McMaster School
For Advancing Humanity
McMaster Symposium & Academic Colloquium
The 2026 McMaster Symposium Committee invites presenters to contribute to the Defiance College community’s development of a global perspective, especially as it relates to complex issues that impact the human condition; exploration of the role individual liberties play in improving the human condition; understanding of impact that disciplinary and professional scholarship has on the real world issues that face humanity.
A Look Back:
2025 Keynote Session:
Reclaiming the Past Through Community-Based Research: The Power of Campus-Community Partnerships
During the keynote session, panelists led a discussion on the importance of community partnerships with the Worthington Cemetery and Ireland McMaster projects.
Panelists:
Ronda Casler, Defiance County Genealogical Society
Renee Hopper, Defiance Public Library
Sarah Marshall, Defiance Public Library
Bernie Heilshorn, Friends of Worthington Cemetery
Dr. Steven Bare, 2022-23 Fellow, McMaster Worthington Cemetery Project
Angela Sosebee, 2022-23 Associate Fellow, McMaster Worthington Cemetery Project
Allie Bevins, 2022-23 Scholar, McMaster Worthington Cemetery Project
Kirsten Vanisacker, 2023-24 Scholar, McMaster Ireland Project
Moderator:
Dr. Agnes Caldwell, Executive Vice President, 2023-24 and 2024-25 Fellow, McMaster Ireland Project