Awards Convocation
Every year, the College holds an Awards Convocation to recognize outstanding merit and achievement among students and faculty members. It was an honor to celebrate the award recipients that were announced on April 17, 2024.
The 2024 Award Winners:
| Title of Award | First | Last | Description of Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achievement Award in Anthropology | Raquel | Potter | Awarded to the student who has done outstanding work in anthropology. |
| Achievement Award in Sociology | Grace | Randall | Awarded to a student who has done the most outstanding work in sociology. |
| Achievement Award In Art and Art History | Aaliyah | Robinson | Awarded to the student who has shown superior enthusiasm and creativity in the Art and Art History Department. |
| Achievement Award in Biology | Natalie | Davies | Awarded to the student who, as determined by the biology faculty, has demonstrated the highest degree of excellence and initiative in the biological sciences |
| Dr. Charles Nichols Award in Biology | Natalie | McNeely | Awarded to a junior or senior with a special interest in botany. Awarded in memory of Dr. Charles Nichols, professor of biology from 1947-1976. |
| Milton H. Westhagen Award In Economics | Levi | Keen | Awarded to a student who has exhibited outstanding achievement and interest in economics. Named in honor of the late Milton H. Westhagen, professor and chair of Ripon’s economics department from 1948-72. |
| Achievement Award in Business Management | Pierce | Reese-Grimm | Awarded to a student who has done outstanding work in business management. |
| Achievement Award in Business Management | David | Bendorf | Awarded to a student who has done outstanding work in business management. |
| Achievement Award in Finance | Mara | Millard | Awarded to a student who has done outstanding work in the finance major. |
| Guy and Maud Russell, Classes of 1911 and 1917, Chemistry Award | Jacob | Oppeneer | Awarded to a student who is majoring in chemistry and who, in the opinion of the chemistry department faculty, best combines the qualities of scholarship, leadership, and service to fellow students. |
| Achievement Award in Chemistry-Biology | Benjamin | Hildebrand | Awarded to a student who has done outstanding work in the chemistry-biology major. |
| The James M. Haney Communications Achievement Award | Aaliyah | Robinson | Awarded to a student who is a Communications major of high academic ability and has made positive contributions to the college community and/or the Ripon community. |
| Achievement Award in Educational Studies (Elementary) | Kelyn | Clark | Awarded to a student who has done outstanding work in educational studies. |
| Achievement Award in Educational Studies (Secondary) | Lauren | Bahr | Awarded to a student who has done outstanding work in educational studies. |
| Lucy Smith Morris Shakespeare Prize (English) | Kynaeda | Gray | Awarded to the student who has done the most outstanding work in the study of Shakespeare. Lucy Smith Morris, founder and first president of the Wisconsin Federation of Women’s Clubs (WFWC), was an authority on Shakespearian drama, writing a study pamphlet on the subject that became a guide to other study clubs and later college classes. In 1935, she established the Lucy Smith Morris Shakespeare Prize for a Ripon College student. Members of the WFWC continued support of this prize until 2008, when it was endowed. |
| Ethel E. Lyon '12 Graduate Scholarship In English | Amalia | Santos | Awarded to a senior as a credit toward tuition to the graduate school of the recipients’ choice. This award was established in memory of Ethel Lyon, former professor emeritus of English at Park College (now Park University) in Parkville, Mo. |
| Pierre Guiet Prize in English | Isabelle | Willett | Awarded to a senior English major intending to go into graduate work. |
| Achievement Award in Environmental Studies | Alexander | Henriques | Awarded to a student who has done outstanding work in environmental studies. |
| Achievement Award in Exercise Science | Abigail | Hartmann | Awarded to a student who has done outstanding work in exercise science. |
| Achievement Award in History | Lauren | Bahr | Awarded to a student for distinction in the work of the history major. |
| Dr. Edwin W. Webster, Class of 1919, Scholarship (History) | Alison | DeNamur | Awarded to a sophomore or junior majoring in history as a credit toward tuition. This award is given in memory of Professor Edwin Webster who returned to his alma mater to teach history and classics during a career spanning from 1921 to 1962. |
