It was the ultimate in role reversal with lots of fun and a little learning tossed in for good measure.
On Monday, junior Music Education major Cole Miller and President Rob Huntington switched places for an enjoyable and meaningful President for a Day event in celebration of Heidelberg’s 175th Anniversary.
Fully embracing their role to navigate through each other’s schedule for the day, both have returned to familiar territory after a fun and engaging – if not surprising – day of classes, meetings, meals, phone calls, extra-curriculars, and co-curriculars. And oh yes, music rehearsals! For hours!
Although he may be a neophyte musician, Rob was fully immersed in rehearsals for Concert Choir and Symphonic Band, spending “more time than I ever have in one stretch” in Brenneman Music Hall. After trading places at an 8:15 a.m. “transfer of power” ceremony conducted by Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson and executing separate daytime schedules, Cole and Rob reunited late in the afternoon for those rehearsals. With spring concert season right around the corner, it was important for Cole – and his protégé, Rob – to be in attendance for final performance touches. The day concluded with the duo co-leading the Greek Life Council meeting with the election of officers for the 2025-26 school year.
“All of the interactions with students were by far the most enjoyable for me,” Rob said. “Everyone was committed and in good humor. I feel very lucky. This day was a gift from the student body to me.”
Special touches …
There were lots of fun touches tailored to the day. Cole, decked out in his finest navy business suit, took over Rob’s office, where his President for a Day name plate and a special note from Rob awaited. He was also greeted by his presidential portrait hanging in University Hall, alongside those of Heidelberg’s past 13 presidents – a true depiction of HU leadership through the decades. Cole was escorted by golf cart throughout the day by his “Chief of Staff,” Ashley Helmstetter.
“The funniest part of the day was in the golf cart,” Cole noted. “Students stopped on the sidewalks and stared,” trying to figure out what all the commotion was about. He flexed his leadership muscles and warned them to “get to class.”
For his part, Rob the student was nearly unrecognizable as he strolled through campus first thing in the morning, wearing jeans, a ’Berg hoodie, an Oregon Ducks ball cap flipped backward, and Croc-like Kane’s. He accessorized, as many college students do, with earbuds and a backpack. His transformation fooled even the most observant colleagues as well as Mayor Wilkinson, drawing reactions of surprise and amazement. He fit the part perfectly!
“It was like that all day,” he said.
… and a few surprises
Of course, the day wouldn’t have been complete without a few surprises.
A group of boisterous students took to University Hall for a faux protest of “a lack of mac and cheese” in the dining hall. It was Cole’s responsibility to quell the protest, following a debrief with Campus Security’s Jake McGraw. But he admittedly dropped the ball on that one. “No, I did not go to Walmart and pick up mac and cheese,” he said.
But he did make his way downtown for an actual “town and gown” planning meeting organized by new TSEP/Chamber President and CEO Bryce Riggs ’15. Heidelberg, Tiffin University and downtown execs participated in a productive discussion about how to integrate the community’s college students into the life of the downtown area.
“That was my favorite part of the day because it gave me the opportunity as a student to give my opinion about ways to incorporate students and help us be more active in Tiffin and the downtown area,” Cole said.
He also enjoyed a conversation with his “boss,” Board Chair Kathy Geier, who called in to check on him. The two haven’t met in person, but look forward to connecting during Commencement when Kathy will greet graduates and Cole will perform with the Concert Choir.
With the day behind him, Cole said he learned to be prepared for the unexpected. “Don’t set your expectations until you know what you’re getting into,” he encouraged. “This was not at all what I expected,” but in a good way.
In an ironic twist, student Rob got ticketed for parking in a Faculty/Staff space, for failing to display the ’Berg parking registration tag, and for failing to register his vehicle. “My parking fine is $135. Outrageous!” he exclaimed. “But
I still have two days to request an appeal.”
‘Wow’ moments
For Rob, the day was replete with “wow” moments, such as standing next to Cole during Choir rehearsal and discovering what a beautiful voice he has. Every time he shifted to a new moment and a new experience, Rob found himself “very, very impressed by the passion and commitment of ‘Berg students and faculty.” Although he graded himself an “F” or maybe a “D-minus” on the musical talent scale, the day was a huge success.
From the various academic disciplines he experienced, “The day reinforced the absolutely serious passion, talent, and commitment that reassures us all why we’re here and the ways that curricular, extra-curricular, and co-curricular activities contribute to a life of purpose with distinction for all of us.”
Any concerns about his welcome into classes, piano lessons, and ensemble rehearsals quickly vanished, thanks to the gracious faculty who seized the opportunity to instruct student Rob.
“I was worried about getting in their space, but all of the faculty were very, very gracious, tolerant, and good-humored about everything. I was very grateful for that.”
For now, Rob is comfortably back in the confines of his University Hall corner office, backpack and Kane’s stored away for another day, and “President Emeritus” Cole is back to being a student and attacking his rigorous schedule with the energy of a 21-year-old.
All in a day’s work.