R Connections

1996

Jason Wood

[email protected]

Happy Fall Class of 1996!

Can you believe that 2019 is right around the corner? Summer seems to be gone in a blink of a second now a days, as it does every year.  I hope that everyone had a great past couple months, being able to spend some time outdoors enjoying the sun and warmth. The year isn’t even over and I can tell you that 2018 has been a year of highs and lows for me. But some of the highs I know for me is being able to see and spend quality time with old friends, particularly ones from Ripon College. And I have had that privilege a few times these past couple months.   
A few months ago four of us from Ripon spent a weekend in New York City (LORI BERGERON ’95, SHEA HARDY ’95, and RYAN COX ’95). We attempted to live like we were still were in college, which at our age CLEARLY doesn’t work.   

Around that time I had the opportunity to have a wonderful night of dinner and drinks in NYC with AMY TINCHER-DURIK ’96 (not the best selfie out there, so I apologize in advance). And when I was in Wisconsin at the beginning of summer for a bit, I had the fortune to spend time with these lovely characters from our class (KYRSTEN KOEBACH ’96, JOAN GRZESINSKI ’96, KIM PHU  ’96). True friends are hard to come by but I can say they are there when you really need them.

In June I ran in the Seattle Rock and Roll ½ Marathon, raising money for the SYTA Youth Foundation which benefits children who cannot afford to travel, a cause that is super close to my heart. After the race I got to unwind and recuperate (in wine country) with KENDRA TRIPP ’96.

Those were my adventures. Now all of you, please keep us all posted on things that are happening, whether a brief update to the college or posting updates/pictures on Facebook, Instagram, or any of the social media outlets there. It is wonderful to keep track of each other and their lives even though we might not see each other on a regular basis.   

Regards,
JASON WOOD ’96

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agents:

Vince Padilla and Amy DeKeyser Padilla

[email protected] / [email protected]

Angela Keith

[email protected]

Spring 2018

Dear Class of ’95,

We hope everyone is doing well – good jobs, healthy families and even spoiled pets. Winter is winding its way down here in Wisconsin. There’s always that excitement when you see your first robin of the year, and you know the long winter is almost over.

The Ripon College fiscal year is also winding its way down. We would like to encourage our classmates to give generously. The Annual Fund is what keeps the College running. Without alumni donations, our alma mater would literally not be able to sustain its day-to-day operations.  No amount is too small. What matters is participation percentage. Please remember to make your donation before June 30.

We don’t have any specific class news to share. I think we take it for granted that many of us are connected on Facebook and pretty much know each others’ business 24/7/365!  If you do have any news you’d like us to share in these class letters, please reach out to Vince, Angela or me any time. We’d love to hear from you!

We hope everyone has a great summer and we’ll talk to you again in the fall!

Amy, Vince, and Angela

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1995

Angela Keith

(928) 380-1880 / [email protected]

Vince Padilla

[email protected]

Amy DeKeyser Padilla

[email protected]

Hello Class of ’95!

I hope you are enjoying this issue of R Connections.  I find this new format pretty awesome—now we are able to check in on the classes that surrounded us during our time at Ripon. Like me, I’m sure you all had friends in every class, and it is nice to see what they are up to.

Our letter, this time around, is going to be fairly brief. We have not received any updates from our classmates in the last few months, and all the information about the goings on at Ripon are now part of the magazine.

As usual, please consider donating to the Annual Fund to ensure Ripon can continue to be a part of the lives of our future generations. Ripon was a stepping stone for us that helped create the path we are on now.

We truly enjoy hearing updates from our classmates! If there is something new and exciting in your life—let us know via email, Facebook, or one of those information cards that Ripon sends out! It would be nice to be able to report in the next issue.

Until next time …

Regards,

ANGELA L. KEITH

AMY DEKEYSER PADILLA

VINCE PADILLA

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Kimberly Woolley

[email protected]  

www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-woolley-a903959

Spring 2018

Greetings, Class of 1994!

I hope you are all doing well. I was on campus in February and took a tour of the upper campus. The campus looked beautiful, even in the frigid temps. I also had lunch with a few of the current students and chatted with them about the college. It was lovely to get their perspective on student life at Ripon.

If you haven’t been on campus recently, I encourage you to visit during Alumni Weekend (June 21-24, 2018).  Also, please start getting ready for Alumni Weekend 2019 when the Class of 1994 will be celebrating our 25th Year Reunion. While on campus, you should carve out time to visit the new Willmore Health and Wellness Center (the former Storzer Center). Many of our classmates contributed to the fund to build the Willmore Center, which is named after one of Ripon’s very successful female alumnus and Honorary Life Trustee, DENA WILLMORE ’67.

Thank you to the classmates who reached out to me with updates.  Here are what some of our classmates are up to.

Class Notes:

ERIC ATKISSON ’94 of Alexandria, Virginia, changed jobs in August 2017 from speechwriter to communications supervisor at the Patent and Trademark Office. Eric also had another piece of fiction published last November: the latest in his “Crazy Snake” series for Heroic Fantasy Quarterly. By the time this letter comes out, he will be finished with his second year of the creative nonfiction writing program at George Mason University.

KATY HERBOLSHEIMER LINDBERG ’94 of Hastings, Minnesota, is celebrating 20 years of owning her Farmers Insurance Agency.  She has been named 6 times in the top 10% in the country and 1 time in the top 3%.

SARA HOLBACH KLECKNER ’94 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has chaired the fundraising gala for her high school’s art council for the past three years, increasing funds raised every year. Sara is passionate about the importance of arts education in public schools and believes kids have a better experience when the arts are part of their curriculum. Sara and her husband Jason continue to work on restoration projects around the house. They sent their eldest daughter, Madeleine, off to Cornell College last fall.

JOHN FISHER ’94 of Florence, Arizona, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2017.  John married Kristi Fisher on August 3, 2002 in Enfield, Connecticut, spent his career in the Banking/Mortgage Industry and had a great passion for numbers. He loved to work on cars with his brother Doug and he enjoyed building model and radio control cars. He loved to wakeboard and bike. He was a wrestling State Champion in high school. He loved all sports, especially football, which he played in college. He loved being a Merriman at Ripon College. He loved his five children and took great joy in being a dad.

All the best,

Kimberly

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1994

Colin Dickerson

[email protected]

Kimberly Woolley

[email protected] / www.facebook.com/kimbo.woolley / www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-woolley-a903959

Please mark your calendars now for our 25th Reunion, next summer, June 27-30, 2019. More details about Alumni Weekend 2019 and our reunion celebration coming soon! If you’re interested in volunteering to help make the weekend a success, please let us know or contact the Office of Constituent Engagement, [email protected].

ERIC ATKISSON ‘94 of Alexandria, Virginia, changed jobs in August 2017, from speechwriter to communications supervisor at the Patent and Trademark Office. Eric also had another piece of fictions published last November, the latest is his ‘Crazy Snake’ series for Heroic Fantasy Quarterly. And by the time this letter comes out, he will be finished with his second year of the creative nonfiction writing program at George Mason University.

KATY HERBOLSHEIMER LINDBERG ’94 of Hastings, Minnesota, is celebrating 20 years of owning her Farmers Insurance Agency. She has been named 6 times in the top 10% in the country and 1 time in the top 3%.

