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

  • 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.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.

  • Opportunity by Design Framework

    Opportunity by Design

    Educational improvement efforts often focus on curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional development, and intervention systems while treating the physical school building as background. But school design is not a passive backdrop to learning — it is a structural lever for equity.