Kokki I’m glad to know shaming you into responding worked. I’ll use it again on a couple of other tardy responders. You and ART WONG ’53 ought to get together if you have not already done so, as Art was an avid sail boater who for years raced the annual Chicago to Mackinac Island sailboat race. Kokki, I can’t speak for the majority of our class about remembering who you are, but when reading your response I thought to myself, “I remember what Kokki looked like” and went to our ’53 Crimson class book and sure enough, there you are, page 29 right under MERLE SCHOTANUS ’53 just as I remembered you. But I suppose 62 years have changed that look at least a bit. rjb

BLANCHE BARTIZAL BABCOCK ’53 writes: “Hi, Mary and Ron. I’m happy you are on your toes.

The class letter is always received with pleasure.

The big news this year is Sniffy, my Chihuahua dog, treed a bear. The bear could not get up the tree fast enough. I watched this from my living room window.

As long as I can drive a car, I hope to live in the Nicolet Forest. We have six winter residents living on Butternut Lake, so I am not alone. Sheepshead cards every Tuesday night. The rest of my social life takes place in the town of Eagle River: Palliative Care, Hospital Auxiliary, Investment Club, Learning In Retirement and sometimes bridge. Thank you for all you do. Love to all.”

BARBARA PERRETT SKUBIC ’53 writes: “Ron – I am doing well. I have moved from Terra Linda, California, north to Petaluma, California. Three of my boys and their families live here so I am close to family, which is great!! I’m getting along okay and still enjoying the California life!!! I have a story about a time I was reminded of Ripon. I was down in LA years ago visiting two of my boys who were attending UCLA. We went to a movie starring HARRISON FORD ’64 and at a point in the film he was telling a student that he didn’t have time to help him and he should go down the hall to Dr. Tyree. I screamed and they were shocked — thought I was not well. I told them I had Dr. Tyree when I was at Ripon. They were impressed!!! One of the great memories of Ripon and all the good times and wonderful adventures!!!

Thank you for your continued contact.”

JOHN FRISVOLD ’53 writes: “Hi Ron, here goes for the class letter: the last year has been tumultuous.

After 30 years as a resident in Pelican Bay, Naples, we sold our condo in The Montenero and moved last fall into the Moorings Park campus. Just before that move, we saw three of our 18 grandchildren graduate from high school, college and graduate school and another grandson get married. All those events were followed by major surgery at Mayo Clinic. Then we moved and we are happily enjoying our new Naples home. We still spend summers in our Bearpath home in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Marti and I have enjoyed an active 20 years since my retirement from 3M and continue to anxiously watch

Fall 2015 9

CLASSLetters our large expanding family of 43. Our eight children have been married 30 or more years to fine spouses.

Four grandchildren have married and given us three great-grandchildren. We will continue to see this expansion since one grandchild is in high school and three in college. We have had pleasant visits to Ripon every few years. I had the honor to represent our class at the inauguration of President Messitte, and it is always fun to visit with the Ripon ’50s Reunion Group. P.S. to Ron: My nickname in school was ‘Frizz,’ but my name is Frisvold.”

Editor’s Note: Sorry, John, for sending you that email marked “Frizvold.” It was late at night when I composed that email and was trying to get a few winks of zzzzzzzs at the computer and one must have jumped off the page and onto your name. rjb

OLIVER E. WILLIAMSON ’54 of Berkeley, California, wrote: “I was a student at Ripon during the years 1950-52. I moved from Ripon to MIT, where I got a bachelor’s degree in 1955. After several years at work, I returned to education where I got a master’s degree from Stanford in 1960. This was followed by a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Industrial Administration at Carnegie in 1963. I moved around a bit thereafter – from Berkeley to the University of Pennsylvania to Yale, and in 1988 I returned to UC Berkeley – where I had extraordinary students and colleagues. I received a number of awards, the most significant being a Nobel Prize in the Economic Sciences in 2009. How did I get there? A lot of good schools; a wonderful wife (and children); a lot of hard work; many good colleagues and students and adaptive, sequential decision making.”

MERLE SCHOTANUS ’53 and HELEN MATTESON SCHOTANUS ’54 offer this: “Hi Ron: all is almost OK in Grantham, New Hampshire. I underwent lung surgery in November 2014, and after four cycles of chemotherapy am now considered in remission. Helen and I were able to ride our bikes in the ‘Octogenarian 20 Mile’ event in July 2015 to help raise $3.2 million for cancer research at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire. I had a little help from my new specialized electric assist bike and a puff or two of oxygen from my portable 02 generator. We also enjoyed a short visit recently with SHAWN KARSTEN ’09 from the Ripon College Development Office. Kudos to him and the development staff for their outstanding work in helping our burgeoning Ripon Collage Endowment Fund continue to grow. Thanks for the reminder, Ron. Keep up the good work.”

MARV “SPIDER” PRELLBERG ’53 writes: “I am a member of The Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City, Georgia, and have been since 1995. Since joining, I have been primarily involved in our Kiwanissponsored youth clubs. College football is a big thing down south with the SEC Conference. On August 31, our Kiwanis Club had its weekly Monday morning meeting, and we were asked to wear a team T-shirt. I showed up with my Ripon College golf T-shirt and my Ripon College cap (a Christmas present from one of my kids). Of course, very few of my fellow Kiwanis Club members had ever heard of my alma mater, but I enjoyed this opportunity to wear the Redmen colors (oops, the Red Hawks).

A bit of family news is that my grandson, Nathan Brown, re-enlisted as an E-7 sergeant to continue his military career. Nathan has served a tour in Iraq and Afghanistan and has been stationed at Fort Drum, New York, for the past few years. Thanks to Facebook, we have been able to see pics of the large snow mounds surrounding their house just outside

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the base as well as our two great- granddaughters, Peyton, age 6, and Piper, age 3. In a couple of weeks, myself and my son, Jeff, who lives here in Peachtree City with his wife and two sons, will be taking a short trip to Arlington Heights, Illinois. Besides visiting some of our family who live in that area, Jeff and I will be involved in something special for both of us. We will be playing a round of golf at Rolling Green Country Club in Arlington Heights. The course is 90 years old but is the course where both of us caddied in our youth. Rolling Green is also where we basically learned to play golf in our high school years at Arlington High School. I caddied there from 1943-1951 and Jeff from 1976-early 1980s. Some of my best memories at Ripon are playing on the Ripon College golf team from my sophomore through senior years. In my junior year, we placed second in the Midwest Conference Tournament. I have a son, Mark, who lives in Chandler, Arizona, and who also caddied at Rolling Green. My wife, Barbara, and I are still enjoying our Peachtree City retirement area. We still live in the same house that we bought in 1994 when I retired. We live on the golf course and enjoy early evenings watching the deer venture through our back yard area as well as the various types of birds that visit our bird feeders each day. Church activities also keep us involved in the community.”

JOAN DUNHAM MCCOMBS ’54 ponders: “I remember cards of Chicago scenes someone had at a past Alumni Weekend reunion. But I can’t recall who brought them. It doesn’t matter. We’ll go back to South Haven next year and enjoy the scenery and the lake. Have a great reunion. Do you know my relative Dr. JOHN WOODARD ’84 graduated with four majors and is a professor of psychology at Wayne State University, and is a ham radio operator and does Morse code in his spare time?”

Editor’s Note: Joan wrote this last year but missed the last letter. She thought maybe the cards were brought by ART WONG ’53 or WOODY MOY ’56? rjb A short note from DAVID RUNKEL ’54 and JOAN SAMPSON RUNKEL ’55: “The only news we can send is we celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary last October 9!! Looking forward to our 61st next month!!”

SYDNEY ROUSE ’54 reports: “Greetings one and all!! I have retired from my paying positions with our Board of REALTORS® although I will continue to be active on the board. 2015 is also my 40th year as a REALTOR®. I am still doing some other consulting as well as serving on our Town Board and School Board. Am enjoying the last of our hot weather this Labor Day weekend. Looking forward to seeing those of you who will be attending our Ripon ’50s Reunion, always a great time.”

A note from CHARLES BRINTLINGER ’53: “My second wife, Pat Zoeller, nine years younger than I, is the daughter of the late Nick Etten who was the American League home run leader in 1942 and the RBI leader in 1943; now have 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Other than that, I have nothing exciting to report.”

RON BALEJ ’53 and MARY ALICE MILLER BALEJ ’55 … and now it’s my turn: “Mary Alice and I have had a nice summer spending some weekends and the last eight days up in northern Minnesota near the town of Walker at our cabin with our daughter Janet and son Steve, marveling at the scores of deer darting across our paths and 12 wild turkeys trotting across our front yard before flying up into a nearby pine tree to roost for the night. I’m not a hunter, and I wonder how many of those graceful deer will be shot and killed this coming hunting

1954-55 season. Remember the movie Bambi? Bambi and his mother race through the forest clearing ahead of a gunshot. ‘Man was in the forest today,’ she explains to Bambi ... and then again later in the movie another gunshot and his father says sadly, ‘Your mother can’t be with you anymore.’ Come November in Minnesota and Wisconsin, man will again be in the forest and we will see those dead deer draped across the fronts of cars returning to Minneapolis and Milwaukee. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against the hunters. It is for food, sport and the necessary culling of the herds. I just hate to see those dead deer. ... Then there was that unknown animal, possibly a young black bear, that Janet came across at dusk one evening walking toward her on the roadside path outside our cabin, that upon seeing Janet, scurried up a nearby tree. Our flashlight search for the animal was fruitless after Janet came running to our cabin to let us know of her encounter.

We did very little fishing with no reportable luck, but both Mary Alice and I found it harder to step off the dock and into our fishing boat and even harder again to step out and up onto the dock. What 60 plus years from Ripon will do for you. I guess it is time to consider a pontoon boat which would help solve our knee-boat problems. It did remind me, however, of the time Mary Alice and I got the room at the AmericInn in Ripon, now Borders, which had the whirlpool bath in the room. We both found the whirlpool soothing, but when it came to get out of that floor leveled tub neither of us could get out.

We both started to laugh uncontrollably and finally had to drain the water, scoot to our knees and finally clamber out. We are staying at Borders again for the coming Homecoming weekend, and if we get that same room and try the whirlpool again, we will most likely be totally unable to get out of the tub and likely be found drowned and dead sometime on Sunday, departure day.

“A bald eagle circled the sky above us at the cabin and landed across the lake in an apparent nesting area just 10 or 15 feet above the water in a thick pine tree. A year ago, my son, Steve, and I were returning from our cabin when we spotted a dead deer, most likely hit by a car, lying just off the side of the road with a great bald eagle feeding on the carcass. We circled back in the car and slowly approached the scene. We inched our way toward the eagle feeding on the dead deer, and that eagle would not budge from that deer. She had her wings fully extended the length of the deer as if to say ‘this is my meal, get away!’ Her wingspan must have been six or seven feet wide. We came within three or five feet from the deer with our car bumper, but she would not move from that dinner. Three or four other cars stopped and watched as well, but did not get the bird’s eye view (pun?) Steve and I did. What a great, magnificent bird the bald eagle is.

“Well, come October 1, at Ripon Homecoming Weekend and our sixth Alpha fraternity reunion, my wife, MARY ALICE MILLER BALEJ ’55, and I will be visiting with some of my Alpha fraternity brothers including ART WONG ’53, and his wife, Elaine, WOODY MOY ’56, JOHN FUCHS ’53, DICK ‘TEX’ HALLOCK ’53 and his wife, ANNE BARBER HALLOCK ’53, CARLTON ‘SMOKEY’ BLOCHWITZ ’51 and his wife, Carol. We will be combining our reunion with NED LUFRANO ’54 and VERNE CHURCHILL ’54’s Ripon ’50s Group reunion listed previously.

“Remember the Homecoming Weekends we had? Decorated floats, decorated sororities and fraternities, the great bonfire with alumnus ‘Foam’ Lueke tooting his trumpet, the greased pole fight, the pajama parade on Friday night, the downtown

float and band parade before the game on Saturday, the Homecoming King in suit, tie and silver-colored crown, the Homecoming queen in her queen-like gown, long hair flowing from her golden crown being introduced at the game’s half-time ceremony , scores of alumni visiting their ‘homecomings’ to their former sororities and fraternities, enthralling us with their stories about their years at Ripon, and finally that evening’s Homecoming dance, women in gowns with corsages on their breasts, the men in suits and ties? Remember?

“And then there was that last Ripon Homecoming football game I attended a couple of years ago. No parades, no sorority or fraternity decorations, no dance, no trumpet tooting, mostly no nothing! The so-called Homecoming King and Queen at football halftime, the King and the Queen in jeans. Thank God we had those wonderful ’50s to live, to celebrate and to be at Ripon. We are old and many passing on, but those of us left have those wonderful memories to recall and to share. I believe we lived through those very best possible years, those years of the ‘fifties.’ But a little note that I add each year that puts our lives in perspective and upsets others: If it was 1953 again and it was Homecoming Weekend 1953, we who are now in 2015 are 62 years from our 1953 homecoming, thus we would be returning in 1953 as the ‘Class of 1891’ ... and we would most likely be debating the merits or demerits of our president Benjamin Harrison.

“That old Indian, (or is it Irish?) proverb states, ‘In your travels may the wind be always at your back.’ I would add that your eyesight still be good enough to see where the hell you are going and your memory good enough to remember where you’ve been!”

A Final Note: In an effort to save space I have condensed and omitted new paragraph indentations in most of the letters. So stop shaking your heads you English majors. rjb Regards and love to you Ron Balej

1955 Art Lundeberg 9256 E. 26th Street, Tucson, AZ 85710 520-296-9281 / artlund@cox.net Dear Class of 1955, Hope each of you is in good health and ready to face the ravages of winter, which is right around the corner. Yes, Virginia, there will be snow in most parts of the country, except Tucson.

New Procedure – Very Important – Please Read!!!

I will try to be as brief as possible. As noted in the usual fall letter, which you should have received, this is the booklet of class letters from all the Class Agents. You will find included in this booklet Ripon information, pictures and news from the College.

Those of you who responded with news for this letter, I thank you very much.

Ripon’s History Last newsletter we spoke of Ripon’s sports. Football has been Ripon’s most popular and longest-running intercollegiate sport. In 1881, Ripon’s first game was played: an intramural game between the Economia Club and the Spartans. Since early balls were no more than an inflated bladder, it is not surprising to discover that neither side could claim victory; the ball had burst. Ripon’s first intercollegiate game and the beginning of Ripon’s first sports rivalry occurred the next year.

Fall 2015 11

CLASSLetters Ripon College and Lawrence University have one of the oldest football rivalries in the Midwest, and it began amicably on Friday, November 17, 1882.

Ripon’s squad, 11 starters and two substitutes, was treated to a social and an oyster supper. The game began the next morning at 10 a.m. under wet conditions. Because football rules had yet to be formalized, the Ripon squad was dismayed to discover that Lawrence was using an oval ball and playing on a field one-third the size of Ripon’s.

Undeterred, Ripon led 2-1 until the game was called because of weather. Thus, Ripon began a history of successes in football.

also, one five years ago and one about 12 years ago, so I am pretty much bionic! I am leaving on Labor Day to drive to Summit, New Jersey, to stay with my younger daughter. We plan on flying to Green Bay for the Seattle-Green Bay game on September 20. I have great friends who live in Amelia and also in Menasha who asked us (Mimi and me) to the game. There is no doubt about my love for the Packers as my car bumper is plastered with stickers and my T-shirts are all about the Pack! I will be with Mimi for probably about two months and expect to see many of my friends from New Jersey. Peter and I lived there for 40 some years before we moved to Amelia Island.

ROTC Last newsletter, we spoke of various activities performed by the ROTC battalion. The officers put special emphasis on rifle marksmanship and in building a highly competitive rifle team. Rifle marksmanship was still highly prized in the U.S. Army in this period and competition between units was encouraged. Rifle matches, especially the annual national matches at Camp Perry in Ohio, were major news items in the service press all during the interwar years. At Ripon, the ROTC officers gave highest priority to developing a world-class rifle team within the Unit and almost equal priority to building campus support behind that team. To help build that support, the officers encouraged the creation of a women’s rifle club and sponsored competitive shoots between fraternal groups. This support soon gave marksmanship high status on campus and greatly encouraged members of the ROTC team. As a result, the Ripon ROTC Rifle Team began to do phenomenally well at regional and even national rifle matches, giving the College the heady experience of national recognition while making the rifle teams and ROTC even more popular on campus.

“So that is what has happened since the reunion.

While I am in Green Bay, I expect to see GRACE CLOUGH CARLSON MARTIN ’55. I have known Grace since first grade, but she is in deep dementia now and her daughter said that she probably would not know me. But I still would like to say “goodbye” and I hope I have the chance. I keep in touch with

Class Notes

GORDON E. GRANT ’55: “Art, what a good guy, you are doing this chore for all of us. My wife, Lee, and I are still in the same house I bought when I returned from Vietnam in May 1971. After 22 years active Army service and 15 years with The Boeing Company, it was time to retire, help out and play at the local Fort Belvoir, Virginia, golf course. It is hard to believe that it has been 60 years since you and I and our classmates graduated from Ripon. So much water has flowed under our bridges, hasn’t it? Art, I still remember ROTC summer camp in 1954 and what you went through and thank God it turned out okay. Be well, my friend. Thanks for a lot of good memories and laughter. Gordy (‘Growing Old is Mandatory, Growing Up is Optional’)”

FRANCES JOANNES WINANS ’55: “Hi Arthur.

Since I was at the 50th reunion with my husband, Peter, much has happened. We had such a great time then and those memories will certainly stay with me. After the reunion, we had about five years in Amelia before Peter, who was a diabetic, started having a number of things happen due to his disease.

By 2011, we decided to move to Delray Beach from Amelia Island to live with my older daughter. It was a blessing that we did move because Peter needed a lot of care and I not only had her help but her support. I found a number of friends and managed to play some golf and lots of bridge. And I sing in St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church Choir and amazingly, still solo some. Peter’s diabetic problems continued until last year, the last day in May, when he died.

“It was not unexpected but it was still very hard. No matter how much you know it will happen, when it does, it is so final and I found it really difficult. We were just shy of our fourth year. Since then, I had both my knees replaced (at the same time) and am doing very well now. I have had both hips replaced

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CAROLYN CALLAHAN LANDWEHR ’55

regularly. She has always been one of my dearest friends since we both pledged Lyle all those years ago. I trust all is well with you and I thank you for taking on this job. It will be a really nice thing to see what has happened to people. Fondest regards, Fran.”

ART ABT ’55: “Judy and I still live in summer in Northbrook, Illinois, and spend the winter in our condo in Bonita Springs, Florida. In December of 2014, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with the family at the Ritz Carlton on the beach in Bonita Springs. Our two granddaughters, ages 11 and 7, live in Atlanta with their parents. Our daughter lives in LA. At age 82, I am still swimming ½ mile non-stop in 30 minutes about six days a week. I owe my good health to swimming and genes.

I still volunteer four days a week at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This is my 22nd year and over 11,000 hours of volunteering.”

DICK JOHNSON ’55: “Nothing really to report.

Still on the right side of the turf. Kids all grown up, employed, paying taxes. Two granddaughters in college (not Ripon), two are seniors in high school.

Still peddling AMSOIL Synthetic Lubes and having fun. Doing a lot of travelling. Had 59th wedding anniversary, no bells and whistles. Hope all is well with you. – Dick and Betsy Johnson” “TOM TESCHNER ’55 and wife, Carol, are still living in Barrington, Illinois, and spend the winters in Rio Verde, Arizona. Tom plays golf four or five days a week year-round and still shoots his age regularly. He is the director of the Shoresmen Golf League at Lake Barrington Shores and schedules and organizes about 80 golfers for a weekly game from May through October. We have a continually growing family; this month we have 13 grandchildren from 35 years to 15 months. We never know what is next!

– Tom and Carol”

DAVID H. LOPPNOW ’55: “Educators Influence Towards Life’s Path. At a parent’s weekend during my sophomore year, we met with the Ripon’s president (Dr. Kuebler) who recommended that I continue my education during the summer by taking a student tour to Europe. My parents agreed. This was my first experience abroad and was a learning experience.

“During my junior year, I met with the head of the Romance language department (Dr. Hooker). He suggested I take the first year of Spanish during summer school before I start the second year of Spanish. He recommended I go the Mexico City College and live off campus. Five mornings of Spanish instruction complemented by immersion

1955-58 into the Spanish speaking culture offered me a good chance to gain knowledge of Spanish. He was correct. My experience abroad was extended from a traveler to a resident.

“I became interested in international banking while taking the Money and Banking course. I asked the head of the economics department (Dr. Westhagen) how to prepare for this field in graduate school.

He made appointments for me with several banks in New York City and provided me with letters of introduction. He recommended that I ask bank personnel about subject preparation for this field and that I ask to speak to new hires from the Midwest who had been employed for four years or less. I did, and they expressed difficulty competing with graduates from East coast schools who came from this culture. I needed a change of direction.

“Dr. Westagen suggested I get my military service completed (at this time the draft was in effect) and think about applying for the Navy officer candidate program as he and several other professors were former naval officers. I spoke to several and applied to this program, was accepted and graduated.

I attended several Navy radar operational and technical schools, performed as combat information officer for more than 2,000 hours and earned my wings. This began a career in radar processing and equipment sales worldwide. My specialty was international technical marketing. This experience was global with military customers and a long way from a banking career. I probably would not have had a career that I enjoyed as much as this one had it not been for some advice from professors at Ripon.”

Again, thanks to each of you who sent information.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy Christmas and holiday season to all my classmates and Ripon alumni.

Art Lundeberg

1956 The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested in becoming the Class Agent or want to learn more about this role, please email alumni@ripon.edu.

JOHN STOLER ’56 of San Antonio, Texas, writes, “I have just finished my second year of rehabilitation from a spinal stroke, a rare stroke afflicting only one out of every 50,000 stroke victims. Even though I had been retired for several years when I suffered the stroke, I continued to teach (one course a semester at UT-San Antonio) until then. I miss it very much along with water aerobics (I went five days a week) and playing tennis (twice a week). And I really miss our annual trips to Hawaii. But I am still slightly active with learning to walk with a cane and physical therapy twice a week. I entertain myself with lots of reading and following the athletic endeavors of the Packers, U of W football, and, of course, our San Antonio Spurs.”

1957 Joan M. Raymond 2859 Wyndham Way, Melbourne, FL 32940 321-631-6428 / marcojr@aol.com Class of 1957,

PAUL KEGEL ’57 was our Class Agent for 35 years. When he died last year, we lost the conduit

of information about our classmates as well as the College. Through his newsletters, hand-written notes and personal contacts, he maintained a veritable warehouse of knowledge of our successes, happenings, awards and major events in our lives. He actively, if not relentlessly, pursued that information; and then he carefully and sensitively exchanged what he learned with the full class during these past 3½ decades. He maintained an active presence on campus and wrote with great pride of the activities, programs, changes and growth at Ripon. He served as an Alumni Trustee of the college at one point, and he was an active fund raiser for our class scholarship and for the College.

Paul was a lifelong educator and an energetic volunteer for many charitable organizations and his church. He was an elected city council member in his home town of De Pere, Wisconsin, for many years and served with great distinction on numerous civic organizations. He was articulate, informative and humorous. He was very funny, and always quick with a quip or the turn of a word. Certainly, he was a “Man for all Seasons” — but for us, the Class of 1957, he was Ripon College.

Paul is irreplaceable as our Class Agent. However, in appreciation of his long service to our class, I have volunteered to serve as our Class Agent, or at least try to serve. I am JOAN DUCK RAYMOND ’57, and some of you may remember me as the organizer and coordinator of several of our reunions. That, I might add, was at Paul’s pleading and prodding. I live in Melbourne, Florida, having retired here nine years ago after serving for more than 50 years in public education, the last 28 as a superintendent of schools in several different districts. I thought it was time to begin a “second time around” and play golf, travel and occasionally serve as a consultant.

All of my contact information is at the beginning of this letter and I hope you will help me to continue Paul’s work by providing me with an update on your lives now.

The individual class newsletters are being replaced by a booklet containing all of the class letters and a separate section with news of the College. The College is committed to this new procedure and hopes you will support it. I will, however, try to keep in closer and more frequent contact through emails and whatever other forms of communication are available to us. I most sincerely invite you to call, write, text, email or whatever works for you.

Maybe, just maybe, for those of us still around and kicking, we will have our 60th Reunion in 2017. In the meantime, I will do my best as your somewhat secondhand but committed Class Agent.

Joan Raymond

1958 The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested in becoming the Class Agent or want to learn more about this role, please email alumni@ripon.edu.

JIM SAUNDERS ’58 of Loganville, Georgia, writes, “After Ripon, served in Army, received MA in biology from West Virginia and MA in psychology from West Georgia. Worked for OSHA for 27 years. Am disabled from Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. Doing well in Loganville, Georgia (Atlanta) while teaching Sunday school and building model airplanes. Also go daily to the dog park with my two hounds. Keep in touch with BOB PIETSCH ’58 by email. Celebrated 50 years of marriage to

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CLASSLetters Tsuruko, my Okinawan wife. She’s involved with cultural dancing and travels the southeast performing.

We have an Okinawan cultural club with about 125 families, so we keep in touch with our Asian side.

Have three children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.”

FRANK SOTOSEK ’58 of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, writes, “I guess I’m the guy that just says hello. There is no news. Let’s say, no news is good news. Often, I’ve wished that I lived close just to see someone. Any good news of classmates would be great for me.”

JON WILCOX ’58 of Wautoma, Wisconsin, writes, “Since retiring from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, I have been serving on the UW Carbone Cancer Board, and the Board of Ripon College’s Center for Politics and the People. I’m still managing our tree farm near Wautoma and enjoying rural Wisconsin.”

1959 Roger D. Venden 136 Drinkwater Road, Hampton Falls, NH 03844 vendenr@comcast.net Dear 1959 Classmates: The Ripon College Alumni Office is using a new format this year where all class letters are published together in a booklet. The nice thing is that the College and academic news will appear in a separate section of the booklet prepared by the Alumni Office.

Our 1959 Class Notes depend upon classmate input – hobbies, traveling, time spent with children and grandchildren, volunteering, etc. – catching up with our classmates and fellow alumni.

DAVID MIRISCH ’59 of Westlake Village, California, has been appointed executive director of the Moorpark College Foundation, a community college in Moorpark, California, with 14,000 students. David still continues to put on celebrity charity fund-raising events all over the United States.

SANDRA FOX OSBORNE ’59 of Mequon, Wisconsin, is retired after working for 20 years as a librarian at Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay. She had received a master’s of library science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her current interests are photography, especially close-up photography of flowers, travelling and keeping track of her grandchildren.

ROGER D. VENDEN ’59: News from the Venden family includes our decision to finally down-size from our garrison colonial home, barn, six acres, 12 flowers beds, grass mowing, snow plowing, fixing cedar fences and too much maintenance on EVERYTHING! But it has been a wonderful 15-year ride. Manon and I will be moving to The Woodlands at Parkman Brook, an association/condominium of 38 individual homes, a quarter acre and living on one floor with the master bedroom, master bathroom, and an office for each of us, kitchen, a great room with cathedral ceiling, four season room, and a two-car garage and outside deck.

Our five grandsons Samuel, Will, Jack, Henry and Blake continue to make us extremely proud.

As the New England Patriots motto says, “Do Your Job.” let’s hear from you in 2016 at vendenr@comcast. net.

Roger Venden

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1960 Deborah Johnson Van Slyke 8700 E. Mountain View Road, Unit 1074, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480-284-5564 / 619-889-5061 / advanslyke@cox.net It’s September and the grandchildren are heading back to school, so it is also time for another class letter to be written. Thank you all for the communications this summer. We may not have had a large turnout at the reunion, but we are all trying to remain connected.

CLAUDETTE BEALL LEE-ROSELAND ’60 and ERIC PETERSEN ’60, thank you for showing the flag at the 55th reunion. All right everyone, we have five years warning for the next one.

JIM PIERCE ’60 started out for Ripon for the reunion but weather forced him to turn back on his motorcycle. “Susan and I are on our way to my 60th Neenah High School class reunion. A lot has happened since we left the Midwest, and Susan says most of it has been my fault. You all know that she must be a saint putting up with me for 57 years.

Still living the summers in Canton, Ohio, but have moved from a fifth wheel in Punta Gorda, Florida, to a manufactured home in the same city as our prime residence and winter headquarters. Three daughters and eight grandchildren keep us moving during the summer months as do our winter friends from Canada and the United States in the winter. Picking up hearing aids this afternoon. Now, no more smiling and nodding.”

KARL PIOTROWSKI ’60 also had planned to attend, but his wife’s mother is very ill in Indonesia and E Leng’s godmother in Taiwan just went into the hospital. “Hopefully, if I make it another five years.

Melanoma after 30+ years in Hawaii and three years in Vietnam, but the doc cut out a hunk of my arm and thinks he got all the bad cells. So tip one for me, and come out this way if you can. As Debbie wrote, I have some skill as a tour guide. All seven of my adopted kids and six grandchildren are on the mainland: California, Arkansas, Maryland and North Carolina. Joy, age 23, just left for a summer internship in Boston after finishing her first year of med school here in Hawaii. Brian, age 25, is starting his second year as a research fellow at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. E Leng and I plan to go to the east coast in August and spend some time with those two there, celebrating Joy’s 24th birthday in D.C. where Brian is living in a five-bedroom home with four of his Phi Delt frat brothers. Aloha.”

I received a very newsy update from ED SIEBEL ’60: “We won’t be flying over from California this year.

Too many conflicts with practice, kids’ schedules, etc.

Perhaps in five years?

“Sue and I continue to live on Balboa Island located in the harbor at Newport Beach. It’s a lovely environment, and we sometimes wonder why we take the occasional vacation from a spot that so many other folks travel to see on their vacations. Other than the usual creaky joints, we’re both healthy and doing well.

“I continue my law practice and, with Sue, am now working almost exclusively with families of kids who have developmental disabilities to help them get educational services that they’re entitled to under the federal IDEA and its California state progeny. Sue is a developmental psychologist, as well as a certified elementary teacher, who went back to law school a few years ago. We work as a team – she addresses the classroom requirements/accommodations the kids need, I provide most of the communication and backup legal muscle (when needed). So far, we’ve

1958-60 been remarkably successful, especially in the face of the draconian budget cuts being faced by most school districts out here. I don’t think that retirement is anywhere in the future.

“Periodically, I volunteer in a legal clinic at the local senior center, helping out the ‘old folks’ with sage advice. I keep forgetting that I’m older than most of my ‘clients.’ With five kids, you’d think that we’d have scads of grandchildren. We have three, all boys, all under 7. Two live 10 minutes away from us, so that we see quite a bit of them, more often than not as grandchild-sitters. It’s nice to watch them grow up from our perspective, as opposed to being parents.

Their mother, our youngest daughter, is a lawyer who’s staying home with the kids for the nonce. The other grandchild, at 18 months, is the son of the baby in our family at 38. He’s a Navy doc, stationed at Jacksonville Naval Hospital, so most of our contact with young Mundy is by random FaceTime when he demands to see ‘people!’ Our eldest lives about 20 paces away, across the back alley, so we see a fair amount of her, too. She works as a consultant with a national firm to nonprofit hospitals, churches and schools to help them establish their development activities.

“For extracurricular activities, we coordinate the CERT (community emergency response team) on Balboa Island. The island has a permanent population of about 3,000 with 1,400 residences. The Island has 64 CERT-trained volunteers, with 12 of them also licensed as ham radio operators. We’re trained to provide the eyes for the police and fire departments if/when there’s an earthquake or other upsetting situation. That’s when the bridge – our only link to the ‘mainland’ – may be down and all phone service either disabled or overwhelmed.

“In the odd moment, we walk the 2.5 mile circumference of the Island, read a lot, try to keep up with laps in the local pool and generally waste time.

And that’s probably more than anyone cares to know how we’re doing.”

And now the news from JIM MCKAY ’60 and BOB

BORGER ’60:

Jim writes, “Hope all is well with you and yours!

It took 3+ years after Marg’s accident, but I finally sold the house we built (two weeks – amazing!) and moved back into McFarland in an over-55 condo community of side-by-side duplexes. It is really nice, mine was brand new and no more mowing, weeding or snow-blowing. I keep busy with several breakfast and lunch groups as well as golf. I volunteer several places including Madison Overture Center, which is a magnificent multi-venue arts and music facility. We bring the major Broadway show in – seven for the 2015-2016 season. So – I guess that’s my story. Have a great reunion!

Bob writes, “Sorry I cannot attend the 55th as my wife, Yvette, cannot walk well or far as a result of a faulty hip implant by the manufacturer! We will be at our Naples, Florida, jome in October and will stay through April 16! We do come home at Christmas for the grandchildren. The oldest will be a sophomore at Ohio Northern University, where he runs cross country and track. I stay busy with golf, yard work, kids and house work!!

JOHN BENKA ’60 wrote me that he just finished his 18th year in fifth grade. His colleagues at the elementary school where he volunteers two days a week are holding him back for another year. John also has completed nine years as a member of the Park Ridge Library board. In the fall of 2014, he co-chaired a volunteer committee to support a library referendum for additional library funding. It passed

with a 60 percent yes vote. He is also in the process of recovering from hip revision surgery. The 22-year-old left hip needed updating.

And now an update from JOHN KORBEL ’60.

Please be at the 60th so you can serve coffee again for breakfast as you did at the 50th.

John writes, “My wife, Jan, and I have lived in Naples, Florida, for the past 14 years after living in Colorado for almost 30 years. Because of our love for the water and warm weather, we find Naples very much to our liking. We also will admit that at times getting away from the heat and excessive humidity in July, August and September is a welcome relief.

“We continue our love of travelling but with the birth of our only grandchild, Ava, in 2013, we find our travel is usually to Philadelphia to help out Mom and Dad, returning to Chicago to visit family and lifelong friends, enjoying the beauty of Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, annual Sigma Chi reunions in the fall, and spur-of-the-moment short trips that time permits.

“I continue to be involved in community volunteerism as well as being considerably involved with military and veterans issues. I remain, since 1991, active as a volunteer with the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, an activity which has given me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful men and women in Decembers past who served our country, their families, as well as dignitaries, both American and foreign. Some of our most valuable lessons cannot be learned from books.

“When time permits, I enjoy reading non-fiction, concerts, the theater and relaxing on or near water.

I remain fortunate to have good health although my recent total hip replacement surgery slowed me down a bit, and then I managed to do something unknown, which resulted in a portion of the tendon separating from the bone, which is the reason I will not be in attendance at the reunion. Supposed to be as good as new in 8-12 months. I patiently await to be fully active again.

“Nonetheless, life is good and my fondest thoughts go with each of you who will be there and I respectfully remember and honor the memory of those classmates who have passed and who added to the joyful experiences of those four years all of us spent together. My best wishes for the blessings of good health and happiness to all.”

DAN HOLDEN ’60 and DEE GRAY HOLDEN ’60 are still in their travel mode. They write that they “will not be at the reunion this weekend. It would have been too painful for Dee without her ‘roomie,’ MARILYN DEPLEWSKI TYKAL ’60, there.

“We are here in Lake Geneva and still waiting for summer to arrive. But that has given us time to schedule all the finishing details on an upcoming trip in August to Austria. This will be the fourth grandchild’s eighth-grade graduation trip; one more to go in two years. It will be action-packed with tours of a salt mine, ice cave, zip line, summer bobsled ride, and skiing on an 11,000 foot glacier. For some of this, Dee will wisely stay behind and read/shop.

“Then in September we will be taking a Viking River Cruise with our son and daughter-in-law from Basel to Amsterdam, where we will extend for five days in Belgium. Travel continues to be wonderful.”

Thank you, Sam Morgan, for giving us an update on your travels and the state of CHARLIE MORGAN ’60’s health: “I have just realized that I never put you in the info loop regarding your buddy, Charlie, otherwise known back in the day as ‘Pink Man’! I’m

Fall 2015 15

CLASSLetters really not sure how far the news travelled, and I do apologize if all of this is new to you!! I’ll back up to March 18 when we left for two-week European river cruise – the Rhine/Rhone Rivers. Cold but enjoyable for the most part, except for the daily walks in the port towns we visited – that was the beginning of the consistent shortness of breath Charlie experienced daily. We did have a great time but it was a wee bit overshadowed by the knowledge that something was wrong! Needless to say, after we returned home, April 3, we started the investigation of what was happening!

Bottom line, after most of the normal tests pertaining to the heart were completed – the last was a heart cath on May 7 – and after the results came back, he was a direct admit to the hospital for heart monitoring – surgery was on the 11th. He had triple bypass open-heart surgery with an aortic valve replacement.

The arteries blocked were 80 percent, 90 percent and 100 percent! You can be sure he was blessed. Guess the good Lord had plans for him! He was in CICU for 21 days for a variety of reasons – on the cardiac floor for a few days and into rehab for 13 days – he came home on the 16th and has been progressing daily. What a ride we all had! He remembered very little of the days in ICU but has wondered ‘What the heck! What happened to those three weeks!’ I was very fortunate to have one, two or all three daughters with me during the whole time he was in the hospital and rehab. Our youngest was here for Fathers’ Day – great to have her here! The old guy is doing great with aftercare and PT – hope to have him on the links in a few months. So that’s it – wanted you to know, just in case, what’s been going on in our part of the world! Hope all is well with you all. (Karl – love those greeting cards but for some reason I am not sure you get our response that we have received them.)”

It was a quiet summer for me (Deb Johnson Van Slyke ’60) until last week. I flew to Stamford, Connecticut, to be taped in an appearance on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Auditions were held in Scottsdale last June, so I tried out. Passed the three tests and was told I would be in the contestant pool for two years.

They called in on August 4 and asked me and my plus one to be in Stamford on the 12th. I cannot discuss the outcome but will let you know when the program will appear — probably in a few months. It was great fun, but oh-so-nerve-wracking.

Each letter lately, I am closing with sad news. Look for the following obituaries at the back of this book: JAN GOTSCH ERDMAN ’60 of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, passed away May 2, 2015; FRANCINE GROSS GRENLIE ’60 of Chicago, Illinois, died March 21, 2015; ADRIAN JOHN PENICNAK ’60 of Palm City, Florida, died August 3, 2015.

Have a wonderful fall. Let me know if any of you will be golfing or traveling to Scottsdale, Arizona. Keep me informed as to what is going on in your life. I enjoy being your class agent — a great job for someone who is a bit of a “snoop.” God bless and stay healthy.

Deb P.S. – Don’t forget to read and contribute to JOHN HAMMER ’60’s website: www.riponclassof1960.com.

1961 Peter Jochimsen 1010 Woodlawn Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52245 cuttertoo@centurylink.net Greetings, In the past, I have included material generated by the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Data obtained from the

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Wisconsin high school graduates of 1957, the year, at least, when most of the Ripon graduates of 1961 would also have graduated. The most recent update came out in May of last year.

Physical attributes at 50 plus years from graduation are interesting, and while little could be done about the height of those persons, something that was more changeable was weight, which may give comfort to some, and perhaps not to others. For male graduates, average weight was 205 lbs., and for women, 168 lbs. I mentioned this to my wife of 52 years, and she responded that she wasn’t there yet, but she was still growing.

To me, an interesting statistic is that 26 percent have been divorced at some time and 14 percent have experienced a death of a spouse. Marriage would seem to protect people’s health as they age, but only if people are happy within those marriages.

Finally, 22 percent of the class of ’57 has died, 26 percent of the males and 19 percent of the females.

There is no data how this compares to the Wisconsin or national population at large, perhaps future comparisons will be made.

When asked how graduates had spent their time in the previous year, I must be in the minority, since near 50 percent spent their time writing letters, 25 percent doing vigorous exercises whether alone, 42 percent, or with others, 25 percent. Only 25 percent hunt or fish, one of my main preoccupations.

Which brings me up to describing my latest ventures at Little Darling, my acreage 50 miles from Iowa City, where I hunt and fish. The land is surrounded on three sides by the Lake Darling State Park, which has undergone a major renovation with emptying the lake, clearing out the silt and raising the dam so it is now deeper and cleaner. It has been restocked, and with a cleaned campground, is much improved.

My own two-acre pond is doing well. with stocked largemouth bass and bluegills. The prospect for deer hunting this year is somewhat mixed as the DNR has not done a very good job of protecting the herd, to my mind, with overzealous hunting of does and the appearance of deer diseases that also affect herd size. One thing, however, is that it seems that the pheasants are returning, which at one time, made Iowa a prime destination for hunting. I hope that they can recover.

When I started as Class Agent, I found out to how many members of the class the newsletters were being sent. While where the original class first year numbers were high, a graduating class of 101 was perhaps in need of improvement. Currently, the class of 2019 consists of 218 first year students, and in the most recent class of 2015, there were 178 graduates.

BILL PYE ’61 writes that he is single with six grandchildren, ages 3 months to 12 years. He lives in Victoria, Minnesota, 25 miles west of Minneapolis.

He is semi-retired from Management Consulting and “still owns a couple of banks in Southern Minnesota.”

He travels and will be leaving soon for month in Australia and New Zealand in October. He spends a couple of weeks in Belize on an island each January and February. Having lived in Minneapolis for 7½ years while I trained as a surgeon at the University of Minnesota, I can attest to the fact that this is the best time to leave and go south.

Bill has done Grand Canyon rafting three times, and backpacked in Africa, Norway and Vancouver Island.

He reports that Sigma Chis of 1955-1965 have a yearly reunion in Ripon each year wherein he and fraternity brothers DAN BEHRING ’62, GORDON ENK ’62, ROBB ROWE ’61, FRED HABERLAND

1960-62 ’63, JOHN ACKLEY ’62 and he are frequent

BARBARA KRIEPS LASKIN ’61 is “still working”

attendees. This yearly event draws 12 to 20 Sigs each year.

as a management analyst for the County of Santa Clara, in San Jose, California. Time after 5:00 as she lists it, includes time with reading buddies, her book group, trivia night at the Pub, the Alpha Chi Omega alumnae group, theatre, hiking and working out at the Athletic Club. In between times, she manages to do some international travel. She closes, “And that’s about it.”

I hope that AKIRA TOMITA ’61, who asked after Bill following my first request for input for the newsletter, will be able to follow up.

JERRY BARR ’61 of Kissimmee, Florida, writes, “I presently reside in central Florida, enjoying great weather, playing tennis at a nice level, and participate in legal adventures attempting to get justice in traffic, code enforcement, animal control and more actions between government and folks. Example – the county had a landfill 900m off my rear door and they wanted to extend use of it after 20 years of use. After a legal battle of six months and the use of public records law in Florida, I was able to convince them to close the landfill. Another example –reading local paper, a gal who had a pot-bellied pig as a pet was told by the City of Kissimmee it was not allowed. After researching this, we determined that was incorrect and after meeting with her, we fought this and the city of Kissimmee said ‘uncle’ and said ‘OK, but not more than two pigs!’ There are more!

“In the last year, my friend and old traveling partner and I finished composing a website that memorialized a 11,000 mile trip we took by Land Rover many years ago – 50 years plus. I applied to participate in a pilot peace corps project (Teachers For East Africa- TEA) in 1960/61 and was accepted, which put me in Uganda, teaching math to Ugandan students in a high school in northern Uganda not far from Juba, Sudan. After finishing the two-year contract, my friend, Don Adams, who was teaching in southern Tanganyika, (now called Tanzania) and I put our small resources together, bought a used Land Rover, outfitted it, and drove from Nairobi, Kenya, to Kathmandu, Nepal.

We really wanted to drive to China, but could not get through the Burma Road. Anyway, this website (www. eastafricatonepal.com) details the trip with detailed pictures and narration – East Africa to Nepal by road in 1964.”

AKIRA TOMITA ’61 writes that in December of last year, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Until the end of April, he was treated with radiation and continues with hormone therapy. There is no evidence of recurrence and he is feeling just fine. He has been trying to write his experiences in “My Stories,” which briefly tells about his stay in the United States for the period of 1957-1963. He feels it will be completed in the next few months. He sent a picture of himself and his wife at the Yokohama Stadium in July.

JIM KALANGES ’61 lives in Chester, Virginia. He and his wife, Susan Ritter Kalanges ’63, are very active in local affairs, having recently received a Chesterfield County citation from the Board of Supervisors in recognition of his service as a Commissioner on the County’s Health Services Commission. This was his second citation for service to the county. They both do volunteer work and serve on the local County Food Bank.

Jim’s career in the U.S. Army is a testament to what some individuals have contributed to our country over the course of many years. He attained the rank of colonel, was posted in Vietnam, France, Korea, Germany and the UK, and served in multiple stateside assignments. Along the way, he got a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Cincinnati. The list of decorations he obtained during his career would more than double this current entry.

As a retired active reservist in the Navy for more than 20 years, I stand in awe of his contributions and his accomplishments, as he so rightly puts it, “to this great country.”

DARRELL JOHNSON ’61 and BETTY BURMEISTER JOHNSON ’62 recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in Green Valley, Arizona, where they have resided for 13 years. Good to hear from them.

SUGAR MALTBY BALMES ’61 lets us know that the Duffie Girls (Sugar, MARY BACHUS MILLER ’61 and MARA LATSONS WARREN ’61), who keep on going, will soon be gathering in midWisconsin for their annual gathering. They alternate between Colorado, Chicago and Wisconsin. It is possible that a visit to Ripon might make the agenda.

All three have grandchildren who are fortunate to be blessed with beautiful, active grannies. She also notes that her grandson, Jack Moran, has recently won a 3½ year battle with leukemia. What a joy.

