1924: Artificial larynx Robert R. Riesz had a distinguished career in industrial physics at Bell Telephone Laboratories, helping to develop and patenting the Bell 2A artificial larynx in 1929. He then passed on his passion through education. He was born Feb. 9, 1903, in New York, New York. At Ripon, he majored in physics and […]
Class of 1910: Audiogram Physicist Raymond Lester “R.L.” Wegel was born July 13, 1888, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and his work would help establish the new specialty profession of audiology. At Ripon College, he majored in physics, participated in Glee Club, Conservatory Orchestra, Mathematics Club, Science Club and Band. He was also an instructor […]
Class of 1950: Conservationist One of Wisconsin’s most recognized and respected conservationists and environmentalists, Daniel Olney Trainer, got an early grounding in his passion in the area around Ripon. He was born July 13, 1926, in Princeton, Wisconsin. His father, Daniel Trainer Sr., was the game warden in Marquette and Green Lake counties for the […]
Class of 1950: Superconductivity physicist Michael Tinkham was an internationally renowned pioneer in the study of condensed matter physics, particularly superconductivity and magnetism. He was born Feb. 23, 1928, in Brooklyn Township, Green Lake County, Wisconsin, and grew up on Watson Street in Ripon. Several members of his family attended Ripon: His father, Clayton H. […]
Class of 1909: Telephone technology In the early years of the 20th century, Otto Julius Zobel was an electrical engineer who helped advance early telephone technology at American Telephone and Telegraph Co. (AT&T) and Bell Laboratories. He was born Oct. 20, 1887, in the family home at 603 Watson St. in Ripon. At Ripon College, […]
Class of 1954: Animal behavior and the environment As one of the world’s leading figures in the field of animal bioacoustics, Arthur A. “Buzz” Myrberg Jr. spent his career protecting the marine environment and its wildlife. He was born June 28, 1933, in Chicago Heights, Illinois. At Ripon, he majored in biology and secondary education. […]
Class of 1917: Hollywood sound engineer The work of physicist and sound engineer John George Frayne, which enhanced sound techniques in the early days of “talkies” films in Hollywood, led to him receiving three Academy Awards. He was born July 8, 1894, in Wexford, Ireland, and immigrated to the United States in 1914. At Ripon […]
Class of 1918: Low-energy defraction Harrison “Harry” Edward Farnsworth was a pioneer in the development of modern research in surface physics and a world leader in the field of low-energy defraction. He was an authority on the physics and chemistry of the surfaces of solids and a pioneer in the use of electrons for the […]
Class of 1983: Aerospace engineer An early interest in aeronautics and space led to a lifetime of service with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for Larry Huebner. He was born Lawrence David Huebner Aug. 27, 1961, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “Growing up during the Apollo lunar landing missions, it was a dream of mine […]
Class of 1879: Bird migration Ornithologist Wells Woodbridge Cooke was called the “father of cooperative study of bird migration in America.” He received an AB degree from Ripon in 1879 and an AM degree in 1882, while also studying at the University of Iowa. Cooke was born Jan. 25, 1858, in Haydenville, Massachusetts. About 1864, […]
Class of 1980: NASA flight director “Growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, when the space program was at a peak, made a huge impression on me and people in my generation,” said Jeffrey Bantle, Class of 1980. “I was also interested in science and math.” Jeffrey Walter Bantle was born Sept. 20, 1958, in […]
Class of 1922: Developing atomic weapons, health physics Elda Emma Anderson did critical work on the development of the atomic bomb that would be used to end World War II, then worked the rest of her life to help to develop a new scientific field with the goal to better understand and minimize harm from […]
The Ripon Commitment will now match UW-Madison’s Tuition and Fees for Students Across the Country Ripon College, a vibrant and close-knit liberal arts and sciences institution located in Ripon, Wisconsin, is expanding its groundbreaking financial aid program for incoming students and this year, the reach is bigger than ever. The Ripon Commitment now matches University […]
Class of 1932 – A life of service Marion Anders Presler was part of a family legacy of Anders and Hargrave relatives at Ripon College, and she led a life of devoted prayer and service. She was born April 12, 1911, in Fargo, North Dakota. At Ripon, she majored in history and the classics, including […]
Religion With a broad background in education, political science and theology, Brian Smith found great satisfaction in a 33-year career at Ripon College. “I enjoyed sharing my knowledge and experience with students and accompanying them in the learning process,” he said. He was born in August 1940 in Freeport, New York. He received degrees from […]
Class of 2013: Motivational Speaker, Preacher, Lecturer Education was the pathway to empowerment for Ornella Umubyeyi, and she now uses that empowerment to help others discover purpose, hope, and community. At Ripon College, she majored in religion with a minor in leadership studies. She was involved as a phonathon caller, WRPN radio show host, member […]
Athletics and faith As a coach and later a professor, Herman Jerome “Jerry” Thompson helped merge athletics with academics during his tenure at Ripon College. He was born March 25, 1923, in Baldwin, Wisconsin. He attended St. Olaf College from 1941 to 1944 when he transferred to University of Wisconsin. He graduated in 1946 and […]
Class of 1962: NASA, Artificial intelligence Peter Bock has been seeking out possibilities for the future throughout his career as an international expert on artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive science. He was born in June 1941 and grew up in Chicago. At Ripon, he studied physics and drama. He also enjoyed a three-year collaboration with […]
Class of 1958: Bishop of Pretoria From foundational studies at Ripon College to standing up against the apartheid government in South Africa, the Right Rev. Richard Austin Kraft was led by a call to Christian service. He was born June 3, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois. At Ripon, he majored in philosophy and history, was a […]
Class of 1934: Family counseling James A. Peterson was a clergyman who left the pulpit to become a sociology professor and gerontologist who discussed marriage and family problems for many years on Art Linkletter’s CBS television series “House Party.” He helped advance the concept of marriage counseling as a profession and the importance of the […]
Class of 1969: Medievalist Ripon College’s multifaceted approach allowed William Chester Jordan to study in numerous areas and ultimately major in history, Russian and mathematics. The determination to become an educator was paramount. “The truth is that the life of the mind that had always intrigued me and appealed to me — the idea of […]