SARA HOLBACH KLECKNER ’94 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, chaired the fundraising Gala for her high school’s Art Council for the last three years, increasing funds raised every year. Sara is passionate about the importance of arts education in public schools and believes kids have a better experience when the arts are part of their curriculum. Sara and her husband Jason continue to work on restoration projects around the house and they sent their eldest daughter, Madeleine, off to Cornell College last fall.”

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1993

Melinda Trainor Hutchinson

651-259-3459 / [email protected]

Hi All,

I hope you are all doing well. There was a small group of us on campus for our Silver Anniversary reunion this past June, but we all had a blast! The weather was beautiful, there was lots of food, plenty of activities and things to do—but also some downtime, which I really appreciated!  

Here’s the latest news from our classmates:

DEB JENSEN LAHTEINE ‘93 of Plymouth, Massachusetts, was a guest speaker at University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business. She spoke to a group of undergraduates participating in the Sears Holdings Corporation Retail Leadership Seminar. Her speech was titled, “Approaches to Finding Solutions.”

LEE ANN HUDZIAK LELLA ’93 of Wausau, Wisconsin, is the Associate Manager at RCL Benziger, a company that produces Catholic curriculum and other resources.

KYRA HYSER LONGFELLOW ’93 of Oakdale, Minnesota recently started a new position at a different company. She is now working for the Advisor Group, a privately-owned financial services firm that has a corporate office right where she lives, proving to be her best commute to work ever. Kyra’s title is User Acceptance Tester for the Advisor Portals. She performs user testing on new code, new field-facing systems, as well as doing a quality review of any new or modified written content to the Advisor Portal websites. Financial advisors rely on the Advisor Portals to be their one-stop shop in accessing key information and systems to run their independent financial practices. The position is diverse and she is enjoying new day-to-day responsibilities.

CATHERINE WILSON ’93 of Cotuit, Massachusetts, received the Community Volunteer Award for her support of several local charities. In good company, Cat will receive her award along with State Representative Randy Hunt will receive the Elected Official Award for his focus on the opioid epidemic.

And me…

MELINDA TRAINOR HUTCHINSON ’93 of Eagan, Minnesota, will be checking another item off my bucket list by going back to college part-time this fall! I’m planning to work toward a Certificate in American Sign Language.

Well, that’s all for this fall! Please keep in touch and let us know what you’re up to. Do you need to update your contact information? Contact me by Facebook (are you part of the Ripon College Class of 1993 group?) or my email address. I can also forward your contact info to the college if you’d like. Otherwise, you can contact the Office of Constituent Engagement directly with changes at [email protected] or via U.S. mail to Alumni Office, Ripon College, P.O. Box 248, Ripon, WI 54971.  

Thank you! MELINDA

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agents:

JuDee Stojsavljevic Fischer

[email protected]

Bonni Dembroski Fredrick

[email protected]

Erin McCormack

[email protected]

Spring 2018

Hello Fellow Class of 1992 members –

It’s hard to believe that it’s already heading into spring of 2018. It feels like just yesterday that we gathered on campus last summer for our big reunion! Those of you who attended the reunion may remember that the Willmore Center was in the process of being finished.

Well, it’s done, it’s open, it’s operational and it’s an amazing addition to campus. Here’s some information for you if you haven’t been on campus to see it yet.

Willmore Center is the main health and wellness facility on campus and houses the athletics and exercise science departments. Named for alumna and Honorary Life Trustee Dena G. Willmore, the center opened in August 2017 after a $22 million renovation and expansion.

Located on the corner of Union and Thorne streets, Willmore Center houses the KERMIT “DOC” WEISKE ’50 Gymnasium and the John M. Kohler Swimming Pool. The new 65,000 sq. ft. field house includes an indoor NCAA-regulation track, complete with field events and four performance courts for basketball, tennis and volleyball.

Additionally, within Willmore Center are three fitness studios, a weight room and a cardio balcony. The new field house is home to Ripon’s indoor track and field teams.

The track/cross country coach’s office is named in honor of Coach Dick Hendricks of Ripon, who was a long-time cross-country and track coach for the college. Alumni, friends and family shocked Dick in early January at a ceremony to dedicate the office. He thought he was just there to attend a track meet and an alumni event. Surprise!

I know I really enjoyed my June sneak peek and can’t wait to get back to see the Willmore Center in all its glory. It was so much fun to wander around it during reunion weekend with Coach Hendricks, while knowing that he had no idea of what we were plotting and planning for him.

As always, Ripon keeps a full schedule of engagements for students and the community. Late winter and spring events include:

• The Center for Politics and the People held a panel discussion about democracy
• Award-winning poet Maggie Smith spoke on campus
• “The 25Th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a Tony Award-winning musical was performed by the Ripon College Department of Theatre and Department of Music
• A Candidate for Wisconsin’s 6th District Congressional seat visited campus
• Doug Feith, Director and senior fellow of the Center for National Security Strategies at the Hudson Institute, visited campus for a discourse upon national security

Events like these and others are often supported through your generous donations. Please don’t forget that when we were students at Ripon, alumni donations and endowments underwrote the cost of our undergraduate education. Pay it forward and send a donation to Ripon. And now for some class notes…

JOANNA MALENFANT FISCHER ’92 of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has joined the board of Friends of Vassal Lane Upper School, a charity organization supporting her daughter’s school.

ERIN MCCORMACK ’92 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, relocated from Raleigh, NC to Colorado Springs, CO in the fall of 2017. She is now employed with the United States Olympic Committee as the Senior Technology and Innovation Advisor for the Strategy and Business Consulting team. Go Team USA!

Since relocating to Colorado Springs, Erin has been able to visit with LORI STICH OBLUDA ’91 who, with her husband, maintains a residence in Colorado Springs. On a recent engagement with USA Boxing, one of the National Governing Bodies for sport, Erin ended up collaborating with CLAY DUTCHER ’93. Ripon connections are truly everywhere. In her free time, Erin and her boyfriend enjoy all the great active outdoor activities in CO (running at altitude is much harder than running at sea level for sure) and supporting local craft breweries and restaurants.       

All the best,

JuDee, Bonni, and Erin

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1992

JuDee Stojsavljevic Fischer

262-681-8509 / [email protected]

Bonni Dembroski Fredrick

262-796-1531 / [email protected]

Erin Marie McCormack

[email protected]

Greetings Class of 1992,

As I am writing this letter Alumni Weekend has just wrapped up at Ripon College. As I saw the posts on Facebook of all the happy alumni, as well as my own Facebook Memories popping up, I was filled with gratitude at the opportunity we are all provided every 5 years to reconnect and remember our days at Ripon College. I thank all of you for being a part of those memories and continuing to foster new ones each year. I’ll look forward to seeing everyone again at the 30th reunion, June of 2022.

With that in mind, I’m going to get right to the fun part of the letter. What the heck is going on with the Class of 1992. I wish I had a ton of information I could share with you but we haven’t heard from too many people. Please get us your updates to be included in the spring communication.

