Long Lost UNOH Classmates Reconnect

Posted on Sunday, August 18, 2024

Classmates Karla Erman, Andy Casperson, and Kendra Heckman reconnect.

Written by Contributing Columnist Melanie Barnas-Simmons

Alumni from the 80’s and 90’s didn’t have social media to keep them connected the way UNOH graduates do today. Andy Casperson of Norton Shores, MI was one of them. Andy graduated with his Automotive Diesel Technician Degree in late 1986. He started out working at dealerships and private auto shops, then became a master mechanic managing a fleet. After 12 years, he decided to make a career change and became a firefighter. His knowledge of mechanics came in handy working on the fleet of fire trucks. After retiring in 2022, he started thinking how great it would be to reconnect with some of his college classmates.

The UNOH Alumni Relations Department was able to reach out on his behalf and get Andy in touch with old friends he met during an Aerobics class on campus. Kendra Thatcher Heckman of Decatur, IN, and Karla Linn Erman of Delphos, OH. were thrilled to hear from their old volleyball and bowling buddy.

The three recently met up on the family farm where Kendra and her husband live. Andy and his wife camped for the night on their way to Eldora Speedway.

Kendra said, “At first, I was worried about what we would talk about as it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, but once we got going, it was just like old times.”

Kendra and Karla both studied in the medical administrative assistant program at what was then called Northwestern College. Kendra worked for St. Rita’s before graduating and landed a job closer to home at Bluffton Regional Medical Center. She has been there ever since, working in a secretarial role in the outpatient therapy department.

Karla’s first job after college was actually with UNOH in the career placement center. From there, she went to Graybar Electric in Lima in a customer service role. After ten years in that position, she moved to Kindred Healthcare as a staff coordinator. After 20 years in that role, she returned to Graybar, where she is today.

The three look forward to the next time they can get together and perhaps expand their group to include a few more old friends.

“It was great for me to see how well each is doing and how their families are growing.” Explained Andy. “I am confident we will keep in touch and get together at least once a year or more.”

Category: Campus & Community

Keywords: Alumni