Annual DC Honors Convocation recognizes student achievements

April 20, 2016 

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 Fred Coulter, associate professor of education.

Outstanding Service Award for faculty was presented to Rachel Eicher, assistant professor of practice of early childhood education.

Outstanding Service Award for staff and the Gerald Mallott Outstanding Senior Service Award were presented to Catherine Mikula, coordinator of non-traditional student support, and graduating senior Susanna Stoepfel, McComb.

Students receiving awards during the convocation and departmental ceremonies were:

Civic Engagement Honors – Dava Donaldson, Elyira; Amber Moomey, Graytown; Brittany Pease, Marysville; Susanna Stoepfel, McComb; Joseph Perry, Greenwood, Ind.; Katelyn Haydett, Saint Clair Shores, Mich.; and Cormack Lazarus, St. Mary, Jamaica.

Wanda May LeMaster Service Award – Erica Smay, Defiance.

McMaster Certificate Award – Dava Donaldson, Elyria; Elizabeth Pienoski, Sheffield Lake; Joseph Perry, Greenwood, Ind.; Katelyn Haydett, Saint Clair Shores, Mich.; and Cormack Lazarus, St. Mary, Jamaica.

Senior Presidential Scholars – Lindsay Kasmer, Defiance; and Dava Donaldson, Elyria.

Senior Dean’s Scholars – Adam Dangler, Bryan; Jordan Dagostaro, Miranda Decator, Stephanie Esquibel, and George Roth, Defiance; Natasha Balduff, Fremont; Amber Moomey, Graytown; Brittany Pease, Marysville; Jordan Drake, Maumee; Susanna Stoepfel, McComb; Claire Turner, Medina; Elizabeth Daniel, Ney; Blayne Robbins, Powell; Randy Albers, Saint Henry; Elizabeth Pienoski, Sheffield Lake; Megan Davis and Sara Hammon, Sherwood; Benjamin Weber, Troy; Rachel Simon, West Chester; Ashley Tompkins, West Unity; Jaren Prater, Zanesville; Sephra Wheeler, Albion, Pa.; Hayden Smith, Bartlett, Ill.; Gary Levengood, Beverly Hills, Fla.; and Katelyn Haydett, Saint Clair Shores, Mich.

Senior Carolyn M. Small Honor Scholars – Brittany Pease, Marysville; Susanna Stoepfel, McComb; Elizabeth Pienoski, Sheffield Lake; Megan Davis, Sherwood; Ashley Tompkins, West Unity; and Katelyn Haydett, Saint Clair Shores, Mich.

Senior McMaster Scholars – Dava Donaldson, Elyria; Brittany Pease, Marysville; Susanna Stoepfel, McComb; George Roth, Defiance; Elizabeth Pienoski, Sheffield Lake; Megan Davis, Sherwood; Jessica Bell, West Salem; Joseph Perry, Greenwood, Ind.; Katelyn Haydett, Saint Clair Shores, Mich.; and Cormack Lazarus, St. Mary, Jamaica.

McMaster Scholars – Kaitlyn Kuhn, Celina; Ashlyn Deming, Defiance; Arlen Stoller, Haviland; MacKenzie Combs, Milford Center; Jordan Blank, Montpelier; Caitlyn Pavel, Paulding; Madeline Homan, Sidney; Taylor Gillig, Tiffin; Zachary Roush, Nashville, Ind.; Nathan Height, Wabash, Ind.; Kenneth Miller, Royal Oak, Mich.; Emily Denhard, Troy, Mich.; and Alexis Walker, Fort Myers, Fla.

Senior Service Leaders – Joseph Hilton, Antwerp; Sandra Hubler, Berea; David Brown, Columbus; Kailin Regutti, Hayley Risher, and George Roth, Defiance; Dava Donaldson, Elyria; Amber Moomey, Graytown; Caitlin Ashbaugh, Lancaster; Brittany Pease, Marysville; Susanna Stoepfel, McComb; Claire Turner, Medina; Lucas Parsell and Waverly Weaks, Napoleon; Elizabeth Pienoski, Sheffield Lake; Megan Davis, Sherwood; Megan Pleskovic, Strongsville; Jessica Bell, West Salem; Ashley Tompkins, West Unity; Kristina Nelson, Grayslake, Ill.; Mariah Brown, Paxton, Ill.; Haley Walchle, Urbana, Ind.; Jillian Crowell, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Nicole Tank, Lincoln Park, Mich.; Katelyn Haydett, Saint Clair Shores, Mich.; Sephra Wheeler, Albion, Pa.; Tawana Foster, Cormack Lazarus, Lornette Lynch, and Oshin Walker, St. Mary, Jamaica.

Highest Ranking Senior Scholars – Sara Hammon, Sherwood.

Alpha Delta Kappa Award – Jessica Bell, West Salem. 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 – Noelle Chester, West Unity. This award is given to a junior student majoring in education and showing potential as a woman educator.

Arthur and Hope Knape Award in Education – Joshua Petro, Ocala, Fla.

Alton R. Kurtz Prize in Education – Richard Custar, Pioneer. Awarded to an outstanding education major.

Rothhar Assistantship in Education – Caitlyn Pavel, Paulding. This award is made by the Rothhar family to honor a student in education.

Robert O. Bleeks Assistantship in Sports Science – Cody Meinert, Deerfield, Mich. 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 – Elias Jimenez, Defiance.

