Alumni/ae Awards

To recognize outstanding alumni/ae who have contributed in significant ways to the world of scholarship and/or teaching during the years since their graduation from Defiance College.

2022    No recipient due to COVID
2021    No recipient due to COVID
2020    Amy Smith '83
2019    Dr. Holli (Fetrow) Seabury '97, '98
2018    Alice (Busson) Rote '72
2017    Judith Dally '71
                John Scheu '72
2016    Kevin S. Miller '83
2015    Christine Wahl '72
2014    Dr. Harry Miller '59
2010    David Siemens '47
2009    Floyd Knoop '66
2008    Mary Morris '91
2007    Jayne Beilke '69
2006    Dr. James (Jay) Crider '72
2005    Dr. C. Fred Yarnell '61
2004    Bruce M. Saulnier '69
2003    William H. Meyer '67
2002    R. Scott Warren '65
2001    Anne C. Schroer-Lamont '67
                Jane Ehlinger Sherman '68
2000    Bonnie Clark '82

To bring to the attention of the College community, in a dignified and meaningful way, alumni/ae of DC who have made outstanding achievements in his/her field of endeavor. The nominee must have demonstrated exemplary service to his/her community and society.

2022    No recipient due to COVID
2021    No recipient due to COVID
2020    Sally Bissell '81
                Deb Lloyd '94
2019    Lynn (Metcalf) Alexander '73
                Royce Henderson '75
2018    Karl Ideman '67
                Joseph Lynch '85
2017    Dale Bruskotter '74
                David Robinson '76
                W. Timothy Leuzarder '67
2016    Darline Clemens '00
                Jeffrey Wilson '89
                Marlin Younker '65
2015    Tom Spiess '70
                Don Smith '71
                Jerry Pierman '63
2014    Beverly Nolt '74
                David Gynn '65
2013    Loretta Neff Bjorklund '89
2012    Betty Amey '85
                Beth Besaw '92
                William Foster '69
                Gary Zupancic '75
2011    Joe Dawson '50
                John McHugh '65
                Shaune Skinner '75
                Daniel "Doc" Daugherty '74
                Ron Ehresman '65
2010    Susan Crossland '74
                Cristina (Hernandez) Thompson '81
                Mark Lee '92
                Mark Klein '76
                Ray Etzler '63
2009    Charles Beard '70
                Dee Ann (Miller) Balser '67
2008    Marilyn Mallott '51
                Gary Dowler '65
                Mary Marvel '77
2007    Robert Bashore '62
                Denise Clayton '73
2006    Esquire Jauchem '69
                Susan D. Barnes '78

The Schauffler Legacy Award was created in 2007 for the 40th anniversary event marking the arrival of the Schauffler College programs of Christian education and social work to DC. The award provides a way to meaningfully and permanently recognize individuals associated with Schauffler College, Schauffler at Defiance, and others who are part of the extended Schauffler family of alums, faculty, and supporters who contribute excellence in teaching and service, living out the Schauffler Legacy: "to give religion social direction, and to social work religious motivation."

2022    Dr. Fred Coulter
2021    No recipient due to COVID
2020    Alesia Yakos-Brown '86
2019    Dr. Marian Plant '73
2018    Darnell Parker '83
2017    Terry Boyd '78
                Carolyn Hofaker Keilig '76
2016    Elizabeth Apkarian Agbabian '52
                Mary Wenner Young '90
2015    Jim Clark '75
                Marie Wenner '54
2014    Raymond Santiago '71
                Elaine Kopke-Gard '72
2013    Merrie "Chris" Palmer '82
                Carol "Sprite" Johnson '76
2012    Kimberly Shinabery '81
                Terri Gelzer '74
2011    Carol Smerz '73
                Margaret Mills '67
2010    Don Smith '73
                Stephen Michaelides
2009    Frances Ryan Millward '47

To recognize achievements of young alumni/ae whose lives exemplify high principles and who are outstanding leaders in profession and community, bringing honor to Defiance College and demonstrating promise of further distinction. Please note: After 2017, the Young Alumni Service Award changed to the Emerging Alumni Award.

2022    No recipient due to COVID
2021    No recipient due to COVID
2020    Dr. Austin Kleman '10
2018    Rachel Baker '08
2017    Casey Gibson '05, '10
2016    Christopher George '03
2015    Nick Neiderhouse '05
2014    Lesa Shouse '04
2012    Melissa Smith, '02
2011    Maggie Maloy '01
2010    Renee Steffen '07
2009    Jeremy Ball '04
2008    Rebecca L. Sanford '04

Every year at Homecoming, Alumni/ae Varsity 'D' honors those who have distinguished themselves in athletics at DC, as well as through subsequent accomplishments since graduating from DC with induction into the Defiance College Athletic Hall of Fame.

2022    No recipient due to COVID
2021    No recipient due to COVID
2020    Danyel Bowman '10
                Wayne Cooper '72
                Bill Ondrus '80
                Scott Swartz '80
                1959-60 Men's Basketball Team
                1995-96 Women's Basketball Team
2019    James Beaverson '90, '03
                Douglas Huffman '68
                Juanita (Turner) Osby '84
                John Smith '95
                1969 Football Team
2018    Jerome Floyd '85
                Norman Gladieus '78
                Robin Groves '89
                Darnell Parker '83
                1964, 1965, 1966 Baseball Teams
2017    James Berner '94
                Penni Bostelman '87
                Chad Kahle '00
                Nate Schaublin '02
2016    Jim Bailey '81
                Mike Groll '00
                Jodi Hybart '94
                Roxane Kippen '98
                Jason Lee '95
2015    Stephanie Nafziger Fetter '98
                Paul "Larry" Flynn '80
                Maurice "Marv" Rotondo '70
                Michael Bixel '83
2014    Terry Morman '90
                Kevin Wierman '78
                Megan Thigpen Grieser '03
                Charles Nafziger '73
                Ernesto Vilar '79
2013    James D. Harris '92
                Brett Wingate '83
                Sheila McGill '94
                Sarah Harman '03
2012    Darlene Kaufman '88
                Ernie Doherty '71
                Tom Held '85
                Tyrone Gilbert '80
2011    Tammy Lee Parker '87
                Walter Richard Turner '82
                Stanley J. Meinen '85
                Jeff Boulton '84
2010    Tim Lee '76
                Rodger Geren '69
                Tami Jane Lupton '98
                Steven Wilkin '75
2009    Cindy Youtsey Conner '92
                David Scott '73
                Mark Shine '74
                Michael L. Wright '72
2008    Doug Murray '83
                Marv Retcher '72
                Patricia Schwiebert '84
                George Stockman '57

The Outstanding Alumni/ae Award was discontinued in 2006 in order to promote a more unified alumni/ae achievement award process.

2005    John M. Decker '71
2004    Byrl Short '52
2003    Michael J. Freeland '69
2002    Darrell E. Jones '51
2001    Dean L. Colwell '64
                Teri Lyn Dion '68
2000    Rebecca L. Sanford '04
1999    Richard K. Harpster '63
1998    Harold C. Henderson '54
                Lowell L. Snider '59