Archbold, Ohio – The Northwest State Community College Board of Trustees met in regular session on Friday, August 28th at the Archbold Campus. A major highlight of the meeting came at the very end, when a motion was made to extend the contract of NSCC President Dr. Todd Hernandez. The motion was carried, and after the meeting concluded, Dr. Hernandez and Board Chair Mickey Schwarzbek signed the agreement.

MORE ON PRESIDENT HERNANDEZ

Dr. Todd Hernandez has been President of Northwest State since April 1, 2021. With this new contract extension, Hernandez will continue to lead the college at least through June 30, 2031. Hernandez continues his efforts to energize the northwest Ohio workforce, and provide great educational opportunity for students throughout the College’s six-county service area of Williams, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding and Van Wert counties with his “Elevate Northwest Ohio” initiative, which seeks to increase educational attainment to the region. Northwest State naturally plays a critical role in that endeavor.

Dr. Hernandez expressed his gratitude to the Board for the opportunity to continue to serve the College and the community in this capacity, and noted how this extension is a direct reflection on the great work the faculty, staff and administration are doing providing education, training and services to our community to help improve the lives of individuals and strengthen communities – which is essentially the NSCC mission.

In other Board action: 

• Approved the employment of Erin McDonough as Director of Development and Alumni Relations.

• Approved the promotion of Marianna Doolittle to Interim Dean-Arts & Sciences, Nicole Hand to Workforce & Apprentice Programs Manager, Colin Doolittle to Dean-Industrial Technologies & Black Swamp Safety Council, Brittany Chamberlain to Vice President-Human Resources & Leadership Development, Timothy Lucas to Electrical & Automation Training Coordinator, and Daniel Robarge to Equipment Specialist.

• Approved the transition of Katy McKelvey to Special Assistant to the President, and John Mueller to Faculty-Industrial Technology (Automation).

• Approved the transfer of $750,000 of unallocated reserve funds to the contingency reserve fund.

• Approved the rescheduling of the October board meeting from October 16th to October 30th, to be held at the NSCC Van Wert Campus.

• Approved Faculty Workload Policy (amended), to comply with ORC 3345.45 (The Advance Ohio Higher Education Act).

• Approved new Cash on Hand Policy, regarding minimum cash reserves and financial reporting.

• Approved the local administering of state appropriated capital projects under $4 million.

• Approved miscellaneous employment contracts, two retirements, and four resignations.

A new outfit. A warm winter coat. A pair of shoes that fit.

For many of us, these may seem like simple necessities. But for a child who started the school year without something new to call their own, they can mean so much more. They can provide comfort, confidence and the reminder that someone in their community cares.

That is the heart behind Clothes for Kids (C4K), a community initiative of the Defiance Area Foundation. And this September, Clothes for Kids is once again asking Defiance County to step up and help make a difference for local children.

Last year, 197 donors helped provide clothing for 295 children across Defiance County, representing approximately $62,569 in community impact. An additional $17,587 in monetary donations helped the program purchase clothing for students who did not have an individual shopper.

But behind every number is a child.

Clothes for Kids began when local community philanthropist Sharron Farrell recognized that some families simply could not afford new clothing for their children. She took one step to help meet that need, and what began as a small effort has grown into a county-wide tradition of generosity that reaches hundreds of children each year.

Now, the program needs the community’s help to continue that legacy.

Beginning September 8, community members can sign up to become Clothes for Kids shoppers. Participating schools will identify students and gather their clothing sizes throughout September. Shoppers will then be matched with a child and receive their size assignments from October 5-7.

From there, the fun begins: it’s time to shop!

Shoppers purchase new clothing and essentials based on their child’s sizes and return the items to the collection bins at the Defiance Elks by Friday, October 23. You don’t have to make a huge gesture to make a meaningful difference. Sometimes it starts with simply choosing to shop for one child.