Outstanding Senior in Early Childhood Education – Sara Hammon, Sherwood.

Outstanding Senior in Middle Childhood Education – Kaitlyn Rethmel, Defiance.

Outstanding Senior in Adolescent to Young Adult Education – Amber Mack, Defiance.

Ida M. Watson Prize in History – Remick Pearson, Kernersville, N.C.

Outstanding Senior in History – Zane Hayes, Wellington.

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

Outstanding Senior in Design – Michelle Puehler, Defiance.

Margaret and Michael Stauffer Memorial Scholarship – Keira Grandey, Stryker. 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 – Kailin Regutti, Defiance.

Outstanding Senior in English – Elizabeth Daniel, Ney.

Dr. Richard W. Stroede Scholarship – David Brown, Columbus; Amanda Heil, Defiance; and Nathaniel Hicks, Toledo.

Music Programs Director’s Award – Keira Grandey, Stryker.

Schauffler Scholar in Christian Education – Susan Korecki, London.

Dr. Clarence Gilham Endowed Scholarship and George P. Michaelides Award in Religion – Xavier Blyden, Bridgeport, Conn.

Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce Business Scholarship – Tanner Clingaman, Stryker. This scholarship is based on academic standing, participation in campus activities, and career goals.

George Isaac Business Scholarship – Cody Harsman, Brookville. 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 – Hayley Saylor, Payne. 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 Seniors in Accounting – Zachary Shook, Defiance; and Heidi Dix, Paulding. Awarded to outstanding seniors majoring in accounting.

Outstanding Senior in Business Administration – Clay Bracken, Continental. Awarded to an outstanding senior in management.

Sigma Beta Delta (Business) – Gina Coffman, Julia Dickman, Alex Elkins, John Hancock, and Trevor Zachrich, Defiance; Joseph Hilton, Antwerp; Clay Bracken, Continental; David Morris, Edgerton; Natasha Balduff, Fremont; Walter Pippin, Liberty Center; Sean Daley, Lima; Sonia Scott, Napoleon; Haley Kuhlman, Oregon; Blayne Robbins, Powell; Jordan Core, Sherwood; Kevin Becker, Wauseon; Carissa Schreiber, Weston; Wayne Kelly, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Chris Douglas, Wixom, Mich.; and Lornette Lynch, St. Mary, Jamaica.

Duane C. Hocking Endowed Scholarship – Colton Relyea, Defiance. This award is given to an outstanding sport science student displaying qualities of leadership and involvement both on campus and in the community.

Iota Tau Alpha (Athletic Training) – Jillian Schneider, Botkins; Megan Warren, Loveland; Brittany Pease, Marysville; Jordan Drake, Maumee; Andrew Delagrange, Auburn, Ind.; Marcus Pompey, Marcellus, Mich.; and Alexis Walker, Fort Myers, Fla.

Outstanding Senior in Athletic Training – Jordan Drake, Maumee.

Outstanding Senior in Sport Management – Joshua Lett, Defiance.

Outstanding Senior in Exercise Science – Jacob Rodriguez, Ligonier, Ind.

William Edward Pullen Memorial Scholarship – Joshua Kuhlman, Ottawa. 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 – Amber Mack, Defiance. Awarded to an outstanding student in mathematics.

George W. Botteron Prize in Chemistry – Toni-Ann Ledgister, 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 – Kayleigh Vicknair, Mason. Awarded annually to a student majoring in one of the sciences.

Linares Assistantship in Science – William Plough, Montpelier. Awarded to a student for a natural science work study project and grant assistance.

David and Laura Reed Scholarship – Samantha McMonigal, Continental. Awarded to an outstanding science student.

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

Dr. James Frey Memorial Scholarship in Science – Ceresa Page, St. Mary, Jamaica. Awarded to an outstanding science student, honoring the late Defiance College science professor.

Samuel V. Tuohy Memorial Scholarship – Brittany Mealer, Defiance. 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 – Amber Mack, Defiance.

Outstanding Senior in Science – Katelyn Haydett, Saint Clair Shores, Mich.

Outstanding Student in Nursing – Denise Doda, Defiance.

Schauffler Award in Social Work – Lindsay Kasmer, Medina. Awarded to an outstanding student majoring in social work.

Top Scholar in Social Work – Claire Turner, Medina.

Outstanding Senior in Criminal Justice – Oshin Walker, St. Mary, Jamaica. Awarded to an outstanding senior majoring in the criminal justice program.

Outstanding Senior in Digital Forensic Science – Sephra Wheeler, Albion, Pa.

Scholastic Excellence in Digital Forensics Award – Randy Albers, Saint Henry.

Outstanding Seniors in Psychology – Lindsay Kasmer, Medina; and Oshin Walker, St. Mary, Jamaica. Awarded to psychology students showing leadership and maturity who are involved with the community. The recipients must have a 3.5 overall grade point average and a 3.6 GPA in psychology.

Tau Mu (Social Work) – Breanna Zipfel, Defiance; and Claire Turner, Medina.

Omicron Mu/Chapter of National Phi Alpha (Social Work) – Brittany Coressel, April McKenzie, and Breanna Zipfel, Defiance; Emily Lambert, Delphos; Claire Turner, Medina; Jessica Morse, Toledo; and Tabitha Del Carmen, Hemet, Calif.

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.