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Previously
Spotlighted Philaletheans
Philalethean Spotlight of
the Month: March, 2007
Canon Orhun
Congratulations to the
March Philalethean spotlight of the Month: Canon Orhun. Canon pledged in
1980 as a foreign exchange student from Istanbul, Turkey, and became
known to her sisters as “Pepper." Canon joined the Phi’s because she
felt it would help to give her the full “American” experience while
studying at Heidelberg. She felt Greeks were a big tradition on campus
and were involved in a lot. She wanted to participate in those
traditions and campus activities to the fullest.
The memory that stands out the most to
Canon is pledging. She feels it brought the girls together with a
family-like bond. Another memory that also stands out to Canon is the
first time she wore the Phi blazer. She said is was one of the proudest
moments of her life. She says that wearing the blazer is not just a
“right” but a privilege because of it’s long standing tradition.
During her time in the hall, Canon feels
she learned the importance of working together, taking challenges, and
striving for the beste. She feels future women should pledge Phi for
several reasons. She feels if a young woman at Heidelberg wants to gain
real life experience in hard work, team work, multi-tasking, striving
for excellence, taking challenges she should pledge. If a young woman
wants to find hidden talents and a positive and nurturing atmosphere
atmosphere to grow into the best person she can be, she should pledge
Phi.
Canon graduated from Heidelberg in 1983 with a bachelor degree in
environmental biology. While at Heidelberg, Canon participated in tennis
and volleyball. She has a wide range of memories. Heidelberg was her
first port of entry to the United States and she remembers arriving at
France Hall with only 2 suitcases. She says once her roommate arrived
(who went through the pledging process with Canon) the room became a lot
more warm and cozy. The people at Heidelberg became her family. Canon
was the only foreign student on campus until the Iranian Revolution. The
professors still stand out to Canon. She feels she learned the true
meaning of community from her Heidelberg experiences. She even remembers
a campus DJ playing her favorite song and giving her a “shout out” on
the radio. Canon went on to graduate school at Southern Illinois
University and received a masters degree in Environmental Sciences in
1986.
From 1986 until 1987 Canon was an
assistant scientist and field journalist. For the next ten years, Canon
worked in the field of environmental consultancy and sales conducting
and designing workshops as well as analyzing environmental companies.
From 1993 until 1997, Canon was also a program coordinator and assistant
recruiter at The School of Field Studies in Salem, Massachusetts.
From 1997 until 1999, she was Deputy Director General (Conservation) for
the Society for the Protection of Nature in Istanbul, Turkey. From 1999
until 2005 she was Head of European Division for Birdlife International,
European Division, in Wageningen. From 2005 until present she has been a
consultant for Pica Pica Consultancy Company in Wageningen. From 2006
until present she has also worked for The Rubicon Foundation that she
helped start. The Rubicon Foundation is in the Netherlands. It is a
non-governmental, non-profit organization that works on rural
development and biodiversity conservation. Canon has also gained
experience in her local government. She has been part of the Recycling
Committee, Open Space Committee, and Conservation Commission Committee.
Canon currently resides in the
Netherlands. However, while in Turkey she participated in community
service by volunteering with an NGO active on the issue of women’s
development and participation in society. That experience allowed her to
travel throughout the country accompanied by military tanks for safety.
This was during the times of the Kurdish terrorism in southeastern
Turkey. Canon is
currently married to Umberto Gallo-Orsi. She also has a daughter named
Nezihe Anne Hewson. In 1993, she became a US citizen.
Philalethean Spotlight of
the Month: March, 2007
Nancy (Reusch) Sheaffer
Congratulations to the February Philalethean Spotlight
of the Month: Nancy Sheaffer (Reusch). Nancy is more commonly known to her
sisters as “Twinkie.” Nancy pledged as a freshman in 1978. Nancy became
interested in the Philalethean Society when she lived on the third floor
of Brown with a group of sophomore Phi’s that became her friends. She
chose the Philalethean Society because she wanted to have the same type of
friendship that these girls shared. She says she ended up discovering many
things about her own abilities. Nancy was unaware of what Phi would mean
to her before pledging but after pledging, she says Phi brought out a
different strength in her. During her time in the hall, Nancy held the
positions of censor and vice president. Nancy has many Phi memories that
stand out to her. Most of them involve just hanging out with her sisters.
