Women's soccer celebrates Family and Faculty Day
Defiance College women's soccer held their annual Family & Faculty Day on Sunday, September 19, 2021, to provide some small recognition for those that have helped our student-athletes be who and where they are today. Our families have helped shape and guide us to be the people we are now. At DC we also want to acknowledge those that have had a significant influence on the new chapter of our lives.
DC WSOC 2021 Family & Faculty Day Honorees
Defiance College women's soccer held their annual Family & Faculty Day on Sunday, September 19, 2021, to provide some small recognition for those that have helped our student-athletes be who and where they are today. Our families have helped shape and guide us to be the people we are now. At DC we also want to acknowledge those that have had a significant influence on the new chapter of our lives.
After the game we hosted an Ice Cream Social for our honorees and Eric's Ice Cream Factory of 1600 N Clinton St, Defiance, OH donated the ice cream. It really hit the spot on a 90 degree fall day. Thank you!
Winning the game and showing improvement was a nice cherry on top of the day!
Family Attending: Morganne Karcher/Mother, Korryn Karcher/Sister, Madelynn Barger/Niece Pete, and Mary Lee Peterson/ Grandpa & Grandma, Jim and Vanessa Karcher/ Grandpa & Grandma
Jocelyn Peterson honored Professor Agnes Caldwell
"Professor Caldwell teaches my FYE class. This is where we freshmen are to learn how to manage college socially and academically. I have only been at Defiance for almost a month, but Professor Caldwell has already made it so much better. She has made it clear that she is willing to help us transition into college. Her kindness and positivity has made it so welcoming and has made me even more excited to be at Defiance."
Family Attendin: Becky Coward/Mother, James Coward/Father, Katie Coward/Sister, Doug Peters/Grandpa, Barb Peters/Grandma
Lexi Coward honored Dean Bridgette Winslow
"I picked Bridgette Winslow because she was a very warm and welcoming person. As a freshman who just started college a month ago it was nice having someone as welcoming as she was and I'm very thankful for it. I am very glad that I have her here to guide me through and she has motivated me in many ways I will always appreciate that."
Family attending: Brian Lay/father, Brady Lay/sister,
Ryan Lay honored Professor Mollie Sorrell
"I picked Mrs. Sorrell because she has been nothing but an amazing teacher to me and my classmates. Even though her style of teaching is by lecture and can go through material fast, any time a student or I have a question, without hesitation she will pause her lecture to further explain the material to help us understand more. I also have Mrs. Sorrell for my anatomy lab at 8AM and even though it is early in the morning she still always brings a smile and an uplifting personality and positive attitude to class."
Family Attending: Angela Harrison/mother, Tony Martinez/step-dad, Kali Harrison/sister
Dewey Harrison honored Professor Steven Sondergaard
"The faculty member that I would like to recognize is Steven Sondergaard. He's a criminal Justice professor here at Defiance. I choose him because I look forward to going to his class and learning, even though it's at 8am. People like him are the reason that I want to go into the career path that I have chosen. Every class he comes in with a smile and tells us stories about whatever topic we are talking about to help us grasp the concept. I look forward to having more class with him in the future here at Defiance."
Family Attending: Brian Snider/father, Nikki Snider/mom, xxx/brother
Bri Snider honored Coach Nate Christianson
"For my faculty personnel, I choose Coach Christianson or as some of you know him as track coach whenever I talk about him. Coach I chose to honor you today because of what you do for the track team and us athletes that sometimes goes unnoticed, you deserve to be celebrated at least once. You have become one of the most influential coaches I have ever had, and I am grateful. You have been there for me in the best of times and have let me cry in your office over dumb things that I would get worked up about and you deal with my dramatic emotions. You took a chance on Abbe and me our freshman year, a girl who was not sure if she could even run again and you still give me all the confidence in the world on my ability and push me to be better everyday even though I am not necessarily the best track athlete. I hope I can continue to be a good athlete for you to coach and hopefully I am the coaching project you want me to be and will be really good at javelin. Anyway, before this gets too emotional LOL thank you so much for being there for me and supporting me and the one time you got my car unstuck after a midnight practice last year, yes I had to add that because that was hilarious. I appreciate you, from your favorite."
