Ripon College ( Wisconsin ) Ripon College is a liberal arts college in Ripon , Wisconsin , USA . As of 2012 , Ripon College ' s student body stood at around 1000 , the majority of whom live on campus . History . Ripon College was founded in 1851 , although its first class of students did not enroll until 1853 . Ripon ' s first class , four women , graduated in June , 1867 . In 1868 formal ties with Presbyterian and Congregational churches were cut , but Ripon remained somewhat religious for much of its history . During the 19th century students were required to attend two church services each Sunday . The first six presidents of Ripon College had clerical backgrounds , as did the previous president , David Joyce . The college recognized social and academic Greek letter societies in 1924 . The Ripon Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was started by Clark Kuebler , who served as president from 1944 to 1955 . The National Forensic League , which is still located in Ripon , Wisconsin , was founded at the college in 1925 . Academics . Ripon is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest ( ACM ) , a grouping of private liberal arts schools that share expertise and collaborate on off - campus study programs . The college offers 32 majors , ranging from the arts to the social sciences to the hard sciences to pre - professional programs . Students have one advisor for each major and / or minor , and they meet with these professors at least once each semester . 96 % of graduates are employed or in professional school six months after graduation , and the acceptance rate to medical school is twice the national average — 80 % . The Wisconsin Leadership Institute . In 1997 , Ripon College entered into a formal agreement with the Wisconsin Leadership Institute ( WLI ) to collaborate on the production and distribution of learning materials related to the development of leadership skills and values . The headquarters of the WLI had been officially located within the Leadership Studies Program at Ripon College . In 2000 , the WLI created the Collaborative Leadership Network ( CLN ) , which is also headquartered within the Leadership Studies Program . Arts . The college ' s Rodman Center for the Arts houses the Departments of Art , Music , and Theater . The Art Department manages two gallery spaces , one of which is dedicated to student work and the other to art more broadly . Student work is also shown across campus . 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 . The Classics department manages a collection of classical Greek and Roman artifacts , many of which are displayed in the campus library . A sculpture garden is located adjacent to the building . Musical groups on campus include an orchestra , wind band , jazz ensemble , choral group , and drumline . Campus culture . Free bicycles . For several years , Ripon offered new freshmen the option of receiving a free Trek 820 mountain bike , helmet , and U - lock if they pledged not to bring a car to campus for the entire year . The " velorution " bike program aimed to encourage environmentally - friendly transportation , cut down on traffic , encourage athleticism , and limit the amount of necessary student parking lots in the rural campus . In 2011 the college disbanded the program after funding for the original project expired . Student life . Greek life . The college has seven residential dormitories with several sororities , including Alpha Delta Pi , Alpha Chi Omega , and Kappa Delta . The college has four all - male fraternities including chapters of Sigma Chi , Theta Chi , Phi Delta Theta , and a local fraternity , Phi Kappa Pi , ( named Merriman for the college ' s founding president ) . Ripon College also has one local co - ed fraternity , Theta Sigma Tau , founded in 1910 , the oldest local fraternity on campus . It became co - ed in 1980 after severing ties with Sigma Nu fraternity . Students in all five fraternities live in dormitories on campus , following the recent removal of Phi Kappa Pi from Merriman House . Phi Kappa Pi was relocated to the Quad living area , with the other three fraternities , after the Merriman house was condemned and the board of Trustees determined that all students ( unless exempted ) should reside in residence halls . Diversity . People of color compose 10 % of the student population . The McNair Scholars program supports first generation college students and African American , Native American , and Hispanic students who wish to attend graduate school . An office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs serves students of color , international students , and gay and lesbian students through mentoring and programming . Student groups that focus on the experiences of racially diverse , culturally diverse , and LGBT students are also active on campus . Athletics . 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 , golf , and tennis ( spring ) . Conference competition for women includes : cross - country , golf , soccer , tennis , volleyball ( fall ) , basketball ( winter ) , swimming ( winter ) , indoor and outdoor track , and softball ( spring ) . The Ripon Redhawks Cycling Team competes at the Division II level in the Midwestern Collegiate Cycling Conference ( MWCCC ) , governed by USA Cycling . Campus facilities . Education buildings and offices . The Ripon College Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places . Food . The main dining hall includes a wide range of options at each meal , including traditional American fare , foreign cuisines , and vegetarian / vegan options . A coffee shop on campus brews Starbucks coffee and makes specialty drinks to order . The Ripon Pub serves snacks , sandwiches , fast food , and along bottled beverages . The Terrace , located inside Bovay ( one of the residence halls ) , is open evenings and serves subs , pizza , snacks , and drinks . Recognition . The school ' s volunteerism and community service earned it a place on the President ’ s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2009 . In 2009 , Forbes ranked Ripon 100th on the list of America ' s 600 best colleges . The school earned an award from The Chronicle of Higher Education as being one of the " Great Colleges to Work For " in the nation , an award given to institutions that are well - managed and where faculty and staff being enthusiastic about their jobs .