Alumni journey back to celebrate college days
The recently concluded Alumni Weekend 2008 (June 19-22), which drew several hundred alumni back to campus with the theme Journey Back to Heidelberg, was a time for reminiscing, reconnecting and renewing friendships. There was a little something for everyone.
Kicking off the weekend was the Heritage Society Dinner, which honored alumni and friends who have remembered the college in their estate plans. Alumni began to converge on campus en masse on Friday. Those who were celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation or more were inducted into the Medallion Club during a luncheon that day.
Friday afternoon and again Saturday afternoon, alumni had a fun opportunity to go back to class, but this time there were no tests or research projects. The Classes Without Quizzes program featured presentations from the following alumni, current and retired faculty, and Heidelberg staff:
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John Suter, class of ’58, An Official’s Life on the Professional Tennis Circuit
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Dr. Marc O’Reilly, professor of political science, Empires Past and Present
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Jim Minehart, director of Planned Giving, Planned Giving Options
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Dr. Robert Berg, class of ’65, professor emeritus of German, American Junior Year 50th Anniversary
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Dr. Kenneth Davison, class of ’46 and professor emeritus of history, Heidelberg Faculty You May Remember
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Kristen Lindsay, director of Career Development, 'Berg Career Mentor Program
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Steve Stephenson, class of ’58, You’re Never Too Old for Adventure
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Dr. Percy Lilly, professor emeritus of biology, Tree Identification Walk
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Stan Parrish, class of ’68, From the ‘Berg to Big Time
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Keri Newell, class of ’07, admission counselor, Heidelberg Alumni Recruitment Team
One of the highlights of the weekends was the Friday night encore performance by The Mystics, an alumni vocal group who performed in the late '60s and early '70s. During Alumni Weekend 2007, the group reunited for the first time since their Heidelberg days, and their performance drew such rave reviews that they agreed to a return engagement this year. Performing with the band this year were alumni Ira Turpin, '69; Paul Brown, '69; Larry "Butch" Bates, '67; Drew Stiebling, '68; Rick Pogue, '78; Tom Krammes, '74; and Bob Hunt, '74; Floyd Carson, '74, and community musicians Tony Paulus, Pat DelTurco and Steve Williams.
Saturday morning, alumni had an opportunity to have breakfast with outgoing President Dominic Dottavio., followed by the class of '58’s dedication of their class gift, a stunning bronze sculpture depicting their memories of their years at Heidelberg. Titled Essence of Liberal Arts, the 8-foot sculpture stands on a 2-foot base at the center of the campus.
The spotlight again shined on the anniversary class of ’58 during the annual alumni luncheon and award program. This year, the slate of alumni award winners included the following:
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Outstanding Alumni Award – Robert E. Parmelee, class of ’52 (posthumously), and H. Thomas Bartlett, class of ’74.
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Alumni Service Award – David I. Sharp, class of ’57, and Fred N. Schuld, class of ’48.
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Alumni Career Excellence Award – J. Mark Busch, class of ’82.
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Legacy Family Award – Herbster-Winter Family
Concluding the luncheon was an outstanding performance by the 56-member Alumni Choir. The choir, comprised of former members of the Concert Choir, has performed at Alumni Weekend the past 14 years. The choir’s program was coordinated by ’89 alumnus Dr. Grant Cook III, associate professor of music and current Concert Choir director, and Ed Ayers, class of ’72.
Following the luncheon, alumni participated in campus tours, the planting of the memorial tree to honor deceased classmates, a walking tour of the campus art galleries and a reception. Reunion classes gathered in the evening for individual dinners. The weekend concluded on Sunday with a worship service led by the class of ’58 and a class brunch, and the Alumni Council annual meeting.
A special feature of Alumni Weekend was the first annual Tiffin art festival, A Masterpiece in the Making, sponsored by the Tiffin Art Guild and organized by a group of senior public relations majors at Heidelberg.