But what I do have to share is very exciting.  I invite everyone to join me in giving a huge CONGRATULATIONS to our very own BRAD ALBERTS ’92. Brad has been named president of the Dallas Stars. Brad will be overseeing all aspects of the Stars business operations going forward. As a Blackhawks fan, I wish Brad the best of luck in achieving success his new role (just not too much success).

As always there are great things happening on campus and you don’t have to wait until 2022 to come back and visit again. Be sure to read through this edition of R Connections to see all the college news. Perhaps some of you, like me, even have a prospective student visit coming up for your son or daughter as you are entering that new phase of life as a parent of a soon to be college student. I do know some of our classmates have already had their children join the Ripon family.

Which brings me to the ask: Please consider continuing to support the Ripon Legacy with a contribution to the Annual Fund. Any donation large or small helps continue to provide the opportunity for the stellar Ripon education we all benefited from and the next generation is now enjoying. And if you work for an employer who matches donations, don’t forget to submit that paperwork and double your impact in supporting Ripon’s present and future.

With fond regards,

BONNI DEMBROSKI FREDRICK ’92

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agents:

Samantha Bailey ’91

3415 33rd Ave So

Minneapolis, MN 55406

612.978.4124 | [email protected]

Tracy Maher ‘91

1437 Marchbanks Dr, #7

Walnut Creek, CA 94598

401-225-9189 | [email protected]

Spring 2018

Greetings, Class of 1991!

If you’re reading this and didn’t receive a plea to send in an update, it probably means that we have an incorrect email address for you on file—dozens of the existing email addresses bounce when we seek updates. If you haven’t been in touch recently, please consider sending us an email with a few words we can include in the fall letter.

Speaking of updates—some additional changes to the class letter process are in the process of being implemented:

• R Connections will become an annual fall publication, therefore there will be no spring 2018 version mailed to alumni.
• Obituaries are going back to the Ripon Magazine starting in July 2018 and no longer included in R Connections.
• A stronger Class Agent, class letter and news note presence online is being developed for release this fall.

Donations to the annual fund are welcome year-round and can be made online: https://www.ripon.edu/make-a-gift/

Obituary

LISA KAY INDERMUEHLE BOHOVSKY ’91 went to her Lord and Savior on August 27, 2017 at Kathy’s Hospice House, West Bend, WI, after a 5-yr battle with cancer.

Lisa was born September 10, 1969, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the only child of David and Marilyn Kaiser Indermuehle.  In December, 1970, the family moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to Lisa’s grandparents and extended family. They ultimately settled in Schofield, where Lisa attended the D.C. Everest schools, graduating in 1987.  During high school, she was active in concert and marching bands, varsity tennis team, and Key club. At that time she also attended the First Presbyterian Church, where she was confirmed and participated in the Senior High Youth Group, helping to prepare the Friends Thanksgiving Dinner and traveling to different locations on their mission trips.

Lisa attended Ripon College, Ripon, WI, graduating in 1991 earning a BA degree with majors in mathematics and computer science.  While at Ripon, she continued her interest in music, tennis, and Circle K club.

Lisa used her education, working in the Milwaukee area as a data analyst in the health care claim processing field.  Her last employer was Virtual Benefits Administrator in Germantown. They recently presented Lisa with an AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, which combined three attributes:  dedication to her clients, willingness to help co-workers, and her company and team spirit. This award will be presented in Lisa’s name to future employees who exhibit these same attributes.  During her period of illness, Lisa also used her education participating in the 4th Angel program as a mentor to other women with the same type of illness.

On October 2, 1999, Lisa married David B. Bohovsky, and became step-mother to Ashley and Peter.  While in Hartford, Lisa and David were members of First United Methodist Church, where Lisa was active on the Administrative Council, in Women’s circle, the handbell choir, Sunday School shepherd and the Family Promise program.  Lisa and David enjoyed many outdoor pursuits, including walking, many with their rat terrier Sassy, biking and kayaking. They also enjoyed traveling to different parts of the country.

Survivors include her husband David, step-children Ashley (Ryan) Niebuhr and Peter, her parents David and Marilyn, Aunts Jeanette Hinn and Charlene (Gary) Reitz, cousin Jeffrey (Christine) Reitz, second cousin Kim Wiegand (Rex) Lang and their children Brittny, Haley, Brady and Devin, brother-in-law Stephen (friend Kim Le) Bohovsky and her dear rat terrier Sassy.  Predeceasing Lisa were her grandparents, Erwin & Irene Kaiser and Carl and Marcella Indermuehle, step-grandmothers Ruth Jambretz Kaiser and Wanda Kibble Indermuehle, and uncle Bill Hinn, mother-in-law and step father-in-law Isabel and Robert Meridith.

Memorial Services for Lisa were held on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church (738 W. Monroe Ave. Hartford, WI 53027). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 738 Monroe St., Hartford, WI  53027, or the charity of your choice.

Class Notes:

SAMANTHA BAILEY ’91: I lost my job in November, which resulted in a surprisingly relaxing holiday season. I am looking for a User Experience leadership role in the twin cities, so if you know of companies who need help maturing their user interface design practices, please send them my way!

BECKY HUSTAD ’91 and BRIAN FREY ’91 of Madison, Wisconsin, write, “We just fledged our first-born to a liberal arts college in the Midwest. Sorry Ripon, she was really determined to be immersed in a big city and learn about transportation systems etc. She is willing to endure bagpipes for that proximity. Our son kicks off high school this fall. We are optimistic, but he is already harder to keep track of than the 18-year old that just flew the coop. Brian is still a research scientist in chemistry at UW Madison and has an occasional Ripon student visiting him and/or working with him. I am an office manager for Greenleaf Media. This part-time position gives me the flexibility to offer garden education experiences to various elementary school students on the west side of Madison throughout the spring, summer and fall. We managed a quick trip to visit my sister in L.A. last spring, but the schedules of two busy teenagers doesn’t allow for much traveling. Lots of soccer and baseball games are in our future, but we always look forward to winter – a break from sporting events and convincing our kids to play nerdy board games.”

JOSH JOSEPH ’91 of Whitefish, Montana, writes, “All is well in Whitefish, Montana. Two years ago (approximately as my memory is fading) we relocated from the beautiful but crowded beaches of San Clemente, California and moved to the Mountainside community of Whitefish. Lots of Lake time/fly-fishing in the summer and Skiing/hockey in the winter.

My wife, Stephanie, and I have two very mischievous sons. George (10) and Jackson (6).  Occasionally they miss the beach but have adapted to the Mountain lifestyle well.. then again, kids are able to adapt just about anywhere..

I am still running a Real Estate Design & Development firm call Falcon Development, Inc.  Mostly focusing on Multi-family (apartment building) construction and management. My wife is an account for a firm out of Southern California. Luckily, they let her work from home in Montana.

The last Ripon Grad I ran into was Michelle Ryan in Southern California. It was great to see her and talk story.

If you and or any other grads ever make it through Glacier National Park and or Whitefish, make sure to reach out.

AMY STAPELFELDT KRUK ‘91 writes: “All is well in Germantown, Wisconsin, several milestones to celebrate this year!  24 years of marriage to CHRIS KRUK (’92) is just around the corner. I just celebrated my 25th Work Anniversary @ Cardinal Components in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. In January, I enjoyed a girl’s weekend in Florida with some ADPi sisters celebrating “their 50th B-day’s” and I hope my friend Cinnamon Gifford Theder is feeling 100% soon so we can get together before spring!

