Defiance College Homecoming nears; honorees are announced

September 30, 2014

 

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College will celebrate 2014 homecoming activities Oct. 13-18 with reunions, award presentations, and a gala dinner.

The week starts off with several on-campus events for students, staff and faculty.

Friday’s gala alumni dinner begins at 5 p.m. in the Weaner Community Center with entertainment provided by local sensation All That Jazz. At 7:15 p.m., awards will be presented in several categories.

The Alumni Citation for Academic Excellence will be presented to Dr. Harry Miller, Port Orange, Fla., class of 1959. Alumni Achievement Award recipients are David Gynn, Kent, Ohio, class of 1965, and Beverly Nolt, Atlanta, Ga., class of 1974. Lesa Swisher Shouse, St. Petersburg, Fla., 2004 graduate, will receive the Young Alumni Service Award.

The Schauffler Legacy Award will be presented to Elaine Kopke Gard, Newark, Ohio, class of 1972, and Raymond Santiago, Oakland, Calif., class of 1971.

Saturday’s events kick off at 8 a.m. with a Project 701 Color Run with proceeds to benefit Project 701.  

Alumni Varsity D holds its annual breakfast on Saturday morning to honor 2014 Hall of Fame inductees and Coaches of the Year. Hall of Fame inductees include Megan Thigpen Grieser, Savannah, Ga., class of 2003; Terry Morman, Bowling Green, Ohio, class of 1990; Charles Nafziger, Archbold, Ohio, class of 1073; Ernesto Vilar, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., class of 1979; and Kevin Wierman, Lima, Ohio, class of 1978.

Inductees will take part in a bricklaying ceremony in front of the football stadium and will receive their plaques during a football halftime program.

Coaches of the Year for the 2013-14 season include Thomas Held, Defiance, class of 1985; Timothy Held, Cincinnati, class of 1996; Frank Kill, Lima, Ohio, class of 2002; Obie Mouser, Defiance, class of 1968; Brent Renollet, Defiance, class of 1986; Tobias Tuomi, Detroit, class of 2008; and Doug Wilkinson, Easley, S.C., class of 2004.

Reunions are planned throughout the weekend for baseball and softball alumni, members of Alpha Xi Delta and Tau Kappa Epsilon, classes of 1964 and 2004, and the 1966-69 football championship teams.

President Mark C. Gordon will host a brunch for leadership donors, recognizing the newest members of the Kevin McCann Circle.

Coronation of this year’s homecoming queen and king and their court will take place at 1 p.m., prior to the Yellow Jackets football game against Rose Hulman.

For a full list of homecoming events and registration information, visit the Defiance College alumni website at alumni.defiance.edu.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering 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.