Ripon College (Wisconsin)

Ripon College was founded in 1851, although its first class of students did not enroll until 1853. It was first known as Brockway College, named for William S. Brockway, who gave the most, $25, in a fundraising effort.{{cite news|url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Newspaper/BA7958 |title=Why Brockway College changed its name |date=March 14, 1930 |author=Samuel M. Pedrick|publisher=Ripon Commonwealth}}

Ripon's first class, four women, graduated in 1867.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/colleges/ripon-college/|title=Ripon College|work=Forbes|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en}} The college was founded with ties to local churches, but early in its history the institution became secular. In 1868 formal ties with Presbyterian and Congregational churches were cut, but Ripon would retain some ties to its religious past. During the nineteenth century, students were required to attend two church services each Sunday. The first six presidents of Ripon College had clerical backgrounds. Today students are not required to attend religious services.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ripon.edu/library/archives/ripon-college-presidents/|title=Ripon College Presidents {{!}} Ripon College|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-28}}

The National Forensic League was founded at the college in 1925.

Students may choose from 31 majors, a variety of pre-professional advising options and also opt to self-design a major. Off-campus study is highly encouraged; nearly one-third of all Ripon College students elect to spend a semester off-campus on a focused area of study.{{cite web |title=Academics - Ripon College |url=http://www.ripon.edu/academics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205072910/https://ripon.edu/academics/ |archive-date=2022-12-05 |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Ripon College}} Ripon has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1.{{cite web|url=http://www.ripon.edu/about-ripon/|title=About - Ripon College|access-date=14 December 2022}}

Students take five Catalyst courses that focus on solving real-world problems. The Catalyst curriculum consists of five seminars spread over three years. After completing the Catalyst curriculum, students receive a certificate in Applied Innovation. Ripon College provides a four-year graduation guarantee to all students who remain in good academic standing, declare a major course of study by the end of sophomore year, and follow an approved course plan.{{Cite web |title=Catalyst Curriculum |url=https://ripon.edu/academics/catalyst/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}}

The Center for Politics and the People was established in spring 2014. The center sponsors scholarship and hosts special events featuring elected officials and policy makers, high-level campaign operatives, academic experts, journalists, prognosticators and citizens representing a spectrum of political views. The center also manages the college's annual Career Discovery Tour to Washington, D.C., and helps place students in internships.{{Cite web |title=Center for Politics and the People |url=https://ripon.edu/civic-engagement/cpp/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}}

The Center for Career and Professional Development offers resources to students such as workshops, employer visits, job fairs, and assistance with writing a resume. It also helps organize the annual Career Discovery Tour.{{Cite web |title=Career and Professional Development |url=https://ripon.edu/academics/advising/careercenter/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}}

SOAR is a program offered to students of various disciplines to research alongside professors over the summer while living on campus and partaking in volunteer projects around the local community. It was first offered in summer 2021.{{Cite web |last=Schulz |first=Joe |title=Ripon College SOAR program teaches research skills, gives back to the community |url=https://www.riponpress.com/news/ripon-college-soar-program-teaches-research-skills-gives-back-to-the-community/article_c8d8c2ba-18cf-11ed-8179-4b07664e1239.html |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=RiponPress.com |date=12 August 2022 |language=en}}

From 1941 to 2019, the college served as the host site for Badger Boys State, a summer leadership and citizenship program for more than 800 Wisconsin high school juniors that focuses on exploring the mechanics of American government and politics.{{Cite web|last=|title=Program History|url=https://badgerboysstate.org/history|access-date=25 August 2021|website=Badger Boys State}}{{Cite news|last=Schulz|first=Joe|date=August 25, 2021|title='There always will be a sentimental value': Badger Boys will no longer be hosted in Ripon|work=Ripon Commonwealth Press|url=https://www.riponpress.com/news/there-always-will-be-a-sentimental-value-badger-boys-will-no-longer-be-hosted-in/article_3bc8d2e6-0536-11ec-abca-b764316fb29c.html|access-date=25 August 2021}}{{Cite web|title=About Boys State & Boys Nation|url=https://www.legion.org/boysnation/about|access-date=25 August 2021|website=The American Legion}}