| Dr. Edwin W. Webster, Class of 1919, Scholarship (History) | Mckenzie | Wiesner | Awarded to a sophomore or junior majoring in history as a credit toward tuition. This award is given in memory of Professor Edwin Webster who returned to his alma mater to teach history and classics during a career spanning from 1921 to 1962. |
| Achievement Award in Mathematics | Benjamin | McFarland | Awarded to a student doing the most outstanding work in the mathematics major. |
| Ripon College Mathematics and Computer Science Award | Matthew | Seeber | Awarded to a first-, second-, or third-year student majoring in mathematics or computer science in recognition of his or her achievement as a credit toward tuition. The awardee must have attained at least a 3.0 average. |
| Harry A. Cody, Jr., Class of 1933, Memorial Award in Military Science | Nathan | Crenshaw | Awarded to an ROTC cadet in the junior year who is a student of good standing, loyal to the College, of high moral character, and demonstrates officership qualities. |
| "Sarge" Peters Award (Military Science) | Margaretha | Hoffman | Awarded to a deserving first-year student with a demonstrated level of academic performance and a desire to continue at Ripon and in ROTC. |
| Bruce Martz Endowed Music Award | Lucie | Hodgkins | Awarded to a junior (or sophomore) who is studying music and who has a true love for music. This award is intended to help students pursue their interests in an area of music; for example, to purchase musical instruments or lessons, to travel for purposes related to music, or to attend a music camp or workshop. |
| Lucile Mosling Grams Music Scholarship | Valerie | Bruce | Awarded to a junior majoring or minoring in music who has a demonstrated interest in one or more areas of the musical arts as a credit toward tuition. This award is given in memory of Beverly Thomann, a very special member of the Ripon community and of the College family. As an author, educator, student and volunteer, she was always giving help to others. The Ripon community is truly privileged to have enjoyed her warmth for 29 years. |
| Donald Bruening, Class of 1962, Prize | Sam | Forstner | Awarded to a senior possessing notable interest and ability in philosophy in memory of Donald Bruening. |
| Achievement Award in Physical Science | Angela | Mosconi | Awarded to a student who has done the most outstanding work in the Physical Science major. |
| William Harley Barber Award (Physics) | Alexander | Bartoletti | Awarded to a student in recognition of outstanding achievement in the physics department. This award is in memory of Dr. Barber’s years of service as a professor of physics from 1906-1946. He also served as dean of the College from January 1915 to June 1924. |
| Achievement Award in Political Science | Rachel | Reger | Awarded to a student who has done the most outstanding work in politics and government. |
| Achievement Award in Psychobiology/Neuroscience | Kalyn | Otzelberger | Awarded to a student who has done the most outstanding work in the psychobiology major. |
| Achievement Award in Psychology | Ryan | Davis | Awarded to a student doing the most outstanding work in psychology. |
| Theatre Achievement Award | Maricarmen | Dorantes | Awarded to a student doing the most outstanding work in theatre. |
| Achievement Award in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies | Amalia | Santos | Awarded to a student who has done the most outstanding work in women's, gender and sexuality studies. |
| Samuel N. Pickard Award | Levi | Keen | Awarded to the best all-around Ripon College man on the basis of scholarship, character, and college loyalty. Mr. Pickard, a Ripon College Trustee from 1932-1973, established this award in 1938. |
| Samuel N. Pickard Award | Lili | Alderson | Awarded to the best all-around Ripon College woman on the basis of scholarship, character, and college loyalty. Mr. Pickard, a Ripon College Trustee from 1932-1973, established this award in 1938. |
| John Storzer Graduate Study Award | Abigail | Hartmann | Awarded annually to the Ripon College senior majoring or minoring in Exercise Science with the highest cumulative grade point average as The John Storzer Graduate Study Scholarship. This Award was established in 1974 by alumni, friends and family of John Storzer to commemorate the seventeen years he served the students of Ripon College as a coach, teacher and athletic director. |
| Jeff A. Thompson '87 Award | Jeremy | Timmons | Awarded to a junior who, while maintaining satisfactory academic progress, has demonstrated enthusiasm, determination, perseverance, and unselfishness at Ripon College. This award is given in memory of Jeff A. Thompson '87. |
