Author: Hanna Young

Defiance College is welcoming the Institute for Pre-Health and Wellness Studies to its campus this semester with hopes of bettering the college lives of its students.

In a newsletter similar to the one that will be sent to students soon, Dean Bridgette Winslow describes that the Institute’s purpose is to “provide prospective and current students with additional support in advising, career planning and graduate school acceptance”. The Institute is  In an interview, Winslow established that she has a special place in her heart for student engagement and plans on working closely with both students and faculty as extra support to better the educational track of the students. The Institute will also work to share the number of opportunities there are for students interested in the medical field, as described in the newsletter.

The newsletter details five goals for the Institute including recruiting students for health and wellness studies, increasing retention, increasing research and internship opportunities, funding academic programming and developing resources for research through fundraising and grant writing efforts. Dean Winslow has already started working with students in an effort to move forward to these goals. She will also be working closely with undecided and freshman students in order to help start their careers on the right foot.

Winslow explains that she wants to start portfolios for students as they enter their freshman year and work to better set their foundation for the professional world. Winslow states this is necessary in order to “set yourself apart from another applicant”. Freshman will work with both their advisors for this goal. Then sophomore year, Winslow wants the students the Institute works with to start looking in the McMaster School for Advancing Humanity, potential research and internship opportunities. Along with this, the students will start to prep for Graduate school tests such as the MCAT or the GRE. Junior year the attention is more on developing the resume through more learning opportunities. Finally, in the senior year, the Institute will focus on developing interviewing skills and preparing to move into the job force.

With academic programming, the Institute is hosting and viewing and discussion of the documentary Icarus, a documentary on athletic doping and the Russian Olympics scandal at the Sochi Olympic Games. The newsletter, that will be sent to students shortly, details other academic programming opportunities that will be offered by the Institute.

Winslow states her biggest personal goal for the Institute is to “grow the number of pre-health and wellness students that we have on campus. I want to get out and expose the high schools to all of the programs we have and the quality of those programs”. She states, following meeting with the Molecular Biology students on-campus, that “I was floored at the level of compassion the students had and the passion that they had for their field”. She wants to further develop this compassion, that she states “comes from our faculty” and show the world just how great the programs are here at Defiance.

Dean Bridgette Winslow is a Northwest Ohio native, graduating high school in Bryan. The mother of three graduated with her undergrad at the University of Toledo in Sports Administration and later with her Masters there in Guidance and Counseling, focusing on athletes and mental health. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at UT as well. Following a period of living in Minnesota with her family, she was made aware of the job offer for the Institute of Pre-Health and Wellness. She had previously worked at Adrian College as a registrar and later as the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs under Dr. Agnes Caldwell, Defiance’s current Dean of Academic Affairs. Following a job opportunity opening up, Dr. Caldwell contacted her about applying. Dean Winslow stated in her interview that she has a strong love for student engagement and the inspiring stories that Defiance’s students have to share stating, “the stories of our students are phenomenal”. Dean Winslow’s office is located across from the Registrar’s office in the Serrick Center.

Written by Jordan Osborne

Defiance College employees and student-athletes are weighing in on the dangers of supplementation when it comes to athletes.

Reed Guerin, an admission counselor at Defiance College and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, discusses some of his opinions when it comes to supplementing and collegiate athletes. Guerin stated that he does not find supplements to be “essential” to athletic performance in collegiate athletics. Guerin discussed some of the biggest issues that he finds when it comes to student-athletes and their supplementation. He discusses the “importance of knowing what you’re putting in your body”. Guerin stated that the best “supplements” student-athletes can use and place emphasis on are hydration, food, and sleep. By taking care of the body in these three things, the student-athlete will see better results in their athletic performance.

Head softball coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Megan Warren stated that her biggest fear when it came to student-athletes and supplements is that “student-athletes might fail a drug test because they took a supplement thinking it was okay and it had an illegal substance in it. The supplement industry isn’t regulated so this happens more than people think”.

Students shared differing opinions on the issue.

Mason Rapp, a senior integrated social studies and history major stated that “as long as they aren’t steroids, I don’t care”.