The only graduate program offered at the college is a master's degree in exercise science, with concentrations in exercise physiology, sport psychology, and sport management. The program was launched in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Kaster |first=Ashley |date=1 August 2023 |title=Ripon College set to launch exercise science master's degree program |url=https://fox11online.com/news/local/ripon-college-set-to-launch-exercise-science-masters-degree-program-career |access-date=22 May 2024 |website=FOX 11 News}}

The college's C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts houses the Departments of Art, Music, and Theater.{{Cite web |title=Fine Arts at Ripon |url=https://ripon.edu/fine-arts/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}}

The Art Department manages two gallery spaces, one of which is dedicated to student work and the other to art more broadly. Work by students and professional artists is also shown across campus. A sculpture garden is located adjacent to the building. Two art works of note in the permanent collection of the college are life-size portraits by Anthony van Dyck of Princess Amalia of the House of Orange and Sir Roger Townshend.{{Cite web |title=About Ripon College |url=https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/riponcollege/artist/sir-anthony-van-dyck |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Artwork Archive |language=en}} The Classics department also manages a collection of classical Greek and Roman artifacts, many of which are displayed in the campus library.

The college has a music department which offers classes, lessons, and ensembles. Students of any major may participate in the music department and are eligible for music scholarships. The department offers the following ensembles: Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Rally Band, Jazz Ensemble, and three choirs (Chamber Singers, Choral Union, and Concert Choir).{{cite web |title=Music - Ripon College |url=https://ripon.edu/area/music/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Music - Ripon College |publisher=Ripon College}} All musical ensembles, with the exception of Chamber Singers,{{Cite web |author=Staff Reports |title=Ripon College Chamber Singers to go on annual Midwest tour |url=https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/action-advertiser/sunday-west/2018/02/26/ripon-college-chamber-singers-go-midwest-tour/374448002/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=The Reporter |language=en-US}} are open to students, faculty and staff, and community members to join without auditioning. All musical performances by campus groups are free to students and the public. The program also hosts visiting musicians each semester, and performances are free to all students.

The college's theater program produces three productions per year, with students from any major encouraged to act or be involved with set, costume, and makeup design. Each theater major directs a one-act production their senior year, as part of a campus theater festival.{{Cite web |last=on |first=Published |date=2024-04-26 |title=Local students appear in one-act horror play at Ripon College |url=https://www.riponpress.com/news/local-students-appear-in-one-act-horror-play-at-ripon-college/article_cdd470fc-03dd-11ef-9247-030baa728d7c.html |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=RiponPress.com |language=en}} Students regularly participate in the Region III Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. All theatrical events are free to students and the public.{{Cite web |title=Theatre Events |url=https://ripon.edu/theatre-events/ |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}}

Ripon College attempts to be a sustainable institution. It has a fleet of campus hybrid vehicles, a recycling program, and uses energy efficient light bulbs.{{Cite web|title=Student Life: Parking & Transportation|url=https://ripon.edu/student-life/transportation/|access-date=25 August 2021|website=Ripon College}}

The college is home to the Ceresco Prairie Conservancy, consisting of {{convert|130|acre}} of native prairie, oak savanna, and wetland habitat in the making. The Ceresco Prairie Conservancy is used by different classes in a number of different disciplines.{{Cite web |title=Ceresco Prairie Conservancy |url=https://ripon.edu/civic-engagement/ceresco-prairie-conservancy/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Outdoor Recreation |url=https://ripon-wi.com/visit/lwsh.org |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Ripon Chamber of Commerce |language=en-US}} Trails for walking and snowshoeing throughout this area connect to a municipally run older growth woods nature park, the South Woods, which consists of 55 acres (22.26 ha).{{Cite web |title=South Woods {{!}} South Woods Park Association {{!}} Ripon, Wisconsin |url=https://www.southwoodsparkassociation.org/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=South Woods |language=en}}

A student group, EGOR: The Environmental Group of Ripon, focuses on awareness of environmental issues and contributes to the restoration and preservation of the prairie.

