Welcome Class of 2029

TIFFIN — With summer coming to an end, upperclassmen and staff at Heidelberg University excitedly officially welcomed members of the class of 2029 to campus on Thursday. Incoming students spent the morning learning about some of Heidelberg's long-standing traditions, including that of T-Bridge before attending opening convocation with special guest and alumnus Scott Carpenter. Credited with the creation of the Siggy Awards, an annual award ceremony held by members of Heidelberg Athletics, Carpenter graduated from Heidelberg University in 2017 before beginning his already well-decorated career as a TV news anchor for several different outlets. Live from Heidelberg University For Carpenter, his career as a news anchor truly began when he was still a student at Heidelberg. Beginning his speech by giving students some friendly dining advice in Tiffin, it was clear that Carpenter was eager to return to his alma mater. He also shared that coming into Heidelberg, Carpenter strictly set his sights on playing "great golf for the university and seeing where it would take him." He continued, however, noting the importance of getting involved on campus and sharing some of his other experiences as a student prince. In his freshman year, he became a part of what was then called the Media and Communications Center (today known as the GEM Center) running a radio show of his own. "Broadcasting was always almost like my plan-b at this point in my life," he shared. "My convocation speaker in 2017 was actually another alumnus – John Buccigross of ESPN." The following year, Carpenter was able to land a job at Tiffin's local radio station WTTF, which was at the time still connected to the MCC where he was regularly conducting his own radio show. His job? To write television and radio advertisements for a variety of businesses. "One day, I was asked to come up with a script for National Machinery here in Tiffin, and they loved what I had written," shared Carpenter. He continued, noting that his boss and mentor was thrilled with the product he had created, giving Carpenter what he called "more than a little extra for a college kid" in his next check. "It's more than that though– I was a freshman taking classes and participating in things that only upperclassmen could take or do at other universities," said Carpenter. In a moment of reflection, he noted that now golf began to feel like a distant fever dream, one he no longer had intended to chase. "It just took me a little longer to find, but I found it here because of the opportunities I was given, and I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities given to you," concluded Carpenter. Today, Carpenter serves as the morning news anchor for WVTM-13, an NBC affiliate in Birmingham. Steeped in tradition For those who aren't in the know, "T-Bridge" ( formally recognized as Bernie Hohman Bridge) is the bridge that runs through the middle of Heidelberg University's campus, located on Rebecca Street. The history of tradition can be traced back to an old folk tale described on the university's website as follows: "The Heidelberg prince and his princess were on a rowboat one afternoon when a storm suddenly appeared. To avoid losing their lives, the prince said to the princess, 'To save our lives you must throw the treasure overboard. Do you choose our love or treasure?' The princess needed to make a quick decision about her treasure and her prince. If she selected the prince she would be rewarded by his love but that is all she would have." Similar to the folk tale, incoming students must choose if their goal will be to have financial success or to fall in love, by throwing the penny they have been given over the bridge (love)– or putting it into their pockets (money). The second part of the ceremony is when students are given a beanie with an "H" pin on it. Incoming freshmen were welcomed with their Heidelberg beanies, which according to university staff were created as a symbol of new wisdom at the university.