Family Attending: Jerry/father, Gineen/mother, Boo Boo/puppy
Ally Enneking honored Alex Weaver
"I would like to say thank you to Alex for everything that he has done for me. First off, I would like to say thank you for taking care of me and the team every day. I appreciate you for always having ice packs ready for me after every practice and especially games. I also really appreciate that you always take care of my teammates and make sure that their injuries are taken care of.
You always seem to make practice more interesting and enjoyable. Thank you for having time for rehab every day. Thank you again for everything that you do for me and the team, we REALLY appreciate it!"
Abbe Rank honored Catelyn Fix
"Catelyn has been such a positive influence on campus. I want to thank her for always being supportive and being someone I can go to. Even though she goes to bed early like a grandma her love for ice mountain water and coffee makes up for it. She never fails to make anyone laugh or feel good about being on campus considering the covid circumstances. Catelyn is always there to support all of the sports teams on campus as well as encourage all of us to do our best. Although she doesn't like chipotle, she still makes campus a welcoming place to be. So, Catelyn thank you for all you do for the students on campus, and I can't thank you enough for everything you do."
Sierra Worrell honored Dr. Amanda Gilbert
"Dr. Amanda Gilbert is Sierra's faculty advisor and has guided her on her journey through college so far. Being so far away from home, it is nice to have someone who she can rely on to ask for advice when her parents aren't always readily available. Not only is Dr. Gilbert a guiding light in her academic career, she's an idol for Sierra's future goals as well. Dr. Gilbert is a mother of four while simultaneously maintaining her teaching career and relationships with students. Whenever Sierra thinks of her long-term goals, it is to have her own family and still be very active in the classroom and in the community. If Sierra's goals ever seem impossible, Dr. Gilbert is a reminder that they are possible and that she is more than capable of achieving them."
Family Attending: Melanie Olson/mother, Wally Olson Jr/father
Cassidy Olson honored Professor Kuiper
"This is Professor Kuiper. She has been a positive effect in my life because every time I walk into her classroom, I know that today will be a good day. Her energy thought the classroom is so positive. Whenever I have a question I know I can trust her because she is trustworthy, and she knows what she is talking about. Professor Kuiper is the type of teacher that you want to have everyday or every class because she is always so positive and never gives up on her students. She always sees the good in people, if I have a bad day I know I can walk right into her classroom and she will cheer me up right away. The reason I choose Professor Kuiper is because she is always a light in my day when I need that extra motivation and I know I can always trust her."
Family Attending: Terry Lechenet/ Father, Camden Lechenet/Brother, Smooch/ Dog, Michele /Mother
Bethany Lechenet honored Jennifer Walton
"I picked Ms. Jen because she is always the life of the party and is the best person at the apartments. She always supports our soccer team and loves to come watch us play. Ms. Jen always puts up with our shenanigans such as us doing the cupid shuffle in the parking lot at midnight and accepting the red lobster biscuits when I make them. Anytime I see Ms. Jen, she always says hi to my dog Smooch before she acknowledges my presence. Anyway, I would like to thank Ms. Jen for everything she does around campus and always making everything a good time."
Family Attending: Jason Livingston/father, Trina Livingston/mother, Hunter Stasik/boyfriend
Sloane Livingston honored Professor James Sliwinski
"There is a saying that states if you love your job you will never work a day in your life, and if Professor Sliwinski feels like he is going to work each morning, he does not let it show.
Every day he shares his knowledge, his immense love for the subject shines through more than anything else in the classroom. In addition to his dry sense of humor that is occasionally sprinkled throughout his lessons, the way he absolutely lights up whenever anyone asks a thought provoking question only further engages his students to share the same excitement for psychology as he has. The passion he has for psychology only serves as further inspiration to find a career that makes work something to look forward to."