In closing, in the past I mentioned my 50th reunion from my graduation from medical school, then Marquette University School of Medicine, renamed Medical College of Wisconsin. As I obtained yet another diploma, one from Marquette and one from MCW, and then another from MCW acknowledging the anniversary, it came to me that my father, Marvin August Jochimsen had graduated from Marquette Medical school 30 years before I did, and 80 years to the month that I was obtaining my 50th reunion recognition. I am indebted to him and to Grace who has been with me all through two years of medical school, and 7½years of residency. I am blessed.

Alumni Weekend/Reunion: Nearly 700 alumni attended the June 25-28, Alumni Weekend 2015. The reunion classes gave a combined contribution total of $683,709. Next year, 2016, will, to my calculation, be the 55th reunion of the class of 1961. The Alumni Weekend will be June 23-26.

Many thanks to those who have contributed to this newsletter by sending on to me material to send to the class members.

Peter R. Jochimsen

1962 Carol Pickardt Fancher* Autumn greetings to the class of 1962: I am writing this letter from a hospital bed — really not what I would have planned, but an infection got me in here yesterday. This is the third time this year that I have landed here, but the first, back in February, was by all odds the worst, since it started with a seizure, ended with five weeks in rehab, kept me away from the spring alumni board meetings (and, yes, I did really want to go to those!), and I had a lot of work to get back on my feet. And a late June-July 4 stint resulted from some internal bleeding, which healed itself during that interval. I keep hoping that I have used up all of the nasty things that have been waiting for me, so I can get on with my life. Maybe some of you have had that feeling, too: I know there are others in the class who have been through a lot, either on their own account or because of the problems of spouse or family members. It isn’t fun,

Fall 2015 17

CLASSLetters but we’re still here, and there is something to be said for that …

are all rejoicing that “Deflategate” is finally over (hopefully)!

We have not made it to the campus at all this year, although we hope to be there about two weeks from now. We certainly miss those environs. And when we decided to go to a friend’s wedding in NYC in early August, some of our family thought we were really asking for trouble. It wasn’t an easy trip, but we did the roundtrip in a week, and the wedding in lower Manhattan — Greenwich Village to be exact — was a blast. It was worth it, and we were relieved that we got through. Of course, we didn’t see this September interruption coming. But then none of us really do.

News from Classmates NORM BEHN ’63 of Scottsdale, Arizona: “My wife, Cherie, and I will be spending the Labor Day weekend in Sedona, Arizona, celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. Seems like just a couple years ago since we met in graduate school at the University of Kansas and I was smitten with good looks and great personality. Luckily, for me, she is also very patient.

We are going to enjoy a scenic train ride, play golf and hike on some easy trails during our visit.”

As long as I am taking this tack, be sure you notice the accompanying class notes: we lost Dave Lehmann and will remember him fondly. On the plus side — and to no one’s surprise! — Dan Behring picked up more honors. I would be willing to bet that some of you have had significant honors or accomplishments that the rest of us have not heard about: How about collecting those and sending them in for the next issue? You can send them to me, or you can send them to the Alumni office, as I think Dan did. I am clueless until somebody talks to me or sends me something; no pain, no gain, but I get a lot of pain when there is no news, whether or not there’s a gain! I would also love to have photos if you have some.

DAN BEHRING ’62 of Manistee, Michigan, was inducted into the Sigma Chi Fraternity’s Order of Constantine at their biennial meeting in San Diego, California, on June 26, 2015. Induction into this order is considered to be the highest honor that the Sigma Chi Fraternity bestows upon one of its members. In 2012, Dan also was honored by the fraternity when he was named a Significant Sig. DAVID W. LEHMANN ’62 of Green Valley, Arizona, died April 8, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied biology and physical education. He received a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. He was a biology teacher for North Division High in Milwaukee and worked at the Milwaukee Health Department.

He was a professor of physical education, health and sport at Bemidji State University, Minnesota, starting in 1966. He also was the longtime coach for the men’s golf and basketball teams. He enjoyed playing golf. Survivors include one son and two daughters, including SARAH CHRISTINE LEHMANN ’92.

As you may know, the College is wrapping up its Imagine Tomorrow comprehensive campaign, but notwithstanding that, the College continues to need our support. Our class has contributed a lot, but we aren’t the record-holders, and every little bit counts. So keep the College in your prayers and your checkbooks, and do let me know what YOU are up to these days! Good to hear from all of you even if you don’t have stars in your crown!

Carol Pickhardt Fancher ’62 *Just 10 days after writing this letter, Carol passed away.

She will be truly missed. If you are interested in taking on the role of Class Agent, please contact Nancy Buck Hintz ’82 (920-748-8346 / hintzn@ripon.edu) or Amanda Liethen ’07 (920-748-8677 / liethena@ripon.edu).

1963 Wayne Wolfgram 622 Lincoln Road, Grosse Pointe, MI 48230 313-882-1712 / waynewolfgram@gmail.com Greetings Classmates, I hope everyone had a great summer and that you

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VERNON CRONEN ’63 of Wilmington, North Carolina, presented a workshop last summer on the theory of communication which he co-wrote, “Coordinated Management of Meaning,” at the Attractor-Ramboll Summer institute in Copenhagen, Denmark. It focused on working with emotion and aesthetics in organizational consultation. He also presented two short lectures there. CMM theory is one of the main theories of communication. He and his wife, Myrna, then traveled to Stockholm and the fjords of Norway.

ANDREW FEINSTEIN ’63 of Hobe Sound, Florida: “I’m enjoying my retirement. Even though I had given my company, an environmental consulting firm, to my employees, I still go in occasionally to work on special projects. Jane, my wife, and I live most of the time in Hobe Sound, Florida. We have been there since 1992.

It’s a quiet town, and our house is about a mile from the Atlantic Ocean. We enjoy walking on the beach in the morning for exercise. I have been in the southeast part of Florida for 30 years. Previously, I lived in Tallahassee, Pensacola and the Tampa-St. Pete area. I initially moved to Florida to obtain a master’s degree in marine science at the University of South Florida in St. Pete. We also spend several weeks at various times at our place in South Carolina. As a note, on our flight back from Chicago to Greenville, South Carolina last January, we met someone from Spartanburg. I asked him if he knew of BILL DRAKE ’63. He said he had and he was a friend. He said that Bill was universally liked and respected around the area.

“My wife and I like going to the Midwest. We spent several days in Chicago to go to a White Sox game in April. It is a really nice change of pace from Florida.

The weather is nice here in the winter, but it is stifling in the summer. We will be going back up to the Chicago area in several weeks to close on a condo; so, we will have many more opportunities to visit the area. Well anyway, that’s our life in a nutshell.”

JACKIE BLODGETT HUGDAHL ’63 of Hudson, Wisconsin: “Always fun seeing news come through from Ripon. I assigned TOM HUGDAHL ’62 the fun of writing to you with our update.” – Jackie “I am writing this note for my wonderful bride of 49 years. The years have passed swiftly for the two of us. Married life has blessed us with two sons (now nearing middle age), two great daughters-in-law and four grandchildren. Two of the grandchildren are now in college (UCCS and Mizzou) and two in elementary school. We live in Hudson, Wisconsin, after 31 years in Bloomington, Minnesota. Jackie is a retired R.N., having been involved in hospital nursing and 20 years as a school nurse with Bloomington Schools.

She retired in 1996. I followed five years later after 31 years with 3M Company. Since retiring, we travelled extensively around the globe. We love the Grand Circle folks. More recently, because of some setbacks with heart disease, I’ve had to curtail our international trips. We still enjoy our summer cabin in northern Minnesota and six weeks each winter in Marco Island, Florida. We have fond memories of our Ripon years

1962-64 and the friends made. In closing, we thank Ripon for bringing us together.” – Tom

JUDY ELLICSON KOVARIK ’63 of Aurora, Illinois: “DICK KOVARIK ’64 and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in August with a trip to St. Louis with the whole family. We have five grandchildren ranging in age from 3 to 19. The day after Labor Day, I am heading to Ripon and Green Lake for a reunion of the ’60s Kappa Deltas.”

SUSAN KELLER MATTHES ’63 of Carson City, Nevada: “Yup, we’ve been on the road – into Arizona to the reservations of both Navajo and Hopi, which we visited briefly back in 1993 – and vowed we would return. We’ve certainly learned a great deal about the Native American cultures in our travels. In April of this year, we ventured into New Mexico to visit many of the Pueblos and some of the ‘ancient’ sites. Camping at Chaco in a tent was a real adventure – high winds and overnight temperatures of 17 degrees F!! Did you know that the Navajo Electric Generating Plant near Page, Arizona, is the second cleanest coal-burning plant in the United States – and the EPA wants to shut it down????? Next year, it’s off to the Pacific Northwest to revisit more places we enjoyed way back when!”

DAVID NEUBAUER ’63 of Ormond Beach, Florida: “Linda and I have returned home and back to our routine but ever so rested from our two-plus month vacation. Each year, it seems, we take a ‘major’ trip, and this year’s was a cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles with stops in Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. We were ‘at sea’ for much of the time but the stops were unique and, frankly, fabulous.

“Aruba, despite its proximity to Venezuela (only 18 miles but worlds apart) was clean, welcoming and most everyone spoke English as a second language after Dutch. I can see why it is a honeymoon paradise.

We had a day in Cartagena, Colombia, which is a city of 2 million and a major port with containers and freighters cramming its docks and piers. The nation has surely stabilized after decades of civil war. Our tour guide showed us forts, museums and churches, mostly old and many very well-maintained; the people were pleasant but didn’t often speak a language other than Spanish.

“From there, our route took us through the Panama Canal. Transit took about 12 hours. Our cruise ship was large (1,200 passengers) and 1,000 feet long; so its size gave us wonderful views of the passing.

The play-by was by a former canal employee who grew up there and knew its history. Costa Rica is what I thought Central America would look like: mountains, verdant green hills, rain forests, banana and coffee plantations, a vibrant business sector and lots of history. Interestingly, it has a 90+ percent literate population as education is a national focus. It happens that the nation does not have a military, but just police to keep the peace and control thefts and drugs. Catholic churches had standing-room-only on Sunday! The coffee plantation was at 6,000-foot elevation and delightfully cool. The rainy season was about to start and it lasts until November. Yes, we brought home some coffee, but I don’t drink it.

“We made other stops in Nicaragua and Mexico, near Acapulco and Manzanillo, where my late brother sailed occasionally. Then we spent two weeks in SoCal with my brother John Neubauer ’63 and our son, Michael, in Hollywood and with friends throughout the area. Linda and I wanted a ‘getaway,’ and we sure got one.

“My French cousin wants us to visit her again, and we are thinking that may be next year’s ‘major’ trip. She

lives in Saint-Cyprien, Dordogne, in central France.

Beautiful country and glorious in spring and early summer. This time, we will likely see Paris, which is on Linda’s bucket list.

“We’ve had the joy of our granddaughter, Zoya, and our daughter, Sasha, living with us for four years but now they have moved into their own house before Zoya’s kindergarten starts. We are empty-nesters and can invite Zoya here for sleepovers with us. Sasha has been assiduously teaching her to speak Russian (her native language). She is calling it her ‘secret’ language. Anyway, Z is building a vocabulary. She is also learning Spanish in preschool, so when counting numbers she usually mixes three languages together. I am working on a dollhouse to give to Zoya when she is 10 (she is 5 now). On cold winter days, you know where I will be. Come visit and help me finish it. The bottom line of all this: Linda and I are well and fully enjoying life and we hope all of our classmates are having enjoyable summers.”

PENNY BUCHER SCHEIBACH ’63 of Grafton, Wisconsin: “We have wintered in the Palm Springs, California, area for about seven years. Recently, we purchased a condo in the desert. We will divide time between Grafton and Indio at least for one more year.”

ROGER E. WHEELER ’63 of Southbury, Connecticut: “I am living in retirement in Heritage Village in Southbury and enjoying singing in choruses and choirs as well as exercising my legs due to two new knee replacements that were put in me in 2014.”

Congratulations to all the classmates who have celebrated or are now celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss! And here is wishing everyone a wonderful winter and holiday season. And, lastly, those of you who haven’t provided either the College or me with your email address, please do so as it will help to keep us all connected.

Until next time.

Wayne

1964 Pat Kohnen 3441 Streamside Circle, #419, Pleasanton, CA 94588 925-201-7377 / pmko@aol.com Greetings to my ’64 classmates, We all know at this time of our lives that events can be unpredictable. I had to cancel my trip to Cuba last spring because my 97-year-old mother-in-law had a health emergency that moved her from assisted living to skilled nursing at her Charlestown retirement community in Baltimore. She is under hospice care, but is still amazingly alert when I talk to her on the phone several times each week. I have scheduled a Caribbean cruise with 15 friends from here at Stoneridge Creek for the end of January 2016. I have lived here for two years now and truly feel at home.

My oldest granddaughter is now in her second year at the University of Nevada–Las Vegas studying criminal justice.

I received notification that our classmate THOMAS L. KOHL ’64 of Ripon, Wisconsin, died November 25, 2013. At Ripon College, he studied history.

JUVENNA CHANG ’64 of Honolulu, Hawaii, writes, “Retired again from Kamehameha Schools on March 13. Saw the magnificence of Bryce Canyon and Zion while visiting St. George, Utah. Still playing tennis; learning pickleball. Trained volunteer facilitator for Alzheimer’s Support Group. I published a children’s book, Why Can’t Papa Remember My Name?”

Fall 2015 19

CLASSLetters If you have news to share for a future class letter, please either send information directly to me or to Ripon.

Your gift to the Annual Fund helps to ensure that Ripon College will be here for years to come, continuing to provide the best liberal arts education to generations of future Ripon students. I continue to appreciate my Ripon experience.

If you travel to San Francisco please call me to get together for coffee, lunch or dinner. I can even provide a guest room for an overnight stay.

Best Wishes for Health and Happiness, Pat Kohnen

1965 John C. Hyde 3718 Silver Birch Road, Conover, WI 54519 414-530-4041 / jhyde65@gmail.com It was wonderful to see fellow classmates at our 50th reunion. Fifty years ... WOW! I can still remember what it was like coming to Ripon 50 years ago! It was great to see our very interesting classmates and learn what they are now doing in retirement or semi-retirement: ANN HASSLER ’65 and Piper Selden, KARL A. BERES ’65 and DIANE BOLTON BERES ’65, ROBERT A. FLECK, JR. ’65 and RUTH POTTS FLECK ’66, BARBARA BRADFORD SEWALL ’65 and TED SEWALL ’66, CAROLE COOP ATHERTON ’65 and Malarkey Wall, MARY SHIRER KROENING ’65 and John Kroening, CAROL BEVERLY POUROS ’65, CHARLES L. LARSON ’65 and Karen Larson, CHAD R. NELSON ’65, ROBERT A. COLLINS ’65 and Margaret Collins, CRAIG T. FERRIS ’65 and Nancy Ferris, RICHARD BENNETT ’65, RETT W. HUMKE ’65 and JEANNE HYDE HUMKE ’67, DAVID S. SCHWARZ ’65, JOHN M. WHEELER ’65, DAVID W. HERTEL ’65, DAVID W. WORDEN ’65 and VIRGINIA KRIKORIAN WORDEN ’66, HARVEY WILGUS ’65, JACQUELINE EADY ALCORN ’65, JANE A. PERSON ’65, JOHN C. HYDE ’65 and Donna Pederson, JOHN T. BURROWS ’65 and NANCY OSTERMEIER BURROWS ’66, KENNETH A. VON KLUCK ’65, WILLIAM C. KNUDSON ’65 and Cinda Knudson, LARRY C. LASCODY ’65 and BARBARA BERGER LASCODY ’67, LAWRENCE C. TICE ’65, DONNA STAEBEN LONG ’65, MARK T. LEDGER ’65, JOHN F. NEWHARD, JR. ’65 and Sharon Newhard, PETER B. COOPER ’65, ROGER A. CRASS ’65, DOROTHY LISKA HUNTER ’65 and Richard Hunter, RICHARD M. GRIMSRUD III ’65, RICHARD L. MENSON ’65, ROGER L. GEREAU ’65 and Cherie Gereau, FRANK S. LOCKWOOD ’65 and Donna Ross, D. WINSLOW RYDER ’65 and MARY KIJESKI RYDER ’68, DAVID G. STANKOW ’65, TERRY J. TOBIAS ’65, WALTER A. ZIMMERMANN ’65, WILLIE ROGERS ’65, WARREN L. WARCHUS JR. ’65, PHILLIP M. STEANS ’65, GARY E. NEI ’65, MICHAEL R. REESE ’65 and Kaye Reese, PHILIP C. HOLM ’65 and Cheryl Holm, and WILLIAM J. KLAPPENBACH ’65 and Connie Klappenbach.

We had sunny, delightful weather for the weekend.

For those who play golf, such as JOHN NEWHARD ’65 and his wife, Sharon, the weather could not have been better.

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Friday night, at the President’s Reception, all had time to talk with Ripon’s new President, Zach Messitte. Zach is a very outgoing and personable individual who enjoys engaging alumni in interesting conversation.

Following the President’s Reception was the Awards Banquet dinner, recognizing significant alumni achievement. It was a very nice event. MARY STAKE HAWKER ’65 received the Distinguished Alumni Citation Award and gave a very thoughtful acceptance speech.

The evening ended with an all alumni “beer/wine party” at Hughes House where alumni of all reunion classes gathered. Our class of ’65 sponsored the event, along with the class of 2000.

On Saturday morning, most of us found different places to meet with friends for breakfast. Donna and I met with my sister, JEANNE HYDE HUMKE ’67 and her hubby, RETT HUMKE ’65.

Just before noon on Saturday, reunion activities began with members of each reunion class marching down the hill walk from the Library to the Union and then to the Green Space, near the Commons. All classes sat together and had lunch while various classes received awards for their accomplishments. Our class received the trophies for highest percentage of classmates attending the reunion (40 percent) and highest percentage contributing to the class gift (72 percent).

During the lunch gathering, President Messitte provided us with interesting insights into how our College is doing and the challenges that lie ahead.

Zach then fielded interesting questions from the alumni.

We had free time to “hang out” Saturday afternoon, and some attended a delightful reception at the President’s House, located west of the Quads. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon for discussions with Zach, a few faculty members and Ripon alumni from all reunion classes, while sipping and nibbling on delightful foods and beverages.

Saturday night, our class gathered for cocktails, dinner and activities in the Great Hall where we had “sit-down” meals our freshman year. The Saturday Night Committee (CRAIG FERRIS ’65, MARY SHIRER KROENING ’65, JOHN BURROWS ’65, BARB BRADFORD SEWALL ’65, CHARLIE LARSON ’65, RICHARD MENSON ’65 and JOHN HYDE ’65) had organized an evening of music from the ’60s, projection of pictures from the yearbooks, Ripon trivia quizzes for competition between classmate tables and other interesting events.

MARY SHIRER KROENING ’65 did a masterful job of emceeing the evening. We arranged with the College to extend the evening from 9 to 11 p.m. so there was more time for mingling and dancing.

Sunday morning was the Service of Remembrance, an opportunity to recognize our departed classmates, which was organized by JANE PERSON ’65.

Afterwards, we gathered in Pickard Commons for a farewell breakfast with President Messitte.

CAROLE COOP ATHERTON ’65 put together a wonderful Memory Book consisting of classmate memories of our Ripon years. Everyone in the class was to receive a copy of the book, whether they attended the reunion or not. Let me know if you did not get a copy — jhyde65@gmail.com.

We had great weather for the reunion and memories of a good time.

1964-65 Classmate News

CAROLE COOP ATHERTON ’65 notes, “I hope everyone received the email from the College containing all of the photos I took at the reunion. The College told me they would email them to anyone whose email address they had. I received a note from Tom Buesch ’65 saying that he had received them, so I assume everyone else did, too. If any classmate did not receive them and wants to, let Amy Gerretsen ’04 know (gerretsena@ripon.edu).

“I thought the reunion was a blast. It was so much fun to see people I had not seen in 50 years, like ANN HASSLER ’65 and DAVID SCHWARZ ’65, and I loved seeing people with whom I have kept in contact over the years, like CAROL BEVERLY POUROS ’65 and MARY SHIRER KROENING ’65. I was happy to see them looking so healthy.

“Right now, I am sitting listening to the rain and feeling really grateful. Heavy rainfall such as we are having today is unusual here in the summer.

It’s typically totally dry from early July through September. We have had a terrible fire season in the Northwest this year, and it appears this will end the fire danger in the coastal range mountains and on the western side of the Cascades. For our next travel adventure in October, we are going to Alaska to see the Northern Lights.”

RICHARD GRIMSRUD ’65 writes, “The reunion was fun. I’m in the final stages of getting my first novel published. Its title is Mata Naveena, and it’s about an East Indian woman’s life in my old secondhome state of Bihar and the United States. The publication is a collaborative effort between the Peace Corps Writers Imprint and Amazon’s Create Space, and believe me it is a lot easier and more fun to write the book than to get it into print.”

DAVE MEISSNER ’65 says, “My only ‘not-so-new’ news is I’m still loving my Lake Winnipesaukee summer home in New Hampshire (weather permitting!), and expanding my garden and vintage toy cannon collection in Alfred, New York!!”

WALTER “WALLY” ZIMMERMAN ’65 and his family are leaving Hawaii after 35 years, moving to Hendersonville, Tennessee (Nashville area). He notes, “It just got to be too expensive.”

JENNIFER MARCHON ’65 notes, “John and I are busy: 1) at our condo at Morse Lake north of Indy being grandparents to our two (age 2 and just 1 month old) granddaughters; 2) playing at the lake with new friends and a pontoon; 3) planning a trip to France at the end of September to visit my brother; and 4) participating in a Packard Fall Tour to White Pines, Illinois, for three nights. Apart from that, fall activities begin with my women’s group activities (bridge, movies and luncheons) and keeping up with John and his activities as well as those of my daughter who lives nearby. It’s a full and busy life!”

CHUCK LARSON ’65 writes, “Great 50th. It was wonderful to see people I hadn’t seen in years. I especially enjoyed the series of questions by JOHN BURROWS ’65. Karen and I spent a week in Wisconsin Dells with our children and spouses and grandchildren (eight). It was a ball. I went zip-lining for the first time. For someone who suffers from acrophobia, it was an accomplishment. Karen and I will be taking a river boat cruise from Portland, Oregon, to Clarkston, Washington, in late September.

We are looking forward to that.”

CRAIG FERRIS ’65 reports, “Our 50th reunion was wonderful. I was a little disappointed that more of our classmates did not attend. But having a smaller turnout had an advantage — it gave me time to catch

up with people I had not spent time with for the last 50 years. I was particularly impressed with the Service of Remembrance — a nice low-key event that punctuated the weekend and gave us all time to reflect on classmates who have died.

“Nancy and I are headed out shortly for a longplanned trip of a lifetime — it’s technically a trip around the world — flying to Beijing then taking a private train through western China and then crossing the ’Stans of Middle Asia and ending up in Moscow where we then fly home to D.C. I have always been a railroad buff, and this is the culmination of a long desire to follow the route of Marco Polo while riding on an Orient Express-style train. Believe it or not, this desire started with my much-feared senior historiography project under Drs. Miller and Glaser when I decided to write about the effect of railroads on the development of the British Empire. That triggered a wanderlust that I am finally satisfying while Nancy and I are still healthy and mobile.”

JUDY DU FRENE HALL ’65 notes, “Having just recently arrived in Minnesota for a few days and gotten the mailing about the 50th reunion, I am wishing I had been able to attend the reunion. My days at Ripon were among the most fun of that part of my life, and there are many memories I cherish from that time ... Unfortunately getting good grades and not getting in trouble weren’t for me. However ... I had a wonderful social life and lots of fun!! Once I realized the value education actually played in my life, I did graduate and finally got an education degree as well.”

TERRY TOBIAS ’65 says, “Enjoyed the reunion ... great weather ... you did a fine job ... no plans for retirement ... having my home completely remodeled ... three new bathrooms ... kitchen … all new appliances and furniture.”

BARB BRADFORD SEWALL ’65 notes, “Had a good time seeing everyone at the reunion – only wish more had been able to make it. No news – just enjoying a new puppy and revisiting all the joys associated with the training phases.”

JAMES SEBBEN ’65 writes, “I really enjoyed the 50 year book I received and the pictures – I could still recognize most folks – sorry I wasn’t able to attend. I am off to Christmas Island the first week of October.”

RUDOLF VON WATZDORF ’65 reports, “Unfortunately I did not make our 50th, as the dates coincided with the sale of our home/farm. The requirements/paperwork are approaching asinine proportions, and in our case were leading to closing delays and extra expenses. Anyway, we are now living in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on a quiet street of the historic district. Next week, my wife and I are off to Santa Fe with our dog. It is a long drive (some 2,100 miles), but stretches of Route 40 are very scenic.

That aside, audio tapes always help to change one’s state of mind – and we are not bound by any time constraints. As to the future, let’s just say that we are living in interesting times. The country certainly has changed since I landed in NYC almost 60 years ago.

Thankfully, it remains a beacon of hope to those less fortunate than us.”

MARY “MJ” SHIRER KROENING ’65 indicates, “I had a wonderful time at the reunion! It was such fun seeing and talking to so many classmates. There weren’t many women from our class present; I missed them, but I enjoyed visiting with the ones who did come. It was a beautiful weekend, weather-wise.

I’ve never seen the campus looking so lovely. All I remember is the cold, snowy days when we trudged to classes! I actually had fun emceeing after dinner on Saturday night. If anyone is inclined to do something

Fall 2015 21

CLASSLetters like that if we have another reunion, go for it! The job is open!

“I’m preparing for the Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival over Labor Day and am back playing with the ukulele band. Both things took a hit last year while I was sick. It feels great to be cancerfree and able to get back into my normal activities of volunteering in the Children’s Garden at the Morton Arboretum, participating in three book clubs, gardening and spending time with the grandkids.

After the reunion, we traveled to Alaska to see our son and his family and then spent the rest of the summer having company. It was one reunion after another all summer long!”

JUDITH GONIA SCHAEFER ’65 writes, “So sorry I was unable to attend the reunion; it looked like everyone enjoyed it. Thanks so much for sending the “50th Reunion Memory Book.” I’m still enjoying it a lot ... taking it in little by little. My husband, Jerry, and I are spending our retirement years here in Wisconsin at our lake home in winter for six months and the other six months in Sterling, Illinois.

We enjoy both homes, communities and friends in each place very much. We have a daughter and granddaughter living in Hayward, Wisconsin, a daughter living in Skokie, Illinois, and a daughter and grandson living in New Zealand. Just visiting each of them keeps us busy.”

WIN RYDER ’65 says, “I enjoyed the reunion and seeing people again after 50 years – well done. I am still working and enjoying it. Travel is required, and Mary comes with me if the destination is interesting.

We live on the shore of Lake Michigan but winter in Naples, Florida. Mary and I headed to Sicily this week.”

TOM HAMILTON ’65 scribes, “I probably mentioned this already, but a couple of years ago I decided to reinvent myself as an actor. (Most of our classmates already thought I was little more than an act —and not even a very good one.) I recently did Vladimir in Waiting for Godot and Ray in Blackbird.

Ray is in his 50s (makeup helps). He is tracked down by a young woman with whom he had a sexual encounter when she was 12. It’s kind of intense. It was a fun part —mostly because of the gorgeous young woman I was cast with —but I worry about being type-cast.

“My friend Meg and I are going to Istanbul in late October and early November. Apparently, a few grouchy dissidents are shooting at the American Embassy. My sister-in-law suggested that we cancel the trip but that if we go we should only speak French. We’re going, but not on those terms. (If you also have already heard this news it is obvious that I am witting too often. I don’t have that exciting a life.)”

DOROTHY LISKA HUNTER ’65 mentions, “I could not spend much time at the reunion as I was on my way to Glacier, and Waterton lakes, Jasper, and Banff national parks with my family. I did enjoy seeing a few friends and walking around the town.

On our trip, we encountered smog from the fires in Canada all the way down in Montana. And managed to get to three parks before the fires got there.”

BOB FLECK ’65 reflects, “The 50th reunion was a great experience. A few glitches on Ripon’s part, but overall wonderful. Will be back next year for my wife’s 50th and hope to see many of our classmates again. One of the highlights for me was connecting with fraternity brothers from Beta Sigma Pi. Most of them were from the class of 1970 so I had never really met them in the house. With some help from a lot of people, I was able to reconnect with my roommate, CHRIS SHAW ’65. Chris was my announcer at the

22

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Ripon College radio station, a member of the history club, and sang in the Ripon Choir. While Chris wishes to maintain his privacy (and I respect that choice), we were able to get together for lunch before my wife and I reached home in Columbus, Georgia. Chris indicated an interest in joining BSP next year at the reunion. I have also been on the trail of another ‘lost’ classmate, Rick Tantala ’69. While I have not heard from him, I did get an address and wrote to him.

“Another highlight of the reunion was meeting another classmate, HARVEY WILGUS ’65, who has been in contact with Dr. Jack Powers, my chemistry department chair. With the help of the Alumni Office, I sent both an email and a surface letter to Dr. Powers.

Jack lives in North Carolina and enjoys retirement.

He wrote to me on a beautiful note card that used his own artwork. Jack really encouraged me while I was at Ripon, and I owe much of what I achieved to his mentoring.

“My wife and I have a second home on Green Lake and we spent several weeks there before and after the reunion. I have never had much luck catching the ‘big one,’ so once again hired a guide with two friends and went fishing. We each caught a nice lake trout. My wife and I also had great fun eating at local restaurants and visiting some new and other familiar attractions. We visited friends, TERRY GOODE ’66 and PAMELA KURZ GOODE ’66, in Door County and visited Washington Island. We also went with friends to House on the Rock. We hope to return to the Ripon area in October and buy some more cookies before the outlet closes for good.”

DAVID STANKOW ’65 writes, “I enjoyed the reunion so much that I can’t remember any particular highlights. It was just a great weekend.”

JANE PERSON ’65 says, “Kappa Deltas from Ripon classes 1962-1969 will be gathering at Heidel House from Tuesday, September 8, through September 11.

There will be 25+ of my sorority sisters. We will be touring the campus and meeting with current Ripon College KDs. Zach Messitte will be joining us for a wine and cheese event one evening at a private home in Green Lake. AMY GERRETSEN ’04, who was instrumental in the planning of our 50th, has proved to be of great assistance for our sorority event. She also will be joining us for our wine and cheese party.”

KARL BERES ’65 writes, “Since we just saw one another in June, there can’t be a lot to report. But

DIANE BOLTON BERES ’65 and I did complete our move to our new home, but there’s still some unpacking to do.”

RUTH CARWITHEN SATTERTHWAITE ’65 writes that she was sorry to miss the 50th reunion, but wants to send “sincerest thanks and compliments to CAROLE COOP ATHERTON ’65 and her helpers for the wonderful memorial book they put together for the 50th. It is not only well-designed and executed, but a pleasure with which to relive so many memories.

“Last month, we had a family reunion with our son, Rob, his wife and children, and his in-laws, in Monterey, California. Great as always to spend time with them all. Finding some of the restaurants on California Hwy 1 which Rob had visited on various bicycling trips between San Francisco and Los Angeles was both fun and challenging – especially when we were closely following the white SUV that pulled out just ahead of us, shortly after we had gotten separated from Rob at a traffic light, only to discover the NEXT time it pulled over that we were following the wrong SUV! It was exactly like Rob’s, but ...

1965 “Another highlight was a pontoon boat trip though the protected Elkhorn Slough, where we not only saw the many expected birds, sea lions, otters and other sea life, but also had an extra hour on board when the throttle cable broke and we were ‘rescued’ by the Harbor Patrol. Actually, that made the boat trip even more special, and we got to know the crew and other passengers better, given the relaxed extra time!”

GREG THOMPSON ’65 conveys, “Here in Seattle, our home since about 1969, we are enjoying semiretired life with a low work demands and plenty of time to travel and visit. We have a son and daughterin-law living here and a daughter, son-in-law and two young grand children living in San Francisco (3½ and 9 months). We visit them on a regular basis, and they spent a week with us on a chartered sailboat in the San Juan Islands this July here in Washington State. It is a beautiful area.

“We rarely travel out of the Northwest in the summer because of the great weather here. We have a roadster sports car and enjoy the warm summer days tooling around in it. In addition, this summer we made an exception to leaving Seattle in the summer and spent a week in London followed by a week in Paris in August. In the latter city we met for a couple of days with friends of ours from Seattle. During the winter months, we like to travel to sunnier climates found in Tarpon Springs, Scottsdale, Palm Springs, San Diego and so forth.

JOHN WHEELER ’65 lives here, so we get together for lunch and stay in touch with Ripon news. I also try to stay in touch with CHARLIE BARBER ’65, MARK LEDGER ’65, CRAIG FERRIS ’65 and LEE WARCHUS ’65. They live in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Dallas, respectively.”

JOHN NEWHARD ’65 writes, “Sharon and I felt President Zach Messitte had interesting, innovative and practical ideas on the challenges faced by Ripon in a tough environment for small liberal arts colleges.

We thought the campus looked beautiful and particularly enjoyed the cocktail party at the union with our dressed up classmates before our 50th year dinner. I enjoyed going to Ripon College and continue to enjoy being with those I went to school with.”

DAVE WORDEN ’65 says, “Unfortunately TERRI KRIKORIAN WORDEN ’66 and I couldn’t attend the reunion, but sounds like it was a good time. As far as an update, Terri and I were recently blessed with the birth of twin granddaughters from our daughter, Lisa. We are spending a lot of time in California helping care for my daughter and the twins. One of the big benefits of retirement is our schedule is free to do that. We are also getting ready for our son’s wedding next year in Maui. We’re very fortunate to have these things to enjoy and look forward to.”

JIM THORSEN ’65 notes, “A family reunion (set up by others) prevented me from attending the 50th, but I sure enjoyed the booklet and photos of the event. Who were all those old folks? We just returned from a river cruise and a week in London. We leave next month for our sixth trip to Japan for what will probably be our last Sister City exchange. We plan to continue our travels as health permits, with travels that are U.S.-based. We’ve booked a South Seas cruise roundtrip from San Diego, for example.”

JOHN BURROWS ’65 writes, “NANCY OSTERMEIER BURROWS ’66 and I were able to attend our 50th reunion, and we are so glad we did.

I don’t know when I have ever seen more old smiling faces, mine included. It was nice to stay in Ripon, and the Comfort Inn could not have been more convenient. There was much to do and I commend

the College staff for getting everything done in such a professional manner.

“We enjoyed meeting Zach Messitte at his home as well as listening to his remarks during lunch under the tent. He has much to do and appears to be the right man to lead the College through these challenging times. Our tour through the ‘new gym’ confirms the need for a major upgrade. It has only been about 50 years since it was built.

On our return home we stopped in and spent a night at The American Club in Kohler. Even without playing golf, there was much to do and see. The grounds reminded me of Disney World with everything just right. I would recommend to anyone in our class who has not been to the Village of Kohler they see it when in the area. We also spent some time in Chicago before getting on the plane for Florida. While there we dropped into the Michigan Avenue Apple Store.

We both ended up getting an Apple Watch. If you haven’t seen one, check them out. They are more fun than a barrel of monkeys tied to your wrist.”

RICHARD MENSON ’65 writes, “I had not been back to the campus in probably 20 years. I enjoyed catching up with all of our classmates who attended, finding out what they are doing now and, for some, what they want to do in the future. By the way, the picture of the class came out great. The campus has changed, but it still looks like the place where we all attended 50 years ago. It was interesting to hear from the new president of Ripon about his dreams for the future and where he wants to take Ripon. I talked with him for a while to share my story of how I came to attend Ripon, sight unseen, back in 1962 when I transferred to Ripon from Michigan. You have done a great job keeping all of us in contact with Ripon.

For what we are doing in the near future, Lynne and I are meeting 15 old friends from Libertyville for a river cruise from Basel to Amsterdam at the beginning of October. Then we come back to Atlanta for three weeks and then fly to Istanbul to cruise through the Suez Canal to Dubai, visiting places in Turkey, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Oman on the way. We are spending January through March in Naples, Florida.”

LARRY TICE ’65 writes, “Gr8!!! to make it to a 50th reunion (mine or anyone else’s). Impressive, indeed, are the narratives and achievements of so many classmates. And from the ‘ribald’ and not always so sublime to the more ponderous ‘issues’ of the day, it was good to share. 50 years! Half a century! Hmmm: a lot of time; indeed. Memories of Selma, et al. and memories of events, and even those of perhaps a little less profound impact – like the grease pole – still loom large. MinJa is now retired after a 40-year nursing career at University of Chicago hospitals.

For a while, anyway, will continue to live and work in semi-retirement in Chicago and hang out along the lakefront: indeed, a good place to hang out, and will make it back to Wisconsin once in a while.”

CATHERINE ZENDER CUMMINS ’65 of San Antonio, Texas, is president of the Coppini Fine Art Academy in San Antonio. She teaches more than 60 hours a week and created two reading programs — Early Bird Reading and Reading Masters at San Antonio Academy. More than 9,000 students have taken classes.

BETTY PITTS FRAZIER ’65 of Fargo, North Dakota, writes that she has a new great-grandson, Benjamin Ryan Frazier.

ROGER L. GEREAU ’65 of Palm Coast, Florida, writes, “I bought a condo in Germantown, Wisconsin, and will spend summers there close to my son and grandchildren.”

Fall 2015 23

CLASSLetters JOHN HYDE ’65 comments, “My fiancée, Donna Pederson, enjoyed the reunion with me and was made to feel very welcomed by many of you. We both have houses in Pensacola though we spent July and August at my home on South Twin Lake in Conover, Wisconsin. We took a trip in September, flying to Prague, Czech Republic, for three days and spent the next week on a Viking long ship cruise down the Danube River from Nuremberg, Germany, through Passau, through Vienna, Austria, and winding up in Budapest, Hungary. It was a wonderful trip. We are now back in Pensacola, enjoying warm weather, jazz society events with friends and nice boating days.

We lost the following classmates this year: SHEILA STANGEL CHRISTIANSEN ’65 and NICOLAOS D. EPIOTIS ’65.

As noted in the spring letter, FRED RUEGER ’65 passed away April 6, 2015, of pancreatic cancer.

He was planning to attend the reunion and will be heartily missed. I talked with his wife, Marie, who you may have seen with Fred at our 45th reunion, who said Fred dealt with the outcome very well and was at peace with it. He was able to see all his children before the end and was and was glad to be at home.

Wishing all of you a beautiful fall and winter. Talk to you in the spring.

All the very best, John

1966 The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested in becoming the Class Agent or want to learn more about this role, please contact either Nancy Buck Hintz ’82 (920-748-8346 / hintzn@ ripon.edu) or Amanda Liethen ’07 (920-748-8677 / liethena@ripon.edu).

Class Notes

NANETTE MACKNICK JOHNSON ’66 of Fort Mill, South Carolina, writes, “Just sold our cabin in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, as soon as we listed it. Now we are free to travel! We may come soon to a town near you!”

PATRICIA CLEMICK MARQUARDT ’66 of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, retired from the Marquette University Department of Foreign Languages on May 30, 2015, as an associate professor of classical languages.

JOHN S. SLEICHERT ’66 of Menomonie, Wisconsin, died May 20, 2015.

JERRY THORNBERY ’66 of Baltimore, Maryland, continues to work at Gilman School in Baltimore. For 34 years, he taught American history and American government and coached cross country and track.

Beginning in the fall of 2013, he became a part-time instructor, teaching recent American history. He will retire in June 2016.

GARY YERKEY ’66 of Washington, D.C., writes that his latest book has just been published. It’s the firstever biography of Tom Treanor, a correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, who was killed in France in August 1944 just before the Americans liberated Paris.

Titled Dying for the News: Honoring Tom Treanor and the Other Reporter’s Killed Covering World War II, it’s based largely on exclusive access to Treanor’s personal papers, including letters to and from his wife while he was overseas. Gary’s other books include Still Time to Live: A Biography of Jack Belden and South to Selma:

24

Connections

“Outside Agitators” and the Civil Rights March that Changed America — an account of his participation in the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march in 1965, along with two other Ripon College students and then-chaplain, the Rev. Jerry Thompson. All of his books are available through amazon.com.

1967 Kathryn “Kathy” Santimays Dunn 209 Stuart Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144 (704) 633-8999 / mamadunn@hotmail.com “Philosophy is perfectly right in saying that life must be understood backward. But then one forgets the other clause – that it must be lived forward.” – Soren Kierkegaard Dear Classmates, Looking forward to an exciting and enriching four years at Ripon are 218 new students. Their collective backgrounds include many outstanding accomplishments and honors (much like our class!).

I was happy to note that they also represent 18 different states, adding to the diversity of the class.

Of course you help ensure all students have a successful experience with your continued support and generous contributions to the Annual Fund.

Thanks to you, the goal of $2.2 million was met this past year. Hopefully the increased goal will easily be met this current fiscal year.

In addition, a campaign is underway to improve the J.M. Storzer Athletic Center. Health and wellness are an integral part of any well-rounded educational experience and Ripon is no exception. You may visit www.ripon.edu/revitalize for more information.

Student Support Services is an important part of helping students succeed at Ripon. Those who come from lower income families or who have physical and/ or learning disabilities are helped.

Recognizing the need of this program, the Department of Education awarded the College a five year $1.2 million grant to help facilitate the program.

Those of you who are lawyers may be interested in joining an alumni group for law school students.

Professor Steve Sorenson is hoping to organize this group. It sounds like a great mentoring idea.

During this year’s Alumni Weekend, the class of 1965 celebrated their 50th reunion. They had a 40 percent attendance and highest reunion gift participation with 72 percent. So the bar has been set for us!

We have a little less than two years to get ready. I would entertain any and all unique ideas, thoughts and help in making our 50th the best the College has seen! If you would like to be on or organize a committee to facilitate this auspicious occasion, let me know.

Looking backward, I remember having to write a story about “what I did during my summer vacation.” I thought I would share our adventures. Be thankful it’s not a slide show!!

At the end of June we took our 10-year-old granddaughter, Hillary, to Hawaii for two weeks visiting the Big Island and Oahu. We toured Volcano National Park, saw beautiful water falls, black sand beaches, macadamia nut farms, pineapple plantations and more. I was fascinated to learn there are 12 climate zones on the big island. In one day we went from rainforests to desert areas.

Perhaps the highlight was swimming with dolphins!

They are such amazing creatures. Lest you think

1965-69 they are being exploited, many experiments and studies are conducted. They work with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts.

Enough about my summer vacation, what did you do?

Again, a reminder to send in your gift to the Annual Fund. It is integral to the support of the College and benefits all students.

Please, please think about what we can do to make our 50th unique and memorable!

Kathy Dunn

1968 Bob Martin 109 Terra Alta Circle, Havertown, PA 19083 porger@verizon.net Dear Class of ’68-mates: Mea culpa. Writing corrections is nothing new for me after 33 years in newspaper work, but few are as fun as this one. In the Spring 2015 class letter, I reported that CHARLIE GRAEBER ’68 published the lead article in Boston magazine’s “The All-Access Guide to the Islands.” The name was right, but I was off by a generation.

My apologies to the Graeber family and thanks to DIANN WATERBURY GRAEBER ’68 for her clarification: “The picture and article attributed to my husband, Charles William Graeber, is actually our son, Charles Andrew Graeber.”

She then offered this insight into my errant reporting: “(This) proves what I have always known: Our friends never age in our ‘mind’s eye’.”

WENDY WEIMER ’68 of St. Paul, Minnesota, died February 17.

Bob Martin

1969 Scott A. Nyquist 7747 Martino Circle, Naples, FL 34112 239-732-0523 / 630-632-1619 scott.a.nyquist@gmail.com Greetings from Naples, Florida. As always, there is a lot happening at Ripon. Be sure to check out all the stories in this new Class Letter publication. Ripon students and faculty continue to be amazing. Also, let me know what you think of the new format.

Don’t forget there is a Facebook page for the Ripon College Class of 1969. Hope you will have fun posting some pictures there.

One of the things I often get asked is what the cost of a year at Ripon today is. The current comprehensive fee (which includes tuition, fees, plus room and board assuming double occupancy) is $44,691. The College recommends adding on about $2,350 for books & supplies, personal expenses and transportation, making the estimated cost for the year $47,041 (and the real cost of providing a year at Ripon is actually more than this). If my memory serves me right, tuition and room and board were about $2,000 when we entered in August 1965. And compared to many other schools, Ripon is actually a good deal. (Lawrence and Beloit are each over $55,000.)

Needless to say, financial aid is a must for just about every student who goes to college these days.

Here is some news from fellow classmates who contacted me recently.

Bob “Otto” Wachholtz ’69 of Papillon, Nebraska, writes: “I’m still working for the Air Force and I continue to enjoy the job. My bride noted that if you like the job, like the people you work with, and they pay you for it ... why would you quit? However, the bride has halved her work hours and is easing into retirement. It’s tempting, so I may soon follow despite her job satisfaction comment. If Europe doesn’t melt (thank you Greece) then we may take a trip as I completed the first step and finally got my passport photo. The rest is easy. Right?”

BOBBI SUESS ANDERS ’69 and FRANK ANDERS ’69 of Chesterfield, Virginia, say: “We had a wonderful time visiting southern California in July for the marriage of our nephew John Hutchings (Frank’s sister’s son). We had a family reunion with our own kids, Cathy and Frank, and his son, Joey. Joey is now 12 and such a joy. Every time we see him, it seems he has grown a foot. I have only 1½ inches on him now. Won’t be long until he looks down on me. While there, we had lunch with JANE WIESER BAKER ’69. We hadn’t seen each other since our wedding back in 1971. Wow, what a long time. But Jane is still as ebullient and interesting as she ever was. We had a great time catching up on the last 40-some years.

