Annual DC Honors Convocation recognizes student achievements

April 24, 2015

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College held its annual Honors Day Convocation recently to recognize academic achievements of students. Special recognition was also given to faculty and staff.

Dr. Richard W. Stroede Distinguished Faculty Citation was awarded to Amy Drees, assistant professor of arts and humanities.

Outstanding Service Award for staff and the Gerald Mallott Outstanding Senior Service Award were presented to Lois McCullough, vice president for finance and management;, and graduating senior Ian Fasnacht, Strongsville.

Students receiving awards during the convocation and departmental ceremonies were:

Civic Engagement Honors – Cheryl-Ann Francis, St. Mary, Jamaica, and Lindsay Kasmer, Medina.

Wanda May LeMaster Service Award – Katie Haydett, St. Clair Shores, Mich.

McMaster Certificate Award – Melina Alexander, Clio, Mich.; Philip Balla, Rossford; Chelsea Bell, Walbridge; Ian Fasnacht, Strongsville; Caroline Hesterman, Fort Wayne; Alicia Kalik, South Lyon, Mich.; Lindsay Kasmer, Medina; Melissa Russell, St. Mary, Jamaica; and Abigail Taylor, Carmel, Ind.

Senior Presidential Scholars – Philip Balla, Rossford, and Rachel Davis, Urbana.

Senior Dean’s Scholars – Rikki Gurule, Chandler, Ariz.; Ashley Roon, Defiance; and Travis Schomaeker, Ottawa; Melina Alexander, Clio, Mich.; Michelle Bulriss, Tempe, Ariz.; Marissa Bussard, Whitehall; Deidra Coil, Bryan; Brianna Ferguson, North Baltimore; Caroline Hesterman, Fort Wayne, Ind.; David Jacobs, Elmore; Paige Kitchenmaster, Defiance; Megan Klausing, Delphos; Katherine Knisely, Fayette; Ryan Nelson, Oregon, Ohio; Victoria Plummer, Perrysburg; Alison Rifenburgh, Bronson, Mich.; David Rippetoe, Continental; Abigail Taylor, Carmel, Ind.; Kayla Uscilowski, Maumee; and Emily Wallace, Delphos.

Senior Carolyn M. Small Honor Scholars – Melina Alexander, Clio, Mich.; Philip Balla, Rossford; Michelle Bulriss, Tempe, Ariz.; Rachel Davis, Urbana; Ian Fasnacht, Strongsville; Cheryl-Ann Francis, St. Mary, Jamaica; Alicia Kalik, South Lyon, Mich.; Lindsay Kasmer, Medina; Abigail Taylor, Carmel, Ind.

Senior McMaster Scholars – Melina Alexander, Clio, Mich.; Lynn Beining, Ottoville; Chelsea Bell, Walbridge; Genelle Castro, Westerville; Rachel Davis, Urbana; Ryan Edelbrock, Delphos; Ian Fasnacht, Strongsville; Cheryl-Ann Francis, St. Mary, Jamaica; Cali Hazel, Lancaster; Caroline Hesterman, Fort Wayne; Alicia Kalik, South Lyon, Mich.; Lindsay Kasmer, Medina; Melissa Russell, St. Mary, Jamaica; Abigail Taylor, Carmel, Ind.; Alyssa Turton, Amherst; Michael Vanderkolk, Bluffton, Ind.; Emily Wallace, Delphos.

Senior Service Leaders – Toni-Ann Boyd, St. Mary, Jamaica; Michelle Bulriss, Tempe, Ariz.; Genelle Castro, Westerville; Haley Cohee, Russia; Deidra Coil, Bryan; Ryan Edelbrock, Delphos; Tanner Engle, Harrod; Ian Fasnacht, Strongsville; Brianna Ferguson, North Baltimore; Sara Fowler, Swanton; Cheryl-Ann Francis, St. Mary, Jamaica; Katherine Grubbs, Zanesville; Rikki Gurule, Chandler, Ariz.; Caroline Hesterman, Fort Wayne; Alicia Kalik, Fort Wayne; Aubrey Kemerer, Hicksville; Katherine Knoderer, Delphos; Stacey Lawton, Windsor; Malana Ledley, Kenton; Melissa Russell, St. Mary, Jamaica; Miranda Steffes, Sherwood; Hurst Talbott, Columbus; Abigail Taylor, Carmel, Ind.; Michael Vanderkolk, Bluffton, Ind.

