Class of ’25 banner: A nod to their character, with some creative history sewn in

Designing and creating the class banner – one of Heidelberg’s most beloved and long-standing traditions – is a heavy responsibility. Thankfully, the committee that volunteered for the process had a lot of encouragement along the way

This year’s Class Banner Committee, led by soon-to-be graduates Laura Ludwig and Jeylo Rodriguez, revealed the Class of ’25 creation and presented it to President Rob Huntington during Commencement rehearsal this morning. Laura, Jeylo and Committee members Cierra Burkhart, MacKenzie Haneberg, Kaidan Mathias, Taylor Ratliff, Claire St. Bernard, Kami Stanfield and Abbey Yarris, huddled around as the draped banner was debuted for the first time.

Laura explained that the committee was guided by a series of adjectives that “best describe us as a class and as individuals.” These words – resilient, adaptive, diverse, innovative and authentic – adorn the back of the banner. There’s a bit of history sewn in too; it’s the first time in Heidelberg’s 100-plus years of making banners that a design appears on the back.

The committee chose to design the banner with red, orange and black horizontal stripes as the backdrop. At the top is the quote, “Find a Way or Make One.” The front also bears a stunning replica of Heidelberg’s 175th Anniversary logo, as we continue our 18-month celebration of our founding in 1850. The class’s graduating year, Class of 2025, completes the front design. The aforementioned descriptive adjectives are stacked on the stripes to comprise the design on the back.

Laura took on all of the sewing of the banner and said it was an honor to be trusted by her class. “It really was a labor of love to get to sew it together,” she said. She thanked her 2025 classmates for supporting the committee through the project.

President Huntington’s first words upon seeing the newly minted banner? “This is killer!”

“I really love the Anniversary logo. (The banner) is a fantastic representation of who we are and of this moment in time.”

There’s a hidden tribute to the committee that partnered to create the banner: Each student’s name is embroidered around the center circle of the 175th logo and then concealed with fabric. It’s a nod to the group’s excellent collaborative efforts coming full circle.

Beginning Monday, the day after Commencement, the Class of ’25 banner will hang in the lobby of Campus Center for one year, until the Class of ’26 carries on the tradition once again. Then, every five years, when the class celebrates a reunion year, their banner will be part of that celebration.