Alumni/ae Organizations
ALUMNI/AE EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Defiance College Alumni/ae Executive Board is a voluntary organization of Defiance
College and functions as an extension of the Office of Institutional Advancement.
The AEB and Defiance College work together to further the interests of alumni/ae,
advance the College, and improve the DC experience for the Yellow Jackets of today
and tomorrow!
Greetings to all Defiance College Alumni/ae,
The Alumni Executive Board of Defiance College has been revamped, strengthened, and is on the move to accomplishing big things for its alumni and DC! Our dedicated board is actively working on improving the alumni portion of DC’s website, increasing communication with alumni, and seeking to give alumni more opportunities to become involved in college projects and events. We are in the process of developing a Strategic Plan which will guide us in accomplishing specific objectives to enhance alumni involvement and support of the college as well as to give alumni more benefits in being an alumnus of the College.
Kevin McCann, President of Defiance College from 1951-1964, brought notoriety, expansion, and many academic and programming improvements to the college. He wrote in 1951:
“The quality of a college can be truly measured only by the character of the men and women it trains. Their caliber as citizens in their home communities; their performance within their profession or calling; their contribution to the good of their neighbors and their country—these constitute the index to a college’s worth……Defiance College, can stand squarely on its record of graduating men and women who—productive and useful in their life careers—have contributed decent and wise leadership to the American community. On that record, this college bows to no larger or richer school.”
I believe this is the hallmark of Defiance College which has been true from the very beginning of the College and continues to this very day. The character of the people in the administration, faculty, and student body along with hard work, determination, and striving for academic and personal excellence, have made this College the amazing institution it is today and have sent difference—making graduates all over the United States and the world. I believe it is very important to give back to a college that gave so much to me.
I invite you to keep checking back to the alumni portion of the website for updates on the Alumni Board’s progress with alumni outreach and involvement. And if you would like to become more involved in these efforts, please contact Sally Bissell, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, at sbissell@defiance.edu.
Best wishes always,
Mary Marvel ‘77
Alumni Board President
EXECUTIVE BOARD
| President: Mary Marvel '77 Education and Social Work B.A. Delaware, OH |
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Vice President: James Martin '88 Recreation B.S. Grafton, OH |
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| Dr. Austin Kleman '10 Molecular Biology B.S. Bryan, OH |
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Adam Swisher '18 Social Work B.S. Archbold, OH |
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| Makayla McAvoy '16 Athletic Training B.S. Liberty Center, OH |
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Dr. Ron Slinger '91 Communication Arts B.S. Miles City, MT |
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| MacKenzie Combs '18 Social Work and Psychology B.S. Holland, OH |
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Past President: Casey Gibson '05, '09, & '10 Management B.A., MBOL, & MBA Toledo, OH |
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| Dr. Carolyn (Trowbridge) Walters ‘69 Biology B.S. Archbold, OH |
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Dr. Katelyn (Haydett) Hilton ‘16 Molecular Biology/Chemistry B.S. Hicksville, OH |
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| Marcia Mohre ‘04 & ‘10 Accounting B.S. and MBA Edon, OH |
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Tim Van Horn ‘08 Sport Management B.S. Summerville, SC |
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| Camile Campagna, JD '07 Criminal Justice B.S. Sarasota, FL |
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Mark Getsay '87 Accounting and Management B.S. Westlake, OH |
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| Sally Bissell ‘81 Physical Education, Health, and Recreation B.S. Director of Alumni Engagement, Institutional Advancement |
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Will Garlock President of Student Senate Lima, OH |
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| Sheri McCoy Director of Donor Relations & Special Events, Institutional Advancement |
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Alesia Yakos-Brown Associate Professor of Social Work |
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ALUMNI/AE VARSITY 'D' CLUB
Since its inception, the Alumni/ae Varsity 'D' Club has supported capital improvements
for Defiance College athletics. Previous projects have included the construction of
a softball press box, refinishing the McMaster/Weaner Center floors, bleachers for
the soccer field, and furnished the Hall of Fame lounge. More than 35 projects have
been supported by AVD to enhance the athletic experience for every team on campus.
Defiance College thanks the members of the AVD Club for their continued support of
DC athletics.
BOARD MEMBERS
Mark Miller '81, President
Dave Polzin '71, Vice President
S.G. Brugler '68
Joe Frank '83
Duane Hocking, Former Faculty & Coach
Anthony Jackson '09
Kirsten Meyer '76
Marv Retcher '72
Megan Warren '17, '20
If you are interested in being on the AEB or AVD Board, contact us at 419-783-2304 or alumni@defiance.edu.
