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 Dr. Nathan Griggs, associate professor of biology.
Outstanding Service Awards for faculty and staff and the Gerald Mallott Outstanding Senior Service Award were presented to Joshua Francis, assistant professor of education, director of education and director of academic assessment; Brad Harsha, director of admissions; and graduating senior Catherine Savage, Wauseon.
Students receiving awards during the convocation and departmental ceremonies were:
Civic Engagement Honors – Jennifer Reolfi, North Canton; David Savage, Warren; and Christina Seidenstricker, London.
Charles J. Ping Student Community Service Award – Kirsten Frissora, Columbus. The Charles J. Ping Award is granted annually to students from Ohio Campus Compact member institutions who exhibit outstanding leadership in their community service endeavors.
Wanda May LeMaster Service Award – Abigail Taylor, Carmel, Ind.
McMaster Certificate Award – Kirsten Frissora, Columbus; Jordan Heiliger, Goshen, Ind.; Dakota Keller, Augusta, Mich.; Zachary Lopez, Holland, Mich.; and Stephanie Phillips, Dublin.
Senior Presidential Scholars – Kirsten Frissora, Columbus, and David Savage, Warren
Senior Dean’s Scholars – Katelynn Busto, Napoleon; Austin Crites, Bryan; Stephanie Diemer, Kailea Holbrook, Abhinav Mehta, and Kelsey Wolfrum, Defiance; Ian Finch, Lambertville, Mich.; Mollee Galloway, Marion; Kali George, East Palistine; Aaron Gross, Paulding; Dakota Keller, Augusta, Mich.; Erica King, Catherine Savage, Braden Wachtman, and Myriah Wooley, Wauseon; and Bibiana Parra, Indianapolis, Ind.
Senior Carolyn M. Small Honor Scholars – Matthew Coons, Defiance; Kirsten Frissora, Columbus; Jordan Heliger, Goshen, Ind.; Catherine Savage, Wauseon; and Cord Speelman, Stryker.
Senior McMaster Scholars – Brock Bell, Antwerp; Kirsten Frissora, Columbus; Jordan Heiliger, Goshen, Ind.; Dakota Keller, Augusta, Mich.; Zachary Lopez, Holland, Mich.; Stephanie Phillips, Dublin; Alexis Pierce and Catherine Savage, Wauseon; Alexandra Smith, Marion; Cord Speelman, Stryker; Hallie Sullivan, Bay Village; Jordan Taylor, Trenton; and Sarah Westfall, Covington.
Senior Service Leaders – Kari Baumgartner, Fairfield; Miranda Behner, Warren; Brock Bell, Antwerp; Matthew Coons, Defiance; Kirsten Frissora, Columbus; Mollee Galloway, Marion; Erica King and Catherine Savage, Wauseon; Zachary Lopez, Holland, Mich.; Chelsea Ludeman and Laura Schiffer, Napoleon; Bradley Moffett, DeGraff; Katie Patten, Gallipolis; Cord Speelman, Stryker.
Highest Ranking Senior Scholars – Catherine Savage and Alexis Pierce, Wauseon; Abhinav Mehta, Amanda Westrick, and Kathryn Weber, Defiance; David Savage, Warren; and Christina Seidenstricker, London.
Alpha Delta Kappa Award – Alexis Pierce, Wauseon. 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 – Rachel Davis, Urbana. 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 – Miranda Steffes, Sherwood.
Alton R. Kurtz Prize in Education – Malana Ledley, Ridgeway. Awarded to an outstanding education major.
Rothhar Education Assistantship – Sara Culler, Edgerton. This award is made by the Rothhar family to honor a student in education.
Robert O. Bleeks Assistantship in Sport Science – Genelle Castro, Westerville. 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 – Jordan Taylor, Trenton
Outstanding Senior in Early Childhood Education – Katie Kerr, Bryan
Outstanding Senior in Middle Childhood Education – Joe Davis, Defiance
Outstanding Senior in Adolescent to Young Adult Education – Catherine Savage, Wauseon
Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce Business Scholarship – Katherine Knisely, Fayette. This scholarship is based on academic standing, participation in campus activities, and career goals.
George Isaac Business Scholarship –Toni-Ann Boyd, Jamaica. 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 – Megan Wertz, Defiance. 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 – Abhinav Mehta, Defiance. Awarded to an outstanding senior majoring in accounting.
Outstanding Senior in Business Administration –Dawn Fitzcharles, Edgerton. Awarded to an outstanding senior majoring in business administration.
Outstanding Senior in Marketing – Anne Reinhart, Paulding
Schauffler Scholar Award in Social Work– Mollee Galloway, Marion. Awarded to an outstanding student majoring in social work.
Top Scholar in Social Work – Jennifer Sims, Bryan
Outstanding Senior in Sport Management – Chelsea Ludeman, Napoleon
Reeder C. Hutchinson Assistantship in the Humanities – Michelle Puehler, Defiance. Awarded to an upper-class student in the humanities, providing a combination of grant and work opportunity.
Public Advocacy Award – Ian Fasnacht, Strongsville. Awarded to a student with exceptional interest in political science.
Margaret and Michael Stauffer Memorial Scholarship – Kailin Regutti, Carey. Awarded to a freshman, sophomore or junior who has made a constructive contribution to the Defiance College communication arts department.
