Defiance College Digital Forensic Science Program Receives International Award

DEFIANCE, OH – An innovative project developed by Defiance College digital forensic science students and faculty recently received international recognition at the Reimagine Education Conference sponsored by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Selected to a shortlist of nominations from more than 800 applicants, “The FAGIN Project @ Defiance College: Authentic Service Learning” was presented at the conference by Tim Wedge, associate professor of practice in digital forensic science, and Dr. Tim Rickabaugh, interim vice president of academic affairs.

The project was selected by conference judges to receive the second place Silver Medal among all entries in the Ethical Leadership in Education category.

One of very few entries from small colleges, the project had compelling potential impact in the area of preventing human trafficking of children. The zero-cost prototype was developed as a DFS student project and utilizes facial recognition programs to identify potential matches between minors displayed on sex trade websites and those listed (and shown) on missing person lists.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.

Featured

  • Porter Family Center

    Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Spaces4Learning Announces 2026 Product Award Winners

    Spaces4Learning has just announced the winners of the 2026 Product Awards! The award program spotlights outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to enhance K–12 and higher-education learning environments.

  • Stanford Online Reveals New Immersive Learning Studio

    Stanford Online recently marked its 30th anniversary with the announcement of a new immersive learning studio, according to a university news release. The studio takes advantage of AI-powered and immersive learning technologies to continue delivering personalized and faculty-led education.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Announces Acquisition of JJCA

    Wold Architects & Engineers, based in Minneapolis, Minn., recently announced that it has acquired JJCA, an architecture firm based in Nashville, Tenn., according to a press release. JJCA specializes in healthcare and education design; the partnership allows both firms to expand their presence across the country while building on existing strengths.