Commencement Weekend

Commencement 2024 Theme: Breaking Barriers – Creating a Legacy

At Ripon College, our personalized approach has the power to ignite each student’s greatest
potential. We honor every person as worthy of their own success, so our graduates may become responsible leaders and agents of change who value their roles in their immediate and extended communities. We know that trying new things is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery, and our campus community is eager and prepared to live an examined life. Our original, collaborative experiences, lead to new insights and discoveries that have a positive impact on all of us. In turn, our students unearth what drives their own unique vision of the future.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER & HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT: Jason Felts

Our keynote speaker will be Jason Felts, a serial entrepreneur, Fortune 500 brand advisor, philanthropist, film producer and founding CEO of VIRGIN PRODUCED. As co-founder and CEO of VIRGIN PRODUCED, the media arm of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Felts oversaw all aspects of the entertainment division including all film, television, music festival and brand positioning for the globally respected lifestyle brand. Felts produced all of Virgin’s content including film, television and branded entertainment. Notable projects included “Limitless,” “Bad Moms,” “That Awkward Moment,” “Immortals,” “Movie 43,” “The Impossible,” “21 & Over” and “Jobs.” While simultaneously serving in a dual role as Chief Brand Officer, Felts also oversaw the brand’s large-scale festival experiences. When Felts was appointed CEO in 2009 at 32, it made him the second youngest CEO in the history of Virgin behind Sir Richard Branson.

He retired from the entertainment industry at age 45 and now focuses the majority of his time on philanthropic efforts toward social responsibility, equality and conservation, as well as strategic brand advisory to purpose-focused startups and Fortune 500 corporations.

You can learn more about Jason Felts here.

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT: Dena G. Willmore ’67 

We will also celebrate Dena Willmore ’67 retired partner and senior vice president of Wellington Management Company with an honorary degree.

After graduating with a degree in philosophy from Ripon, Willmore started her career as a secretary at two different private equity firms. As a secretary to the precursor of Wellington Management, an investment management firm, Willmore worked long hours, gaining the trust of her bosses and slowly started advancing through the company despite being female. When Willmore was selected to be part of the initial partnership, she was the youngest employee and only woman in the partnership. At Wellington, she successfully advocated for equity and balance in the workplace in terms of gender and race. She also was instrumental in forming the Wellington Management Company Charitable Fund, which supports programs to improve educational opportunities for disadvantaged youths.

Since retiring at the age of 50, Willmore has devoted herself to community service work, including serving as Ripon College Trustee. Dena served on the board for more than 22 years and served as the Chair from 2003-2009. She also provided the initial support for the expansion and renovation of Willmore Center.

You can learn more about Dena here.