THE DEFIANCE COLLEGE DEFENDER

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  • Constitution Day Celebrations at DC

    Written by: Elizabeth Patrick 

    The significance of this event is to recognize all who have become citizens of the United States who benefit from the rights granted by the constitution.

    To recognize the occasion, Defiance College will celebrate Constitution Day on Friday, September 17, 2021, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm.

    At this celebration, located in the quad behind Serrick, there will be various departments, clubs, organizations, and athletic teams set up with different tables.

    Even though there are various organizations, the main focus will be on constitutional issues surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

    Constitution Day and Citizenship Day commemorates the formation and signing of the United States Constitution. The Constitution was written by James Madison and signed by a group of men who gathered in a closed meeting room.

    Benjamin Franklin made the motion to sign the document in his last great speech. On September 17, 1787, this event took place in Philadelphia. Beginning in 1956, Constitution Week was established; however, in 2005, Congress changed it to be annually celebrated on September 17.

    One interesting fact is that five signatories signed the Constitution but did not serve in the Continental or Confederation Congress. They were Richard Bassett of Delaware, John Blair of Virginia, David Brearly of New Jersey, Jacob Broom of Delaware, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina.

    The United States Constitution has 4,400 words; it is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world.

    Oftentimes, people believe that Thomas Jefferson signed the Constitution, but he did not. Thomas was in France during the Convention, where he served as the U.S. minister.

    To read the entire constitution or find out more info, visit The Constitution Center website here: https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/full-text.

    Hope to see you there for a fun-filled experience as we celebrate the signing of the United States Constitution!!


  • National Milkshake Day!

    Written by: Emily Vargo

    If you are a chocolate lover or a milkshake lover, or both, this is the day you will enjoy.

    September 12, 2021, is a fun day for many but may not be well known. On this day, it is National Chocolate Milkshake Day.

    On National Chocolate Milkshake Day, you have to celebrate by getting a chocolate milkshake. Places you can get a chocolate milkshake nearby are Eric’s Ice Cream Factory, Cold Stone Creamery, Frisch’s Big Boy, McDonald’s, Burger King, and Arby’s. A little farther away from campus, there is Bud’s Restaurant and Dairy Queen.

    When we look back in time, the term milkshake first appeared in print in 1885. During this time period, a milkshake was very different than what we know today. It was an alcoholic beverage with eggs, whisky, and other ingredients like eggnog. By the 1900s, pharmacies actually served this drink with your choice of chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla syrup. Very soon after this, people began to ask for ice cream to be put in or come with the drink.

    In 1922 the electric mixer was invented. One day at a Walgreens in Chicago, an employee put two scoops of ice cream in the chocolate drink and mixed it with the electric mixer. After making that drink, it became very popular very quickly, thus making the chocolate milkshake we know and love today.

  • Academic Fair

    Written by: Amber Baldwin

    For the second year in a row Defiance College will be having an Academic and Organization Fair. It will be happening on Wednesday, September 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

    Image
    Table from 2020 Fair

    It will be in the same location as last year which is in the Quad or between the Pilgrim Library and the Serrick Campus Center.

    Students looking at some tables at the academic fair
    Students at last year’s fair

    Going to this fair is a great way to meet new people on campus and learn more about what Defiance College has to offer. There will be sororities, fraternities, clubs, departments, sports, and services offered by the college. It is a fun time to check out all the wonderful opportunities offered by Defiance College.

    The following departments and organizations listed below will be attending the fair.