DONNA PETERSON ’91, of Madison, Wisconsin, writes, “I live in Madison, Wisconsin. I work at Accuray as a Global Service Development Engineering Manager at Accuray, Inc.”

JULIE SCHREIBER SCHNELL ’91 of Windsor, Wisconsin, writes, “Life in the Madison area is still as exciting and nonstop as ever. The Schnell family is its 6th year of owning a small, local business just down the street from our house, Windsor Breads Bakery & Coffeehouse in (10 minutes from the east side of Madison). I’m also nearing the first anniversary of being a Retail Sales Associate at U.S. Cellular in Waunakee. My husband, Anthony, continues teaching high school science in Lodi and our boys, Marcus (15) and Peter (12) keep things lively and fun. If anyone is ever in the Madison area, give me a head’s up at (608) 713-3549 so I can pamper you with one of our bakery/coffeeshop’s outstanding beverages and made-from-scratch baked goods :)”

Don’t Forget About Our Facebook Group

If you’re on Facebook, please ask to join our Class of ’91 group for updates and Ripon news. Alternatively, send your email address to Samantha and I can add you to the group that way.

Wishing you health and good fortune in the coming months. Have a great summer—and don’t forget to send us lots of updates for the fall letter!

Samantha Bailey, Tracy Maher

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1991

Tracy Maher

401-225-9189 / [email protected]

Samantha Bailey

612-978-4124 / [email protected]

Greetings, Class of 1991!

Hope you had a great summer and are enjoying the abundance of pumpkin flavored foodstuff that seems to begin earlier each year. Don’t forget about the Annual Fund—if you get your donation out of the way now, you can ignore my exhortation in the spring letter! So many juicy updates—but if you missed getting yours in, send it right now and I’ll tuck it away for next time. Now on to the good stuff:

Class Notes:

KAREN MILEWSKI DYMOND ’91 writes, “I just completed my second year of teaching 4th grade math/science. Next year I will teach 4th and 5th grade math and science. I love what I’m doing! Teaching is an amazing and rewarding profession. My son just graduated from Christopher Newport University, and got married two weeks later. And my daughter graduated from high school.  She will be attending University of Lynchburg in the fall. Lynchburg reminds me so much of Ripon. I’m very excited for her. ABE DYMOND ’90 continues to work at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.”

SAMANTHA BAILEY ’91 writes, “I spent the last two years building a team of 12 and redesigning a flagship software product, only to lose my job just after the product launch last fall. So that was…miserable. I got to spend lots of time volunteering at my son’s school while job hunting, but all in all I don’t have anything positive to say about unemployment. Happily, I’ve accepted a role as User Experience Director at Optum, which is part of UnitedHealth Group, and I’m delighted to be back at work.”

RACHEL FERRER ’91 writes, “I moved to Colorado last fall. I work with veterans to provide medicine.”

TIM FINNEGAN ’91 writes, “Just looking forward to Timmy’s Kindergarten graduation this week. I’m still living in Hope, Rhode Island working as a school counselor at La Salle Academy in Providence.”

KRISTEN GRAY ’91 writes, “I divide my time between San Francisco and Denver. I continue to love working in Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication. I have a great mix of one-on-one therapy, supporting school teams, and developing materials. I’m very excited to be going on a small vacation with Ripon friends at the end of the month. Hopefully we will manage to get a picture of everyone to share in the next newsletter.”

BECKY HUSTAD ’91 and BRIAN FREY ’91 write,

“It’s been 25 years since the wedding in the woods and the reception in my dad’s hay barn. We may have unwittingly revived that whole “barn dance” theme. It was not a fancy barn, but it held the 300+ family and friends who were able to attend, and no one fell through the floor! I am grateful every day for my patient and thoughtful husband. We are so fortunate to still be on this journey together. Here is a photo from the wedding in 1993 and a few others from our marriage.”

THOMAS GREVE ’91 (freelance news writer and occasional sports producer) lives in Chicago. His oldest daughter just finished freshman year at the University of Kansas in Lawrence…his 12- year-old son is headed to junior high and already claiming that he wants to “blow through Ripon” next time he heads north. Here’s hoping.

AMY ANDERSON KESSLER ’91 writes, “I’ve joined the development staff of the Merola Opera Program in San Francisco.”

MEAGHAN MAHONY MATHEWS ’91 writes, “Our oldest is off to High School in the fall, next two will
be in junior high. JOHN MATHEWS ’89 and I still live in Riverside, just outside Chicago. We are off to Ireland this summer for vacation.”

MAURA MURPHY ’91 writes, “My oldest is heading to high school and my youngest will be a 7th grader. During the short Minnesota summer, my husband Steve and I are enjoying spending time with the kids at our new family spot on Lake Vermilion. Looking forward to catching up with dear friends at the end of June in the mountains of West Virginia, courtesy of Karen and Abe Dymond.”

HEATHER THIEME ’91 writes, “I’m looking forward to seeing my fellow Smith Hall babes in just a couple of weeks in Virginia at KAREN MILEWSKI DYMOND’S ’91 posh cabin!! I am a surgical oncologist, moved my practice to the Geisinger Cancer Center/general surgery this year and I’m the site director for the Geisinger Surgery Residency in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. My boys turn 6 and 9 this year, and my husband still has his restaurant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.”

ELIZABETH LAKE ’91 writes, “I just finished my 1st year “back to work” after 10 years as a fulltime mom, working as a library teaching assistant at my kids’ school. I really love spending the time with the kids inspiring a love of reading. PHIL TROBAUGH ’88 and I just celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary, which is crazy because that doesn’t seem possible. Our kids are 8 and 10 and keeping us young.”

RICHARD WHIPPLE ’91 writes, “About a year and a half ago I quit my riverside community care job to become a full time stay at home dad. Nancy went back to work. I am trying to write the memoir of Alexander’s short life and being a grieving father.  If any classmate would like to help with this project, please Facebook message me.”

HEATHER KLITZKE WISEMAN ’91 writes, “My twins just graduated from high school and I look forward to visiting them at Wofford and Berry College. I decided I was not ready to be an empty nester and have two foster children, ages 5 and 6. They are making me feel old and young at the same time!”

SUE KUTSCHENREUTER YOUNGS ’91 writes, “After 20 years in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, BILL YOUNGS ’89 and I are moving down to Wisconsin. I am moving back into my childhood home in Pewaukee, so life has pretty much come full circle for me. Looking forward to this new adventure as we both settle into new jobs and a new life as homeowners! If all goes well, rescuing and fostering cats and kittens will be a part of that new adventure.”

LORI KOMETER ’91 writes, “I work as a Capital Mitigation Specialist in Phoenix. Basically, I am a biographer for individuals charged with capital murder so I can try to convince juries to spare their lives of the death penalty and give them a life sentence instead. (Because Arizona still has the death penalty even though it’s barbaric). I have twin 1st graders and an amazing co-parent who shares 1/2 custody with me, so I get to rejuvenate my patience and clean my house every-other-day. Look me up if ever in the Phoenix area. I love a dinner out with old friends!”

