Dean of Students Chris Ogle to Retire July 11

Al Sturgeon promoted to position

Ripon College has announced that Christophor M. Ogle, vice president and dean of students, will retire after more than 45 years at the institution, with his last day being July 11. He will be succeeded by current Associate Vice President Al Sturgeon.

A student and star athlete, Ogle graduated from Ripon College in 1980 and began his career as an assistant basketball coach, head softball coach and residence hall director and later became the director of residence life before being appointed dean of students in 2000. Today, he serves not only as the dean of students but also as vice president and member of Ripon College’s Administrative Council.

“Dean Ogle has had a key role in strategizing and executing improvements made at Ripon College in the past half-century — from modernizing residents halls, academic classrooms and athletic facilities, to improving student life programming and experiences, and assuring the safety and security of all members of campus,” President Victoria N. Folse said. “He has been an important thought partner for our executive leadership team and an impactful and compassionate leader.”

Over the last 45 years, Ogle has played an integral role in almost every facet of the student experience. He oversaw facilities, food service, student safety, the mail center, motor vehicles, the Career Center, counseling, Student Support Services, health services, multicultural affairs, athletic operational facilities and conference services as well as served as the adviser for student senate and student judiciary board. He was also the lead or a key member of the renovation teams for Willmore Center, Hopp Stadium and Heinz Franzen Learning Center.

To honor his contributions to Ripon College, President Folse announced that the rotunda in Harwood Memorial Union, adjacent to Great Hall, will be renamed Ogle Rotunda.

“Naming the Harwood Rotunda in his honor is an acknowledgment of how his impact touches all areas of our Ripon College community,” President Folse said.
The Ogle Rotunda unveiling will coincide with Ripon College’s annual Alumni Weekend in late June. The weekend will provide an opportunity for faculty, staff, current and past students as well as his graduating class of 1980, commemorating their 45th reunion, to celebrate Ogle’s contributions to Ripon.

Chris Ogle talking with students in 2005

When asked about his time at Ripon College, Ogle said “How fortunate am I to have not only experienced it as a student but then to work with dedicated colleagues for decades who delivered a highly personalized, rewarding, in and out of the classroom experience at a highly-rated private college. The rewards were endless.”

Upon Ogle’s retirement, Sturgeon will serve as Ripon College’s next vice president and dean of students. He joined Ripon as associate vice president for student success in September 2024, having previously served as the associate dean for student life and spiritual development at Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law. Sturgeon received his law degree from Pepperdine and spent six years in various positions related to student life and academics there. Additionally, he has served as vice president of student life at Lipscomb University and as vice president for diverse and equitable student life and dean of students at Blackburn College.