Annual Honors Convocation recognizes student achievements

April 20, 2012

 

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. Gregg Gunsch, professor of digital forensic science.

Outstanding Service Awards for faculty and staff and the Gerald Mallott Outstanding Senior Service Award were presented to Dr. Gregg Gunsch, professor of digital forensic science, and Amanda DeArmond, instruction librarian; and graduating senior Gene Snyder, Elmore.

Students receiving awards during the convocation and departmental ceremonies were:

Civic Engagement Honors – Trevor Ault, Oregon; Nick Bratt, Ottawa Lake, Mich.; Josh Buck, Toledo; Andy Cessna, Detroit, Mich.; Brittany Coats, Montpelier; Kerstyn Clover, Jonesboro, Ill.; Matt Gehring, Fostoria; Brandan Geise, Star City, Ind.; Lynn Haller, Antwerp; Brittany Michaels, Edgerton; Kristen Nicely and Katelyn Samples, Defiance; Zac Polzin, Redford, Mich.; Rick Powell, Rochester, Mich.; Aubrie Ridinger, Graffton; Ian Rollison, Lake Ariel, Pa.; Clairice Shook, Smithville; Gene Snyder, Elmore; Kevin Steele, Pickerington; Courtney Swabb, Ansonia; and Janis Wilkinson, Clyde

Charles J. Ping Student Community Service Award – Brittany Coats, Montpelier

McMaster Certificate Award – Brittany Coats, Montpelier; Nicole Grim, Defiance; Joshua Hegemier, Oak Harbor; and Thomas studer, Grand Rapids

Senior Presidential Scholars – Sarah Fockler, Defiance and Brittany Michaels, Edgerton

Senior Dean’s Scholars – Trevor Ault, Oregon; Emlyn Bowles, Urbana; Kerstyn Clover, Jonesboro, Ill.; Bryan Gall, Solon; Elizabeth Huffman, Edwardsburg, Mich.; and Clairice Shook, Smithville

Wanda May LeMaster Service Award – Courtney Swabb, Ansonia

Senior Carolyn M. Small Honor Scholars – L. Anthony Brown, Muskegon, Mich.; Brittany Coats, Montpelier; Bryant Green, Fishers, Ind.; Lynn Haller, Antwerp; Brittany Heaton, Stow; Jerika Hennes, Jamestown; Amanda Johnson, Berlin Heights; Andrew Pratt, Wauseon; Thomas Studer, Grand Rapids; and Courtnie Vaughan, Mount Morris, Mich.

Senior Lillian Rae Dunlap Scholars – Keiquan Blackmon, Farmington, Mich.; Mariaelena De La Cruz, Columbia City, Ind.; Kevin Elson, Wauseon; Jerron Kennerly, Maple Heights; Bruce Miller, Pontiac, Mich.; Justin Morris, Indianapolis, Ind.; Amanda Perez, Edgerton; Eric Rubio and Shannon Yelder, Defiance; Joemese Scott, Oviedo, Fla.; Asia Williams, Canton

Highest Ranking Senior Scholars – Lynn Haller, Antwerp, and Jeff Whitman, Ney

Alpha Chi Academic Honor Society new inductions – Kimberly Comden, Sarah Hornish, Carrie Relyea, Jesse Schoch and Curtis Switzer, all of Defiance; Kellie Cooper and Cindy George, Bryan; Matthew Eicher, Antwerp; Heather Eickmeier, Malinta; Helen Elkins and Leslieann Wheeler, Montpelier; Elizabeth Giesige, Holgate; Micah Grime, Archbold; Brittany Heaton, Stow; Amanda Johnson, Berlin Heights; Zoe McMaster, Sherwood; Craig Parliment, West Unity; Amanda Shindeldecker, Rockford; John Steele, Napoleon; Jeffery Whitman, Ney

Alpha Delta Kappa Award – Chelsea Lucas, Eaton. 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 – Leslieann Wheeler, Montpelier. This award is given to a junior student majoring in education and showing potential as a woman educator.

Arthur Knape Award in Education – Ian Rollison, Lake Ariel, Pa.

Alton R. Kurtz Prize in Education – Megan Keil, Montpelier. Awarded to an outstanding education major.

Rothhar Scholarship in Education – Nathan Renollet, Sherwood. This award is made by the Rothhar family to honor a student in education.

Robert O. Bleeks Assistantship in Sport Science – Jordan Taylor, Trenton. 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 – Kyle Tietje, Deshler

Outstanding Senior in Early Childhood Education – Sarah Hornish, Defiance

Outstanding Senior in Middle Childhood Education – Audra Gibson, Edon

Outstanding Senior in Adolescent and Young Adult Education – Courtney Swabb, Ansonia

Outstanding Senior in Graphic Design – Jessica Relyea, Defiance

Ida M. Watson Prize in History – Kaitlyn Griffith, Galion

Outstanding Senior in History – Courtney Swabb, Ansonia

Calista Olds Award for Excellence in Biblical and Religious Studies – Philip Balla, Rossford, and Billie Blair, Defiance. Awarded to an outstanding student in religious studies.