Don’t Forget About Our Facebook Group

If you’re on Facebook, please ask to join our Class of ’91 group for updates and Ripon news. Alternatively, send your email address to [email protected] and I can add you to the group that way.

Warmly,

SAMANTHA BAILEY, TRACY MAHER

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1990

Robert E. Corkery Jr.

[email protected]

Christina L. Maggio-Kellerstrass

[email protected]

Hello Classmates!

As always, we hope this greeting finds you healthy, happy and doing well!  

2018 should mark a milestone for the class of 1990, as most of us will have turned the big 50 this year!  Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were playing frisbee golf, ultimate frisbee, listening to Clyde Stokes, and partaking in other “pure” activities on campus and in town that captivated us at the moment. Oh and let’s not forget going to class☺!  When we were in college 50 seemed to be old … now it seems quite young☺. We hope that you all celebrated with flare. Cheers to 50 years! Happy Birthday to all!

Just a bit of news to share from one of our classmates …LESLIE PAULSEN ’90 of Newman, Georgia, married Christopher Purvis on December 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.  

If you have news that you want included in the class letter, please send it our way so we can make sure it’s shared with all of you.

Enjoy the remainder of 2018!

Fondly,

BOB & CHRISTINA

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agents:
Robert E. Corkery, Jr.
[email protected]

Christina L. Maggio-Kellerstrass
[email protected]

Spring 2018

Hello Classmates!

Couldn’t let the spring go by without sending good wishes to all of you! There is not much to report from classmate news so this is just a friendly greeting from the both of us! If you would like to share news in this format, please email us and we’ll make sure it’s covered in our greeting!

Enjoy your summer!

Fondly,

Bob & Christina

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1990

Robert E. Corkery Jr.

[email protected]

Christina L. Maggio-Kellerstrass

[email protected]

Hello Classmates!

As always, we hope this greeting finds you healthy, happy and doing well!  

2018 should mark a milestone for the class of 1990, as most of us will have turned the big 50 this year!  Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were playing frisbee golf, ultimate frisbee, listening to Clyde Stokes, and partaking in other “pure” activities on campus and in town that captivated us at the moment. Oh and let’s not forget going to class☺!  When we were in college 50 seemed to be old … now it seems quite young☺. We hope that you all celebrated with flare. Cheers to 50 years! Happy Birthday to all!

Just a bit of news to share from one of our classmates …LESLIE PAULSEN ’90 of Newman, Georgia, married Christopher Purvis on December 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.  

If you have news that you want included in the class letter, please send it our way so we can make sure it’s shared with all of you.

Enjoy the remainder of 2018!

Fondly,

BOB & CHRISTINA

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agents:

Nikki Zens Lindberg

[email protected]

Mitch Rosin

[email protected]

Spring 2018

Dear Class of ’89

I have been doing my best to emulate Mitch, and have done a little traveling to start my new year. January I went to NYC with Scottie. While there we had an awesome time at the live taping of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. To our shock, Mitch was actually in town, and we got to spend time together, including an impromptu mini-Ripon reunion happy hour in Times Square with Kraig Fergeson and Jamie Hawley (along with Jamie’s daughter, Rachel and boyfriend).

This spring my daughter, Ginny, will be making her choice for college. I can only hope she makes such incredible life-long relationships!

Enjoy our updates. Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. And as always, you can join us on Facebook (riff raff welcome).

Nikki & Mitch

Class News:

AMY ROSNER ’89 writes: here’s what I’m up to, along with some traveling: http://amyrosner.net/

PAUL DONALDSON ’89 writes: Wish us luck, and pray! Go dressage! Clippity-clop, clippity-clop.

PAT SCHMIDT ’89 writes: I don’t want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don’t want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don’t want to do that. And, oh yeah, I recently got engaged.

JOHN MATHEWS ’89 writes: Cougars in Rosendale! The only Cougars I recall from our day was one who woke up in the bed of a Sigma Chi (who will remain nameless) over Parent’s Weekend!

MARC HEALY ’89 writes: A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and nice Chianti.

LYNN MCCUTCHIN ’89 writes: Enjoying a cold one with Mr. Tony Jacquest. Happy Friday!

TED HARWOOD ’89 writes: Of all the gin joints in all the towns in the entire world, she walks into mine.

BRETT BORK ’89 writes: Married Susan Juel Bork on January 4, 2012.

TOBI CAWTHRA ’89 writes: One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know.

JOHN VERNON ’89 writes: The t-shirt monster girl picked out to wear to bed. Just a few fun memories working at the Double Dip for 8 summers in da Dells! Just can’t seem to
part with this old thing!

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1989

Nikki Zens Lindberg

[email protected]

Mitch Rosin

[email protected]

Dear Class of 1989 (and Riff Raff),

By the time you get this, Erik and I will have sent our first kid off to college. I know many of you have already gone through this experience, and, wow, how things have changed since our Ripon days. Her path is leading her to a big university (Michigan State), whereas both Erik and I, like you, sought something a wee bit smaller. Despite all the differences, we hope she will emerge with great friends, a love a learning, and a lifetime of memories. As a “last hurrah” we are doing a family trip to France (as you may have seen on Facebook).

As for Mitch, he continues to travel almost 100% of the time, and surprises us all with random mini Ripon reunions around the globe.

Congrats to all of you who have also experienced milestones, such as graduations, babies and grandbabies, weddings (your kids or your own) and more. I also know we all face challenges: death of friends or family, loss of a job, health concerns, etc. The support and encouragement, pride and love, that we give to each other reminds us of the importance of nurturing those friendships and connections. We are all in this together, and together we can get through anything.

Mark your calendars for our 30th (not a typo) reunion, June 27-30, 2019. We will be hitting you up for ideas and such on Facebook for what you’d like to see happen. Not on FB? Drop Mitch or I an email, text, call or even postcard. Hope to see you all in Ripon…or maybe a beach in Mexico (as Mitch is pushing hard for a “destination reunion”).

NIKKI LINDBERG & MITCH ROSIN

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks – on your body or on your heart — are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.” Anthony Bourdain

*****

TODD BAKER ’89 writes, “Would someone please tell Doc Emrick to stop adding an extra “a” to Vrana….”

DAVE BARZYK ’89 writes, “An open game. Anyone, anyone? Chris?”

TRICIA POTTER BAUER ’89 writes, “I still live in the heart of Amish Country, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Not much to report that’s new. Well just one thing. I shaved my head as a participant in a fundraising event for St Baldrick’s Foundation and surpassed our goal (with husband and 11-year-old son) of raising money for childhood cancer research. 

www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/975064/2018”

MICHELLE BROWN-DROESE ’89 writes, “I started teaching in the the graduate program at Simmons College School of Business.”

AMY WALDER CARRINGTON ’89 writes, “I was kind of hoping for James, William or David, but Louis works. Now I will be singing Louis Prima’s “I Wan’Na Be Like You” the rest of the morning.”