Makenzie Wilson, a freshman nursing major, states that even though she “doesn’t do it, she doesn’t see a problem with supplementing athletes, assuming the supplements being used are legal and safe for the athlete”.

“It’s stupid and a waste of time. During 5 a.m. practices, the teammates who supplemented themselves prior to practice are hyper for practice and then fall asleep in class”, stated sophomore integrated math major, Hali Geraci.

One student voiced concerns regarding the supplements she was instructed to take by an online trainer. Erin Breece, a sophomore sports management major, stated that “certain supplements have side-effects that can cause major damage if not taken correctly. For example, I was told to take creatine and pre-workout. They didn’t make me feel any better athletically instead, I felt bloated and itchy”.

Finally, sophomore exercise science and psychology major Zach Johnson recognizes that supplementation is not essential if the student-athlete is eating and hydrating in the correct ways. Johnson added that “as long as student-athletes are being smart about it and taking the time to make sure the substance isn’t on the NCAA’s banned list, I don’t see a problem with people taking them”.

The NCAA publishes and updates a list of banned substances for student-athletes each year. This list includes substances such as stimulants, anabolic agents, diuretics, and street drugs. While the NCAA does publish an extensive list, it is still the responsibility of the student-athlete to pass a drug test. To view the list, visit http://www.ncaa.org/2018-19-ncaa-banned-drugs-list.

Written by Jordan Osborne

The Defiance North Clinton bridge that was set to be closed on February 14th for new construction has been moved back one week. For travelers who use the bridge, this is going to mean having to find alternative routes for your daily commute. What effect does the closing have on-campus living students?

With word of the construction spreading throughout the town I asked some fellow students about their knowledge of the bridge closing, as well as if they use it. It seemed that many students were aware of the bridge closing, and some of them said that they do not often use the bridge because they don’t have to go on that side of town that much.

Damion tall, a senior business student said, “the only time I use that bridge is to go to the YMCA”. Another student, Dev Goodwyn, a sophomore business major said, “I was unaware that the bridge was going to be closing” and went on to say that “I barely ever used that bridge”.  The students that were aware that the bridge was closing typically were the ones that use the bridge from time to time. The project is projected to take nine months to complete and 8.3 million dollars. Whether you use the bridge, or you don’t, closing will commence February 21st.   

Update: The official closing date of the bridge has been moved to February 25th, as per the Ohio Department of Transportation, due to high water levels on the Maumee River.

Written by Tyler Bullock

(Defiance, OH) This year, The Defiance College Social Work Organization is hosting its 19th annual Empty Bowls event. Empty Bowls is an event in which areas around the city prepare and donate varieties of food for people to eat.

The event is set to take place on March 14, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on 111 Elliot Road from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The goal of the Empty Bowls event is to raise funds that will be donated to the Defiance PATH Center (Partnership Assistance to the Homeless) on 1939 E Second Street. This local center focuses on fighting hunger and homelessness.

Susan Cheeseman, PATH program manager, stated “Last year, the PATH program served approximately 8,000 meals. the annual Empty Bowls donation is the key to the center of being able to offer a variety of healthy meals.”

The food will be served in handmade bowls. These bowls were created by Defiance College alumni, Brandon Knott, of It’s Knotts Pottery in Continental, Ohio.

Adult tickets for this event are $12 and it includes one of the handmade bowls. For children under 10,  the tickets are $10. Tickets are at a discounted price of $8 for Defiance College students.

These tickets can be purchased from the Social Work Organization. “Students are able to show up earlier than others,” stated Salisbury.

Meals such as soups, breads and different kinds of desserts will be prepared. The meals will be free for everyone who purchases a ticket.

Professor Salisbury is the head of the DC Social Work Organization. She has hosted four Empty Bowls events and this will be her fifth one. “At this event, you are able to eat all you want,” stated Salisbury. “Last year we raised $6,000 for the PATH Center.” All of these proceeds were donated to the PATH Center.

