DC Homecoming to Feature
Community Fireworks and Concert

Defiance College will celebrate this year’s Homecoming September 29 – October 5 with a variety of events. Themed “Defy the Ordinary”, celebrations begin Tuesday with the opening of the Alumni Art Exhibit in the Women’s Commission Art Gallery at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. in the Serrick Campus Center and ending the evening with an Art Education Symposium by Matt Neff presenting “Digital Portfolios: Keeping An Ongoing Artwork History” at 7:15 p.m. in Schomburg Auditorium.

Events continue Thursday evening with a pep rally at Justin F. Coressel Stadium at 7 p.m. The pep rally will be followed by campus/community fireworks at 7:50 p.m. and a campus/community concert at 8:15 p.m. featuring Shane Piasecki with Empire Drift.

Alumni award winners will give presentations Friday as part of the Alumni Leadership Symposium and will receive their awards at the Octoberfest Dinner scheduled for 5:45 p.m. in the Weaner Community Center. Also being honored at the dinner are Schauffler Legacy Award winners Chuck Hobgood, retired professor of social work and director of student retention and freshman experience, and the late Richard Howard, Schauffler Chair of Religious Education, co-founder of Design for Leadership and founder of Teen Outreach for Christian Help.

Alumni honorees scheduled to present are Gary Dowler, Marilyn Mallott and Mary Marvel, recipients of this year’s Alumni Achievement Award; Mary Morris, Alumni Citation for Academic Excellence; and Rebecca Sanford, Young Alumni Service Award.

The Alumni Leadership Symposium is free and open to the public. Other presenters include Brad Harsha, DC director of admissions, and Kathryn Litle, coordinator of McMaster School Leadership Programs.

Mallott, a 1951 graduate of DC, will present “It’s all about E’s” at 10 a.m. in Schomburg Auditorium. She retired in 1990 after five decades as a school librarian and media specialist. She was employed at the Defiance Junior High School Library from 1966 to 1990. In other ventures, Mallott and husband Gerald owned and operated Mallott Dinner House for 12 years, and she has authored and illustrated two cookbooks. In the community, she has been active with numerous organizations, and she has written local historical publications.  She received a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University.

Morris, a 1991 DC alumna, is assistant professor of political science at the University of Southern Indiana. She was also named acting director of the Master of Public Administration program. She is editor of the Indiana Journal of Political Science and past president of the Indiana Political Science Association. Morris earned a master’s degree from The McGregor School of Antioch University and a Ph.D. from Indiana University. She was previously a life quality specialist with Southern Mutual Help Association in New Iberia, LA. She will present “Interwoven Destinies: How Upstream Policies and Downstream Disasters Affect Us All” at 11 a.m. in Schomburg Auditorium.

Marvel graduated from DC in 1977 and has since dedicated her career to substance abuse prevention for youth. She was the first full-time teacher in Ohio to achieve such licensure. She is currently a guidance counselor for Olentangy Liberty High School and is continuing her work as substance abuse prevention coordinator for the district. She co-founded Drug Free Delaware and volunteers for numerous youth services organizations. Marvel’s presentation will be at 1 p.m. in Schomburg Auditorium, and her topic is “Impact of Substance Abuse on Educational Priorities for Secondary School Students”.

Dowler, a 1965 graduate of Defiance, will present “Leadership Basics” at 3 p.m. in the Schomburg Auditorium. Dowler had a distinguished 29-year career as teacher and administrator at Defiance City Schools. For 10 years he was district superintendent, retiring in 1995. He earned a master’s degree from St. Francis College, and a Ph.D. and specialist degree from Bowling Green State University.  Dowler has been active in many civic organizations and has received numerous professional honors including Outstanding Educator by “Ohio’s Best” program. After retiring from Defiance City Schools, he was employed by Rurban Financial Corp. until 2003.

Sanford graduated from DC in 2004. She is a clinical supervisor and community-based therapist for Catholic Charities Services/Parmadale and is a licensed independent social worker supervisor.  She is also a community mental health partner for Families and Schools Together Program at RidgeBrook Elementary School in Parma, Ohio.  Sanford frequently gives professional presentations and volunteers with many organizations in the Cleveland area.  She obtained her master’s degree and MSW licensure from Case Western Reserve University.  She will present “Leadership: Awareness Meets Action” at 3 p.m. in the Serrick Campus Center, Hubbard Banquet Room.

Hall of Fame inductees will also be presenting on Friday as part of the Leadership Symposium. Honorees include Marv Retcher, DC graduate of 1972, presenting “Lessons Learned in Coaching High School Basketball” at 10 a.m. in the Serrick Campus Center, Hubbard Banquet Room; Patricia Schwiebert, class of 1984, presenting “The Impact of College on Career Choices” at 11 a.m. in Schaffler Hall, Dix Room; George Stockman, 1957 alumnus, presenting “How a Guidance Counselor Changed A Life” at 1 p.m. in Serrick Campus Center, Hubbard Banquet Room and Doug Murray, graduate of 1983.

Homecoming events on Saturday begin with a 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m. at the Weaner Center. Families and pets are welcome.

The Alumni Varsity D will recognize Hall of Fame inductees at a 8:30 a.m. breakfast in the Serrick Campus Center. Inductees will participate in a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Alumni Varsity D Hall of Fame Walkway in front of Justin F. Coressel Stadium.

At 10 a.m., the DC volleyball squad faces Mount St. Joseph in the Weaner Center. At the same time, a Pregame Festival gets under way on Webster Street featuring a marketplace, mums, food and beverages, reunion tents, and children’s games and crafts. This year’s homecoming court will be recognized and the queen and king crowned at 1 p.m. in the stadium.

After the football game with Franklin College, alumni will take part in a Fifth Quarter from 4:30 – 11 p.m. in the Serrick Campus Center with live entertainment.

Homecoming events will conclude Sunday with 10:30 a.m. worship services at St. John United Church of Christ. Speaking will be John Thomas, president of the United Church of Christ.

For more information about Defiance College homecoming activities, contact the office of alumni and parent relations at 419-783-2572 or visit the DC website at www.defiance.edu.

September 26, 2008