Annual DC Honors Convocation recognizes student achievements
April 30, 2018
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 Marian Plant, Professor of Religious and Ministry Studies.
Outstanding Service Award for staff was presented to Rena Regar, Administrative Assistant for McMaster School.
Gerald Mallott Outstanding Senior Service Award was presented to graduating senior, Adam Swisher, Lambertville, Mich.
Students receiving awards during the convocation and departmental ceremonies were:
Civic Engagement Honors – MacKenzie Combs, Milford Center, Ohio; Erin Conner, Sycamore, Ohio; Alexandra Fowler, Seville, Ohio; Taylor Gillig, Tiffin, Ohio; Mason Gross, Saint Marys, Ohio; Nicholas Kleptz, Troy, Ohio; Kaitlyn Kuhn, Celina, Ohio; Toni-Ann Ledgister, Jamaica; Kandee Manson, Paulding, Ohio; Adam McGinnis, Bloomville, Ohio; Kassandra Memmer, Bowling Green, Ohio; Logan Scott, Curtice, Ohio; Alyson Seibert, Rossford, Ohio; Adam Swisher, Lambertville, Mich.
Wanda May LeMaster Service Award – Elyzabeth King, Mechanicsburg, Ohio.
McMaster Certificate Award – MacKenzie Combs, Milford Center, Ohio; Taylor Gillig, Tiffin, Ohio; Kaitlyn Kuhn, Celina, Ohio.
Senior Presidential Scholars – Taylor Haydinger, Wilmington, Del.; Kayleigh Vicknair, Mason, Ohio.
Senior Dean’s Scholars – Jakob Adkins, Defiance, Ohio; Dalton Bettis, Minerva, Ohio; Zachary Bires, Lorain, Ohio; Erin Conner, Sycamore, Ohio; Grayson Conney, Norwalk, Ohio; Alexandra Fowler, Seville, Ohio; Sarah Kaya, Lorain, Ohio; Ashlyn Killion, Defiance, Ohio; Nicholas Kleptz, Troy, Ohio; Marissa Kosier, Ney, Ohio; Libby Leach, Defiance, Ohio; Lea McCoy, Wadsworth, Ohio; Adam, McGinnis, Bloomville, Ohio; Alek Menyhart, Hartland, Mich.; Victoria Mueller, Buchanan, Mich.; Hayley Paulson, Medina, Ohio; Joshua Petro, Ocala, Fla.; Kollin Spence, Deshler, Ohio; Adam Swisher, Lambertville, Mich.; Conner Varner, Stryker, Ohio; Jacob Vicic, Minooka, Ill.; Brook Waidelich, Wauseon, Ohio.
Senior Carolyn M. Small Honor Scholars – Courtney Alexander, Warren, Ohio; Zachary Bires, Lorain, Ohio; MacKenzie Combs, Milford Center, Ohio; Denique Dennis, Jamaica; Taylor Haydinger, Wilmington, Del.; Ashlyn Killion, Defiance, Ohio; Kaitlyn Kuhn, Celina, Ohio; Libby Leach, Defiance, Ohio; Toni-Ann Ledgister, Jamaica; Laura Lutzke, Williamston, Mich.; Lea McCoy, Wadsworth, Ohio; Adam McGinnis, Bloomville, Ohio; Logan Scott, Curtice, Ohio; Alyson Seibert, Rossford, Ohio; Jacob Vicic, Minooka, Ill.; Brooke Waidelich, Wauseon, Ohio.
Senior McMaster Scholars – Dalton Bettis, Minerva, Ohio; MacKenzie Combs, Milford Center, Ohio; Richard Custar, Pioneer, Ohio; Denique Dennis, Jamaica; Taylor Gillig, Tiffin, Ohio; Taylor Haydinger, Wilmington, Del.; Ashlyn Killion, Defiance, Ohio; Nicholas Kleptz, Troy, Ohio; Kaitlyn Kuhn, Celina, Ohio; Toni-Ann Ledgister, Jamaica; Adam McGinnis, Bloomville, Ohio; Kassandra Memmer, Bowling Green, Ohio; Cody Nelson, Clayton, Mich.; Amoy Russell, Jamaica; Logan Scott, Curtice, Ohio; Alyson Seibert, Rossford, Ohio; Conner Varner, Stryker, Ohio; Brooke Waidelich, Wauseon, Ohio.