Outstanding Senior in Communication Arts – Megan Puehler, Defiance
Outstanding Senior in English – Kathryn Weber, Defiance
E. Keith Hubbard Endowed Scholarship for Graphic Design – Kevin Arriola, New Lebanon. Awarded annually to a student majoring in graphic design.
Outstanding Senior in Graphic Design – Jennifer Reolfi, North Canton
Ida M. Watson Prize in History – Emily Wallace, Delphos
Calista Olds Award for Excellence in Biblical and Religious Studies – Claire Turner, Medina. Awarded to an outstanding student in religious studies.
Dr. Clarence Gilham Endowed Scholarship – Philip Balla, Rossford. This scholarship was created by Dr. Gilham to honor the work of Richard Howard, professor emeritus, who served as a member of the Defiance College Christian Education faculty from 1967 to 1990. It is awarded to a full-time undergraduate student preparing to enter Christian ministry or graduate studies in history, or biblical studies.
George C. Enders Scholar in Religion – Stephany Blackston, Defiance. Awarded to an outstanding student in Christian education or social work.
Schauffler Scholars in Christian Education – Aaron Demecs, Defiance and Jimmy Wright, Austin, Texas.
Arjan Mirchandaney Memorial Scholarship in Mathematics – Travis Schomaeker, Ottawa. Awarded to an outstanding mathematics student, honoring the late Defiance College mathematics professor.
David and Laura Reed Scholarship – Susanna Stoepfel, McComb. Awarded to an outstanding science student.
Duane Hocking Scholarship – Chelsie Moyer, Tipp City. This award is given to an outstanding sport science student displaying qualities of leadership and involvement both on campus and in the community
George W. Botteron Prize in Chemistry – Peter Brown, Continental. Awarded to an outstanding sophomore or junior chemistry student, honoring George W. Botteron’s outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.
Dr. James Frey Memorial Scholarship in Science – Alison Rifenburgh, Bronson, Mich.. Awarded to an outstanding science student, honoring the late Defiance College science professor.
Linares Assistantship in Science – Rikki Gurule, Glendale, Ariz.; Cormack Lazarus, Jamaica; and Matthew Hogan, Defiance. Awarded to a student for a natural science work study project and grant assistance.
Mathematics Award – Catherine Savage, Wauseon. Awarded to an outstanding student in mathematics.
Outstanding Senior in Athletic Training – Zachary Lechler, Bloomington, Ind.
Outstanding senior in Digital Forensic Science – Matthew Coons, Defiance
Outstanding Senior in Mathematics – Catherine Savage, Wauseon
Outstanding Senior in Science – Braden Wachtmann, Wauseon
Outstanding Senior in Wellness and Corporate Fitness – Kirsten Frissora, Columbus
Outstanding Senior Student in Psychology – Adam Grillot, Houston. Awarded to a psychology student showing leadership and maturity who is involved with the community. The recipient must have a 3.5 overall grade point average and a 3.6 GPA in psychology.
Outstanding Senior in Criminal Justice – David Savage, Warren. Awarded to outstanding seniors majoring in the criminal justice program.
Samuel V. Tuohy Memorial Scholarship – Marissa Bussard, Columbus. 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.
Scholastic Excellence in Digital Forensic Award – Brock Bell, Antwerp
William Edward Pullen Memorial Scholarship – Radek Smolik, Defiance. 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.
William Rollin and Kay Marie Latchaw Prize in Science – Dylan Textor, Howell, Mich. Awarded annually to a student majoring in one of the sciences.
Tau Mu (Social Work) Honor Society new inductees – Catherine Evans, Lima; Jessica Flores, Archbold; Mollee Galloway, Marion; Jennifer Moriarty, Napoleon; Kay Raypholtz, Pioneer; Jennifer Sims, Bryan; and Sarah Westfall, Covington.
Omicron Mu/Chapter of National Phi Alpha (Social Work) – Tara Buehrer, Oakwood; Haley Cohee, Russia; Jessica Flores, Archbold; Mollee Galloway, Marion; Heather Galbraith, Wauseon; Cali Hazel, Canal Fulton; Lindsay Kasmer, Medina; Aubrey Kemerer, Hicksville; Bibiana Parra, Indianapolis, Ind.; Jennifer Sims, Bryan; Jennifer Moriarty, Napoleon; and Sarah Westfall, Covington.
Alpha Rho Lambda (Criminal Justice) Honor Society new inductees – Lora Armstrong, Chelsey Ryan-Skiver, and Paul Zore, Defiance; Kelsea Burns, Antwerp; Tanner Engle, Lima; Samantha Leu, West Unity; Robert Lipscomb, Climax, Mich.; Anthony Nolfi, Akron; Elizabeth Pienoski, Sheffield Lake; Katherine Tibbets, Beverly, Mass.; and Oshin Walker, Jamaica.
Sigma Beta Delta (Business) Honor Society new inductees – Clara Bergfeld, Wauseon; Heather Eickmeier, Malinta; Adrienne Prielipp, Britton, Mich.; Cheryl Scher, Edon; Anne Reinhart, Medina; and Nichole Wilson, Bryan.
Psi Chi (Psychology) Honor Society new inductees – Stephany Blackston, Defiance; Aubrey Kemerer, Hicksville; Lindsay Kasmer, Medina; and Ryan Edelbrock, Delphos.
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.
