News

There is always something new happening at Heidelberg University. Stay connected with us through news, social media, publications and more.

Feb 9, 2023

New DIB Director Aaron Nelson: 2010 grad, energizer and connector

Aaron Nelson ’10 is Heidelberg’s new Director for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, and he’s taking campus by storm with his energy, love of open communication and dedication to building genuine interpersonal relationships. Diversity & Inclusion Celebrations are a huge part of Aaron’s vision for diversity on campus. So he’s gone big for Black
Feb 7, 2023

She said yes! Alums get engaged on campus

Rachel Gerken ’21 thought she and long-time boyfriend Austin Nainiger ’20 were heading to Tiffin for an early Valentine’s Day celebration on Saturday. It turned out to be so much more. Instead, Austin brought Rachel to campus where they took a short stroll, stopping in front of the Campus Center. There, he got down on one knee and proposed. She
Feb 2, 2023

A leap of faith (across the ocean): 2016 grad's Italian musical adventure

In August of 2022, Tiffin native and Heidelberg alum Stephen Smith ’16 took a leap of faith as he came to a turning point for his career. He had been offered a position as the Director of Liturgical Music for the Pontifical North American College, a seminary school in Rome. With only a month to prepare, he grabbed visas for himself and his wife
Feb 2, 2023

Trio of new projects reinvigorates entrepreneurial Berg Enactus

Berg Enactus – the campus chapter of the global Enactus organization that facilitates students to become social entrepreneurs – has been reinvigorated, thanks to the efforts of a new group of ’Berg business students. The faculty advisors say it’s going stronger than ever with the students who have stepped up to lead the process. This year, about 14
Feb 1, 2023

HYPE 'internship tour' takes students to county agencies

One of the benefits of HYPE Days at Heidelberg is the opportunity for students to take a deeper dive into a specific career-related topic in workshop-style sessions following the keynote speaker. On Tuesday, nine students in Dr. Sarah Lazzari’s criminology and psychology classes had an awesome adventure visiting local law enforcement and related
Jan 31, 2023

HYPE's Michelle Singletary: The recipe for financial freedom

In the world of personal finance, knowledge is power. And you already have the power to become richer than you think. Those were the key messages from nationally syndicated personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary, the keynote speaker during the spring semester’s first HYPE Day on Tuesday. With 401Ks, IRAs, stocks, bonds, annuities and other
Jan 30, 2023

Speech Team has strong showing at OU tournament

Eleven schools from four states competed at Ohio University's annual "1804 Speech Tournament" on January 28. Heidelberg's Speech Team continued their solid showing bringing home three trophies. Junior Julia Schaefer placed 4th in Programmed Oral Interpretation and 6th in Broadcast Journalism. Junior Kelsey Stanfield also placed, finishing 6th in
Jan 26, 2023

Cybersecurity secrets: Alyssa Edmond '21 visits with CAT Club

On Wednesday, January 24, the Computer and Technology (CAT) Club hosted a virtual seminar with Heidelberg alumna Alyssa Edmond ‘21, who shared her experiences working in cybersecurity. Part of the mission of the CAT Club is to bring professionals to engage with students in the computer science program. Bringing in a recent alumni is an added bonus
Jan 19, 2023

Welcome to Winterfest 2023!

It’s time: welcome to Winterfest 2023! Winterfest is an annual celebration of getting back to student life, hosted by the Berg Event Council. Every year, BEC works to improve upon their regular events, while keeping the old favorites in tact. Students can still expect their favorite mocktails (or cocktails) and stuffed animals, but will be
Jan 17, 2023

'Berg community comes together to celebrate MLK Jr. Day

On Martin Luther King Jr Day ON!, Heidelberg University came together to take a hard look at diversity, equity and inclusion on campus – what it means to various individuals and groups and how to keep moving forward as a community with meaningful initiatives toward creating a sense of belonging for everyone. Throughout the day, the Diversity
Jan 11, 2023

New dean, alum connect over shared high school HOF induction

You just never know where you’ll meet a Heidelberg alum. November 23 was a special evening for ‘Berg alumnus Dave Kapes ’70 as he was inducted into the Barberton Sports Hall of Fame. A stellar football player in the late ‘60s, Dave was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Sherry (Ickes) Kapes ’70 and a proud contingent of former Student Prince
Jan 10, 2023

On MLK Jr. Day, Heidelberg focuses on community building

​Instead of a day off, the Heidelberg community will gather together on Monday, Jan. 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – for a Day ON! Students, faculty and staff will participate in a series of events around the theme of Community Building: From Knowing to Doing. Activities are being organized by Heidelberg’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Jan 10, 2023