    Alpha Xi Delta
    APO
    Art & Design
    Association of Computing Machinery-ACM
    Athletics
    Autism Studies
    BASA
    CAB & Intramurals
    Catholics on Campus
    Computer Science/Digital Forensics-HTCIA Free the slaves ACM/DCPC
    Counseling Center
    Criminal Justice
    CRU
    DC First, DC Pass
    DC Pride
    English/Defender/Progeny
     Exercise Science
    Institute for Career Readiness and Lifelong Learning
    Institute for Pre-Health & Wellness Studies
    Local ICE McMaster
    McMaster/Service Leaders
    Music
    Natural Sciences
    OIR
    Project Pink
    RallyCap Sports
    SAAC
    Science Club
    Social Work
    Student Ambassadors & Telecounseling
    Student Senate
    Student Support Services
    Student Veterans of America
    Swarm Shop
    Teacher Education
    History
    Welcome table

  • Feature: Victoria Woodhull

    Written by: Emily Vargo

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    Today we all have the right to vote and the right to run for a political office no matter what our race or gender is. Now think back to 1872. The only people who could vote or run for office were white men. However, it was the first time ever that a woman ran for President of the United States. This woman was named, Victoria Woodhull.

    On September 23, 1838, Woodhall was born in Homer, Ohio. She was the seventh of ten siblings. Her father was a con man and not a very good guy. He abused and sexually assaulted Woodhull during her childhood. Woodhull was very intelligent growing up but only had three years of formal education. When Woodhull was 14 she met Canning Woodhull who was 28 years old. They divorced years later and she remarried Colonel James Harvey Blood. However, she kept Woodhull as her last name.

    In 1870 Woodhull opened a brokerage firm on Wall Street with her sister, Tennessee Celeste, making them the first female stockbrokers. On May 14, 1870, Woodhull and her sister founded a newspaper called “The Woodhull and Clafin’s Weekly”.

    The main purpose of the newspapers was to support Woodhull for her run for president. For the next six years, they published main topics about feminism. During this time anything that dealt with feminism was very taboo but they didn’t care. They wanted to share their thoughts with everyone and try to seek change.

    On April 2, 1870, Woodhull sent a letter to the editor of the New York Herald announcing her run for the candidacy of the United States of America. Then the Equal Rights Party nominated Woodhull for The president of The United States of America on May 10, 1872.

    On June 6, 1872, Woodhull’s nomination was ratified at the convention which makes her the first-ever female candidate to run for The President of the United States of America.

    Woodhull’s Vice President candidate was Frederick Douglass. This however brought much controversy at the time most people wanted different races to be separated. Woodhull was very open about her beliefs in free love. While running for president she received a multitude of attacks in the media about supporting free love.

    Woodhull decided to write an article about the double standards a Reverend was committing but it ended up backfiring on her. The day the article was published Woodhull, her husband, and her sister were arrested due to the content of the article. This all happened in November a couple of days before the election. It was later known that the arrest was made to stop Woodhull from voting in the election. The arrest led to Woodhull not receiving any electoral votes.

    Woodhull tried a couple of times, later on, to run for president but she struggled with receiving nominations. Even though Woodhull never became president she carved out a huge path for women by showing the country that women could do more than just be a housewife.

    Woodhull’s life was filled with a great amount of controversy but she refused to conform to the expected stereotype for women in the late 1800’s. She paved the way for future women to make their own mark in history.

  • Exam Tips and Tricks

    Written by: Emily Vargo

    Model in photo: Millie Baldwin-Noaker https://www.instagram.com/sirmilliethefirst/

    Finals week is just around the corner which means it’s time to study. If you’re trying to get a B to an A or even a passing grade these 10 study tips can help get through the stressful week of finals and get the score you desire.

    Study tip number one: create your own study guide. Get creative and create a study guide that will help you understand the material better. Make it fun and easy to understand. Underline important information and make it as colorful as your heart’s content.

    Study tip number two: ask questions. Your professors are here to help you. If you don’t understand something then ask. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

    Study tip number three: Start early. No one loves all-nighters and cramming for your exam will not allow you to retain information well. Start studying early. Make flashcards or anything you need and just take a little bit of time throughout the day to go over your study for the exam.

    Study tip number four: Organize a social distance or virtual study group. Studying in groups can help you and your partners understand the content needed for the exam.

