Defiance College At a Glance

Our Mission
Defiance is a college where students learn to lead and serve in a democracy; learn to understand, appreciate, and have the skills to interact with other cultures; and learn to not only receive knowledge but to make their own knowledge by engaging in interactive experiences.

Building on a strong foundation of more than a century of educating citizens for lives of service and leadership, Defiance College has set forth to fulfill a vision that will enable its students to make a meaningful impact in a 21st century society.

Our vision creates an educational experience of engagement in civic, cultural, and learning dimensions for 100 percent of our students. Recognizing the fundamental responsibility of colleges and universities to become more engaged for the public good, Defiance College’s vision for the future embraces the following goals:

- To be internationally recognized for the personal, professional, civic and leadership development of its students in a dynamic environment;
- Superior learning through broadly-based studies in communication skills, critical thinking, moral development, an examination of global societies, an ability to function in a diverse society, and undergraduate independent research;
- Active engagement through service learning and strategic partnerships;
- A broad base of knowledge with a well-developed sense of self and moral judgment and outstanding professional skills;
- And an understanding of the roles and responsibilities in the betterment of communities, the nation, and the world.

History
Founded in 1850 as Defiance Female Seminary. Became known as Defiance College in 1903. Affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

Location
Northwest corner of Ohio at the confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee Rivers; one hour from Lima and Toledo, Ohio, and Ft. Wayne, Indiana; two hours from Detroit, Michigan; two-and-a-half hours from Columbus and four hours from Chicago, Illinois. The city of Defiance has 18,000 residents. The Defiance Chamber of Commerce and the Defiance Tourism Bureau provide more information about the city of Defiance, Ohio.

Student Population
Defiance College has a student population just over 1,000 students. More than 50 percent of traditional students live on campus.

The Campus
The campus is located on 150 acres in a residential area of Defiance, which includes 18 buildings and access to the 200 acre Thoreau Wildlife Sanctuary.

Accreditation
Defiance College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Ohio Board of Regents, the Council on Social Work Education, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Eduction Programs, and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education The teacher education program met all standards of the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education through an Ohio Department of Education review.

National Recognition
Defiance College has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report: America’s Best Colleges as one of the top tier of comprehensive colleges in the Midwest as well as one of the top 25 schools in the nation for service learning programs. Defiance College has also been named as one of 81 colleges and universities around the country to the Colleges With a Conscience national guidebook published by Princeton Review and Campus Compact. For the past two years, the College has been named with distinction to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. Defiance is also included in the John Templeton Foundation’s Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges.

Admission Standards
The majority of admitted freshmen maintain at least a B average in high school course work, present above average ACT or SAT results, and complete a comprehensive high school academic program.

Engagement
The College’s vision calls for an educational experience of engagement - civic, cultural, and learning - for all students. Defiance College is home to the McMaster School for Advancing Humanity, a unique research program serving as a focal point for teaching, service, scholarship, and action to improve the human condition. The Bonner Leader Program offers students intensive service and leadership experience in the community. The Citizen Leader Program is an intensive campus/community initiative designed to develop citizenship and leadership skills. The Carolyn M. Small Honors Program provides exciting research opportunities and the opportunity for students to participate in an honors curriculum.

Special Programs
The Center for Adult and Graduate Programs offers a wide variety of programs specifically for the adult student population. The Weekend College program offers students a chance to earn a Master’s degree in Business Administration, or a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Accounting in a flexible every-other weekend format. The Fast Track program is designed for individuals who have an associates degree and want to complete a bachelor degree in Organizational Supervision and Leadership.

Faculty
86 faculty members. The student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. Average class size is 15 students.

Athletic Affiliations
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) - Division III, and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC).

Intercollegiate Athletics
Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Membership in:

Co-Curricular Activities
Defiance offers students a variety of organizations, clubs, and activities including honor societies, religious groups, sororities and fraternities, intercultural organizations, student government, intercollegiate and intramural athletics, literary publications, music and performance groups, service learning activities, and special interest clubs.

Financial Aid
In a typical year, the average financial aid package for an incoming freshman is $16,612. A high percentage of our students receive some form of assistance from grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs, or a combination of these. Recommended deadline for applying for financial aid is March 1.

Merit Aid Scholarships
Defiance College rewards deserving academic achievement through a dynamic merit financial aid program. Upon acceptance to the College, all applicants are considered for scholarship eligibility based on academic achievement and financial need. Scholarship awards are renewable each year according to established requirements.

Costs for 2008-2009 Per Year:

Strong Commitment to Job Placement
89% of DC students find employment or enter graduate school within six months of graduation.

More information: