Annual Honors Convocation Recognizes
Student Achievements

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.

Outstanding Service Awards for faculty and staff and the Gerald Mallott Outstanding Senior Service Award were presented to Dr. JoAnn Burkhardt, Associate Professor of Education; Mary Ann Studer, Dean of the McMaster School of Advancing Humanity and Assistant Professor of Physical Science; and graduating senior Rebecca Zebrowski, Cleveland.

Students receiving awards during the convocation and departmental ceremonies were:

Civic Engagement Honors – Heather Bradshaw, Dexter, MI; Katie Carunchia, Garrett, Ind.; Caci Craig, Paulding; Tyler Dunham, Haviland; Thomas Foos, Helena; Alaina Hammond, Centerville; Jodi Johns, Delphos; Mark LeMaster, Defiance; Jessica Mandula, Vermilion; Jace Neal, Defiance; Ashley Plummer, Paulding; Alexander Puente, Forest Park, IL; Tiffani Rose, Bryan; Sarah Tucker, Canastota, N.Y.; Andrew White, Paulding; Charlene Williams, St. Mary, Jamaica; Ryan Yoder, Defiance; Kelly Coble, Cloverdale; Katie Parker, Napoleon; and Brian Badenhop, Wauseon

Charles J. Ping Student Community Service Award – Sarah Tucker, Canastota, NY

McMaster Certificate Award – Rebecca Zebrowski, Cleveland

Senior Presidential Scholars – Rebecca Zebrowski, Cleveland

Senior Dean’s Scholars – Tyler Dunham, Haviland; Matthew Johnson, Monroe, MI; and Alex Theil, Wauseon

Senior Carolyn M. Small Honor Scholars –Treasure Bacon, Archbold; Kelsey Ferguson, Brighton, MI; Richard Sherrer, Defiance; and Rebecca Zebrowski, Cleveland.

Senior Lillian Rae Dunlap Scholars – Bryce Beasley, Springfield; LeTroy Harris, Toledo; Jerron Kennerly, Maple Heights; Zexing Luo, China; Harvey Morris, Cleveland; Alexander Puente, Forest Park, IL; and Erin Rodriguez, Napoleon

Highest Ranking Senior Scholars – Kathleen Bechstein, Wauseon and Melissa Suffel, Defiance

Alpha Chi Academic Honor Society new inductions – Lauren Barker, Cleveland; Sheila Bell, Hicksville; Bryan Gall, Solon; Lynn Haller, Antwerp; Julie Leatherman, Oakwood; Kristen Leavell, Hicksville; Mark LeMaster, Defiance; Ian Mueller, Defiance; Lyndsay Mueller, Defiance; Megan Nicholson, Napoleon; Seth Nofziger, Archbold; Matthew Rohlf, Sherwood; Ian Rollison, Lake Ariel, PA; Alex Schomaeker, Ottawa; Melissa Suffel, Defiance; Alex Thiel, Wauseon; and Christy Weiker, Weston.

Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship in Education – Audra Gibson, Edon. This award is given to a junior student majoring in education and showing potential as a woman educator.

Arthur Knape Award in Elementary Education – Courtney Swabb, Ansonia. Awarded annually to an upper class student majoring in elementary education with at least a 3.7 grade point average. The recipient must show promise and dedication to the teaching profession and demonstrate a desire to become one of the best in the field.

Alton R. Kurtz Prize in Education – Andrew McGrady, Bryan. Awarded to an outstanding education major.

Rothhar Scholarship in Education – Sarah Hornish, Defiance. This award is made by the Rothhar family to honor a student in education.

Robert O. Bleeks Assistantship in Sport Science – Grant Barbour, Fremont. 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.

Calista Olds Award for Excellence in Biblical and Religious Studies – C. David Ferrell, Bryan, and Peggy Cupp, Montpelier. Awarded to an outstanding student in religious studies.

Chemical Rubber Company Award –David Savage, Warren. This award is given as the top prize in General Chemistry.

George P. Michaelides Award in Religion – Kimberly Bercaw, Defiance. This award is given in recognition of Dr. Michaelides’ service to students, church and Schauffler College. He was the last president of Schauffler College in Cleveland. Awarded annually to Christian education and social work majors.

George P. Michaelides Scholarship in Social Work – Cindy Obermyer, Grand Rapids, and Brooke Zachrich, Napoleon. Awarded to an outstanding social work student.

Herbert Willett Assistantship in Business Administration – Lynn Haller, Antwerp. 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.

E. Keith Hubbard Endowed Scholarship for Graphic Design – Jessica Relyea, Defiance. Awarded annually to a student majoring in graphic design.

Public Advocacy Award – Christina Marie Drake, Oakwood. Awarded to a student with exceptional interest in political science.

William Rollin and Kay Marie Latchaw Prize in Science – Brittany Coats, Montpelier. Awarded annually to a student majoring in one of the sciences.

Outstanding Senior Student in Psychology – Elizabeth Dickman, Lima. 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.

Margaret and Michael Stauffer Memorial Scholarship – Asia Williams, Canton. Awarded to a freshman, sophomore or junior who has made a constructive contribution to the Defiance College communication arts department.