Nancy feels future women of Heidelberg should consider
the Philalethean Society. She wants them to go through new member
education for the friendship that will be there under any circumstance.
She feels the women will go through their own personal growth throughout
new member education and their time in the hall.
Nancy stays active with the Philalethean Society
through the Philalethean Alumni Association, Phi Mentoring Program, Phi
Retreat hostess, Alumni Reunions, and being a Phi Advisor and honorary.
While at Heidelberg, Nancy majored in History and
Secondary Education with a minor in German. She was also a cheerleader.
Her favorite Heidelberg memories involve the Phi’s and a few special
classes. Nancy graduated in 1981.
Nancy is from Findlay, Ohio and currently resides there
with her husband Dan as well as her son (Danny) and daughter (Elizabeth).
After graduation, Nancy worked at Automotive Advertising in Detroit,
Michigan. Her current career, however, is a 7th grade history
and geography teacher. She is involved in many community service projects
but the one that she is most proud of, and active in, is the Rotary
Exchange Program in Findlay. She has had children from Germany, Columbia,
India, and the Czech Republic reside in her home from the program. In
1997, Nancy began an art history program for first and second grade
students at Lincoln Elementary in Findlay. The program consisted of
presentations of different artists to the class as well as many fun art
projects. In 1998, Nancy won the JC Penny Golden Rule Award for
volunteerism in education.
Philalethean Alumna
Spotlight of the Month
January 2007: JoAnn Reed
Congratulations to the January Philalethean Spotlight
of the Month: JoAnn Reed (Szikula). JoAnn is known to her sisters as DYBS.
JoAnn pledged in 1979. JoAnn chose the Philalethean Society because she
felt they were the best group on campus for her and most of her friends
were Phi’s. While JoAnn was active in the hall, she held the position of
Censor. The things she remembers most about Heidelberg is planning lots
activities and doing things with her sisters. She still comes back to help
out during New Member Education. She enjoys meeting the girls that are
currently in the hall. She wants prospective women to consider the
Philalethean Society because of all the lessons a person learns as a Phi
and all the sisters a woman gains that will always be there.
While at Heidelberg, JoAnn studied
Sociology and minored in Secondary Education. JoAnn was also a cheerleader
for Heidelberg for four years. One of JoAnn’s favorite memories of
Heidelberg was with her past roommate Nancy “Twinkie” Sheaffer when Nancy
found out that JoAnn had decided to pledge Phi. JoAnn had a lot of friends
that were Phi’s and many did not think she would pledge since she was a
junior. JoAnn feels pledging was one of the hardest and best experiences
of her life.
JoAnn currently resides in her
hometown of Medina, Ohio. She has worked as a secretary to the Medina
County Adult Probation for the past six years. She has two children: Brent
(24) and Tim (22).
Philalethean Alumna
Spotlight of the Month
December 2006: Elizabeth T. Smith
Congratulations to the December
Philalethean Spotlight of the Month: Elizabeth Smith (Zaino).
Elizabeth is known to her Philalethean sisters as "Rascal." She
pledged Phi in 1978. While an active Phi, she was elected Phi Mistress for
pledging and Parliamentarian. Elizabeth says
that she remembers working really hard during Phi pledging and the pride
she felt during initiation. She says, "There is no doubt that
pledging and being in a organization such as this that forces you to work
with others as a team is one of the best lessons one can learn in College.
All through your career and life you will have to learn to work with
others--whether you be the supervisor or the supervised--those with whom
you may have little in common or maybe even with those who you would not
chose to be friends. And the best collateral effect is that you build ties
for life."
At Heidelberg, Elizabeth studied English, Business and French. She was
also a Student Senator and participated in the College Chorus. Elizabeth
graduated from Heidelberg in 1981, magna cum laude, and furthered her
education at The Ohio State University College of Law where she earned her
J.D. degree in 1984.
