Blog

Blog
Nov 25, 2019

5 Things: Liz Zak

Sometimes, people know what they want to do with their lives very early on. That’s Liz Zak. “My high school had a career tech program … I did the agriculture science program all four years,” says Liz. That experience confirmed for her that she wanted to pursue a career as a veterinarian, working with exotic animals. She’s well on her way. But there’s more to this animal lover and dog mom from Oregon, Ohio.
Nov 20, 2019

Alisha (Davis) Watkins, ’04

Since she graduated from Heidelberg in 2004, Alisha (Davis) Watkins has been successfully climbing the ladder in her career as an accountant – and now partner – at Plante Moran’s Southfield, Michigan office. A CPA, Alisha provides assurance and consulting services to clients in the government and healthcare industries, working with organizations
Nov 12, 2019

5 Things: Dr. Barry Devine

Dr. Barry Devine’s career as a radio broadcaster was short-lived, and Heidelberg is all the better for it. “I decided that was not the career for me, so I went back to school,” he says. As he pursued his second undergrad degree in English at the University of Washington, he realized what he really enjoys is literature. “And it turns out you can do a lot with an English degree.” When he finished his second degree, he met his future wife, Heleana Theixos, and they set off on grad school adventures that eventually brought both of them to Heidelberg.
Oct 31, 2019

5 Things: Maia Brower

Heidelberg came to Maia Brower long before she ever set foot on campus. During her sophomore year in high school, she began taking voice lessons from ’Berg music instructor Dr. Renée Claire, who went on the road for the lessons. One of the stops was Maia’s high school in Oak Harbor, Ohio. “I really enjoyed having her here every time she came,” Maia recalls. She has continued voice lessons all four years with Renée, also pursuing her interest in instrumental music with flute instructor Lori Akins.
Oct 24, 2019

5 Things: Ethan Miller

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.
Oct 18, 2019

5 Things to Know: Em Swain

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.
Sep 26, 2019

5 Things to Know: Lexie Page-Boyd

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.
Sep 20, 2019

5 Things to Know: Jason Surmaceviz

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.
Sep 13, 2019

5 Things to Know: Julia Campbell

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!
Jun 26, 2019

Outstanding Alumni Award – Elrich “Pete” Green, ’78

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
Jun 26, 2019

Service Award – Angie Cook

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
Jun 26, 2019

Legacy Family Award – Zartman-Diefenbach-Thompson Family

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
Jun 14, 2019

Campus mourns passing of retired VP Bill Goodwin, ‘56

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
May 14, 2019

Paul Brown, '69, remembers the Mystics

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
May 2, 2019

5 Things to Know: Marques Johnson

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.
Apr 25, 2019

5 Things to Know: Haley Hudler

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.
Apr 18, 2019

5 Things to Know: Ronee Rice

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.
Apr 15, 2019

Chad Breeden, ’88

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
Apr 5, 2019

5 Things to Know: Sean Joyce

“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,”
Mar 29, 2019

5 Things to Know: Maddy Crawford

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.