Ready to help? To become a Clothes for Kids shopper, email deficlothesforkids@gmail.com. Those who would rather make a monetary donation can visit DEFIANCEAREAFOUNDATION.ORG/COMMUNITY. Checks may also be mailed to the Defiance Area Foundation, 613 W. Third St., Defiance, OH 43512, with C4K in the memo line.

Together, our community can provide more than new clothing. We can give hundreds of local children a boost of confidence and show them that Defiance County cares.

The stage is set and the getaway car is packed. Bonnie and Clyde ride again! Over Labor Day weekend, a 25-member ensemble of cast, crew, and directors from the Van Wert Civic Theatre (VWCT) will travel to Lima, Ohio, to represent Northwest Ohio at the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA) State Conference.

VWCT is one of just 15 community theatre groups selected from across the state to perform at the three-day annual festival, held at the Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center in downtown Lima.

VWCT will take the stage on Sunday, September 6, at 2:30 PM to perform a 40-minute excerpt of their hit musical production from September 2025, Bonnie & Clyde.

Earning a spot at the state showcase is a significant achievement. After qualifying at the Northwest Regional OCTAFest earlier this summer, VWCT was selected to join 14 other regional excerpt winners for the statewide celebration of community theatre excellence.

The excerpt competition tests technical precision as much as performance quality: each group has strict time limits to load in their set pieces, present a seamless 40-minute cut of their show, and load off the stage under the eyes of state adjudicators.Theatres from around the state will spend the weekend taking part in professional theatre workshops, networking with fellow groups from across Ohio, and watching performances from the participating theatres.

The festival culminates on Sunday evening with the annual OCTA Awards Banquet, where productions will be recognized with state honors for acting, vocal performance, directing, and technical execution.

Anyone can attend the Ohio Community Theatre Association festival.  For registration information, visit the OCTA website at octa1953.org.

To learn more about Van Wert Civic Theatre and their upcoming season, visit vwct.org.

Congratulations LifeWise Academy-Defiance and LifeWise Academy – Ayersville for each receiving a $5,004 grant from the Fitzenrider Fund for Families, a fund held under the umbrella of the Defiance Area Foundation.

Each year, this fund created by the late Paul Fitzenrider, distributes grants to each of the LifeWise Academies in Defiance County.

Lifewise Central Local received a Partner Level Donation with Goodville Mutual Insurance and Straley Insurance matched that donation to total $2,000. We are so appreciative of the community support. 

The Paulding Kiwanis Club recently welcomed Quincy Thompson, Marketing Director of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert, Ohio, as part of its Chamber Spotlight program.

Thompson was invited to speak to the club by fellow Kiwanis member and Paulding Chamber of Commerce Director Jen Rosebrook. During her visit, Thompson shared information about the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and highlighted some of the many performances and events that have been enjoyed by area audiences, along with an overview of the upcoming fall season.

Members had the opportunity to look through the Niswonger’s Fall catalog, which features a variety of upcoming performances, including Puppy Pals, Darci Lynne, A Christmas Carol, and David Phelps.

Thompson also discussed several programs offered through the Niswonger, including the Encore program, which provides opportunities for local school-age children to experience the performing arts. She also shared information about the Impact program, which helps make performances more accessible by providing free tickets to families who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend.

In addition, the Niswonger offers a variety of membership opportunities for individuals who would like to support the performing arts and stay connected with the center’s programming.

The Kiwanis Club appreciates Thompson taking the time to visit and share more about the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and the many ways it contributes to the arts and to communities throughout the region.

For more information about upcoming performances, programs, or membership opportunities, contact the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert.

DEFIANCE, OHIO – Genealogy enthusiasts and family historians are invited to a free seminar featuring author and genealogist Sunny Morton on Saturday, September 26, at the Serrick Center, 202 E. Sessions Ave., on the Defiance College campus.

The program is presented by Defiance Public Library.

Morton will present two sessions offering practical strategies for researching family history and overcoming common genealogy challenges.