We also agreed to see each other again in September when a bunch of Kappa Deltas are having a reunion in Ripon. So far we have 20+ ladies attending. We had a mini-reunion in California (San Francisco) last October and had so much fun that we decided to do it again but in the Midwest this time. Jane and I didn’t have any alcohol at our lunch but that will definitely change in September. Many toasts will be raised during our reunion. We have settled into our new home in Richmond, Virginia. It was time to get away from those cold Connecticut winters. We also wanted to downsize a bit. We picked Richmond because our daughter Cathy is here. Now it looks like my mom will be moving here in the near future. She is in an assisted living home in New Jersey and wants to be near us. It is so nice to be close to family, something neither Frank nor I have ever had the opportunity to do. We see Cathy often but we still have our own lives. Just the way it should be.”

JOHN LORFELD ’69 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, writes that he is still working and loving it. He and his wife have taken several trips to Utah and have been to all the national parks in that state.

NANCY OLIVER LEIFHEIT ’69 of Sycamore, Illinois, sent me this note: “I retired in 2012 and do limited education consulting through the state of Illinois. Otherwise, my husband Dave Leifheit ’67 and I travel across the United States, to and from each coast, seeing sights and family. Our kids and grandson, Grant who is 8, all live in Seattle, so we head there as often as we can. Northern Wisconsin calls us regularly as we share a family place in Land O’ Lakes. I spend my home time learning to love exercising by adding Zumba to my repertoire, golfing, taking art classes, volunteering and reading books, including those chosen by those in my book club.”

PHIL MCCULLOUGH ’69 of Woodstock, Illinois, says: “Still working at the Medical School at Northwestern, teaching in the residency program and seeing patients. See or talk fairly regularly with TIM TRIER ’69 and TIM SOLIDAY ’69 and see BILL JORDAN ’69 at trustee meetings. Have one grandson. His mother is my daughter KRISTEN MCCULLOUGH GRANCHALEK ’04. Hosted a reception here in Chicago August 5 for new entering students in the class of 2019.”

Fall 2015 25

CLASSLetters RICK KIRSCHMAN ’69 of Brookfield, Wisconsin,

ALICE HALL HAYES ’69 of Washington, D.C.,

wrote: “Happily, I am still working – involved in two companies – one a specialty magnetics firm and the other a manufacturer of a patented magnetic switch and sensor technology. I am afforded the luxury of a pretty flexible schedule that allows my wife Denise and I to travel and pursue our passion for golf. In April, we went back to Montgomery, Alabama, for my 50th high school reunion. I had not seen many of the folks since graduation and for others it had been 30 years. What an absolutely enjoyable experience.

Quite interesting considering the situation in 1965 Alabama – the Selma march – George Wallace was governor - ours was the first integrated class in the history of the school. No children, but now are the embarrassingly overindulgent “parents” of an English bulldog puppy. For the last several years, a group of Merriman fraternity brothers have been getting together for a few days at various places around the country to catch up, tell the same stories over again and try to play golf. Most of us are class of ’69, but there are a few from other years as well. Last year we met in Flagstaff, Arizona, and the group included: JIM JANIKOWSKI ’69, BILL TESTIN ’69, JOHN CORSO ’68, DON MCNEIL ’68, GORDON HANNAFORD ’68, WALTER WAXMAN ’69, KIPP JOHNSON ’69, JOHN WIECHMANN ’69 and me. This year we will do it again in Galena, Illinois.”

writes: “Have been retired since 2012. Enjoying spending time with civic organizations in my community as well as time with my two beloved little grandsons, ages 4 and 1. My newest organizational involvement is with the Yellow Tape Project, a grassroots awareness campaign, advocating for responsible gun laws in America, using a strong visual message of yellow tape. The website is www. yellowtapeproject.com. I continue to enjoy the arts, perfecting my swimming and travelling with my husband, Ed. We are looking forward to our upcoming November 2015 trip to Cuba. If any classmates have recommendations of definite to-dos in Cuba, please share.”

CYNTHIA SANBORN NYQUIST ’69 and SCOTT NYQUIST ’69 of Naples, Florida, say: “In April, Scott met with fraternity brother MARK BAUER ’69 who was vacationing in Sarasota. We enjoyed a trip to the Midwest in June, traveling first to Chicago where we met with old friends and some family, then on to Ripon for Alumni Weekend. On the drive to Ripon, we stopped in Milwaukee to have lunch with dear friend MASON SHERWOOD ’68. In Ripon, we visited with CHIP RETSON ’69 and had lunch with old friends BILL NEILL ’67 and JUDY WILKINSON NEILL ’68. We also were able to see several Beta Sigma Pi fraternity brothers, including ART SCARLETT ’69 and his wife, SHERRY SWENNES SCARLETT ’70, KURT THORNBLADH ’70, WAYNE YAKUMA ’72 and BOB FLECK ’65. After Alumni Weekend, we enjoyed a Brewers game at Miller Park in Milwaukee with good friends Prof. Skip Wittler and MICHELE BARAN WITTLER ’76. In August, we flew to Germany to spend three weeks with our daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter, Emma, who is 4 years old. Retirement in Naples, Florida, is good.

Scott keeps busy volunteering two days a week. One day is spent at WINK-TV in Fort Myers where he is a member of the Call for Action Team, a consumer advocate group that helps people solve problems.

The other day he works for St. Matthews House in Naples, a local charity that runs a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a food pantry and a substance-abuse program. Cyn volunteers one day a week at the Naples Botanical Garden where she is a maintenance gardener. She is also a member of a knitting and crocheting club and enjoys gardening and landscaping around our home.”

WILLIAM GEBHARDT ’69 of Frankfort, Illinois, retired on Good Friday, April 18, 2014, as a sales manager for Schilling Lumber in Mokena, Illinois. “I called it Great Friday!” he says. He has travelled to New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Arizona and Las Vegas. “Playing lots of golf and not missing work at all.”

MICHAEL WILLIAMS ’69 of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, writes, “Finishing my first year as supervisor on the Manitowoc County Board.”

26

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WILLIAM JORDAN ’69 of Princeton, New Jersey, sent in this update: “Marking the end of my term as president of the Medieval Academy of America, I gave my Presidential Address at the University of Notre Dame in March 2015. I also gave one of the plenary lectures at the international conference commemorating the Magna Carta held in London at the British Library in June. Christine and I have our first grandchild, Leila Grace Gorman, born on November 25, 2014.”

I want to thank all the class members who donated to Ripon College this past year. The class of ’69 donated a total of $103,496.63, with 49.6 percent of the class making a gift. Great job! The new Annual Fund year began July 1 and ends June 30, 2016. I hope all of you who contributed this past year will do so again. If you weren’t able to give to the Annual Fund in this past year, please consider doing so this coming year. Also, please consider including the College in your will. This is easy to do. To find out more, contact Michelle Lippart in the Advancement Office: lippartm@ripon.edu 920-748-8817. Finally, be sure you put the date of our next class reunion on your calendar. This will be our 50th. (Yep, that’s right — 50th!) The date is Saturday, June 22, 2019. I’ll be forming a reunion committee in July 2017 and will be looking for 8-10 people to help with the reunion organization. Call or write me with news for the Spring 2016 class letter and include a picture!

Scott A. Nyquist

1970 Susan Hecht Gebhardt 947 Shetland Drive, Frankfort, IL 60423 815-464-5761 / 815-260-1656 / wmacrogeb@yahoo.com Bob Uehling 1261 Seventh Street, Monterey, CA 93940 831-373-4821 / 831-239-5754 / bobuehling2@global.net Dear Alumnae and Alumni, It is with pleasure and some trepidation that we assume the job of co-class agents. We would like to thank DAVE READ ’70 for the wonderful job he did as class agent for the last five years and to introduce ourselves: SUE HECHT GEBHARDT ’70 and BOB UEHLING ’70. Dave entertained us with stories about his life, helped raise money for Ripon, encouraged us to attend reunions, and solicited information about our lives for the newsletters.

We would also like to thank fellow classmates MARC HOFFMAN ’70, Trustee and Chair of the Class of ’70 Gift Committee, and RON PETERSON ’70, Chair of the Board of Trustees. Their efforts resulted in our class receiving two awards: largest reunion class gift with $220,816, and largest five-year class gift with $767,427. These awards were presented at the class

1969-71 lunch during Alumni Weekend. With their leadership and our support, we can continue the rich history of Ripon College and perhaps increase our gifts to Ripon for the next five years.

Special thanks go out to JIM HARMAN ’70 and SARAH RANDAHL HARMAN ’71 for hosting an open house for our class at their beautiful Green Lake home the Friday evening of the Alumni Reunion Weekend, and also to MARK LARSON ’70 and LINDA WOHLSCHLAEGER LARSON ’70 for donating the wine. We had a wonderful time reminiscing about old times and catching up with everyone’s current lives.

If you missed this year’s 45th reunion, mark your calendars now for the last weekend in June of 2020 for the 50th. We are hoping for record donations and a record number of inductions into the “Golden R Club.” Please suggest locations for the Saturday dinner. We have had buffets at the Commons for the past several reunions, and would like to try another favorite spot in Ripon or Green Lake. Maybe in five years someone will reopen Greekers or the Upstairs Spot.

We need your help. As you can see, we have only two classmates who have sent news for this Class Letter.

You can send updates to Ripon with your annual gifts (or to alumni@ripon.edu), or directly to us at the emails, addresses or phone numbers above. It is hard to believe that we graduated 45 years ago when we all feel as though, or wish it were, yesterday. Please share a bit of your lives with us and enjoy reconnecting with old friends.

As for me, SUE HECHT GEBHARDT ’70, I taught high school Latin and U.S. History for 18 years.

During that time, I received an M.A. in Latin from Loyola University of Chicago, traveled, married BILL GEBHARDT ’69, had two sons, and am a grandmother of a darling 2-year-old granddaughter.

As a family, we ski, golf and travel. I also enjoy sewing, quilting, machine embroidery, reading and, of course, playing with my granddaughter. I was a founder of our grade school district’s Education Foundation, serving on its board of directors for seven years. Although retired, I help judge some of the local and state high school Latin contests.

While at the reunion, Bob and I talked about our time together as president and secretary of the Ripon College Student Senate during our junior and senior years at Ripon. The Senate Speaker Program was a highlight, bringing George McGovern and other 1968 political candidates to speak at Ripon while the Vietnam War was at its peak. We also remember visits

by William F. Buckley and William O. Douglas, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the time.

BOB UEHLING ’70 here. I served 28 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, the last 20 years as a LTC in the JAG Corps. Since 2001, I have lived in California, and for the past nine years, I have worked as a tax manager with Granite Construction. I have survived both prostate and bladder cancer in the past three years. My wonderful wife, Kathleen “Kitty” Nevin, and I live in Monterey and we celebrated our 10th anniversary this May. She attended our 40th Ripon College Class Reunion as part of our honeymoon.

I have three children and three grandchildren from my first marriage, all living in South Carolina and Georgia, where I worked as a tax attorney and tax manager for 25 years. Still playing golf, but not running as much, although I did complete seven marathons, including the New York Marathon and the Toronto Marathon. Most recently, I ran the 21-miler during the Big Sur Marathon. Kitty and I are taking golf lessons together, so maybe we will be ready to play together at the next Ripon reunion!

BRUCE CHORBA ’70 of Hamilton Square, New Jersey, writes: “I enjoyed a wonderful and amazing experience traveling throughout China recently, followed by an equally enjoyable set of experiences traveling throughout Australia and New Zealand.”

JAMES WALSH ’70 of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, writes, “Survived prostate and heart surgery during the winter of 2015. Doing just fine. Golf is just okay.”

Just to reiterate, Sue and I would like to hear from you. Let us know if you’re still working or, if you’re retired and traveling, visiting your children and grandchildren. Just bring us up-to-date on your life!

Sue Hecht Gebhardt and Bob Uehling

1971 James Beisner 119 Starflower Drive, Griffin, GA 30223 770-227-2410 / beisner@bellsouth.net We are moving toward our 45th year since we graduated from Ripon College. Many successes have happened to us since that special occasion that can be attributed to the education we received so many years ago. Our continued financial support of this vital mission will ensure incoming classes will experience the best quality education possible. Our 45th class reunion is scheduled for June 23-26, 2016.

The goal is to get as many classmates as possible to return to campus and celebrate our 45 years of success that started at Ripon College. I also invite any classmates interested in assisting in the planning of the reunion to join our effort. I want to invite all of you to consider spending a weekend at Ripon and enjoy some fellowship with your classmates. You will receive more details concerning the reunion events in the coming months.

MICHAEL JULKA ’71 of Madison, Wisconsin, received the 2015 Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators Outstanding Educator Award.

Mike also received national recognition for his commitment to school law through his election to the Board of Directors for the National Council of School Attorneys. Mike is an attorney at Boardman & Clark.

RAYMOND ROBINSON ’71 of Key Biscayne, Florida, writes: “My wife, Jura, and I enjoy living in Key Biscayne. I continue to enjoy teaching orthopaedic residents as professor and chief of joint reconstruction, Department of Orthopaedics, at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Nothing more rewarding than teaching the next generation of surgeons.”

As we look back at our experiences at Ripon, we can all see the benefits we derived from that special time.

In some way, the Annual Fund assisted all of us. It underwrites all aspects of yearly operations, including but not limited to laboratory supplies, technological innovations, library resources, faculty support, financial aid and scholarships, athletics, opportunities to study abroad, the arts and facilities. Since this is our reunion year, I urge your consideration to increase this year’s gift in recognition of all we have accomplished as a result of Ripon College. If you gave below the Heritage Society level, consider giving at that level. If you give at one of the society levels, think about increasing your gift annually to eventually reach the next highest society.

Jim Beisner

Fall 2015 27

INTRODUCING...

Our NEW Estate- and Gift-Planning Website The website includes valuable personal, financial and estate-planning resources. Learn how you can provide for the people important to you and Ripon College by taking simple steps now. Log on to our easy to use Estate- and Gift-Planning website to create your plan for the future.

ripongiftplanning.org 28

Connections

1972-73

1972 Susan Frederick-Clarkson susieclarkson@aol.com Stephanie Greene steviegreene@msn.com Dear 1972 Alumni: There is extraordinary news from Ripon College about a gift from TOM ALTHOLZ ’72 and SUDY REIGLE ALTHOLZ ’73. They will give $1 million to Ripon to promote study abroad experiences for students.

The Altholz Off-Campus Study Scholarship will help provide funding for students to pursue study, research, or student teaching opportunities abroad.

MICHAEL LEE-CHUN ’72 of Hopewell Junction, New York, is now retired.

JOHN SPITTELL ’72 of Galesburg, Illinois, has been named to an endowed chair at Knox College. He is a professor of business and management and executivein-residence, and is the college’s first recipient of the Joseph E. and Judith B. Wagner Distinguished Chair in Business.

MARY WEBSTER ’72 of Santa Clara, Panama, recently married Nicholas Jackson. She has taught in international schools since 2002 and currently is teaching English in an experimental, highly academic school in Santa Clara. “There are 50 students, most of whom speak three languages,” Mary writes. “This tiny population embodies more than 20 different nationalities. I live in a wee house near the school; it is a 20-minute walk down a narrow, almost paved but unlit road, which means I try not to be walking home after dark since that is when the snakes and other creatures need the roadway.” Mary’s parents, Nicholas Webster ’49 and Carol Thrumston Webster ’50, lived in Panama from 1953 to 1977 and raised their children there.

Best regards, Stephanie Greene and Susan Frederick-Clarkson

1973 Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer 22001 Sycamore Grove, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 239-390-1349 / 630-987-9388 / jeanlederer@yahoo.com Dear Class of 1973, I am not sure of this new format yet but am a firm believer that change is good, so here is my first attempt at a letter to you for the magazine style. Most of the information usually contained in my letters was from the College itself, and I just doctored it up a bit. Now that information is in other parts of this magazine. I suggest you go to the Ripon News section to learn about the 218 students who arrived on campus in mid-August to begin the 2015-2016 school year and to learn how Ripon College ranked in some National Publications. News of professors and other issues academic will be found in the Academic Department News. Also, be sure to peek at some of the other class letters and news from all classmates and other alumni from all the years before and after us.

One thing I loved reading about was Alumni Weekend which was held this past June 25 to 28. 700 people attended, which is quite a group. GARY LEDERER ’72 and I were attending a wedding that weekend and were sorry to miss out on the fun. I always like to read about the classes that receive awards for attendance and giving. So far, I think our class has topped most

of the high achievers which makes us one of the most generous classes having graduated from Ripon College. I think that is wonderful and want to take this time and space to thank each of you for your generosity, and to say I hope you are able to continue your support for many years ahead.

Special recognition and thanks go to SUDY REIGLE ALTHOLZ ’73 and her husband TOM ALTHOLZ ’72 for a magnificent scholarship donation. The Altholz Off-Campus Study Scholarship will benefit Ripon students seeking academic studies overseas.

Sudy and I spoke recently, and she said that she and Tom hope that the scholarship will broaden the horizons of the participants. Travel and study abroad are a continuing source of education, and Tom and Sudy want Ripon students to be able to benefit from that experience.

Not all of us are able to support Ripon with such a generous gift, but please know any gift you are able to present the College goes a long way in supporting the liberal arts education it provides. Ripon College is grateful for any gift it receives.

When I spoke with Sudy, I asked if she and Tom had been anywhere interesting lately or had any trips in the near future. She replied they had been to Cuba in January and would be returning to India in November. I hope to tag along with Gary on a business trip to India in October and was delighted to get her insights and advice. How about the rest of you ’73ers? Have you been anywhere you would recommend?

A couple of our classmates have been doing some traveling which has resulted in interesting work this summer. KAREN “MURPH” LOWERY ’73 wrote in an email that she has been escaping the heat in Tucson “since April by working in the Apache/ Sitgreaves National Forest near Alpine, Arizona (mid-state by the New Mexico border) at over 8,000 feet. I work on the U.S. Forest Service wildlife crew monitoring Mexican Spotted Owls, Northern Goshawks, New Mexico jumping mouse habitat and other wildlife habitat. Needless to say, I am outdoors in an incredible environment working out and staying in shape. The bonus is I get paid. Also, I stay with some dear friends that live on the Blue River nearby.

I will return to Tucson October 1. I still stay in touch with JACKIE FARMER ANDREWS ’73 and MARK ANDREWS ’73, and MARIAN OSSMAN ’73.”

JACKIE FARMER ANDREWS ’73 and MARK ANDREWS ’73 “have spent the summer of 2015 hosting a campground at Little Sand Bay in the Apostle Island National Lakeshore on Lake Superior outside of Bayfield, Wisconsin. Four months of living in our motor home, enjoying the camping families, the fishermen, the kayakers, cool breezes, awesome rocks and great family visits. This lake has its own climate systems, and we have learned that the weather forecasts are good for 15 minutes at best! Love the Northwoods of Wisconsin in autumn but ready to head back to home in Florida.”

BILL STARKE ’73 wrote: “My wife and I attended the Many Glacier Hotel 100-Year Reunion, in Glacier Park. It was 7/30 thru 8/03. We saw the Reynolds Fire. We stayed at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn cabins. I worked at Glacier Park Lodge the summers of 1970 and 1971. I wore my original Park Badge to the reunion. Hiked 24 miles over three days into the mountains. Back in 1971, I climbed five mountains in Glacier Park.”

TOM JAYNE ’73 and his family have also been traveling; he wrote: “I have really enjoyed my first full year of retirement taking Learning in Retirement classes through UW-Green Bay. Both of our children

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CLASSLetters (Kevin and Emily) were married in the last two years.

Before there are any grandchildren, we decided to take them all on a Mediterranean cruise this summer.

We spent the first week touring Italy — started out in Rome, then on to Florence with a side trip to Cinque Terre (beautiful!) and then on to Venice where we took an eight-day cruise with stops in Dubrovnik, Croatia, four stops in Greece including Santorini and Athens, as well as a stop in Ephesus, Turkey, to see the spectacular ruins there. It was VERY hot everywhere in Italy but a most special and memorable trip for all of us.”

JOHN HEFLEBOWER ’73 lives and works in California. He wrote: “The film Eleven Eleven, of which I was an executive producer, should be out by the end of the year. In the meantime, I am readying another project, Blood Bounty, and I am looking for other interested parties who want to participate financially. In the meantime, my daughter, Sophie, and I have been writing and producing Media Mania which can be found at http://napabroadcasting. com/john-sophie-heflebowers-media-maniafor-8-17-15/ and on twitter @napamediamania. It’s a podcast and it’s all about altmedia, independent film, YouTube, vimeo, shorts, documentaries, vines, etc.”

JOHN STIERNBERG ’73 is also still working; he wrote: “I visited Nashville July 7-12, 2015, for the annual Summer NAMM (music products) trade show.

Our friends at the Gretsch Company (guitars and drums since 1883) invited me to a reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. CEO Fred Gretsch introduced me to guitar legend Duane Eddy.

We had a great conversation about music, guitars, George Harrison and Quentin Tarantino, among other topics.”

DANA NICHOLS LABRUM ’73 is the manager of the Francis Branch of St. Joseph County Public Library in South Bend, Indiana.

JANE BENSON ’73 sent an email in late August, in which she wrote: “The last week has been busy in responding to the three firefighter deaths and other injuries during the bad forest fires in central and eastern Washington state as part of my work with the Washington State Employment Assistance Group and our incident stress management response. We have had weeks in the 90s, which is very unusual us.” Jane also wrote that she has started a phased retirement which means she is working fewer hours and days and will eventually be totally retired in February 2016. At the time of her email, Jane was getting ready to head to Thousand Oaks, California, to celebrate her mother’s 106th birthday with family and stepfamily. Jane says she has been blessed to have such a wonderful extended family. Recently, Jane reconnected with her Ripon College freshman roommate, DARCI JAEGER JAYNE ’73. She and Darci hope to meet up sometime when Darci is in Portland visiting her son and daughter-in-law.

TIM PETERSIK ’73 was pleased to announce: “I am retired.”

Also retired is MARILYN BAXTER CARVER ’73, who wrote: “My husband, Johnny, and I both retired about three years ago — he from children’s mental health social work and I from teaching world languages. We’ve been spending our summers sailing on Minnesota’s Leech Lake, close to our son, Jarad, and his family, so that we can enjoy our adorable 2-year-old grandson, Dylan. We divide our winters between the Texas Gulf Coast (near our daughter, Kimi, an immigration attorney in the Rio Grande Valley) and the Mesa, Arizona, area. We’ve become increasingly active in our hikers’ club in Arizona and have also started up a little band called Desert

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Blues there. It’s fun recapturing a favorite activity we enjoyed years ago, playing music far into the night, without worrying about getting to our ‘day jobs’ anymore!”

MARTY MORRIS ’73 is close to his second retirement. He wrote: “I am closing in on my second retirement. I didn’t do it right the first time I guess.

Winding up my contracts in April, and then it’s time to get ready to move to Portland. Hoping to spend more time there getting settled into a new urban lifestyle. Right now, just enjoying the last days of summer and organizing my annual fall golf outing for my associates. We’ll be bracing for another brutal Michigan winter immediately thereafter. Ninety percent Great Lakes ice cover last year, you know.”

KATIE PARISH MILLER ’73 sent the following email: “My son, Christopher, moved from Florida to Kalamazoo, Michigan, last fall. He enrolled at WMU to complete his bachelor’s. He worked at promotional tech videos, recording, etc., using his experience as a recording artist for a Jeep retrofitting company. My daughter, Carol, and her husband, Kris, have two beautiful little girls (4 and 1½) and are expecting a third baby. I visit my grandchildren for about one week a month. When the new baby comes, I will be there in Duluth for six weeks. I have now been trained to volunteer for hospice, and I’m part of a fun bike group called ‘Gear Geezers’.”

MICHAEL MIZEN ’73 and PEGGY SEELBACH MIZEN ’75’s daughter, Alison, was married June 19.

Attending were GARY SHARPE ’73, ROB GADDIS ’72 and PETER TULLIO ’73. Mike wrote that this group of friends has watched each other’s children grow up. He also said that his youngest daughter, Jennifer, will be defending her Ph.D. thesis at Ohio State University this coming October. Mike and Peggy traveled to the Maritime Provinces of Canada last year in their RV and this year went to the Grand Canyon.

They are looking forward to more RV adventures in the future.

This came in from ANDREAS MELAS ’73: “I am still in the Chicago area although I am retired and our two daughters are one on each U.S. coast. Our daughter, Maria, will be getting married September 17 in Oahu, Hawaii. Maria finished her Harvard graduate program last year and lives in the Boston area. Our younger daughter, Antonia, is a pediatrician now further specializing in pediatric critical care at U.C.L.A. and lives in the LA area. I just published a second book also on my birthplace, Cyprus, a poetry translation and related history. I am involved with a Greek professional society, Hellenic Link Midwest, now serving as the president. Hope to get away from wintry parts of the country but so far only managed a little better than wintry Ripon.”

GARY LEDERER ’72 and I have put down our roots here in Florida and given up our place in Illinois. The summer has been hot and humid, but we can stand the heat! We have escaped on a couple of trips, and both of us are about ready to head out again: Gary on business to Dubai, and me to San Jose, California, to visit our youngest son, Steve, who has just purchased a new home. I think he is counting on my great unpacking skills to get him settled!

Thanks to all of you for getting back to me with your news. Hope to hear from some more of you for the next edition Cheers, Jean

1973-75

1974 Jan MacLeod 2 Gilbert Avenue, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514 630-920-2450 / Bookmaven105@gmail.com Happy Autumn!

Hope this finds all of you healthy and happy, still basking in the warmth of your summer memories. It was a busy, yet restful, summer for us. Both our kids moved, but we were not involved in any of the “heavy lifting” so we got to enjoy their excitement without the back pain! The newlyweds bought a lovely little house on the far north side of Chicago and our youngest moved out of the city to one of the suburbs just north of us, so we are once again changing our address book and learning new routes to visit them.

Happily, they keep finding their way back home to visit us as well! Life is good.

Our high school started a week earlier this year, so I was back in the library on August 12 to prepare for the kids. It was a bit of a shock, but I know I will be glad in the spring when we get out of school before Memorial Day. Better still is the fact that now our kids will take their mid-term exams before the holidays and can really relax over their winter break.

And news from our classmates!

ELIZABETH HENDERSON BARRATT ’74 of Carmel Valley, California, writes, “I go to the beach as often as possible.”

GRETCHEN PETERSEN BREITZMAN ’74 of Appleton, Wisconsin, is a benefits systems architect with Navitus Health Solutions in Appleton.

DEBORAH EVANS CLEM ’74 of Boulder, Colorado, writes, “We have four delightful grandchildren and one on the way! We continue as active volunteers — in Habitat for Humanity (Steve) and work with Dalcroze and Colorado Music Festival Center for Musical Arts (Deb). Deb sings as well with the Broadway Boomers.”

CHRIS OVERLY WALLACE ’74 of Homer Glen, Illinois, writes: “Just getting through one day at a time and figuring out my life. Thankful for friends and family and especially the news that my daughter is expecting her third child in February. Looking forward to a new baby to dote on.”

It has also come to my attention (via Facebook, no less) that a few of our classmates have taken to wearing tutus and glitter, prancing around their kitchens pretending to be unicorns. While this is all supposedly for a good cause, I am still a little worried.

No photos have been produced, so this may all be malicious rumor, but I will keep you posted. J See you on campus!

Jan

1975 Jondi Gumz 1010 Whispering Pines Drive, Scotts Valley CA 95066 831-461-1120 / jondigumz@yahoo.com Dear classmates, What a wonderful reunion we had!

Check out the photos on Facebook at the Ripon College Class of 1975 40th reunion news. Great conversations, great weather, great opportunity to see the campus and catch up with not-that-old pals and make new friends. Truly a good time was had by all.

A big success!

We made it into the top three for our class gift, thanks to all of you generous people for making a difference.

And we got a trophy! MARK WRIGHT ’75 will have details in a bit.

First, some eyewitness reports from the folks who attended the reunion. Here’s RICK ESTBERG ’75 of Severna Park, Maryland, our venerable “Jeopardy!” host, with a wrap-up: “For the fourth reunion in a row, the Class of ’75 showed its ‘class’ by playing along with the by-now famous game of ‘Jeopardy!’ RICK ‘ALEX’ ESTBERG ’75 and JONDI ‘VANNA’ GUMZ ’75 kept everyone on track as they racked their few remaining brain cells for correct questions to the answers posed. For the first time ever, all tables ended Double Jeopardy in the plus column, allowing them all to participate in Final Jeopardy. More on that in a moment.

“This year’s categories included perennial favorites such as ‘Ripon Prof Initials,’ ‘Beer’ and ‘Class of ’75’ (answers included KATHY KURKE ’75, JIM LUKANICH ’75, PEGGI SEELBACH MIZEN ’75, BRUCE WICKERT ’75 and SUE CHAPMAN CARLTON ’75 (both Jim and Peggi were present).

“New categories included ‘Actors and Their Roles,’ ‘Used to Be Called,’ ‘Baseball’ and ‘Where Are You?’ A couple of answers stumped the crowd, to include: ‘Born in Kenosha, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his work in The Kids Are Alright’ (Mark Ruffalo); ‘This West Coast team played its home games in its first two years in Seals Stadium’ (an obvious choice, considering your host: the San Francisco Giants); and, ‘This state’s counties include Allen, St. Joseph, Hamilton and Marion’ (Indiana).

“The big surprise came in Final Jeopardy, where the category was Disasters. Here is the Final Jeopardy answer: ‘Over 90 percent of the thousands of victims of the1883 Krakatoa volcanic explosion died from this, and not from the lava flow.’ All four tables came up with the identical, wrong answer! It was not asphyxiation! The correct question: ‘What was a tsunami or tidal wave?’”

Table 1, playing it very coy, chose to bet nothing and ended up winning the game. It’s amazing what Phi Delts and Indies can do when they remain at least partially sober!

Rick continues, “Now, don’t you wish you had been there to bash brains with these folks? Sadly, you’ll have to wait five years for the next opportunity to show your smarts, assuming dementia has not stolen what little we all have left. Thanks to all who took part in this year’s reunion and game and, naturally, we look forward to repeating it in 2020.”

I must point out that what made the game so exciting this time around was having the lead change hands twice. Dr. KEN PICKETT ’75 of Naperville, Illinois, brought his wife, Anne, who came up with the right question a couple of times. Well done!

PEGGI SEELBACH MIZEN ’75 (attending with her videographer husband MIKE MIZEN ’73) was quick to the buzzer, and so was JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74 attending with her husband, JOHN FREDERICK ’73. Our class welcomes everyone for the fun!

By the way, some players have a strategy of going for the biggest money first, the $500 answers, which are more difficult and can be an easy way to lose points.

PHIL “MR. BASEBALL” BOLDA ’75, sitting at a table of mostly Phi Delts, zipped through the Baseball category, for which he was given honorary Phi Delt membership. Isn’t that right, LARRY HOLLMAIER ’75 and JIM LUKANICH ’75?

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CLASSLetters Now what categories will Rick add next time? No undue influence of our host, please!

Here’s RICK ESTBERG ’75 with a report on a legendary Wisconsin spot: “Milwaukee’s spy-themed restaurant/bar The Safe House has been sold! The elderly owner recently sold the place to a Milwaukee hotel magnate who has promised not to make any fundamental changes in the general layout of the bar.

I recall first visiting the Safe House in 1975, only nine years after it opened. I’ve since made it a pilgrimage every time I return to Wisconsin (along with lunch at Karl Ratzsch’s and dinner at Mader’s — usually on different days!) to stop in and sample a Spy’s Demise cocktail. The barkeep told me last weekend of the sale. I sure hope the new owner is good to his word as I’d hate to see that place drop off the charts. I’ve never found another bar quite like it. For film buffs, this is where they shot the ‘Wild Thing’ bar scene in the movie Major League.”

LOUISE RENIER BOOTHBY ’75 of Montvale, New Jersey, came with her husband, GEORGE BOOTHBY ’74, and her iPad, which she uses to snap great photos. See her pix at the reunion page on Facebook. I met up with Louise and George and GAIL WIECKI MOORE ’75 in the Pub downstairs at the Harwood Memorial Union.

Louise showed us the photos she’s taken in New York and London, and Gail shared what she’s doing now that she is retired from teaching in Alaska. Retired, can you believe it?

Louise (our iPad photographer) writes: “Ripon College looked wonderful and the town is looking better.

There are a few more storefronts occupied than in years past. The Ripon Chamber of Commerce says that they see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“President Zach Messitte gave a thoughtful State of the College presentation at the lunch on Saturday. Ripon continues to attract outstanding students and offers them a solid, liberal arts education with opportunities that can only be found at smaller colleges with dedicated professors.

“The next big fund-raising program will be for the Storzer Gym which was completed in the late 1960s. Athletic facilities are very important to today’s students and the gym is woefully out of date.

“RICK ESTBERG ’75, as always, was outstanding as the emcee for ‘Jepoardy!’ JONDI GUMZ ’75 did an elegant job as Vanna White. I think the Phi Delta Theta table had the most points throughout the game, and I think they were the final winners. I hope we can all gather at our 45th reunion in five years. Mark your calendars now!”

Excellent idea!

With this great technology we did not have back in the ’70s, Louise emailed photos to classmates GAIL BARTKOWSKI ’75, JAN RUSSELL ’75, DEBBIE FOSTER LIN ’75 and SUE “CHAPS” CHAPMAN CARLTON ’75 who were unable to attend.

PEGGI SEELBACH MIZEN ’75 in Lakewood, Ohio, responded: “Yes, same thoughts from the Mizen household! Fun time, especially our traditional game!!”

Thanks are due to KATHY KURKE ’75 of Ormond Beach, Florida, who created our reunion page on Facebook and posted reunion photos hours after they were taken even though she was unable to attend due to a family caregiving crisis. Thank you, Kathy! Your efforts are so appreciated.

I got a chance to chat quite a bit with RUTH GALES FRECHMAN ’75 of North Hollywood, California.

She’s a registered dietitian, owner of On the Weigh, a personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise and the author of The Food Is My Friend Diet. She has her own website at www.RuthFrechman. com, and she blogs at http://loseweightwithruth. blogspot.com. I find food and nutrition fascinating, so now I am one of her followers on Twitter!

Ruth shared her thoughts on being a first-time reunion attendee: “I had a fantastic time at the reunion. Now that I think of it, we should have taken a class picture. I have been selling quite a few ebooks.

But I don’t know if they were the result of Ripon.

With the paperback sales, I get notified of the city.

Hope to see you before another 40 years.”

DAN RAK ’75 drove up to the reunion from Geneva, Illinois, with his wife, ANN IBERLE RAK ’77. He emailed me to say: “A decent (and free!) customizable version of ‘Jeopardy!’ can be found at www. superteachertools.net/jeopardyx/.

Now you “Jeopardy!” fans can practice for next time! Wait a minute, wasn’t DONNA LAUX ’75 on “Jeopardy!” with Alex Trebek?

One newer feature of the reunion weekend is the Friday night gathering on campus. By coming early, you have more time to catch up with classmates.

I got the chance to chat with Phi Delts LARRY HOLLMAIER ’75 of Loveland, Ohio; JIM LUKANICH ’75 of Mendota Heights, Minnesota; RICK DECOCK ’75 of Appleton, Wisconsin; and ROGER THUMS ’75 who drove over from Omro, Wisconsin, where he is farming. I see Roger on Facebook.

What a moment when GEORGE BOOTHBY ’74 saw ROGER THUMS ’75, his “little” fraternity brother at college, and gave him a big bear hug. I snapped a photo; see it on Facebook. Roger enjoyed himself so much he came back to campus Saturday night to play “Jeopardy!”

Elmira, New York: “Thanks to all for the pics and update on the Reunion! We haven’t changed a bit!”

To my surprise, I saw STEVEN ANDERSON ’75, my econ study partner from long ago — first time in 40 years, I believe — Friday night. He and his wife, Stephanie, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, stopped to see GEORGE BOOTHBY ’74 as they were passing through.

SUE CHAPMAN CARLTON ’75 of St. Charles,

JIM “LUKE” LUKANICH ’75 emails his thanks

GAIL “BART” BARTKOWSKI ’75 wrote back from

Illinois, who was at a wedding that weekend emailed this: “Thanks Louise! Sorry to have missed this one.

Hi and love to all!”

GAIL WIECKI MOORE ’75 wrote: “Louise, thanks for the lovely recap of the reunion weekend. :) We are a great group of people! And thanks for all the wonderful photos! I so enjoyed chatting with

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everyone, even those I didn’t know well while a student at Ripon. I certainly missed those who couldn’t make it, and I hope we can all get together in five years, if not before — to practice for our 50th!

Keep in touch!”

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to Rick, Mark and the reunion team: “It’s very much appreciated by all of us.”

Watch out for LARRY HOLLMAIER ’75. He’s going to make the next reunion the best yet. He emailed me: “I hereby volunteer to arm-twist Phi Delts, Merrimans and anybody else I can think of for 45.

Keep me in the loop.”

1975 Any other volunteers? Email me at jondigumz@yahoo. com.

Saturday morning of the reunion is a perfect time for breakfast with friends. I joined MARK WRIGHT ’75, MARCIA WILSON WAHOSKE ’75, PEGGI SEELBACH MIZEN ’75, MIKE MIZEN ’73 and NANCY LAWS KERN ’75 at Gallagher’s (which used to be a pub) a short walk from campus, and then we dropped in on a program in Lane Library where alumni were reminiscing. Remember that greased pole contest at homecoming? Panty raids? LEON PASCUCCI ’75 leading the marching band? I do.

My Shaler roommate SUSIE SAPPINGTON ’75 drove in from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the alumni parade and lunch at noon on Saturday. SUZANNE MONROE POULOS ’75 and her husband, MICHAEL POULOS ’77, drove up from Evanston, Illinois. Thanks, Michael, for saying the class of ’75 reunions are the best! I totally agree.

It’s OK to come just for the dinner and “Jeopardy!” game. Dr. TOM EBERT ’75 drove from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. CHRIS JAMIESON ’75 drove from Racine, Wisconsin, and he was seated at a table of psychology majors with MARCIA WILSON WAHOSKE ’75 and NANCY LAWS KERN ’75.

LINDA MOCHALSKI CARPENTER ’75 came from Omaha, Nebraska, where she is temporarily based because her husband has a contract job writing procedures for a nuclear power plant. After being in Florida, she survived her first winter in a long time.

Another pair of long-distance travelers: ANN DEVENISH-CASSELL ’75 and her husband, DOUG CASSELL ’74, made it from North Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Here’s MARK WRIGHT ’75, our trustee, with the final numbers for our class gift: “An amazing $113,588 with 40 percent of the class participating.

Awesome!”

Our class gift ranked third, and President Zach Messitte presented Mark with a trophy for having the most classmates (five) who have become partners in the legacy since the last reunion by adding Ripon College to their estate plans. See the photo on our Facebook page.

You can see our class played a major role when you look at what this year’s reunion classes gave Ripon College: $683,709. The Class of 1970, celebrating its 45th reunion, gave $220,816, the largest class gift. The Class of 1965, celebrating its 50th reunion, saw 40 percent of classmates attend, and 72 percent overall participated in the class gift. Can our class top these marks? Something to think about!

Is it possible to attend a reunion dinner if you don’t RSVP in advance? If suddenly your schedule opens up, can you just pay at the door? You can. Dinners on campus tend to be buffet style, so it’s not hard to add more plates and chairs.

Sunday morning I attended a memorial service paying respect to classmates who have died, a worthy part of the weekend. PHIL BOLDA ’75 attended, as well.

Afterward, everyone ate breakfast at the Commons, where the cooks prepared omelets to order, and Professor Doug Northrop and Ripon College president Zach Messitte joined us to talk about what’s needed on campus. I shot a bit of video. If you’re interested, email me at jondigumz@yahoo.com More than $5 million in early gifts have come in to support renovations at Storzer Gym to create a health and wellness center. That’s clearly a priority. I stayed in Johnson Hall (not air-conditioned but surprisingly

temperate for late June), mainly for the convenience of being able to walk around campus rather than drive. The dorm looks like it did 40 years ago and is probably due for an update. If you don’t believe me, ask GAIL WIECKI MOORE ’75. She stayed there, too!

Our group of not quite 30 was among nearly 700 alumni and guests on campus for Alumni Weekend 2015. Attendees came from 33 states (our class contributed, among others: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maryland, Ohio and California!) Maybe next time, we will have classmates come from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan and New Zealand. Yes, I am thinking of STEPHEN NG ’75, EDMOND IP ’75, DAVID STOCKDALE ’75, BRUCE GUILFOILE ’75 and DEE AUSTRING ’75.

You can read more in the news section about the Golf Scramble and how much money was raised for the athletic department. Under this new format, we’re focusing on classmate news here. Speaking of classmates, who in our class should be recognized in 2020 for their accomplishments in their career and community service? Got a suggestion? Call me 831461-1120 or email me at jondigumz@yahoo.com.

Now for more classmate news.

SUSAN SCHREYER STANDER ’75 emailed from Paradise Valley, Arizona, where the temperature was expected to reach 109. Does that sound like Paradise to you? She and her husband, Paul, have a new address, a home that has been under construction since 2012. She says: “My husband and I have been living in the guest house since January 1, and so far no homicides to report. I am simultaneously excited and exhausted. The building process enabled me to exercise my creativity and forced me locate and engage my patience. Guess which one was more difficult? Once we are officially in. I will photograph it and forward you some pictures.

“KATHLEEN FORAN MARDER ’75, MARTHA ROBBINS ANDERSON ’75 and MARY ELLEN WEIS DOLL ’75 are scheduled to visit the last weekend in October, so I will forward pictures after our long-overdue reunion. I saw Marty and Mary Ellen last summer in Minneapolis for Marty’s son David’s wedding. As always, Ripon reunions are delightful. Also present for that event was CHARLIE WILLIAMS ’76 who resides in Tucson. Thanks for continuing to report on the lives and times of our classmates.”

And thanks to LARRY MALCHOW ’77 for sending Susan the spring newsletter after she dropped off the College mailing list!

If you change your address or your email address, please do let the alumni office at the College know.

My connection there is AMANDA LIETHEN ’07 (liethena@ripon.edu).

Otherwise, you could end up as one of the lost, like STEPHEN WASHBURN’75, JOHN P. GIBBONS ’75, ROBERT HALE GIBSON JR. ’75, KEITH CULLEN ’75, ROBERT C. MUNSON ’75, GILBERT SANCHEZ ’75. And who has seen ELLEN BOVARNICK ’76? If you know where they are, please email me at jondigumz@yahoo.com.

CYNTHIA SHARP TOMLINSON ’75 emailed this update from Birchwood, Minnesota: “I met SUE DIFFATTE ’75 in Denver in August. I was making fairly frequent trips there for a few years but had not visited since my son graduated from the University of Denver in 2013. It was nice to be in sight of the Rockies again! We had a great tour of the Denver must-sees and ventured up to Estes Park. I got my

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CLASSLetters lifetime senior pass to the National Park System (how depressing is that?), and we checked out the inside of the Stanley ... minus The Shining tour. It was a great trip, undoubtedly a lot more subdued than it might have been in 1975.”

WARREN BLUHM ’75 of Luxemburg, Wisconsin, writes: “In 2013-14, I put out 12 Myke Phoenix adventures (10,000-word ebooks) and collected them plus a bonus story into the ebook and paperback Myke Phoenix: Year of the Dinosaur, available on Amazon, Kobo and Lulu. (Pardon the plug.) The individual adventures have names like ‘Duck Man Walking,’ ‘The Puppy Cried ‘Murder’ and ‘The Song of the Serial Kisser.’ They’re superhero stories on the whimsical side. My current plan is to write and release three more, longer Myke books this year, but I don’t have names for them right now; the day job keeps distracting me. If I were REALLY into shameless self-promotion, I might mention that these all extend the story begun in The Adventures of Myke Phoenix and that I’ve also released short novels The Imaginary Bomb and The Imaginary Revolution and the non-fiction Refuse to be Afraid and A Scream of Consciousness. Fortunately I have more self-control than that.”

STEVEN A. RUGO ’75 of Chicago, Illinois, writes: “We have designed all of Chef Grant Achatz’s restaurants. Alinea, the flagship has been recently named number one in the world, but I don’t remember by which group. It has three Michelin stars and will host the James Beard Awards. Next is Grant’s second restaurant. Also there is Aviary, a leading, cutting-edge mixology venue. Under construction is Roister, a new concept, and we are currently working on a redesign of Alinea for its tenth anniversary.”

Thanks for the updates! Since I am fascinated by food, I would love to see the new Alinea!

BOB BARRINGTON ’75 of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, posted this response on Facebook about a trip he and his wife took: “KATY GRIFFIN BARRINGTON ’77 and I had a wonderful vacation in Iceland in August — waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, boiling mud and hot spring bathing. Lots of hiking and a great time.”

GREGG SAMELSON ’75 of Citrus Heights, California, posted an update for me on Facebook: “It’s been four years since I retired and started my second act as a free-lance photographer, shooting mostly high school sports along with triathlons, marathons and obstacle course races. It has been fantastic being able to work as little or as much as I want. Feel free to check out my work at maxpreps.com and greggsamelsonphotography.com. My wife, MARY JAMIESON SAMELSON ’76, will be retiring from teaching after this school year so that we can do more traveling as well as spend time with our first grandchild due in October. Life is good in northern California.”