Nurses complete BSN degrees, receive pins during ceremony

Heidelberg nursing students Brian Michener and Tyler Trapp celebrated the culmination of their RN-BSN journey with a traditional pinning ceremony on campus Monday afternoon. Kathleen Mertens also completed her degree but was unable to attend the pinning ceremony. Both working nurses, Tyler and Bryan were joined by their families for the pinning
Jan 6, 2023

'Berg selects Ryan McDannell as first-ever Esports head coach

Heidelberg Athletics Director Greg Cooper has announced the hiring of Ryan McDannell as the head coach of the newly created Esports program. Prior to arriving at Heidelberg, McDannell served as the head coach of Upper Sandusky High School's Esports program. "We are excited to welcome Ryan as Heidelberg's first varsity Esports coach," Greg said.
Dec 13, 2022

’Berg after-school tutors fill the gap for local elementary children

Last spring, the School of Education received funding from the Ohio Department of Education’s Statewide Mathematics and Literacy tutoring grant program. Heidelberg used the grant to create the Genius Afterschool Program. A total of 12 education majors just completed the first semester of reading and math tutoring for 22 kindergarten-fifth graders
Dec 13, 2022

Remarkable stories: Local nuns share legacy of service with ’Berg class

In films, on TV and even on greeting cards, nuns are invariably stereotyped as caricatures, depicted as either mean, crabby or sanctimonious. Students in Dr. Desi Matherly’s Writing for Social Change class found out that those stereotypes couldn’t be further from the truth in a class project that just concluded last week. “I really had no
Dec 12, 2022

Congrats, December grads, and welcome to the alumni family

On Friday, Heidelberg celebrated the accomplishments of 32 students who completed graduation requirements this semester. The annual December Graduation Reception, while more informal than the traditional ceremony each May, was an opportunity to recognize and honor 26 undergrads and six graduate students who now move on to that next chapter! At the
Dec 9, 2022

Inside, concert hall gets facelift; outside, new patio adds ambiance

There’s a ton of activity inside Brenneman Music Hall as students prepare for finals (and faculty prepare to grade them). Adding to the buzz, crews are in the midst of renovating Ohl Concert Hall and constructing a new whimsical patio. Ohl Concert Hall: An upgrade and a facelift When students return from winter break, they’ll be greeted by
Dec 9, 2022

A Prince's Purpose: Religious Life Chanukah, Sig set-up and Kappa Samaritan Boxes

Heidelberg’s Student Princes are excited to lend a helping hand for the holidays, sharing their love and appreciation to the Tiffin community, and pursuing their purpose with distinction. Religious Life Host Community Chanukah Dinner Religious Life is hosting a community Chanukah dinner on Saturday, December 10 at 5:30 p.m. The dinner will be held
Dec 8, 2022

Celebrating student creativity: Design & documentaries

Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Dr. Jiachun Hong has been creating spaces for students' work to be shared and showcased throughout the semester – his first as a Heidelberg faculty member. Jiachun recently set up a gallery in the GEM Center to promote the artwork and graphic designs of students. Hanging on the wall of the lobby are
Dec 8, 2022

Toward inclusivity: New music, theatre audition option coming

Heidelberg’s School of Music & Theatre is launching a new pathway that will give prospective students more options for entry into studying the arts at the collegiate level. The new pathway is a concerted effort to be more inclusive for students who may not have had access to the arts in their high schools and also to nurture a passion for the arts
Dec 8, 2022

The Adventures of Student Leaders: Kailyn Kroll

Many students leave high school as solitary jaguars, on a quest to find their place in the world. When they arrive at Heidelberg, they encounter a multitude of leadership opportunities and discover an entirely different animal. Welcome to our new monthly web series: The Adventures of Student Leaders. Kailyn Kroll is a junior from a “small, middle
Dec 7, 2022

A Prince's Purpose: APO Caroling & BSU Cocoa

Heidelberg’s Student Princes are excited to lend a helping hand for the holidays, sharing their love and appreciation to the Tiffin community, and pursuing their purpose with distinction. BSU hands out hot chocolate Heidelberg’s Black Student Union, in conjunction with Parkhurst Dining, catered snacks for the Student Prince men’s basketball double
Dec 5, 2022

A Prince's Purpose: Ex-Phi Head Start & Chem Club Toy Drive

Heidelberg’s Student Princes are excited to lend a helping hand for the holidays, sharing their love and appreciation to the Tiffin community, and pursuing their purpose with distinction. Ex-Phi Head Start Christmas The Ex-Phi Head Start Christmas has come again! On Sunday, December 4th, the Excelsior Men’s Society and Philalethean Society of