Family Attending: Rita O'Shea (Mom) and Bradley O'Shea (Brother)
Sarah O'Shea honored Maurice Brewer
"The person I would like to recognize is Maurice Brewer. Brewer is a senior here at Defiance College, is a member of the football team, and is a RA in Whitney. You are probably wondering why I chose to recognize Brewer. Well, the reason I chose him was that Brewer has a personality that stands out from everyone else. His personality is something you barely really see in many people. He would go out of his way to make sure everyone and everything is okay. He is also someone that is a very open and outgoing person. Brewer has made an impact on me by allowing me to be willing to step up and take action when it is needed. As I can go on I wanted to say thank you for everything you do and thanks for being such a great friend and RA. I can not wait to see what your future has on hold for you because I know you will do great things. Again thank you Brewer and I know I will miss you when you graduate."
Family Attending: Sarah/mother Dave/father
Melissa Bixler honored Professor Andrea Agler
"Professor Agler is one professor you would want as a Composition Professor. She is understanding when you need to talk to her about things going on in your personal life. She is also always willing to help her students when they have questions about assignments. She made a great first impression by getting locked in her office on the second day of class. One thing for sure is you will never be bored in her class and there will always be an interesting conversation going on. I just want to say thank you to Professor Agler for helping me."
Family Attending: Jamie/father, Sara/mother, JT/ brother, Jim Webb/grandfather, Carolyn Webb/grandmother, Mary Clements/grandmother
Hallie Webb honored Dr. Sabrina Brown
"Dr. Brown is my advisor, professor, STEM research advisor, McMaster Fellow, and mentor. She has helped fuel my love for the earth sciences and apply myself to my greatest potential by teaching me how to conduct river research and start up the McMaster greenhouse project. Dr. Brown has shared her intense passion for diatoms with me, and now I truly appreciate the work of these microscopic golden-brown algae. Seeing her enthusiasm for science makes a bad day better, instantly. Dr. Brown takes the initiative to make Defiance College, her colleagues, and her students better every single day, and for that, I could not be more thankful."
Family Attending: Jacque Caro/Mom & Mike Artino/Step Dad
Paige Rohloff honored Dr. Tim Rickabaugh
"Tim Rickabaugh, also known as Tricky Ricky, is an exercise science professor and advisor here at Defiance College. He is also the assistant coach for the women's soccer team. From doing a research project over the summer to doing drills during practice, Rickabaugh has always pushed Paige to work to the best of her ability. He did so by making fun of her for things such as talking too much and stressing that she should stop thinking so negatively. Rickabaugh's taunting and positive outlook has overall made Paige work harder."
Coach Pheasant honored Teen
"Everyone knows her as Teen and her welcoming smile as they go to the favorite part of the day – food!
Besides myself the only other person on campus that every recruit sees when they visit is Teen as I take them to lunch with the team. She always takes the time to ask them where they are from and makes everyone feel welcome here at Defiance College.
Thank you, Teen, for your outgoing and welcoming attitude that makes DC the place to be!"
Coach Rickabaugh honored Dr. Don Buerk
"Don and I have taught at DC together since he was hired as a full-time faculty member in 20002.
I was the head coach of the women's soccer team at that time and Don always asked me how the team was doing. He has been sincerely interested in our DC student-athletes through the many years that we have worked together."
Family Attending: Beth/mother, Sam/brother, Jack/brother, Judy/grandmother, Jeff/father
Maddie Brown honored Professor Tess Salisbury (WSOC Faculty Mentor)
"Tess I would like to say thank you for everything that you have done for me through my four years here at defiance college. You have impacted my life more than you will ever know. You have always been someone I could come and talk to about many different things and I knew you would never judge me about anything I talked to you about. Even when you had your daughter, you were checking in on us to make sure everything was going well and to see if we need anything. You have always been there for me especially with everything that happened last year and always just letting me talk to you about anything that was going on and being a shoulder to cry on. You have made a big impact in my life and I do not know who I could ever thank you enough for always being there for me! Thank you for everything that you have ever done for me!"