Upon graduation from law school, Elizabeth joined the firm of Vorys, Sater,
Seymour and Pease and later became a partner. From 2003-2005 she served as
Chief Counsel to Attorney General for the State of Ohio. She then returned
to Vorys where she is a trial lawyer.
Her current community service includes:
Heidelberg College Board of Trustees Secretary, elected member to the
Franklin County Republican Central Committee, Board of Directors for the
Ohio Network of Child Advocacy Centers, Development Board for CURE
and member of St. Luke Lutheran Church.
Elizabeth now resides in Gahanna, Ohio with her husband Dr. Robert P. Zaino
and their two children Abigail and Sarah.
Philalethean Alumna
Spotlight of the Month
November 2006: Heidi Brodman
Congratulations to November's
Philalethean Spotlight of the month, Mrs. Heidi Brodman. Heidi pledged Phi
as a freshman in 1971. While an active Phi, she served as President,
Censor, Recording Secretary, and served as Director of the Phi Phrolics
(variety show). Heidi also served as an Intersociety Council
Representative and was elected Intersociety President. Heidi
writes, "If I made a memory book of my special days at Heidelberg,
there would be a Phi sign on every page! It all started my first day on
campus. The two RAs on our floor were both Phis and they were
fabulous girls - fun, friendly, involved - they exuded confidence! They
were my role models and as I found out more about them and about the other
girls on campus who wore the Phi sign I knew I wanted to belong to a group
whose members strived for the “beste.” Today, I am the wife, the
mother, and the teacher that I am because of the experiences I had with
the Phis."
Mrs. Brodman still keeps in contact with her two pledges, Becky Mayfield
Banfield and Joan Smith Gable. She continues to be an asset to the society
and has served as an advisor for almost thirty years. Heidi is also an
active member of the Philalethean Alumni Association. She recently acted
as Editor of “The Beste Recipes from Philalethean Kitchens” cookbook.
Heidi writes, "There is another memory of the Phis that really
touches my heart. During my first year of teaching, I got very sick and
had to spend several weeks at Mercy Hospital. One night, when I was
feeling my lowest, several Phis walked into my room with a bouquet of a
dozen yellow roses. They insisted on getting me out of my bed and over to
the window (which faced Market Street). As I leaned over to look out of my
window, about 30 angelic voices sang the most beautiful rendition of
"O, Philalethean" that I think I've ever heard in my life! I
will never, ever forget that moment!" Heidi
Brodman was born in Heidelberg, Germany but grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania.
She graduated from Heidelberg in 1974 with a B.A. degree in Education with
a math/science field concentration. Heidi furthered her educated with a
M.Ed. in reading at Bowling Green State University in 1980. She has taught
grades 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the Tiffin City Schools and retired from teaching
last summer. She has also taught remedial math in grades 1-8 for
Intermediate Unit 5 in western Pennsylvania. Heidi has served as a member
of the Facilities Committee for the Tiffin Catholic School, Seneca County
Retired Teachers Association and the Ohio Retired Teachers Association. Heidi
is happily married to her husband Phillip who is a firefighter with the
City of Tiffin. Phillip's mother is also a Phi, Elizabeth Fabian Brodman
(Class of 1945). Heidi and Phillip have a daughter, Anna, and a son,
Jacob.
Philalethean Alumna
Spotlight of the Month
October 2006: Kim "O.J." Zandy
The Ladies of the Philalethean Society are proud to announce the October
spotlight of the month is Kim Zandy. Kim pledged Phi in 1987 and acted as
song leader. She also headed up pledging in 1989 as the Pledge Mistress
and served as President in 1990.
Kim says her proudest moments
as a Phi were earning her colors and then passing them on to her three
pledges. Kim, like many other freshmen girls, came to Heidelberg with a
preconceived notion of what it meant to be Greek. She never thought that
she would pledge a society but quickly realized that all of the groups
defied the negative stereotypes that she had heard of. "I chose
the Phi's because I could see how proud they were of their long history
and their deep traditions," Kim said. "I still proudly wear my
Phi ring everyday to remind me that my sisters became life long friends
who are there to link arms with me through the bad times and cheer me
through my good times!"
