Elizabeth Heeg has been serving as a biology professor at Northwestern since August of 2006. In the last couple years, she has had the privilege of regularly teaching Micro biology, Molecular Genetics, Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology, as well as serving as the facilitator of the Biology Department’s Senior Seminar.
Heeg has also taught a wide range of other courses over the years including Honors Research, Developmental Biology, Proteins & Metabolism, Cell Biology, Micro Biology, General Biology Lab, Faith Rooted Neighboring and Honors First Year Seminar.
“Teaching across this range has allowed me to walk with students from their first experiences in biology through their transition into professional and vocational pathways.” Said Heeg.
When asked how she has been influenced by the staff and students at NW, she shared that she has been molded into the person she is today by the people surrounding her. She has become good friends with her colleagues.
“I will continue to cherish their friendship and support. I hope a couple of them will even come visit me in the Bahamas.” said Heeg
Students have challenged and inspired her through their authenticity, questions, perseverance and their desire to make a difference.
“Their trust in sharing their goals and struggles has made me more intentional, more compassionate, and more reflective as an educator, mentor, and human” said Heeg.
To Heeg, students are at such a fun, yet nerve-wracking time of their life when they enter college. There are many memories that she will take with her that relate to the students that she has gotten to interact with including times of joy as well as times of sadness and lament.
Heeg has been blessed with knowing many students’ stories, future goals and hobbies.
“I will always cherish the many goofy, joy-filled moments where I have shared laughter with others. Times where people have been authentic in doing life alongside me have been just as meaningful as any formal academic accomplishments.” Said Heeg.
A few of Heeg’s colleagues shared some details about what it has been like working with her. Sara Tolsma, a Professor of Biology, has known Heeg for a very long time.
Heeg was a student of Tolsma many years ago and now has been her colleague for the last 20 years. Heeg has influenced Tolsma in many ways.
“Dr. Heeg has an unmatched passion for teaching and mentoring students. She is the best academic advisor in our department. She uses creative analogies to help students understand difficult concepts.” Tolsma said.
Cody Rozeveld, Assistant Professor in the Biology Department, also emphasized how great Heeg’s teaching styles are. Rozeveld started at NW about four years ago and has seen Heeg as a valuable colleague and mentor.
“Dr. Heeg’s teaching style and interactions with students have inspired me and shaped my own methods as well.” Rozeveld said. “She is empathetic and has a wonderful ability to meet students where they are and help them grow and develop in profound ways. She is a superb advisor and a master when it comes to using a whiteboard.”
Some of Rozeveld’s favorite memories of Heeg were during the biology senior seminar when Dr. Heeg and the rest of the bio faculty discussed a variety of topics with students that they have gotten to know well.
“These candid, authentic interactions are another instance where Dr. Heeg excelled in her teaching.” said Heeg
A few Bible verses that Heeg tries to live by are John 13:34-35 and Micah 6:8 which read, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) and “He has shown you, O mortal, which is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
One of the mantras that Heeg often shares with her students is that “not enough of a good thing isn’t good, and too much of a good thing isn’t good.” Heeg shares that we need to find that set point in each situation that maximizes our health and well-being in addition to the health and well-being of those around us.
As Heeg gets ready to leave NW, she remembers Orange City as a home.
“I realize that Orange City, Iowa is the place I have lived the longest and I will always see this town as home.” said Heeg “It is where I raised my kids and experienced both the highs and lows of life. While my husband and I will be leaving soon, we have plans to come back to visit, for many of our friends and family remain here.”
“I hope my legacy will be that my colleagues and former students remember me as someone who was authentic and who sought to faithfully live into her vocation, while encouraging and supporting students as they discerned and perused their own callings.” Heeg said. “I have genuinely tried to use the talents God has given me to the best of my ability – not for my own recognition, but for His glory and for the flourishing of others. I hope I am remembered for walking alongside colleagues, friends, and students in whatever praises and struggles they were encountering in their day-to-day life.”