    Study tip number five: Study content not on the study guide. If your professor gives you a study guide make sure you study sections that you learned over the semester that is not listed. Questions can pop up that you were not aware of to study and those little missed point questions can pile up fast.

    Study tip number six: take breaks. You won’t be able to retain or remember all of the information for your exam in one sitting. Set aside some time to take some breaks in order to relax and recharge before you start studying for your exam again.

    Top: Murray Johnson
    Bottom: Olivia Rupert Baldwin

    Study tip number seven: Get sleep. Your brain needs time to rest and recharge. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and not studying all of the time.

    Study tip number eight: Prioritize your study time. Making time to study for exams will help tremendously. This will help you avoid studying everything last minute and have the time to study for the harder and more difficult exams.

    Study tip number nine: Quiz yourself. Quizzing and making up exam questions for yourself can actually help you understand the content better. This can also help you become familiar with the style of the exam which will make taking the exam much easier.

    Study tip number ten: Make it fun! If your having fun it will allow you to understand and retain information better. Studying can be hard and stressful but hopefully, these study tips will help you stay relaxed, calm, get good grades, and most of all have a little fun.

  • Empty Bowls

    Written by: AD Johnson

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21

    With COVID still being prevalent, the Defiance College Social Work department was unable to have their yearly Empty Bowls fundraiser in person so it will be virtually this year. Over the last 20 years, the event has raised thousands of dollars for the Defiance PATH center. 

    According to their event page, https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21, The PATH center serves the surrounding six-county area. Monday through Friday a hot meal is available to those in need. Currently, the PATH center has even begun delivering meals to those who are not able to access take out. The PATH center has a kitchen budget of $1,500 annually and relies solely on donations after that. 

    The PATH center is located in Defiance at 1939 E. Second Street. Their “program focuses on serving homeless persons, those with severe mental disabilities, or those who have food or nutritional needs – but all are welcome. A hot nutritious meal is served each weekday at noon. Weekend and holiday meals are served at 11:30 am”, according to the PATH centers website– https://unitedwaydefiance.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=27661 

    There is also a list of other needs of the PATH center if anyone would rather donate in that way.   

    “Empty Bowls is…organized by the Social Work Organization, specifically the junior class, as a way of connecting to the greater community”. Below are each if the student’s specific fundraiser page. Click on any to donate.  

    Nysha Speed  

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=e7cebf80-c772-45b9-bfc5-8e421ecb5e5f

    Allie Hazen  

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=4b25db7b-550b-4fc1-9faa-1391a05785bf

    Michaela Gilliam  

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=b099116e-cdd2-4bc2-8b39-40091a8f6f2d

    Seth Mangus 

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=666d2d7b-4a72-4d50-beb6-dbd05ebbda69

    Mandie Heil  

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=5a0d71a1-4a70-4e02-ab7e-fc1451052bea

    Fallon Radcliffe 

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=14c30b7e-df43-40bb-893d-3b9e1b36a0ac

    Maddie Brown  

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=887c72c0-253d-4d52-95b8-0e88812335ad

    Kalin Hubble  

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=32772f41-1857-4c58-b3e6-9925422e0c19

    Samantha Haas  

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=298d6031-35c4-41d9-b19d-a2231fefc02c

    Tess Salisbury 

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=0a48e38f-71a5-4d2c-83ac-7199cf4ea689

    Mary-Michael Jackson 

    https://fundraising.idonate.com/defiance/emptybowls21/campaign?fundraising=18842a78-23bc-4335-b292-c69324c797cc

  • Earth Day

    Written by: Emily Vargo

    April 22, 2021, will be the 51st anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day was founded in 1970 to educate people about environmental issues.

    https://www.i-evolve.com/our-story/blog/earth-day-2020

    Leading up to the first Earth day many Americans were consuming vast amounts of leaded gas that was being emitted into the atmosphere by inefficient motor vehicles. Industries would blow out smoke and sludge into the atmosphere with little to no thought, or fear of bad publicity. Air pollution was mostly accepted and was a sign of prosperity.