DEE AUSTRING ’75 posted this update on Facebook: “I’m on my way in five days to Tombstone, Arizona, for a four-week visit with my mother and sibs, then flying back the other way to Perth (Western Australia) to stay another four weeks with my son, his wife and their 5-month-old daughter! I’m a GranDee! Aside from that, still loving my weird life: on my own now (Rob is just across the harbour in Auckland and Kris in Perth), dogless at the moment but one fantastically crazy Burmese cat named Bijou, two home businesses (ProTem for editing/proofreading/ database management, etc. and USANA for nutritional supplements), one part-time job (admin/gofer for Artworks Community Theatre) and one casual job (library assistant). No elections or census work this year.”

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ELIZABETH “LIZ” BELL ’75, a program officer with Wilburforce Foundation in Seattle writes: “Just returned from a three-month sabbatical. Sadly, the reunion is not on my must-do list. It’s a busy late spring/early summer. Our daughter graduates in late May, and the last week of June/first week of July are set aside for meetings with our board of directors.

Have lots of fun and thank you for your newsy missives from time to time. Fun to catch up with College news from afar.”

GEORGIANNE BRAVICK ’75 in Appleton, Wisconsin, emailed to say: “I am sorry that I am unable to attend due to (of all things) retirement parties. Not mine, BTW!” She’s still teaching.

STEVE SWANSON ’75 of Manassas, Virginia, said unexpected obligations kept him from the reunion.

He wrote: “I regret missing the opportunity to visit with our old mates. I did, however, hoist a cheer! I plan to be around for number 50.”

JOE BELANGER ’75 in Carlisle, Massachusetts, gave his daughter away at her wedding, which is why we didn’t see him or JIM CURTIS ’75 this year.

Congratulations, Joe.

STEVE SARTO ’78 had a wedding to attend on the reunion weekend, and LEN KACHINSKY ’75 and JOHN DERGE ’75 had matters that needed tending, so we missed them as well.

I called NORT KRAUSS ’75 and his wife DIANE SHERMAN KRAUSS ’78 before I drove to Ripon and got a phone message that they were headed to Paris. Hard to compete with that!

Lesley Aull Slepian ’75 in NYC had a birthday in September. How do I know? She’s on Facebook.

Thanks to everyone who sent me September birthday wishes on Facebook: SCOTT TREMBERTH ’75, PETER SWAN ’75, JILL GRAVES HARE ’75, DEE AUSTRING ’75, GREGG SAMELSON ’75, ED SAWYER ’75, ANDY RICHARDS ’75, KAREN KUCKHAHN KEHL ’75, LEN KACHINSKY ’75, NANCY LAWS KERN ’75, GAIL WIECKI MOORE ’75, TIM THOMPSON’75, JULIE OLSON KEILMAN ’75, KATHY KURKE ’75, WARREN BLUHM ’75, CYNTHIA SHARP TOMLINSON ’75, LESLEY AULL SLEPIAN ’75, STEPHEN NG ’75, BRUCE GUILFOILE ’75, MARK WRIGHT ’75, SARAH KURIAKOS ’75, MATT RIESZ ’76, MIKE YUKNIS ’76, JIM BROPHY ’76, WILLIAM SCOTT ERICKSON ’76, CYNTHIA BOONE WALLEY ’76, AL LAWRENCE ’77, LARRY MALCHOW ’77, LARRY LAUX ’78 and STEVE ILLICH ’73.

Most of you know KAREN “KUCKS” KUCKHAHN KEHL ’75 has been battling multiple myeloma, a form of cancer, for several years. She is undergoing her second stem cell transplant at Froedtert hospital in Milwaukee, living in an apartment and traveling to the hospital daily for treatment for three months. Her sister, Linda, is with her now and her mother will be there for a couple of months after that. The total recuperation period is about one year. Karen posts photos and updates on Facebook. Cards can be mailed for the next couple months to: Karen Kuckhahn Kehl, 9203 W. Wisconsin, Apt. 2, Milwaukee, WI 53226 Are you thinking you should be on Facebook? Maybe you should give it a try. Connect with us.

The 2007 alumni directory is handy, too.

I asked LYNN GRIFFIN ’74 of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and JEFF DREW ’73 of Tomah,

1975-76 Wisconsin, to join our “Jeopardy game!” but they had other plans. Jeff emailed that he and his wife, SHELLEY ANDERSON DREW ’73, love “Jeopardy!” and asked: “When is the next game?”

That’s 2020.

You may remember TIM PETERSIK ’73, a psychology professor at Ripon College. He has retired after 34 years. For more about the faculty, including a woman teaching in the economics department, the very successful rocketry team coming out of the physics department and the course on the Arab-Israeli conflict, check out the news section.

There are more details about the Annual Fund goal of $2.2 million and the Class of 2019, in which 31 of the 218 first-year students are legacies of brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and grandparents. New students came from Illinois, Minnesota, California, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa and Texas, so if you know a student searching for the right college, please do suggest they consider Ripon College, especially if students are looking for top-notch professors or if they are first-generation students who can benefit from the close relationships that are possible at a small college.

If you are a law school graduate, politics and government Professor Steve Sorenson will want to talk to you about an alumni group for law school students and recent graduates. If you are into drama, check out the dates of upcoming productions, including the annual One Act Play Festival April 14-16.

Thanks to everyone who made our reunion a memorable occasion! Stay healthy and hope to see you in five.

Jondi Gumz

1976 Julie Carlson 9701 West Waterford Ave., Greenfield, WI 53228-2160 414-545-9197 / jcarlson5@wi.rr.com Hey Kids!

Welcome to the wild and wacky, wonderful new world of Ripon College Class Letters! It’s kind of a 64-forthe-price-of-one offer — you get to read any Class Letter you want, and other Ripon alumni get to read this one, if they want. Just please don’t decide that you like some other Class Agent’s musings better than mine — the College will not change your graduation year just so you can stop getting my letters. Well, I’m pretty sure they won’t.

Seriously, as the College explained to Class Agents last spring, it is “exploring an exciting enhancement to our Class Letter system that will allow classmate news to be shared more fully and broadly.” This new format will “free up space in the Ripon Magazine for more news about the College, as Class Notes, obituaries, classmate photos, etc., would not need to be duplicated there — they will be accessible to all alumni in this new publication.”

Perhaps the biggest advantage of the printed piece you hold in your hands is that we can read about what is going on with Riponites from other classes. We all have friends from outside of our Bicentennial Class that we’d like to catch up on, and reading other Class Letters can provide a different outlook on things.

(Hey, what if I decide I like another class more than ours and start writing to them? Nah, I’m just kidding — you know I love you guys!)

So, Class of 1973 through 1979 folks with whom we

overlapped, and anyone else who wants to read about us, here are the 1976 Class Notes:

ROBERT BENSON ’76 of Newark, Delaware, has retired after 30 years in the Crop Protection (AG) Division for the DuPont Co. He can now “fix up the house, catch up on things I’ve put off and, hopefully, have time to enjoy my hobby of collecting rocks and minerals.”

DAN BURK ’76 of Grand Chute, Wisconsin, writes, “I transferred with RR Donnelley & Sons from Owensville, Missouri, to Menasha — glad to be back home in Wisconsin!”

ANDREA TOPETZES MANN ’76 of Bainbridge Island, Washington, writes, “Last April, I visited Martha Fruen Higgins ’76, my sophomore-year roommate, in Naples, Florida. We had a wonderful time together!”

Andrea, SHARON GRIGGINS ’76 and I had a wild and crazy long weekend in Seattle this past July. (I’m embarrassed to admit that Andrea has lived there for 17 years and Sharon for 30, and I hadn’t visited before now.) We did the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden, EMP, Pike Place Market and, of course, the Freemont Troll (look it up!).

GERALD ROTHROCK ’76 of Canton, Maine, retired in June 2014 after a 34-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency. Most of his assignments were focused on Middle Eastern issues, “an area of the world I first became interested in during a Middle East history class at Ripon,” he says.

PATRICK SAUNDERS ’76 of New Franken, Wisconsin, writes: “After retiring from 37 years in public education, I was selected as the director of Ph.D. studies at Marian University at the rank of assistant professor. Someday, I hope to really retire.”

RICHARD WEBSTER ’76 of Shoreline, Washington, has retired as a victims advocate for the Seattle Police Department. He and his wife, Arlene, plan to travel, and he continues to design support systems for tensioned fabric structures, including tents. He holds two patents, and products on the market are using his designs.

(A special congrats and welcome to retirement to Bob, Gerry, Richard and someday, Pat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I’m enjoying it! And to the rest of you: What are you waiting for?!)

As part of the new non-redundant format (so we Class Agents don’t have to write about it in our individual letters), news from in and around campus appears elsewhere in this booklet, but I want to point out a few things that struck me as particularly interesting and/or newsworthy.

Among the 218 first-year students at Ripon this fall are kids from four foreign countries and 18 states spanning the country from California to Texas to New York. Also, there are 31 Legacies of siblings, parents and grandparents who attended Ripon. This is great news, but the Class of 2019 is smaller than it should be, so anything you can do to help grow the Class of 2020 is crucial.

Once again, Ripon is a Tier 1 national liberal arts school (ranked 116th) in the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” list for 2016. It also made the publication’s “Great Schools, Great Prices” list at number 34. The Princeton Review’s “The Best 380 Colleges” included Ripon in its 2016 listing, and it made the top 20 lists for “town-gown relations are great” (ranked 14th), “professors get high marks” (17th), and was listed on the “2016 Best Colleges: Region by Region” list for the Midwest.

Fall 2015 35

CLASSLetters The PM has risen from the ashes — literally! A few years ago, the building was destroyed in a terrible fire along with two other downtown structures. The owner restored the place, and the College has created something it’s calling 314: Ripon College Project Space. Located at 314 Watson Street (recollections are fuzzy if that’s the actual PM building or the one next door to it), the venue will be used for art exhibits, music performances, student poetry slams, lectures and similar events that will bring together campus and community and help liven up downtown ’Poon.

Check it out at www.ripon.edu/314. Unfortunately, it’s not yet suitable for class reunions, but maybe by 2021.

Gosh darn, I’m good at segues … because now it’s time for the real meat of this letter. You other class folks, you non-76ers, kindly move on, stop reading, divert your eyes, close this booklet, because I need to talk to my peeps about our Fantastic, Fabulous, Fanciful, “F”enomenal Fortieth Reunion!!!!!

June 25, 2016. Save that date. Memorize it. Block it off. Etch it into your subconscious. Tattoo it (preferably somewhere visible). Calendar it (when did that become a verb?!). Make plans for it. Start spreading the news about it. Post it. Pin it. IM it. Link it. Text it. Tweet it. Tumble it. (My, how times have changed.)

No excuse will be accepted for missing our grand and glorious reunion next summer! Plans are already under way.

Our venue will be the newly-remodeled MLK Lounge with spillover onto the Union porch and a shared bar in the rotunda (with whatever large reunion is using Great Hall), or we might be in a nifty newly available reunion option — Lane Library’s front lounges/ reading rooms. The College makes the final reunion space assignments based on format (who needs a bigger buffet area or a stage, for instance) and RSVPs (so you gotta make it!).

For eats, we’ll probably go with Sodexo’s casual buffet option which features a lighter fare and heavy hors d’oeuvres suitable for mixing and mingling. Speaking of that shared bar, the casual buffet package includes free beer, wine and soda! I’m not sure about dessert; we have time to work on that essential element.

And thank goodness there’s time for additional planning because we need to decide if we want any extras — tunes? themed decorations? a memory book? a T-shirt, mug or other souvenir? faculty guests? Like you, I want to say yes to all these things, but the reality is we need someone (or two or three) to step up and take charge and we need a way to pay for them — either adding several dollars onto our per-person cost (which will be around $36 for the food and bar package) or finding a generous classmate (or two or three) to underwrite the costs.

WHADDYA SAY?!?! Email me with your thoughts and your willingness to help with our reunion-planning.

Please? Please? PLEASE? I’ll do all I can, but you know this has to be a group effort to be successful.

We’ll also need folks to contact classmates to build our attendance. C’mon! Reunion planning is easy and it’s fun! Honest!

This fancy publication may be new, but my pitch is tried and true. We all recognize the opportunity we have to support the College and the necessity of our regularly doing so. In a reunion year, that opportunity is even greater. We get to come together as a group — with gifts large and small — and demonstrate to the College how much we valued our time there and how much we believe in what Ripon is doing now and for the future.

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Those of you already in a giving society (you know who you are — thank you!), please give serious thought to increasing your gift to a leadership-level donation. If you’re a regular, but modest, donor please consider joining one of the giving societies or the 1851 Club in this special year. If you’re not a regular donor, you know any kind of participation is critically important, so please give something ($40 for our 40th?). And all donations count toward our special reunion gift effort! So our Annual Fund gifts, as well as our support of the Storzer expansion (which is vital to the future of the College’s recruiting efforts, by the way) or some other restricted purpose, will be tallied together at the end of the fiscal year.

Pretty cool, huh?

You can make your gift now, in response to this letter or wait for a special 40th reunion appeal that will go out early next year. You can use the enclosed form or give online. You can give all at once or make regular payments. You can give in memory of a classmate or in honor of our reunion. Just please give. As much as you can.

Thank you in advance for your generous support, for helping plan and promote our reunion, for reading this new Class Letter booklet and not defecting to another class, for attending our 40th, and for all you do for Ripon.

See you next June 25!

Julie Carlson

1977 Alan Lawrence 153 Northbreeze Drive, Appleton, WI 54911 920-730-9515 / alan_lawrence99@yahoo.com Dear Class of 1977: You’ll notice that the format of this class letter is different from the past. I won’t be writing as much about the College because that information is included elsewhere in this publication. And you now have the opportunity to read the class letters for other class years. That’s appropriate since our years at Ripon College overlapped with several other class years, we developed friends in other classes and we may be curious about those friends now.

The other obvious difference is that these class letters really need news from YOU now, since news about our classmates is the focus of these letters. Without your stories, this will be a short letter.

I can set the example by reporting that I am still employed as a computer professional. For several decades after college, I was a programmer, but my current role seems less definable now that computers are everywhere and used by everyone in their jobs and homes. I fill the important role companies have with their IT Departments and it requires all sorts of skills these days.

We need your stories, even though they may sound mundane. I live my life and career and even though it is always busy and full of new things, it seems that many things are much like they’ve always been. But to your old friends, any news about you will be of interest. So, please send your news to me or to the College at alumni@ripon.edu.

I have only one classmate story, and this was sent to the College office.

JOHN DRESELY JR. ’77 of Centreville, Virginia, writes, “In November 2014, I moved my developmental optometry practice to a new, larger space.”

1976-78 John and I were very close friends at Ripon and exchanged Christmas mail for a decade or so, and now very seldom keep in touch. So, even his brief note was meaningful to me.

I’d like to talk about the Alumni Weekend this past June. I attend when I can, even in years that our class does not have a reunion (years ending in 7 or 2), because I know people in other years. And, frankly, I’ve learned that I have a lot in common with everyone I meet, regardless of their age. This year my old fraternity (Beta Sigma Pi) had a reunion gathering and that helped attract some of my brothers. And I like strolling the campus that used to be our home, seeing what has changed and what remains constant.

Mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend 2016, June 23-26. I’d like to run into you there.

I like the social nature of the Alumni Weekend, but I also like the brief “business” portion where Ripon College President Dr. Zach P. Messitte talks about the State of the College, followed by reports of class donations. The reunion classes this year gave a combined total of $683,709 to Ripon College. The Class of 1970 earned two awards (largest reunion class gift with $220,816 and largest five-year class gift with $767,427). Someday it will be our turn to make the big contributions. Three years ago, during our 35th anniversary, I was proud to present the big trophy check proclaiming that our class had raised $40,213.

I’ve tried keeping you informed about the five-year Imagine Tomorrow campaign that kicked off in July 2010 to raise an impossibly large sum of money for the college. Everyone was thrilled when the goal had to be reset to a higher goal, and when the $60 million goal was exceeded in June. Be proud of this accomplishment, regardless of your contribution to it.

It will make a huge difference to future generations at Ripon College.

I appreciate the statistics that continue to show, year after year, that Ripon College is a great school. Ripon is a tier 1 national liberal arts school (ranked 116th) in the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” list for 2016. Ripon also made the publication’s “Great Schools, Great Prices” list at number 34. The Princeton Review’s “The Best 380 Colleges” included Ripon in its listing for 2016.

Be sure to introduce Ripon to prospective students in your family or sphere of influence. You’ll be doing Ripon and the student a favor.

Please keep in touch, either directly to Ripon at alumni@ripon.edu or to me.

Thank you, Alan N. Lawrence

1978 Gregg Petersen 10829 Hilltop Lane, Columbia, MD 21044 410-884-0407 / Sig29@aol.com Dear ’78 Classmates: Welcome to the Fall Class Letter!

The leaves are already falling here in Columbia, Maryland, so it must be time for me to send you the semi-annual note — with lots of updates from you.

DANNI CALDWELL ’78 says that her retirement is really boring, so I needed updates from the other 272 of you that we have on record. Before we get to those updates, you probably noticed that the class letter format has changed! There is no more e-letter, at least

not as it was done previously. The beauty of the new letter approach is that you can also get caught up on other classes in this combined publication.

Headlines For This Letter: 40th Reunion Project, Mt. Everest, Ripon Quilt, Annual Shaler 3 Get Together, ’78 Classmate Updates, Faculty Update – Marty Farrell Recognition.

40th Reunion Project: So what are you planning to do on June 23rd of 2018? I know it seems like a long time from now. In fact, this year the majority of us will mark or have marked the 60th anniversary of our existence on the “third rock from the sun.” That said, June 23rd of 2018 is most likely the date of our 40th class reunion (if not the 23rd it will be the 30th of June). The point is that this week Mike Chamberlain ’78 sent me a note as follows: “Thanks for your email (snip). Things have been quiet on this end without much to report. Approaching the big 6-0 in 2016 ... a bit sobering and a reminder that in 2018 it will be the Class of ’78’s 40th. Reflecting on all of this and your request for info made me wonder whether there might be any interest in doing a class reunion bio project?

These sorts of projects usually take the form of collecting contact info, having people submit answers to a series of questions and perhaps a few photos, or some other easy-to-manage process. Being an alumnus of the freshman (Northrop/Wooley English/History) seminar, I had something a bit more ambitious — and probably much more work — in mind. Do you think there would be any interest? … Just finished a couple of big projects so have some time on my hands. I don’t know how many official alumni there are on the Class of ’78 list, but with two years’ lead time and the right people involved, we might be able to pull something like this off.” The answer to Mike’s question about the number of alumni is 272. I think this would be a great project, but Mike will need help from a fair number of us. Please consider this request and let Mike and I know if you are interested in helping out.

Mike will be sending a followup email after this letter goes out, but please don’t wait for that note if you are interested. Mike’s email is Michael_Chamberlain@ juno.com.

Mount Everest: Those of us who attended the last reunion recall JOE PRATT ’78’s fascinating account and slide presentation recording his climb up Mount Everest. I couldn’t help but think about Joe when I heard about the upcoming September 25 release of the movie Everest about a climbing expedition on Mount Everest that is devastated by a severe snow storm. While the conditions under which Joe summited Everest weren’t quite as dire, the climb has never been an easy one. I look forward to the movie to compare at least the beginning scenes to Joe’s story about his adventure.

Ripon Quilt: So, have you ever wondered what to do with your Ripon College reunion T-shirts and various other sundry Ripon spirit wear? Of course you can proudly wear your Ripon gear in and about your community and during your travels. Or if you find your inventory building up, you can consider doing what I did. I started to collect shirts from my kids’ schools but then realized that I had enough stuff from Ripon alone from reunions, alumni weekends, and alumni board meetings to make a T-shirt quilt.

10 years ago, a lady in Virginia Beach made a couple running shirt quilts for me, so I commissioned her yet again earlier this year to make me a Ripon one. A picture of the quilt is in the photo section of the publication. I had it presented to Ripon record-breaking fund raiser and Vice President of Advancement Wayne Webster and his wife, Sally, as they departed for Colorado State.

Fall 2015 37

CLASSLetters Annual Shaler 3 Get Together: Some of you may wonder if the Shaler 3rd Floor girls had their annual get-together this year. So I will happily confirm that, yes, they did! ERICA SHUTTER HILL ’78, JEANNE SPYCHALLA LIETZAN ’78, ANN LALUZERNE VANDENACK ’78, JOAN MUCCI ESPOSITO ’78, CARLA OLSEN LARSEN ’78 and CAMILLE BERGGREN WEHNER ’78 once again had their mini-reunion this summer. I sent in a selfie they took as evidence. It may or may not make it to publication, but I figured I would submit it in the spirit of a good old Ripon College try. ’78 Classmate Updates: Nobody likes a boring letter … don’t you agree? Only four of you responded to my request for updates. That comes out to a paltry 1.5 percent response rate, so I decided to provide you biographical updates from Facebook, LinkedIn and other public internet sites. I think that a good standard for classmate updates in these letters is to provide you a minimum of 10 updates on our classmates. In addition, I expect that you don’t want to hear about the same folks over and over again, so I tried to get you some news about others we haven’t heard from in a while. I hope you find the updates and biographies as interesting as I did!

JEFF BAEFSKY ’78 of Arcadia, California, is a business/HR/compensation consultant at Baefsky Consulting after working for East West Bank, Prospect Mortgage LLC and Countrywide the previous years.

In the category of where did they go after Ripon?:

ROBERTA DEBOER ’78 became a metro columnist for The Toledo Blade, in Toledo, Ohio, where for over 20 years she did a bit of everything: the cop beat, editing, feature writing, and the TV beat. Before becoming a journalist, she worked for Oxfam as a development consultant in Guatemala and was also a management trainee at one of the country’s largest advertising agencies, a stint she was grateful to have escaped. A 1978 graduate of Beloit College (B.A., cultural anthropology), she and her husband have a daughter.

STAN EVANS ’78 has been a senior educational professional working in Rapid City Public Schools in Rapid City, South Dakota. Stan’s recent jobs have included principal of Dakota and East Middle Schools respectively.

JILL PEDIGO HALL ’78 of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, joined the law firm of von Briesen & Roper, s.c. Jill focuses exclusively on labor and employment law and specifically on counseling in the areas of discrimination and medical leaves, with an emphasis on FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act of 1963) administration and disability litigation, affirmative action and employer strategy in handling social media and electronic communication systems within the workplace. She provides OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs) technical assistance and compliance review representation to federal contractors and constituency groups.

ROD HAYNES ’78 of Seattle, Washington, joyfully reports his marriage to Daria Kurkjy took place at the First Unitarian Church in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 12. His sister, the Rev. Holly Haynes, officiated. Theta Chi brother and good friend Rob Meyer ’78 attended the ceremony. Rod also announces the completion of a three-year book project: the transcription of a journal penned by a distant relative, James Sutherland, who left Wick, Scotland, in 1880 to serve as a Free Church of Scotland missionary at the Livingstonia missions on Lake Nyasa in British Central Africa (now the African country of Malawi).

Reminiscent of the movie African Queen, Rod’s book Before The Scramble: A Scottish Missionary’s Story:

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The Journal Of James Sutherland, Agriculturist is available under his name at Amazon. Rod is also author of two memoirs, Rogues Island Memoir and 100 Bowen Street. He is currently working on his third memoir about his Navy years. His Zoey’s Tale & Other Short Fiction was published in April 2012.

VIVIAN KING HAZELL ’78 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is lead therapist and program director at Beyond Boundaries of Autism. Vivian, a licensed professional counselor, has worked with people in need for 30 years. She co-founded Beyond Boundaries of Autism, or BBA, in March 2004. Part of Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin, BBA is a nonprofit program offering autism therapy that focuses on treatment tailored to the person with autism and his or her family.

KATHLEEN GIBSON MARTIN ’78 and JIM MARTIN ’78 live in Racine, Wisconsin. Kathleen is a first-grade teacher for Nash Elementary school in Kenosha. Kathleen’s Nash Elementary School biography states: “I live in Racine with my husband, Jim, dog, Bently, and cat Lillian. I have two sons, Matthew who is attending graduate school for a master’s degree in international business, and Patrick, who is finishing his undergraduate work in business.

Both attend UW-Whitewater. We enjoy visiting our cabin in western Wisconsin whenever we can! I began my teaching career by teaching fifth and sixth grade at a private school. Five years later, I was asked to begin a kindergarten program at that school. I took a few years off to raise my two sons. During this time, I was very involved in volunteer work at River Bend Nature Center, ARC’s Kids on the Block program where we were teaching about acceptance and differences to third-grade students, PTA and Fine Arts School in Racine. When I returned to teaching full time, I taught first grade at Edward Bain in Kenosha for four years, then Prairie Lane School for five. I found a new exciting and rewarding challenge when I came to Nash as our first Anchor Teacher. I truly enjoy being part of the first grade team and the Nash family.”

Kathleen’s education after Ripon included: “Wisconsin for undergraduate, Carthage College for reading recovery training and NLU for (her) master’s degree.”

For ELIZABETH BARRETT PENDERGAST ’78 of Westwood, Massachusetts, formerly a client administrator for Moody, Lynn & Co. (independent investment counseling firm), I found this update on the “Meet the Pendergasts” page of the Agora Garden Company website: “After 30 years in the investment business, we decided to spend the next 30 years in the gardening business. … Elizabeth Pendergast, who has the not-so-oddball nickname of ‘Biz,’ knows as much about flowers as (her husband) David (nickname ‘Hec’) does about vegetables. Together, Hec and Biz have developed a wonderful suburban garden that serves as a model and laboratory for those who want to get into gardening. If you stop by for a visit, I’m sure Biz will send you off with a few fresh eggs. She is the warden of the family chicken coop. There are two boys in the family: Buck Pendergast is an officer in the United States Marine Corps. When he comes home, he does absolutely nothing in the garden but he loves to eat what we produce. Sam Pendergast works for a private jet company. He also barely sets foot in the garden, but he owns a pickup truck which he freely lends to us when the need arises.”

GREGG PETERSEN ’78 of Columbia, Maryland, completed a five-year stint on the Ripon College Alumni Association board in April, and in December he will retire from Cypress International Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia, after working 11 years as a defense industry consultant. Ostensibly, these two moves will give Gregg lots more time to work on the

1978-79 semi-annual class letter, visit family and old friends, and take unlimited vacations with his dear bride, Shirley. Look to future class letters to see how this really pans out.

BARB JANSSEN PUGH ’78 of Merrimack, New Hampshire, is a senior scientist/risk assessor at Arcadis. Arcadis is the leading global natural and built asset design and consultancy firm working in partnership with their clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes through the application of design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services. The company has its origins in Nederlandsche Heidemaatschappij, a land reclamation company founded in 1888. It changed its name to Arcadis in 1997. The name is derived from the mythological Arcadia. The logo is the fire salamander, a species which can live only in an ecologically stable environment.

I found a biography for classmate REBECCA REESE ’78 of Basel, Switzerland, for a fairly recent American Community Schools (ACS) Early Childhood Conference (ECIS) in Athens, Greece. It reads as follows: “Rebecca Reese — Educator, Musician: Rebecca Reese has a B.A. in music from Ripon College (Wisconsin, U.S.A.) and an M.A. in musicology from Cornell University (New York, U.S.A.). After working for two years as a lecturer in the music department at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, she received a Swiss Government Grant (Bundesstipendium) for post-graduate studies in early music at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel. She also has a vocal pedagogy diploma (Gesanglehrdiplom) through the Schweizerischer Musikpädagogischer Verband (SMPV), a Swiss organization that allows musicians to gain pedagogical certification. She has taught music classes at International School Basel since 1989, teaches voice and works as a free-lance musician (voice and cornetto).”

JOHN SCHULTZ ’78 lives in the Seattle, Washington, area and is currently Boeing Broadband SatCom (Satellite Communications) Network-Program Manager at Boeing.

JIM WILKES ’78 MD, FAAOS, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, has been an orthopedic surgeon at Wisconsin River Orthopaedics for the last 28 years.

According to the Wisconsin River website: “Jim became a grandfather recently, and he enjoys teaching and mentoring students at the grade school, high school, college and medical school levels. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge with anyone who shows an interest in orthopaedics and medicine.”

JOHN M. ZINDAR ’78 of Jersey City, New Jersey, was appointed late last year as board adviser, international business, at the Integral Board Group Inc. (www.integralbg.com ). He also is beginning his ninth academic year as an adjunct professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs where he teaches various master’s-level and professional diploma courses on international economics and politics. John enjoys keeping up with the political intrigues of Panama via the WhatsApp chat group of the Ripon-Panama alumni. Other ’78 alumni with whom John has been in touch with recently include RICK KORDUCKI ’78, JAY YOUNGJOHN ’78, JOE PRATT ’78, DAVE JUNG ’78, ROB MEYER ’78, ROBBY CORDO ’78 and ANITA WALLACE ’78.

Faculty Update – Marty Farrell Recognition: In May, Martin “Marty” Farrell, Ripon College professor of politics and government and coordinator of the global studies program, was awarded the 2014-15 Dick Ringler Distinguished Peace Educator Award for the state of Wisconsin. The award, given each year

by the Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, was presented to Farrell at the WIPCS’s spring student-faculty conference held at Carthage College. Marty’s keynote address, “Democracy, Peace and Conflict: Person and Professional Reflections on 30 Years with the Wisconsin Institute,” reflected on his 30-year participation in the institute and on the conference theme of “Democracy in the 21st Century.”

He was a founding member of the Wisconsin Institute, representing Ripon College on its board for many years. He also has been active on the Fond du Lac County Board, currently serving as its chairman.

He is a frequent speaker across the state on issues related to a wide range of international issues. JOHN ZINDAR ’78 and I visited with Marty when we were back at Ripon for the Spring Alumni Board meeting.

I thought the politics I discussed with Marty rubbed him the wrong way so I tried to make amends by sending him the latest CD done by The Capital Steps, our local Washington, D.C., political satirists.

That’s all for this letter. Thanks to those who sent in their updates and thanks to those others that I featured for your forbearance of my attempt to provide your update for you. It is a new giving year for our school, so please consider giving back to Ripon between now and the end of the annual fund campaign next June. Also, please let me or Mike Chamberlain know if you are interested in helping Mike on the class biography project for the 2018 reunion.

Best and warmest regards, Gregg

1979 Kevin L. Warmack 6110 S. Rhodes Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 773-220-5360 kwarmack@gmail.com / kwarmack@sbcglobal.net Greetings All, As I write this class letter (in early September), it’s the day after Bears/Packers. I survived the taunts and beat-downs from all over including JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74 and SANDY BIASSEY MANTZ ’79, among others. While being the loyal Bear Fan that many of you know and love, I’ve endured the “slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune” from my various Packers fan friends and colleagues (more on who later). All I can say is wait until Thanksgiving night in Lambeau!! Meanwhile, on the Ripon College campus, fall is under way with football just having its second game this past Saturday along with volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and a new group of freshmen have come in to begin their life transition from youth to adult like we did some years ago.

Class of 1979 News and Notes Friday, June 26, our own BILL SCHNESE ’79 (PEEB!) was inducted into the Ripon College Athletic Hall of Fame!! I, along with TED SCHALLER ’79, JON “CORNFLAKE” HELLAND ’79, PEGGY GERO DAVALT ’80, ART PETERS ’80, TERRY CRAMER ’81 and a full house of others were there to honor Bill. Bill was presented by Coach Bob Giesey.

He hasn’t changed a bit and still has that Texas drawl!

If you have the chance to listen to Bill’s induction speech, please take that opportunity. It is inspiring!

The next afternoon was the alumni lacrosse game.

No, I didn’t participate, but I stood along the sidelines with ANDY DICKSON ’79 and other supporting cast members.

Fall 2015 39

CLASSLetters NATE BOYA ’79 is doing well living in Arizona and beating me up over being a Bears fan. But then, he gets his support from BETH PALMBACH NEMECEK ’79 and others. But just like when we were on campus, I can take it!!

1980

BEV LAMB ’79 is doing OK and living in Cincinnati.

We recently connected on Facebook, and now she is a part of the Class of 1979 Group.

Margaret G. “Peggy” DaValt W11557 County Highway D, Columbus, WI 53925 608-658-3779 / gorsetr@gorsetr.com

GERALYN HEINZ MCKELVEY ’79 of Afton,

Classmates,

Oklahoma, is a supervisor with the U.S. post office in Afton.

This dispatch came from MIKE ZAHN ’79: “We recently moved out in the country to a 10-acre slice of heaven and a 100-year-old brick farmhouse.

My wife, Diane, is raising chickens and eventually sheep, and I am an account manager (salesman) for a small paint and coatings company. Over time, I find myself more and more thankful for my education at a small liberal arts college with English major. It has really helped me in my sales career. How can you not learn good communication skills when learning from the brilliance of Chaucer and Shakespeare and Browning and Dickinson? I learned to show up on time from Dr. Martz; I learned to write letters from Dr. Ashley; I learned how to enjoy editing from Dr. Schang; I learned to ‘assume I know nothing’ from Dr. Livingston. I learned leadership and team-building skills from my brothers at Phi Delta Theta. I learned to fail and I learned to succeed. Ripon College may not have had a business major back then, but I learned a lot that prepared me for a career in the business world.”

I have to echo Mike’s feelings about the good communication skills from Chaucer and Shakespeare, and I also have to really give thanks for Dr. Martz, who taught me how to write critically, and to Dr. Shang, for teaching how to look for the satire and humor in written works, including judicial opinions (yes, Justice Scalia reminds you of Jonathan Swift sometimes — oftentimes) and regulatory rules and regulation. For instance, I have been designated as being “Not Unacceptable to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.” What does that mean, you ask? Basically, I am an independent compliance consultant, who has been found to be suitable and independent enough to perform consulting services for broker-dealer firms who have come under SEC scrutiny. It was a tough certification process and there are some major compliance consulting firms that don’t get that “not unacceptable” designation. So I guess I’m going to add that to the business card!!

Also, I need news from all of you to fill this page up.

You can send it to the email addresses on the top of the letter or to alumni@ripon.edu, or you can join the Class of 1979 Facebook Page!!

Anyway, it has been a pleasure to write to all of you. But I need more news. So fill up the Class Facebook page with your news. You can also send me notes through LinkedIn (where you get to see my handsome profile) or you can send it by carrier pigeon or snail mail.

Enjoy the coming fall and continue to be blessed!!

In the Spirit of Ripon College and the Class of 1979 – The Greatest Group I ever graduated with!! And “GO BEARS! Kevin L. Warmack ’79

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Jeffrey C. “JC” Penney 15931 Ashville Lane, Granger, IN 46530 574-247-1182 / jeffpenneyno22@yahoo.com

I don’t know if anyone else is aware, but we are growing older. We seem to spend more time talking about health issues to family, friends and co-workers.

Worse yet, when others talk about their issues, we understand what they are talking about and are fully engaged. No wonder the millennials are bored when they are with us. The worst part I see about getting older is all the foods we have to give up to stem off terrible diseases. Is life worth living without ice cream? I struggle with this at night! My doctor said I needed to cut carbs out. No breads, pizza, pasta or beer. Come on, that is what I have lived on for the last 40 years! When I found about no beer, I decided not to ask if that went for whiskey also. I could not bear to find out the answer. Uggh, looks like sobriety.

Again, is life worth living?

One of the good things about getting older is I can wax nostalgic when it comes to music. My college-age kids are into Top 40 and Taylor Swift. What is wrong with them? How have I failed them? At least, I have subconsciously ingrained ’80s Alt Rock into their psyches. A little Depeche Mode never hurt anyone.

What I have found is a new appreciation for some of the music I didn’t pay attention to when I was young.

You all know it, blues, jazz, classical. I even have found some cool rock that I ignored for whatever reason in the day, Santana, Motley Crue, some of the hair bands. Is it nostalgia for a forgone era or is that modern music sucks because it has no soul? I just thank the Lord for the ability to log onto Pandora and YouTube and listen or watch whatever song that strikes my fancy. No need to have to listen to eight crappy songs on your new album to hear the couple of songs that got your groove on. I also am thankful that I am old enough to have lived through the ’80s, the glorious decade from Pretty in Pink to Tears for Fears. Kids of today can only brag about Ice Age and Nicki Minaj, no comparison. We lived in the golden age of music and culture. We got to witness the country exploding out after a decade of the repressed ’50s to experience the creativity of our generation musically, politically and socially. I fear the explosion of this next generation, as they are wrapped tighter then the twine under the horsehide of a baseball. I sometimes substitute at the local middle school, and those kids are ratting out each other faster than the Flash. They can’t have a fist fight or act out at all. If I turn my back on the kids, I expect flying erasers or spitballs, I get nothing. The explosion is coming …

Speaking of explosions, my oldest son and I came up to Ripon this spring to ref the Ripon College lacrosse team games; I was able to take him out on the town to see that highlights. After the Roadhouse and Red’s, I ran out of places that resonated with my time here.

We went to a bar the youngsters frequent now called Miller’s, a respectable drinking emporium, but lacking the character of The Spot and Benders. There was no macho posturing between the townies and college kids, no dustup when you left the bar and, worse yet, there was no parade of townie cars “scooting the loop.” Yeah, big explosion coming. I have no answers, but Ripon was bigger than life based on the friends I made, the professors that taught us and the opportunities we had to make us better humans (Go WRPN-FM!!!!).

1979-82 You probably have heard that most liberal arts schools that do not have the endowment of Little Ivy’s, are having a hard time staying afloat. I ask you to do two things: Check out PEGGY GERO DAVALT ’80’s Facebook page — she has an interesting letter about a mentoree she has that is looking into college and the challenges.

Read the comments also, there is some great insight from CHARLOTTE POHANKA SPARROW ’80.

If you know a student about to begin a search for college, throw in a good word for Ripon and let them decide if it is worth pursuing. It could change that person’s life.

PEGGY GERO DAVALT ’80 of Columbus, Wisconsin, writes, “The Class of 1980 held its 35th Class Reunion the weekend of June 26-28, 2015, in conjunction with Alumni Weekend. I am so very thrilled that so many came back: ELLEN BARTH ’80, KATHY GOODBOUT ’80, LISA HEIMLER ’80, ROBERTA KOHLHAGEN ’80, JANET GILLESPIE SENO ’80, BOB FINES ’80, ART PETERS ’80, JEFF PENNEY ’80, LORI KNAAK DICKSON ’80 and ANDY DICKSON ’79, RICK KRUEGER ’80, LYNN FRISVOLD WILLIAMS ’80 and SETH WILLIAMS ’81 (and others — I don’t have the list of all who came). I also enjoyed visiting with the Class of 1985, as well. An amazing reunion.

The campus looks awesome, there is Wi-Fi, the food was great and company was even better. Thank you to each and every one of you that attended. I am most grateful!!”

DEBORAH CLARK GLENN ’80 of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, writes, “After 24 years in Aiken, we are returning to Charleston. Renovating a home on the water just minutes from the beach. Hope many Riponites will come visit.”

On a sad note, classmate and all-around good guy PETE SPARROW ’80 passed away earlier this year.

Our hearts go out to his lovely wife, CHARLOTTE POHANKA SPARROW ’80, and kids. Remember him fondly from those days at Ripon and beyond.

Peter died May 28, 2015. At Ripon, he studied psychology and history, before earning his MBA at Loyola University Chicago. Peter worked in finance at The Northern Trust Company and was the senior vice president for sales. Survivors include his wife, two daughters and sister, JENNIFER SPARROW SNORF ’80.

CHARLOTTE POHANKA SPARROW ’80, of Glenview, Illinois, writes, “As you’ve likely heard,

PETER SPARROW ’80 passed away May 28

following a January diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

He’d been doing great through chemo treatments, worked full time and travelled until Easter when the wheels started to shake a bit and eventually fall off. He had extensive surgery May 1, but the cancer came roaring back late May. Peter fortunately died peacefully and was not in pain. Many Ripon folks were in touch with us or here for the wake or service, including JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74, PEGGY SCHAUPP SEIBERT ’79, FRITZ SCHAUPP ’80, STEVE REEDER ’80, BOB KIRKLAND ’81, GRETCHEN HERZ BURNS ’81, BILL BURNS ’81, TOM VAUBEL ’79 and CHRIS OGLE ’80.

“On another interesting note, we’ve spent the past four years commiserating with JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74 as her daughter, Sarah, and our oldest Stephanie, both attended College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, and graduated in May. Small world. Emily, our other daughter, will be a senior at

Butler University in Indianapolis. I continue to head legal compliance and risk management for AMLI Residential, a national multi-family development and management firm. We continue to live in Glenview, Illinois.”

Jeff Penney

1981 Joe Tolan 57 Joy Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119 314-963-0553 / 314-609-6834 / jtolan@swbell.net Greetings, Please mark your calendars for June 23 to 26, 2016, and make the pilgrimage back for our 35th reunion.

I would love to have some folks willing to help coordinate the reunion. If you are interested, please let me know.

In College news, eighteen states and four countries are represented in the incoming class of 2019. Be sure to check out the news section for more details. While you’re there, be sure to read the notes where Ripon landed on the national college rankings lists.

Below are updates from our class:

NIKOS NAKOS ’81 and Vanessa Arroyo-Lopez announced their wedding date of September 5, 2015.

Vanessa is a Spanish interpreter and met Nikos while interpreting at the courthouse.”

LARRY NEUMANN ’81 of Racine, Wisconsin, writes: “Dental practice is still going strong, traveling to Thailand this spring to visit our son who is there teaching English. Life is good!”

CHARLIE SCHEIPS ’81 of New York, New York, spoke at Ripon College April 29 to promote his new book Elsie de Wolfe’s Paris: Frivolity Before the Storm, a major illustrated book about the “international smart set” of Paris in the years just before World War II. He is a curator, art adviser, artist, writer and cultural historian.

All my best, Joe Tolan

1982 Peter Hintz 722 Woodside Avenue, Ripon, WI 54971 hintzp@gmail.com Catherine Lothrop Hager 516 Cashew Court, San Ramon, CA 94583 cathhager@comcast.net Dear Classmates from 1982, Greetings from your class agent. I write this letter after attending Alumni Weekend 2015 in June. For those of you who haven’t been back to a reunion in a while, I’d like to give you my perspective on the event.

Up front, I admit to being quite a fan of Ripon reunions. In 2002, at our 20th reunion, I met up with NANCY BUCK ’82, who I dated my senior year at Ripon but had not seen since graduation. I moved from Minneapolis to Ripon, switched careers, and we have been married 11 years now.

Since I now live here in Ripon, I have the opportunity to go to Alumni Weekend every year. For those of you who have never been back, I encourage you to do so.

You get an interesting perspective on your 20-year-

Fall 2015 41

CLASSLetters old self. You’ll be surprised, though, how you, your classmates, and the College have grown and have done amazing things.

Friday of Alumni Weekend starts with the Red Hawks Golf Scramble at Lawsonia. This golf outing is quite popular and a good opportunity to spend time with close friends. This year, I chose to attend instead the Friday morning lecture series given this year by Professor Brian Smith on the topic of world religions and Professor Skip Whittler on the prairie. It was fun to hear what the departments are doing and what new learning opportunities exist for students.

Friday at Alumni Weekend is also an opportunity to see your old professors. There is a lunch with faculty on Friday at noon in the Pub. You can also see them at the All-Alumni Reception on the lawn at the Hughes House (now Evans Admission Center) Friday evening after the Alumni Awards Dinner. This year, I had the pleasure of seeing Professors Bill Wooley, KARL BERES ’65, Norm Loomer, Paul Schoofs and Spud Hannaford. Paul Schoofs and I discussed how game theory was being applied to economics.

Talking with Dr. Hannaford was a hoot. Having taken introduction to philosophy and ethics classes my freshman year with Dr. Hannaford, I had a lively discussion with him about the merit of teaching ethics to 19-year-olds. Dr. Hannaford confessed that he also had trouble with the subject of informal logic the first time he studied it.

If you go to Alumni Weekend, you get the chance to talk with other alumni from different years. A great opportunity to do this is during the “That Was Then…” program at the library on Saturday morning, attended informally by alumni of all ages — this event seems to grow every year. There is a slide show with archival pictures and a lively discussion and sharing of stories. My gosh, the stories those girls from the ’60s can tell. You thought the ’70s were wild. I spoke with MARK WRIGHT ’75, a trustee, with whom I shared fourth-floor New Scott stories. There were 24 of us from the class of ’82 on that floor who shared many pranks. (Sorry TOBY STORZER ’82, for setting your alarm at 3 a.m. as often as I could.) Those of us who hiked the 63 stairs several times on a daily basis share a brotherhood and a wealth of stories.

There are opportunities to learn about the College and ask questions. The noontime Saturday all-campus lunch on the Memorial Green Space (the site of the Memorial Gym) is a great place to meet up with old classmates and hear from President Messitte and trustees about the achievements and challenges facing Ripon College. Some of you may have heard of the consolidation of some majors and creation of others.

On Saturday afternoon, there is the all-alumni gathering spot at the tent on Memorial Lawn, the Theta Chi Frisbee Golf, alumni lacrosse on Upper Sadoff, prairie walks and Greek socials (meet up with your old living group). Saturday afternoon is a great time to “be a ghost” and wander through the campus and classrooms to see what’s changed and what is still the same. (When I came back to Ripon for my teaching certifications after 20 years, I sat in some of the same classrooms in probably some of the same desks with some of the same teachers, like Dr. Schang for English. Very surreal).