| The Peter Mattiacci '58 Award | Kara | Block | Awarded to a physical education student as the student embarks on completing the required 14 credits of student teaching and the student teaching seminar. The award recognizes the student teacher who has demonstrated high academic achievement, promoted a lifestyle of health and wellness and who has made positive contributions to the College community and/or the Ripon community. The Peter A. Mattiacci '58 Award was established to recognize a student committed to physical education and educational studies who demonstrates outstanding citizenship and superior character while promoting a lifestyle of health and wellness. Inducted as a member of the Ripon College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983, "Pistol" Pete Mattiacci '58 lettered in baseball, basketball and football as a student while also leading his team to an undefeated conference champion season as quarterback his senior year. This Award shall be designated to the student who best exemplifies the honorable principles Mattiacci demonstrated both on and off the field and later for 30+ years as the physical education instructor, and the k-12 Director of physical education for the Wausau School District in Wausau, Wisconsin. |
| David L. Harris Memorial Award (Student Senate) | Amalia | Santos | Awarded to the student who has contributed the most to the betterment of community service through a College club or organization for the improvement of areas that affect the students or student life by The Student Senate. From 1954 to 1986 David L. Harris, dean of men and professor of psychology, unselfishly gave of himself so that Ripon College students might achieve their full potential. He was dedicated to their feelings, dreams and hopes, and became a source of strength to all who needed him. |
| American Association of University Women Awards: Mary Eva Webster Junior Award | Amanda | Von Ruden | Awarded to a junior woman who has demonstrated good academic achievement, outstanding service to the College, the Ripon Community and to humankind. The Webster family established two American Association of University Women (AAUW) Awards to express appreciation for outstanding service by junior and senior women. Criteria are: good academic achievement and service to the College, to the Ripon community and to humankind. These awards were established in 1987 as a lasting tribute to Mary Eva Webster, the wife of Edwin W. Webster, Class of 1919 and professor of history at Ripon College from 1921 to 1962. Mrs. Webster not only supported her husband’s activities but was a significant contributor to the College through her work with the AAUW, the Ripon College Women’s Club and other volunteer work. Students were welcomed into the Websters’ home and given the support, comfort and, sometimes, the admonitions which helped them to become better students and better people. |
| American Association of University Women Awards: Mary Eva Webster Senior Award | Rachel | Reger | Awarded to a senior woman who has demonstrated good academic achievement, outstanding service to the College, the Ripon Community and to humankind. The Webster family established two American Association of University Women (AAUW) Awards to express appreciation for outstanding service by junior and senior women. Criteria are: good academic achievement and service to the College, to the Ripon community and to humankind. These awards were established in 1987 as a lasting tribute to Mary Eva Webster, the wife of Edwin W. Webster, Class of 1919 and professor of history at Ripon College from 1921 to 1962. Mrs. Webster not only supported her husband’s activities but was a significant contributor to the College through her work with the AAUW, the Ripon College Women’s Club and other volunteer work. Students were welcomed into the Websters’ home and given the support, comfort and, sometimes, the admonitions which helped them to become better students and better people. |
| Alumni Association Senior Award | Vance | Plecha | A gift given by the Alumni Association to recognize members of the senior class who have, through leadership, enthusiasm, involvement and personal achievement, contributed to the betterment of campus life at Ripon College. |
| Alumni Association Senior Award | Rachel | Reger | A gift given by the Alumni Association to recognize members of the senior class who have, through leadership, enthusiasm, involvement and personal achievement, contributed to the betterment of campus life at Ripon College. |