KRISTA CALHOUN CASPER ’89 writes, “Instapot friends!! Try this and let me know the results! (thewoksoflife.com/2018/06/instant-pot-soy-sauce-chicken/)”

TOBI CAWTHRA ’89 writes, “We welcomed two kitties into the house this week. In less than 24 hours, they were claiming us as their people and getting in some serious snuggling.”

SCOTT CHAMBERS ’89 writes, “I still work for the University of Connecticut with the main duty of training new Department of Social Services staff in programs and the eligibility system. I enjoy spending 2+ months getting to know the new staff. Most of my time is spent with the kids. I coach Libby’s softball team. She’s also competing in AAU Gymnastics and we are going to Tampa at end of June for Nationals! My son Wyatt recently got his black belt! Our family enjoys amusement parks and we spend as much time as possible at Six Flags New England and Lake Compounce. The only issue is that I’ve gotten older and can’t ride rides that spin but have no problem with any roller coaster. Go figure.”

ERIKA DAVISON-AVILES ’89 writes, “I was waiting for my flight home and I fly through O’Hare all the time…just noticed everyone carrying a small mint green bag with “Garrett” on the bag. I’m always in a rush when at this airport and suddenly I see practically everyone with a Garrett bag. What is so amazing about the popcorn? Well I tried my very first Garrett mix and have to say I’m in love!! Wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about but have to say that when eating the popcorn mix the ratio of one carmel to two cheese is pure HEAVEN! #popcornvirginnomore

And I’m a newlywed.”

GIGI HICKS DECKER ’89 writes, “Adventures on the way home from Colorado. This place is one of those hidden gems. And I don’t care what’s in it, I think SPAM is tasty!! #spammuseum”

PAUL DONALDSON ’89 writes, “I’m watching the view from the tractor tonight. Some moments you simply have to stop what you’re doing and take in the beauty.”

JODI GIBSON ’89 is currently the “Zoological Society President and Chief Executive Officer…The Zoological Society of Milwaukee went public Thursday with a $25 million capital campaign to fund the new Adventure Africa complex at the Milwaukee County Zoo. The campaign has raised more than $16.7 million to date toward that goal, thanks to lead gifts from the Dohmen Family Foundation, Holz Family Foundation, Ladish Family Foundation and MillerCoors during the quiet phase of the campaign”

SCOTTIE NICHOLS GIROUARD ’89  writes, “Casey graduated cum laude from Ripon College. Her aunt, SUSAN FRIKKEN ’90 says, ‘I am so proud and honored to have been there. To share my beloved alma mater and her life journey! Love you, Casey!’”

LISA STEIN GOLDMAN ’89 writes, “I chose to write nothing, because that’s what I do.”

JULIE TAYLOR GONDAR ’89 writes, “In 2017 I was a founding member and President of the Democratic Women of Kendall County. Our group was instrumental in bringing state candidates to our county to speak for the first time in decades. Kendall has long been a Republican stronghold, but our presence helped turn Kendall blue. During the March primaries Democrats outvoted Republicans for the first time ever. On April 18th I was elected Democratic County Chair in Kendall County, Illinois. It was another historic first, as this was the first time that a woman has chaired the county party. In fact, all officers elected to the county party in April were women.  #BGSD”

KRIS PEHLE GRASSE ’89 writes,”I still love teaching second graders. Both daughters are out of college and each of them is taking on the world in her own way.”

BEN GUZMAN ’89 writes, “Have I told you how much I hate spiders?”

RAMON GUZMAN ’89 writes, “I was very impressed last night that I could use ABBA’s song ‘Fernando’ in a joke and the Open Mic DJ could find it and play it by the end of my set – He’s good! @secondcityhollywood #secondcityhollywood #standupcomedy #canyouhearthedrumsfernando”

CHRIS HANNES ’89 writes, “I went on an awesome trip to see Carson Camilla Hannés and my family in Scotland. I also stopped by to see the Geddes family homesite. Overall great trip will be back for sure.”

PHILLIP HARTY ’89 writes, “Congratulations to the Texas Men’s Swimming and Diving team for your 4th consecutive win! Hook ‘em! And, Go Bruins!”

KATHY HAYEVSKY ’89 writes, “I started singing in a band, Audrey and the Cool Cats. I’m obviously not Audrey, but I AM one of the “cool” cats.”

MARC HEALY ’89 writes, “I’ve been getting solicitations for ‘Senior living’ options.”

LORI KOMETER ’89 writes, “A good friend of mine opened his own business to help people with divorce, parental alienation, and conflict. He is very talented…. Check it out! www.facebook.com/michaelallencoaching/”

DAVID LUONGO ’89 writes, “I was not aware of how amazingly screwed up the California primary process is… this makes the electoral college seem reasonable by comparison. I just watched the first episode of Killing Eve. Very interesting… hope they explain how Sandra Oh’s American accented character ended up at MI5 but overall I was impressed.”

ANNE BURCHMORE MIES ’89 writes, “I am spending time at my tiny cottage in northern Wisconsin, visiting family in Taos, and enjoying my new apartment in downtown Minneapolis. C’est la vie.”

BARB THOMPSON PAMPERIN ’89 writes, “I am taking a summer class with Brian Smith and Martyn Smith of Lawrence College on Billy Graham and the evangelical movement. Otherwise, same job, same address.”

ANDREW PETERSON  ’89 writes, “Breck and Brian found 35 sharks teeth on an island in the St. John’s River this morning.”

SONEEL RAJ ’89 writes, “To all teachers!! For everything you do everyday – thank you!”

PAT  SCHMIDT ’89 writes, “I am recently remarried. I am also sending my son off to play hockey with the Gophers, and got to spend time in Europe with my daughter. Live like Wally!”

KATHRYN SCHULTZ ’89 writes, “US News and World Report survey reported that I live in the 6th healthiest community in the nation. The city where I go to church is number 1. I’m hoping I can get some of it to rub off on me…”

TRACY UNGER ’89 writes, “Oh Chicago, how I love you. But, I’m happy to be back in Nashville after a combo fun and work trip. I got a bonus night because of thunderstorms. Really, though, Chicago sucks. Sorry Cubs fans, but you suck, too.”

GARY VANDERMOLEN JR. ’89 writes, “The more he grew, the more like a bear he looked.”

SCOTT WARMKA ’88 writes, “I’m still a little in shock. Twins Win! And no 9th inning closer drama.”

BARB WHITSTONE ’89 writes, “I have no more crutches and the ortho cleared me to ride 🙂 I won’t jump for awhile, so hopefully I can sweet talk Emma to keep working with Brix… I’m so happy to have this behind me and grateful for Emma and Sara for keeping Brix going!”

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Kathy Wade
248-470-4336
[email protected]

David Jonas
202-251-9640
[email protected]

Spring 2018

Greetings classmates from Kathy!

Every year around this time, I start planning my summer events. While summer is short here in the Milwaukee area, there are a ton of events. In Milwaukee, you have to try hard to NOT find live music outdoors every night from June through August. Summerfest is one of my favorite events. In my opinion, there is not much better than live music, outdoors, with a great group of friends!

My second favorite event has become Alumni Weekend. I have attended almost every Alumni Weekend since 2008. My terms on the Alumni Board were great because I was able to volunteer to “work” events. The work was difficult: talk to people about the College and maybe (usually) drink a beer. It is a tough job, but someone has to do it!