Even though it was not our reunion year, there were plenty of members of the class of ’80, ’81 and ’82 in attendance. I had the opportunity to share memories with KRIS RASMUSSEN OLSON ’82, LISA KRCHEK ’82, LAUREL STEWART ’82, PETRA JONES ’82, as well as friends from the class of ’80, whose reunion I attended in Bovay Terrace. For those of you who haven’t been back, the Terrace is a pub on

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the basement floor of Bovay overlooking the athletic fields. There are nice dinners all over campus at dinner time on Saturday night to choose from, even if it is not one of your reunion years. I saw ANDY SCHMIDT ’81 and PERRY PAGE ’79 from my DU Fraternity.

After the class reunion dinners on Saturday night (do your own thing if it is not your reunion year, or join a class like I did), Saturday concludes with an allalumni party in the tent with music and dancing for all from 8 p.m. to midnight. They have a DJ and food in the big tent where the Memorial Gym used to be. It is a good time to meet up again with friends after the class dinners. If you have any energy left, you can go to breakfast in the Commons on Sunday morning and see your friends off.

Even if you do not feel particularly outgoing, I cannot help but recommend the experience.

Class News:

JOSEPH P. SULLIVAN ’82, Ph.D., is a certified wildlife biologist. He reports that he has “taken up beekeeping. I have been working on a study investigating the pesticides that bees bring back to the hive in pollen and nectar and decided to start keeping bees myself. I started two hives in April. As a novice, I am merely looking to keep them going. I do not anticipate harvesting any honey this year.”

TIM BABCOCK ’82 writes that he is “still teaching history and philosophy at Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Wisconsin. I am married to SARA OBERHAUSER BABCOCK ’83. Our son teaches in Janesville, and our daughter is in the Peace Corps in Botswana.”

LINDA JENSEN HALL ’82 reports that “KEVIN HALL ’82 and I traveled to Denmark and Germany this summer. Had a wonderful time visiting family, touring castles and seeing historical sights. We were extremely lucky to have seen the Queen of England four separate times when we were visiting Berlin. The Queen was in Berlin at the same time for a state visit.

Pretty neat!”

CATHY LOTHROP HAGER ’82 shares that “We just had a marvelous family vacation to Kauai with my sister and dodged Hurricane Guillermo. My new hobby is showing my classic 1956 Thunderbird, my family’s legacy car. My grandfather gave it to my grandmother for their 25th wedding anniversary, and it has been in my family since. My dad gave it to me last year when he did not want the maintenance anymore. It is in pristine shape, and we are tasked in keeping it that way.”

It was also good to hear from KEVIN SHERIDAN ’82, who is a human capital management consultant and was the founder, chief engagement officer, chief consultant of HR Solutions International, a company he started in March 1995, specializing in teaching the “Best Practices” of employee engagement. In December 2011, Kevin sold HR Solutions and founded Kevin Sheridan LLC, a management consultancy focused on employee engagement, dynamic keynote speeches and magnetic leadership development advice.

JUDITH GILBERT BORDER ’82 of Norwalk, Iowa, writes that she took a job transfer to Des Moines and would love to meet up with Ripon alumni in the area.

BRUCE W. DAVIS ’82 of Lynn, Massachusetts, died May 18, 2015. See his obituary at the back of this booklet.

About me: I was an English and economics major who went to law school, became a trial lawyer in the Twin Cities and came back to Ripon for a

1982-84 teaching certification (and for my wife, NANCY BUCK HINTZ ’82) and have been teaching English, economics and social studies to high schoolers in Green Lake for the past 10 years.

As I mentioned in my class email, we are forming a reunion committee for our 35th class reunion in June 2017. If any of you would like to assist in the planning, please let me know.

Cheers, Peter Hintz ’82

1983 Barb Williams Clay 14794 Blakeney Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55347 952-949-0218 / jbemtclay@msn.com 2015 Fall Greetings from the Clay Family – It’s official! We (JOHN CLAY ’83 and I) have been empty nesters for one week as I am writing this letter.

Too early to tell how it feels. A visit to a friend’s cabin to help clear up storm damage kept us very busy for our first weekend on our own. Molly and her team of 25 CSU Ultimate Frisbee players will be here at the end of the month for a tournament in Minnesota.

I’m getting the house cleaned up and ready to go along with food shopping and preparation. Molly will graduate in the spring with a human development and family studies major. She hopes to attend grad school next fall and may focus on social work or child life specialist fields. Lizzy and Jim have decided to hold off wedding plans until 2017 to allow for a bit more time to save and a better understanding of the job market after graduation for Lizzy. She hopes to be an art teacher in fall of 2016. Thaysen had his graduation party at our home with three other friends where we had awesome ribs on the grill (made by John’s sister), burgers, amazing cupcakes (made by Thaysen’s girlfriend’s company) and celebrated with 350 guests.

It was a great day that went by so quickly. Thaysen made his choice to attend UW-Stout and play football.

About two weeks before football camp, he decided not to play and focus on school. It was a surprise and totally changed our fall plans! John and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary with our friends in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. My friend, Julie, was my matron of honor and I was her maid of honor … we were married three weeks apart! John and Craig coached track and taught summer school together right out of college. While the BWCA was not my first choice, it was very beautiful and we made a ton of great memories. John went back to school to begin his 29th year in the Eden Prairie School System and is teaching third grade. I continue to work for the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, was promoted to SVP, Strategy and Product Development in January, and celebrated my first anniversary in March. It is a great organization, and I will share more about it in our next communication.

Let’s take a look at some updates from our classmates: This is a new approach for sharing school and class news. Please make sure to look through the publication to find the information and updates that are of interest. We hope you enjoy this format and would love to get your feedback. For this publication, I attempted to reach out to classmates at the beginning of the alphabet via email. I also received a couple of class notes to share (that is another great way to keep our class informed of updates).

ELLEN KNUTESON KELLER ’83 of Lodi, Wisconsin: “Our daughter, Jen, is a member of the Class of 2016 at Ripon. Our son, Michael, graduated

from high school in June 2015 so we will have two in college for the 2015-16 academic year.”

DAWN SMITH RUDNIK ’83 of Saline, Michigan, has a new position as laboratory manager at the University of Michigan, University Health Service.

BOB BRANDFASS ’83, senior vice president, Legal Services, at OSF Healthcare System, “My son, Matthew Robert Brandfass ’17, will be entering his junior year at Ripon College … and, yes, he is a member of the Delta Omega Chapter of Theta Chi.” STEVE BONELLO ’83 writes, “The Steve Bonello family is doing well. My son, Parker, is living and working in Chicago as a starving writer and actor, and my daughter, Taylor, is finishing her undergrad degree in sports medicine at the University of Kansas. My wife, Rena, and I are busy running our small business.

All is well.”

KEVIN DYKSTRA ’83 writes, “I have been very active with Ripon this summer as president of the Ripon Parent Network. In June, I made calls to incoming families and participated in Summer Orientation. Last weekend, I helped move the freshmen class into Tri-Dorms. The week before that, I moved my daughters, GRACE DYKSTRA ’16 and MAGGIE DYKSTRA ’16, into the Senior Apartments for their final year in cross country at Ripon.”

TODD JAEGER ’83 of Ixonia, Wisconsin, was named the WISN 12 News Top Teacher for September. Todd teaches music at Kettle Moraine High School.

LUDY D’ANGELO ’83 and DAVID CLANAUGH ’83 updated their email addresses. Thank you!

Recent breaking news is that LYN ROSENBERG MCCARTHY ’83 returned to Ripon as the admissions director for the Milwaukee area. When she left Ripon, her shoes were difficult to fill and it is great to have her back.

Thank you very much for your support! Please keep your updates coming to Ripon (alumni@ripon.edu), update your email address, and feel free to contact me at the email address listed below. It would be great to share your news with our classmates.

Barb Williams Clay

1984 Krist Enstrom 510 Bede Circle, North Aurora, IL 60542 630-892-9156 / kenstrom@evergreenpark.org Connie Herbon Moser 33010 North Forest Drive, Grayslake, IL 60030 847-372-5410 / clmoser24@gmail.com Hello again Class of 1984!

As always, I hope this letter finds everyone happy and in good health. You have, no doubt by now, noticed that Ripon College has changed the format regarding class letters, class notes, obituaries and other content revolving around alumni. Ripon alumni now will get a semiannual publication dedicated to all alumni news. This new format will have content that will be mainly user-generated and has the benefit of saving some money for the College. The focus of this new endeavor is on news that your Class Agents (CONNIE HERBON MOSER ’84 and myself) gather from you — our classmates. With this in mind, I will uncharacteristically err on the side of brevity as I get a feel for this new format. One thing will remain the same, however: the power of Ripon will continue to be on display in the stories from the Class

Fall 2015 43

CLASSLetters of 1984. As TODD BUCHER ’84 noted in our last letter, Ripon “makes it pretty easy to pick up where you left off.”

MIKE SCHULZ ’84 has worked at American Security for 21 years. He has been married to his wife, Christine, for 14 years and they have three girls — Alyssa, 25, Carly, 23, and Courtney, 13.

Christine has been a nurse for 21 years at Little Company of Mary. Mike says he touches base with GREGG HALVORSEN ’84 (Gregg seems to be a recurring theme in these letters, as well) and fondly noted that OWEN GLODOWSKI ’84 gave him a call out of the blue a while back. Mike’s favorite memory of Ripon was playing basketball and being able to say he played college basketball. If you ever went to a game back at Ripon, you remember “Shulzy” hustling and diving everywhere. In conversation, it is easy to sense that same attitude. Mike said that his biggest accomplishment was probably graduating — something I can wholeheartedly relate to. Another thing that struck a chord with me was when Mike said he talks about Ripon often when he shares stories with people. Indeed, which one of us hasn’t mentioned Ripon at one time or another when interacting with family, friends or colleagues?

RAMSAY MCLAUCHLAN ’84 moved to Florida from New Hampshire 12 years ago and he works for the Home Shopping Network. He met his wife of 14 years — Judith Ann — when both were working on the Al Gore Presidential Campaign. Their daughter Peggy is 10 years old. Ramsey says politics is a hobby and sometimes an employer. He has been to six Democratic national conventions and to both the Clinton and Obama inaugurations. Judith Ann ran for Senate and teaches at USF. Ramsey does not have a single favorite memory, but he thinks Ripon had a great sense of community and he was thankful for attending the College. He misses the fact that he doesn’t physically see Riponites, but he has been in contact with ANDY JOHNSTON ’84 and TIM TAYLOR ’85. Ramsey lives a block from the beach and he ended it by saying, “Life has turned out well!”

This positive attitude toward life is also a recurring theme I get when I speak with members of the Class of 1984.

MARY GERO GRONHOLZ ’84 just celebrated

A few notes received by the College:

JAMES MENSCHING ’84 of Itasca, Illinois, writes, “I recently moved to my childhood home and was promoted to president of Itasca Bank and Trust Co. Our twin daughters, Devon and Emily, are sophomores at De Paul University.”

LON MICHELS ’84 of Palm Springs, California, held a grand opening of the Lon Michels Gallery (lonmichels.gallery) in January 2015. The gallery has more than 2,000 square feet of space at 1003 N. Palm Canyon in the Upper Arts District — the Uptown Design District of Palm Springs.

IVAN PETERS ’84 of Prior Lake, Minnesota, is a software architect with United Health Care in Eden Prairie.”

JEFFREY SZYMCZAK ’84 of Aurora, Illinois, earned his doctorate in philosophy (Ph.D.) from Illinois State University this year, with the dissertation topic, “Transitioning to a standard-based approach to grading at the middle school level: A case study.”

I always like to end these class letters by suggesting you pick up a phone and call an old Ripon friend.

I am certain you will be glad you did. For me, this continues to be both a rewarding and enlightening experience. Life at the Enstrom house here continues to be full, active and happy. As always, I would love to hear what is going on with any of my classmates. I hope you will all fare well. Go, Red Hawks!

Sincerely, Krist Enstrom

1985

her 30th wedding anniversary with her husband, Scott. They also just became grandparents when their daughter, Stephanie, gave birth to Ayla. Their son, Jake, is an offensive lineman at Winona State University in Minnesota, where he plays football with JAY ARMSTRONG ’84’s nephew. Mary lives in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and has worked for Mary Kay Cosmetics for more than 24 years (And, yes, she has qualified for nine pink Cadillacs!). Mary says she uses her Ripon education in all aspects of her business and loves making a difference with women. Mary has great memories of Ripon — too many to name, she replied.

She said her father told her she would look back at life in blocks, and she considers Ripon to be a good block. Mary keeps in touch with MARY TILLMAN BAAS ’83 about twice a year and gets together with some of her other sorority sisters.

MICHAEL B. DUNLAP ’85 of Fredericksburg, Virginia, writes that he visited Florence and Venice, Italy, with family. He was promoted to GS-14, working with the Marine Corps as a problem management process owner.

MIKE HERMSEN ’84 has been the operations

LISA ULMEN ROACH ’85 writes, “I live in Tinley

manager for 16 years at the Rawhide Boys Ranch, a residential care center for court-referred youths in New London, Wisconsin. This is a place that is certainly making a difference and helping our communities. Mike has been married to his wife, Pam, for more than 30 years. They have four children, along with three grandchildren. Mike’s son, Jake, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team and played two seasons in their farm system, until he got a blood clot in his shoulder. His youngest

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son, MATTHEW HERMSEN ’15, played baseball at Ripon for Coach Gillespie. I wonder how many others, if any, father-son combinations played for Coach Gilly? Mike’s daughter, Jenny, is married to a pastor and Mike’s son, Luke, “is looking for a wife … so, if you know anyone ...” In addition to his duties at Rawhide Boys Ranch, Mike stays busy as an elder at his church. Mike and Pam just recently remodeled a cabin, Crossroads, in St. Germain, Wisconsin. Mike’s favorite part of Ripon was the friends he made. He has fond memories of all the guys and athletic contests.

Connections

The role of Class Agent is currently vacant. If you have an interest, know someone who might be interested in becoming the Class Agent or want to learn more about this role, please email alumni@ripon.edu.

PAUL GARDETTO ’85 of Brookfield, Wisconsin, retired from the Air Force in September 2014 as a colonel. He now works from home in Milwaukee as a health economics adviser for Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Park, Illinois, with my daughter, Allison, 13, and our dog, Noodle, and am in Global Supply Chain Management with the Cintas Corp. in Chicago. I spent time with my daughter this summer at the EAA Convention, camping, gardening, roller-coaster riding and concert-going. Planning trips to Lambeau Field, Soldier Field, Whitewater and Notre Dame for football this fall.”

1984-87 MATT RUSS ’85 of Pensacola, Florida, writes, “I am attending paramedic school at Pensacola (Florida) State College. I am working as an emergency medical technician at Lifeguard EMS in Santa Rosa County, Florida. I am also a volunteer firefighter with Escambia County, Florida. Still single and no little ones.”

STACY HEINRICH SHUDA ’85 of Faribault, Minnesota, writes, “Mike and I are sandwiched in between two amazing vacations: celebrating brotherin-law’s 60th birthday in Cancun December 2014 and celebrating sister’s 60th birthday in Cozumel November 2015! We figured out how to indulge in the game of MUNZEE in Mexico, and in January 2015 we made a special trip to Canada, too. This GPS-based game uses a map to locate game pieces to scan for points, level up and earn badges. It’s so much fun, I don’t notice the 20+ miles of exercise I can get in a week!”

1986 Dan McNaughton 10021 Abbott Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431 612-209-2996 / dan@egpinc.net Dear Class of 1986, The end of August was an exciting time. I brought my youngest to Ripon and joined JOE CULLEN ’86 as empty nesters. My son, EVAN MCNAUGHTON ’19, is living in Tri-Dorms and has Prof. Diane Mockridge as his adviser. Between Evan’s visits to Ripon and my role as president of the Alumni Association, I’ve been back on campus a lot lately. The campus looks better than I ever remember. The excitement of the freshman brought back some great feelings and memories.

Speaking of memories, our 30th reunion is going to be this spring — June 23-26, 2016. Can’t believe time has gone by so quickly. The College has great reunion events and programs. If you haven’t been to a reunion lately, you should make a point of attending.

The College has a new president since last reunion, and Zach Messitte’s impact on the physical plant and campus atmosphere is amazing.

I do need help with our reunion. I am looking for two reunion coordinator chairs. These positions help pick location and dinner menu and help encourage classmates to attend. Please contact me if you can help make the 30th our best reunion ever. My cell is 612.209.2996. Email dan@egpinc.net.

DANA BOURLAND KNEBEL ’86 of Ripon, Wisconsin, writes, “I received a master of arts in Christian studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, Illinois) on May 15, 2015.”

RAMZI BASHIR BAYDOUN ’86 is now a member of the Ripon College Alumni Association Board of Directors.

KATHERINE ZECH KIOSHI ’86 is living in the Portland, Oregon, metro area, and her life currently revolves around nursing and her Navy colleagues.

Till next time, Dan McNaughton

1987 Dorrie Smith Scranton 429 New Sweden Road, Woodstock, CT 06281 dsscranton@gmail.com Christine Templeton 2520 West Argyle Street, Chicago, IL 60625 christinetempleton17@gmail.com Hello Class of ’87!

We’d like to start our first class letter by wishing the majority of you a very Happy 50th Year!! It’s hard to believe how old 50 seemed when we were 18 and starting our college careers, and how fast we’ve reached that milestone. While we are actually much younger (at least in spirit), we just spent the weekend in New England celebrating in style and pink tiaras with MICHELLE MARTIN ’87 and LIVY HECHT ’87. It’d been about 15 years since we all got together last, so we made the most of it.

Join us in raising a glass to toast to all of you with best wishes this year and for the next 50 years!

From what we can glean from Facebook and other social media, we’ve collectively celebrated anniversaries and weddings, seen our kids enter college and high school and taken some pretty amazing-looking vacations.

Here are some specific updates from a few classmates:

DAVE OLENCHEK ’87 of Brookfield, Wisconsin, was recognized as an Outstanding Wisconsin Teacher of Mathematics at a ceremony that took place at Ripon College. Way to go, Dave!

JOHN LABRACKE ’87 and KIA KJENSRUD LABRACKE ’87 live in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, with their three children, Nico, 18, Jack, 15, and Ava, 10. John is president of Lifetime Cookware Associates Inc., a direct sales distributor of Lifetime Cookware.

Kia is the executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Wisconsin chapter) and works on state-level policy in the areas of brain health, immunizations, early childhood and oral health.

ALICE LIGHTNER JOHNSON ’87 writes, “Just over a year ago, we returned from living in Costa Rica for half of the year. We lived in the beautiful small mountain town of Monteverde, where our daughters attended a bilingual school and my husband and I volunteered, took Spanish classes, and did lots of hiking in the cloud forest with other international families. The amazing coffee made up for the horrible beer! We also had the opportunity to travel to parts of Nicaragua, Guatemala and Panama. It was an incredible family adventure we will never forget, and wonderful to live out something we had always dreamed of doing! Once we returned to Minnesota, I continued to work in the business I started several years ago called LifeShift Services. My focus is on helping families, usually with older parents, who need to downsize or move out of their home. I also help them with organizing their finances and important papers, and any other aspects that a transition can bring. I have kept quite busy just with referrals, and I love being able to help people through what can be a very difficult time. We are also keeping busy with our two daughters, one who just started high school and the other in seventh grade. Hard to believe we will be looking at colleges soon! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next reunion in Ripon!”

BILL TOURLAS ’87 marked a few major occasions this year — celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary and starting a new job at SPM, a Chicago area healthcare marketing firm. He enjoys concerts and music festivals and teases us all with social media

Fall 2015 45

CLASSLetters posts of some pretty amazing-looking cooking. He invites anyone near the Elmhurst, Illinois, area to stop by for the next lamb roast.

1988

LIVY HECHT ’87 resides in Reading, Massachusetts,

David Jonas 202-251-9640 / djevents@aol.com

and works at Philips Healthcare. She’s an avid runner training for her next half marathon.

Kathy Wade 248-470-4336 / wadekas@sbcglobal.net

MICHELLE MARTIN ’87 works at Cummins in Madison, Wisconsin, and skates with Mad Rollin Dolls, the local women’s roller derby team. Michelle is planning a November trip to Cuba.

Hey Class of ’88!

DORRIE SMITH SCRANTON ’87 of Woodstock, Connecticut, just dropped her oldest son off for his freshman year at Bryant College. She works at the local school and promotes educational development and fund raising for a variety of local causes.

CHRIS TEMPLETON ’87 of Chicago, Illinois, is a partner at a Dallas, Texas-based ad agency, Moroch. She’s also put all those years of Boone’s Farm “research” to good use as a founding partner of SQZ, a lemon wine product that recently launched in northwestern Illinois. Check it out at sqzbevs.com.

We’d love to hear from you so we can add your news in the next letter. It’s always fun to read what classmates are up to, whether they are big, life-changing events, or just working hard at a job you’ve had for the last 10 years. We can be reached at dsscranton@gmail.com or christinetempleton17@ gmail.com. You also can join our Facebook group, Ripon College Class of 1987, and participate in, not just ‘like,’ the conversation! J At our gathering this past weekend, we started wondering how we each found our way to Ripon College nearly 28 years ago. Here’s what we heard from some of you:

BETSY MEYERS KNIGHT ’87: “A mentor in my church group recommended it — he didn’t know I went until I saw him last summer. Plus, Lawrence didn’t accept me — they were originally my #1 choice ... I’m so glad they rejected me. I had a wonderful experience at Ripon. It seems like we graduated just a few years ago.”

BARBARA FLATT BAY ’87: “I was third generation. My mom, Charlotte Booth Flatt ’66, and grandma, Winifred Layton Booth ’31, went there. My mom was just there for a reunion this week.”

CHRISTINE ELLIOTT ’86: “I wanted to go to Michigan State, and my dad wouldn’t let me. He told me to ask my high school counselor for a small, private liberal arts school about three hours from Chicago. Bam! Ripon it was ...”

CAROL RAVITZ ’87: “I wanted a liberal arts education. Of the five schools I applied to, Ripon seemed ‘middle of the road.’ Macalester too liberal, Lake Forest too preppy, Beloit too industrial, Carlton too competitive.”

GEOFF BLANCO ’87: “Closest state to Illinois where the drinking age was 18.”

JOHN SWALLEN ’87: “Don’t quite remember ... being 50 does that to one’s memory. I transferred to Ripon after first semester freshman year from a large university in Florida. I loved the small campus and the people. Sure glad I switched. Great times!”

And one last thing, please update your email address — we’ve got a lot of outdated Hotmail and AOL email addresses!

Best wishes to all!

Dorrie Smith Scranton and Chris Templeton

Each time I write to you all, the passage of time is on my mind. It has been 27 years since we graduated!

Yes, I just cringed a little typing that. This October, I will have lived in the Milwaukee area for 10 years! I am serving my last year of my second three-year term on the Alumni Board. I have seen a lot of wonderful changes in the last five years. Homecoming is one function that I have seen change. There were not really any official Alumni events over Homecoming weekend my first year on the Board. This upcoming Homecoming on October 3 is the exact opposite; it will be a busy time on campus. The Board of Trustees is meeting. The Alumni Board is meeting. The Parent Volunteer Network is meeting. It is Family Weekend.

The end of the extremely successful Imagine Tomorrow campaign will be celebrated. There will be a Homecoming party before the game that alumni are invited to attend. It will be a busy but fun weekend!

As the news from the College reports, Alumni Weekend was very successful this past year with almost 700 people in attendance. I have really enjoyed watching the itinerary for the weekend change these past several years. I really enjoy the all alumni events.

The College has really made it possible for anyone to attend. It is not just for people who are celebrating a reunion. The highlights of Alumni Weekend for me are the welcome reception on Friday night at Hughes House, the all-alumni lunch that includes the State of the College on Saturday, and the all-alumni party on Saturday night (and there will be dancing!)! I know it is a ways off, but mark June 23-26, 2016, on your calendars! I plan to be there!

The next change that I am looking forward to following is the revitalization of the J.M. Storzer Athletic Center into a comprehensive health and wellness center that meets the needs of all Ripon’s students. The College has started raising funds to support this revitalization of Storzer. More information about the campaign can be found at www.ripon.edu/revitalize.

Of the 218 first year students, 31 are legacies. As you will see from the Class News, there is at least one legacy in the incoming class whose parents are in our class! I have met some of the legacies! It is so much fun! Enrollment in the College is a key factor to its success. If you know high school age students, talk to them about Ripon. Over the summer, the Admissions Department put out a call to alumni to lend a hand.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can become a volunteer, please contact Eliza Cherry Stephenson ’09 (call 920-748-8396 or email stephensone@ripon.edu)!

Class News

ZEV BARNETT ’88 of Aurora, Colorado, sends news about his nonprofit, the Peanut Butter Plan, which is celebrating its fourth anniversary in October.

They have held 10-15 events per year and have made and given out about 77,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. CBS news out of Denver covered the anniversary event: http://denver.cbslocal. com/2015/10/18/the-peanut-butter-plan-hands-outhundreds-of-sandwiches-to-the-needy.

JIM CONWAY ’88 and WENDY SCHOENIKE CONWAY ’88: “Have been married 27 years this year and have two grandkids, a girl named Ireland and a

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Connections

1987-89 boy named Declan. Jim and Wendy attended SCOTT STRAZZANTE ’86’s Common Ground presentation in Ripon with fellow Beta Sig JAMIE HAWLEY ’88 on the weekend of September 11. I also am rolling out my new website, www.e-novel-advisor.com, that serves as a marketing platform for his books. You can follow me on twitter @enoveladvisor.”

MARIO FRIEDEL ’88 of Ladysmith, Wisconsin, is the assistant head of school at North Cedar Academy in Ladysmith.

DEBORAH S. HANNI DAMROW ’88 of Oakland, California, writes, “I was promoted to principal project manager from senior project manager, and also received official remote office status, so now I can live anywhere. Thinking of spending a few months in Italy. Still working at Nuance Communications.”

KRISTEN DIEMER HAWLEY ’88 and JAMIE HAWLEY ’88: “RACHEL HAWLEY ’19 is a freshman at Ripon, majoring in biology and chemistry.”

CAROL SHAY HORNUNG ’88: “The biggest new thing in my world is helping to launch WVMO-LP (stands for low-power, and is at 98.7 on the FM dial) in Monona, Wisconsin. It is a nonprofit community station staffed by volunteers and high school students, and we’re doing some really cool things — it’s fun being able to put 30 years of broadcast experience to work for a good cause! (By the time this is printed), streaming will be available online or through the Tune-In radio app on your phone.”

CHUCK NAILEN ’88: “My wife has joined me in Virginia, so I have a new address and phone number: 3000 S. Randolph St. #251, Arlington, VA 22206, 703-825-4182. I still am working at FSI for the State Department as a computer instructor. Love the work, but lots of long hours studying to keep up with technology.”

MICHELLE EBERT WITT ’88: “Lynn Probst Benavides ’88 and I both work for the Waterford (Wisconsin) Elementary School District. This August, we had a crisis intervention training session together and were partners for the physical portion. We had a chance to chat while we practiced kicking, pulling hair, and restraining each other. It was a fun time!”

Closing

DAVID JONAS ’88 and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support to our Alma Mater whether it be the Annual Fund or the revitalization of Storzer; or marketing of the College by wearing your Ripon gear; or your friend and legacy building.

Kathy Wade and David Jonas

1989 Mitch Rosin mitch.rosin2@gmail.com Nikki Zens Lindberg nicolelindberg67@gmail.com Greetings!

At the end of a busy and amazing summer, we are writing to let you know the updates from our classmates. We hope you all had a great summer, maybe enjoyed the Alumni Weekend and all the festivities, and are getting ready for winter!

MARC A. HEALY ’89: “MITCH ROSIN ’89 recently was promoted to senior cleaner by the shadowy global organization he works for. He will continue his work neutralizing human threats to the organization much as before, however with a better title and more vacation time on the skull-shaped volcanic island hideaway the organization maintains in their undisclosed location in the South Pacific.

Don’t bother trying to find it with Google Earth — we own them.”

BARB THOMPSON PAMPERIN ’89: “I’ve had the same employer for the past almost 25 years, but I am now an instructional technologist in the e-learning department. My daughter, Angela Pamperin ’17, is a junior at Ripon this year. My son is a junior in high school; we’re busy twisting his arm.”

KRIS PEHLE GRASSE ’89: “I am switching elementary schools and grade levels this year. First grade, here I come! My daughter Erin will be a senior at the College of William and Mary, and my daughter Kate will be a sophomore at Christopher Newport University. My husband and I are doing great.”

ANNE BURCHMORE MIES ’89: “I was a founding member of the Trophy Wife Club (along with NIKKI ZENS LINDBERG ’89) after being laid off from General Mills for 12 years. We made the most of it, meeting once a week (or more) for coffee (or beer), to do fun things and share interview horror stories (okay, only one was bad). Since then, Nikki and I have both found ourselves putting the club on hiatus since finding work. I am now a shopper marketing consultant, currently with Catapult Marketing in Minneapolis. Token kid news — my 16-year-old daughter will be a junior in high school. She has picked up the violin again, is running cross country and jumping on the track team. She is currently visiting the Burchmore family in Telluride, Colorado, for 10 days!”

DARLENE HONIE-LOYER GERICK ’89: “The previous year was full of turmoil with broken bones and many hospital visits for family. Heaven claimed too many last year, friends, family and fur-babies.

Starting in August, things are back on an up-swing.

I started a new job as facilities manager for MCIT (Medical Center Information Technology) still part of UMHS (University of Michigan Health Systems) for over 12 years now. I completed my 15th year of volunteering with the stat team for the Junior League World Series Baseball tournament in Taylor, Michigan.

We host five U.S. and five international teams for a week of competition (27 games) of 13-14-year-old baseball players. Our final game was broadcast live on ESPN. (Chinese Taipei won, beating the U.S. Southeast team from Virginia.) You can like us on Facebook (JLWS – Junior League World Series, Taylor Michigan) or follow us on Instagram jlws_taylor (my 10-year-old, Marina, was the official photographer for our inaugural season of Instagram). Speaking of Marina, in two weeks she starts intermediate school — fifth grade, here she comes! This will be the first school she attends that I went to as a child. Her future plans are to someday attend Ripon, Class of 2027!”

We also want to let you know some sad news. Our classmate LEN COOPER ’89 passed away at the end of August. See his obituary at the back of this book.

We hope to continue receiving updates from everyone via email or our Facebook page!

Cheers, Mitch and Nikki

LAURA STORZER ’89: “I have moved away from Ripon! I now live in Beaver Dam.”

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CLASSLetters

1990 Robert E. Corkery, Jr. 283 Sylvan Court, Saunderstown, RI 02874 bcorkery@aol.com Christina L. Maggio-Kellerstrass 24 Windsor Drive, Elmhurst, Il 60126 christinacl27@aol.com Dear Classmates, Our 25th reunion was this past June and it was wonderful to see so many fellow classmates and reminisce about those incredibly fun Ripon days. We even had the pleasure of viewing our 100 days party complete with big hair and glasses and other great styles that depicted the glory days of the ’80s.

Thanks to those of you who attended and made additional or new financial gifts in honor of our 25th reunion. Your contributions truly make a positive impact on the college. For those of you who weren’t able to attend, we missed you and hope to see you at the 30th!

In case you missed it, Ripon received a $3.1 million gift from the estate of Patricia Parker Francis, a longtime friend and supporter of the College. The gift will fully endow the Patricia Parker Francis Distinguished Professorship in Economics that is currently held by Professor Paul Schoofs. It also adds to the William B. Murphy Endowed Guest Lectureship in Economics and will help renovate and expand the athletics, health and wellness facilities on campus.

MICHELLE RIEDER ’90 of Aurora, Illinois, received a degree in accounting from Aurora University in May 2015.

JEREMY J. WESSEL ’90, of Memphis, Tennessee, writes, “In November 2014, I received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Memphis Chapter of Sigma Alpha Pi, the National Society of Leadership and Success.”

Remember to send in your updates for the spring edition – contact either of us or the Alumni Office (alumni@ripon.edu).

Have a great fall and holiday season.

Many thanks again!

Bob and Christina

1991 Samantha Bailey 2821 32nd Ave South, #1, Minneapolis, MN 55406 612-978-4124 / samantha@baileysorts.com Tracy Maher 1437 Marchbanks Drive, #7, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 401-225-9189 / tramtime@att.net Dear Ripon Class of ’91, Welcome to the new format. We hope you enjoy being able to see updates from other classes! If you’d still like a way to communicate among “just us,” please keep in mind that we have an active Class of ’91 Facebook page. This is a closed group so you do have to request to join, but we’re quick to approve requests. Search for Ripon College Class of ’91 and you’ll find us.

A Plea for Up-to-Date Email We desperately want to reach out to (and hear back from!) as many people from the class as we can, but we primarily operate via email and we always have loads of emails that bounce (including one to ME,

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Connections

this time, which was embarrassing to say the least).

Please send your current email address to the College (alumni@ripon.edu), or directly to Tracy or Samantha.

It’s STILL Coming: Twenty-Five …

There are so many reasons to come to Ripon for our 25th reunion and we’re not only referring to the fried cheese curds and pizza at Roadhouse. There’s also an opportunity to share memories, greet old friends, and make new connections. We’re still in the early stages of planning our 25th, and if you are interested in being on the planning committee please reach out to TRACY MAHER ’91 at 401-225-9189 or tramtime@ att.net. Special shout out to Ted Uczen ’91 who has generously volunteered his help with planning. Please consider pitching in, you’ll be in great company!

Class Notes

TRACY MAHER ’91 writes: “This summer, I took time off to bring my 14-year-old niece to London.

This was her first trip abroad and my first trip to London. We had a lovely time seeing the sights and exploring the city on foot. Although it was tough to choose a favorite adventure, we both really loved the trip out to Windsor Castle and the surrounding town of Windsor.”

SAMANTHA BAILEY ’91 writes: “I accepted a position as director of user experience at Merrill Corporation in April, and we’re basking in the luxury of stability. My son, Niles, just started first grade and is becoming all muscle and angles — I can barely see the outlines of my soft little preschooler anymore.

My husband took Niles ‘home’ to Canada for a month over the summer, so I had three glorious weeks of house rule (AKA: don’t underestimate the restorative powers of the CLEAN BATHROOM) and one week of missing my kid with extreme longing and agitation.

In August, we spent a week on the Oregon Coast with Kristina Voros ’92 beach combing and lazing about.

Looking forward to a trip to Ripon next June for our 25th!”

KARL FELD ’91 continues to reside outside Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife and three daughters.

The eldest just started college this fall. They visited Ripon this summer during a family trip to Chicago and the Dells. While much has changed, more has stayed the same, he says. Karl is about halfway through his Ph.D. work in communications while continuing to work in public affairs and corporate communications research at GfK. He is looking forward to travel to India and Australia this fall for work. Outside research, Karl has returned to vocal music through participation in North Carolina State University choruses, continues Muay Thai himself and karate with his children, is still teaching his youngest to play the piano, swims, runs and generally just tries to keep everything together until the end of each and every day!

AMY ANDERSON KESSLER ’91 was elected chair of the Oakland Symphony Chorus Committee and concurrently serves on the symphony’s board of directors.

JOAN KNORRE ’91 writes: “I have worked in the Department of Corrections as a teacher for 17 years and plan on retiring next year (2016). I taught in public school for about two years, then obtained a full-time teaching position at Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution. I taught there for about 14 months, then transferred to Fox Lake Correctional Institution. My family has grown: Julie has three boys — Michael, Christopher and Jonathan; Matt (my son) and Anna have Aiden and Allyson; Jake is single; and Andrea (my daughter) and Bruce live in Pennsylvania. I am also a great-grandma — Michael has a son, Miles. Tom and I will be celebrating our

1990-92 36th wedding anniversary this year. We both enjoy canoeing, walking, gardening, snow shoeing. Most of all we love spending time with family and friends.”

CHARLES MERWIN ’91 writes: “After 18 years in New Jersey, Ellen and I have moved to Barrington, Illinois. I am still with the investment side of Wells Fargo, overseeing our offices in the northwest Chicago suburbs. It is great to be back in the Midwest where we can catch up with many more Ripon people! Our son, John Merwin ’16, just started his senior year at Ripon; I drove him and his friend back up last weekend and found myself carrying boxes of junk up and down the stairs of Scott Hall, just like 25 years ago! Of course, back in our day, seniors didn’t live in Scott Hall, but times have changed that. The campus looks great. Our daughter, Katherine, has a semester in London at the Royal College of Music, then back for the rest of her sophomore year at Boston University. Looking forward to seeing some of the Chicago area alumni in the months ahead.”

JULIE JOHNSTON MILAVEC ’91 writes: “My big news is that my oldest son, John, is off to college at University of Central Florida as a mechanical engineering major. Surreal that he’s 18 already! I should probably note that I am still director of the Plainfield Public Library, and my husband, John, runs his family’s HVAC business, J& J Repair. Our 16-year-old daughter is a junior in high school and 13-year-old son in in 8th grade.”

SASHA PHILIPS ’91 of Southington, Connecticut, writes: “Our twins, Samuel and Avielle, were born in October 2014. Big brother Noah has been very supportive and mature for his age of two years.

Jennifer and I hope to sleep someday.”

WILL STEINBERG ’91 was seen disco dancing on the Target Field scoreboard during a pitching change in the eighth inning of the Twins’ August 16 win over Cleveland.

KRYSTIN BURRALL TRUSTMAN ’91 writes: “No earth-shattering news here. I am back in Denver and have recently figured out that I will be able to attend the reunion in 2016. I am looking forward to seeing all of the changes that have happened in Ripon and excited to see my classmates.”

KIM KOTTKE WEINBERGER ’91 and her husband, Tony, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year. They are also battling “empty nest syndrome” as the youngest of their four children heads off to college this fall. They have another son in college yet, and the two oldest have graduated and are out on their own. Kim and Tony have owned a Computer Troubleshooters franchise since 2003, and they opened a second business in cell phone repair in 2014. Tony now runs the businesses as Kim works for the parent company for Computer Troubleshooters as the director of operations and travels around the world to support franchise owners in 20 countries.

MARIA YAO ’91 writes: “Just celebrated 22 years with Hewitt Associates, now part of Aon. I’m the executive vice president of cloud services, where I oversee teams that support HR systems and operations for some of the world’s largest organizations. Just returned from a business trip to Krakow, Poland, and London, England, and will be heading to India in October. Got to spend time celebrating JUDEE STOJSAVLJEVIC FISCHER ’92’s 45th birthday in Chicago with a number of AXOs this past summer; had a great time!”

MINDY YOUNG ’91 writes: “My family is still loving life in Arlington Heights, Illinois. I am just scurrying around as the working mother of (now) three growing kiddos. I went back to consulting full time when my

youngest hit middle school. So, I have been taking the half-hour train ride downtown since January to work on a modest sized project at MillerCoors. That is my third time with them. My travels to Golden, Colorado, allowed me to visit classmate PATTI O’ROURKE ABENDROTH ’90. I try to look up alumni wherever I go.

“My stepson is a junior and my son is a sophomore.

We are navigating driver’s licenses, girlfriends, college classes and Eagle Scout projects with them. My daughter is in seventh grade and is always traveling with a gaggle of girls from softball or Girl Scouts. We do a lot of biking and skiing as a family. My partner of seven years now, Scott, is still with Grainger and doing that southern Cali volleyball thing and taking Harley rides.

“My brother SCOTT YOUNG ’93 (yes! same first name as my partner — very confusing) and his wife, JENNIFER LUEPKE YOUNG ’95, live a mile away with three beautiful daughters. We had the great experience of having my brother coach my daughter and his daughter on the same softball team this past spring/summer. He rocks! They came in second place.

“Mom and dad are great. Retired life is agreeing with them. There is a lot of travel with old friends from where they grew up in Chicago. We get to cocktail with Coach Coll and Dr. Scamehorn at the lake a few times each year. We always get updates about the administration, admissions and the psych department.

We are all excited about the new gym.

“Sad Ripon news ... Alas, the cookie factory is closing.

And they had a fire downtown a while back that trashed the block where my apartment was located.

Book World was spared. Please pass along my sincerest well wishes to my classmates! I’ve enjoyed connecting on Facebook.”

We’d really love your help planning the 25th Reunion A final reminder that we’re still in the early stages of planning our 25th and would love to have more help. If you are interested in being on the planning committee, please reach out to Tracy Maher at 401225-9189 or tramtime@att.net.

Best wishes over the coming months!

Samantha Bailey and Tracy Maher

1992 JuDee Stojsavljevic Fischer 6714 Bobolink Road, Racine, WI 53402 262-681-8509 / fofastoj@gmail.com Bonni Dembroski Fredrick 12750 West Bobwood Road, New Berlin, WI 53151 262-796-1531 / jfredrick1@wi.rr.com Erin Marie McCormack 1821 Saluda Court, Raleigh, NC 27608 erinmack2002@yahoo.com Dear Class of 1992, Greetings from the Great State of Wisconsin. A year has passed since I last wrote you all and once again, fall is in the air (although it is 80 degrees as I write this); the Packers and Badgers are back in season and students are once again on campus. As JONATHAN FREDRICK ’92 and I sent our second child off to high school this year, the reality of starting the college search for our oldest is far too real. And we are fighting the urge to push her to Ripon which was the right place for us, because we know she ultimately has to choose the right place for her.

Fall 2015 49

CLASSLetters We want to begin to bring a greater focus on our class in these communications and to do so we want to hear from you. So please reach out to JUDEE STOJSAVLJEVIC FISCHER ’92, ERIN MCCORMACK ’92 or me with any of the great news you’d like to share. Whether it be professional accomplishments, new family members, volunteer activities, milestones or just a really cool vacation.

We’ll even take the news from your friends if you are too shy or modest to share. So here is what I do know about the class of 1992:

CONNIE GARCIA BERTOLA ’92 of Allyn, Washington, is a specialist with TrueBlue Specialized Workforce Solutions in Tacoma.

PATRICK CORRIGAN ’92 of Las Vegas, Nevada, is employed in market development with FedEx.

BOB WELCH ’92 of Madison, Wisconsin, gave a public presentation, “The Interplay of Wisconsin Politics from a Lobbyist’s Perspective,” at Ripon College March 31, 2015. Welch served in the state legislature for 20 years before he established The Welch Group, a full-service government relations and public affairs firm specializing in providing a complete package of issues and project management for organizations in Wisconsin. Among individual lobbyists in Wisconsin, Welch ranks in the top 10.

SARA SCOTT FALVEY ’92 of New Berlin, Wisconsin, is currently serving a two-year tour in Germany with the United States Navy.

BILL MILLER ’92 is an associate professor of sport management at University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

JONATHAN FREDRICK ’92 and BONNI DEMBROSKI FREDRICK ’92 celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in August.

DAN MIRON ’92 and JACKIE FLANIGAN MIRON ’89 celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in September.

In the next letter, I’d love this section to be a couple pages long. Please get us all your updates!

I did also want to share with you the sad news of the passing of a legend in Ripon sports, Gordon A. “Gordie” Gillespie. His obituary can be found in the In Memoriam section of this publication.

As I close this letter, I want to remind you all that this time next year I’ll be calling on you all for input concerning our 25th Class Reunion which will take place during Alumni Weekend in the summer of 2017. Yeah, I know it is a long ways off. But as I’m sure we all see, time flies by while we are all living our day-to-day lives. But you don’t have to wait for our 25th to return to Ripon. Alumni Weekend is always a fun time no matter what your class year. Remember to mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend 2016, June 23-26. It is sure to be another fantastic weekend at Ripon College.

Sincerely, Bonni Dembroski Fredrick

1993 Marla K. May RN 807 20th Street, Mosinee, WI 54455 608-212-0595 / marlakmay@gmail.com Hello friends, Welcome to the first class letter in the new format!

I hope that this letter finds you well and looking forward to the crisp, fall days and of course football

50

Connections

season! A few classmates have shared some news with us:

ANDREA CECCHI YOUNG ’93 shared that her older son, Alex, has committed to playing football at Yale University in the fall of 2016.

ANGELA SHELDON ’93 married Gary Suzuki on July 30 in Duck, North Carolina. Classmates in attendance were ERIC PILSL ’93 and CHRIS GRAHAM ’93.

SCOTT CHRISTOFERSEN ’93 shares news of the birth of his child, Simon Elliot Christofersen, who was born July 30, 2015.

MELINDA TRAINOR HUTCHINSON ’93 and her husband Matt took their children (ages 8 and 5) to England for a two-week trip in June. They visited London, southern England and the West Country.

In February 2015, SARA COLBURN-ALSOP ’93 received full professorship at Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana. She and her husband also traveled with their two children to Ensenada/Rosarito Beach, Mexico, in July 2015.

LINDA MENSCH BISAREK ’93 is an after-school coordinator at Hillsboro Elementary School.

SARA GRANT GOULD ’93 is an emergency service veterinarian with WVRC, Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center.

KYRA HYSER LONGFELLOW ’93 writes, “After working at Ameriprise Financial for 18+ years, I switched industries. I am now a business analyst at Ziegler Caterpillar. Ziegler has been a privately owned company in Minnesota for over 100 years. It’s been a good change and fun to learn about.”

ERIC PILSL ’93 is a fifth-grade teacher in the Adams Friendship School District.

In addition to their news I have some of my own.

In May 2015. I received my bachelor’s of science in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Thank you to all who shared news with our classmates. I think we can all agree that we look forward to our class news, and I would encourage everyone to send me your news throughout the year for future letters. It can be anything really — new jobs, children/grandchildren, moving, whatever you’d like to share!

If you haven’t heard from me by email, it’s likely I either don’t have an email for you or the one I have is incorrect. Please contact me by phone, Facebook or email to send me your news. I also can forward your contact info to the College if you’d like. Otherwise, you can contact the Alumni Office directly with changes or news via email to alumni@ripon.edu or via the mail to Alumni Office, Ripon College, PO Box 248, Ripon, WI 54971. Thank you!

