Two outstanding young alumni, Cara Young Davies of Bluffton, along with Anietra Hamper were honored for their career excellence Nov. 9 at Heidelberg University, Tiffin.

In turn, both expressed their appreciation for their Heidelberg experience and for professors who positively influenced each of their lives.

Davies, a 1996 graduate, and Hamper, class of '95, are the 2009 recipients of Heidelberg's Young Alumni Achievement Awards.

Davies, the child of a teacher, vowed she would choose a different path. Changing her major four times while at Heidelberg, she landed in the classroom despite her early vow. Currently, she is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences at Ohio Northern University. She earned her Ph.D. in 2004 in the field of biomedical science.

Davies made the most of her student experience at Heidelberg, balancing coursework with a myriad of extracurricular activities. She took her coursework very seriously - so seriously, in fact, that a "C" in chemistry caused her severe anxiety.

"I remember I was devastated because I had performed so poorly and was worried this would affect me getting into grad school, and I was feeling pressure to choose a profession," Davies recalled.

She turned to professor and mentor, Dr. Wolff, who consoled her at the professor's home over homemade peach pie, with words Davies said she'll never forget. Wolff told her, "You don't have to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life. You just have to decide what you want to do first."

It's a lesson she applies to her students today.

Davies also recalled a psychopharmacology class taught by then-Academic Dean Dr. Ken Porada and how Porada "saved me" during a particularly difficult presentation. She also expressed appreciation for the "incredible dedication of my professors," including Dr. Bill Reyer, professor of English.
"These types of formative experiences happen every day here. Thanks, Heidelberg. I couldn't have done it without you," she said.

Despite a grueling work schedule, Davies has managed to find that same balance in her professional life that she mastered as a student.

She is active in several Bluffton activities and as a wife and mother of four young children. She is married to Frank "Mac" Davies, himself a 1999 Heidelberg graduate, and mom to Brennan, Anna, Roy and Jayce.

Anietra Hamper is one of Columbus' top TV news anchors at WBNS-10TV. Hamper began to hone her skills as a student broadcaster at WHEI-TV and WHEI-FM during her student days. After stints in Columbus, Dayton and Washington, D.C., along with an Emmy nomination for her work, Hamper landed back in Columbus in 1999 and has been a fixture in the Columbus news scene ever since.