Students can also major in environmental studies, which is an interdisciplinary program.{{cite web|url=http://www.ripon.edu/sustainability/|title=Campus Sustainability - Ripon College|access-date=2016-10-06}}

• College Days – a monthly newspaper, published both in print and digitally{{Cite web |title=Ripon Media |url=https://riponmedia.com/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |language=en-US}}
• WRPN-FM – a campus radio station with digital broadcasts
• RCTV – a television production group (defunct as of Fall 2022)
• Parallax – a literary magazine{{Cite web |title=Parallax Magazine |url=https://ripon.edu/parallax-magazine/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}}
• Crimson – yearbook that was formerly distributed every spring. The last issue was published in the spring of 2017.

There are over 60 student clubs on campus, including special interest groups, diversity-based groups, political groups, Greek organizations, and academic honor societies.{{Cite web |title=Clubs & Organizations |url=https://ripon.edu/student-life/clubs-organizations/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}} There is also a Student Senate, a student government that is open to all students to discuss issues and vote on different matters.{{Cite web |title=Student Leadership |url=https://ripon.edu/student-leadership/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Ripon |title=Student Senate constitution undergoing possible changes – Ripon Media |url=https://riponmedia.com/2019/12/05/student-senate-constitution-undergoing-possible-changes/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |language=en-US}}

The college has several sorority chapters and fraternities. All of the Greek chapters live in dorms.{{Cite web |title=Greek Life |url=https://ripon.edu/student-life/greek-life/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}} The only exception, local fraternity Phi Kappa Pi, also known as the Merrimen, had its own house from 1939 until it was razed in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Roznik |first=Sharon |title=Ripon College's plan to raze historic Merriman House draws objections from Phi Kappa Pi fraternity alumni |url=https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/education/2021/06/08/ripon-college-historic-merriman-house-demolition-draws-objections/5290480001/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=The Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Schulz |first=Joe |date=2021-07-06 |title=Follow up: Ripon College's Merriman House has been razed |url=https://www.riponpress.com/news/follow-up-ripon-college-s-merriman-house-has-been-razed/article_f5c968a0-dea7-11eb-bfd1-77d27c43228c.html |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=RiponPress.com |language=en}}

People of color compose 16.9% of the student population.{{cite web |date=2020 |title=Ripon College |url=https://www.forbes.com/colleges/ripon-college/?sh=2dae4533215b |access-date=January 31, 2023 |work=Forbes}} The McNair Scholars program supports first generation college students and African American, Native American, and Hispanic students who wish to attend graduate school.{{cite web|url=http://www.ripon.edu/campuslife/mcnair|title=Ripon College : McNair Program|publisher=Ripon.edu|access-date=2013-12-09}} The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), inaugurated in 2015, is a space on campus that centers diversity, including programming such as multicultural events.{{Cite web |title=Multicultural Affairs |url=https://ripon.edu/student-life/diversity/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Ripon College |language=en-US}} Student groups that focus on the experiences of racially diverse, culturally diverse, and LGBT students are also active on campus, and are part of a wider Diversity Coalition through the CDI.{{cite web|url=http://www.ripon.edu/campuslife/clubs|title=Ripon College: Clubs & Organizations|publisher=Ripon.edu|access-date=2013-12-09}}

The Ripon College Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.{{NRISref|2013a|dateform=mdy|access-date=January 20, 2020|refnum=95000679 |name=Ripon College Historic District}}