Sincerely, Marla K. May RN

1992-96

1994 Colin Dickerson colin1041@hotmail.com Kimberly Woolley kimberlywoolley@yahoo.com Hello Class of 1994, On behalf of your class agents, here are a few notes from your classmates.

GREGORY ANDERSON ’94 of Germantown, Wisconsin, is a research regulatory specialist at Aurora Health Center Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

MICHELLE BENEDICT ’94 of Honolulu, Hawaii, is working with marine animals.

KIM CONROY ’94 of Los Angeles, California, is a business affairs coordinator at NBC Universal for the USA and Syfy networks. She also teaches spin class at 24 Hour Fitness and was trained to teach Les Mills RPM classes. Her husband, WADE PACKARD ’93, assists the EVP at Warner Horizon Television Business Affairs.

TODD JOHNSON ’94 of Tiverton, Rhode Island, writes, “Working as an instructor in the National Security Affairs Department at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Recently had an op/ ed published in Defense News and book review published in the RUSI Journal. Also completed the Disney Marathon in January as well as the Providence Marathon in May.” ANGELA RUPNOW MEIER ’94 of Neenah, Wisconsin, is an administrative secretary at Trinity Lutheran School.

ANDREW “DREW” PETERSEN ’94 of Verona, Wisconsin, recently was re-appointed to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker for a seven-year term.

1995 Vince Padilla and Amy DeKeyser Padilla 1357 Broadway Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590 (608) 834-8873 vincepad@gmail.com / amypadilla@gmail.com Angela Keith 522 Pawnee, Flagstaff, AZ, 86005 (928) 380-1880 / azee11@gmail.com Hello Class of 1995!

I hope you are enjoying the new look of our class letters! I think it is a great shift and allows us to see the news from the classes during our tenure at Ripon (which pretty much spans the ’90s!)

As you all aware, we have been out of college for 20 years! It was really exciting to take a trip down memory lane during my visit to Ripon during Alumni Weekend. So much seemed to have changed in 20 years, yet it all still felt so familiar. Of course, some parts of Ripon College never change — some of those buildings have stood the test of time — including some of those dorm rooms! Staying in Tri-dorms for the weekend and visiting Johnson Hall brought up such feelings of nostalgia, as did a quick trip to the Rippin’ Good Cookie Factory. Nothing like free cookie samples and $2 packages of fudge wafers!

Unfortunately, while I was there, I heard the cookie factory, or at least the cookie outlet, would be closing their doors. I almost bought another piece of luggage just so I could travel home with the last bit of Rippin’ Good Cookie love!

Ripon was bustling for Alumni Weekend. Our class was represented by myself, AMY DEKEYSER PADILLA ’95 and MICHELLE BUSS ’95 at the All-Alumni March, then Amy and Michelle presented the College with our contribution to the Annual Fund. Our classed raised more than $10,000 this year! Thank you all who donated! Saturday, June 27, the Class of ’95 had its official reunion dinner, then spent more time socializing at the All-Alumni Party and further enjoying the Ripon nightlife downtown.

It was great catching up with everyone who attended: JUSTIN ANDERSON ’95, SHEA HARDY ’95, MICHELLE BUSS ’95, DAN YOST ’95, SARA SEDLACHEK ’95, ANN DINGMAN ’95, TODD SIPPEL ’95, SARAH LARSON SIPPEL ’95, JEFF WALSH ’95, ROB NEUMAN ’95, RYAN COX ’95 and TOM LUFT ’95, plus VINCE PADILLA ’95, AMY DEKEYSER PADILLA ’95 and me. We also got to catch up with a few ’96ers and LORI BERGERON ’95 at the All-Alumni party!

Now that the class letter has changed formats, it is even more important to let us know how you are doing! My favorite part of these letters is receiving news from classmates. Please drop us a line and tell us how you are doing via email or even Facebook!

You can also send your news to Ripon at alumni@ ripon.edu.

Ripon has an amazing online presence. Like Ripon College on Facebook (facebook.com/ripon.college), follow on Twitter (twitter.com/riponcollege) and Instagram (instagram.com/riponcollege), network on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/groups/Ripon-CollegeProfessional-Network-4646327), check out photos from recent events on Flickr (flickr.com/photos/ ripon_college), and watch the latest College videos on YouTube (youtube.com/user/riponcollegevideo).

For more Ripon College news, please stay tuned to the bimonthly electronic alumni newsletter, or visit www. ripon.edu. There are many ways to stay connected to Ripon and the Class of 1995!

As Always, Angela L. Keith

1996 Jason Wood 83 Monroe Street, Unit 3B, Hoboken, NJ 07030 jlwood3773@gmail.com Hello Class of 1996!

Can you believe it is already the fall of 2015? It has been 20 years since we started our final year at Ripon College. Where did all that time go to? As you probably guessed, next summer we will be celebrating this milestone, and I hope that majority of you can attend. I was on campus this past summer during Alumni Weekend (a few pictures can be found in the photo section), and it is such a great way to see your friends, former classmates, your professors as well as all the changes on campus and in town. Even though 20 years have passed, once you are on campus all those great memories of the past will flood back, at least I hope the majority of the memories area great.

STEVE MARTIN ’96 and I are in the early planning stages, so once we have full details we will send that out to all of you. If you have any ideas, please send them my way (jlwood3773@gmail.com) or post to the Ripon College Class of 1996 Facebook page (facebook.com/groups/11713062769/). Please mark your calendar for the weekend of June 23-26, 2016, because I want to see SO many of you there!!!

Fall 2015 51

CLASSLetters Class Notes

KELLY BALES ’96 of San Angelo, Texas, was promoted to senior master sergeant (E-8) in the United States Air Force on May 1, 2015. Kelly recently passed 20 years in the service and attributes much of his continued success to his foundational education at Ripon College, especially in the Leadership Department with Professor Jack Christ. Kelly and his wife, Monica, also celebrated the birth of their son, David Alexander, on May 5. Kelly and Monica were ordained as ministers under Joan Hunter Ministries in April and are very active in many faith-based activities. Kelly finished up a tour at Headquarters, 25th Air Force, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and reported to Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas, in July.

JOHN HINDS ’96 of Seattle, Washington, writes, “After five years at Starbucks, I took a new job at Banfield pet hospitals (a subsidiary of Mars) as their senior manager of learning technology. I now split my time between Seattle and Portland.”

JASON KAUFMAN ’96 of Saint Paul, Minnesota, is an associate professor of educational leadership at Minnesota State University in Mankato.

PRESTON KENDALL ’96 of Hanover Park, Illinois, is an organizational developmental training specialist with Northwest Community Healthcare.

HEIDI HITCHCOCK MARKS ’96 of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, who teaches at St. Croix Falls High School, was recognized as outstanding Wisconsin teacher of mathematics at the spring meeting of the Wisconsin Mathematical Association of America, hosted at Ripon College by the Department of Math and Computer Science.

AMY TINCHER-DURIK ’96 of Des Moines, Iowa, is the executive director of premedia and digital asset management services with Meredith Corporation in Des Moines.

ANDREA WILLE ’96 of Middletown, Pennsylvania, writes, “After moving from San Antonio, Texas, to Pennsylvania, I have started a new job as an educator and tour guide at Indian Echo Caverns in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.”

Regards, Jason Wood

1997 Stephanie Bosman Fernhaber 633 Braeside South Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46260 812-320-2976 / sfernhaber@hotmail.com Kristin Bazzoli Piotrowski 4609 North Marlborough Drive, Shorewood, WI 53211 414-961-1059 / kbazzoli@yahoo.com Dear Classmates, Can you believe it has been 22 years since we first stepped foot on Ripon College’s campus?! We hope this letter finds you well and that you are enjoying fall (or an early winter, depending on where you are living)!

This is a different way of presenting class letters, but it gives you a chance to read up on what friends in other class years are doing. The usual College and academic news is still here — just in its own section toward the end of the book. We hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane.

Please keep the updates coming, whether it is news or contact information updates. You help to make our class letter a mini-reunion all its own. Happy reading!

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EDWARD EATON ’97 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is director of business development at Alorica, a company headquartered in Irvine, California.

CHAD KAUFMAN ’97 of Waterloo, Wisconsin, is a classroom teacher at Eastside Elementary School in Sun Prairie.

MEGAN S. MARTIN ’97 of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an attorney with Domestic Violence Intervention Services of Tulsa.

MELISSA MOSTELLER ’97 of Loveland, Ohio, is the program director at Marielders Retirement Center in Loveland.

BRIAN ZOROMSKI ’97 of Rothschild, Wisconsin, is a special education teacher in the D.C. Everest School District in Weston.

Stephanie Fernhaber and Kristin Piotrowski

1998 Sarah Eng 1945 West Argyle Street. Apt. 1, Chicago, IL 60640 312-404-6732 / saraheng@gmail.com Leilani Kupo 575 Matmor Road, Apt. 76, Woodland, CA 95776 419-308-8574 / deli_by_the_pond@yahoo.com Dear Class of 1998, Greetings from your Class Agents! Summer is winding down and Ripon College has welcomed 218 students to class of 2019! It seems like only yesterday that we were getting ready to head to campus for the first time, meet new friends, and embark on new chapters in our lives.

There has been some big news for campus. Keeping up in the great Ripon tradition, we were ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” list for 2016.

Campus received a significant grant to support student learning and academic success. For those of you who attended Alumni Weekend, a big THANK YOU! It was a great success! And as always, our faculty members continue to do phenomenal work. We are fortunate to have them to add to the legacy of academic excellence.

You can read more about these updates in the Ripon News and Academic Department Update section.

Some of our class members have news to share: D.J. CURRAN ’98 of Madison, Wisconsin, is a product manager at PDS.

JONATHON LEATHERBURY ’98 of Richfield, Wisconsin, is the global head of human resources at AON Corporation in Milwaukee.

MEGAN MACKEY ’98 of Portland, Oregon, is a policy associate with Ecotrust in Portland.

SHANNON MCKINNEY-FREEMAN ’98 and her husband, Kevin, of Memphis, Tennessee, welcomed their fourth child, Sean Michael Freeman, to the world on September 18, 2014. He joins big sisters Mary and Lilly and big brother Jack to the Freeman clan.

ADAM VANDE SLUNT ’98 of Waupun, Wisconsin, became a general partner with Edward Jones in January 2015.

We will continue to reach out to ask for updates through email and Facebook. Be on the lookout for the next call.

Wishing you all a great end of summer. Before we know it, 2016 will be here! Time flies by so quickly!

Warmly, Sarah Eng and Leilani Kupo

1997-2000

1999 Mike Berens 6472 Wexford Ave SW, Port Orchard, WA 98367 617-512-5753 / mikeberens2@hotmail.com

CHRISTINE GUY WINGET ’99 of Gainesville, Florida, recently started a new job as the assistant director of housing for human resources at the University of Florida. In April 2015, Christine and her husband finalized adoption of their son, Landon!

Trista Moffat-Larco 1523 Remington Road, Neenah, WI 54946 920-257-4800 / tlmoffat@yahoo.com

ADAM ZAKOS ’99 of Henderson, Nevada, was

Class of 1999, We hope this letter finds you all well as fall brings cooler temperatures, football season, kids back in school, and campus restored to the lively place it is when classes are in session. The class letters you will receive from your Class Agents in the future will look like this one. This format is a departure from the format used in past years. Future letters will not contain news about the College. The letters will comprise a message from your Class Agents and updates about our classmates.

Michael Berens and Trista Moffat Larco

When you receive the letter, you will be provided with updates about Ripon College, but the individual class letters will be mostly limited to the information you provide to Trista and me for the fall and spring letters. The College polled class agents and others a number of months ago to get a feel for whether this change would be a welcome one. The overall feedback was presumably supportive of the change since the staff has opted to give the new format a try. Trista and I are excited for the new format and we hope you find the change one for the better.

Many of you likely received the email I sent to you all on September 10, 2015, requesting any updates.

A few of you responded. To those that did respond, thank you very much. To those who did not, we very much encourage you to share any information you can when we call for updates in the spring. In this day of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and everything in between, we understand a contribution to the class letter may not be the most expeditious means of sharing information about yourselves. That said, please help Trista and me make the class letter more meaningful by providing us with content.

We hope you enjoy this letter and the new format. For those of you in a position to do so, please consider a contribution to the Annual Fund or the Health and Wellness Campaign aimed at revitalizing the gym and related areas. Contribution to either or both will go a long way to keeping Ripon College on the map as a top-notch place to earn a degree.

Class Notes Dr. ALEX ARIFIANTO ’99 is now a research fellow with the Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, in Singapore. His ongoing research projects in this position include local-level political leadership and political Islam in Indonesia.

ERIN FRANK ’99 of Las Vegas, Nevada, became Erin Warner when she married her husband, Marc, in 2013. Erin and Marc had a baby girl in February 2015, and they named her Nev Nicole Warner. They are expecting a boy in March 2016! Erin is currently in her 16th year of teaching, and she is currently teaching physical education and health for Clark County School District.

ERIKA HOULBERG GUYER ’99 of Farmington, New York, is a premium auditor with AIG Insurance.

AJAY SHAMDASANI ’99 is a senior journalist with the Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence trade wire service in Hong Kong. His beat includes money laundering, fraud, corruption, cybercrime, data privacy and Islamic finance.

named athletic director and varsity boys basketball coach at Valley High School.

2000 Andre Miksha 11956 Hazelton Drive, Noblesville, Indiana 46060-9101 andre.miksha@gmail.com Dear Class of 2000, Our 15th reunion at Alumni Weekend 2015 was a fantastic success. Several of us traveled from out-ofstate to meet up with Wisconsinites and spend a great couple of days back in Ripon. The campus and the weather at the time could not have been more perfect (minus the mosquitos, though). The lush green lawns, colorful sunsets, and light breeze made for a perfect opportunity to reminisce about our years in Ripon.

One of the greatest realizations was that, although we might have all thought ourselves so very different back then, we shared in a common, significant experience that brought us together.

This letter’s classmate news comes from outside Wisconsin, as well.

PATRICK CASEY ’00 has started his own law firm, Knutson + Casey, in Mankato, Minnesota.

LINSEY CROWNINSHIELD ’00 just celebrated her one-year wedding anniversary with Quinn Ryan.

Linsey is the assistant director of the Civic Education Project at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

DMITRI SMIRENSKI ’00 and MARINA ANTIPOVA SMIRENSKI ’00 are living in Burlington, Kentucky, with their four daughters.

Dmitri is a pilot for Delta Airlines, assigned to Boeing 717 aircraft based out of Atlanta. Marina homeschools their children, teaches excellence in writing to middle-school children and music appreciation to grade-school children in their local home-school co-op.

JESSICA JORDAN PETERSEN ’00 teaches AP Chemistry at Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana.

In what proved to be a Red Hawks mini-reunion,

STACY ERICKSON ’00 married Jason Pesetski in Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 6, 2015. Her friend, the Rev. KATIE VOIGT ’00, officiated the wedding.

SARA ERICKSON BAKER ’00 served as the matron of honor. ALEX BAKER ’02, BECKY PROVENCHER CRIOLLO ’01, CARRIE MITCHELL VOLP ’01 and Ripon English Professor Ann Pleiss Morris all attended as well. Professor Pleiss Morris is Stacy’s longtime friend from graduate school at the University of Iowa. Stacy, herself, is an associate professor of English and associate dean of academic affairs at Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana. Stacy also facilitates Shakespeare groups at Pendleton Correctional Facility (Pendleton, Indiana) and at the Allen Co. Juvenile Center (Fort Wayne, Indiana).

Seems like Ripon is taking over the Hoosier State!

Please keep the news rolling in — either directly to

Fall 2015 53

CLASSLetters the school (alumni@ripon.edu) or to me via email or via this website: goo.gl/forms/e0I7GRL8zm. Take care until next time!

Red Hawks forever, Andre Miksha

2001 Nicole Baumann-Blackmore 7535 Lockwood Lane, Verona, WI 53593 608-829-2501 / Baumannn10@hotmail.com

Other big news for the Class of 2001 is that our 15year reunion is just around the corner! We are hoping for an excellent turnout! Some preparations already are under way but we are looking for volunteers to help with planning. If you are interested, please contact NICOLE BAUMANN-BLACKMORE ’01 (baumannn10@hotmail.com), DANTE HOUSTON ’01 (houstondante@hotmail.com) or KELLY HANSON ’11, Ripon College assistant director of Constituent Engagement & Career Services (hansonk@ripon.edu). Your engagement is vital to the success (and fun!) of our reunion.

Dante Houston 8551 North Servite Drive, #215, Milwaukee, WI 53223 414-378-4937 / houstondante@hotmail.com

Nicole Baumann-Blackmore & Dante A. C. Houston

Hello Class of 2001! You will notice that Class Agent letters look a bit different — the letters are all together in a book that also contains College news and other important information. Our letters will be much more personalized to our class, so receiving updates from you is important! Here are the updates we have recently received:

2002

NICOLE BAUMANN-BLACKMORE ’01 and DEREK BLACKMORE ’01 of Verona, Wisconsin,

Dear Class of 2002,

are expecting their third child any day now. This little one will join big brother, Ben, 6, and big sister, Alice, 3. Nicole continues to work as a pediatric hospitalist and as the pediatric division chief at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Derek continues as the manager of product support and maintenance at WTS Paradigm in Middleton, Wisconsin.

BROCK BAUER ’02 is a director/manager with

TOM KOLPIEN ’01 of Beloit, Wisconsin, has been appointed as Rock County Family Court Commissioner in June and started in August, serving in a judicial capacity and handling divorce, paternity, child support, post judgment and domestic abuse restraining order proceedings.

​

Leigh Mlodzik MlodzikL@Ripon.edu Corryn Siegel Greenwood Corryn.Siegel@gmail.com

We hope you enjoy the new class letter format. Here is the latest news from our classmates. We would love to hear from more of you in the future!

Randstad Technologies US in Milwaukee.

KATHERINE BROPHY ’02 is currently in school at Madison Area Technical College and will graduate this December with an A.A.S. in computer systems administration. Katherine is engaged to her partner, Marybeth Wilk, and the couple will be married in Madison next June.

AMANDA MCDONALD GIERACH ’02 completed her Ph.D. in Spanish literature from UW-Madison and is currently teaching at UW-Platteville.

VICKY NYTES ’01 of Hot Springs, Montana, continues to teach grades 7-12 but also added the position of adjunct professor, teaching American history this fall at Flathead Valley Community College.

Morgan Elise on July 14.

REBECCA PROVENCHER CRIOLLO ’01 of

​NICHOLAS KAHLER ’02 of Neenah, Wisconsin, is

Chicago, Illinois, writes, “I married Sergio Criollo in 2012. I had a daughter, Katia, on May 12, 2014.

After 10 years of teaching in a Chicago public school, I’m taking some time off to be home with Katia and working part time teaching university classes for preservice teachers and supervising student teachers.”

LISA SMITH SARNOWSKI ’01 of Bay View, Wisconsin, lives with her husband, David, and son, Desmond. Desmond recently began K3 and will be a big brother soon as Lisa is expecting the arrival of their second child in February.

ALICE ZOSEL SZYMIK ’01 of Park Falls, Wisconsin, had a baby girl, Abigayle, on April 27, 2015. She joins her big brother, Isaac, 11, and big sister, Maya, 8. Alice is also a full-time teacher, teaching third-grade reading and science for grades 3 through 8.

MICHELLE MIRR THOMAS ’01 of Saint Paul, Minnesota, writes, “We live in St. Paul where Chris Thomas ’01 works as an accountant, and I work part time as a parenting educator and birth doula for incarcerated women. We are having lots of fun with our three kids, Sophia, 8, Helena, 6, and Solomon, 3.

When I’m not working, I am home with the kids and enjoy homeschooling and going on lots of adventures.

When Chris isn’t working, he loves playing with the kids, doing projects around the house, being outdoors and pursuing artistic endeavors.”

54

Thanks to everyone who shared an update!

Connections

​ TEPHANIE JENNIGES HYLLBERG ’02 and S BUDDY HYLLBERG ’04 welcomed daughter

a retail manager with AT&T.

ANNMARIE IBIS KREITZER ’02 is now the senior manager of talent acquisition for Kohl’s Corporate which includes all corporate locations in Wisconsin, New York City and California. She and her husband, Greg, along with daughters, Elsa and Greta, are joyfully awaiting the arrival of baby number 3 in early January.

MAGGIE LEE ’01, an honorary member of ’02 is currently living in London working in management consulting.

JESSICA ROSEN LIVELY ’02 welcomed her third baby, Brandon Solomon Lively, on May 15, 2015. He joins older brothers David and Nicholas. Her family recently relocated to San Diego, as Jessica’s husband is in the Navy and was transferred.

ZACHARY MORRIS ’02 spoke on campus in two alumni master chats April 10. He is completing his radiation oncology residency program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

KELLY BOLLIG MUNDTH ’02 graduated with her master’s in business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May 2015.

2000-04 MATTHEW J. NIELSEN ’02 leads the governmental and regulatory affairs team at Risk Management Solutions Inc. in Newark, California. He lives in Sacramento with his husband, James.

​TIFFANY SNEDEN ’02 started a new job at Safety Harbor Middle School in Safety Harbor, Florida. She is teaching sixth-grade world cultures and eighthgrade U.S. history.

Please keep in touch! Drop us a note on Facebook or email us at 2002reunion@gmail.com.

at Marquette University and exhibit researcher for the Jewish Museum Milwaukee. This summer, she was interviewed on WUWM’s Lake Effect program about the work she did for museum’s current exhibit, “Chasing Dreams: Baseball and Becoming American.”

MIKE MAXWELL ’03 of Chicago, Illinois, debuted a one-man show during the Chicago Fringe Festival in September. The Anti-Boss takes the excitement and hope of starting a new job and throws it out the window with abrupt honest and candidness that never could exist in corporate America.

Sincerely, Leigh Mlodzik and Corryn Siegel Greenwood

ELAYNE MONNENS NORWEB ’03 welcomed a

2003

MICHAEL SUMNICHT ’03 of Green Bay,

Liz Matelski lizmatelski@gmail.com Elayne Monnens Norweb elayne.norweb@gmail.com Happy Fall, Class of 2003!

It’s that time of year again: when the leaves start to change color on the trees here in Wisconsin, freshmen students arrive on campus, and you receive your semiannual update on what’s been going on at Ripon and in the lives of your fellow classmates! Be sure to check out all the exciting things Ripon faculty and students have been up to in the news section.

Class of 2003 Updates Check out our Facebook group, “Ripon College Class of 2003,” to reconnect with old friends and get the most up-to-date news!

CHERITH TREU BROWN ’03 of De Forest, Wisconsin, who teaches math and theatre courses at Wisconsin Heights Middle School and High School, was recognized as outstanding Wisconsin teacher of mathematics at the spring meeting of the Wisconsin Mathematical Association of America, hosted at Ripon College by the Department of Math and Computer Science.

BRIE TERRELL HADFIELD ’03 writes, “I married Jay Hadfield in 2009 and we had a daughter, Maya, a year ago. We live in St. Louis and I work as a PA in orthopaedic trauma at one of the hospitals here. I love it.”

ANGELA ANTONIEWICZ HALVERSON ’03 of Jersey City, New Jersey, is an assistant prosecutor with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

RYAN JORN ’03 and JESSICA STOCKTON JORN ’03 joyfully welcomed their fourth child, Annaliese, in May. Ryan continues to teach in the chemistry department at Villanova University. Jessica continues to stay home with Annaliese, Madelyn, 6, Malachi, 4½, and Nathaniel, 2, and is enjoying homeschooling.

LILY BERMAN LOPEZ ’03 of Chicago, Illinois, got married on June 6 and started a new job at Latham and Watkins this spring.

AMANDA LUTTENBERGER RIESENBERG ’03 writes, “I started working at Aurora BayCare Sports Medicine this past April as an exercise specialist. Joey is in fourth grade, and Brooke is in second. Sean and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary this past summer. I completed another marathon, and Brooke completed her first 5k. Joey made the tournament baseball team and is gearing up for another Fantasy Football League with his friends.”

ELIZABETH MATELSKI ’03 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a lecturer in the English Department

baby girl, Ophelia Holden Norweb, March 2. Big sister Penelope is enjoying teaching her all she has learned the last 2 years.

Wisconsin, is the regional sales manager for Anderson Trucking Service.

JOE VICARI ’03 and SARAH PEERENBOOM VICARI ’03 are relocating from Illinois to Wind Lake, Wisconsin, in October 2015. Joe will be working out of the Milwaukee field office, and Sarah will continue working as a physician assistant but now at Ascend Dermatology. They have three boys: Dean, age 4, and fraternal twin boys, Leo and Bennett, 22 months.

Our list of classmate updates seems to be getting smaller. We have a very outdated email list that we would love to update. Please contact Elayne at enorweb@gmail.com or via text at 917-509-4826 with your current email address.

Liz Matelski and Elayne Norweb

​2004 Nick Spaeth nick.spaeth@gmail.com / 2004classletter@gmail.com Greetings Class of ’04, Whoever said the only two certainties in life were death and taxes must have forgotten about change.

Perhaps not as finite as death, but surely as frequent as taxes, change is an inescapable part of our lives.

That change is a constant for us all is hopefully not a good or bad thing. It just is…

To that end, you’ll notice this update is in quite a different format. Personally, I’m excited to be able to learn about those classes before and after us that we made connections with. In order to best provide you with updates about your fellow 2004 graduates, you can now send updates to 2004classletter@gmail.com.

Look for a Facebook page in the near future as well.

And here’s your semiannual proof that change is unavoidable, and in this case seemingly all good!

ADAM FIELD ’04 of Portage, Wisconsin, writes, “Started a new job as legislative policy adviser for State Senator Steve Nass in January 2015. Also in my third term as an elected county board supervisor in Columbia County.”

BETH HUNTER ’04 of West Bend, Wisconsin, is a clinical research technician at Spaulding Clinical Research.

MICHAEL JACOBS ’04 of De Pere, Wisconsin, is a business analyst with Guardian Life Insurance Co. in Appleton.

ELIZABETH WILLIAMS KOEHLER ’04 of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is a mathematics teacher at Chanhassen High School. She received her MA in

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CLASSLetters educational technology from Concordia University–St. Paul in June.

2005

LINDSEY GORSKE MICHELS ’04 of Ripon,

Amanda Zahn Przybyl W2743 Cherry Lane, Green Lake, WI 54941 920-299-1081 / PrzybylA@ripon.edu

Wisconsin, writes, “On May 19, 2014, my husband, Joe, and I welcomed our first child, Keegan Daniel Michels. In the fall of 2014, I took a new position within the police department as the school resource officer.”

SARAH RECK NICHOLS ’04 and husband, Tyler, (and big sister Elodie!) had their second daughter, Annaliese Nichols, on March 18, 2015.

JILL SUNDERLAND POHLMEIER ’04 of Columbus, Wisconsin, writes, “I am currently the office manager for an American Family Insurance Agency in Madison. In October 2014, I married Jaemeson Pohlmeier of Winthrop, Minnesota, in our beautiful backyard.”

PAULA RICHARDSON TOMPKINS ’04 and Ben Tompkins of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, welcomed their second child on Aug. 22, 2015. Lucy Sue Tompkins joins big sister, Alice, who is 3. Paula still teaches kindergarten and first grade for the Wautoma Area School District.

JACQUELINE ADAMS RIVERA ’04 of Dyer, Indiana, writes, “My husband, Sam, and I moved to northwest Indiana. I am still working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We have three daughters: Liliana (2010), Natalie (2012) and Violet (2014).”

NICK SPAETH ’04 of Monmouth, Illinois, is the associate vice president for admission at Monmouth College.

PAUL STINSON ’04 currently is living in Neenah, Wisconsin, and working in the Appleton Area School District IT department as a technology trainer. He and his wife, Heather, welcomed their second child, Sebastian, to the family on Aug. 16, 2015.

CHRIS THODE ’04 of Schenectady, New York, writes, “The boys are doing very well and super healthy. They are 20 lbs each now, blond-haired, blue-eyed, babbling. Thankfully, nobody is crawling just yet.”

MICHAEL TIMM ’04 writes, “I’m proud to share the Kickstarter campaign to create ‘Mussel Madness,’ the cooperative board game that engages the next generation about the Great Lakes. The campaign runs through Nov. 11 at https://www.kickstarter.com/ projects/190128939/mussel-madness-in-the-greatlakes. Supporting the Kickstarter is the way to reserve your copy of the game. Mussel Madness would make a nifty holiday gift, but I’ve also created a companion curriculum so that teachers can use the game in the classroom. If you love the Great Lakes, this is one way to share the love.”

NATHAN VANDEN HEUVEL ’04 of Saint Charles, Illinois, is a senior manager with US Bank.

BECKY WASSMAN ’04 writes, “In July, I got engaged to Matthew Lerch. We are getting married in Florida in January 2016. We live in Chicago. I’m starting a new job at a new company on Sept. 28. I will be a senior consultant at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in their group purchasing organization.

Office is located in downtown Chicago.”

KARI WHEATON ’04 of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is employed as a teacher at Atlas Preparatory Academy in Milwaukee.

Warm regards, Nick

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Daphne Meyers Leigh 7026 West Rogers Street, West Allis, WI 53219 414-841-7210 / Daphne05@hotmail.com Greetings Ripon College Class of 2005!

Alumni Weekend was a BLAST!!! I only wish more classmates had been there. There is so much free food, beverages, entertainment — you would have to work to not have fun! I encourage everyone to put the last weekend in June 2020 on their calendars to come back “home” for our 15th reunion. And if you’re in the area during the last weekend in June, stop by — all alumni are welcome every year; I’m generally around to be a familiar face. I’ve even been known to give personalized tours if requested. I didn’t hear from very many of you in the class notes request, so I do hope all is well with all of you. And hopefully in this new format, you can see how fun it is to read about other RC grads that you may have known in the year(s) ahead of or behind us. Remember, they would enjoy hearing about your life, too, so please send in a note as to what’s up with you when we ask.

My update is simple. I’ve worked, a lot. Ripon College had many changes over the summer to rooms being redone, new furniture, WiFi in all residence halls and a new One Card system across campus. I am in charge of the installation and the running of the new One Card system, which encompasses Food Service, door access, laundry, vending, Bookstore integration, printing and eventually (hopefully) downtown businesses. Needless to say, it’s been a large undertaking; I’m grateful for the sense of community at RC, which has people from other departments giving me lots of help and support. What a great reinforcement of what I (as I hope you did) experienced here: that there is always a helping hand when you need it! Brings back good memories for me of sitting in a professor’s office saying “help — I don’t understand … ” and getting the help I needed.

On a personal front, I’m pregnant with our second child. We’re having another little boy at the end of December, or at least that’s when the doctor predicts we’ll have him. I’m convinced that “my” little man will come on Jan. 2 when I want him to come to avoid all the holidays. We’ll see who wins the battle of wills.

On to classmate news!

STEFANIE KLINE ’05: “I am still nannying and going on my ninth year! I nanny for four little girls ages 9, 5, 4 and 1 month — they keep me busy! I am moving to Holmen, which is still in the La Crosse area but excited for a change! I travel a lot since I have free time and vacation time. This year, I plan to go to Greece and on an Alaska cruise along with other shorter trips! I am the Viterbo University MBA Alumni Board President this year and enjoy networking and social activities with the group. I graduated with my MBA in 2009 and have been active on the board ever since! I also am a member of Rotary After Hours where I serve as programs/social chair and foundation (fund-raising) chair. I try to keep busy and enjoy my life after Ripon!”

PAUL LARSON ’05: “New House!!! New Kid!!! New Life!!! We closed on a house in Abingdon, Maryland, and will be moved in by the time this gets shared.

Tanner Nicole Larson was born last May to the delight of older brother, Parker, now 2. Paul is an economics professor and has taken on a slew of committee work this year. SARAH MCGILL LARSON ’05 teaches at Elkton High School.”

2004-06 TATENDA MAKWENBERE ’05 of Anna, Texas, successfully defended her dissertation at Seton Hall University and has earned her Ed.S. in marriage and family therapy.

ERIC NEE ’05 of Pardeeville, Wisconsin, has completed his second year as the athletic and activities director at Sun Prairie High School in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Nicole, a claims manager at Sedgwick, have two children, Tenley, 4, and Tucker, 1.

RACHEL SIDENBENDER NELSON ’05 of Kennan, Wisconsin, writes “I’m a stay-at-home mom with two boys, ages 5 and 7. I supplement their education in the evenings with lots of reading and questions. We love it.”

PAUL M. NEUBERGER ’05 of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, a financial associate with Thrivent Financial, recently linked up with Milwaukee Bucks general manager John Hammond and former Green Bay Packer Gilbert Brown. They met at a fundraising event Neuberger hosted for the Gilbert Brown Foundation at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee.

SARAH BREWSTER REILLY ’05: “We bought our first house and moved to Peshtigo this summer where my husband took a new job teaching middle school and high school science. I’m a stay-at-home mom for our baby boy who just turned 1.”

NATALIE SCHNICK ’05 and ROB PERKINS ’07 of Milton, Wisconsin, were married in August 2013.

GWEN SEFRHANS ’05 of Aledo, Illinois, writes, “I married Brian Murphy on May 2, 2015, in Rock Island.”

NOAH WISHAU ’05:“I live in Racine, Wisconsin, with my wife and 2½-year-old daughter. We are expecting our second child in December. I recently left the Racine County District Attorney’s Office after seven years to start Wishau Law Office in Racine. So far, things are going well.”

Everyone else — please, please, please send an email, text or call either me or DAPHNE MEYERS LEIGH ’05 and let us know how you’re doing and what you’ve been up to. I’d also love to get an updated address or email address from you so Ripon can get you all the important Ripon mailings (like this class letter!).

A few more thoughts from me: It’s past time to reconnect to RC. Send in a class note, send in an address update, give us your current email address, follow RC on social media, email your favorite professor to say, “Hey, I remember all you did for me,” get in touch with a classmate you had Sunday night dinner with EVERY Sunday that you’ve lost touch with, and, of course, visit campus! Let me know when you’ll be here and we’ll hook up — there’s always a friendly face waiting for you here. And finally, my pitch for a donation to the Annual Fund. I don’t say this because I have to but because I believe that it is vital that our alumni give back. I know that my favorite professor’s paycheck is dependent on gifts from alumni, that I can turn on the lights in my office every day because of gifts from alumni, that an underprivileged student can afford to come here because of gifts from alumni and because I know that this place helped shaped the person I am today. How can you not give back when Ripon affected the person you are today? So, go online or write a check and give what you can.

All the best!

Amanda Zahn Przybyl

2006 Nicole Klaas Hands 1409 Grace View Place, Fayetteville, NC 28305 414-514-9231 / nicole.klaas@gmail.com Ed Hansen 901 Riggins Road, Apt 321, Tallahassee, FL 32308 920-279-8906 / hellowilbur@gmail.com Andrew P. Kitslaar 4514 Midmoor Road, Monona, WI 53716 608-469-7784 / andrew.p.kitslaar@gmail.com Ten years. Gulp. Sure, 10 years feels like ages ago when you realize 2006 is the same year in which Justin Timberlake took “Sexy Back,” Steve Irwin (“The Crocodile Hunter”) passed, Miley Cyrus was introduced to the world as Hannah Montana, and Brett Favre (who was still a Packer) became the second quarterback in NFL history to reach 400 touchdown passes.

Alumni Weekend is one way to keep that “yesterday” feeling alive. If you’ve been back for one since graduation, you probably don’t need much more than this reminder to mark your 2016 calendars now — you know what an exceptional weekend it will be. And if you haven’t yet had the chance to return to campus for this annual tradition, make our 10th reunion the one. Please join us in putting a hold on your calendars for the weekend of June 23-26, 2016.

By now, it should come as no surprise that our reunion year is also an opportunity to more visibly demonstrate our ongoing support for the College. All donations made during this fiscal year (July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016) will count toward our reunion year gift, and this includes any usual gifts you already are making.

It seems impractical to set a goal of making a larger gift than our fellow reunion year classes, but it’d be awesome to see solid participation from the Class of 2006. Our class’ recent giving participating level has been around 18 percent. Let’s top that this year! We can get there in simple ways: Just make this the year for your first-ever gift to the College, continue any regular giving you already do, or up your ante a little by making one more gift than usual or upping your gift’s value.

One final note: As you can see, the format for these class letters has changed. You can learn more about this change in the note on the inside front cover.

And be sure to check out the separate sections with updates from the College.

ANNA DAVIDSON ’06 of Davis, California, received her Ph.D. in May 2014 from the department of plant sciences at the University of California Davis.

In October 2015, she will begin her Master of Fine Arts degree in art (studio) at UCD where she studies sculpture and the biological arts. She was accepted to artists’ residencies in Singapore for the summer of 2015 and will board an arctic glacial sailing vessel for an arctic expedition in the summer of 2016 to study art and science in the context of climate change.

EMMY GIOVANNI ’06 is now a real estate agent in Madison. So if you need an agent, hit her up! She is continuing with her previous full-time job as well.

COURTNEY MCNEAL ’06 of Kenosha, Wisconsin, writes, “In addition to working at the Kenosha Public Museum, I am now a weekend event coordinator at the Dekoven Center in Racine.”

CHRIS NAKIELSKI ’06 of Iowa City, Iowa, along with his wife, COLETTE UNGER NAKIELSKI ’08, moved to Iowa City where Chris is pursuing his doctoral degree in choral conducting from the University of Iowa.

Fall 2015 57

CLASSLetters REBECCA NOWAK ’06 of Omro, Wisconsin, writes, “My sister ALISON NOWAK ’06 and I were

ROB PERKINS ’07 and NATALIE SCHNICK ’05 of Milton, Wisconsin, were married in August 2013.

featured in our Sorority (AXO) National Magazine.

The magazine is called The Lyre, and we were asked to be featured in the magazine, which is published quarterly throughout the year. We did a nice shout out to Ripon College.”

WESTON RADFORD ’07 of Columbus, Ohio, is

AMANDA TAYLOR ’06 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, is employed as an assistant baker at European Bakery Cafe in Green Bay. Best Wishes, Nicole Klaas Hands, Ed Hansen and Andrew Kitslaar

2007 Adam Krueger 30 Littell Road Apt. 3, Brookline, MA 02446 krueger.adam@gmail.com Liz Leach Morrell 303 Linden Street Upper, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 lizleach.morrell@gmail.com Lindsey Kreye Heil 15229 Spring Brook Terrace, Savage, MN 55378 lkreye9509@gmail.com Stacy Krusa Teachout 510 Cochrane Street, Waupun, WI 53963 krusast@gmail.com

in his last year of residency in internal medicine at the Ohio State University Medical Center. Weston is looking forward to coming back to practice in the Fox Valley.

HILARY SMITH ’07 of Mishawaka, Indiana, married Michael Alexander Uyhelji. Attendants were

ERIN MAGUIRE ’08 and KARI JOAS ’07. Also in attendance were Professor Bob Wallace and his wife,

LAURIE WALLCE ’97.

MICHAEL TREDER ’07 of Belleville, Wisconsin, is a software engineer at EPIC Systems Corporation in Madison.

HEATHER WITTIG ’07 of Redgranite, Wisconsin, is an administrator with the Waushara County Sheriff’s Department in Wautoma.

ALAYNE ZABEL ’07 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is an employee assistance program counselor with Agnesian Healthcare.

As always, please continue to share updates with the College. We love hearing about your accomplishments and sharing them with others! Lastly, if you are financially able, please consider giving to our alma mater so that other students may enjoy their college experience at Ripon College.

Until next time, Lindsey, Adam, Liz and Stacy

Hi Friends, Can you believe that another group of students just recently entered through the gates of Ripon College?

It seems like just the other day, we were those shy, but curious freshmen going through orientation.

Before we know it, we’ll be celebrating our 10-year reunion! If anyone has any suggestions or ideas for our upcoming reunion in 2017, please let any one of us know. Check out the cool news attached regarding current RC students, Ripon’s “Tier 1 National Liberal Arts School Ranking,” academic and faculty updates, and the lowdown on our fellow peers.

AARON BARTELL ’07 of Lansing, Michigan, is an associate attorney at Schaeffer Law Offices in Marshall.

LINDSEY KREYE HEIL ’07 of Savage, Minnesota, has had an exciting year! In May, she completed a teaching licensure program at Concordia University, St. Paul, and received a K-12 Learning Disabilities endorsement. In June, she married Christopher Heil in a beautiful wedding where STACY KRUSA TEACHOUT ’07 stood up as matron of honor. In August, she began teaching at Chanhassen High School as a cross-categorical special education teacher. It has been a wonderful year!

AARON R. KAMMER ’07 and MICHEL BUSH KAMMER ’07 of Waltham, Massachusetts, relocated to Boston to follow Aaron’s career in the biotech industry. Michel is now an optometrist at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston.

JOHN MCCULLOUGH ’07 of Chicago, Illinois, is an auditor for Redwood Logistics.

STEVEN MILLER ’07 of Indianapolis, Indiana, earned his Ph.D. and is now working as a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for American Thought at IUPUI.

BRENDA NEMETZ ’07 of Sussex, Wisconsin, is now the exhibit curator and collections manager at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts in Cedarburg.

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2008 Leah Hover-Preiss 1002 North Bowman Road, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 608-432-2399 / leahhover@yahoo.com Zac Schwandt 8730 South Country Dr., Apt. 101, Oak Creek, WI 53154 920-291-5685 / SchwandtZ@gmail.com Stephanie Sommer Faulds 4931 Big Valley Road, De Père, WI 54115 608-630-3369 / Stephanie.Sommer@gmail.com Happy Fall, Ripon College Class of 2008!

Another summer has come to a close and we’re headed into the holiday season. This time of year is a personal favorite of mine as the sweaters and boots come out and my family starts to cozy up to the fireplace to eat warm chili while watching our favorite football team. Of course, there are many other things this time of year brings, including your fall class letter. This year, the College is trying something new by sending the class letters out in a book that contains the College news all together. As class agents, Leah, Zac and I are interested in hearing your feedback on the new format, so please share.

Every season, we reach out to you for updates to include in the class letter, but please do not feel like you need to wait until then to share your exiting news with us. We would love to hear about your life updates regularly, so keep in touch either via email, phone or social media!

Here is some recent news from our classmates: ALEXANDER CHIN ’08 of West Palm Beach, Florida, is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Florida and regional manager of Meier Clinics.

DAVID CZARNECKI ’08 and JORDAN ANDERSON ’08 of Waukesha, Wisconsin, report that David was promoted to business consultant at

2006-09 Northwestern Mutual in April 2015. Jordan started a new position as a research coordinator at the Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center in Greenfield, Wisconsin, in December 2014.

REBECCA DULEY ’08 of San Francisco, California, is an autism specialist with Gateway Learning Group in San Francisco.

STEPHANIE SOMMER FAULDS ’08 and BOB FAULDS ’07 of De Pere, Wisconsin, relocated to the Appleton/Green Bay area where Bob started the search and staffing division for Baker Tilly covering the Fox Valley and northeast Wisconsin territory. Stephanie is a supply chain planner for Schreiber foods and still runs her photography and graphic design business from home — www.BabbleheadsPhotography.com.

They enjoy spending their free time with their 2-yearold, Mick, as well as family and friends in the area.

KAREN HANDEL EDMONSON ’08 of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is now a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist in physical therapy.

MAGGIE HALL ’08 of Indianapolis, Indiana, is employed at the Indiana Repertory Theatre.

KEN LEIVISKA ’08 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, writes: “I just married the love of my life and fellow Ripon College alumnus, ELIZABETH KUNDE ’09, on Aug. 8, 2015, in Milwaukee. We live in Milwaukee together.”

ERIN RUTH MAGUIRE ’08 of Rocky Mount, Virginia, is living and working in the Roanoke, Virginia, area as a social worker for Friendship Health and Rehab facility. She completed her master’s of social work degree from Loyola University Chicago this May. JOHN R. MCGUIRE III ’08 and JORDAN LANDER MCGUIRE ’09 of Cape Vincent, New York, finished up John’s assignment in Fort Benning, Georgia, and relocated in June to Fort Drum, New York, where John is a JAG attorney for the 10th Mountain Division. Jordan is the director of marketing for Medix, a staffing company based out of Chicago.

DAN MURPHY ’08 of McFarland, Wisconsin, was married to Aimee LeMay in May 2014. In December 2014, Dan helped open a new branch location in Madison, Wisconsin, for Randstad Technologies, an IT Solutions and Recruiting company. Since the branch has opened, Dan has played a large part in in the office’s growth and was promoted from senior technical recruiter to account manager in August 2015. He and his wife, Aimee, will be moving into the house they are building in McFarland, Wisconsin, at the end of September.

COLETE UNGER NAKIELSKI ’08 of Iowa City, Iowa, along with her husband, CHRIS NAKIELSKI ’06, moved to Iowa City where Chris is attending the university and Colette is teaching preschool at Willowwind School.

TIFFANY PALM ’08 of Jefferson, Wisconsin, received her doctorate of pharmacy degree from Concordia University School of Pharmacy in May 2014. She is a pharmacist at The Drug Store, Mueller Drugs Inc., in Jefferson.

ALEX ROYZEN ’08 of Evanston, Illinois, recently was promoted to Supply Chain Development Manager at OpticsPlanet Inc., an internet retailer specializing in outdoors, hunting and military gear.

