Fall 2012 Alumni Magazine - Lake Erie College

Student Spotlight
Student-athlete represents the College
by Katie Staats ’09, MBA ’11
Many Lake Erie College students truly embody the idea of
what it means to be a student-athlete. Allison Heming ’12 is
one of those students.
In a March 2012 article by the “New York Times,” the National
Collegiate Athletic Association refers to student-athletes as “all
enrolled students who play college sports and are engaged
in secondary or extra-curricular activities that enhance their
education. Their status suggests that they are essentially
the same as members of a debate team or marching band.
Student-athletes must, therefore, be students first.” This
definition applies to all Lake Erie College student-athletes,
including Heming.
“As soon as I came to campus, I knew this was the place for
me,” said Heming, a Cincinnati native who was recruited to
play softball. “At orientation I met Dean of Students Billie
Dunn and one of the orientation leaders, Sam Kramer ’10, and
that really sealed the deal. I was also blessed to be accepted
into the Honors Program,” said Heming.
While at Lake Erie College, Heming amassed an impressive
resume. She not only played softball, but she was also
the athletic representative for the Student Government
Association, treasurer for Mortar Board, vice president of
Gammi Phi Beta, president and co-founder of the gay-straight
alliance Skittles, a resident assistant, orientation leader, and
president and treasurer of the Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee. This involvement did not go unrecognized. She
won over six top awards including the highest honor, the
President’s Award.
“My most rewarding experience at the College was my
involvement with the Student Life Department. This
department helped me navigate through adversity and
diversity,” said Heming.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics Betty Clifford was also
influential in helping Heming achieve success. Clifford
encouraged Heming to follow her heart, pushed her to be
an exemplary student-athlete and influenced her decision to
achieve her doctoral degree.
“A student-athlete is a leader and role model. You are representing
the name on the front of your jersey (Lake Erie College)
so much more than the name on the back,” said Heming.
After graduation, Heming completed the Intensive
Mathematics: a Mentoring, Education and Research Summer
experience (IMMERSE) program at the University of Nebraska.
The summer program consisted of working with 22 students
and two professors from around the U.S. to complete work
that would contribute to graduate study. The majority of
the students were from liberal arts colleges with plans to
attend larger institutions to earn their graduate degree.
Heming received her bachelor of science degree with
a major in mathematics and a minor in finance in May
2012. She began the Ph.D. mathematics program with
a concentration in applied mathematics on August 22
at the University of Tennessee.
18 LAKE ERIE | FALL ‘12