Photo Albums

Some of the students and alumni who have benefited from the Kenneth Rhys Rudolph Memorial Fund for European Summer Study Abroad gathered with Rhys and Laura Rudolph at the Caleb Mills House Sunday to celebrate the Fund's 10th year.

The Fund was established to honor the memory of Kenneth Rudolph ’05, a cum laude graduate and religion major who died in an automobile accident at the age of 23. Family and friends established the fund ' to provide opportunities for young men to have the same life-changing international experiences that meant so much to Kenneth.' Here Ken's father, Rhys Rudolph, listens as students recall their adventures in Europe.

After students and alumni told their travel stories, Kenneth's mother, Laura, was given a notebook chronicling 10 years of learning from travel by 24 students. 'We created this fund for just what you have been talking about—to broaden your horizons, your experiences, and your sense of self, so that you come back and look at your world through different eyes,' Mrs. Rudolph said. 'If we can start that little ripple in the pond, your experiences that you have translated into new ways of doing and thinking actually transform other people.'

President Gregory Hess talks with Mrs. Rudolph, students, and alumni during the reception.

Students and alumni who have benefited from the Kenneth Rhys Rudolph Memorial Fund for European Summer Study Abroad gathered with Rhys and Laura Rudolph and President Hess at the Caleb Mills House Sunday to celebrate the fund's 10th year.

Students and alumni whose travels were sponsored by the Rudolph Memorial Fund include: (from left) Peter Xu ’17, Harrison Schafer ’17, Kurt Miller ’16, Reggie Steele ’12, Bryan Hutchens ’13, and Tyler Andrews ’15.

President Hess welcomed students, alumni, and faculty to the reception, and thanked the Rudolphs for the many life-changing opportunities their generosity has provided in memory of their son.

Bryan Hutchens ’13 studied in Rome, Italy the summer of 2012. 'It was a transformational experience, and I'm trying to find a way to move back to Europe,' Hutchens said.

Harrison Schafer ’17 studied in Munich, Germany this past summer.

Traveling to Germany and to Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzogovina had a powerful effect on Kurt Miller's life, and he wrote eloquently about the experience on the Wabash Web site. 'It was an incredible, eye-opening experience,' Kurt said.

Professor David Blix ’70 enjoys a travel story.

Professor of German Greg Redding ’88 talks about the impact the Fund had on students who otherwise would not be able to study abroad.

Rhys Rudolph—'Wabash is sort of a 'can-do' place, isn't it.'

Reggie Steele ’12 recalled his experience in England and the continuing relationships from his time there that have enriched his life.

Peter Xu ’17 learned German at the Goethe Institute in Hamburg, 'not only in classrooms but real-life situations.'

Tyler Andrews and Harrison Schafer take in the conversation.

Tyler Andrews talks with President Hess about his experience studying in Florence, Italy, and traveling to Croatia.

Professor of Classics Jeremy Hartnett ’96

Peter Xu talks with Rhys Rudolph.

Professor Blix enjoys Peter Xu's story.

President Hess

Dean of Students Mike Raters ’85

Rhys Rudolph thanked Marilyn Smith for organizing the event, then thanked alumni for returning— 'You can't imagine how much it means to us for you to come back'—and students for spending their Sunday afternoon at the reception. 'It's heartwarming to see you, to hear your stories,' he said.

President Hess and Mrs. Rudolph talk with Bryan Hutchens and Tyler Andrews.