Alumni recognized during Defiance College homecoming for accomplishments
October 9, 2017
DEFIANCE, Ohio - Eight Defiance College alumni were recognized during homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 15, for their accomplishments.
The Alumni Citation for Academic Excellence will be presented to Judy Small Dally, Defiance, class of 1971 and 1994; and John Scheu, Sidney, class of 1972. Alumni Achievement Award recipients are Dale Bruskotter, Ottawa, class of 1974; and David Robinson, Alliance, class of 1976. Tim Leuzarder, deceased, class of 1967, was also honored with this award. Casey Gibson, Toledo, class of 2005 and 2010, will receive the Young Alumni Service Award.
The Schauffler Legacy Award will be presented to Terry Boyd, Columbus, class of 1978; and Carolyn Keilig, Hopkinton, N.H., class of 1976.
Judy Small Dally decided at an early age to become a teacher. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s in education from Defiance College, in 1971 and 1994. She taught for 35 years in Slocum School in Defiance. Now retired from teaching, Dally dedicates her time to her community. She continues to demonstrate her commitment to education by serving as the director of education at the Andrew L. Tuttle Memorial Museum, and volunteering weekly with Defiance’s Kinderstart program.
Her memberships include the Current Events Club, the Ohio chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa and St. John’s United Church of Christ. She regularly assists with DC’s Backpack Buddies and Clean Up your Parks Day, and she is active with the Bryan City Summer Band, the Defiance College Community Band, and the Annual Messiah Orchestra. In 2016, Dally was inducted into the Defiance High School Academic Hall of Fame. She and her husband, Herman, reside in Defiance.
While at Defiance College, John Scheu played two years of basketball and four years of tennis. After graduation, he taught comprehensive social studies and coached for a number of years before moving into administration as assistant principal, principal, and then superintendent for four Ohio districts. At this time, Scheu is in his fifth year as superintendent of Sidney City Schools.
His career highlights include the implementation of all-day, every-day kindergarten, a workforce academy, and a strong security plan for Sidney. Among his professional affiliations, Scheu served as vice chair on the governing board of Governor Kasich’s “Straight A” fund, and he currently serves on the state superintendent advisory committee. Scheu resides in Sidney with his wife, Cindy.
After graduating from Defiance with a degree in biology, Dale Bruskotter earned a master’s in administration from Dayton University in 1979 and taught science for five years. During this time, he coached basketball and baseball. In 1980, he joined the navy and realized his dream of becoming a pilot, remaining in the reserves until 2016. He was an instructor pilot, fleet instructor, and flew five combat missions over Bosnia in 1993. Bruskotter is a veteran of the Gulf War. He became a commercial pilot in 1988, and was certified on a wide range of aircrafts. He retired from United Airlines as a 767 Captain in 2016.
Bruskotter received the Navy achievement medal, a meritorious unit citation, a Navy unit citation, and the Sea Service ribbon three times. He retired at the rank of commander. At home, he volunteers as baseball coach and basketball coach in various youth organizations, and is a member of the American Legion Post 63. He and his wife, Joan, live in Ottawa.
Dr. David Robinson continued his education at OSU’s medical school after graduating from Defiance College. He earned his medical degree in 1979 and served his OB-GYN residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital. In 1983, he and a colleague established a medical practice in Alliance, Ohio, and joined the medical staff at the Alliance Community hospital, where he remained for 31 years. Dr. Robinson had the first practice in Northwest Ohio to implement vaginal ultrasound.
His community memberships include having served as chairman of the OB/GYN department at Alliance Community Hospital and president of the medical staff. Dr. Robinson has been on the board of the Visiting Nurses Association and the Start County medical society board, was a founding member of the Alliance Health Partners, and has volunteered with the Carnation City Players. He lives in Alliance with his significant other, Peggy Miller.
During his time at Defiance College, W. Timothy Leuzarder was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, the Defender Staff, the marketing association, and the Newman Club. After graduation, Leauzarder was an Allstate agent for 41 years. In his community, he served on the board of education, was a member of the Jaycees, and coached little league and girls softball for nearly 20 years.
Leuzarder was on the Defiance College board of trustees for 14 years, many as chairman of the Institutional Advancement Committee. Last year, he died unexpectedly the week after attending Homecoming. He will be remembered for his affection and enthusiasm for Defiance, and his steadfast service to the College. He is survived by four children, Tracy, Tim, Maggie, and Alyson; and five grandchildren.
Casey Gibson graduated in 2005 with a bachelor of arts in business management, in 2009 with a master’s of organizational leadership, and in 2010 with a master’s of business administration. In his career, Gibson has served as a lead talent acquisition strategist for Pontoon Solutions, servicing several Fortune 500 clients to develop effective recruitment strategies. He is a member of the Defiance College alumni executive board and has been an adjunct business professor at Defiance College since 2013.
Outside the classroom, he coaches students on resume writing, job searches, and interviewing techniques. In his free time, Gibson is an avid distance runner and a distance running coach. He resides in Toledo with his fiancé, Josh, and their two children, Ella and Zoey.
At Defiance College, Dr. Terry Boyd was a member of BASA, on the track team, and served as a resident assistant and the first president of the social work society. After graduation, he earned a master’s of social work and a Ph.D. in social work at Ohio State University, and a master’s of business administration at Lake Erie College. In 1997, Dr. Boyd joined Franklin University and served 20 years at the university’s Ross College of Business, performing as program chair of Human resources, entrepreneurship, and MBA programs. He was later appointed graduate school division chair, and then associate dean. He was asked to design and usher the state approval of a master’s degree of human services administration. He also went to the Middle East and established an MBA program for Franklin in Oman.
Dr. Boyd was elected to the Columbus Board of Education in 2004, and served as president for three years. His many other distinctions include receiving Medallion of Excellence from Franklin University in 2008. For his impressive career as a professor and his service within his professional community, Dr. Boyd was granted the title of Professor Emeritus upon his retirement from Franklin in 2014. He and his wife, Shirley, live in Columbus.
Rev. Carolyn Keilig was an active student at DC, involved in the Beta Sigma sorority, on the student activity board, on the staff of the Defender, and a president’s host. After graduation, she attended seminary at Andover Newton to become an ordained pastor and teacher in the United Church of Christ.
Currently, she is president elect of the New Hampshire conference UCC. She serves on the board of directors for the Association of United Church Educators as vice-chair, and will move into the position of chair with the next term change. Rev. Keilig lives in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, with her husband, Roger.
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.
