Keeping Heidelberg Close to the Heart

By Sue Snavely ’71

As a “townie,” I knew early on that Heidelberg was the only place for me. But I was also determined that I would live college life to its fullest while still living at home. One way that I achieved this was by becoming a founding member of the Kappa Psi Omega women’s society in the spring of my freshman year.

While I trained at Heidelberg to be a mathematics teacher it only took me two short years of teaching to discover that I was not cut out for that profession. But the life lessons and leadership skills learned during my four years at the ‘Berg have served me well. After many years in clerical positions in the medical field, my last 18 working years were spent as an accounting assistant at Taiho Corporation of America, a Japanese automotive manufacturer located in Tiffin.

Since graduating from Heidelberg I have never been able to contribute large sums to my alma mater, but I have felt it important to contribute something every year. There are so many ways to support Heidelberg…contributions to the Heidelberg Fund, building renovation funds, etc.

For the past eight years I have donated to a fund near and dear to my heart, The Dr. Robert Yager Pre-Dental Scholarship Fund. This fund was established as a memorial to my older brother Bob who passed away in 2012 from cancer. Bob was a proud member of the Excelsior Society and a proud 1962 graduate of Heidelberg. His wife and daughters thought that Bob would think this a fitting way to honor him. Since that time, Bob’s granddaughter Payge Smith has also become a proud Heidelberg graduate and his son-in-law, Dr. Bryan Smith, is Heidelberg’s interim Provost.

For the rest of my days I will continue to contribute what I am able to my Sweet Alma Home in thanks for my lifetime of friendships gained and in memory of my big brother, Dr. Robert Yager. It is my hope that my love and Bob’s love for Heidelberg will be passed on to many future Student Princes.

There are many ways to give back to Heidelberg, including a gift in your will or other estate plan. Contact Doug Kellar at 419-448-2888 or dkellar@heidelberg.edu to discuss the gift that’s right for you.