Ripon College

09/03/2026

Thanks in no small part to the innovative research of Gina Fernandez ’81, the blackberry has grown into a $20-million high-value crop for North Carolina. Her custom-bred varieties — high-yielding, flavor-packed, and thornless — thrive in the humid summer climate of the Southeast.

Fernandez has led NC State University's caneberry breeding program for 23 years. She is the John D. and Nell R. Leazar Distinguished Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in NC State's Department of Horticultural Science.

She has helped develop two patented blackberry varieties. The latest, Ervin, emerged from more than four years of intensive trials. It's named for Ervin Lineberger, a visionary grower and longtime cooperating farmer with NC State. Fernandez calls Ervin "a premium label blackberry" — and thanks to a licensing agreement with Global Plant Genetics, it will soon be grown around the world.

Von, another Fernandez-bred variety released in 2013, is already producing well in both the Netherlands and Chile.

Photo courtesy of Marc Hall/NC State

09/02/2026

Opportunities remain for students to spend next semester in Barcelona, Spain. The Ripon College Spain Program in Barcelona allows students to immerse themselves in the Catalonia capital through a faculty-led, semester-long, study-abroad curriculum. Interested students should contact Professor of Communication Steve Martin.

09/02/2026

Our friends at SAGE Dining Services will be firing up brick-oven pizzas and more tasty treats in their new oven beginning with lunch service today.

Individual slices will be available, as will made-to-order pizza and made-to-order pasta on specific days.

09/01/2026

We are excited to host the 52nd annual on-campus performance of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Sunday, Sept. 20, at 3:15 p.m. in the Willmore Center Field House. The concert is free and open to the public, a rare opportunity for concertgoers to hear a major professional orchestra without leaving the region or paying for tickets. Learn more at the link in the comments.

Ripon College is excited to host the 52nd annual on-campus performance of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 3:15 p.m. in the Field House at the Willmore Center. The concert is free and open to the public, a rare opportunity for concertgoers to hear a major professional orchest...

09/01/2026

175 years of asking "what if?" Throughout the month of September, we'll be spotlighting the innovative ideas and academic excellence that's defined Ripon College since 1851 — from groundbreaking research to the professors who push students to think differently. Here's to the next 175 years of big ideas from our small campus.

08/31/2026

BIG NEWS: The Ripon Commitment just went nationwide!

Starting Fall 2027, every incoming student, from any state, pays the same tuition and fees as UW-Madison ($12,416). One of the best value propositions in American higher ed, now open to anyone, anywhere in the country.

And if your household AGI is $100,000 or less (up from $75K), you could qualify for FREE tuition and fees — up to 4 years for first-year students, 2 years for transfers.

"Every student deserves the opportunity for an affordable and high return on investment college education," says President Dr. Victoria N. Folse.

Reach out to Admissions today!

08/31/2026

Thank you to all of the local businesses who participated in our Taste of Ripon event today, including J's BBQ, The Crimson Still , Culver's, Hy-Vee, Ripon Dough Co, Sweet n Saulty Ice cream Parlor, Wisco Coffee Company & Eatery, Big Top Brew and Pastimes Pub & Grille.

08/31/2026

The Class of 2030 have their first college classes today. Parents left these messages of support for their students.

08/28/2026

It's officially move-in day for all of our new students. To celebrate, we share some images of move-in days gone by.