Welcome to R Connections!
Dive into the hub of all things alumni! Whether you’re curious about your graduating class or eager to catch up on the latest alumni happenings, this is the place to be.
Retirement Update from Rev. Paul Nancarrow ’78
Retirement Update from Rev. Paul Nancarrow ’78
Paul Nancarrow
The Rev. Paul Nancarrow ’78, will retire from parish ministry at Trinity Episcopal Church this fall. After 11 years at Trinity, and 33 years in the ordained ministry, Paul and Lee will move to the Twin Cities of Minnesota, where they will be close to Paul’s family, and where Paul will take time to write up some of the theological ideas that have been incubating over three decades. There will also be bicycling!
Submitted by: Gregg Petersen
Michelle Benedict ’94 presents at National Aquarist Conference
Michelle Benedict ’94 presents at National Aquarist Conference
Michelle Benedict
Michelle Benedict ’94, presented a talk in May at the Regional Aquarists Workshop hosted in Columbus, OH. Also known as RAW, the annual event is the national conference for aquarists. Michelle’s talk, entitled “Using Novel Training to Increase Visitor Impact,” was given to a conference attendance of over 400 people. The talk explains how positive reinforcement training can be used to connect fish and aquarium visitors. This presentation expands on the viral video of Michelle’s puffer fish training which now has over 30 million views.
Submitted by: Michelle
Mini reunion in Highland Park, Illinois
Mini reunion in Highland Park, Illinois
Jennifer Sabath
Last night I had a small reunion at my house in Highland Park, Illinois including
Ann Kowenstrot Biddle ’92 currently from Alaska but on a Midwest college tour with her daughter Elsa, Amy Dawe Watkins ’92 currently from La Grange Park, Illinois, Myself Jennifer Haywood Sabath ’92 currently from Highland Park, Illinois and Kristin Koch Hanscom ’92 currently from Mundelein, Illinois.
It was like we saw each other just yesterday and we picked up where we left off, this is the kind of bond that Ripon College creates!
Submitted by: Jennifer Haywood Sabath
News Update from Eric Atkisson ’94 — MFA in Creative Writing
News Update from Eric Atkisson ’94 — MFA in Creative Writing
Eric Atkisson
In May, Eric completed a master of fine arts in creative writing (nonfiction) from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Retired from the Army National Guard since 2014, he is a communications and marketing supervisor at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the published author of several magazine articles and short stories.
Submitted by: Eric Atkisson
Spotted: Ripon Lacrosse Alumni Game
Spotted: Ripon Lacrosse Alumni Game
Kevin Warmack
Ripon Alumni Game, Lacrosse: KEVIN WARMACK ’79, Next to him is BILL SCHNESE ’79, TED SCHALLER ’79, TONY PONCE DE LEON ’79, JOHN HELLAND ’79, ARTIE PETERS ’79, TOBY STORZER ’82 and ANDY DIXON ’79. Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Jason Wood, Kari Lee, and Joan Grzesinski
Spotted: Jason Wood, Kari Lee, and Joan Grzesinski
Jason Wood
JASON WOOD ‘96 visited KARI LEE ‘96 and JOAN GRZESINSKI ‘96, enjoying the offerings of the Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District. Chicago, Illinois.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Karlyn Schumacher Porfirio, Mara Staedt, and Brooke Behnke
Spotted: Karlyn Schumacher Porfirio, Mara Staedt, and Brooke Behnke
Karlyn Porfirio
MARA STAEDT ’15 and BROOKE BEHNKE ’15 at KARLYN SCHUMACHER PORFIRIO’S ’15 wedding.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Zach Spaciel
Spotted: Zach Spaciel
Zach Spaciel
ZACH SPACIEL ’15 and his fiancée Ivana Karabegovic in front of their new home in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Jason Wood, Elke Sporseen Bentonte, and Kim Phu Lee
Spotted: Jason Wood, Elke Sporseen Bentonte, and Kim Phu Lee
Jason Wood
JASON WOOD ‘96 Spent some quality time this summer with ELKE SPORSEEN BETONTE ‘96 and KIM PHU LEE ‘96, catching up on everything old and new in San Francisco, California.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Alice Hall Hayes