Highest Ranking Senior Scholars – Marissa Bussard, Whitehall; Philip Balla, Rossford; Rachel Davis, Urbana; Katherine Knisely, Fayette; Toni-Ann Boyd, St. Mary, Jamaica; Kelsey Bowling, Sidney; Tara Wyatt, West Liberty; Alicia Kalik, South Lyons, Mich.; Abigail Taylor, Carmel, Ind.; Michelle Bulriss, Tempe, Ariz.Travis Schomaeker, Ottawa; Dylan Hanefeld, Continental.

Alpha Delta Kappa Award – Kalyssa Bauman, Defiance. This award is given to an outstanding major in education showing potential as an educator. It is awarded to promote high standards in education.

Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship in Education – Amber Mack, Defiance. This award is given to a junior student majoring in education and showing potential as a woman educator.

Arthur Knape Award in Education – Morgan Peel, Rockford. Alton R. Kurtz Prize in Education – Derek Lucas, Eaton. Awarded to an outstanding education major.

Rothhar Scholarship in Education – Zachary Brown, Defiance. This award is made by the Rothhar family to honor a student in education.

Robert O. Bleeks Assistantship in Sport Science – Katelin Patchin, West Farmington. This award is made in recognition of Bleeks’ understanding of the worth of physical education. Recipient must display characteristics of leadership ability and be a physical education major.

Outstanding Senior in Multi-Age Education – Miranda Steffes, Sherwood.

Outstanding Senior in Early Childhood Education – Rachel Davis, Urbana.

Outstanding Senior in Middle Childhood Education – Paige Kitchenmaster, Defiance.

Outstanding Senior in Adolescent to Young Adult Education – Joseph Bales, Napoleon.

Ida M. Watson Prize in History – Zane Hayes, Wellington.

Outstanding Senior in History – James Hodgkinson, Sidney, Australia.

Outstanding Senior in Global Studies – Abigail Taylor, Carmel, Ind.

Reeder C. Hutchinson Assistantship in the Humanities – Elizabeth Daniel, Ney. Awarded to an upper-class student in the humanities, providing a combination of grant and work opportunity.

Outstanding Senior in Design – Ashley Roon, Defiance.

Public Advocacy Award – Ian Fasnacht, Strongsville. Awarded to a student with exceptional interest in political science.

Margaret and Michael Stauffer Memorial Scholarship – Andrew Foore, Swanton. Awarded to a freshman, sophomore or junior who has made a constructive contribution to the Defiance College communication arts department.

Outstanding Senior in Communication Studies – Courtney Fleck, Toledo.

E. Keith Hubbard Endowed Scholarship for Graphic Design – Nicole Walls, Carleton, Mich. Awarded annually to a student majoring in graphic design.

Dr. Richard W. Stroede Scholarship – Lindsay Kasmer, Medina.

Music Programs Director’s Award – Lindsay Kasmer, Medina.

Schauffler Scholars in Christian Education – Philip Balla, Rossford.

Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce Business Scholarship – Jillian Crowell, Kalamazoo, Mich. This scholarship is based on academic standing, participation in campus activities, and career goals.

George Isaac Business Scholarship – Trevor Hester, Liberty Center. This award is made to a student majoring in business who has demonstrated a commitment to the free enterprise system. A good citizenship record is essential.

Herbert Willett Assistantship in Business Administration – Jill Barnd, Bryan. Awarded annually to an upper class business or economics major with a 3.0 or better grade point average and provides a combination grant and work opportunity in the business administration department.

Outstanding Senior in Accounting – George Roth, Defiance, and Abigail Taylor, Carmel, Ind. Awarded to an outstanding senior majoring in accounting.