| Class of 1991 Award | Paige | Hauck | Awarded for all-around excellence to a junior who has maintained an excellent academic record while contributing significantly to Ripon College’s extracurricular life. The recipient must be a conscientious student, create a positive image as a member of the community, and personify Ripon College’s emphasis on the well-rounded experience of a liberal arts education. This award is given by a member of the Class of 1991. |
| Deans’ Award | Pierce | Reese-Grimm | Awarded to an outstanding senior chosen for scholarship, leadership, character and service to the college. |
| Clifford Crump, Phi Beta Kappa Award (Sophomore) | Angela | Mosconi | Awarded to a sophomore selected by the Ripon Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa on the basis of academics, intellectual interest outside the classroom and service to the community. This award was established by Clifford C. Crump, a member of Ripon’s department of mathematics from 1937-1957. |
| Clifford Crump, Phi Beta Kappa Award (Junior) | Jake | Hargrave | Awarded to a junior selected by the Ripon Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa on the basis of academics, intellectual interest outside the classroom and service to the community. This award was established by Clifford C. Crump, a member of Ripon’s department of mathematics from 1937-1957. |
| Franzen Center for Academic Success Outstanding Tutor Award | Gwendolyn | Frei | Awarded to the student tutor who exhibits a high degree of dedication for helping students in an academic area, who has a professional approach in working with the Franzen Center staff, and who has collaborated with faculty to help students succeed. |
| Student Organization Leadership Award | Pre-Law Society | Plaques are awarded by the Student Activities and Orientation Office to student organizations whose members have exemplified outstanding service to the campus and community. | |
| Student Organization Leadership Award | Ripon College Feminist | Plaques are awarded by the Student Activities and Orientation Office to student organizations whose members have exemplified outstanding service to the campus and community. | |
| Student Organization Leadership Award | Student Programing Council | Plaques are awarded by the Student Activities and Orientation Office to student organizations whose members have exemplified outstanding service to the campus and community. | |
| Student Leadership Award | Anna | Bauer | Plaques are awarded by the Student Activities and Orientation Office to student leaders exhibiting dependability, dedication, service to campus, and outstanding leadership qualities. |
| Student Leadership Award | Citlali | Marquez | Plaques are awarded by the Student Activities and Orientation Office to student leaders exhibiting dependability, dedication, service to campus, and outstanding leadership qualities. |
| Student Leadership Award | Juliana | Garcia | |
| Faculty/Staff Mentor Award | Marc | Eaton | A plaque is presented by the Student Activities and Orientation Office to the individual who promotes in and out of classroom learning experiences. |
| Senior Class Award | Rebecca | Matzke | Awarded to a faculty member who the senior class feels best exhibits a commitment to helping students realize their full potential by challenging them in and out of the classroom. |
| Presidential Staff Award for General Excellence | Donald | Beuthin | Awarded to a staff member who are a critical part of the College's long-standing access. Their work ensures that our campus community is able to enjoy the fu ll benefits of being a part of a leading liberal arts and sciences college. |
| May Bumby Severy '08 Award | Jandelyn | Plane | Awarded to faculty members in recognition of their excellence in undergraduate teaching, established by a estate gift from May Severy in 1956, is given. The Faculty Development Committee and Dean of Faculty evaluate and identify recipients of this award from nominations received from faculty, staff and students. |
| Erroll B. Davis Minority Achievement Award | Brandon | Peace | The Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Minority Achievment Award was created by Alliant Energy Foundation in honor of Mr. Davis and his years of leadership and service to the utility industry. It was his intention to recognize the outstanding scholarship and community service of minority undergraduate students. |
| James Underkofler Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching | Travis | Nygard | The James Underkofler Endowment Fund was created in 1995 by the Alliant Energy Foundation in honor of Mr. James R. Underkofler and his 48 years of service to the utility industry. Its intent is to honor and recognize the importance of excellence in undergraduate teaching. |