    The life of oblivion to the environment would soon come to an end with the publication of the book Silent Spring in 1962 by Rachel Cason. This book raised awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment, and links between pollution and public health. Senator Gaylord Nelson, from Wisconsin, had a huge concern about the environment in America. 

    After the massive oil spill of 1969 in Santa Barbara, California. Senator Nelson was inspired by the student anti-war movement and wanted to infuse the energy of the student anti-war protests with the emerging public concerns about air and water pollution. Senator Nelson announced to the media an idea about having a teach-in on a college campus and somehow convinced a conservative republican to serve as his co-chair and this representative was Pete McCloskey. The two Senators recruited Denis Heyes who was a young activist to help organize the campus teachings and they choose April 22. They chose this date because it is between spring break and finals week which will allow a big turnout. 

    Heyes saw the potential of this idea so he took a national staff of 85 to promote events in the US which eventually broaden to organizations, faith groups, and many others. Earth Day inspired 10% of the US population to take to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development which had left a growing legacy of serious human health impacts. 

    Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans, Democrats, rich, poor, urban dwellers, farmers, business, and labor leaders. By the end of 1970, the first

    Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of other environmental laws, including the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Clean Air Act. Two years later Congress passed the Clean Water Act. A year after that, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act and soon after the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

    These laws have protected millions of men, women, and children from disease and death and have protected hundreds of species from extinction. In the 1990s Earth day went global for the first time. This led to a huge boost to recycling efforts and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It also prompted President Bill Clinton to award Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom which was given to him for his role as the Earth Day founder. 

    Today the environment is more important than ever and is a big topic to talk about. More and more people are working towards a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment. For this Earth Day spread your knowledge about the environment, visit some parks, help clean up around your neighborhood, start recycling, and put a plan together in order to help our wonderful planet.

  • The History of Easter Traditions

    Written by: Emily Vargo

    https://www.digitalmomblog.com/funny-easter-memes/

    April 4th, 2021 is a day known to some as the day the Easter bunny comes to give you an Easter basket, a day to go on Easter egg hunts, or for some a religious holiday. Easter has a variety of history and traditions.

    The word Easter actually comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility Eostre or Eostre. The festival of Eostre took place around the spring equinox.

    A tradition on Easter is to hunt for Easter eggs. Easter egg hunts date back to the pagan period. Besides participating in Easter egg hunts it is also a tradition to decorate eggs. This dates back to the pagan period as well but instead of decorating, eggs people would exchange eggs because eggs resemble fertility and birth. Over time this tradition turned into decorating eggs which we know today. 

    An Easter icon that we all know today is the Easter bunny. There is no exact origin to the Easter bunny but historians think that since rabbits are in many cultures this led to the Easter bunny. In many cultures, rabbits are known as enthusiastic protectors. When baby bunnies arrive in the springtime it is associated with birth and renewal. It is believed that the Easter bunny was brought to American in the 1700s by German immigrants.

    Besides Easter eggs and Easter bunnies being a huge tradition on Easter, food is another tradition that is common in many families and cultures. Many different cultures have different food but it really tends to depend on religion. Some cultures have lamb while others have ham and even some focus on deserts.

    During the mid 19th century sweets started gaining popularity in Europe. Candy was a simple treat that brought a smile to children’s faces. It became so popular that candy started coming in shapes like eggs and rabbits. The famous jelly bean is a Middle Eastern delicacy from Turkey that came to use in the last 19th century but didn’t gain popularity until the 1930s. 

    This year’s Easter may look a little different because of the pandemic but now you can tell your loved ones a little bit about how some of the traditions started.

  • Where to find COVID vaccines

    Written by: AD Johnson

    On March 29th, Governor DeWine announced the COVID vaccine was available to all Ohioans that were 16 years of age or older with no other requirements needed. Currently, most places require an appointment but all can be scheduled online and usually within a few days. They also schedule the second shot, if applicable, during the sign-up process. All the vaccines are free and safe. 

