Ripon College campaign reaches goal early, sets new heights

Thanks to generous support from alumni, parents and friends, Imagine Tomorrow, Ripon College’s five-year comprehensive campaign, achieved its initial goal of $50 million in January 2014, 18 months ahead of schedule.

The college has decided to keep to its original timeline with an ending date of July 2015. For the remaining months of the campaign, the college will set out to reach an extended goal of $60 million.

“The original goal was established after a feasibility study based on where the economy was at that time,” says Wayne Webster, vice president for advancement. “Throughout this campaign, we realized we have greater potential and needs. We have many alumni and friends whom we have yet to involve in this process, and Imagine Tomorrow creates a unique engagement opportunity.”

Webster adds that since the comprehensive campaign began in spring 2010, the college has new leadership under President Zach Messitte, who is championing several initiatives to propel the college forward. Students also are entering Ripon with ever-evolving needs for their collegiate educational experience.

“By increasing our goal, we keep the momentum going for a better future,” Webster says. “We want an achievable goal we can celebrate at the end. We chose $60 million because it is a challenge, but an appropriate goal that will help bring our endowment and its spending power closer in line to our peer and aspirant institutions.”

The college’s endowment as of December 31 was at $80.2 million, an all-time high. Already, the college has embarked on several initiatives to benefit students and create better opportunities in the classroom and beyond.

Forty-two new endowed funds have been established, or are in the process of being established, since the beginning of the Imagine Tomorrow campaign, including: 30 endowed scholarships; nine other endowed funds to support student research and special programs like the Career Discovery Tour; and three new faculty chairs — Robert Amsden, professor of theatre, is the Doreen L. ’73 and David I. Chemerow Chair in Theatre; David W. Scott, assistant professor of religion, is the Pieper Chair of Servant Leadership; and Colleen Byron, professor of chemistry, is the Oyster Chair in Chemistry.

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For more information, visit ripon.edu/imagine-tomorrow.

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Posted February 3, 2014 in Alumni, Imagine Tomorrow.

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