Inauguration for 19th president of Defiance College on Oct. 13
October 6, 2016
DEFIANCE, Ohio - Dr. Richanne C. Mankey will be installed as the 19th president of Defiance College during an inauguration ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 13. The inauguration will highlight the College’s annual homecoming festivities.
The ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Weaner Community Center and will include participation from Defiance College faculty, students, and staff as well as the local community and delegates from various colleges and universities. The public is welcome to attend.
Taking part in the ceremony will be Defiance Mayor Mike McCann; Edward Buhl, chair, Board of Trustees; Dr. Marian Plant, Faculty chair; Tory Savage, executive chair, Student Senate; Ted Czartoski, DC maintenance technician; Dava Donaldson, DC alumna; Dr. DeBow Freed, President Emeritus, Ohio Northern University and University of Findlay; Rev. Daniel Busch, Northwest Ohio Association United Church of Christ; and Erica Mankey DeMuch, representing Dr. Mankey’s family.
There will be an honor guard from VFW Post 3360. Dr. Adriane Thompson Bradshaw of Ohio Northern University is the guest soloist, and the invocation and benediction will be given by Rev. James Brehler, pastor, St. John United Church of Christ. Music will also be provided by the DC Chamber Singers and Yellow Jacket Band.
Dr. Mankey graduated cum laude in psychology from Ohio Northern University, received her master’s degree in social agency counseling from the University of Dayton, and earned her doctorate in adult education from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. Her career as a leader in independent higher education spans nearly three decades.
Before taking the presidency at Defiance College on Jan. 1 of this year, she was vice president for institutional advancement at Daemen College in Amherst, N.Y.
Prior to her most recent position at Daemen, Dr. Mankey served as vice president for student affairs and dean of students at the College. She began her career at Ohio Northern University where she held progressively more responsible positions and was the youngest named vice president.
She and her husband, Michael, reside in Defiance.
In addition, there will be a service of inaugural blessing on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. in St. John United Church of Christ, Webster Street, followed by a reception.
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.
