Dale Heydlauff
Dale Heydlauff, an alumnus of Eastern Michigan University, truly demonstrates a commitment to excellence and exhibits pride for his alma matter, aiming to make a difference in the lives of EMU students.
During his time on campus, Heydlauff was involved with the Forensics Team and majored in political science. Now, Heydlauff is the Vice President of Corporate Communications at American Electric Power, where he has now worked for 26 years, and also holds the position of President for the AEP Foundation.
“I received an excellent liberal arts education at Eastern; it has served me well in my professional life,” says Heydlauff. “The University was quite generous to me as a student and I have wanted to give back so others can equally benefit from an outstanding education.”
Heydlauff can recall many memories as an EMU student, and says there’s just too many to single out a favorite. Of the most prominent recollections, Heydlauff was a member of three consecutive national championship Forensic Teams; was a member of the award-winning Madrigal Singers and toured the British Isles in the spring of 1979; and had a lead role in “Of Thee I Sing”, a Gershwin musical.
The importance of giving back is a virtue that Heydlauff heavily emphasizes and encourages. “I think it is incumbent on everyone who has been blessed with a good job and reasonable income to give back to those less fortunate,” he says. “The only pathway to prosperity in this nation is through education.”
Heydlauff and his wife Gloria emanate their kindness and the importance of education by giving back to EMU in several ways. In addition to contributing towards several scholarships, including the Alumni Legacy Scholarship and the Dennis Beagen Endowed Scholarship in Forensics, the Heydlauffs also created the Dale and Gloria Heydlauff Undergraduate Symposium Student Excellence Scholarship. The scholarship awards a full-time undergraduate student presenter at the current year’s Undergraduate Symposium, who has demonstrated academic excellence and commitment to community service.
“[Giving back] is the only way we will eradicate poverty and stimulate the innovation that fuels economic growth” said Heydlauff, who also serves as an Emeritus Trustee for the EMU Foundation, “Eastern is a high quality educational institution that delivers that service at a very affordable cost. Helping to ensure its capacity to do so should be a high priority of everyone who has benefited from its service.”