Defiance team to present at Ohio Town and Gown Summit

July 19, 2018

DEFIANCE, Ohio - A group of five individuals representing the City of Defiance, Defiance College, and Defiance City Schools were among presenters at the third annual Ohio Town and Gown Summit held July 18 - 20 at Bowling Green State University.

The summit was an opportunity for networking and learning more about successful strategies and best practices for universities and their local communities to work together to create a cohesive and thriving community.

Discussions and presentations were designed to strengthen relationships between Ohio higher education institutions and their respective municipalities, along with focusing on unique opportunities and challenges.

The Defiance presenters include Mayor Mike McCann, DC president Dr. Richanne C. Mankey, former Defiance mayor and current DC trustee Rita Kissner, Defiance High School principal Robert Morton, and Niki Warncke, city planner and grant administrator.

Their session discussed a collaborative strategic planning process as was successfully implemented in Defiance. By sharing insight on how to bring together pivotal partners in the strategic planning process, the group hoped to inspire other communities to take a holistic, partnership-like approach to planning as a best practice for creating and implementing strategies for success.

A broad range of attendees at the summit included elected officials, city planners, safety officials, city administrators, higher education professionals, chamber and visitor organizations, and community ambassadors.

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.