The first session, “Fable or Fact? Verifying Old Family Stories” will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will explore ways researchers can evaluate family stories and determine whether long-held traditions are supported by historical evidence.

Following an hour-long lunch break, Morton will present “Using U.S. Church Records as a Brick Wall Strategy” at 1:00 p.m. The session will examine how church records can provide valuable clues when traditional genealogical research reaches a dead end.

Morton is the author of “Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States” and co-authored “How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records: A Genealogist’s Guide.”

Both sessions are free and open to all adults. Registration is required, and attendees can register at defiancelibrary.org/seminar or by calling 419-782-1456. The registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 25.

The chase is officially on! Van Wert Civic Theatre is incredibly proud to reveal the cast for the upcoming musical production of Catch Me If You Can, directed by Jerry Zimmerman with music direction by Terri Spencer and choreography by Noelle Warnement. Fly high with Frank Abagnale, Jr. in this high-energy musical comedy based on the hit film and incredible true story. From pilot to doctor to lawyer, follow the world’s most charming con artist as he out runs the FBI in a globe-trotting chase filled with glamorous sets, spectacular dance numbers, and a swinging 60’s score. Can the law catch him, or will Frank fly away with it all?

The cast features Ashton Szabados as Frank Abagnale, Jr., Nick Long as Agent Carl Hanratty, Drew Kantonen as Frank Abagnale, Sr., and Mary Ann Falk as Paula Abagnale. Cheyenne Weber stars as Brenda Strong alongside Kristin Lee as Carol Strong, Roger Rex as Roger Strong, and Nicole Merkel as Cheryl Ann, with Grant Boecker, Brian Hill, and Marcus Kerns appearing as FBI agents.

The ensemble who play a variety of roles includes Amy Boley, Renae Boecker, Sean Carpenter, Anna Cassidy, Leah Garmatter, Dianna Hicks, Katelyn Knepper, Doug Long, Jr., Brianna Luginbihl, Nicole Merkel, Alea Rex, Kimmy Warnecke, Noelle Warnement, Joe Warnement, and Jerry Zimmerman.

Get ready for an evening of big dance numbers, flashy sets, and an unforgettable cat-and-mouse game between Frank Jr. and the FBI. The box office opened to the public on September 3, 2026. 

This musical, comedy flight departs on September 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees on September 20 and 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. We cannot wait to welcome you to the theater located at 118 S. Race Street, Van Wert, OH 45891. Visit vwct.org or call 419.238.9689 and prepare to be charmed.

ARCHBOLD — Northwest State Community College will host its 2026 “State of the College” address Wednesday, September 23, 2026 from 8:00-9:30 a.m. at the college’s Archbold campus.

NSCC President Dr. Todd Hernandez will deliver the annual address, providing updates on the college and discussing the role education plays as an economic engine in northwest Ohio. The event will bring together community stakeholders, including NSCC Board members, business leaders, elected officials, distinguished alumni and members of the media.

Shawn Hendrix, Talent Strategy Manager with JobsOhio, will also speak during the program and provide updates on workforce and talent initiatives at the state level.

The event will be held in Voinovich Auditorium, located on the west side of the Archbold campus in the “E” building. A complimentary breakfast will be provided prior to the presentations.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Sept. 18 to Katrina Adams at 419-267-1392 or kadams@NorthwestState.edu.

The Defiance Area Foundation (DAF) is pleased to welcome The Hicksville Bank as a first-time sponsor of the 2026 Gala, Bow Ties & Boas, with a generous $2,000 Bronze Sponsorship.

Their support helps make the Foundation’s signature fundraising event possible while benefiting the Defiance Area Foundation Community Fund, which provides flexible grant dollars to support needs and opportunities throughout Defiance County.

The Defiance Area Foundation is grateful to The Hicksville Bank for its new partnership and commitment to the community.

The 2026 Gala will be held Saturday, October 3, at the Knights of Columbus.