Defiance College Homecoming
Activities planned for Sept. 17-23

DEFIANCE, Ohio – “Connect 2012” is the theme for Homecoming activities planned for Sept. 17-23 on the Defiance College campus. A wide variety of activities will welcome current students, alumni, and friends of the college.

The highlight of the week will be the “Date Night at DC” dance featuring the DCCB Big Band Sound on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m. Cost is $20 a person and includes light snacks and desserts, cash bar and great tunes of the Big Band era. Cocktail dress is appreciated.

The week’s events also incorporate many that are free and open to the public. They include Monday’s annual DC Follies at 7 p.m. in Schomburg Auditorium; Wednesday’s comedian Pete Lee performing in Schomburg Auditorium at 9:30 p.m.; the annual pep rally and fireworks beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Justin F. Coressel Stadium followed by an outside concert by John Reichle and Friends on Thursday; and the Alumni Award winners, Hall of Fame inductees and the Schauffler Legacy Award winners presentations as part of the Alumni Leadership Symposium on Friday.

Alumni Achievement Award honorees are William Foster, Gary, Ind., class of 1969; Beth Besaw, Defiance, class of 1992; Gary Zupancic, Wimberley, Texas, class of 1975; and Betty (Davis) Amey, San Antonio and formerly of Defiance, class of 1985.

Hall of Fame inductees will also be presenting on Friday as part of the Leadership Symposium. Honorees include Darlene (Smith) Kaufman, Ottawa, Ohio, class of 1988; Ernie Doherty, Cape Canaveral, Fla., class of 1971; Tom Held, Defiance, class of 1985; and Tyrone Gilbert, Cincinnati, class of 1980.

Schauffler Legacy Award winners are Kim Shinabery, Denver, class of 1981, and Terri (Maile) Gelzer (posthumous), class of 1974.

Friday’s Leadership Symposium begins at 9 a.m. with lectures by Thomas Held presenting “Motivating the Student Athlete” in Defiance Hall room 130; Darlene Kaufman presenting “Changes in Education” in Defiance Hall room 128; Gary Zupancic presenting “Communication – Past, Present, Future” in the Hubbard Banquet Room; Tyrone Gilbert presenting “The Value of a Liberal Arts Education” in Schomburg Auditorium, and also at 2 p.m.; and Kim Shinabery presenting “Growing Spiritually Healthy Children” in Schauffler Hall room 121, and also in Room 128 at 11 a.m.

Lectures continue at 11 a.m. with Ernie Doherty presenting “Cruise Ships –Hospitality Industry” in Dana Hall room 22; Beth Besaw presenting “Type 2 Diabetes: Causes and Cures” in Tenzer Hall room 303; and William Foster presenting “A Brief History of Jazz and its most Outstanding Practitioners” in Schomburg Auditorium.

The Celebrate DC Dinner is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. in the George M. Smart Athletic Center with a reception being held prior to the event at 5 p.m.

Homecoming events on Saturday begin with a 5k Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m. at the Weaner Community Center. Families and pets are welcome.

The Alumni Varsity “D” will recognize Hall of Fame inductees at an 8:15 a.m. breakfast in the Serrick Campus Center. Inductees will participate in a brick-laying ceremony at 10:15 a.m. at the Alumni Varsity “D” Hall of Fame walkway in front of the Justin F. Coressel Stadium.

This year’s homecoming court will be recognized and the queen and king crowned at 1 p.m. in the stadium, followed by the football team’s game with Anderson. After the football game, alumni will take part in a Fifth Quarter Post Game celebration beginning at 5 p.m. in the Serrick Campus Center followed the “Date Night at DC” dance at 8 p.m.

There are numerous class, sport, and department reunions scheduled throughout the weekend.

Homecoming events will conclude Sunday with 10:30 a.m. worship services at St. John United Church of Christ.

For a complete list of homecoming activities and to RSVP for events, please visit the college’s alumni website at http://alumni.defiance.edu.

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. 

September 10, 2012