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McMaster School

For Advancing Humanity

A circular seal for The Defiance College features a Native American and a settler standing on either side of an apple tree, with a gold cross and the text Chartered 1850 at the center, set against a purple background.
A bronze bust of Drs. Harold A. and Helen E. McMaster on a dark pedestal with an inscription honoring their contributions to Defiance College, dedicated October 1, 2004.

The McMaster School for Advancing Humanity was born from a remarkable act of generosity—a $6 million gift from the late Harold and Helen McMaster of Perrysburg, Ohio, and their children. Their vision was clear: create a place where students and faculty could come together to deeply examine the challenges facing our world and work toward improving the human condition. Guided by the McMaster family’s belief that knowledge, thoughtful understanding, collaborative leadership, and dedicated service can ease human suffering, the School stands as a living testament to their commitment. Today, it continues to inspire and equip future leaders to make a difference—both in their communities and across the globe.

Today, the McMaster School continues that legacy by engaging students and faculty in hands-on research, service, and leadership projects that tackle the root causes of human suffering and create real, lasting change around the world.

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Our Values:

To Know To Understand To Lead To Serve

Defiance College graduates students to lead distinctive lives in their chosen professions through a spirit of service by preparing them To Know, To Understand, To Lead, and To Serve.