Besides the class reunion dinner, I really enjoy the welcome reception on Friday night at the Hughes House. Saturday is full of events. The State of the College presentation is very informative. Saturday ends with an All-Alumni Dance. Music, outside, dancing, and hanging out with great people all take me to my happy place! It is an extra special bonus that it is at the College, one of my much loved places.

I hope that as you put together your calendar for the summer that Alumni Weekend is at the top of it. It is June 21 through June 24. Our reunion dinner is on Saturday, the 23 in West Hall at 6:00 p.m.! I hope to see you all there! Please check out the full agenda at www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend.

I do want to throw a challenge out there. Last year, the Class of ’87 CONTROLLED the dance floor at the All-Alumni Dance. In the previous years, the DJ starts playing more recent music as the night progresses, but, because of their domination, he kept playing mostly music from the 80s! It was so much fun! I hope we can continue that dominance and keep the music in the 80s! It is the best after all!

The second challenge I have for you is increasing our class gift. On Saturday of Alumni Weekend, we will be presenting a check to the College as our class gift. At our 25th Reunion, 21% of our class participated in contributing to the class gift. Our current participation rate is below 10%. It would be wonderful if we could increase our participation level to 30% as it is our 30th Reunion! Please consider making a gift of $30 or more before June 30. All gifts from our class count towards the participation, no matter the designation.

Class Notes:

ZEV BARNETT ’88 of Aurora, Colorado, shared, “Looking forward to seeing any old folks that make it to Ripon in June! I’m busy still running my homeless outreach called Peanut Butter Plan, and spending most hours of the day building a global CBD business and brand called Maven Hemp.”

LYNN PROBST BENAVIDES ’88 of Waterford, Wisconsin, wrote, “Thanks for reaching out, David and Kathy. I am dumbfounded by how fast time flies. I truly feel as if the days at Ripon College are a few years in the past not 30!
During these past 30 years, I have enjoyed a wonderful teaching career in the Waterford Graded School District. I have enjoyed teaching 5th grade, 4th grade, and currently 3rd grade. I have also been blessed with a wonderful family. My husband Chris and I have 5 children. Our oldest three have successfully graduated and have followed their career dreams—educator and electricians, while our two youngest enjoy sports and activities in the Waterford area.
As I get older, I am nostalgic for the warmth and relationships that existed during my Ripon College Days. My children love to hear the stories of my escapades, my academic growth, and my friendships at Ripon. I hope that one of my two youngest daughters will follow in my footsteps and attend Ripon College.”

ALLISON JANISCH CHRISTOPHE ’88 of Zurich, Switzerland, shared, “Nothing really to report. Loving living in Zurich.”

BRAD MCDONALD ’88 of Milbank, South Dakota, wrote: “Been strange not having twins at Ripon as my sons, ALLWIN MCDONALD ’17 and SETH MCDONALD ’17 graduated last May. It was me who cried at graduation. Back in 1988, I just wanted to get out of there and meet up with MIKE PIERSON ’88 and go fishing. Unfortunately my youngest is avoiding touring Ripon for next fall – too much family history.

Retirement is going fine. I wanted to retire at 50, was able to do it at 49 1/2, who can say that? I expect motor home shopping will commence when the youngest daughter moves out this summer.

I have been steadily unloading my backlog of stuff; we have way too much. My next project is selling our 1970 Mercury XR7 convertible. It is Ripon red in case anyone in the market for a classic.

I don’t find myself without things to do. I’m writing as a columnist for the Watertown Public Opinion. I was runner up for the best column in South Dakota last year so maybe I can make a run for the gold this year. Writing the best column in South Dakota is sort of like being the toughest Muppet, but it’s not bad for a chemistry major with an MD degree though.

I published a novel entitled Curse of Panther Creek under my pen-name, Olaf Danielson, in October.

I also put out a field guide for the Birds of St. Martin, FWI that actually went to print one hour before Hurricane Irma hit the island, destroying much of what I had written about. It is a pretty book, but it became out of date the moment it was printed. Oh well…I could have been there when it hit, I was scheduled to fly in four days later……..our house……….destroyed.

I expect a much more enjoyable project, Confessions of a Pike Whisperer, to be up on Amazon in April. This chronicles my fishing adventures (under the name Olaf, of course) and also includes 100 pages of exploits of my record birding year in 2016. I think I’ll be featured in Wisconsin Outdoors Magazine in May, give or take an issue. I think that will beat my last interview on “Animal Talk.”

I’ve added attending the Finnish wife carrying championships and ringing a cow bell at the alpine events at the 2022 China Olympics to my bucket list and now have 27 things left to do before I wrap this life up; hopefully I have many years to do it. I’m still looking to add to my list. Ideas appreciated”

CHARLES NAILEN ’88 of Arlington, Virginia, shared, “I have been working at the State Department for 4 years already. As I write this, I am in a hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa, finishing up a 3 week training stint. I will be going to Manila for 3 weeks in May as well. We also had to move in January due to water damage in our apartment from a busted water pipe. We just moved to another apartment in the same complex. Our new address is:

Chuck Nailen
3000 S. Randolph St. #169
Arlington, VA 22206
In Closing

If you have had any changes in your address, email or snail mail, please let the College know by going to www.ripon.edu/update-contact-info/.
David and I would really enjoy seeing you in June! I know many of us keep in touch through social media but seeing you face to face would be so much more fun!

Sincerely,

KATHY

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1988

David Jonas ’88

(202) 251- 9640/[email protected]

Kathy Wade ‘88

(248) 470-4336/[email protected]

Greetings classmates from David!

What a fabulous weekend!!!  Our 30th Reunion was a picture perfect time on campus. Not too hot, not to cold and lots of memories.

There was a gathering on Thursday night at the old/newly refurbished Roadhouse for all alumni.

On Friday the golf tournament, lunch and cake cutting were followed by the young alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees.  The Class of 1988 hosted the Friday evening all Campus reception at the Spot (Student Union).

On Saturday, most of the classmates on campus for our reunion joined us for the all campus march and the BBQ lunch where we presented our class gift of over $13,000. This was a record year for us.  We have donated as a class over $60K over the last 5 years.

We hosted our dinner at the Spot at the Union.  Classmates that joined us for dinner included CAROL SHAY HORNUNG ’88, PHILLIP TROBAUGH ’88, JIM CONWAY ‘88, RICK BOWHOUSEN ’88, DANA  FRANCOIS SCOTT ‘88, SCOTT GUSTAFSON ‘88, JIM HART ‘88, ZEV BARNETT ‘88, JIM DONNELLY ‘88, MICHELLE EBERT WITT ‘88, JEFF EASTMAN ‘88, RUDY FRANK ‘88, and GEOFFREY SEYMOUR ‘88. This was one of our larger turn outs for a reunion year. RENEE DUESCHER KRAUSE ‘88 stopped by at reunion to join us on the march and lunch.  

I hope that we do not have to wait another five years to see everyone (2023/35 years).

As the fiscal year ended right after reunion we begin a new year and a clean slate for the alumni fund.  I would like to see if we can start increasing our class participation.

