Happy 175 th Birthday Yellow Jackets!
By: Jack Brubaker-Flood
Defiance College can officially say that they have been changing people’s lives now for 175 years. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, the college hosted a Gala to honor some of the most prestigious and important people that helped make the college the place we know and love. The event was held in the Geoge M. Smart Center and took place on March 22 , 2025. Fortunately, I was one of the lucky students chosen to be an ambassador, which means that I was given the amazing opportunity to have dinner with some of the brightest minds the campus has ever seen, as well as to be part of something truly special.
When I arrived, I was completely stunned. The Smart Center had officially gone from a fieldhouse to be an exquisite banquet room. As I checked in, I was told what table I would be sitting at for the event and about 20-30 minutes later of greeting people I went and sat down at my assigned table. After roughly 10 minutes of greeting everyone at my table, the Mistress of the Gala stepped onto the stage and welcomed us all to the 175 th Anniversary Gala. Once announcing the agenda for the night, she passed the stage to the President of Defiance College, President Mankey, for a nice message that welcomed all to the Gala. Once finished, Rev. Dr. David Long- Higgins stepped on stage to join us together and gave a great prayer before dinner was served. Once the prayer was said, each table was announced to the buffet to have dinner.
The buffet had a wide variety of fancy dishes ranging from shrimp, salmon, gnocchi, beef tenderloin, charcuterie board, and a variety of options. Once finished with dinner, if you managed to save some of your appetite, you were offered some amazing follow-up desserts as well. Once everyone was full, the speeches continued. First on the podium was none other then the former president of Defiance College and current president of San Diego University Dr. James T. Harris III. He delved into the beginnings of the McMaster School for Advancing Humanity and recollected on his term as the President. Once his speech concluded, it was followed up by a message from the board of trustee’s president Dr. Robert L. Head III. Next on the podium would be a message from the student body president Bretton Basford saying thank you everyone who came before us and for giving so much back to the College over the years. To conclude the gala was a closing champagne toast from President Mankey and a special announcement from her and Edward R. Bubl, establishing an endowment for insurance and risk management.
Once concluded, I was able to ask a close friend and fellow student ambassador of the event Zadria King on how she felt the event went. She said, “This event was a great experience to see how the past leaders of campus have influenced our stories of today. It was such an honor to connect with numerous alumni, faculty, and supporters of Defiance College and hear their memories and experiences. It is a cool full circle moment when you realize that they were once in your shoes, and one day, we will be filling theirs.” Overall, the gala was an amazing experience not only because of the fancy event, but because of the people who were at it.
Defiance College is such a special place because of the people who go and work here and without them this place would be nothing but empty buildings. To be around people who have been in my shoes and accomplished so much throughout their lives really was an incredible experience. I would like to thank Dr. Caldwell and Mrs. Winslow for the opportunity to be an ambassador at this event, it truly was a special opportunity. Last, but not least, Happy Birthday Defi!
