Bio

Heidi Chang distinguished herself as the best fencer in Wellesley history competing in both epee and foil. Heidi’s consistency and competitive drive during her career led to outstanding bouts and two wins at New England Championships, foil in ’94 and epee in ’95. She was also named to the All New England Fencing Team all four years. At the national level, Heidi’s success was even more remarkable during her four-year career.  She was an NCAA regional Individual Epee champion in ’95 and runner-up in ’96 and fenced in the NCAA National Championships three of her four years, earning individual honors in epee by finishing second in ’95. In addition to her fencing skills, Heidi was also a scholar-athlete and co-captain for all but her first year, winning the Outstanding Class Athlete Award twice. In 1996, Heidi earned the highest honor bestowed to a Wellesley athlete with the prestigious Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer Senior Scholar-Athlete Award.

There are few moments in life when you simultaneously feel surprised, overwhelmed, elated, excited, and tearful. Receiving a call from Bridget Belgiovine and hearing “congratulations” and “inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame” was one of those rare moments for me. The wave of emotion transported me to my student-athlete days. Specifically, to the two fondest and proudest moments from my fencing team experience.

In my first year, we competed in the NCAA Fencing Championships. We were the only Division III program and women’s college among Division I schools. Our qualification was an accomplishment by itself. Consistent, rigorous training sessions and weekend competitions resulted in a successful season record, which earned the team a place at the NCAA Regionals. A strong contender in our own right, we joined a slate of highly competitive teams like Columbia, Harvard, and Yale. It was an incredibly exciting first year with stories of teamwork, success, failure, friendship, brownies, and baklava. As seniors graduated, team members changed, but what always remained were the friendships, team dinners, and our love for the sport. Two years later, I felt a tremendous sense of joy when I placed 2nd at the 1995 NCAA Championships. It was more than just an individual achievement, it symbolized the collective efforts of the team.

I am deeply grateful for receiving this honor. Through my student-athlete experiences, I had the opportunity to represent Wellesley, individually and with my teammates, in competition. The College offered a program and resources that enabled me to be my best. In doing so, I developed important life skills and mindsets that have endured well into my adult life. As a mother of two girls (6 and 3 years old), I have great appreciation for the proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” My success would not be possible without my team. In closing, I would like to offer my thanks. To the College and the Athletics Department: thank you for the opportunity to represent Wellesley in fencing and for teaching me important life lessons; to my fencing teammates and friends: thank you for your support and the chance to continually learn to be a better athlete and friend; to my fencing coach Gamil: thank you for being instrumental in my development and growth as an athlete. You always knew what to say at the right time to push me to new heights; to my brothers, Greg and Tim: without your persistent encouragement to try the sport, I would have played lacrosse. You have been incredible athletic role models and supportive mentors. Thank you for inviting me to play Nerf fencing all those years ago; and finally to my parents: thank you for all of your love, support, thoughtfulness, and dedication; it helped me to become the best athlete and fencer I could dream of being.

Thank you again for this incredible honor.