While at Heidelberg, Kim majored in Communications. She acted as an anchor
for WHEI in weather, sports, and as main anchor. Also at Heidelberg, Kim
participated in Miller Hall council, College Campus Program Board, and TSD
facilitator (now called First Year Experience).
As a Philadelphia native, Kim
moved to Columbus, Ohio after graduating from Heidelberg in 1990. Through
Heidelberg alumni connections, she was able to land an internship with
WNCI in Columbus and then became the Programming/Promotions Assistant, the
Assistant Promotion Director and finally, co-host of The Morning Zoo! She
is now co-host of the #1 rated Giovanni and Kim in the Morning on 92 PRO-FM
in Providence, Rhode Island. You can listen to her show online
Monday-Friday, 5:30am to 9am at www.92profm.com.
Kim is also a board
member of the National Alliance for Mental Illness in Rhode Island, and co-chair
of the April and October campaigns for Coalition Against Domestic
Violence. With the help of Kim's generous listeners, Giovanni and Kim in
the Morning has raised over 2 million dollars for Cure Kids Cancer at
Hasbro Children's Hospital.
Philalethean Alumna
Spotlight of the Month
September 2006: Colleen “Aurora” Flanagan
The ladies of the Philalethean
Society are proud to announce the September Alumna Spotlight of the Month
is Colleen Flanagan, better known as "Aurora" to her Phi
sisters. Colleen graduated from Heidelberg College in 1999 with a Bachelor
of Music degree. She says "While
attending Heidelberg, I majored in Vocal Performance. I was lucky enough
to have a great vocal teacher, Elizabeth Blades-Zeller, who allowed me the
freedom to explore musical theater."
Colleen pledged Phi in 1996 and was a
Pledge Mistress in 1998. Colleen remarks:
"From day one, I knew I wanted to pledge PHI. Their loyalty to one
another was unlike any other. Everywhere you went, you saw PHI colors, and
a lot of them. They went everywhere together!" She went on to say
that: "Some of my favorite memories about being a PHI were the times
we hung out in Miller with our doors open, playing cards, and just waiting
for the next PHI or EX to come by and hang out."
While at Heidelberg, Colleen took pride
in organizing Greek Sing for the entire campus
in 1997 and 1998. Now, after college, she has continued her love of
singing. Colleen is the lead singer of one of Cleveland's most popular
cover band's called "Plan 8." They play in the Warehouse
District in Downtown Cleveland, Akron, Mentor, Parma, Willoughby,
Broadview Heights, and many other cities. She also sings professionally in
weddings, and at sporting events singing the national anthem.
When she graduated from Heidelberg,
Colleen started to work in Human Resources. She is currently the Human
Resource Manager for Sealy Mattress in Medina, Ohio. Previously, she was an Human Resources
Generalist for 4 years at a manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Ohio.
Philalethean Alumna Spotlight of the Month
August of 2006: Brigitte (Ball) Sollie
The Ladies of the Philalethean Society are
proud to announce the August Alumna Spotlight of the month is Brigitte
(Ball) Sollie, also known as “Cookie.”
Brigitte graduated from Heidelberg
College in 1992 with a B.S. in Business Administration. After college, she
obtained a Masters in Information Resource Management/Systems Design from
Central Michigan University. She then furthered her education by becoming
certified as a Seized Computer Evidence Recovery Specialist (SCERS) by the
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and a Certified Forensic Computer
Examiner (CFCE) through the International Association of Computer
Investigative Specialists.
She is currently the Special
Investigations Cyber Crime Team Leader at the Bureau of Workers'
Compensation (BWC). She investigates white collar crimes focusing mainly
on internet and computer fraud. Part of her duties also include traveling
around the country lecturing and teaching other law enforcement officers,
attorneys, accountants, and the general public about computer forensics
and internet safety. She is a regular speaker at Defiance College and
Capital Law School and has been the focus of many media spotlights on
technology in investigations and computer forensics. She has won awards
for team excellence, the 2003 Director's Award for employee of the year,
and was a BWC Women's Wall of Fame nominee for “women making it happen
in technology.”