Spotted: Alice Hall Hayes
Alice Hayes
ALICE HALL HAYES ’69 and Ed Hayes at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Bob Fleck and Ruth Potts Fleck
Spotted: Bob Fleck and Ruth Potts Fleck
Bob Fleck
BOB FLECK ’65 & RUTH POTTS FLECK ’66 at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Don Park
Spotted: Don Park
Don Park
DON PARK ’69 & Dana Park at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Scott Nyquist and Chip Retson
Spotted: Scott Nyquist and Chip Retson
Scott Nyquist
SCOTT NYQUIST ’69 and CHIP RETSON ’69 at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Perry Brewer
Spotted: Perry Brewer
Perry Brewer
PERRY BREWER ’69 and Mary Brewer at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Jay Taylor
Spotted: Jay Taylor
Jay Taylor
JAY TAYLOR ’69 & Linda Taylor at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Scott Nyquist and Jane Wieser Baker
Spotted: Scott Nyquist and Jane Wieser Baker
Scott Nyquist
SCOTT NYQUIST ’69 & JANE WIESER BAKER ’69 at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Carolyn Calandra Selsor and Tom Selsor
Spotted: Carolyn Calandra Selsor and Tom Selsor
Carolyn Selsor
CAROLYN CALANDRA SELSOR ’69 & TOM SELSOR ’68 at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Judy Jones
Spotted: Judy Jones
Judy Jones
JUDY JONES ’69 at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Class of 1984 Reunion
Spotted: Class of 1984 Reunion
Back row: BECKY LINSKY DELISLE ’84, CONNIE HERBON MOSER ’84, DONNA REARDON GOLDBERG ’84, VICKI VICHA ERICKSON ’84, SUE SHEPHERD ’84, Middle Row: KEITH MITCHELL ’84, LINDA GIUFFRE ANDERSON ‘84, DESIREE SWENSON STROM ’84, GARY PAGE ’84, Front Row: MIKE FRANCOLUCCI ’84, MARK SPRAGUE ’84, GREG HALVORSEN ’84, JAY HYUCK ’84, MIKE ALBERTSON ’84, MIKE GALVAN ’84 and DAVE SHORGREN ’84. Alumni Weekend 2019, Class of 1984 Reunion.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Spotted: Barry Morton
Spotted: Barry Morton
Barry Morton
BARRY MORTON ’69 & Jane Morton at Alumni Weekend 2019.
Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus
Ripon College Rally Days 2025 exceeds goal
Ripon College surpassed its goal of achieving 1,000 gifts during the eighth annual spring giving event, Rally Days 2025, from April 2-4, with more than eight hours left of the event. At the end of Rally Days, the College received 1,091 gifts and raised $506,534.20. The theme this year was “Impact History.” Every contribution moved […]
Celebrating ‘National Puppy Day’ with Danielle Gunter ’06
Danielle Paiz Gunter ’06 is helping feed dogs and cats in no-kill shelters. As executive director of Puppy Food Bank, she spearheads efforts to collect donations that fuel the work of rescue organizations across the country. Since its founding in October 2022, Gunter has helped Puppy Food Bank distribute more than 500,000 pounds of dog […]
Frank Smoll ’63 publishes e-book for youth sport parents
Frank Smoll ’63, Ph.D., recently published an e-book for youth sport parents after enjoying a career as a developmental sport psychologist and professor emeritus of the University of Washington. Titled “Sports and Your Young Athlete: Developing Champions in Sports and Life,” the e-book provides comprehensive information that assists parents in enhancing the well-being of their […]
Share Your Story!
Got some exciting news or a recent meetup with Ripon College friends? We want to hear all about it! Just click the “Add My Story” button at the top to share your adventures—don’t forget to include a photo! We can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to!
Upcoming events
Physics and Engineering Seminar – Jared Zeman ’19
Jared Zeman ’19 will be presenting his Ph.D. research to our undergraduate students.
Milwaukee Brewers v. Chicago Cubs
Includes an all-inclusive ticket in the Associated Bank Power Alley. Featuring a private game experience with dinner buffet, non-alcoholic beverages, and 2 Molson Coors products per person. Register:
Alumni Weekend
Save the date for the next Alumni Weekend – June 19-22, 2025, 2025! Watch for weekend details to be shared as we get closer to the event.