Defiance College is a private college located in Defiance, Ohio and affiliated with the United Church of Christ. The campus includes eighteen buildings and access to the 200-acre (80.9 ha) Thoreau Wildlife Sanctuary.[2] The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, but the college has been on probation since 2023 for concerns with one out of the eighteen accreditation criteria.[3]
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Former name | Defiance Female Seminary (1850–1903) |
|---|---|
| Motto | "Defi the ordinary" |
| Type | Private college |
| Established | 1850 |
Religious affiliation | United Church of Christ |
Academic affiliations | CIC |
| Endowment | $19.2 million (2020)[1] |
| President | Richanne C. Mankey |
Academic staff | 86 |
| Students | 740 |
| Undergraduates | 671 |
| Postgraduates | 69 |
| Location | , , United States |
| Campus | 150 acres (61 ha) |
| Colors | Purple and gold |
| Nickname | Yellow Jackets, Lady Jackets |
Sporting affiliations | NAIA – WHAC MSFA - (Football) |
| Website | www |
History
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The college began as Defiance Female Seminary in 1850 and was opened by the Christian Connection, which itself later became part of the United Church of Christ, to provide schooling for young women. In 1903 the Defiance Female Seminary formally became Defiance College, making it one of only two religious-affiliated colleges to begin operation in Ohio during the 20th century.
McCann era
editDuring President Kevin McCann's leadership (1951–1964), the campus increased in size to 140 acres (56.7 ha); the library, student union, and Pilgrim halls were built; and old buildings were renovated. President Dwight D. Eisenhower paid two visits to Defiance. On October 15, 1953, he laid the cornerstone for the Anthony Wayne Library of American Study [1]. Eisenhower re-visited the campus on May 26, 1963, to deliver the commencement address, at which time the college announced that one room in the library had been designated "the Eisenhower Room," honoring the friendship between Eisenhower and Kevin C. McCann.
Athletics
editThe Defiance College Yellow Jackets compete in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) in every sport except for football, where they are a member of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) and are a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Prior to returning to the NAIA in July, 2024, they were a NCAA Division III school.
Men'sedit |
Women'sedit
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Notable alumni
edit- John Ashton, actor
- Pam Borton, college basketball coach
- Ben Davis, professional football player
- Esquire Jauchem, producer, director, and designer in theater, opera, dance, and television
- Don Martindale, college and professional football coach
- Richard Mourdock, Treasurer of State, Indiana
- Bruce Shingledecker, painter
References
edit- ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ Natural Sciences and Mathematics - Majors - Restoration Ecology
- ^ "Higher Learning Commission". Higher Learning Commission. June 22, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.