When she is not at BWC, she owns her
own business working computer forensic and data recovery cases for private
companies.
Brigitte became “Cookie” not only to the Phi's,
but to the entire Heidelberg community by pledging Philalethean in 1989 as
a freshman. As a Senior in high school, she toured Heidelberg during one
of the many times that the Philalethean alumnae come back to the campus.
She was immediately impressed with the number of Phi alumnae that came back
for the activities and how there were daughters, mothers and grandmothers
that were part of this strong Phi tradition. “I knew then how my
decision to become a Phi was not just going to be a decision about what to
do for four years while I was at Heidelberg, it was a decision about the
kind of women I wanted to be part of my life forever.”
Although the Phi alumnae and actives have always had
a tight bond, she credits most of the connectivity to the internet Phi
forum and to e-mail. Brigitte says that the Phi alumnae are constantly
planning small events and large trips where they can get together both on
campus and all over the country. She thinks it is wonderful that she is
keeping in touch with the women she met in college, but more importantly,
she's becoming good friends with women that graduated before and after her
living all around the world. “These women constantly remind me that no
matter how busy our work and family schedules become, girlfriends and a
social life make one a better wife, mother, and overall person.”
Brigitte married her best friend, Kevin - a Delta
Chi from Miami University in 1997. It was important to her to marry
someone who was part of a college Greek community. She says he understands
the significance of pledging (new member education) and the
sisterhood/brotherhood of the life-long friends that are made and need to
be kept. “This makes it a whole lot easier when every year I still go
back to the `Berg to welcome in our new actives or go to Homecoming.”
Brigitte and Kevin reside in Dublin, Ohio. They have
two girls and a boy and are expecting their fourth child, another boy.
Philalethean Alumna Spotlight of the Month
July of 2006: Jessica Maloney
The
Ladies of the Philalethean Society are proud to announce the June
Philalethean Alumna Spotlight of the month is Ms. Jessica Maloney. Jessica
is a 2003 graduate of Heidelberg College with a B.A. Degree in Business
Administration & Economics. Immediately following graduation,
Jessica continued on to a graduate program at The Crummer Graduate School of
Business at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She graduated with
her M.B.A. in 2005.
Jessica
pledged Philalethean in 2000 as a freshman. She decided to go Greek
because she wanted to join a society in which she could have friends for a
lifetime, learn about herself, and the traditions that have been passed
down through generations.
Jessica
has many great memories from her four years as an active Phi. When she
thinks back to her Heidelberg days, the activities that meant the most to her always included the Phi’s.
Jessica was chair of all Rush Functions for the Phi’s, and she loved
planning the events, especially Preference Party. “I think I was always
more nervous about having a flawless party more than the potential new
members attending!”
One of Jessica’s
most precious memories was participating in the Oxford Study
Abroad Program prior to her senior year, with one of her sister’s,
Rebecca Denton. “I was a little nervous to sign up and commit to the
summer session. I actually ran into Rebecca in the hallway in Miller and
told her that I was thinking of doing it, I’ll never forget her
excitement when she told me she wanted to go too! Next thing you know,
we’re booking plane tickets to England, living in an Oxford flat with
another great friend, and traveling to Paris just to see the Eiffel tour
and the Louvre. It was one amazing summer. It was even more special
because I got to spend it with another Phi.”
One of
the biggest decisions Jessica had to make was where to attend graduate
school. She
gained so much confidence in herself through the Phi’s, and through
studying abroad, that she decided to leave everything in Ohio and move to
Florida. She
did not hesitate to apply to grad school and pursue her dreams. “I never
found those ‘close friendships’ in grad school. I admit I was spoiled
by the Phi’s; we are and will always be a tight knit group. I’m just
lucky that everyone remains close; I don’t know what I would do without
them. I love the Alumni Internet Group, it’s great to hear what everyone
is doing and to ask/give advice or just say hello!”
