Great Conversations

GreatConversations

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were forced to cancel Great Conversations 2020; however, we are thrilled to introduce a brand new initiative - #RiponRoar Days - a campaign for the Ripon Area School District - which will launch on November 16th.

Great Conversations
October 5, 2019


Plan to attend Great Conversations on October 5, 2019 at Ripon College!
  • Enjoy a delicious dinner.
  • Hear teachers present first hand accounts of innovative teaching and learning made possible by REF generous donors and the RASD employee payroll deduction gifts.
  • Engage with our great line up of table hosts/speakers.
  • Join us for the AfterGlow Party at Knuth's Beer Hall in Downtown Ripon.
Purchase Tickets Now!
 Thank you to Our Generous Great Conversations Sponsors!
EVENT SPONSOR
Alliance Laundry Systems
INNOVATORS
Agnesian Healthcare/SSM
CG Schmidt
Rauch Family Dentistry LLC
Ripon Printers
Emily and Peter Sensenbrenner
von Briesen Roper, s.c. / Tom Moniz
SCHOLARS
Blue Design CO. LLC
BMO Harris Bank
Horicon Bank
Oshkosh Area Community Foundation
Webster’s Marketplace
FRIENDS OF EDUCATION
Bright Orthodontics
Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home
Century 21 Properties
Condon Oil Company
Edward Jones/Greg Dragolovich
Ernessi Farms LLC
Fish Window Cleaning
Hillside Dental Associates
Hometown Broadcasting 1600 WRPN
Shawn and Carissa Karsten
Knuth Brewing Company
KSF CPA Services
Left Bank Wine Co. – Kay Bumby
Patina Vie
Seneca Foods

Great Conversations 2019 Table Topics and Hosts

  • #1 Agriculture and the Future of Food - Natasha Paris

    GMO’s, Veganism, Organic, Grazing, etc. all claim to be able to save the world, but what is the reality? Explore the complexities of feeding the

    world as the climate changes. Discuss the ways agriculture can rise to this challenge.

  • #2 Healthy Living with Essential Oils - Gwen Dehaan

    Learn how to empower yourself with natural options using essential oils

  • #3 Cosmic Dirt - Nick Goeldi

    Researching the cosmos with NASA may seem like science fiction, but a small group at Ripon High School did it! We'll be discussing what four students and a teacher did, what was found, and the impact that it may have in the classroom for the average student at Ripon High School.

  • #4 Big Dreams, Small Town: Running a Global Home Décor Business from Small Town Wisconsin - Sarah Willett

    Join the vibrant conversation, touching on the passion and the challenges that come along with building a dynamic brand and business from a small hometown.  Being the best version of yourself and “getting after it” are the foundation for my lifestyle and business philosophies.


  • #5 I was a Stranger - Nate Zimdars

    While living in a new country comes with many challenges, the joy and new experiences outweigh the discomfort.  Journey with Nate discovering what it is like to be shaped and formed through living as a stranger in an exciting new place of the world.

  • #6 Ripon Opioid Prevention: What We're Doing - Alex Berg

    Building and fostering community collaborations to address issues around opioid and other drug issues in the Ripon Community using a Four Pillar, multidisciplinary approach.

  • #7 Freeland Film Festival - Evelyn Galster

    The Festival showcases films about people, wildlife, and eco-systems that are facing daunting challenges.  Films and panels will focus on 

    promoting awareness of these issues that exist in the world.

  • #8 Developing Community Partnerships: The Green Lake Festival of Music - John Hughes

     The Green Lake Festival of Music was founded in 1979 by Professor Doug Morris, then Choir Director at Ripon College.  How have the College and Festival worked together for years and what can we learn about  partnering organizations within our community?

  • #9 More then Books: Literacy is LIFE! - Linda DeCramer

    Discover the myriad of programs and resources designed to help caregivers build early literacy skills in preschool children and beyond! Also, get a first peek at rhymes, reasons, and renditions for a children’s Department renovation!

  • #10 The Mind is Like a Wild HOrse - Bob Amsden

    Strategies for Personal, Social, and Emotional Development or, Mindfulness by any other name is still as sweet.


  • #11 Riponfest 2.0: More Than Just a Community Event - Jackie Perkins

    Riponfest 2.0 is back in full force, not only are we holding an exciting event for the Ripon community year after year, but we also are raising funds for organizations around the town.

  • #12 Ripon's Natural Gem: Let's Take a Talk in South Woods - Rich Diemer

    South Woods, an ancient forest with an important history, continues to provide Riponites, young and old, the opportunity to experience the beauty of its spring wildflowers and the unique light of its majestic trees and canopy. We will discuss the Woods, its history and the efforts being made to protect and preserve it.

  • #13 Racial Issues in the Criminal Justice System - Kat Griffith

    According to federal data, Black people and White people have used illegal drugs at the same rate for decades. Why then are most people in prison for drug offenses Black? This conversation will explore the evidence for racial disparities at every level of our criminal justice system.

  • #14 Music and War in the United States - Sarah Mahler Kraaz

    Why and how are music and war connected? Music in wartime fuels patriotism, maintains morale and carries propaganda, but it also consoles, protests, and expresses emotions that might otherwise go unvoiced.


  • #15 Haunted Halls - Marc Eaton

    Marc will recount stories of hauntings that have allegedly occurred at Ripon College.  The group will also discuss his research experience interviewing paranormal investigators and tagging along on their investigations.

Purchase Tickets Here!

About Great Conversations


Great Conversations, an annual fundraising event for the Ripon Education Foundation, provides an evening of
fine dining and table conversations led by authors, professors, professionals and community leaders. Great
Conversations brings together people in Ripon and surrounding communities who care about education and are interested in learning more about current events and topics of interest. Attendees purchase tickets and select their entrees of choice and one of the many table topics. Every dining table at the event features a
speaker/presenter who sparks table conversation regarding a specific subject.
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