Defiance College alumni recognized during homecoming for accomplishments

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Seven Defiance College alumni were recognized during homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 24 for their accomplishments.

The Alumni Citation for Academic Excellence was presented to Christine (Reeb) Wahl, Defiance, Ohio. Alumni Achievement Award recipients were Jerry Pierman, North Palm Beach, Fla.; Donald Smith, Continental, Ohio; and Thomas Spiess, Fayette, Ohio. Nick Neiderhouse, Maumee, Ohio, received the Young Alumni Service Award. The Schauffler Legacy Award was presented to James D. Clark, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; and Marie (Yoder) Wenner, Columbia, Pa.

Christine Wahl holds an exemplary teaching record in service to her community. She graduated in 1972 with a degree in elementary education (K-8). She obtained a Master of Education from Bowling Green State University, then joined the Defiance City Schools staff as a first grade teacher. She was one of 40 teachers selected from the State of Ohio and Department of Education to author a $2.5 million grant that established Professional Development Training Centers throughout the state.

In addition to education, Wahl also helped students interested in music. She served as the musical director for the Young People’s Theater Guild for 19 years and has provided private music lessons since 1973. Wahl and her husband, Elliot, live in Defiance, Ohio. They have one son, Patrick. After 39 years of service, she retired in 2011 and continues to contribute to the Defiance community as a substitute teacher.

Jerry Pierman started in the golf course construction business in 1972. During his early years, he participated in the construction of multiple golf courses. He eventually formed his own business, Pierman Golf Company. While Jerry closed his company in the mid-90s, he continues to consult on golf course construction all over the world. In 2005, he joined professional golfer Lenny Wadkins to form the Lenny Wadkins Design Company. They are currently working on a project in Ecuador.

Pierman has served on numerous committees throughout the years, including the Executive Committee for the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, the Golf Course Builders Association of America, and North Palm Beach Country Club golf course advisory board. He has also been a guest speaker on several occasions. He graduated from DC in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Jerry and his wife, Judy, live in North Palm Beach, Fla. They have three children (Jana, Joseph, and Jason) and five grandchildren.

Don Smith has had a longstanding career in social work and served on DC’s social work advisory council for 35 years. His real joy in life, though, has been raising money for Diabetes Youth Services in Toledo. He learned that DYS conducts summer camps for children with diabetes that combines diabetes education with normal camping activities. “I swim a mile every day, so I found an activity I love that benefits kids,” Smith said.

Since he started 12 years ago, Smith has helped raise $159,607 for the camp. In 1971, he graduated with a degree in social work from Defiance College. He believes it was DC that first instilled in him the desire make the world a better place through service projects. Smith plans to continue his efforts for Youth Diabetes Services in his new home, Sun City Center, Fla., where he and his wife, Connie, moved in August.

Tom Spiess graduated from DC in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive art. Originally intending a career of a few years at Fayette Schools, he became deeply involved in education and retired after 30 years. He has served on the Ohio Arts Council; as Founder and Director of the Fayette Community Arts Council; as a Jennings Scholar; Chairman of the Fulton County United Way; President of the Gorham Fayette Teachers’ Association; and President of the Fulton County Community Improvement Corporation.

His lasting legacy at Defiance College began as a tribute to his oldest son, Jon. Two years after Jon’s unfortunate passing, Spiess established the Jon Spiess Memorial Golf Tournament. In two decades, the tournament has hosted thousands of college golfers and grown into a two-day, two-course event featuring collegiate players from NCAA Division I, II, and III schools; NAIA Teams, and junior college teams. Proceeds from the tourney benefit scholarships for DC students. Spiess lives in Fayette with his wife, Cherlyn. In addition to Jon, they have three children: Matthew, Mark, and Elizabeth.

At Defiance College, Nick Neiderhouse found the opportunity to work with local school systems in the area incredibly beneficial. He graduated from DC in 2005 with a middle childhood education degree. Starting as a sixth grade teacher at Fallen Timbers, he is now principal of Wayne Trail Elementary. Neiderhouse organizes volunteer efforts for students, including spending weekends assisting individuals with developmental disabilities, fundraising, and serving the community.

Neiderhouse is a member of the Ohio Association of Secondary Administrators, National Association of Elementary School Principals, Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, and the Educational Leadership Association. In addition, he has served on numerous educational committees and as a volunteer leader. Currently, he lives in Maumee with his wife, Raquel, and their son, Neiko.

Jim Clark received his bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology at DC in 1975. While at DC, he was recognized as a valuable football player. He was inducted into the Ohio State Social Work Hall of Fame in 2011 and holds advanced certification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.) and Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), among others. Currently, Clark is president and CEO of Daniel Memorial, and founder of the Jacksonville Kids Coalition.

He has spoken nationally and runs a weekly television segment in Jacksonville, Fla. on positive ways to raise children. Clark also designed and piloted the Statewide In-patient Psychiatric Program (SIPP), which is now used as a model throughout the state of Florida. His community work includes serving on the 7th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission and the State Advisor Group for Juvenile Justice. Clark and his wife, Amy, met on campus and have been married 38 years. They reside in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and have two children: Amanda and Christopher.

Marie Wenner, 1954 graduate with degrees in social work and Christian education, has devoted a lifetime to service and Christian education, volunteering with the UCC Synod and conferences, developing curriculum, providing workshops, and training others to serve their church. After marrying Nelson, a 1954 graduate from Lancaster Seminary, Wenner helped with Nelson’s church ministry and taught weekday nursery school. They started a church in rural Pennsylvania and had built a membership of almost 100 congregants within six years. The original barn on the property has since been renovated to open the first YMCA in the area.

When Marie’s husband Nelson passed away in 2010, they had been married for almost 60 years. They have three children, Mark, Karen, and James, and five grandchildren, Kevin, Greg, Eric, Christine, and Olivia. Wenner resides in Columbia, Pa.

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.