Defi the Odds 2021

It's been a year to remember. Last spring, when the world shut down, we were all forced out of our comfort zones. We became focused on basic needs, the common good, and helping one another. As a result, we launched a "Defi the Odds" campaign. At the time, it seemed like a big feat - raising more dollars, from more donors, to support more student needs amidst a health crisis affecting everyone in different ways. There's no doubt this year has presented challenges, obstacles, and opportunities. The DC community has lost many friends over the last year; some of our alumni/ae have lost jobs; and many students have been presented with challenges that have seemed insurmountable. And through it all, Defiance College has continued to "defi the odds." Amidst the uncertainty, we have many successes to celebrate. If your circumstances allow, we hope you will make a gift to the 2021 Defi the Odds campaign and support our ongoing efforts To Know. To Understand. To Lead. To Serve. Our wishes continue to be for health and safety for you and yours.

A Year to Remember:

• Unprecedented: While nationwide undergraduate enrollment was down 3-4% in fall 2020, DC celebrated an increase of 20% in new students. 
• Persistent: In 2020, DC exceeded the Defi the Odds campaign goal by $15,275 (7.6% over goal)!
• Pivot: Jacket Journey, the nationally-unique career readiness program undergirded by the liberal arts, was launched. After planning the inaugural Jacket Days scheduled for January 13-14, the event was moved to an online format to ensure a safe, seamless event for students. 
• Flattening the Curve: With the exception of one two-week remote learning period, the campus maintained in-person classes throughout the duration of the 2020 - 2021 academic year.
• Stimulus: DC received more than $3M in stimulus funding, half of which went directly to supporting Defiance College students.
• New Normal: The Defiance College Board of Trustees accepted a new vision, core values, and strategies as DC moves toward the College's 175th anniversary in 2025 - 2026.
• Remarkable: After delaying fall sports, athletic season teams competed in the winter & spring with seven teams having a team GPA over 3.0 in the fall semester.
• Essential: Together, the faculty and staff of Defiance College took on additional duties to ensure the ongoing health and safety of the campus community during the pandemic. We know and appreciate now more than ever that everyone's role on campus is essential.
• Ambiguity: A core competency of Jacket Journey is written & oral communication. During this time of ambiguity, we enhanced communication practices to ensure the health and safety of our campus through weekly emails sent by President Mankey.
• Resilience: Being resilient, flexible, and adaptable to the ever-changing post-pandemic world will ensure a strong and viable future for Defiance College. The Board of Trustees accepted the College's new strategies, which will guide the College into the future.
• Courage & Grace: President Mankey, early in the pandemic, noted how the campus community has risen to the occasion of caring for each other. More than a year later, the same is true. "Our campus community has come together to care for each other in various ways - from delivering meals to students in isolation to navigating a revised class schedule; from sharing in successes to comforting colleagues experiencing loss; our faculty and staff have embraced the 'other duties as assigned' and risen to the occasion. Together."
• Contagious: The momentum is contagious. We hope that you feel the excitement, too. Please join us by making a meaningful gift to support the Yellow Jackets of today and tomorrow.