Defiance College digital forensic science program receives international award

December 14, 2016 

DEFIANCE, Ohio - An innovative project developed by Defiance College digital forensic science students and faculty recently received international recognition at the Reimagine Education Conference sponsored by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Selected to a shortlist of nominations from more than 800 applicants, “The FAGIN Project @ Defiance College: Authentic Service Learning” was presented at the conference by Tim Wedge, associate professor of practice in digital forensic science, and Dr. Tim Rickabaugh, interim vice president of academic affairs.

The project was selected by conference judges to receive the second place Silver Medal among all entries in the Ethical Leadership in Education category.

One of very few entries from small colleges, the project had compelling potential impact in the area of preventing human trafficking of children. The zero-cost prototype was developed as a DFS student project and utilizes facial recognition programs to identify potential matches between minors displayed on sex trade websites and those listed (and shown) on missing person lists.

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.