Fifty years ago, on Oct. 4, 1975, Jessie (Cole) Kubuske was crowned Heidelberg University Homecoming Queen. Exactly half a century later, Heidelberg will celebrate its Homecoming on that same date — a perfect moment to look back on one of Jessie’s most unforgettable college experiences.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Jessie ’76 recalls, remembering the shock of being named queen among 10 students on the court. “All of the other girls were very sweet, and I think I was smiling the whole time.”
The selection process then was a campus-wide vote. The field of candidates was narrowed to the top 10, and students voted for the top five, who were announced just days before Homecoming. The Queen was crowned during the football game on Saturday. While Heidelberg now crowns two students as Homecoming royalty, the tradition of student-driven selection remains largely the same.
The theme for 1975 was “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” a nod to the upcoming celebration leading up to the nation’s 1976 bicentennial. All decorations and floats tied into the theme. Jessie remembers her parade float as a carriage. The Homecoming court sat inside a closed space, while the remaining five got to ride in convertibles – a detail that Jessie jokingly recalls as “always a burr in my side. We couldn’t see anyone and no one could see us!”
After the game against Muskingum, which Heidelberg lost 38-0, a reception was held in the old Castle. Jessie’s parents traveled from Toledo for the game to support her on the court.
Fondest memories
Homecoming 1975 was definitely a highlight for Jessie. “It was such a great experience. It really helped me come out of my shell,” she says. Being named Homecoming Queen filled her with pride and made her feel more connected to the Heidelberg community. She served as an Orientation Leader during her time on campus, and her confidence as a leader grew.
One of her favorite memories: returning to her residence hall after the Homecoming festivities to find signs of congratulations from her roommates and friends placed throughout the hall – on doors, in the hallways, even in the elevator. Her only regret? “They didn’t let me keep the crown,” she jokes.
Life on campus
Jessie fondly recalls traditions like T-Bridge and visits to the U building with AP Lil Sisses. Dinner on Wednesdays and Sundays was served family-style, with students dressing up and navigating seating arrangements – rituals that fostered community on campus.
Initially, Jessie was hesitant about coming to Heidelberg, graduating from a large high school. “My dad told me I’d be a big fish in a small pond – and he was right,” she says.
During her senior year, Jessie lived in a fifth-floor suite in Miller Hall, attending classes, biology labs, Lil Sis meetings, and working as a receptionist in the infirmary. She also served as a lab assistant, enjoying the hands-on experience of campus life.
Post-Heidelberg
Jessie lived in Toledo from 1998 to 2016. In her retirement as a biology teacher, she and her husband, Jim ’76 moved to Amherst, Ohio. Returning to campus for Alumni Weekend had been challenging over the years due to her teaching schedule, but in 2024, she and her family returned to accept Heidelberg’s Legacy Family Award. She and Jim plans to return next spring to celebrate another golden milestone – their 50th class reunion.
She has enjoyed seeing the campus grow. “I’m glad there’s a stadium now,” she says, and she’s a fan of Berg Bistro 1850 and The HeidelBean! coffee shop. She remembers bringing her oldest son for a campus visit the day Williard Residence Hall burned in 1999.
Advice for students
“Enjoy every minute of your four years because you’ll never get them back,” Jessie says. Looking back, she credits Heidelberg with giving her lifelong confidence and friendships – a reminder that Homecoming and campus traditions are about far more than a single crown.