Ver Adest, Latin for "spring is here," entertained Ripon College and the Ripon community from 1946-1957. With elaborate musicals written and choreographed by Ripon College students*, the Ver Adest shows included student- performed comedy, song, and dance reviews.

During its years as a major event at Ripon College, the co-chairs of the Ver Adest shows were two of the most important student positions on campus.  At one time the show's production involved as many as 25-30% of the student body. Interest in Ver Adest waned after the 1957 production and the program retired.

*In 1955 the Ver Adest production staff decided to try "book shows". In these shows the music and words were already written in the form of a musical.

   Ver Adest Productions   

• 1946 - "Hi there, Mister!" Co-chairs: Doris Jacob and John J. Hovak.    (Cast photo below)

• 1947 - "Let's Call it a Day!" Co-chairs: Mary Ellen Weiske and Dix Waldo.  

• 1948 - "Take it from Here!" Co-chairs: Mary Lou Blattspieler and John Nickless.  

• 1949 - "This is the Life!" Co-chairs: Doris Bohling and Richard Zoph.  (Photo below)

• 1950 - "Mind your Business!" Co-chairs: Mary Ellen Brode and David Kirch. 

• 1951 - "This is it!" Co-chairs: Joanne Klawiter and Joseph Mazza. 

• 1952 - "Of All Things" Co-chairs: Gina Hirschberg and Bill Wildermann. 

• 1953 - No production due to the absence of director William Peterman.

• 1954 - "Hello Again" Co-chairs: Jane Anne Furzland and John English. 

• 1955 - "Good News!" Co-chairs: Helen Healy and Bob Schieler.    

• 1956 - "Where's Charlie?" Co-chairs: Bob Schieler and Bob Ainsnorth. 

• 1957 - "Pajama Game" Co-chairs: Bob Ainsnorth and Peter Mortensen.