Outstanding Senior in Business Administration – Toni-Ann Boyd, St. Mary, Jamaica. Awarded to an outstanding senior in management.

Duane Hocking Scholarship – Courtney Lyn-Kew, West Palm Beach, Fla. This award is given to an outstanding sport science student displaying qualities of leadership and involvement both on campus and in the community.

Outstanding Senior in Athletic Training – Joshua Slayton, Fort Wayne, and Brittany Shough, DeGraff.

Outstanding Senior in Sport Management – Alicia Kalik, South Lyon, Mich.

Outstanding Senior in Exercise Science – Nicholas Keck, Continental

William Edward Pullen Memorial Scholarship – Gary Levengood, Beverly Hills, Fla. Pullen was a student at Defiance College from 1979-82, majoring in computer science and physics. In 1982, he died of cystic fibrosis. This award is made annually to an outstanding sophomore or junior majoring in mathematics, computer science or physics in memory of Pullen’s work and in recognition of his impact on the lives of others.

Mathematics Award – Katherine Stephens, Columbus Grove. Awarded to an outstanding student in mathematics.

George W. Botteron Prize in Chemistry – Ceresa Page, St. Mary, Jamaica. Awarded to an outstanding sophomore or junior chemistry student, honoring George W. Botteron’s outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.

William Rollin and Kay Marie Latchaw Prize in Science – Peter Brown, Melrose. Awarded annually to a student majoring in one of the sciences.

Linares Assistantship in Science – Morgan Good, Lancaster. Awarded to a student for a natural science work study project and grant assistance.

David and Laura Reed Scholarship – Adam Dangler, Bryan. Awarded to an outstanding science student.

Arjan Mirchandaney Memorial Scholarship in Mathematics – Amber Mack, Defiance. Awarded to an outstanding mathematics student, honoring the late Defiance College mathematics professor.

James Frey Memorial Scholarship in Science – Katelyn Haydett, Saint Clair Shores, Mich. Awarded to an outstanding science student, honoring the late Defiance College science professor.

Samuel V. Tuohy Memorial Scholarship – Ashley Tompkins, West Unity. This award was established in memory of Sam Tuohy, a Defiance College student who died in an automobile accident during his senior year. The scholarship is given to a junior or senior student majoring in forensic science.

Outstanding Senior in Mathematics – Travis Schomaeker, Ottawa.

Outstanding Senior in Science – Marissa Bussard, Columbus.

Outstanding Student in Nursing – Edith Wuo, Liberia, West Africa.

Schauffler Award in Social Work– Aubrey Kemerer, Hicksville. Awarded to an outstanding student majoring in social work.

Top Scholar in Social Work – Lindsay Kasmer, Medina.

Outstanding Seniors in Criminal Justice – Tara Wyatt, West Liberty. Awarded to outstanding seniors majoring in the criminal justice program.

Outstanding Senior in Digital Forensic Science – David Jacobs, Elmore.

Scholastic Excellence in Digital Forensics Award – David Jacobs, Elmore.

Outstanding Senior Student in Psychology – Philip Balla, Rossford, and Kelsey Bowling, Sidney. Awarded to a psychology student showing leadership and maturity who is involved with the community. The recipient must have a 3.5 overall grade point average and a 3.6 GPA in psychology.

Tau Mu (Social Work) Honor Society new inductees – Tara Buehrer, Oakwood; Cali Hazel, Columbus; Lindsay Kasmer, Medina; Aubrey Kemerer, Hicksville; Jennifer Moriarty, Waterville Omicron Mu/Chapter of National Phi Alpha (Social Work) – Haley Cohee, Russia; Cali Hazel, Columbus; Lindsay Kasmer, Medina; Aubrey Kemerer, Hicksville; Tara Buehrer, Oakwood; Jennifer Moriarty, Waterville; Nicholas Siewert, Defiance; Sreyroth Weaner, Defiance; Katherine Knoderer, Delphos; Claire Turner, Medina; Breanna Zipfel, Defiance.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.