Dr. Clarence Gilham Endowed Scholarship – Aaron Demecs, Defiance. 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.

Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce Business Scholarship –Adam Collins, Edgerton. This scholarship is based on academic standing, participation in campus activities, and career goals.

Mathematics Award – Ryan Yoder, Defiance. Awarded to an outstanding student in mathematics.

Reeder C. Hutchinson Assistantship in the Humanities – Jennifer Peterson, Defiance. Awarded to an upper-class student in the humanities, providing a combination of grant and work opportunity.

Linares Assistantship in Science – Amanda Perez, Edgerton, and Zachariah Polzin, Redford, MI Awarded to a student for a natural science work study project and grant assistance.

David and Laura Reed Scholarship – Phoenix Golnick, Oak Harbor. Awarded to an outstanding science student.

Samuel V. Tuohy Memorial Scholarship – Brittany Heaton, Stow. 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.

Arjan Mirchandaney Memorial Scholarship in Mathematics – Elizabeth Watson, Cincinnati. Awarded to an outstanding mathematics student, honoring the late Defiance College mathematics professor.

George W. Botteron Prize in Chemistry – Mylinh Pham, Defiance. Awarded to an outstanding sophomore or junior chemistry student, honoring George W. Botteron’s outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.

Schauffler Alumni Fund – Crystal Feeney, Defiance and Emma Starks, Fort Wayne, IN. Awarded to an outstanding student in social work.

Schauffler Scholar Award in Social Work – Kathleen Bechstein, Wauseon. Awarded to an outstanding student majoring in Social Work.

Honors Certificate in Psychology – Dianna Springer, Defiance. Awarded to an outstanding psychology student.

Herbert S. Beane Scholarship – Jessica Mandula, Vermillion. Awarded annually to an upperclass student who is highly motivated academically and shows a great deal of respect and thoughtful consideration for faculty and other students. The family of Herbert S. Beane established this scholarship in honor of his 80th birthday. A long-time attorney, Beane came to Defiance College in 1918 as a 16-year-old freshman.

Outstanding Senior in Accounting – Brett King, Strongsville. Awarded to an outstanding senior majoring in accounting.

Outstanding Senior in Marketing – Michelle Schwab, Custar

Outstanding Non-traditional Senior in Business Administration – Tandy Szabo, Archbold. Awarded to an outstanding senior in management enrolled in the college’s nontraditional program.

Outstanding Traditional Senior in Business Administration – Charlene Williams, St. Mary, Jamaica. Awarded to an outstanding senior in management enrolled as a traditional student.

Outstanding Seniors in Criminal Justice – Kelly Linebrink, Defiance. Awarded to outstanding seniors majoring in the criminal justice program.

Outstanding Senior in Communication Arts – Nichole Cline, Napoleon and Caci Craig, Paulding

Outstanding Senior in English – Rebekah Stottlemyer, Defiance

Outstanding Senior in Graphic Design – Danielle Fahy, Napoleon and Caci Craig, Paulding

Outstanding Senior in History – Heather Bradshaw, Dexter, MI

Outstanding Senior in Art – Leslie Wilson, Dayton

Outstanding Senior in Multi-Age Education – Lauren Barker, Cleveland

Outstanding Senior in Early Childhood Education – Krystal Nafziger, Archbold and Nicole Williams, Trenton, MI

Outstanding Senior in Middle Childhood Education – Angella Burklo, Bryan

Outstanding Senior in Adolescent and Young Adult Education – Heather Bradshaw, Dexter, MI

Outstanding Senior in Athletic Training Education – Kelsey Ferguson, Brighton, MI

Outstanding Senior in Wellness and Corporate Fitness – Sara Porter, Toledo

Outstanding Senior in Science – Alex Thiel, Wauseon

Outstanding Senior in Mathematics – Patrick McKee, Lima

Alpha Rho Lambda (Criminal Justice) Honor Society new inductees – Kyle Barnhardt, Milford Center; Lindsay McDaniel, Powell; Joshua McMaster, Sherwood; Matthew Monroe, Bryan; and Ian Mueller, Defiance

Sigma Beta Delta (Business) Honor Society new inductees – Amanda Bird, Fayette; Dawn Hoellrich, Defiance; Heather Kavalick, Bryan; Sandra Kemerer, Hicksville; Dawn Leitner, Napoleon; Michelle Schwab, Custar; Richard Sherrer, Defiance; and Charlene Williams, St. Mary, Jamaica

Tau Mu (Social Work) Honor Society new inductees – Kathleen Bechstein, Wauseon; Julie Brunsman, Cincinnati; Julie Leatherman, Oakwood; Ashley Wannemacher, Delphos; Tina Zedaker, Bryan

Phi Alpha Theta (History) Honor Society new inductees – Kathleen Bechstein, Wauseon; Rebecca Belcher, Waldron, MI; Brenda Byers, Wauseon; Sarah Fockler, Defiance; Candace Jones, Defiance; Amanda Johnson, Berlin Heights; Ashley Plummer, Paulding; Tanya Ruble, Montpelier; Ashley Wannemacher, Delphos; Brooke Zachrich, Napoleon; and Tina Zedaker, Bryan

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.

April 26, 2011