DEFIANCE – Defiance College held its 129th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7.

A total of 178 graduates were awarded degrees during the noon event. Adam Grillot, of Houston, received his master of business administration degree.

The College also presented its highest honor, the Pilgrim Medal, to graduating senior Katie Haydett of Saint Clair Shores, Mich.; and DC alumnus David Westrick of Defiance, Ohio. The bronze Pilgrim Medal is awarded to graduating seniors who give the most promise of exemplifying the traits enumerated on the medal, and a silver medal is awarded to alumni and citizens who have in their lives demonstrated these traits.

Graduating senior Dava Donaldson of Elyria delivered the senior class address, and the commencement address was given by Dan Benjamin, head coach of the Women’s Basketball Program for Mount St. Joseph University, a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference peer.