Jessica
married Benjamin Sargent (of Alpha Phi Tau) during Hurricane Charley in
August of 2004 in Miami, Florida. She remembers being so scared about the
category IV hurricane ripping through Orlando, and really appreciated all
the Phi support she received through e-mails and phone calls. She actually
met Benjamin during the summer session of TSD prior to her Freshman year,
they remained casual friends, but the love bug bit at the beginning of her
senior year.
Jessica
and Benjamin currently reside in Orlando, Florida, and both absolutely
love everything about the city. Jessica is a Financial Analyst with The
Walt Disney Company. She is responsible for business insight and
improvement for Sports & Recreation. She is assigned Walt Disney World
Water Parks & Miniature Golf Courses. She claims she could not ask for
a better job assignment or career choice.
“I
credit a lot of my young success to my family and the Phi’s. Both pushed
me to strive to be a better person in business and as an individual. I am
a very driven and passionate person. The Philalethean Society helped to
mold me into the person I knew I wanted to become.”
Philalethean Alumna Spotlight of the Month
June of 2006: Beth Shissler
Beth
Greenlaw Shissler is the June Philalethean Spotlight of the Month. Known to
her Phi sisters as "Snuggle," Beth has made amazing strides as a
young alumna of Heidelberg College. Beth graduated from Heidelberg
College in 1990 where she earned a B.A. in Business and International
Studies. She furthered her education with an MBA from Boston University.
While at Heidelberg College,
Beth studied abroad in Japan. She was a member of the 1987 Phi pledge
class. Beth says, "I pledged because I liked the people that were
Phi's. On a practical note the things I learned from the Phi's
was working together, getting things done, running a concise meeting. The
very beste things about the Phi's are the unconditional
friendships." Beth went on to say that when one of the Phi's passed
away recently so many of the active Phi's and alumnae were present to be
at the funeral and support each other. "I got a chance to see
old friends I hadn't seen for years....although we don't all keep in touch
daily, the love and the unconditional friendship is still there. We are so
very lucky."
Beth's favorite memories while
being an active Phi at Heidelberg College include bringing her three
pledges into the hall. She now enjoys meeting up with Phi alumnae for
weddings, births, and just getting together to enjoy laughter, but also
being there when a sister is in need.
Beth spent the first twelve
years of her career traveling on business. Beth now resides in
Maine with her husband Ben, and lives next door to her twin brother. The
last six years she has held the position of Global Account Manager for
Philips Electronics. Beth also co-owns a small business: Sea Bags Inc. The
company makes tote bags out of re-cycled sails and are featured in Elle
and different websites and coming in Vogue, Travel & Leisure, Lucky,
and various New England publications.
Philalethean
Alumna Spotlight of the Month
May, 2006: Sara Creque
The Ladies of
the Philalethean Society are proud to announce the May Philalethean Alumna
Spotlight of the month is Ms. Sara Creque. Sara graduated from Heidelberg
College Cum Laude in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Water Resources
and Environmental Biology. While at Heidelberg she participated in a Fish
Ecology class at Ohio State’s Stone Lab Field Station on Lake Erie, and
an internship at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern
Michigan. At this time she fell in love with fish and the Great Lakes and
changed her career path from water quality to fisheries and ecology.
Sara
furthered her academics at the University of Michigan were she
achieved an M.S. in Resource Ecology and Management with a specialization
in Aquatic Ecology. Her thesis is entitled “Using Landscape-scale Habitat
Models to Predict Potential Abundance of Potamodromous Fishes above Dams
on Great Lakes Tributaries." A
manuscript from a portion of her thesis research was published in the
North American Journal of Fisheries Management in November of 2005.
After graduate school,
Sara was employed as an Aquatic Ecologist for the Illinois Natural History
Survey, Lake Michigan Biological Station.
She has served as project leader for a study examining fish
communities, food-webs, and habitat in nearshore waters of Lake Michigan
that also looked at fish use of an artificial reef off the coast of
Chicago. Sara has done over 70
research dives in Lake Michigan. Her manuscript on artificial reef
research has resulted in a first author manuscript, “If you build it,
will they come? Fish and angler use at freshwater artificial reef,"
that has been accepted for publication in the North American Journal of
Fisheries Management. Sara has also published an article on fishing in Lake Michigan for
Outdoor Illinois Magazine in April 2006. She has presented at numerous regional and national scientific
conferences, including being a guest speaker for a Biology Seminar at
Heidelberg College.