File:Ripon College Smith Hall.jpg|Smith Hall

File:RiponCollegeEastHall.jpg|East Hall

File:Ripon College Johnson Hall Side View.jpg|A side view of Johnson Hall

File:Todd Wehr Hall, Ripon College view 2.jpg|Todd Wehr Hall

File:Harwood Memorial Union, Ripon College.jpg|Harwood Memorial Union

File:Smith Hall, Ripon College.jpg|Smith Hall

For 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked the school tied at #136 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and tied at #38 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.{{cite web |title=Ripon College Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/ripon-college-3884/overall-rankings |website=usnews.com |publisher=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=23 January 2023}} In 2017, it was named #3 on a list of "Best Bang for the Buck Midwest Colleges" by Washington Monthly.{{Cite journal |date=September–October 2017 |title=BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK MIDWEST COLLEGES. |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=125280543&site=eds-live&scope=site |journal=Washington Monthly |volume=49 |issue=9/10 |pages=48 |via=EBSCO}} In 2024, The Princeton Review listed it as one of the "Best Midwestern Colleges" and as one of "The Best 389 Colleges", along with being ranked #19 on a list of colleges with "Lots of Greek Life".{{Cite web |title=Best Midwestern Colleges {{!}} The Princeton Review |url=https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/?rankings=best-midwest |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=www.princetonreview.com}}{{Cite web |title=The Best 389 Colleges {{!}} The Princeton Review |url=https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/?rankings=best-389-colleges |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=www.princetonreview.com}}{{Cite web |title=Colleges with Lots of Greek Life {{!}} The Princeton Review |url=https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/?rankings=lots-greek-life |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=www.princetonreview.com |language=en}}

{{main|Ripon Red Hawks}}

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Ripon athletics teams participate in NCAA Division III as part of the Midwest Conference. Conference competition for men includes: cross-country, football, soccer (fall), basketball (winter), swimming (winter), indoor and outdoor track, baseball, and tennis (spring). Conference competition for women includes: cross-country, soccer, tennis, volleyball (fall), basketball (winter), Esports (Fall & Spring) swimming (winter), indoor and outdoor track, and softball (spring).{{Cite web |title=Ripon College Athletics - Official Athletics Website |url=https://riponredhawks.com/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Ripon College Athletics |language=en}}

The College's athletic facility, the Willmore Center, opened in August 2017. It is a total of 165,000 sq ft. (15329 sq m.). It is open to both community members and members of the College.{{Cite journal |last=Bastjan |first=Adam |date=October 2018 |title=Ripon College's Willmore Center Reveals Recruiting Power. |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=131879555&site=eds-live&scope=site |journal=Athletic Business |volume=42 |issue=8 |pages=6 |via=EBSCOHost}}

Hopp Stadium, the on-campus sports stadium, was opened in fall 2023. The previous sports stadium, Ingalls Field, was not located on campus, and was shared by both Ripon High School and Ripon College.{{Cite web |title=Ripon College |url=https://www.kahlerslater.com/expertise/sports-and-recreation/ripon-college |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Kahler Slater |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Reid |first=Brandon |title=Ripon College has broken ground on a science center expansion and its first on-campus stadium. Here's what to know. |url=https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/education/2023/04/25/ripon-college-building-stadium-on-campus-expanding-science-center/70145555007/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The Reporter |language=en-US}}

{{Main|List of Ripon College (Wisconsin) alumni}}

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• Edward Daniels, geologist
• David Graham, poet
• Karen Holbrook, President of Ohio State University
• Bruno E. Jacob, founder of the National Forensic League
• Wacław Jędrzejewicz, Polish diplomat
• Alfred E. Kahn, Chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board
• Peg Lautenschlager, Attorney General of Wisconsin
• Minerva Brace Norton, educator and author
• Russell Burton Reynolds, U.S. Army Major General
• Clarissa Tucker Tracy, botanist
• William Hayes Ward, President of the American Oriental Society

{{div col end}}

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Category:Private universities and colleges in Wisconsin

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