Sweet Alma Home – Heidelberg’s alma mater – was just 28 years old when Betty Miller was born in 1923. At 102 years young, she remembers singing it as a member of the choir during her student days at the Berg.
Betty graduated in 1944 as a music major and taught music for many years.
On Thursday – the occasion of Betty’s birthday – eight members of the Concert Choir, along with Director Dr. Greg Ramsdell, treated her to a lovely rendition of Sweet Alma Home.
The Choir members -- Clara Drummond, Hannah Lewis, Kathrine Sayre, Elijah Shiley, Becca Shoemaker, Caleb Silvia, Aidan Walker and Abbey Yarris – were part of a Heidelberg contingent that traveled to Valley View Health Campus in Fremont, where Betty resides, to help her celebrate her birthday. At Betty’s side was her 104-year-old sister, Alice.
Also making the trip were three members of the Philalethean Society – MacK Haneberg, Jade Wallace and Nele Nessler – who shared some of the society’s current traditions with their Phi sister from decades ago. Adjunct faculty member Janet Rozick also attended to learn more about Betty’s time at Heidelberg.
Spry at 102, Betty initially looked a bit puzzled by all of the unknown young people who had joined her friends, family and Valley View staff to honor her. When someone announced to her that “Heidelbergers are here,” she responded, “Oh, how neat!”
Though she noted that this day was “no different than other days,” she was tickled by all the attention. “This is one of the best birthdays I’ve had. It pays to be 102!”
Representing the Alumni Engagement Office, Ashley Helmstetter presented Betty with a pink cake, a hand-made Heidelberg birthday hat and some Heidelberg swag, including a black and orange scarf, slipper socks and a thermal cup. “How neat,” Betty said. “I should be 102 every year.”
“It’s not often we have the opportunity to help celebrate someone who is 102. It’s wonderful to have this opportunity to share the day with you,” Ashley told Betty.
The Choir members led the singing of “Happy Birthday” and as Betty blew out candles on her birthday cake, she began to tear up. “Thank you. I’ve not had a birthday like this in 102 years,” she said sweetly.
Wonderful memories
Betty’s Heidelberg memories linger strongly in her mind. Janet brought a 1944 Aurora yearbook to share with her and asked her what she remembers most about her time at Heidelberg. Coming across a photo of Henry R. “Pop” Behrens, Betty immediately recognized him as the Choir director during her student days. She readily recalled living in Williard and France halls and then as an upperclassman staying with a local family during World War II, when Heidelberg became home to U.S. Army barracks that housed soldiers who trained on campus.
One of her best memories, she said, was “seeing alumni friends who came back for Homecoming. We had a lot of good friends.”
How the birthday trip transpired
A Valley View staff member initially reached out to Kiki Lorann about having Heidelberg represented at Betty’s birthday celebration. Kiki led much of the organization, but when she became ill earlier this week, Ben Pugno stepped in, along with Ashley, to oversee the trip and help with transportation.
It was definitely a day we won’t soon forget!