Constellation Similarity Assertions

Mary Rippon (1850-1935) was born in Lisbon, Illinois. After completing high school, Rippon unsuccessfully sought higher education, which was unavailable to women during this time in the United States. Instead she spent five years studying in Germany, France, and Switzerland. Upon returning to America, Rippon began her career teaching high school in Detroit. After the continual persuasion of Dr. Joseph A. Sewall, Rippon's former high school chemistry teacher in Illinois and the first president of the University of Colorado, Rippon joined the two-member faculty of the University of Colorado. She was the first female to teach men in a university classroom, in 1878. Rippon's career at the University of Colorado began with teaching French and German, some mathematics and English grammar. In 1881, she was promoted to professor of German and French. That same year, Rippon was named the head of the Germanic Languages and Literature department, a position she would hold for the rest of her career at CU. Rippon also took on the role of Dean of Women, although it was unofficial until 1901. In 1909, Rippon retired from her 57-year career to live the rest of her life in Boulder until she died at 85 in September of 1935. In Rippon's career at the University of Colorado, she had seen the student population go from 15 to more than 3000. One year after her death, on alumni day, a memorial outdoor theater between the wings of the Hellems Building was dedicated to Rippon.

From the description of Mary Rippon collection, 1874-1936 (bulk 1877-1936). (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 457015098

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