Ripon College Receives Transformational $20 Million Gift – Surpasses Forever Ripon Campaign Extended Goal

RIPON, Wis. – November 13, 2024 – Ripon College is pleased to announce a historic $20 million gift, the majority of which is unrestricted to fund strategic initiatives. This transformative donation, the largest gift commitment in the college’s history, will most immediately fund significant improvements to student housing with the potential to generate additional giving for constructing a new residence hall. The investment bolsters the Forever Ripon Campaign’s commitment to facility enhancement following the opening of Hopp Stadium in the fall of 2023 and the completion of the Franzen Science Center, projected for December 2024.
The generous gift will support several key initiatives:

• Modernization of Residence Halls: Existing residence halls will undergo renovations to improve amenities, provide modern living spaces, and promote sustainability. These upgrades will include the addition of new furniture, study lounges, and collaborative spaces, catering to the evolving needs of residential students, 98% of which live on campus.
• New Residential Community: A portion of the gift will enable a matching gift challenge, which will fund the construction of a new residence hall designed to foster community building and collaborative learning.
• Merriman House: The restricted portion of the gift will fund new construction for a revitalized Merriman House which is planned to begin in 2025 and will house the Phi Kappa Pi fraternity and Merriman alumni activities. The House’s footprint will remain on the Congress Street property, where the house stood for more than 100 years.
• Student Support Programs: A portion of the funds will be allocated to creating and expanding programming that supports students’ personal and academic growth. These initiatives will include leadership training, increased mental health resources, and activities aimed at fostering a sense of belonging among students.

Ripon College President, Dr. Victoria N. Folse, expressed deep gratitude for the donation, stating, “This gift represents another energizing investment in Ripon College and further positions us to drive enrollment and student life initiatives identified in our strategic plan. Our commitment to providing an exceptional residential experience is a key part of our mission to nurture future leaders. This generous contribution will allow us to enhance living and learning spaces where students can thrive.”

The anonymous donor(s), believe the gift will inspire others to financially support Ripon College’s mission to deliver a premier liberal arts education in a close-knit, inclusive community. The donation reflects a profound belief in the power of a residential college experience to shape well-rounded, engaged citizens.

Vice President for Advancement, Marketing and Communications and Chief of Staff, Shawn Karsten, says, “When we launched the Forever Ripon Campaign, our primary goal was to further strengthen Ripon’s position as a leading liberal arts institution in the Midwest. The philanthropic response from our alumni, and this gift in particular, is a strong indicator of the collective belief and relevance of our mission.”

The Forever Ripon Campaign, which exceeded its initial goal of $75 million, 18 months ahead of schedule, set an extended goal of $100 million in January 2024. This commitment brings the Forever Ripon total to $117 million with 8 months remaining until the June 30, 2025 close date.

Renovations and new construction are planned to begin in 2025. Further details on project timelines and scopes will be shared with the Ripon community in the coming months as an internal working group is being formed to explore and recommend implementation of the gift.

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Posted November 13, 2024 in Administration.

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