KYLE UNGER ’08 of Savannah, Georgia, writes, “Over the past two years, I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, as a U.S. Army Captain. I deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months flying airplanes for the

U.S. Army. I then was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for six months to complete the Military Intelligence Captains Career Course (MICCC). I now am stationed in Savannah, Georgia. Recently, I became engaged to MELINDA MCNETT ’09.”

ASHLEY WILLMAN ’08 of Appleton, Wisconsin, is planning a Nov. 7 wedding to Jesse Janssen in Appleton.

Of course, we have many more classmates than those listed, so I strongly encourage you to reach out to Leah, Zac or I with any updates you have. It doesn’t have to be big news, it’s just a good way for us to stay in touch.

Following our letter, you’ll find College news and specific news from each academic department. A few highlights for you to look for are the Class of 2019 stats (can you believe, we’ll be celebrating our 10-year reunion before these students graduate … ? OK … I won’t go there) and the beautifully written memoriam for the late, legendary Gordie Gillespie.

Until next time, please continue to stay in touch and share your feedback with LEAH HOVER-PRIESS ’08, ZAC SCHWANDT ’08 and I. Stay safe and keep representing Ripon!

Sincerely, Leah, Zac and Stephanie

2009 Emily A. Meyer emilyannmeyer@gmail.com Angela Olivas Peña mihita.aco@gmail.com Hello friends!

We hope that you are well! The class letter is being presented differently this year, and with the new format, you are able to read about what friends on other class years have been up to lately. The College news and academic department news is still here, just in its own section further on in the book. If you have an update, please share it with us or the College (alumni@ripon.edu) so that we can include it in the next letter. We would love to hear from you!

This past summer, my husband, STEPHEN KENNELLY ’98, and I traveled to Rome with other alumni as part of the In Focus program lead by President Zach Messitte And Dr. Diane Mockridge.

We had the opportunity to meet with alumni from other generations and tour many of the historic sites, including the Papal Gardens! We would highly encourage anyone who is interested to pursue this adventure if it is offered again in the future.

Stephen and I are also excited to share that we have a future Red Hawk on the way, who should be here in early November (maybe by the time you’re reading this letter)!

Below are some more updates from our classmates.

Again, if you’d like your update printed in the next letter, please e-mail your news to alumni@ripon.edu with your name and class year.

RYAN AVERY ’09 and RACHAEL THIEL ’09 of Ripon, Wisconsin, were married June 21, 2014. Ryan is the catering coordinator and a kitchen supervisor for Christiano’s in Green Lake. He also has gotten a real estate license. Rachael is a senior therapist with Fox Valley Autism Treatment Program, an in-home behavioral program for children with ASD.

Fall 2015 59

CLASSLetters THEODORE “TED” BARTELS ’09 of North Platte, Nebraska, is a conservation tech with the Nebraska Game and Park Commission.

MATTHEW BIWER ’09 and KORINE VIERTHALER ’09 of Goleta, California, were married Aug. 30, 2014, after eight years together, having met as sophomores at Ripon.

GRANT ERICKSON ’09 of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is now a managing partner at Brooks, Kase & Erickson, a law practice in Sturgeon Bay. WILL GILLIS ’09 of Shawano, Wisconsin, received his doctor of pharmacy degree in 2013 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the lead clinical pharmacist at Theda Care in the Shawano area.

MARIAH GRIFFIN ’09 and ZACK LYON ’10 of River Falls, Wisconsin, were married Sept. 22, 2012.

Zach works with tractor dealers for TISCO (Tractor Implement Supply Company) in Oakdale, Minnesota.

Mariah is a bra specialist for Victoria’s Secret in Woodbury, Minnesota.

SHAWN KARSTEN ’09 and CARISSA ZUERCHER KARSTEN ’10 of Ripon, Wisconsin, were married Aug. 14, 2015.

BRITTANY KAUFMAN ’09 of Springfield, Missouri, married Jeremy Pratt on May 24, 2015.

She received her doctor of psychology degree in June 2015 and has a clinical psychology residency lined up in Springfield.

CHRISTINA SKODACHEK KORN ’09 of Peru, Illinois, writes, “I married Ryan Korn on May 30, 2015. It was a rainy but beautiful day. ALYSSA WRIGHT WOODS ’09 and AMANDA KNUTSON ’09 were my matron and maid of honor.”

JORDAN LANDER MCGUIRE ’09 and JOHN R. MCGUIRE III ’08 of Columbus, Georgia, write: “John and Jordan are finishing up John’s assignment in Fort Benning, Georgia, and will relocate in June to Fort Drum, New York, where John will be a JAG attorney for the 10th Mountain Division. Jordan is the director of marketing for Medix, a staffing company based out of Chicago.”

DUSTIN ZUELKE ’09 of New York, New York, is working on his Ph.D. in biology at the City University of New York.

I once again had fun attending Alumni Weekend events this past summer, and hope to see some of you at our next reunion in the summer of 2019 (10 years!).

In the meantime, please consider a gift to Ripon College, and we hope to see you all again soon!

Emily

2010 Ross Heintzkill ross.heintzkill@gmail.com Meagan Kochel meagankochel@gmail.com Leeanna Shultz shultz.annabanana@gmail.com Paul Williams pgwilliams5433@gmail.com Dear Classmates, I was sitting in the Seattle airport trying to think of what to write this letter about when I struck upon the

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idea of asking strangers for life advice. Wouldn’t that be cool: a collection of random musings on purpose, choices, regrets and desires? I decided to do it and I tried to get the attention of the man sitting next to me, but he was absorbed in his tablet and didn’t seem to hear me address him. Suddenly, I was self-conscious.

Maybe this was a stupid idea. Maybe he didn’t hear me, or maybe he was ignoring me. Maybe asking for life advice is invasive ...

I chickened out and went to catch my flight.

On the way (and since then, however), I have regretted my decision not to engage with people as I had planned. I live across the country from my family and many of my closest friends, so I fly home several times a year. What I have noticed over time is that I seem to be seeing fewer interactions between people on flights. This could simply be my interpretation of things, or perhaps I have simply been next to people who don’t want to engage. Nevertheless, I can’t help but notice that this has been in conjunction with the advent of tablets and the increase in availability and complexity of mobile electronic devices.

I understand that we can’t blame all of society’s ills on technology. However, one of my friends brought up a good question a while back: is technology changing our interactions, or is the technology simply allowing us to escape things that the majority of people are uncomfortable with?

Fifty years ago, tablets and smartphones didn’t exist.

Even though developing conversation skills can be an immensely awkward process, it behooved you to do it because it allowed you to actually discharge naturally uncomfortable situations (such as sitting next to a stranger for four hours). Electronic devices have a different effect. While they give you an excuse not to interact with the person next to you, they still do not discharge the natural tension — they just distract you from it.

I’m not here to condemn the use of smartphones or suggest that we should all go back to churning butter by hand and sending telegraphs. My point is simply to point out that our relationships with other people in this world are the fabric of our existence. Each human we interact with on a daily basis has an inner landscape as complex, interesting and confusing as our own. Technology will never fill the void left by a need for human interaction. And while you may not want to chat with every person you meet on the subway, talking to a stranger every so often cannot only make for a more interesting day, but challenge your worldview.

JON BAILEY ’10 of Ripon, Wisconsin, is a sports reporter for the Ripon Commonwealth Press.

BROOKE BOGDANSKE ’10 of Ripon, Wisconsin, is an administrative assistant at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh.

KELSEY DONNER ’10 of Columbus, Wisconsin, is the lead teacher in the infant room at Rock-A-Bye ChildCare & Learning Center in Sun Prairie.

MELISSA FLADHAMMER ’10 of De Soto, Wisconsin, is an English teacher at De Soto High School.

JERRY “JAY” HARDACRE ’10 of Racine, Wisconsin, is a roving official/referee with the United States Tennis Association and is a tennis teaching professional with the USPTA.” CARISSA ZUERCHER KARSTEN ’10 and SHAWN KARSTEN ’09 of Ripon, Wisconsin, were married August 14, 2015.

2009-11 LINDSAY KUEHL LAMB ’10 of McFarland, Wisconsin, bought a new home and is expanding her photography company to full time.

JOANN DEIBELE ’11 is the sales director at ColoHouse Data Center. She will marry Alex Wagner in October 2015.

ZACK LYON ’10 and MARIAH GRIFFIN ’09 of

CARISSA TURK ERICKSON ’11 and her husband

River Falls, Wisconsin, were married September 22, 2012. Zach works with tractor dealers for TISCO (Tractor Implement Supply Company) in Oakdale, Minnesota. Mariah is a bra specialist for Victoria’s Secret in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Grant Erickson ’09 became homeowners last year.

Carissa is still working at a child development center in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and also has become a distributor for a health and wellness company.

SAMANTHA MILLER SCHMITZ ’10 of Montello, Wisconsin, is a special education teacher in the Adams-Friendship School District.

MALLORY HECKMAN SCOTT ’10 of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, married Ryan Scott in May 2014. She is an account executive at McClone.

BETHANY PATTEN WRIGHT ’10 of Wausau, Wisconsin, is a certified occupational therapy assistant at Rennes Health and Rehab Center.

Stay awesome, class of 2010 — and stay tuned for a spring letter on life advice from complete strangers.

Meagan M. Kochel

2011 April Agamaite Pingel agamaitea@gmail.com Rusty Schultz WRussellSchultz@gmail.com Leslie Sullivan lesliesullivan15@yahoo.com Can you believe it? In a little less than a year we will be celebrating our fifth-year reunion on campus. The same campus grounds we once walked as prospective students, first-years, seniors and all the years in between. Ripon is most certainly our home away from home. Hopefully, we will all get the opportunity to be on campus in just a few short months and reminisce about some of those wonderful times together.

Over the past few months, some of our classmates have had exciting changes, from job promotions to engagements to buying new houses, marrying the loves of their lives and starting families. Please make sure you take a look at a few of the class updates below and remember to send in your news (to one of us or to alumni@ripon.edu) for the next edition!

ERIN BAVERY ’11 is living in Stoughton, Wisconsin, with Matt Thies ’11. They adopted a dog named Lorelei last October. Erin will be heading back to the Oregon School District soon to start her fourth year as a paraprofessional at the middle school. She also is attending a master’s program at UW-Whitewater in special education.

ANNA ALVIN ’11 recently moved to Woodridge, Illinois, where she is working as a senior recruiter for Staffing Network. She also works as a part-time assistant volleyball coach at North Central College and coaches a 15U Club volleyball team with Lions Juniors.

KELLY BIALLAS ’11 is currently working as a nurse’s aide at Almost Home Kids, a respite facility for children with complicated medical needs. She is also set to graduate from College of DuPage’s nursing program in December 2015.

MATT BULL ’11 is the clinical nurse leader for the medical unit at VA Fort Harrison. He is involved in setting up education for staff, observing unit processes, researching best practices and taking care of patients.

ALEXANDRIA FLADHAMMER ’11 is nearing the completion of her Ph.D. in school psychology. She is currently completing a one-year internship with Munroe-Meyer Institute and is located in Hastings, Nebraska. She is splitting her time between working as a therapist integrated into a primary clinic and working in the local schools.

CASANDRA FRANZ ’11 married JACOB ZUMMALLEN ’12, June 5, 2015. Jacob graduated with his master’s in sports management from Cardinal Stritch in December 2014. Jacob is the store manager at the Brewer’s Team Store at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Casandra graduated with her MD from Medical College of Wisconsin in May 2015 and will be completing a residency in pediatrics at Medical College of Wisconsin.

AMANDA HASSEN ’11 is working as a pharmacy technician at Target.

LARRY HONAKER ’11 writes, “After receiving my master’s of science in chemical physics from Kent State University in December 2014, I will be receiving a grant from the Luxembourg National Research Foundation to work on my doctorate in physics at the University of Luxembourg beginning in the fall of 2015.”

ALLIE JENSEN ’11 was promoted at Aveda and is now a salon development partner for the Minneapolis area. She recently became engaged to Tyler Walters.

They have set a date for September 2016.

TAIMA KERN ’11 was rehired by Gannett Wisconsin Media in March 2015 as the community content specialist in charge of the Action Publications and all copy for special sections.

RACHEL KOENIG ’11 started her second year as a career adviser at Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. As a career adviser, she works on finding employment for at-risk youths.

JESS MARTZAHL ’11 started a new job as program supervisor and family therapist at Professional Services Group in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She also married her wife, Susie.

MISSY MEIERHOFER ’11 is currently working full time as a research specialist at the University of Chicago in the Biological Sciences Division.

HANNAH MILLER ’11 graduated from medical school in May 2015. She is now doing her residency at KUMC specializing in plastic surgery.

NICHOLAS OSENBERG ’11 is entering his third year as a design and technical theatre teacher at Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts. This year, he will be designing the lighting layout for 1940s Radio Hour, Annual Dance Concert, SchoolHouse Rock Live! the Musical, and The Addams Family. He also will do the scenic design for SchoolHouse Rock Live! the Musical.

NICHOLAS PARULSKI ’11 is currently teaching at St. Anthony High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He is going back to school this fall for his master’s degree in sports management/athletic administration.

ALLEN PAJANAUSKI ’11 is a coin room clerk at Associated Bank.

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CLASSLetters LAURA REULING ’11 received her master’s degree in forestry from the University of Minnesota in March 2014. She is a research scientist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

LIBBY RUSSO ’11 married Jerry Eckler ’13 on June 6, 2015 at Ripon College.

JORDAN SALZER ’11 is newly engaged to Brendan O’Brien ’11 as of July 3, 2015.

RUSTY SCHULTZ ’11 is the policy director to the majority leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly. He was a part of the team that helped deliver the largest Republican majority in the state assembly in more than half a century.

TYLER SCHULTZ ’11 is working as a service/ sales rep for the Cintas Corporation and is living in Appleton, Wisconsin.

MEGAN SOCKNESS ’11 is a youth services librarian at the Park Grove Library in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.

SAMUEL SONDALLE ’11 writes, “I am about to start my fifth year in the MD/PhD program at Yale.

In May 2015, I was awarded my M. Phil. degree in genetics.”

LESLIE SULLIVAN ’11 recently was promoted to executive territory recruiter and marketing adviser for HealthMarkets Insurance Agency in the Saint Louis, Missouri, office.

ALEXANDER TOMSHECK ’11 is the assistant coach of the varsity girls basketball team at LaPorte High School’s Virtual Learning Academy as well as the assistant coach of the girls track team at LaPorte as well. He recently bought a house in LaPorte, Indiana.

TRACY WALDINGER ’11 graduated from UWMadison Law School in May 2014. She admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar in June 2014. Tracy then began working in June 2014 as a court commissioner, law clerk and tri-county foreclosure mediation program administrator for Oneida and Vilas counties.

PAUL WEBORG ’11 is the field director with the Eustace and Lagana Campaign for Assembly in legislative district 38, located in northern New Jersey.

ROBYN ZAJAC-ELSBECKER ’11 married CHASE ZAJAC-ELSBECKER ’11 in April 2015. They purchased their first home in August and are excited to begin home-owning life in Pulaski, Wisconsin.

Along with class news, make sure you catch up on other topics that are included in the publication.

Eighteen states and four countries are represented in the incoming class of 2019. Be sure to check out the news section for more details. Be sure to read the notes on the incoming class and find out where Ripon landed on the national college rankings lists.

Last but not least, considering this is our reunion year, I would like for you all to consider making a gift to the Annual Fund. Alumni were always donating during our attendance, and now it is our turn to do the same. Even a small donation goes a long way.

Make sure you keep an eye out for notifications in regard to the reunion. I look forward to seeing you all in June of 2016!

Leslie Sullivan

2012 Katlyn Lee Schumacher 1627 Spring Square Alley, Monroe, WI 53566 608-558-9073 / kate020812@gmail.com Erin Schaick 67 Croteau Court Apt. 2F, Manchester, NH 03104 603-513-9965 / Erin.Schaick@gmail.com Brandon Taylor 367 Santana Heights, Apt. 5030, San Jose, CA 95128 406-274-4708 / BrandonJTaylor2012@gmail.com Dear Class of 2012: Greetings from Ripon College! We hope that no matter how you are beginning your fall season that you are happy, healthy and caffeinated. There have been a lot of things happening in Ripon recently, including a very well-attended Alumni Weekend! Be sure to check out the College News section to read those details and mark your calendars for June 23-26, 2016! The Class of 2019 (what?!) also has just moved into the dorms and will be bringing the campus back to life.

We would like to thank everyone for sending us your life updates! Here is what we received:

JESSICA BRUNGARDT ’12 of Saint Paul, Minnesota, graduated from the Hamline University School of Law in May 2015 and moved back to Colorado. She now works at the El Paso County Attorney’s Office – Human Service Division while she awaits bar results.

JUSTIN GAWLIK ’12 and BRYANNE TUDOR GAWLIK ’12 of Columbia, Missouri, were married October 18, 2014. Justin received his master’s degree in athletic training from South Dakota State University in May 2014 and is currently an assistant athletic trainer for the University of Missouri football and swim and dive teams. Bryanne received her master’s degree in criminal justice from the American Military University, Charleston, West Virginia, in August 2014 and is now employed as a police officer with the University of Missouri police department.

STACEY HAMILTON ’12 of Carson City, Nevada, recently got engaged (wedding is tentatively scheduled for next May), was promoted to assistant director of admissions at Sierra Nevada College, and has adopted two dogs, Zena and Zeus.

KURTIS HARDY ’12 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has teamed up with Carlos J. Soto ’11 and created a progressive rock band named Vanilla Mocha Swirl.

STEPHANIE JENISCH ’12 of Bloomingdale, Illinois, will graduate in early December from Midwestern University with her master’s degree in occupational therapy. She will be looking for a pediatric occupational therapist position shortly after.

JARED JORGENSEN ’12 of Chicago, Illinois, is an operations associate with SMS – Assist in Chicago.

SPENCER LAMEKA ’12 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a case manager at the Milwaukee Center for Independence. He and AURORA POLLEI ’12 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recently became engaged.

DAVID MCFARLAND ’12 of Waukesha, Wisconsin, is a route sales and service representative with ITU Absorb Tech Inc. in New Berlin.

MEGAN MCGEE ’12 of DeKalb, Illinois, is in the process of buying a house in Harvard, Illinois. Megan is a law clerk transitioning to associate attorney at the Crosby Law Firm in Rockford, Illinois. Megan graduated cum laude from law school in May and

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2011-13 now is waiting for the results of the Illinois bar exam.

She has three dogs: Driver, Jordy and Reggie.

EMILY MOORE ’12 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, married Joshua Feicht, May 23, 2015, in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Also in May, she received her M.A. in classical and near Eastern studies with a concentration in Latin from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

SAM MUTSCHELKNAUS ’12 of Hartland, Wisconsin, has accepted a three-year term on the Ripon College Alumni Board. He is also finishing his master of divinity degree which will be completed in May.

ALAINA NESBITT ’12 of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, finished graduate school at UW-La Crosse and is starting a new job as a school psychologist for Monroe Middle School this fall.

ELISABETH PATTEN ’12 of Hemlock, Michigan, married Ryan Schulz on January 2, 2015. They are expecting their first child in December. Elisabeth is in her second year of teaching 4-K at Midland Christian School.

MIKE PEACOCK ’12 of Washington, D.C., recently co-wrote a book on Middle East security with Anthony Cordesman, The Arab-U.S. Strategic Partnership and the Changing Security Balance in the Gulf, which will be published soon. Mike also started working for a government contractor and will transition to a new job with the DOD by September.

TYLER PIERCE ’12 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, recently relocated to Buffalo, New York.

TONYA REETZ ’12 of Rochester, New York, has a relatively new job as the senior cost accountant at an archery company called The Outdoor Group.

CAROLINE ROTHROCK ’12 of Canton, Maine,

KATRINA SCHAULAND WATKINS ’12 of Hertford, North Carolina, is an agency relations supervisor at Food Bank of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

PAULINA MARKS WISE ’12 of Green Lake, Wisconsin, will be welcoming her second child this December with her husband, Paul Wise ’08.

JACOB ZUMMALLEN ’12 of Hartland, Wisconsin, married CASANDRA FRANZ ’11, June 5, 2015.

Jacob graduated with his master’s degree in sports management from Cardinal Stritch in December 2014.

Jacob is the store manager at the Brewer’s Team Store at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Casandra graduated with her MD from Medical College of Wisconsin in May 2015 and will be completing a residency in pediatrics at Medical College of Wisconsin.

Sadly, ANDREW KALDUNSKI ’12 of Edgar, Wisconsin, died April 3, 2015.

Once again, thank you to everyone who passed along their life and career updates! As always, feel free to send us your updates in between letters or contact Ripon’s alumni office at alumni@ripon.edu at any time. We hope you all enjoy staying connected with the College and up-to-date on your classmates’ lives and new adventures. We hope to see you on campus soon!

Best wishes from Ripon College, Katlyn, Erin and Brandon

2013 Travis Bitters bitters.travis@gmail.com

started a new job with CACI as a background investigator.

Charlotte E. S. Lee charlotteeslee@gmail.com

ERIN SCHAICK ’12 of Manchester, New Hampshire,

Lauren Ott lauren.a.ott.42@gmail.com

is the development and marketing assistant at CATCH Neighborhood Housing in Concord, New Hampshire.

LAURA SCHEMM ’12 of Appleton, Wisconsin,

Alexandra Peltier alipeltier13@gmail.com

was recognized for professional excellence by Ripon College at the Wisconsin Association of Colleges of Teacher Education meeting in Madison in April. Laura teaches kindergarten at Franklin Elementary School in Oshkosh and was recognized for excellence as an early career teacher.

Hello classmates,

KATLYN LEE SCHUMACHER ’12 of Monroe, Wisconsin, married Sam Schumacher, July 25, 2015.

Katlyn works for Colony Brands Inc. as an assistant merchandiser for the apparel catalogs.

I was a part of this business. This July, I left Ripon to take a position in the admission office at Hendrix College! At first, I was just plain excited. After six years, I was finally going to be in a town with more than a Kmart again!

AMY SONIER ’12 of Green Lake, Wisconsin, will start a new job this fall as a ninth- and tenth-grade special education teacher at Montello High School.

AMY SPRANGER ’12 of Madison, Wisconsin, moved back to her hometown of Racine and now is teaching German at Jerstad and Starbuck middle schools.

BRANDON TAYLOR ’12 of San Jose, California, is a technology consulting senior analyst for Accenture.

JOSIE ULLSPERGER ’12 of Iowa City, Iowa, is beginning work on her dissertation for the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Iowa.

She also is working as a practicum student in the child/adolescent psychiatry department at University of Iowa hospitals and clinics doing assessments and therapy with children.

I hope this finds you all happy and healthy! It seems like our class was very busy this summer: graduating, getting married and moving to new jobs and new homes!

A couple weeks in, though, I realize that I actually DO miss Ripon! And I miss it for some of the simplest reasons. I miss going to Sunday brunches in my sweats to eat nuggets and swap stories from the night before. I miss getting my morning coffee from Angel or Vicki. I miss Miller’s. And ladies nights at Benjamin’s. I miss walking around a campus where I knew almost everyone and all our funny customs!

It’s weird to be here at Hendrix, where I’m new and I know nothing about the school. I’m a freshman again, learning all the stories and traditions. Some of you have probably experienced this going back to graduate school, or is that different?

If you knew me my freshman year at Ripon, you’ll remember that I was endlessly teasing people for their Midwestern traditions and accents. If you had asked me then whether I would stay in Wisconsin after school I would have told you, “definitely not!”

Fall 2015 63

CLASSLetters Now that I’ve left, I find that I adapted more than I realized. People here make fun of me for my Wisconsin accent. I’m heartbroken that there isn’t a Culver’s in the state of Arkansas, and worse than that, we live in a dry county, so purchasing any kind of alcohol in the grocery store is impossible (I know, it’s a tragedy)! I keep catching myself cheering when I see people in Packers gear (and you know how much I care about football ...) and on the few occasions when I’ve met someone else from the Midwest, I’ve been so excited I practically hugged them.

But what I miss more than the cheese curds and bratwurst is the people. It’s been hard adjusting to the idea that ALL of my friends now live more than a day’s worth of travel away from me.

And that’s where this letter comes in! It’s been fun catching up with people over the last month and hearing what’s been happening in your lives. I like to think that by sharing our news we are ensuring that when we do see each other again it will be easy to pick up where we left off. Speaking of catching up, for those of you who do still live close to Ripon, I’m coming back at the beginning of October for Homecoming/Family Weekend! I’m looking forward to finally being able to behave like real alumni, and relive the good ole days a little bit. I hope you’ll come and join me! In the meantime, enjoy these updates from our classmates and from the College!

KATIE JO STUMBRIS ’13 is a dental assistant at Aspen Dental in Waukesha. NICK WEISS ’13 and

KATE AMELL FEHRENBACH ’13 has begun a job as a receptionist/scheduler at Interim Healthcare. She and ANDY FEHRENBACH ’13 are moving to the Twin Cities area. Andy is going back to school to learn software development and design. He also found a nickel the other day. Heads up.

JENNA OSTROWSKI ’13 began graduate school at UW-Whitewater for school psychology in August and is roommates with HANNAH ANDERSON ’13 once again.

SHELBY DUKES ’13 moved to Washington, D.C. (Alexandria, Virginia) this summer and is working as a research technician at the University of Maryland, College Park, doing research in embryology in the animal and avian science department.

KYLE BOSQUEZ ’13 is working in Waupaca, Wisconsin, as a probation and parole agent for the state. He also coaches football and basketball at Weyauwega-Fremont High School and coaches a travelling baseball team for the Wisconsin Panthers in Appleton.

CASEY SIMONSON ’13 is pursuing licensure in secondary science education (chemistry and life science). Casey also is training for the Chicago marathon on October 11.

Katie Jo are getting married in June 2016 in Jamaica!

Nick s a physics teacher and a varsity defensive coach at Hamilton High School in Sussex.

LISA AGUILAR ’13 is in the third year of her

ZACH FLOETER ’13 is engaged to Brittany

SCOTT EVERSON ’13 is an IT contractor for Schneider in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

DeMinterand and will be married on New Year’s Eve of this year! Zach also has a Great Dane named Duke.

STEPHANIE WILL ’13 is now the school psychologist of the Wild Rose School District.

CHARLOTTE LEE ’13 is now an assistant director of admission at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.

She is not enjoying the 100-degree heat for days on end, but she can’t wait to have winters where it never gets below 20.

HANNAH BORDEAUX ’13 is now a clinical lab assistant for Thedacare.

JENA ROSCIZEWSKI ’13 graduated in May with a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago, and is now a psychotherapist at family service of Racine. She and KEVIN CLUKA ’13 also bought a house in Caledonia, Wisconsin, in June.

JERRY ECKLER ’13 and LIBBY RUSSO ’11 got married at Ripon this past June!

RYAN GAILS ’13 and KATHARINE SHADLE ’12 are now engaged and are getting married this

doctoral studies in the school of psychology at the University of Missouri.

HONEY ZAW ’13 is using her communication major by persuading people to train for the Chicago marathon with her and CASEY SIMONSEN ’13, and says, “Come cheer and witness my death in Chi town, guys!” Honey also is “making friends with homeless people in San Francisco” as a development associate at Community Housing Partnership. And she’s doing a little soul-searching in her free time.

LAUREN OTT ’13 is now the camp communication coordinator for the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities.

She has the unique pleasure of using her degree while exploring the world around and within the camping community she loves.

ZACHARY WIELAND ’13 will be doing the 9-11 Stair Climb at Lambeau Field on September 12. And is getting married in June!

KATIE MAJEROWSKI ’13 has been promoted to a permanent animal care specialist at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. She will be working with the marine mammals and training their three rescued dogs!

December!

NICOLE SCHMIDT ’13 graduated with a master’s

AMY NOWAK ’13 completed her master’s degree in

of science in nursing degree from Rush University in Chicago this year, and is officially moving back to Packers country just in time for football season!

modern history from King’s College in London this spring.

SHAUNA PICHETTE ’13 completed her master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has accepted a position as a mental health therapist for Youth Villages in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

JAKE GAHART ’13 just started his second year in the sports management master’s program at Wichita State University. He is also a graduate assistant for facility and event management for the athletics department.

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LINDSEY WHITE ’13 is in the final year of her master’s program and will be interning at Nova Counseling Services in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fall.

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VANCE LEKVIN ’13 got promoted to a market data analyst.

EMILY KIJEK ’13 is now working as an eighth-grade literacy teacher at the Cudahy Middle School.

BRIANA DRAEGER ’13 volunteered in the medical tent at the United States Paralympics Track and Field Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota, this summer!

MAYNA MUENCHOW ’13 left her job in Middleton to begin working as a chemist at Fresenius-Kabi, a

2013-14 leading generic pharmaceutical company, in Melrose Park, Illinois. She now lives in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

This fall, I will be starting a master’s program at Luther Rice University.”

DARCIE FIRST ’13 is celebrating her second anniversary working for U.S. Bank in their tax servicing department.

IRVING REYES ’13 is a technology specialist for Morgan Lewis & Bockious LLP.

MIKE FOLEY ’13 recently got married and moved to Austin, Texas, where he is working in healthcare IT.

KII KASTEN ’13 works at Kohler Credit Union as a member service representative in Sheboygan. Kii is also engaged and getting married in July of next year!

TOM ALBRECHT ’13 made the brave and courageous decision to purchase a couch this year. He and the couch are very happy together.

KEELIN MEESE ’13 is moving to Madison and is the puppy coordinator for Custom Canines Service Dog Academy.

WALESKA HERNANDEZ ’13 (but Mrs. Russ by the time this goes out!) is going back to school to get her teaching certification to teach Spanish at the high school level and any subject in grades 1-8.

ALEXANDRA MARTIN ’13 is in her third year of doctoral studies within the Global Family Health and Wellbeing program at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Ali will be going to live in Brazil in January for a year to study/research non-profit organizations there.

STEPHANIE RHYNER ’13 just completed her master’s degree in art history at UW-Milwaukee and is continuing to work at INOVA, a gallery on the east side of Milwaukee.

ROSS WEINERT ’13 is working at Peninsula Players Theatre (Door County, Wisconsin) as a production assistant through October and again next summer.

AMY BROWENDER ’13 just completed her second term of service as an AmeriCorps volunteer with College Possible, where she was recognized as “Corps Member of the Year”; subsequently, Mayor Betsy Hodges named June 26, 2015, “Amy Browender Day” in the city of Minneapolis. Amy also has accepted a full-time position at the organization and is now an external relations associate, working with individual donors, writing grants and leading on AmeriCorps recruitment (let her know if you know anyone!!).

MIKE ROBBINS ’13 got engaged this summer!

MEGHAN RAEBEL ’13 sat for candidacy for her master’s degree this spring and will be finishing up in December. She, too, is now the proud owner of a big-girl couch.

CHRIS HANNAH ’13 got married this past December!

BRIAN GONYA ’13 is the night property manager at Heidel House Resort and Spa.

TREVOR LYNN ’13 has begun work toward his master of arts in teaching degree at the University of Central Missouri. He is also a coach for the Warrensburg High School volleyball team.

AMANDA BODOH ’13 is a care worker with Options at Community Living in Madison, Wisconsin.

ANGEL OKSUITA ’13 is the enrollment and match specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County.

DREW PAXSON ’13 works in the community relations department with the Chicago Bulls.

CHARLES PEGORSCH ’13 writes, “I have been working at Main Street Marketplace and have recently traveled to Japan with Waupaca’s Sister City Program.

KATIE WILLIAMS ’13 is a fifth- grade teacher at Pineview Elementary School in Reedsburg.

CHRISTINA MOONEY ’13 is working for Takohl, a custom design, fine jewelry gallery. She translates the designer’s drawings into physical objects, moves products from shop to shop and communicates with clients about time and costs. It’s a busy job but one that she finds very rewarding!

Until next time, Charlotte Lee

2014 Tim Holme 5408 Aster Court, Middleton, WI 53562 608-333-9526 / holmet77@gmail.com Mara Jensen 1012 North 27th Street, Apt. 204,Sheboygan, WI 53081 952-412-1420 / marajensen1992@gmail.com Naomi Jahn Skulan P.O. Box 95, Neosho, WI 53059 920-342-7288 / naomi@jahn.ru Hello everyone!

It is the fall season where everyone is looking forward to bright colors on the trees, pumpkin spice lattes, and of course ... CLASS LETTERS! With the new season comes many new changes, both in the lives of our classmates and for Ripon College! We even have a new format for the class letters! Be sure to stay up-todate on the happenings at Ripon, but don’t forget to keep us updated about yourself. These letters are one of the many ways that we can stay “More.Together.” even though we find ourselves in all different stages of life. If you don’t see your most recent accomplishment or life event listed, please let one of us know (or send it to alumni@ripon.edu), and we will make sure it is included in the next letter.

ALLY BRETL ’14 is currently finishing her final year of graduate school for her master’s degree in social work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She also is currently interning at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, working with active duty and veteran personnel. She continues to work part time at a treatment center helping individuals with the disease of addiction.

CARLIE KLOEHN CARDINAL ’14 married JIM CARDINAL ’08, August 15, 2015. She is beginning her second year of teaching fifth grade at Hoover Elementary in Neenah, Wisconsin.

NATHAN DAVIDSON ’14 is attending Northern Illinois University College of Law.

KATIE DIECK ’14 is working at Networkers Funding in West Bend, Wisconsin.

KATIE DREW ’14 moved to Ames, Iowa, with her fiancé, Brian Schumacher ’15, and is working for The Straub Corporation, a promotions company.

KIRBIANNE DUNLAVY ’14 began her first year of teaching middle school physical education within the Waupaca (Wisconsin) School District. She’s also in her second season as the head varsity volleyball coach at New London High School.

Michael Enright ’14 received a fellowship from the Clean Energy Institute at the University of

Fall 2015 65

CLASSLetters Washington, where he is a graduate student in the chemistry program.

MORGAN POWELL ’14 recently became engaged to LANDON SMITH ’14.

AMANDA FINN ’14 attended the National Critics Institute as one of 14 journalist fellows in June. She recently was hired as an arts/theatre freelancer for The Isthmus, is in her second year of writing for BroadwayWorld.com, and is nearing her one-year anniversary with Footlights Magazine.

MAX ROY ’14 is in his second year of the MPH program at the Medical College of Wisconsin. It also is his second year at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington County as unit director. His son, Xavier, is almost 2 years old, and he will be getting married June 4, 2016.

THOMAS FISH ’14 is working as a credit analyst at River Cities Bank in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

TYLER RUTKOWSKI ’14 is working as a substitute teacher and competing in U.S. Masters swimming. At the Michigan Masters Swimming State Championship in April, he won six individual gold medals at the state meet: for the 400-yard individual medley, 200-yard individual medley, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard breast stroke, 200-yard breast stroke and 100-yard butterfly. He also was given the Michigan Masters Swimming State Championship “high point” award for scoring the most individual points in his age group.

TIM HOLME ’14 is working as a restoration crew technician with Applied Ecological Services in Middleton, Wisconsin.

CHELSEY JAWOROWICZ ’14 is doing a term of service through AmeriCorps with College Possible.

She is a junior coach at Milwaukee Collegiate Academy and St. Joan Antida High School, and she will be helping the students with resumés, learning about the different AmeriCorps colleges, and assisting them with ACT practice and preparation.

MARA JENSEN ’14 started working in the human resources department at Lakeland College in Plymouth, Wisconsin, as the manager of student employment. She moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and started classes for her master’s of arts in counseling degree this fall. She is engaged to SAM POULLETTE ’13 and will be married in the spring of 2016.

BENJAMIN JONES ’14 is moving to Florida to join a WWE developmental league.

SOPHIA KAOUNAS ’14 started a new position as a paralegal for the International Trade group of Morris Manning & Martin LLP in Washington, D.C.

MATTHEW SCHMIDT ’14 is employed in the warehouse technical unit at Moraine Park Technical School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

NAOMI JAHN SKULAN ’14 is in her final year of her master’s program in library and information science at UW-Madison, where she currently is working as a metadata assistant at the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center and as a cataloging assistant in Wisconsin government documents at the Wisconsin Historical Society.

AMANDA SPATCHEK ’14 has been working at

year of graduate school at the University of Iowa. She is getting her master’s degree in secondary science education. She will be student-teaching in the spring.

Bay Valley Foods in Green Bay for over a year in the accounts payable department. She started taking classes for her master’s in business at Lakeland College. She also got engaged to Adam Petermann and will be married September 23, 2016.

AMANDA MUELLER KORTH ’14 married Jacob

ASHLEY STORMS ’14 is employed by Title

Korth, June 6, 2015. She is currently working as a communications specialist for Shawano School District in Shawano, Wisconsin.

AUSTIN VAN TREECK ’14 is a workforce

SOPHIE KLINGENBERGER ’14 is in her second

AMANDA LAMAL ’14 is engaged to Wyatt and getting married June 10, 2016. She started working for Wisconsin Public Service as a call center representative.

ALYSSA MANN ’14 started a graduate program at UW-Milwaukee in social work with an emphasis in gerontology.

TYLER MESSERSCHMIDT ’14 is working at Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

DANIEL MIKESELL ’14 writes, “In June, I will begin teaching English in Changchun, China, with E.F. Changchun!”

ARIANA MYERS ’14 is entering her second year in Princeton University’s Ph.D. program in history.

KARL OSTERMAN ’14 is in his final year of graduate school for his master’s of science degree in athletic training at South Dakota State University. He also recently completed a summer athletic training internship with the San Diego Chargers.

ALLIE PASDERA ’14 is part of Ripon’s Post-Bac teacher certification program. She is working toward earning her teaching license in secondary French and communication with an ESL endorsement. Her ultimate goal is to teach high school French.

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ALLISON SCHMIDT ’14 will be starting a master’s program at Clemson University in the environmental toxicology department.

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Insurance Company. development assistant for the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation. He is a great resource for post-graduate career opportunities.

ELIZABETH WALSH ’14 won second place in the Alltech Young Scientist Award Competition, an international competition to encourage young scientists to communicate their research.

RACHEL WEDEWARD ’14 is in her last year of her master’s program in library and information science at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. She is working at Skokie Public Library as an adult services intern and Rebecca Crown Library as a reference assistant.

KARLYE WEHNER ’14 is in her second year of graduate school at the University of WisconsinOshkosh. She is in the professional counseling program with an emphasis in clinical mental health.

She also is working as a graduate assistant at UWOshkosh.

TSERING YANGCHEN ’14 moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is currently working for a public relations and advertising firm as a publicist.

RACHEL M. ZEMAN ’14 writes, “Starting the GEM program at RUSH University in January. Time to get my master’s in nursing.”

ADRIANA ZERIU ’14 is a bilingual administrative assistant at Select Milwaukee Inc.

2014-15 We wish everyone the best of luck with their current endeavors, and we can’t wait to hear what this next year has in store for everyone!

Sincerely, Tim Holme, Mara Jensen and Naomi Skulan

2015 Sam Kay kaysamantha9@gmail.com Kaylie Longley kaylielongley@gmail.com Logan Soich soichlogan@gmail.com Wow. You hold in your hands our first class letter.

This will be the first of many. We walked across that stage … in the gym … while it was raining ... four whole months ago (as of writing this). President Messitte shook each of our hands and left us to start a new chapter. Does this mean we’re adults now?

Possibly.

Some of us are working in our chosen fields, others are becoming teachers, some classmates are going back to school, and others are figuring out what to do with life after Ripon (okay, maybe we all are). Read on for all the details about our fellow alumni, professors, staff and life in general at Ripon College. But, before we begin, let’s introduce ourselves.

Hey, I’m SAM KAY ’15. I studied politics and government and philosophy while at Ripon. I represented you as the president of Student Senate, and I hope to continue to represent you all as Special Graduate Trustee for the next two years. I currently work for Twin Cities Public Television as a field manager and, like many of you, am continually looking for more new and exciting opportunities.

Hi, I’m KAYLIE LONGLEY ’15. I studied film, media and psychology while attending Ripon. I spent many nights in the Waitkus Lab of Lane Library, working on the yearbook and writing papers. I now sleep regularly, eat far too many tacos, and work in marketing. Shout-out to all the Advancement letter stuffers, miss you all, and thanks for the hard work!

Hi all. I’m LOGAN SOICH ’15 and I studied economics and mathematics. At Ripon, I enjoyed participating in Student Senate, attending the Center for Politics and the People events, and my involvement with Greek life. I am in the process of moving to Chicago and starting my career with an insurance company. I wish you all the best in your post-undergrad lives!

RAYMOND ALLEN ’15 of Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, will attend the Ph.D. program in developmental biology at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

CHELSEA GRAHN ANDREWS ’15 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, was married to Callon Andrews June 6, 2015. She will attend the Ph.D. program in psychology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

ALEXANDER BALDSCHUN ’15 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, will attend the MA program in history of Christianity at the University of Chicago.

BROOKE BEHNKE ’15 of Brillion, Wisconsin, will be student teaching kindergarten and third grade in the Appleton School District and Neenah Public Schools.

MITCHEL BEILFUSS ’15 of Pine River, Wisconsin, will attend the A.A.S. program in construction management technology at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton.

MORGAN BEISBIER ’15 of Campbellsport, Wisconsin, is employed as a zookeeper at Menominee Park Zoo in Oshkosh.

JORDAN BUHLE ’15 of Madison, Wisconsin, will attend the chemistry Ph.D. program at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

CATHERINE CARBAJAL ’15 of Racine, Wisconsin, will attend the JD program at DePaul University Law School in Chicago.

ANDREW CARBALLO ’15 of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, will attend the JD program at University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis.

GABRIELLE CHIN ’15 moved to Atco, New Jersey, and is a counselor at Archway Program/ Washington Towns. She works with children with severe emotional troubles. She also has perfected her chocolate chip cookie recipe.

SYDNEY CHURCH ’15 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is employed as a business intelligence developer at Johnsonville Sausage in Sheboygan.

ZACH CONNERS ’15 of Hollandale, Wisconsin, is the assistant pastry chef at The New Glarus Bakery.

He is currently looking for more opportunities in media.

KEITH CRAKER ’15 of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, is employed as an applicator/agronomist with United Cooperative in Reedsburg.

KYLE CRESS ’15 of Hammond, Wisconsin, is enrolled in the doctor of chiropractic (DC) program at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minnesota.

ELLE DAVIS ’15 of Fox Point, Wisconsin, was an assistant academic tutor at Milwaukee Tennis and Education Foundation, and her poem “Cash and Wine” will soon be published in the Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle.

RACHEL DETRIE ’15 of Greenfield, Wisconsin, is attending the Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at Central Michigan University in Mount. Pleasant. She also will be working there as a graduate assistant.

BRANDON DZUBA ’15 of West Lafayette, Indiana, is pursuing a Ph.D. at Purdue University. Currently, he is both a student and a teacher’s assistant.

EMELIA ERICKSON ’15 of Cincinnati, Ohio, is employed as an autism aide at Stepping Stones in Cincinnati.

CHRISTIAN ERTEL ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is working as a sales associate of the business consultant for the Milwaukee Bucks.

SERGE FEDOROWSKY ’15 of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, is employed as an outfitter with Crossways Camps in Shawano.

GAGE FERKEY ’15 of Nekoosa, Wisconsin, is employed by Lake Arrowhead Golf Course in Nekoosa.

EMILY FISCHER ’15 of Reedsville, Wisconsin, is working as an admissions counselor and as a head women’s volleyball coach.

GUANSHAN FIX ’15 of Waupun, Wisconsin, is employed as a software programmer at Accurate Controls Inc. in Ripon.

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CLASSLetters TEAGAN FORD ’15 of Mantorville, Minnesota, is an office representative at the State Farm office in Kasson, Minnesota.

ALI LAPIDUS ’15 of Glencoe, Illinois, works in research and development at AbbVie in North Chicago, Illinois.

WYLIE GAHART ’15 of Kenosha, Wisconsin, is

ARIEL LEE ’15 moved to Ripon, Wisconsin, and is

employed as a middle school liaison with Professional Services Group-Community Impact Program in Kenosha.

the marketing coordinator for Heidel House Resort & Spa.

DANIELLE GIESCHEN ’15 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is attending the Ph.D. program in school psychology at Illinois State University in Normal.

JOSHUA GIESE ’15 of De Pere, Wisconsin, is a 2LT in the U.S. Army, serving as a transportation officer/ platoon leader. He is stationed at Fort Drum, New York.

employed as a financial operation coordinator at CBRE in Minneapolis.

SKYLAR LIEBZEIT ’15 of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is employed as a manager at Bonanza Campground in Wisconsin Dells.

MARK LISOWSKI ’15 of Chicago, Illinois, spent his

is attending the MS program in forensic psychology at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

summer volunteering through AmeriCorps in Iowa helping to create trails and improve state parks. He plans to continue his service with AmeriCorps over the next 10 months.

ALEXANDRA HAEN ’15 of Schofield, Wisconsin, is employed as a statistical analyst intern at ConAgra Foods in Ripon.

KAYLIE LONGLEY ’15 of St. Francis, Wisconsin, is employed as a marketing associate at JB’s on 41 in Milwaukee. She also writes book reviews.

JEREMIAH HARGIS ’15 of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, is

NICOLE MALLI ’15 of Urbandale, Iowa, recently

employed as a software test engineer at Epic Systems Corporation in Verona, Wisconsin.

moved to Washington, D.C., to pursue an M.A. in anthropology with a focus on international development. She also works as a project manager for the Slave Wrecks Project, a group of maritime archaeologists who explore African slave wrecks.

This is funded by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

ANDERS GOODWIN ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,

JULIA HASHEIDER ’15 of Ripon, Wisconsin, is employed as a retail banking teller at First National Bank of Berlin.