McMaster Scholars – Da’Ja’Nay Askew, Crown Point, Ind.; Chelsey Braunwart, Trenton, Ohio; Morgan Connor, Curtice, Ohio; Madysyn Creighton, Hillsboro, Ohio; Corey Davis, Haviland, Ohio; Mackenzie Durdak, Lorain, Ohio; Samantha Ervin, Bloomdale, Ohio; Spencer Gray, Grand Rapids, Ohio; Elyzabeth King, Mechanicsburg, Ohio; Beau Massingill, Monroe, Mich.; Madeleine McMaster, Defiance, Ohio; Blake Newman, Jackson, Mich.; Kaytlyn Williamson, Prospect, Ohio; Marissa Windau, Castalia, Ohio.
Senior Service Leaders – Kristin Aslanian, Trenton, Mich.; Calli Bauer, Galion, Ohio; MacKenzie Combs, Milford Center, Ohio; Erin Conner, Sycamore, Ohio; Denique Dennis, Jamaica; Jared Feffer, Grand Rapids, Ohio; Danielle Ferguson, North Baltimore, Ohio; Alexandra Fowler, Seville, Ohio; Taylor Gillig, Tiffin, Ohio; Mason Gross, Saint Marys, Ohio; Christine Helberg, Napoleon, Ohio; Gabrielle Justice, Columbus, Ohio; Libby Leach, Defiance, Ohio; Toni-Ann Ledgister, Jamaica; Kandee Manson, Paulding, Ohio; Adam McGinnis, Bloomville, Ohio; Cody Meinert, Deerfield, Mich.; Kassandra Memmer, Bowling Green, Ohio; Haleigh Parrish, Kokomo, Ind.; Hayley Paulson, Medina, Ohio; Remick Pearson, Kernersville, N.C.; Nathon Principe, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Meredith Remy, Mansfield, Ohio; Amoy Russell, Jamaica; Cassidy Santen, Woodridge, Ill.; Sydni Smith, Jackson, Mich.; Adam Swisher, Lambertville, Mich; Hannah Williams, Swanton, Ohio; Deborah Young, Jamaica.
Highest Ranking Senior Scholars – Hollie Carroll, West Unity, Ohio; Denique Dennis, Jamaica; Samantha Gomez, Defiance, Ohio; Kaleb Westrick, Bryan, Ohio.
Alpha Delta Kappa Award – Brooke Waidelich, Wauseon, Ohio. 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 – Kayla Rethmel, Defiance, Ohio. 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 – Katie Thiel, Hicksville, Ohio.
Alton R. Kurtz Prize in Education – Mason Rapp, Fortville, Ind. Awarded to an outstanding education major.
Rothhar Assistantship in Education – Derek Rupp, Wauseon, Ohio. This award is made by the Rothhar family to honor a student in education.
Robert O. Bleeks Assistantship in Sports Science – Michael Gilliland, Napoleon, Ohio. 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 – Amoy Russell, Jamaica.
Outstanding Senior in Early Childhood Education – Richard Custar, Pioneer, Ohio.
Outstanding Seniors in Middle Childhood Education – Samantha Gomez, Defiance, Ohio, and Hollie Carroll, West Unity, Ohio.
Outstanding Senior in Adolescent to Young Adult Education – Taylor Haydinger, Wilmington, Del.
Ida M. Watson Prize in History – Kevin O’Neil, Lyons, Ohio.
Reeder C. Hutchinson Assistantship in the Humanities – Reeka Edwards, Jamaica. Awarded to an upper-class student in the humanities, providing a combination of grant and work opportunity.
Outstanding Senior in Design – Kandee Manson, Paulding, Ohio.
Keith Hubbard Scholarship in Graphic Design – Chevelle Gonzales, Defiance, Ohio.
Outstanding Senior in Communication Studies – Courtney Alexander, Warren, Ohio.
Dr. Richard W. Stroede Scholarship – Jewel Isaac, Defiance, Ohio.
Music Programs Director’s Award – William Ploughe, Canal Winchester, Ohio.
Dr. Clarence Gilham Endowed Scholarship – Xavier Blyden, Bridgeport, Conn.
George P. Michaelides Award in Religion – Emmalyn Wooley, Wauseon, Ohio.
Calista Olds Award for Excellence in Biblical & Religious Studies – Da’Ja’Nay Askew, Crown Point, Ind.
Public Advocacy Award – Reeka Edwards, Jamaica.
Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce Business Scholarship – Damion Tall, Toledo, Ohio. This scholarship is based on academic standing, participation in campus activities, and career goals.
