Ripon College recognizes its own for excellent achievements

Ripon College’s annual recognition event to honor faculty and staff was held virtually Thursday morning. Recognition was made for significant years of service, the earning of terminal degrees, retirement and the Presidential Staff Award.

Presidential Staff Award: Kathy Welch, College nurse.

Terminal degree: Dr. Changsok “Isaac” Sung, assistant professor of computer and data sciences, Ph.D. in computer sciences and education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Years of service

• 40 Years: David W. Scott, associate professor of mathematical sciences.
• 35 Years: Joe W. Hatcher Jr., professor of psychology and the Pieper Family Chair in Servant Leadership
• 30 years: Colleen M. Byron, professor of chemistry and the Leone Oyster Class of 1919 Chair in Chemistry; Ronald L. Ernst, professor of exercise science, head coach of football and assistant athletic director; Gary S. Rodman, director of enterprise applications; Christina M. Sabel, assistant director of finance and personnel operations.
• 25 Years: Susan M. Hill, visiting professor of theatre; Marion S. Ziemba, housekeeper.
• 20 Years: Todd N. Pomplun, manager of athletic equipment and grounds.
• 15 Years: Jaye M. Alderson, College editor; Amy L. Gerretsen, director of constituent engagement; Paul F. Jeffries, associate professor of philosophy; Memuna Z. Khan, associate professor of biology; Sandra Polcyn, adjunct instructor of music; Amanda M. Przybyl, director of the mail center and access control; Rafael F. Salas, professor of art; Michael J. Westemeier, director of athletic communications.
• 10 Years: John Dalziel, associate professor of theatre; Erik K. Dietrich, manager of media and end user services; Jayson J. Duffy, assistant coach of track and field; Marc Eaton, associate professor of sociology; Ann Pleiss Morris, associate professor of English; Barbara E. Sisson, associate professor of biology; Andrea N. Young, vice president for finance.
• 5 years: Kurt J. Breier, assistant coach of volleyball; Brianna M. Cyr, director of development and planned giving; Mary Ann Douglas, academic support specialist; Brenda J. Gabrielson, director of the Franzen Center for Academic Support; Janice M. Grismer, accounts payable technician/business office generalist; Alycia M. Harbin, assistant director of financial aid/student employment manager; Jacob M. Marshall, associate head football coach, recruiting coordinator; Mark B. Nicklaus, director of residence life; Ian I. Stepleton, adjunct instructor of journalism; Robert M. Wood, director of cross country and track and field; Michael P. Yoder, assistant coach of football.

Retirees

• Eddie R. Lowry Jr., who started at Ripon College in 1986. He has served as associate professor of Romance and classical languages, professor of classical studies and the Marie Zarwell Uihlein Endowed Chair in Classical Studies.
• Robin Woods started at Ripon College in the fall of 1990. She has served as assistant professor of English, associated professor of English and professor of English.

  “I plan to travel, spend time with my family, and do a lot of reading,” she says. “I’ll miss my students a lot and I know I’ll miss teaching, but probably what I’ll miss the most is working alongside the talented, dedicated staff and faculty at Ripon.”

• Ken Hill started at Ripon College in the fall semester of 1994. He has served as assistant professor of theatre, associate professor of theatre, professor of theatre and Chemerow Chair in Theatre.

  In retirement, he says, he plans to visit his children and grandchildren. “We have been separated by miles and by COVID quarantine, and I need to reconnect,” he says.

  “I will miss working with my inspiring colleagues and my excited students. I will miss the community, the family, that goes into building each production of theatre. For almost 50 years, Susan and I have worked together in the theatre, and it will feel strange not to be planning the next production for the first time.”

• Susan Hill started at Ripon College in the fall semester of 1995. She has served as a visiting professor of theatre, educational studies clinical coordinator, library circulation desk technician and assistant in the archives.

  She says that after retirement, “I look forward to seeing my family and my grandchildren. I hope to travel in the U.S. to visit natural areas as well as abroad. I also hope to see more live theatre.

  “I will really miss working collaboratively with students in class and in the costume shop,” she says. “I will also miss the creative process of working on theatre productions with theatre faculty, especially Ken.”

• Jennifer Franz began at Ripon College in September 2008. She has served as human resources coordinator and director of human resources.

  She now plans to spend time with her grandchildren, maintain her year, read and travel.

  She will most miss “sharing a common goal with my Ripon College colleagues to create the best educational experience for students. And being able to share information on HR topics that others don’t necessarily understand or care about.”