LUCAS HENNINGSEN ’15 of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, was employed as a summer intern at Rice Lake Weighing Systems.

HANNAH HERZOG ’15 of Appleton, Wisconsin is working at the Child Learning Center as a full-time teacher focusing on helping infants progress through their early changes in life. Additionally, she has been coaching a swim team.

JORDAN HIBBARD ’15 of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, is employed as a service representative at BMO Harris Bank in Eagle River.

MARIYA HINOJOS ’15 of Jackson, Wisconsin, will attend the Ph.D. program in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

KATIE JO MCGEE ’15 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is employed as a project manager at Accurate Controls in Ripon.

CODY MESSERSCHMIDT ’15 of Weston, Wisconsin, is a project manager with Epic Systems Corporation in Madison.

KATRINA O’NEILL ’15 of Aniwa, Wisconsin, will be the assistant manager at a new store that will be opening in November in Minocqua, Wisconsin.

KRISTINA OGLESBY ’15 of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, is student-teaching English/language arts to seventhgraders at Jefferson Middle School.

Illinois, is employed as a recruiter with Aerotek Inc. in Appleton, Wisconsin.

CASSIE OLSON ’15 of Grayslake, Illinois, is attending the Ph.D. program in physical therapy at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Health Science in North Chicago.

SAMANTHA KAY ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,

RICHARD NOGAL ’15 of Palos Park, Illinois, is an

HAYDEN HOERDEMANN ’15 of Bloomington,

recently moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to gain experience in fund raising by working as a field manager for Twin Cities Public Television.

SAMANTHA KLEIN ’15 of Baraboo, Wisconsin, is employed at Crossways Camping Ministries in Waupaca. She says, “It involves starting and running a garden and composting initiatives, mentoring and training summer staff, and coordinating day camps.”

ANDREW KLINE ’15 of Berlin, Wisconsin, is employed as a sales associate with SpringCM in Chicago.

HOLLY KORTEMEIER ’15 of Whitewater,

attendant at the Indianapolis Zoo.

ALEXANDRA PATZA ’15 of Ripon, Wisconsin, is a student teacher and married Ben Paulson ’15.

BEN PAULSON ’15 of Ripon, Wisconsin, is employed at Vines and Rushes Winery in Ripon.

KORRINE PETERSON ’15 of Burlington, Wisconsin, is employed as a distribution floor worker at Wisconsin Vision Associates and will be studentteaching in English in the Burlington area.

SAMANTHA PETROSKI ’15 of Green Bay,

Wisconsin, is entering the master’s program in school counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Wisconsin, will attend the doctor of osteopathic Medicine (DO) at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida.

CHRISTIAN KRUEGER ’15 of Kalamazoo,

JACOB PICHETTE ’15 of Marinette, Wisconsin,

Michigan, is pursuing her master’s degree in medieval studies at Western Michigan University. She also has a graduate internship at the Medieval Institute Publications.

MADDIE POULLETTE ’15 of Plymouth, Wisconsin,

LEIGHANNE LACY ’15 of Geneva, Illinois, is employed as a specimen processor at Northwestern Medicine in Winfield, Illinois.

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VINNIS LEE ’15 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is

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started Pichette Group LLC. recently moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to study anthropology at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. She also works for the graduate office doing recruitment and marketing.

2015 MEG RAY ’15 of Wales, Wisconsin, is working at Heidi Joy Photography.

DAVID ROCKWELL ’15 of Rockford, Illinois, is the founder and CEO of Rapping Up Conflict Inc. He uses hip-hop and the spoken word as a tool to teach youths about conflict resolution and the consequences of violence in society.

KATIE RODENKIRCH ’15 of Shorewood, Wisconsin, is working as a behavior specialist at Genesee Lake Services in Oconomowoc.

ANTHONY TAUSIG ’15 of Concord, California, moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, and is currently working for Disney as a support analyst.

ALISON THIEL ’15 of Ripon, Wisconsin, is the project manager for the Green Lake Association.

ALEXANDER THILLMAN ’15 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, will attend St. Thomas University School of Law in Minneapolis.

CORY ROEBER ’15 of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, is

STEPHEN UMHOEFER ’15 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, is entering AmeriCorps and will be serving with Boys Hope Girls Hope.

employed as a financial adviser assistant with Merrill Lynch in Madison.

KAMELLE VAN DER LEEST ’15 of Abbotsford,

BRISTOLE RYFF ’15 of Orland Park, Illinois, works as a paraprofessional at a therapeutic day school for children with autism, Krejci Academy, Naperville, Illinois.

CLARENCE SANON ’15 of Chicago, Illinois, recently moved to Colorado to attend Colorado State University for communication studies. He also will be teaching public speaking.

LAURA SAVALL ’15 of Ridgeland, Wisconsin, will attend Vermont Law School in South Royalton.

DEREK SAXON ’15 and KAITLYN LUECK ’15 of St. Paul, Minnesota, were married June 19, 2015.

Derek will attend the Ph.D. program in chemistry at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis

KARENA SCHROEDER ’15 of Clintonville, Wisconsin, recently moved to Mankato, Minnesota, to pursue a management position with Sam’s Club.

BRIAN SCHUMACHER ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recently moved to Ames, Iowa, to pursue a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Iowa State University.

He is both a student and a teaching assistant.

Wisconsin, has a temporary job working at the front desk at Custer State Park in Custer, South Dakota.

VIRIDIANA VEGA ’15 of Avalon, California, is attending the University of Denver’s master’s program in counseling psychology.

CASEY VERCAUTEREN ’15 of Chicago, Illinois, is working as an investment analyst at Aon. KEVIN WHITENEIR JR. ’15 of Chicago, Illinois, is attending the master’s program in art history at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He also is employed there as a teaching assistant.

JASON WINKELMANN ’15 of Lake Zurich, Illinois, will attend the naturopathic medicine (N.D.) program at National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois.

ANTHONY ZAYIA ’15 of Three Lakes, Wisconsin, will be student teaching in health and physical education at Waupun High School and at Murray Park Elementary in Ripon.

Wisconsin, will attend the master’s program in library science at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

So, life goes on after we’re done. It has to. But it wouldn’t be the same without the help of its numerous supporters — alumni, faculty, staff, family, friends … the list goes on. And now it’s our turn to help Ripon continue to prosper and transform.

Consider supporting the Annual Fund.

LAURA SHIVELY ’15 of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, is

Sam Kay, Kaylie Longley and Logan Soich

KARLYN SCHUMACHER ’15 of River Falls,

coaching a swim and dive team at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. She also is working for US Bank and is planning to attend graduate school for library sciences.

ELI SILVA ’15 of Catalina Island, California, is working in the Catalina Island Medical Center as the activities coordinator for the residents at the hospital.

JENELLE SIMON ’15 of Hubertus, Wisconsin, is a marketing director for Habitat for Humanity with AmeriCorps in West Bend, Wisconsin.

NATE SIUDAK ’15 of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, is working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, doing sales for American Signal.

LOGAN SOICH ’15 of Franklin, Wisconsin, is an actuarial analyst at CNA Insurance in Chicago.

KATHRYN SOWINSKI ’15 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is attending the University of WisconsinMilwaukee for library information science with an emphasis on archival studies. Additionally, she has been working at Kohl’s for the last three years and was just named employee of the month.

ZACHARY SPACIEL ’15 of Franklin, Wisconsin, will attend law school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

EMILY STACKER ’15 of Neenah, Wisconsin, is a special projects facilitator with Partnership Community Health Center in Appleton.

Share your photos with us.

Send pictures from your vacations, alumni gatherings, chance Ripon encounters, even historic images from your college scrapbooks to instagram@ripon.edu.

Fall 2015 69

CampusSnapshots

HOMECOMING and Family Weekend

Head Football Coach RON

ERNST.

SAM MUTSCHELKNAUS ’12 proudly displays his “We R One” tattoo at the Homecoming and Family Weekend picnic.

JOURNEY COX ’18 is all smiles.

DAVID SAKRISON, community member and former business management instructor, provides a stylish ride for Rally..

BRANDON MUMM ’05 and daughter, Allison, 2, at Homecoming.

The Red Hawks defense forces a fumble by the Illinois College quarterback.

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NAY HTET ’17 and ALANA GREEN ’18 were voted Homecoming Royalty.

Dance team member MOLLY

CARLSON ’18.

Offensive lineman CHRIS

WEAVER ’16

Classmates JOHN FUCHS ’53 and RON BAILEY ’53 were back on campus for Homecoming.

Associate Professor of History

REBECCA MATZKE, recipient Toby, who belongs to Pep Band member VERONICA DELISLE ’17, provides additional entertainment by dancing to the music.

of the Red Hawks Faculty/Staff Spirit Award.

ERIN CANON ’17 poses for a photo with her parents, Pam and Del Canon.

Memebrs of Alpha Delta Pi at the game.

Fall 2015 71

CampusSnapshots

to campus with his daughter,

CHAD OLSON ’07 returned

Residence Hall Director M DIETICH hands a fresh apple to JON NOEL ’16 between classes in September. The student life staff handed out

Eliza, 1, for the alumni baseball

apples on the first day of fall last year and continued the new tradition this

game in September.

year with help from coaches to kick off homecoming week.

Greek Council hosted a car smash to raise money for Traded Treasures

ELIZABETH ERDMANN ’17 was crowned Miss Ripon College 2015.

Thrift Store and Community Food Pantry. Pictured are, from left, SAMI

KOSTERMAN ’16, STEPHANIE CARTWRIGHT ’17, LAUREN HINCE ’18, RAEANN BRIXIUS ’16, SHAUN SOVSKY ’17, DENNIS MANTY ’17 and JACOB SAHR ’16

Imagine To m o r r o w CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION Trustee and Chair of the Imagine Tomorrow Campaign Steering Committee DENA WILLMORE ’67 announces that $67,322,171 was raised during the five-year comprehensive campaign then embraces President ZACH MESSITTE. Great Hall and Harwood Memorial Union were lit up to celebrate the occassion.

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Connections

WILLIE PENTERMAN ’18 traded places with President ZACH MESSITTE, Sept. 30, as part of the second annual President for the Day competition. Penterman had the opportunity to act as the commander-in-chief, while Messitte attended his classes. “I hope he took good notes,” said Penterman. “I have three tests this Friday.”.

JESSE RYE ’02, above, and SCOTT STRAZZANTE ’86, below, each returned to campus this fall to participate in Alumni Master Chats

Colorful new banners

sponsored by the Office of Constituent Engagement and Career Services.

highlighting the current Life Well

Rye is co-executive director of food systems enterprise at Farm Fresh

Lived® brand adorn the light

Rhode Island, an organization that helps farmers market their organic

poles along Hughes Walk, Linley

foods directly. Strazzante is an award-winning photojournalist with the

Lane and other areas of campus.

San Francisco Chronicle. Strazzante also presented an exhibit of work from his book Common Ground.

Autumn’s paint brush once again brought a splendor of fall colors across campus.

For more photos of campus and College events, visit ripon.edu and follow Ripon College on facebook, instagram and flickr.

Fall 2015 73

RiponNews

College News Welcoming the Class of 2019 Among the 218 first-year students at Ripon College are valedictorians and salutatorians, national merit finalists and semifinalists, National Honor Society members and officers, All-State Scholars, Boys and Girls State participants, Eagle Scouts, club presidents, yearbook and newspaper editors, all-conference athletes, lead actors, team captains, first chairs, state champions, and local and global volunteers. Class of 2019 members reflect a wonderful mix of backgrounds, interests and experiences, and hail from 18 states spanning the country from California to New York, as well as four other countries. Many of our newest students are from Wisconsin, but there also are multiple students from Illinois, Minnesota, California, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa and Texas.

Additionally, there are 31 Legacies, whose brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers or grandparents attended Ripon.​

Ripon Ranked in National Publications Ripon is a tier 1 national liberal arts school (ranked 116th) in the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” list for 2016. Ripon also made the publication’s “Great Schools, Great Prices” list at number 34. The Princeton Review’s “The Best 380 Colleges” included Ripon in its listing for 2016. Ripon also made the top 20 lists for “town-gown relations are great” (ranked 14th) and “professors get high marks” (ranked 17th), and was listed on the “2016 Best Colleges: Region by Region” list for the Midwest. In Washington Monthly’s “2015 College Rankings” list, Ripon ranked 17th among liberal arts colleges in the Midwest based on the economic value students receive per dollar. The College moved up 34 places to 65th among national liberal arts colleges, focusing on contributions to the public good.

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Connections

Ripon Receives Five-Year $1.2 Million Grant for Student Support Services A new five-year Student Support Services grant has been awarded to the Student Support Services program at Ripon College by the U.S. Department of Education, TRIO division.

The goals of Student Support Services program are to increase the retention and graduation of first-generation students, students who come from families with lower incomes relative to family size, and students with physical or learning disabilities.

At Ripon, services include an extensive early tutoring program, Peer Contacts, information and classes on financial literacy, supplemental grant awards to Pell-eligible students, graduate school information, guidance about academic success strategies, an early Bridge program to assist students with the transition to college, facilitation and creation of internships, educationalcultural trips, and the McNair Scholars graduate school preparation program.

Alumni Weekend a Huge Success Nearly 700 alumni and guests of all ages were on campus June 25-28 for Alumni Weekend 2015, traveling from near and far, representing 33 states and Morocco. 159 golfers participated in the 7th Annual Red Hawks Golf Scramble, raising more than $20,000 in support of the athletic department. Lectures with Professors Brian Smith, religion, and Skip Wittler, biology, were well-attended and gave those with a thirst for more knowledge a bit of a taste once again. Eight alumni were honored for their achievements in athletics and community service and career.

This year’s reunion classes gave a combined total of $683,709 to Ripon College. The Class of 1965 earned two awards (highest reunion event attendance with 40 percent and highest reunion gift participation with 72 percent). The Class of 1970 earned two awards (largest reunion class gift with $220,816 and largest five-year class gift with $767,427); and the Class of 1975 won the award for

most members who have added Ripon College to their estate plans since the last reunion with five new Partners in the Legacy. Remember to mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend 2016, June 23-26. It is sure to be another fantastic weekend at Ripon College.

From the Office of Constituent Engagement The Annual Fund goal for the 2016 fiscal year is once again an ambitious $2.2 million. Your gift helps to ensure that Ripon College will be here for years to come, continuing to provide the best liberal arts and sciences education to generations of future Ripon students. Your support helped us reach this goal last year, as well as surpass our initial and increased goals for the Imagine Tomorrow campaign. We are now in the process of raising funds to support the revitalization of the J.M. Storzer Athletic Center into a comprehensive health and wellness center that meets the needs of all our students. More information about the campaign can be found at ripon.edu/revitalize.

Academic Department News Economics Assistant Professor Anne-Christine Barthel joined the economics department this fall. Prior to joining Ripon, she was a visiting assistant professor in economics and business at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mannheim, Germany, and an M.A. and Ph.D from University of Kansas. Her fields of specialization include microeconomic theory, game theory, industrial organization, environmental economics, and econometrics.

Philosophy Assistant Professor Josh Filler presented a paper, “Dispositions, Human Nature, and Evolutionary Biology,” at the summer meeting of the International Society for the History, Philosophy and

Social Studies of Biology. In June, Professor Paul Jeffries attended a weeklong summer faculty institute, “Teaching Peace in the 21st Century,” held by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. In July, he presented a paper, “After Capitalism: Toward Practices for Environmental Sustainability,” to the ninth annual conference of the International Society of MacIntyrean Enquiry held at St. Louis University.

Physics Red Hawks Rocketry, Ripon’s team competing in the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium’s Collegiate High Powered Rocketry Competition in the spring of 2015, won first place in the non-engineering division. Even more impressive, their points would have been enough to give them second place in the Engineering division had they chosen that division instead, beating out engineering teams from Madison and Platteville engineering schools, among others. The team was composed of second-, third- and fourth-year students. Professor Sarah Desotell returned this fall after a two-year leave of absence.

Politics and Government Adjunct Professor Steve Sorenson reported that six students placed in their first choice law school this past year. He hopes to create an alumni group for law school students and recent graduates.

Associate Professor Lamont Colucci has published opinion pieces on foreign affairs, national security and international relations in the National Review, Washington Times and U.S. News & World Report. He received the Significant Sig Award from the national Sigma Chi fraternity. As interim director of the Center for Politics and the People, he hosted a number of speakers last spring, including Austrian Trade Commissioner Heinz Seitinger, Newt Gingrich, PBS commentator Mark Shields, Judge James Daley, and UWMadison history professor Dr. Stan Payne.

Psychology Professor Tim Petersik ’73 retired at the end of the last academic year after 34 years of service.

Jason Cowell has joined the department for the academic year as a visiting assistant professor.

Associate Professor Kristine Kovack-Lesh received one of the May Bumby Severy Awards for excellence in teaching in April.

Professor Joe Hatcher and Rachel Detrie ’15 have a chapter, “Peace Studies in Jamaica: A TwoWeek Psychologically-Relevant Service Learning Opportunity,” in the forthcoming book, Internationalizing the Undergraduate Psychology Curriculum, which will be published by American Psychological Association Books.

Religion Rabbi David Brusin offered a course on the Arab-Israeli conflict last spring and moderated a well-attended panel discussion featuring four points of view on the conflict in March. Assistant Professor David William Scott taught a course last spring on world Christianity and its evolving traditions and practices.

He is revising his dissertation into a book, Mission as Globalization: Methodists in Turn-of-the-20thCentury Southeast Asia, which will be published by Lexington Books next year. Professor Brian Smith and three students delivered paper presentations at the Midwest American Academy of Religion at Ohio Northern University in April. This summer, he again offered an online lecture series on world religions to alumni, with the final class held during Alumni Weekend.

Sociology Associate Professor Jackie Clark had an opinion piece about the confederate flag published in the Wisconsin State Journal in July.

Assistant Professor Marc Eaton has an article in the upcoming volume of the journal, Sociology of Religion, titled “ ‘Give Us a Sign of Your Presence’: Paranormal Investigation as a Spiritual Practice,” based on three years of research into paranormal investigation, more commonly known as “ghost hunting.”

He argues that participation in paranormal investigation functions similarly to religious or spiritual practices for many investigators, in that they are ultimately motivated by a desire to find evidence for life after death.

The department inducted its first members into Alpha Kappa Delta, a national honor society for sociology majors and minors of high academic achievement.

Theatre The theatre department will present two productions this fall: Private Eyes, by Stephen Dietz (Sept. 30-Oct. 3); and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, by Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows (Nov. 11-14). The spring productions include Holiday, by Philip Barry (March 2-5); and the annual One-Act Play Festival (April 14-16).

Fall 2015 75

Staying Connected with Ripon

High school teacher champions Ripon College to his students BRIAN WEGENER ’86 came to Ripon, College quietly. And now, as a longtime English teacher at East Troy (Wisconsin) High School, he quietly has championed Ripon as a choice for about a dozen of his own students over the past 20 years.

Wegener grew up in Muskego, a suburb of Milwaukee. He was a Legacy student at Ripon College because his mother, the late MARYETTA CHEWE

WEGENER ’58, was a Ripon graduate. Wegener says he first visited the campus just to please her.

school is small and challenging,

ambassador. When I talk about

“I went there visiting out of

but nurturing. That’s what Ripon

Ripon, I’m doing it with pride.

deference to my mom and then

is like, too.”

I’m proud I went there, and that

felt a connection right away,” he says. “What started out making my mom happy made me happy.

Ripon is the right combination

He still is in touch with some of former students and fellow Ripon graduates. CADY

comes through with how it’s addressed to the next groups of students.”

of challenging and nurturing.

CUMMINGS ’10 is now

That’s what came through when

an admission counselor at

I met the people there. I thought,

Willamette University in Oregon.

‘They’re going to put me through

“Brian was my theatre director

the ringer, but they’re going

for almost all of the plays that I

to help me.’ It was a good model

did in high school,” Cummings

for me as a teacher, to have

says. “His influence on my

combination of challenging

that environment.”

coming to Ripon was quiet, but

and nurturing. That’s what

He says it’s been surprising to him how many of his students ended up attending Ripon. “I don’t feel like I’m recruiting students,” he says. “They know I went there because there are things in my classroom, and I do talk about it. I flatter myself in thinking I’m doing something right and they see something of themselves in me. I must be making some kind of impression on them.

college fair in Whitewater with my mom, and I got ‘pulled in’ by Regional Director of Admission Lyn McCarthy. I stopped in to ask Brian a little more about Ripon.

The way in which he spoke about the College really encouraged me to investigate it further. When I got to campus, I saw what the school meant to him. I thought, ‘I get it.’ ” Wegener says he feels he is an

“Ripon is a special place. It’s not for everybody, but it certainly is the right fit for some. Our high

76 76

that’s very Brian. I went to a

Connections Connections

ambassador for Ripon College.

“The legacy of Ripon goes on because people do refer,” he says. “I feel a drive to be an

Ripon is the right

came through when I met the people there. I thought, ‘They’re going to put me through the ringer, but they’re going to help me.’ It was a good model for me as a teacher, to have that environment.”

BRIAN WEGENER ’86

Staying Connected with Ripon

Palmer ’79 finds comaraderie in supporting Ripon’s health and wellness campaign able to talk to various people about the health and wellness campaign and why it was so important for Admission, athletics and the general student population.

“We wanted to designate some money somewhere and know where it is going,” Palmer says. “I feel like athletics are huge and are what draw people. The health and wellness campaign is a positive way of bringing in new students and keeping them here. It’s a positive direction for Ripon, and that’s the way we wanted to go.”

She says that while she didn’t participate in sports while she was a student at Ripon College, she feels that that area of health and wellness is important because it creates a camaraderie that brings both students and alumni together in attending games and providing support for Ripon College holds a special

health club and serving as a wine

place in the heart of SUSAN REIGLER PALMER ’79,

sales representative.

and over the years she has expressed that love in so many different ways. Her most recent contribution was a major gift of stock by her and her husband,

This past year, she spent a week in Guatemala on a mission trip

maintain her ties with Ripon.

sexual abuse.

“I’d encourage anybody to keep

on the Alumni Board for two

to renovate and expand the J.M.

terms from 2001-2007, has been

Storzer Athletic Center.

involved participating in college

and dear to my heart since the day I walked on campus.”

She majored in French and educational studies at Ripon, and later attended the University of Montreal and McGill University in Montreal. She taught middle

a really positive part of the school.”

She also thinks it’s positive to

Health and Wellness campaign

“I love Ripon. It’s something near

Ripon sports,” she says. “I think it’s

who have been victims of violent

For Ripon College, she served

College a long time,” Palmer says.

“That’s the fun part of following

to help with girls and families

Jon, to support the Revitalize

“I’ve stayed connected with Ripon

the teams.

connected,” she says. “I say, never forget Ripon.”

fairs and helping to recruit new students for Ripon, and attended alumni get-togethers in her area of California.

I’ve stayed connected

“I think people stay connected

with Ripon College a long

with Ripon College because it’s

time. I love Ripon. It’s

a connection from the past,” Palmer says. “They do so because they have a love for Ripon and want to keep that love going.”

school French for 15 years, as

When she was back on campus

well as shorter stints working at a

last year for her reunion, she was

something near and dear to my heart since the day I walked on campus.”

SUSAN REIGLER PALMER ’79

Fall 2015 2015 77 77 Fall

InMemoriam ROBERT H. GIERTSEN ’40 of Riverview, Florida, died July 7, 2014. At Ripon College, he studied history, economics and sociology, going on to earn an MBA from Northwestern University. He retired from Tampa College, where he was a professor of business administration.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Giertsen, 10222 Evening Trail Drive, Riverview, FL 33569; and one son.

JEAN BOETTCHER HOLDEN ’41 of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, died April 7, 2015.

At Ripon College, she studied English. She was an avid golfer and active member of Christ Lutheran Church. She was known for knitting baby caps for local hospitals. She enjoyed travelling with her husband, reading, playing bridge and spending time with family. Survivors include one son and three daughters. Her husband, DOUGLAS HOLDEN ’41, died in 2003.

HORTENSE “TENNY” ANDERSON PATTERSON ’42 of Northbrook, Illinois, died Aug. 3, 2015. She was a Realtor, an avid gardener, gourmet cook and volunteer in her church. She enjoyed plays and travelling with her husband, Bob. Survivors one son and two daughters.

LAWRENCE M. “VANDY” VANDERVELDE ’42 of Green Lake, Wisconsin, died July 6, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied physics and mathematics.

After serving in the Army Signal Corp during World War II, he spent most of his career working for National Rivet and Manufacturing as a chief engineer.

He was an avid sailboat racer, racing into his mid-80s, and served as commodore of the Green Lake Yacht Club. He wrote poetry, painted, improvised on the organ, wrote software, and played bridge.

Survivors include one son and two daughters. His wife, NANCY

BARBOUR VANDERVELDE ’41, died in 2009.

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GEORGE R. WILLIAMS ’44 of Yorba Linda, California, died Feb. 19, 2013. He attended Ripon College and graduated from the University of Chicago. He worked as a sales representative for Merck & Co. before retiring in 1992, and did consulting work afterward.

JAYNE BLUMENSHINE DITTBERNER ’45 of Columbus, North Carolina, died June 6, 2015. At Ripon College, she studied psychology and was a member of Alpha Gamma Theta sorority. Survivors include one daughter. Her husband, BOB DITTBERNER ’43, died in 2004.

FLOYD G. EVANS ’45 of Mosinee, Wisconsin, died Dec. 6, 2014. He attended Ripon College and graduated from Marquette Dental School. He joined the Navy and started his Navy career as a dentist in San Diego. He retired after 20 years and went into private practice in Mosinee for 15 years before retiring from dentistry. He enjoyed deer hunting with archery and gun, cross country skiing, bike rides, and spending time with the family.

He was a Mosinee Lions member and a deacon and choir member at Immanuel Baptist Church, and he delivered for Meals on Wheels.

Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

Robert H. Giertsen ’40

Lawrence “Vandy” Vandervelde ’42

CHARLES R. JOHNSON ’45 of Neshkoro, Wisconsin, died Aug. 21, 2015. At Ripon College, he was involved in Ver Adest productions. He served in the Army Medical Corps during World War II, seeing action at the Battle of the Bulge. He later graduated from Illinois College of Optometry. He practiced optometry for many years until his retirement. He was a director of Farmers Exchange Bank and served on the Neshkoro Village Board. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, hunting and fishing. Survivors include two sons.

Charles R. Johnson ’45

JOHN W. STEPHENSON ’45 of Woodland Hills, California, died May 15, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied speech and communication. He served as a radio operator and gunner in the Army Air Corp during World War II, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. He later earned his degree from Northwestern University. He then worked in Hollywood for more than 60 years, acting for radio programs before moving into television as the announcer for “I Love Lucy,” series regular on “The People’s Choice,” narrator for “Dragnet,” and various other roles. He also voiced characters for HannaBarbera cartoons, including Mr. Slate on “The Flintstones” and Fancy-Fancy on “Top Cat.” Survivors include his wife, Jean Stephenson, 5339 Hinton Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91367; one son and one daughter.

NANCYE WILSON LAKE ’46 of Zanesville, Ohio, died March 12, 2015. At Ripon College during World War II, she studied English and music. She and her husband, James, ran a farm in Ohio for 26 years. She also taught second grade for 12 years. They enjoyed traveling on lengthy family vacations in their Airstream trailer throughout the United States and Canada. After her husband’s death, she continued travelling in the United States and Mexico, worked in Yellowstone, went to Airstream rallies, and toured Scotland and England.

She enjoyed music, genealogy, history, weaving, reading and the Christian Science Society.

Survivors include two sons and two daughters.

MARY WILBUR JONES ’48 of Covert, Michigan, died June 29, 2015. At Ripon College, she studied history and philosophy and was a member of the rifle team. She worked at the Western Michigan University Bookstore for 11 years. She and her husband, Ross, enjoyed their summer cottage and were avid golfers, with Mary claiming a lifetime record of seven holes-in-one. She enjoyed playing bridge, knitting and reading, and served on the board of the Covert Public Library.

Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

LILLIAN BURKHARDT HOESLY ’49 of New Glarus, Wisconsin, died Sept. 1, 2015.

At Ripon College, she studied economics. She met her husband, Nordean, when he was flying the payroll to a cheese factory in Fond du Lac and it was her job to meet the plane. She taught knitting and tailoring at MATC and volunteered at the New Glarus Home. She enjoyed sewing, braiding rugs, caning chairs, baking, gardening and antiquing. Survivors include one son and one daughter.

John W. Stephenson ’45

WILLIAM W. STENZ ’49 of Wilmington, Illinois, died April 5, 2015. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, then attended Ripon College and Michigan State University. He worked in business in Kentland, Indiana, before moving to the Joliet and Wilmington area.

Survivors include his wife, JUDITH JONES STENZ ’49, 34161 South Lakeside Terrace, Wilmington, IL 60481; three sons and one daughter.

JOHN H. WYLLIE ’49 of Pontiac, Illinois, died April 30, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied economics. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean Conflict and was sent to Alaska to build radar towers. He worked for his father at Wyllie Oil Co. in Emington and later owned the business; owned Wyllie Skelly Service; helped his son, John, at Wyllie’s Convenience Store, and his son, Scott, with farming. He was a board member for the Village of Emington for more than 40 years, a volunteer for the fire department, board member for Union Township, member of the Saunemin Grade and High School boards, American Legion, Community Club, Master of the Masonic Lodge #738, Pontiac Elks Lodge and Pontiac Moose Lodge, and Congregational United Church of Christ. He enjoyed working in the yard, big band music, classic cars and his family’s sporting and musical events. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Wyllie, 207 E. Torrance Ave., Pontiac, IL 61764; two sons and one daughter.

Fall 2015 79

InMemoriam ROBERT D. MORDECAI ’51 of Moorehead, Minnesota, died Sept. 22, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied chemistry.

After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He spent much of his career with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, retiring in 1996 as a business consultant.

Survivors include one son and one daughter.

JACK D. POINTER ’51 of Naples, Florida, died April 15, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied economics. He served in the 7th U.S. Army, 100th Infantry Division, in Europe during World War II and in Japan and Korea during the Korean Conflict. His military awards include the Expert and Combat Infantryman Badges, Bronze Star and the French government’s Legion of Honor. He worked for Wisconsin Power and Light Company of Madison, where he was a member of the Masons and Scottish Rite. In Naples, he served as a Collier County election official, on the advisory committee for Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Pension Board for North Naples Fire District. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Behrens Pointer ’49, 4770 Aston Gardens Way, Apt. 310, Naples, FL 34109; and three sons.

JERRY W. PFAFFLIN ’52 of Whitewater, Wisconsin, died May 1, 2015. He studied economics at Ripon College and attended UW Law School after a short stint in the Army. He went into the automobile business selling Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac.

He was on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Automotive Trades Association and the Buick Dealer Council. He was active in Fort Atkinson, as Chamber of Commerce president, president of Fort Sports, and a member of the Lions Club. Survivors include his wife, HELEN HOAG PFAFFLIN ’52, 899 Acorn Ridge, Whitewater, WI 53190; and one daughter.

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JAMES R. POWERS ’52 of Neenah, Wisconsin, died Aug. 27, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied psychology. He served as an Army officer, later taking a job at Bergstrom Gladfelter Paper Co., retiring as an employee relations manager in 1991. He was active as a volunteer with many local service organizations, as well as with his church. Survivors include his wife, Mary Powers, 7398 Murray Road, Neenah, WI 54956; and two sons.

Robert D. Mordecai ’51

PAUL J. SPHEERIS ’52 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died May 1, 2015. He studied history at Ripon College and was an MP in the U.S. Army during World War II. He and a brother owned and operated Spheeris Merchandise and Sporting Goods for many years. He was an athlete and avid runner, completing the Boston Marathon twice, and had a deep love for his family, church and friends. Survivors include a brother, ANDREW SPHEERIS ’49.

GERMAINE “GERRY” DOBRATZ SPOONER ’52

Jack D. Pointer ’51

of Mequon, Wisconsin, died May 1, 2015. At Ripon College, she studied psychology and participated in Ver Adest springtime musicals. She loved Broadway show tunes and was an accomplished dancer. She and her husband, Jack, were members of the Mequon Dance Club for many years. Survivors include her husband, Jack L. Spooner, 500 East Circle Road, 105 North, Mequon, WI 53092; two sons and one daughter.

BETTY CROMER TROMBELLO ’52 of Maywood, Illinois, died April 17, 2015.

She studied English at Ripon College and received her degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She worked in the business office at Loyola University Hospital for 24 years before her retirement. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

James R. Powers ’52

FAYE BACKUS HERBST ’53 of Vernon Hills, Illinois, died Aug. 19, 2015. At Ripon College, she studied Spanish, was a member of Pi Delta Omega sorority and participated in Ver Adest. Her husband, HENRY HERBST ’53, died in 2000.

JOYCE KIEFER ’54 of Plano, Texas, died Feb. 13, 2015. At Ripon College, she studied French. She had worked as a home furniture copy chief for JC Penney.

ALFRED E. BUSSIAN ’55 of Lakewood, Colorado, died July 11, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied physics and mathematics.

After spending two years in the Army stationed in New Mexico, he earned a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Colorado-Boulder, studying particle physics with Dr. Frank Oppenheimer. Alfred did research at the Max Planck Institute in Munich, Germany, and at the University of Michigan.

He later was employed by Texaco to develop new methods of oil extraction. He continued to do physics and was working on a paper on the origin of the universe at the time of his death.

Survivors include his wife, Irena Bussian, 12168 W. Seventh Place, Lakewood, CO 80401; and one son.

KERMIT KLINGBAIL ’56 of West Leyden, New York, died June 23, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied mathematics. He began his career as a programmer for the AC Sparkplug Division of GM in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and went on to work for several companies before retiring from PAR Technology. He then started his own company, Klingbail Enterprises LLC, to provide logs, lumber and firewood. He enjoyed camping, skiing, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, taking great pride in winning second place in the Hudson River White Water Derby in a double kayak with his wife, Joyce. Survivors include his wife,

JOYCE BROWNWORTH KLINGBAIL ’57, 4766 Osceola Road, West Leydon, NY 13489; one son and one daughter.

ROBERT E. MCPHERSON ’57 of Appleton, Wisconsin, died Sept. 24, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied economics and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.

His love of singing led to a career in the opera, performing as a baritone and tenor with numerous opera companies in St. Louis, Miami, Tampa, Palm Beach, New York City, Stamford, Cape Cod, New Haven, and others.

He retired in the 1990s, and he and his wife, Sally, returned to Wisconsin, where he continued a business he began in the 1970s as an independent contractor repairing boats. Survivors include his wife, Sara McPherson, 41 Parkview Way, Appleton, WI 54913; and one son.

GERALDINE HEAL STEWART ’57 of Manassas, Virginia, died March 5, 2015.

At Ripon College, she studied French. She lived in Chicago, New York and California. After marrying Anthony Collings, a news journalist, she lived in various locations in Europe, including England, Germany and Italy. Later, she was an assistant city clerk with the City of Fairfax.

She retired in 2000. Survivors include her husband, Gerald Stewart, 7611 Cregger Lane, Manassas, VA 20111; and three sons.

KEN NOAKES ’59 of Ocala, Florida, died June 15, 2015.

At Ripon College, he studied economics. He worked as a stockbroker, trust investment officer and investment manager, before founding his own company doing new product research.

Survivors include his wife, LYNN HOLDEN NOAKES ’58, 15794 SW 13th Circle, Ocala, FL 34473; one son and one daughter.

JANET GOTSCH ERDMAN ’60 of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, died May 2, 2015.

At Ripon College, she studied biology and English and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She worked with Junior Achievement and Duplex Products Inc., retiring in 1997. Survivors include three sons. Her husband, RALPH ERDMAN ’58, died in 1975.

Fall 2015 81

InMemoriam FRANCINE GROSS GRENLIE ’60 of Chicago, Illinois, died March 21, 2015. At Ripon College, she studied educational studies. She was a retired firstgrade teacher for the Chicago Board of Education. Survivors include her husband, Robert Grenlie, 5512 N. Melvina Ave., Chicago, IL 60630; and one son.

ADRIAN JOHN PENICNAK ’60 of Palm City, Florida, died Aug. 3, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied biology and chemistry.

He earned a master’s degree from the University of South DakotaVermillion and a Ph.D. from the University of MassachusettsAmherst, both in biology. He worked for Pfizer Diagnostics and L’Oréal, receiving numerous patents at both companies. He was a senior rules official for the Florida State Golf Association and was president of the Martin County Model Railroad Club.

Survivors include his wife, Fern Penicnak, 1535 NW Buttonbush Circle, Palm City, FL 34990; one son and three daughters.

JULAINE R. “JULIE” HESCHKE ’61 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, died March 13, 2015.

She attended Ripon College and Spenserian Business College. She was a member of St. Dominic’s Church and an accompanist for the church choirs. She enjoyed oil painting and caring for her cat, Mercy.

CAROL PICKHARDT FANCHER ’62 of Naperville, Illinois, died Oct. 2, 2015. At Ripon College, she studied music, education and English. She was a teacher, spending much of her career at Hanover Highlands Elementary in Hanover Park, Illinois. She was very involved in music, directing youth and adult choirs, a gospel group and a chime-ringing group. She was a charter member of the Naperville Chorus and had sung with the group for 40 years. Carol served Ripon College as a class agent since 2005 and as a member of the Alumni Board Association of Directors since 2013. Survivors include her husband, Jim Fancher, 1042 North Eagle St., Naperville, IL 60563; and two step-daughters.

DAVID W. LEHMANN ’62 of Green Valley, Arizona, died April 8, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied biology and physical education. He received a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. He was a biology teacher for North Division High in Milwaukee and worked at the Milwaukee Health Department.

He was a professor of physical education, health and sport at Bemidji State University, Minnesota, starting in 1966. He also was the longtime coach for the men’s golf and basketball teams. He enjoyed playing golf.

Survivors include one son and two daughters, including SARAH CHRISTINE LEHMANN ’92.

Julaine R. “Julie” Heschke ’61

THOMAS L. KOHL ’64 of Ripon, Wisconsin, died Nov. 25, 2013. At Ripon College, he studied history.

SHEILA STANGEL CHRISTIANSEN ’65 of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, died March 4, 2015. She worked as a buyer for Gimbel’s Department Store and later taught fashion merchandising. She was a longtime member and past president of the Elmbrook Historical Society, organizing and promoting Civil War enactments and “Christmas at the Inn.” She volunteered for the Dousman Stagecoach Inn and was a past president of the Elm Grove Women’s Club, a member of the Elm Grove Junior Guild and a co-founder of the Dow Jones Investment Club. Survivors include two sons.

NICOLAOS D. EPIOTIS ’65 of Seattle, Washington, died July 17, 2015. Born in Athens, Greece, he studied chemistry and biology at Ripon College, earning his master’s degree in chemistry from Harvard University and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Princeton University. He was an internationally respected scholar, lecturer and author, and worked as a professor of organic chemistry at the University of Washington from 1972 until his retirement in 2008. Survivors include his wife, Linda Daniels, 1123 20th Ave. E, No. 102, Seattle, WA 98112.

Carol Pickhardt Fancher ’62

Sheila Stangel Christiansen ’65

Nicolaos D. Epiotis ’65

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JOHN S. SLEICHERT ’66 of Menomonie, Wisconsin, died May 20, 2015. At Ripon, he studied biology and education.

He received his master’s degree from Northern Illinois University.

He moved to the Menomonie area in 1978 and in 1982 started Colfax Agrow Service. He enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, traveling and playing cards. He was a member and past commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Florida. Survivors include his wife, Karen Sleichert, E5497 730th Ave., #45, Menomonie, WI 54751; and one son.

CAROL OCCHINO ’67 of Los Angeles, California, died March 26, 2015. At Ripon College, she studied politics and government.

She served in the Peace Corps, teaching English in Tunisia. She then recruited for the Peace Corps for four years in Denver, Colorado.

For many years, she was a compliance officer in Los Angeles, California, and was vice president of Calpac Inc. She was an active member of MENSA. Recently, she volunteered with the Freda Mohr Jewish Family Services organization. She also enjoyed online contests and sweepstakes, and her cats.

WENDY WEIMER ’68 of St. Paul, Minnesota, died Feb. 17, 2015. At Ripon College, she studied Spanish and history. She had worked as an administrator in the Minneapolis Public Schools; a guardian ad litem; and president of the Cass Gilbert Society. She was a retired principal of Kenny Community School. Survivors include one son and one daughter.

PETER R. SPARROW ’80 of Glenview, Illinois, died May 28, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied psychology and history.

He earned his MBA at Loyola University Chicago. He worked in finance at The Northern Trust Company and was the senior vice president for sales.

Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Pohanka Sparrow ’80, 918 Golfview Road, Glenview, IL 60025; two daughters; and a sister, JENNIFER SPARROW SNORF ’80.

BRUCE W. DAVIS ’82 of Lynn, Massachusetts, died May 18, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied history. He worked for the Raytheon Co. as a purchasing agent until 2004, when he became a pastor at the Lynnfield Community Church. He was a past president of the Wyoma Lions club in Lynn, served as zone and region chairman of Lions District 33N, past president of the Boston East Baptist Bible School Convention, past secretary of the Greater Lynn Council of Churches, past vice chairman of the Lynn Republican City committee, member of the Masonic Lodge and Shrine and an alumni member of the Lynn Band Boosters. He wrote several new hymns and ministered at area nursing and senior housing centers.

John S. Sleichert ’66

LEONARD H. COOPER ’89 of Deerfield, Illinois, died Aug. 29, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied politics and government and was involved in student senate and athletics. He was a sales executive for Visco Entertainment Inc. and a benefits consultant for Colonial Life.

Carol Occhino ’67

ANDREW KALDUNSKI ’12 of Edgar, Wisconsin, died April 3, 2015. At Ripon College, he studied computer science. In 2011, he completed an internship in computer science at Harvard University. After graduation, he was a software engineer for Sentry Insurance. Baseball was a passion, and he was a member of the 2008 Marathon High School State Baseball Championship team, Ripon College’s baseball team, and the Abbotsford Merchants of the Dairyland League. He also enjoyed working with computers, woodworking, brewing beer, playing volleyball, skiing and snowmobiling.

Bruce W. Davis ’82

Fall 2015 83

InMemoriam

Faculty and Staff GORDON A. “GORDIE” GILLESPIE, a retired college baseball, football and basketball coach, including 10 years at Ripon College, died Feb. 28, 2015. He retired from coaching in 2010 as college baseball’s all-time winningest coach. He spent 59 years as a college baseball coach, compiling 1,893 career victories — 239 of those at Ripon. He led the Red Hawks to six Midwest Conference championships and six NCAA Division III regional appearances. He also was named Midwest Conference’s coach of the year six times and was the only coach in league history to receive that honor in three consecutive seasons (2001-’03). Gillespie still ranks second in Ripon program history for career wins, while holding the school record for career winning percentage (.648).

He coached Ripon to four of their top six single-season win totals in school history, and is the only coach in program history to win at least 30 games in more than one season, accomplishing that feat twice (2001 and 2003). He was inducted into the Ripon College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. He graduated from DePaul University and served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. In 1996, he returned to Ripon to assume the role of head baseball coach, assist his son, longtime Ripon head coach Bob Gillespie, in basketball, and take the Ripon High School football team to its first-ever state championship. Survivors include his wife, Joan Hollister Gillespie, 2634 Harbor Drive, Joliet, IL 60431; four sons and three daughters; and grandchildren, including SCOTT GILLESPIE ’11.

HELEN KOSTIA PINKHAM of Monterey, California, died Aug. 14, 2015. She was the wife of Dr. FRED O. PINKHAM, Ripon College’s eighth president from 1955 to 1965. She enjoyed playing bridge, reading plays, spending time with family, and volunteering for the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Survivors include her husband, Fred Pinkham, 8 Skyline Crest, Monterey, CA 93940; two sons and one daughter.

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Connections

WILLIAM “BILL” SCHANG of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a professor of English emeritus at Ripon College, died Oct. 12, 2015.

He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He was with Ripon College for 41 years from 1969 to 2011, and served as dean of faculty toward the end of his career. He was awarded the May Bumby Severy Award for Excellence in Teaching four times, in 1975, 1984, 1989 and 2000; Senior Class Award for Teaching four times, in 1982, 1985, 1986 and 1998; and James Underkofler Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 1993. The Schang Family Visiting Writers Fund includes recognition of his time at Ripon College, and the William Schang Liberal Arts Scholarship is established in his honor. Survivors include his wife, LOUISE SCHANG, former College archivist, 1130 N. Westfield St., Unit 1037, Oshkosh, WI 54902; and one son.

Gordon Gillespie

JOHN T. TESKA of Neenah, Wisconsin, associate professor of mathematics at Ripon College from 1967-1981, died April 8, 2015. He worked for North American Aviation and CalComp before joining the faculty at Ripon College. He earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from Oklahoma University in 1970. In 1981, he opened the first of four ComputerLand stores with his wife, Carol. He retired in 1993.

He was an avid sports fan and player and enjoyed music, playing guitar and his banjo ukulele, sailing, working on cars, hunting, fishing and waterskiing. He was active in politics. Survivors include his wife, Carol; two sons and one daughter.

CURTIS THOMPSON of Loudon, Tennessee, who worked in the Ripon College Development Office from 1968-1979, died March 21, 2015. He had a distinguished, 40-year career in development and planned giving, first with Ripon College, then with Denison University (1979-2007).

Through both business travel and family vacations, he visited each state in the continental United States. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; one son and one daughter.

William Schang

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