    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

    While the vaccine is not required for students at DC, it is recommended. Below is a list of places nearby for students who wish to get vaccinated. 

    The closest pharmacy is Rite-aid. It is across the road to Biggby Coffee and ColdStone Creamery at 618 N. Clinton Street. Their website is https://www.riteaid.com/ and anyone 16 years older can schedule an appointment online. It is 0.3 miles and a 7-minute walk.

    The next closest for students who live on campus is the pharmacy located inside Walmart. The store is located at 1804 N. Clinton Street and is 0.6 miles away from the college. It’s about a 15-minute walk. To register for a vaccine is https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302?fbclid=IwAR2a-AFntjBs35T20hpPYqKo6zYKELea_SDnA0tdz925OWeoHF9YRkdcBEM

    Another option that is close by is Walgreens. It is located at 1829 N. Clinton Street, a 0.7-mile walk at about 16 minutes. To schedule a COVID vaccine, go to their website https://www.walgreens.com/. 

    Meijers is a little far being 1.2 miles and a 26-minute walk away but they are nearby and offer COVID vaccinations. They are located at 137 Elliot Road and can schedule an appointment at https://www.meijer.com/

    To find other locations check the Good Rx website at https://www.goodrx.com/covid-19/where-to-get-covid-19-vaccine or the Ohio State COVID website offers more options. https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-provider-dashboard

    If you are not from the state and plan on getting the vaccine at home, visit the CDC website here – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/How-Do-I-Get-a-COVID-19-Vaccine.html to find a vaccine provider. 


  • Interesting places on Campus

    Written by: MaKayah Long

    Defiance College’s campus has undergone many changes since the college was first established in the mid-1880s. Many of the buildings and facilities on campus have an interesting history or unique features that students may not know about.

    www.thoreauwildlifereserve.org/photos

    Thoreau Wildlife Sanctuary

    This 250-acre wildlife preserve was established in 1989 by the late Bill and Helen Diehl through the Diehl Family Foundation. Over two decades of work was required to transform the overworked farmland into the “historically natural” wildlife preserve that exists today. The Thoreau Wildlife Sanctuary, a mere 3 miles from campus, is now managed by Defiance College. Students and faculty at Defiance have utilized the area to study ecology, plant trees, and better learn about the indigenous species of the area. In 2020, the sanctuary was opened to the public for the first time. It features four trails, two ponds, and an educational building where small group classes are held. For more info check out their website at https://www.thoreauwildlifereserve.org/visit

    Dana Basement

    The Dana Hall basement is home to two on-campus organizations. The DC Players are an informal group of students who develop and produce plays and musicals here at Defiance College. The Dana basement is home to the actors’ dressing room, green room, and prop storage. The hallway was decorated by DC students and features art paying tribute to a few on-campus organizations such as Read @ DC and Project 701. The basement is also the home of the Opp Shop, an on-campus resource that lends professional clothes and accessories to Defiance College students and community members in need.

    Weaner Community Center

    The Weaner Center, previously the College Community Center, has been host to many high-profile guests over the years. The building has been the venue for performances from The Beach Boys, Duke Ellington, and John Denver. Comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory spoke in the center during a forum in 1968. It also functioned as a temporary cafeteria while the Enders Student Union was being renovated in the late ’60s.

    McCann Center

    In October 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower visited Defiance College. The president of the college at the time, Kevin McCann, was a former biographer and speechwriter for Eisenhower. As a favor to McCann, Eisenhower agreed to stop by the college to speak briefly and lay the cornerstone for the new library. The Anthony Wayne Library and McCann Study Center would eventually become the McCann Center after the construction of the Pilgrim Library in the early ’90s. The cornerstone laid by President Eisenhower is still visible in Dean Marsalek’s office.