Academic Accomplishments While Making Music

Mount Mercy has enabled Eric Heitland ’25 to follow his dream of becoming a doctor, while also pursuing his passion for music.  

MMU: Where are you from and what made you decide to attend Mount Mercy?  

EH: I am from Garner, Iowa. I chose Mount Mercy University because of the people and reputation. I knew almost instantly that I was going to attend MMU because of who I met on tour and how faculty, staff, and students interacted with me. It was very apparent that I was going to be valued and pushed to be successful. Reputation was another factor as I knew MMU had a fantastic, rapidly growing music program. Similarly, the science and chemistry department is well versed and was exactly what I wanted to be a part of. 

MMU: What made you decide to study chemistry? 

EH: Ironically, I was not a chemistry major for the first three years of my undergrad! I decided at the last minute to change from biochemistry to chemistry (not a big difference, I know) because it meant fewer classes and a little lighter workload towards the end of my academic career. Ultimately, both majors set me up for success because I was a pre-med student pursuing medical school. I chose pre-med because of the passion and desire I have for both learning about the sciences and being a part of the greatest support system on the planet: medicine. Being able to tie both my passions together just made sense to me, and being a chemistry major allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. 

MMU: What have you enjoyed about the program? 

EH: I enjoyed the labs most. I loved the lecture and learning about certain topics really intrigued me, but being able to apply the lecture content to a physical procedure is what I truly enjoyed.  

MMU: You are also involved in band at Mount Mercy. What do you do in band? 

EH: I play the French horn in concert band. I have been first chair, principal horn for all four years while at MMU, which I am honored to have been given that experience. I’ve also been in choir as a tenor and played piano in the jazz band. 

MMU: What have you enjoyed about that experience? 

EH: I enjoyed many things like making friends, making a lasting impression, and playing challenging music at times. However, what I enjoyed most about these experiences was being able to connect with others through music. I truly believe that music is a medium of expression and emotion and being able to perform with a talented ensemble to portray these mediums made every struggle worthwhile. 

MMU: What’s it been like having the opportunity to be involved in band while pursuing your degree? 

EH: Being able to be a part of a great ensemble while simultaneously pursuing my degree has been very rewarding. I was able to comfortably pursue my education, be involved, and perform at concerts with little to no complications. I loved the timing of rehearsals for all of the ensembles I was in, as they were not interfering with my other courses. If I did have to miss a rehearsal for whatever reason, all of the MMU directors are very understanding, as they know I am both a student and musician. Just like other professors, the MMU directors want to see us succeed, which is very comforting. Was it challenging at times? Yes. Would I go back and change anything? Absolutely not; I am the person I am today because of my music involvement. 

MMU: What has been the benefit of being involved in band while pursuing your degree? 

EH: The main benefit of being involved in band while pursuing my degree is the friends and experiences I’ve made and had. I’ve grown very close to people I never would have met if it weren’t for the band program. From Mr. Frank all the way to the percussion section are people I call life-long friends. Similarly, our band trip to St. Louis, the first of many to come, made a lasting impression on me. Memories were made not only on tour, but in the auditorium during regular rehearsal, too. 

MMU: What would you say to a student who is wondering about being able to balance academics with an extracurricular activity like band? 

EH: I would say pursue your interests. As I stated previously, it’s vital to get involved and find your people and environment. Not only are incentives like scholarship opportunities available, but memories will be made that are priceless. Extracurricular activities are meant to be a place where students can relax, enjoy themselves, and most importantly have fun. Some days may be tough, as finals are brutal in and of their own right, but the extracurriculars make it worth it.  

MMU: It looks like you were involved in a lot of additional activities on campus? 

EH: Yes! I’ve done many things to make my mark on campus in an impactful way. I have been the following positions while at MMU: 

• Activities Coordinator for SGA
• Student Engagement and Recruitment Coordinator for SGA
• Faculty Liaison for SGA Senate 
• Student Representative for Enrollment Committee through Marketing and Enrollment Management 
• President of Bread Club 
• Vice President of Member Operations and Training for Ambassadors 
• Member of Ambassadors 
• Member of Science Club 
• And anything I can do to help out the music or science departments! 

MMU: Any particular memories stand out from your time at Mount Mercy? 

EH: Two memories stand out in particular: being able to compose a world-premiere piece for concert band and creating one of the best clubs at MMU. In 2022, a group of friends and I decided to create Bread Club, which is a baking club rooted in attempting to instill a newfound hobby in students. Little did we know that this baking club would grow exponentially to be one of the most highly-regarded and well-attended clubs in years. Eventually, through our promotions and reputation, we are now a two-time award-winning club and are very excited for the years to come with the new executive team! 

On May 4th, 2025, at the May Concert, a world-premiere of a piece that I composed for MMU concert band was played. The piece is titled “Twilight on the Hill,” which is a sort of tribute to MMU, reflecting the uncertainties of the new chapter of life called college. It reflected beautiful phrases of familiarity and nostalgia, which represent the friends and family you make throughout your time at college. Yet, a “father time” character is introduced which is portrayed by a chugging, driving feeling which is meant to represent how fast the four years go by, and how time does not stop for anyone. In the middle, there is a reflective section, which slows down and has a French horn solo, which represents graduation being a sort of “light at the end of the tunnel.” A twilight section, signaling the end of a day, ends the piece with a meaning of: “No matter what path you chose, it is the correct one. No matter how ugly things have been, it will always end beautifully,” as a dissonant chord turns major. 

MMU: Any mentors or people who have influenced you during your time at Mount Mercy? 

EH: Dr. Joe Nguyen has been my advisor and mentor since the moment I stepped on campus. He was the first faculty member that I met with and told me how great of a program Mount Mercy has for both the sciences and music. Right away he knew my potential and told me that he would like to see me succeed at MMU. I loved how Dr. Nguyen gave me inspiration and hope without truly knowing me. As the years passed, we grew closer and are now on a first-name basis! If I could thank anyone for pushing me to my limit in order to see me flourish, it would be Dr. Nguyen. 

MMU: What advice would you give to a current or future student? 

EH: My main advice I would give to a current or future student is to get involved. This is something that I regret wholeheartedly: I wish I had gotten involved sooner. I have made countless lifelong friends, mentors, support, and memories through my involvement. It does not matter what organization or involvement you choose, just go for it. MMU makes it very easy to join clubs, organizations, and ensembles. These experiences will allow you to find your niche, hobby, or even your friend group! 

MMU: What do you hope to do after graduation? 

EH: I plan on attending Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine to pursue a D.O. degree to specialize (hopefully) in Family Medicine. This is my current plan, but I am on a waitlist for Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine for the same track, so I hope to hear back from them soon!