As always, Kathy and I appreciate everyone who contributed to the annual fund and attended Reunion Weekend.

Class Notes:

ZEV BARNETT ‘88 shared: “I’m working with some caregivers in town here to try to save a kid with liver cancer.”

KATHY WADE ‘88 shared: “I had a fantastic time over Alumni Weekend reconnecting with classmates and other Ripon Alumni. Being on campus is always like going home. It was so awesome to see everyone there!”

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agents:

Dorrie Smith Scranton

860-455-6108 / [email protected]

Chris Templeton

(312.402.6207/[email protected]

Spring 2018

Greetings, Class of 1987!

I hope this update finds you all doing well. We’re certainly looking forward to the spring and summer seasons after a cold, snowy winter. Here’s some news from our classmates. Please keep your news and updates coming!

Class Notes:

KIA KJENSRUD LABRACKE ’87 was featured on the cover of the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP News in recognition of the Wisconsin Chapter AAP’s strategic advocacy efforts during the health care policy debate. WIAAP orchestrated social media campaigns and “Days of Action” to mobilize physician members in contacting legislators. The chapter lobbied for funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Maternal, Infant and and Early Childhood Home Visiting program (MIECHV). In 2018, she will co-lead a quality improvement grant to improve HPV vaccination initiation rates in Wisconsin and Illinois. She joined the chapter in 2007, and was elected recently to the national AAP Executive Directors Steering Committee of Naperville, Illinois. Great Job, Kia!

MAUREEN FARRY DOLAN ’87 of St Paul, Minnesota, writes about a fantastic trip that she and her husband, JAY DOLAN ’85 took to Denmark and Sweden as the volunteer trip coordinator chaperoning 94 soccer players (including their son)!    

RICK FOSS AND MISSY LEAHY FOSS ’87 tell us that their son, Sam, is currently a sophomore at Ripon and in is currently living on 4th floor Scott in the very same room that Rick shared with KEN GRANT ’87 our freshman year. Sam has the benefit of an elevator! Must make it a whole lot easier to carry textbooks!  

CAROL RAVITZ ’87 was just named rookie of the year for Southern Arizona Caldwell Banker. Congratulations, Carol!!

DORRIE SMITH SCRANTON ’87 recently featured her watercolors and other selections of her artwork at a local gallery near her home in Woodstock, Connecticut.  

CHRIS TEMPLETON ’87, following up on a live long dream, has relocated to a small town in the mountains of Southwest Colorado and is honing her skills backcountry hiking and chopping wood and is looking forward to learning to fly fish.  

All the best,

Dorrie and Chris

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

1987

Dorrie Smith Scranton

860-455-6108 / [email protected]

Chris Templeton

312.402.6207 / [email protected]

Hello Classmates!   

Hope everything is wonderful in your world. We hope you are enjoying everything that summer has to offer. So much to stay up to date on what’s going with everyone – so, please keep the news, posts and photos coming!  

Class News:

RENEE PFEIFER LUCKETT ’87  was recently awarded the UW System Administration (UWSA) “Eugene Craven Award for Academic Staff”. The award is named in memory of a former UWSA Assistant Vice President in the Office of Analysis Services and Information Systems. President Robert O’Neil established a memorial fund to recognize academic staff members who best exemplify the commitment, vitality, excellence, and initiative that characterized Gene Craver’s career. The selection criteria include personal interaction, initiative, creativity, and outstanding achievement.     

CHRISTINE ELLIOTT ’87 is inspiring all of us. We learned on social media that she read a book, “You are a Badass” that inspired great things for her – new job, new condo in the city of Chicago and a new optimistic outlook on life. We’re checking it out on Amazon, right now!

MAUREEN FARRY DOLAN ’87 of St Paul, Minnesota and her husband, JAY DOLAN ’85 are Cheeseheads again! They’ve recently sold their house of 20+ years in St Paul, Minnesota (which looked an awful lot like a spruced up Bartlett Hall if you ask us) and relocated about 30 miles away in Wisconsin. We hear that Maureen’s got plans to open a vegan bakery in the fall.

BARRY GOTHARD ’87, inspired by a documentary he saw on the benefits of football players taking ballet and honing their balance and agility skills, has developed a specialized yoga and mediation program for his local Canadian youth hockey league. Though the program is relatively new, he is convinced that this more limber and focused team will lead them to victory in the coming years.

DAN ORLIKOFF ’87 recently took a canoe trip to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota with fellow Ripon alums, JIM STATON ’88, RANDY ROEPER ’88 and CHRIS CAROW ’88 – along with their sons. Sure bet, there were some good stories and laughs shared over s’mores around the campfire.

CRAIG SCHAEFER ’87 writes “ for the past 2 ½ years, I’ve been the Program Manager for the Department of Defense’s effort to modernize their electronic health record.”   Sounds like a big job with a lot of attention. Craig was recently named one of Federal Computing Weekly’s top 100 Government IT Leaders. Very impressive, Craig!

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Dan McNaughton ’86

(612) 209-2996 / [email protected]

Spring 2018

Class of 1986,

All of us grieve differently, often reminiscing on the interactions and influence of these classmates we recently lost. Here are my personal reflections:  

The news of the early passing of three of our classmates recently put me in a reflective mood and revealed the influence DAN STRAND ’86 and ALAN DAUS ’86 had on me that I was blind to for years. I interacted a lot with Dan and Alan at Ripon. Even though DAVID GATZKE ’86 and I were both Philosophy majors, we did not have much contact.

With Facebook, we are able to follow the lives of classmates we would otherwise lose touch with, except at the occasional reunion. The revelation via Facebook that Dan had the devastating and rare disease MSA was shocking. With every update, more of Dan’s former students would express their gratitude for the ways in which Dan had made their lives better. Stories of inspiration lead to contemplation and reflection.

In a way I may have been Dan’s first student. We partnered on our lab project for Modern Physics sophomore year, recreating Millikan’s famous oil drop experiment. We had to calibrate equipment, determine the experiments margin of error, conduct the experiment, record and decipher the results. Calm when I panicked at the failure of our observed result, Dan was patient and kind when explaining errors I made calculating the margin of error built into the experiment. Our verified results and the joy he had in the shared success brought me a lot of pride. What I realized later, some of his joy, maybe most, was from helping another person grow. Dan knew and shared his talent with the world.

I became aware of the impact Alan Daus had on me after spending time with him at a reunion. Alan was a track teammate and Physics major. During our time at Ripon, Alan and I were friendly but not friends. He was order and discipline, a distance runner, in the ROTC program, an Eagle Scout, and organized. I operated a little more haphazardly. I ‘heroically’ met deadlines by pulling all-nighters and borrowing classmate’s notes. Jealousy of Alan would hit me around 4 a.m. with miles to go before the finish line.

It took a good fifty to sixty lost opportunities until I was able to apply any order to my chaos.  After hearing of Alan’s passing, I became aware that he was a big reason I strove for any kind of order in my life. I wish I could share this revelation with him.

I am sure many others have a great memory or story of impact from the three classmates we lost recently. Please send your remembrances and stories of Alan, Dan and/or David to [email protected] or [email protected] so they can be shared with everyone in the fall letter.

DAN

Submitted by: Olivia Heck