Sara is currently a
volunteer with the County Forest Preserves doing restoration work and was
involved in a charity event for the Chicago Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She is also an active member
of the American Fisheries Society and Ecological Society of America.
Sara Creque pledged
Philalethean in 1997 as a sophomore. She was elected Pledge Class Song
Leader and held the offices of Treasurer, Social Chair, President, and
Vice-President while active. Her favorite Phi activities included Phall
Retreat, Phi/EX leaf raking service project, and Spring Banquet. She has
also enjoyed recently meeting Phi alumnae at Homecoming and pledging
events. Sara says she: "pledged Phi because they were always coming
into class together laughing, they always looked liked they were having
fun anywhere I saw them, and they were a close-knit group. Being a Phi taught me how to juggle multiple priorities
without sacrificing quality on any of them, facilitate meetings and
people, and gave me self-confidence and a great group of friends that I
know will always be there."
Other activities that
Sara participated in while at Heidelberg included: Tennis Team, Beta Beta
Beta, TerrAqua, the Honors
Program, volunteer at YMCA with the children’s activity department,
Campus Center Manager, and Heidelberg Water Quality Laboratory
Assistant (all 4 years).
Congratulations Sara for
your outstanding professional achievements as such a young alumnae of
Heidelberg College and of the Philalethean Society.
Philalethean Alumna Spotlight of the Month
April, 2006: Martha Hammel
The Phi's with Mrs. Martha Hammel
The
Ladies of the Philalethean Society are proud to announce the April
Philalethean Alumna Spotlight of the month is Mrs. Martha Hammel. Mrs.
Hammel is a 1963 graduate of Heidelberg College. While at Heidelberg
she majored in Latin and in English. She then furthered her education at the
University of Michigan where she attained an M.A. in Latin. She also
received an M.A. in English from the Oakland University in Rochester,
Michigan.
After
Mrs. Hammel graduated from Heidelberg, she taught Latin and English in
Marysville, Ohio. She later moved to Michigan, where she taught business
and technical writing for twenty (20) years at Oakland University. In
addition, she has conducted seminars on technical writing for businesses.
She and her husband, Dr. Ernest Hammel, have two grown
sons--Eric, a chemical engineer, and James, a pediatric heart surgeon--and
four grandchildren. Dr. and Mrs. Hammel reside in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
During
Mrs. Hammel's years at Heidelberg College, she was an active member of the
Philalethean Society. Some of her favorite Phi memories include Phi Sing,
Phi Phair, Phi teas, and one of her advisors, Miss Osterholm, whom the Phis
affectionately called Miss "O." Mrs. Hammel also enjoyed a very
special Heid (Nu Sigma Alpha) serenade the year she and her husband Ernie
became engaged. She also remembered the May Pole dancing event her
freshman year. Mrs. Hammel said she and the other participants kept
laughing as they tried to keep the pattern even and steer attention away
from the cold wet grass.
Mrs. Hammel's mother, Anne Kennedy Hertzer, was a Phi in the class of
1928. Her contributions as a Trustee of the College were recently
honored with a plaque that hangs next to the portrait of her father,
Francis Kennedy, Heidelberg's first Dean, in Beeghly Library.
Dr.
and Mrs. Hammel strongly believe in the value of giving back to the
college to help current and future students. They are currently members of the
Fellows Club and Alumni Council. In addition, the Hammels have contributed
to the Gillmor Science Center campaign and sponsored the 2006 Student
Research Conference. Dr. and Mrs. Hammel also recently established a
research fund to recognize the importance of learning to do research
during the undergraduate years.