Written by Santone Hicks

Tomorrow, March 14th, 2019 is the Defiance College Day of Giving. Michelle Tinker, the interim director of development and the coordinator of this event, will be sitting in Hubbard all day tomorrow! She is inviting all DC students to sign thank you cards for the alumni, faculty and staff, and friends of the college who donate each year to help support the programs and advancement of DC! Besides showing gratitude, students who sign thank you cards will be entered into a raffle for a prize!

Please join Michelle in giving back to those who give to us!

Students looking to share their academic experiences, April 9-10th of the school year, Defiance will put together the annual McMaster School for Advancing Humanity Symposium and Academic Colloquium!

During the annual Academic Colloquium, students will be spread amongst the campus in Dana Hall, Serrick, and the Pilgrim Library sharing the important academic experiences they have gained during the current school year.

Senior student Paige Sickmiller spoke on what she gained during the presentations last year, “I learned a lot and I’ve grown as a public speaker. I recommend doing it at least once if you ever get the chance”.

During the two days of presentations, students are encouraged to present either orally or using poster boards. Each presentation will offer different experiences allowing the audience to understand what opportunities are offered, being a Defiance College student. The theme behind this year’s Colloquium is “The Question of Individual Liberties as Critical to Improving the Human Condition”.

Before presenting, students must choose between presenting orally or with a poster, or students may work with groups and present on a panel.

Oral presentations are normally given with power-points allowing students to show examples of everything they accomplished through each slide. Poster presentations don’t allow as many picture examples are oral presentations, but they give the chance of explaining more concrete details. A panel presentation will host multiple students sitting at a table presenting on a college trip that the honors program takes and answering questions.

“My poster presentations go 10xs better,” said Paige. “I get to research my questions and format my findings in a creative way. Plus, I get to read straight from my poster and others can read it so I don’t panic as much.”

To be able to present during this day you have to complete the application process of choosing to present verbally or through posters, choose a faculty member that can help advise you on your project, and with the approval of your faculty member, you submit the application to McMaster Symposium and Academic Colloquium Application (if a student chooses to do more than one presentation, submit application for each).  If you would like to share your work through a poster presentation, allow your faculty advisor to send the completed poster to Brad Harsha, Assistant Dean of the McMaster School (bharsha@defiance.edu).

Brad shared, “It truly is a day to celebrate the academic success of our students.”

Dates to remember for this event are March 25th (poster application deadline) and April 10th (presentation day). For more information visit defiance.edu/mcmaster/honor/symposium.html or contact Brad Harsha.

Written by Allante Wheeler

Approaching midterms, Commencement is only three short months away. Dean Agnes Caldwell, Vice President for Academic Affairs, discusses important information graduating seniors should know before May 4th comes around.

The day before graduation on Friday, May 3rd there will be a ceremony practice held in the Weaner Center. Dean Caldwell explained this day saying, “Students will practice going through the ceremony, so they feel comfortable with the order of events, seating, and where things are.”

Following the practice will be the Senior Bash. “The Senior Bash is meant to celebrate the students and their time here at Defiance College,” said Dean Caldwell.

Michele Tinker, Interim Director of Development, explained the Senior Bash saying, “At this event, we’ll have finger foods, photo ops, beverages (adult and soft drinks), music, and the graduates will receive a commemorative gift.” This is a way to relax and celebrate with other students and professors before the student’s final departure from Defiance College.

Saturday, May 4th at 11 am Commencement will begin in the Weaner Center on Defiance College’s Campus with around 100 students graduating.

The day of Commencement, students need to be dressed in their caps and gowns before the start of the ceremony at 11 am. Students will be able to pick up their cap and gown from the registrar’s office in late April.

Before Commencement officially begins, the Baccalaureate will be held. During that time the Invocation, Responsive Reading and Meditation are performed, assisted by Rev. Jim Brehler.

During Commencement, one of the honorary speakers this year will be Dr. Terry Boyd, a Defiance College alum. Dean Caldwell stated, “because of his hard work he was awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2017.”

After the ceremony, there will be a reception held at 1:30 pm with refreshments available.

Family and friends are encouraged to join in the Commencement celebrations. Tickets for this event are free, and seats are first come, first serve.

Written by Kenzie Hall