From April 13-19, the NCAA celebrates Division III Week -- seven days devoted to the accomplishments of the student-athletes in D3. The goal of the celebration is to raise awareness of Heidelberg and other D3 schools across the nation.

This story was written by Kamryn Memmer, a junior practicum student.

For more information on Heidelberg's D3 Week activities, visit the D3 Week homepage.


TIFFIN, Ohio -- Stepping out of your comfort zone is a key to a successful college experience. In her first two years on campus, Heidelberg University women's lacrosse player Kelly Spence has done exactly that, in big ways. In the summer of 2019, Spence traveled abroad and taught English to Chinese students. Many college students wouldn't have even applied for this opportunity. Spence however, is all about gaining new experiences. 

As a sophomore from Tampa, Fla., Spence majors in environmental science and economics, with a minor in computer science. Her first big step in her collegiate career was choosing Heidelberg.

"I am able to learn better in small classroom settings and there aren't any small schools in Florida," said Spence, whose career goal is to join the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Corps (NOAA) and become an officer and captain one of their ships. "My dad is from Ohio and I knew I wanted to play lacrosse in college. That's how I found Heidelberg. I loved Heidelberg when I came to visit."

During Spence's first lacrosse season in spring 2019, she stepped up and switched positions. She came in originally as a goalie and switched to midfield. 

"Last year, we didn't have a very large roster. After the first game, my coach said, 'Kelly we need you on the field,'" said Spence, who agreed without hesitation.
Many would argue with their coaches, but not Spence, who put in extra work to make the transition out of the crease and into the midfield easier.    

After her freshman year, making the transition from Florida to Ohio and from goalie to midfielder, Spence applied for a chance to take another enormous step. She got the opportunity to travel abroad to teach English to college students at Tianjin Normal University in Tianjin, China, as part of Heidelberg's long-standing exchange program with TNU. Spence's major isn't English or Communications but she saw an email from Julie Arnold, Heidelberg's director of International Affairs and Studies, and became intrigued. 

"I really didn't know what this position entailed, but I knew it was something I wanted to do. I was really enthusiastic about it and was willing to learn anything," said Spence, who knew very little Chinese before the trip.  
 
After a 12-hour flight, her group had 15 minutes to unpack their bags before meeting for an eye-opening meal.   

"We went to a dinner with the head of the department we were working for. They gave us a whole bunch of Chinese dishes that were unfamiliar," she said. "Some other people on the trip may have felt a little uncomfortable at that moment, but I thought it was great to dive on in and just try it." 

As she has shown throughout her college career, Spence is always up to trying new things and during the month she spent in China, she did just that.

"Everyday we had a two- to three-hour classes. Most of our students were IT majors undergrad and post-grad. We mostly taught fluidity and slang words they wouldn't get from a normal English class," explained Spence, who co-taught the course with trip leader, Emily Kerul. "The curriculum was our own design." 

Kerul and Spence were always able to work through the two-way language barrier, but there were a few hiccups along the way.  

"When Emily and I would try to speak Chinese or try to write anything in the characters, they just thought it was so funny," recalled Spence, who quickly learned that shénme was the way her students asked each other, 'What?'

Back in Ohio, Spence and her lacrosse teammates started the 2020 season by winning their first three games. Just two hours before the fourth game of her sophomore season, they got the heartbreaking news that their season was canceled due to COVID-19 precautions. 

"It was just shocking but I'm glad we found out before the game so we could treat it like our last game and really play hard and well together as a team," said Spence, who scored a goal and tallied an assist in the truncated season. "I understand why it had to be done but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt."

Spence loves traveling and experiencing new things. She has exemplified that in her journey -- from Tampa to Tiffin, from the crease to the midfield, and halfway around the world. Where her next step takes her remains to be seen, but she is excited to see what else Heidelberg has in store for her.