Karen Wellman

Most important job: partner, mother and beach bum

Educator: collection of degrees in Business, Recreation and Parks Administration, and Education with majors in business with emphasis in marketing; education with endorsements in emotional impairment and learning disabilities; and recreational administration.
Taught students ages 2-102.
Business: marketing positions in medical marketing, business to business advertising, and real estate in Grand Rapids, Holland/Saugatuck, and Kalamazoo
Fun: biking, studying my latest hobby, coffeeing with friends, volunteering in the community, appreciating theater and music, playing with clay, digging in dirt, and walking the dogs and my man.

I have always remembered Rip Collins for being straightforward and appreciative of interaction with his students. But it didn't stop in the classroom for me. Rip was influential in helping me find my first teaching position after I spent a summer working in his recreation program. Young teachers are known to struggle a little financially, so I continued to work with the recreation department for both fn and money After several years, Rip offered me a position managing one of the City Pools. Years after that in Rip's retirement, I would run into Rip at breakfast with the guys a a restaurant on Michigan. He always greeted me warmly, and I was so glad to see him. He was THE teacher in my life who supported me beyond the classroom. When asked who my favorite teacher was, I have no trouble sharing that Rip holds the position of FAVORITE TEACHER in my fond memories of OHHS.