Blog

Ethan Miller entered Heidelberg as a chemistry major because that’s what his family told him he was best at. Nothing against the sciences, but by the end of his freshman year, he realized that his passion was in the arts and humanities. “I really latched onto English. That’s what makes me tick,” says Ethan, now a senior preparing for grad school. “English was one of the things that helped me find me and my identity.” So he switched his major to English writing and added theatre and psychology minors.

Em Swain had their heart set on going out of state for college – so much so that they were “very upset” that they loved Heidelberg so much when they visited. If it’s possible, they love it even more in their second year as an Honors student majoring in philosophy and double minoring in theatre and writing. They found interesting passions to pursue, too, including theatre, Greek life, improv comedy – even research.

Lexie Page-Boyd was recruited to Heidelberg as a thrower on the track team. But it was the bigger picture that sealed the deal for her. In her senior year, Lexie has thrived as an environmental science major and student-athlete. “Initially it was a track decision, but overall, it was the education. I definitely think I made the right choice,” she says. Balancing a full schedule in and out of the classroom and lab, she’s one of the busiest students you’ll meet.

No, it’s not Serve-a-Sandwich and yes, it’s pronounced just like it sounds. Junior Jason Surmaceviz found his “Heidel-home” the moment he went on a tour of campus. “It was down to a couple of colleges, but everyone was so friendly here and it felt like a big family,” says Jason, who put down his deposit at the end of the tour and never looked back. Today, he’s involved in a number of key positions behind the scenes, organizing and executing key events on campus.

When Julia Campbell was touring colleges, she ultimately chose the much larger Eastern Michigan University. But she just couldn’t shake that feeling she experienced when accompanying her older sister on a visit to Heidelberg. “The whole time I was at EMU, I kept thinking, ‘What would have happened if I had chosen Heidelberg,’” Julia says. After one year, she transferred and is currently in her third semester at the Berg. She’s completely happy with her decision!

As a student at Heidelberg in the mid-1970s, Elrich L. “Pete” Green was a larger-than-life personality on campus, engaged in activities across the board where he could truly make a difference. He was a track student-athlete, WHEI business manager, performed with the Jazz Band, worked in residence life and was a member of Black Student Union, Sigma

Sewing, some would say, is a lost art, but it has many benefits. You can learn at any age. It requires creativity, keeps the brain active, improves hand-eye coordination and reduces stress. Sewing promotes joy and satisfaction from creating something from scratch or tailoring something to fit. Super-talented seamstress Angie Cook knows all of these

The first alumnus who represents this year’s honored Legacy Family was a member of the first graduating class of Heidelberg College back in 1854. Sixteen decades and close to 30 alumni later, the members of the Zartman-Diefenbach-Thompson Family have left their mark on Heidelberg since its founding days. Among their ranks have been theologians

The Heidelberg community is mourning the passing of William F. “Bill” Goodwin, ’56, retired Vice President for Development, who died June 3, 2019, in Sarasota, Florida. Along with his wife, Norma (Fant), ’54, whom he met when both were students here, Bill held his alma mater in high esteem, visiting for class reunions and major events, and stepping

Paul Brown, ’69, remembers very distinctly his freshman year, sitting in the library, and listening to someone singing as they walked down the sidewalk. That “someone” was Ira Turpin, a musical prodigy from Canton, Ohio. Ira, then a sophomore in the class of ’68, had been in singing groups back home. “Ira grew up around the O’Jays. In fact, he is

Marques Johnson is a junior from Belleville, Michigan, with a popular music major. He transferred to Heidelberg his Sophomore year and has since involved himself in a wide range of organizations on campus. As a member of the Concert Choir and the Marching Band, Marques could be considered a “jack-of-all-trades” in the music industry.

Senior Haley Hudler originally sought out a school in the Midwest to travel away from her home in Connecticut. The religion major knew she wanted to attend a university with an affiliation with the United Church of Christ. She decided on Heidelberg because she wanted a broad range of experiences. "I also really wanted a liberal arts college where I could learn how to learn," she says. “I wanted to be able to take classes from all different areas.” She found all that and more at Heidelberg.

When she was looking for colleges, Ronee Rice realized she could have the best of both worlds right in her own back yard. A Tiffin native and already familiar with the campus, Ronee participated in Scholars Day, where she met some professors and got to know the neighborhood school more deeply. She knew then and there Heidelberg was the right fit. It was so right that she stayed on to complete her master’s degree in counseling, and now is the project coordinator for the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women grant. She’s also an adjunct faculty member in the MAC program.

For years, Heidelberg University alumnus Colonel Chad Breeden, USMC has wanted to get engaged with his alma mater, but his military career and distance precluded his involvement. Back in 2013, he “took the plunge” when he returned to campus for his 25th reunion. In 2015, the Marine Corps relocated Chad and his family from San Diego to Quantico

“When I was a student, I worked on THE computer on campus. ... What I taught in computing two years ago is not what I’m teaching today,”

Involvement on campus is a priority for Maddy as a member of the women’s basketball team, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, the Zeta Theta Psi sorority, the Athletic Training honorary Iota Tau Alpha Beta Gamma, and the Honors Program.

Kevin Scrudders likes the way chemistry looks at the world. “It’s just more concrete,” says the senior who’s currently deciding among several Ph.D. programs. He also likes the Heidelberg environment: inviting, friendly, small, more personal.

Following is a message to the campus community from President Rob Huntington about the passing of Ted Hieronymus, '65: With a very heavy heart, I want to inform you of the passing of Trustee, distinguished alumnus and Heidelberg benefactor Theodore “Ted” Hieronymus, ’65, on Thursday, March 14, 2019. Ted’s legacy, which extends through his wife and

“Heidelberg changed me a lot,” Maram says. “Back home, I’ve always been known as the ‘daughter of … ’ while here I’m known for who I am and what I can do.”

Taylor is extremely engaged at Heidelberg. She’s an admission tour guide, a cheerleader for football and basketball and an original member of SLAMH (Students Leading Awareness for Mental Health). There’s one student organization – Berg Allies – that’s very near to her heart.