George P. Michaelides Award in Religion – Stephany Blackston, 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.

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.

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

Outstanding Senior in Art – Kerstyn Clover, Jonesboro, Ill.

Public Advocacy Award – Colleen Cross, North Branch, Mich. Awarded to a student with exceptional interest in political science.

Margaret and Michael Stauffer Memorial Scholarship – James Buari, Columbus. 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 – Trevor Ault, Oregon

Outstanding Senior in English – Eva English, Defiance

E. Keith Hubbard Endowed Scholarship for Graphic Design – Mary Kate Borer, Fayette. Awarded annually to a student majoring in graphic design.

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

George Isaac Business Scholarship – Kenneth Kessler, Canal Winchester. 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 – Emilee Johnson, Ney. 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 – Lynn Haller, Antwerp. Awarded to an outstanding senior majoring in accounting.

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

Outstanding Traditional Senior in Business Administration – Micah Grime, Archbold. Awarded to an outstanding senior in management enrolled as a traditional student.

Outstanding Senior in Marketing – Brianna Murphy, Convoy

Sigma Beta Delta (Business) Honor Society new inductees – Nancy Frame, Alvordton; Lynn Haller, Antwerp; Mark LeMaster and Curtis Switzer, Defiance; Sue Ann Mahnke, Napoleon; and Zoe McMaster, Sherwood

Duane Hocking Scholarship – Katie Heitkamp, St. Mary’s. This award is given to an outstanding sport science student displaying qualities of leadership and involvement both on campus and in the community.

Outstanding Senior in Athletic Training Education – Lisa Brophy, Saline, Mich.

Outstanding Senior in Sports Management – Tara Miller, Sidney

Outstanding Senior in Wellness and Corporate Fitness – Jessica Tietje, Deshler 

William Edward Pullen Memorial Scholarship – Blake Ruffer, Stryker. 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.

Mathematics Award – Kevin Elson, Wauseon. Awarded to an outstanding student in mathematics.

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

Chemical Rubber Company Award –Marissa Bussard, Canal Winschester. This award is given as the top prize in General Chemistry.

William Rollin and Kay Marie Latchaw Prize in Science – Jessica Ray, Napoleon. Awarded annually to a student majoring in one of the sciences.

Linares Assistantship in Science – Allie Beck, Bryan and Dakota Keller, Sturgis, Mich. Awarded to a student for a natural science work study project and grant assistance.

David and Laura Reed Scholarship – Andrew Kibler, La Rue. Awarded to an outstanding science student.

Arjan Mirchandaney Memorial Scholarship in Mathematics – Tyler Thomas, Holgate. Awarded to an outstanding mathematics student, honoring the late Defiance College mathematics professor.

James Frey Memorial Scholarship in Science – Phoenix Golnick, Oak Harbor. Awarded to an outstanding science student, honoring the late Defiance College science professor.

Samuel V. Tuohy Memorial Scholarship – Alisha Kazlausky, Reynoldsburg. 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.

Outstanding Senior in Mathematics – Elizabeth Watson, Cincinnati

Outstanding Senior in Science – Bryan Gall, Solon

Schauffler Scholar Award in Social Work – Amanda Johnson, Berlin Heights. Awarded to an outstanding student majoring in social work.

Schauffler Alumni Fund – Rachel Rosebrock, Defiance and Lindsay Ruggles, Hicksville. Awarded to an outstanding student in social work.

George P. Michaelides Scholarship in Social Work – Riann Hersh, Napoleon and Craig Parliment, West Unity. Awarded to an outstanding social work student.

Tau Mu (Social Work) Honor Society new inductees – Amanda Johnson, Berlin Heights and Brooke Zachrich, Napoleon

Omicron Mu/Chapter of National Phi Alpha (Social Work) – Riann Hersh, Napoleon; Craig Parliament, West Unity; and Jacki Volkman, Wauseon

Outstanding Senior Student in Psychology – Kellie Cooper, Bryan; Amanda Johnson, Berlin Heights; and Megan Nicholson, Napoleon. 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 Digital Forensic Science – Philip DePue, Leipsic

Scholastic Excellence in Digital Forensic Award – Clairice Shook, Smithville

Outstanding Seniors in Criminal Justice – Spencer Munger, Bowling Green. Awarded to outstanding seniors majoring in the criminal justice program.

Alpha Rho Lambda (Criminal Justice) Honor Society new inductees – Lucas Freels, Ludlow Falls; Matthew Johantgen, Pioneer; Sean Mukhtar, Uttica, Mich.; David Savage, Warren; Johnathan Sparks, Defiance; and Brittany Wildman, Springfield