George Isaac Business Scholarship –Jacqueline Hartman, Parma, Ohio. 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 – Tanner Clingaman, Stryker, Ohio. 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 Senior in Accounting – Jakob Adkins, Defiance, Ohio. Awarded to outstanding seniors majoring in accounting.
Outstanding Senior in Business Administration – Adam McGinnis, Bloomville, Ohio. Awarded to an outstanding senior in management.
Duane C. Hocking Endowed Scholarship – Marissa Windau, Castalia, Ohio. 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) – Samantha Basham, Bellville, Ohio; Michaela Bauer, Hicksville, Ohio; Zachary Bires, Lorain, Ohio; Morgan Connor, Curtice, Ohio; Beau Massingill, Monroe, Mich.
Outstanding Senior in Athletic Training – Meredith Remy, Mansfield, Ohio.
Outstanding Senior in Sport Management – Laura Lutzke, Williamston, Mich.
Outstanding Senior in Exercise Science – Reed Guerin, Weeki Wachee, Fla.
William Edward Pullen Memorial Scholarship –Zachary Brazen, Oxford, Ohio. 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 – Taylor Haydinger, Wilmington, Del. Awarded to an outstanding student in mathematics.
George W. Botteron Prize in Chemistry – Nathaniel Schnitkey, Oak Harbor, Ohio. 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 – Mackenzie Durdak, Lorain, Ohio. Awarded annually to a student majoring in one of the sciences.
Linares Assistantship in Science – Jordan Furko, Swanton, Ohio. Awarded to a student for a natural science work study project and grant assistance.
David and Laura Reed Scholarship – Derek Rupp, Wauseon, Ohio. Awarded to an outstanding science student.
Arjan Mirchandaney Memorial Scholarship in Mathematics – Elyzabeth King, Mechanicsburg, Ohio. Awarded to an outstanding mathematics student, honoring the late Defiance College mathematics professor.
Dr. James Frey Memorial Scholarship in Science – Spencer Gray, Grand Rapids, Ohio. Awarded to an outstanding science student, honoring the late Defiance College science professor.
Samuel V. Tuohy Memorial Scholarship – Megan Ortiz, Swanton, Ohio. 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 – Taylor Haydinger, Wilmington, Del.
Outstanding Senior in Science – Toni-Ann Ledgister, Jamaica.
Outstanding Student in Nursing – Nathan Hoffer, Hamler, Ohio.
Schauffler Award in Social Work – MacKenzie Combs, Milford Center, Ohio. Awarded to an outstanding student majoring in social work.
Top Scholar in Social Work – Denique Dennis, Jamaica.
Outstanding Senior in Criminal Justice – Lea McCoy, Wadsworth, Ohio. Awarded to an outstanding senior majoring in the criminal justice program.
Outstanding Senior in Digital Forensic Science – Martin Bush, Defiance, Ohio.
Scholastic Excellence in Digital Forensics Award – Grayson Conney, Norwalk, Ohio.
Outstanding Senior in Psychology – Mindy Yates, Oakwood, Ohio. 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) – MacKenzie Combs, Milford Center, Ohio; Erin Conner, Sycamore, Ohio; Denique Dennis, Jamaica; Nathanael Hicks, Toledo, Ohio; Kevin Kaplan, Holgate, Ohio; Sarah Kaya, Lorain, Ohio; Adam Swisher, Lambertville, Mich.; Aaron Textor, Surf City, N.C.; Amanda Waldfogel, Defiance, Ohio; Deborah Young, Jamaica.
Omicron Mu/Chapter of National Phi Alpha (Social Work) – Deanna Bischoff, Napoleon, Ohio; MacKenzie Combs, Milford Center, Ohio; Erin Conner, Sycamore, Ohio; Madysyn Creighton, Hillsboro, Ohio; Denique Dennis, Jamaica; Danielle Ferguson, North Baltimore, Ohio; Nathanael Hicks, Toledo, Ohio; Victoria Johnston, Spencerville, Ohio; Kevin Kaplan, Holgate, Ohio; Sarah Kaya, Lorain, Ohio; Marissa Kosier, Ney, Ohio; Jonathon Mielke, Wauseon, Ohio; Raychel Ramos, Wauseon, Ohio; Adam Swisher, Lambertville, Mich.; Aaron Textor, Surf City, N.C.; Savontre Vaughn, Defiance, Ohio; Amanda Waldfogel, Defiance, Ohio; Kaytlyn Williamson, Prospect, Ohio; Deborah Young, Jamaica.
Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts-based 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.
