Defiance College

Defiance College

Motto	"Defy the ordinary"
Type	Private
Established	1850; 171 years ago (1850)
Religious affiliation	United Church of Christ
Endowment	$19.2 million (2020)[1]
President	Richanne C. Mankey
Academic staff	86
Students	505
Location	Defiance , Ohio , United States
Colors	Purple and Gold
Athletics	NCAA Division III – HCAC
Nickname	Yellow Jackets, Lady Jackets
Affiliations	CIC
Website	www.defiance.edu

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]

History[]

The college began as Defiance Female Seminary in 1850 and was opened by the Christian Connection (now part of the UCC, see above) to provide schooling for young women. William Curtis Holgate, a local businessman, donated most of the campus. 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. Much of the institution’s early growth occurred under Peter McReynolds who was named president in 1902. The following years saw growth in students, endowment, and facilities with the addition of most of the original campus buildings.

McCann era[]

Defiance College grew and flourished under President Kevin McCann's leadership (1951–1964). Academic programs expanded, and enrollment grew. The physical appearance of the campus changed significantly. 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 College. On October 15, 1953, he laid the cornerstone for 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.

Schauffler moves to Defiance[]

The Schauffler College of Religious and Social Work in Cleveland had four-year students from more countries than any other, but it failed financially and merged with the graduate school of theology at Oberlin College. When Oberlin closed that school in 1967, the Schauffler endowment was moved to Defiance College, which created the Schauffler Center and later built Schauffler Hall.

Athletics[]

The Defiance College Yellow Jackets compete in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) as an NCAA Division III school.^[3]

Notable alumni[]

• John Ashton, film actor
• Pam Borton, former women's basketball program head coach, University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
• Ben Davis, American footballer, Cleveland Browns defensive back and kick-return specialist
• Esquire Jauchem, producer, director and designer in theater, opera, dance and television
• Don Martindale, "Wink", American football coach, Defensive Coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens
• Richard Mourdock, Treasurer of State, Indiana
• Bruce Shingledecker, Alaskan wildlife painter

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?202514-Defiance-College

Coordinates: 41°17′48″N 84°21′30″W / 41.29667°N 84.35833°W / 41.29667; -84.35833