Philalethean Alumna Spotlight of the Month
March, 2006: Paula Roediger
The
March Philalethean alumna of the month is Paula Roediger. Paula pledged Phi in 1986
as a freshman. She
chose to pledge Phi because she says: "I loved that the Phis were so
involved in every aspect of campus life and that they always seemed to be
so full of life and constantly striving for excellence. They really did seem to always be doing their
beste!" Paula says that being a Phi at Heidelberg College taught her
time management, organizational skills, multi-tasking, being able to work
as a team, and pushing her further to achieve greatness. Paula also says that she gained self-confidence and lifelong
friends in the society.
Paula
is currently an Advisor to the Phis, but while she was still at Heidelberg
she served on various committees and held several offices. She held the
office of President,
Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Public Relations Representative,
and Parliamentarian. Paula also served as Greek Sing Director, Open House
Director, and Phi/Ex Headstart Christmas Party Chair.
After
graduating cum
laude
from Heidelberg College in 1989, with a Bachelor
of Music in Vocal Performance, she furthered her education with a
Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Master of Music in Music History, both from Bowling Green State
University in 1996.
Some of Paula's non-Phi activities in college
included TSD Peer Facilitator (now known as summer orientation leaders), Hall Council Representative for Miller
and
King Halls, Concert Choir, and Chamber Singers. She also had a chance to travel
to the USSR with a group of Heidelberg students. Paula worked the
breakfast line in Hoernemann where
she said she consistently snuck students extra bacon and sausage.
Paula is currently a career Opera Singer living in the New York City area.
She recently finished a production of Pirates of Penzance with the Nevada
Opera. She sang the role of pirate Ruth.
A
local reviewer commented about Paula's performance: "Paula Roediger is
Frederic's nurse-maid Ruth. Her avalanche of attempts to win Frederic for
her mate rather than her charge is worth the price of admission. Ruth is a
delicious part and Roediger makes the most of it." A group of Phi
alumnae travel the country to see her perform.
Thank
you Paula for being such a great advisor to our society as well as being a
great role model for other Heidelberg College students to live up to.
Philalethean
Alumna Spotlight of the Month
February, 2006: Mrs. Sondra Libman
Mrs.
Sondra Libman has been chosen as the first Phi alumna to be highlighted in
our monthly spotlight. She is a 1967
graduate of Heidelberg College, where she majored in
Psychology.
Mrs. Libman then furthered her academic career at Ohio University where
she graduated in 1969 with a Master of Arts in Speech Pathology. She also
holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and
Hearing Association. Additionally, Mrs. Libman is a Licensed Nursing Home
Administrator.
Mrs.
Libman retired in 1981 as President of Americana Healthcare Corporation, a
national chain of rehabilitation facilities with 5000 skilled care
patients. She
was also an instructor for the Department of Special Education at Edinboro
State University. Since
her retirement, she has devoted her time to charitable work exclusively in
the areas of education and development of socio- economically deprived
children. Her specific charitable projects and contributions are too
numerous to list.
As
Secretary of the Heidelberg College Board of Trustees, Mrs. Libman has
dedicated her efforts in various ways to help the school. She is currently
a team captain for a $50MM campaign. Both she and her husband have a room for alumni in the college's Campus Center
named after them.
Mrs. Libman credits her success in life to membership in three
organizations: the Heidelberg College Concert Choir, the Philalethean
Society, and the Junior League. She credits all her happiness in her life
to her husband, Robert.
Mrs. Libman pledged Phi in 1964. While Mrs. Libman
was at Heidelberg, she held the position of Pledge Class Song Mistress,
Editor of the Alumni Newsletter, and Chairman of the Phiettes. In
addition, she was Chairman of Serenade, a semi-formal dance, held in the
Tin Gym. The theme that year was Alice in Wonderland.
Mrs. Libman says that some of her fondest memories of Heidelberg and the
Phis surrounded the college Choir. She also said she loved helping new
girls through pledging, while instilling in them the responsibility for
future recruiting, and generally forming great friendships and fond
memories.
Recently, Mrs. Libman taught the Phis how to put on a traditional tea. Not
only did Mrs. Libman organize the event, but she fully funded the amazing
experience so that the Phis and non-Greek women could enjoy a Heidelberg
tradition.
Thank you Mrs. Libman for your unfaltering
dedication to the Philalethean Society and to the Heidelberg College
Community as a whole.
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