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STUDENTS INDUCTED
INTO MATH HONORARY
For immediate release February
15, 2004
GREENVILLE, PA - Fourteen students were inducted into the
newly-established Thiel College chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honorary society, on Friday,
Feb. 13.
In order for a student to become a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon,
he or she must have completed at least three semesters of college course work, have obtained a ranking in the highest
35 percent of the class in general scholarship, and have completed at least three college courses in mathematics
including at least one semester of calculus and attained an average of B or better in all mathematics courses,
according to Dr. John Nichols, adviser to the group.
The newly inducted students are Greg
L. Allison of Greensburg, Pa.; Joseph M. Chastain
of Port Allegany, Pa.; Nicole A. Demski of Lawrence, Pa.; John
L. Erickson of Harborcreek, Pa.; Meghan J. Friedrich
of Ashtabula, Ohio; Daniel S. Heckert of Mount Wolf, Pa.; Melanie
L. Henthorn of Norton, Ohio; Nicholas B. Lias
of New Brighton, Pa.; Amanda J. McKeehan of Carlisle, Pa.; John
T. Murtha of Pierpont, Ohio; Lindsay M. Sheridan
of South Euclid, Ohio; Sean P. Weaver of Erie, Pa.; Benjamin
M. Wheeler of Greenville; and Rebekah L. Williams
of Lemont Furnace, Pa.
Officers selected were Amanda
McKeehan, president; Nicole
Demski, vice president; Melanie
Henthorn, secretary; and Rebekah Williams,
treasurer.
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STUDENTS INDUCTED
INTO ENGLISH HONORARY
For immediate release February
15, 2004
GREENVILLE, PA - Twelve students were inducted into the Thiel
College chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honorary society, on Sunday, Feb. 15.
In order to be eligible for membership, students must meet
the following requirements: completion of at least two college courses in English language or literature beyond
English composition, a GPA of 3.0 in English, a ranking in the top 35 percent of their class, and a completion
of at least three semesters of college.
The newly inducted students are Ryan
Baldauf of Avon Lake, Ohio; Mary Elizabeth Carpenter
of Hollidaysburg, Pa.; Juanita Christner of Cochranton, Pa.; Margaret
Gross of Greenville; Mariah
Matson of Warren, Pa.; Katie
McLaughlin of Jamestown, Pa.; Amanda Myers of
Kinsman, Ohio; Kimberly Pearce of Greenville; Jennifer
Simon of Allison Park, Pa.; Laura Slovesko
of Hermitage, Pa.; Shelby Spence of Cranberry Township, Pa.; and Branning
Street of Vienna, Ohio.
Newly elected officers for 2004-2005 are Branning Street,
president; Ryan Baldauf,
vice president; Sara Klingensmith, secretary; Jennifer
Simon, treasurer; and Nicole
Nolan, Student Government Association representative.
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ALPHA CHI INDUCTS 19
STUDENTS
For immediate release February
15, 2004
GREENVILLE, PA - Nineteen Thiel College students have earned
membership to Thiel College's Theta Chapter of the national honorary fraternity Alpha Chi, the highest academic
achievement a student can receive at Thiel.
Membership in Alpha Chi is by invitation to full-time junior
and senior students. Seniors must attain a grade point average of 3.6 and rank in the top 10 percent of their class.
Juniors must attain a grade point average of 3.7 and rank in the top five percent of their class.
Students inducted during the Feb. 13 ceremony were Grant Alexis
of Derrick City, Pa.; Michelle Blasko of Cowansville, Pa., Sarah
Burkhart of Dawson, Pa.; Adam Cilli of Aliquippa,
Pa.; Kevin DeFrancesco
of Pittsburgh; Nicole Demski of Lawrence, Pa.; Rachel
Freed of Beaver Falls, Pa.; Julie Greer of
Uhrichsville, Ohio; Charity Harrier of Port Allegany, Pa.; Nancy
Heinbockel of Cranberry Township, Pa.; Theresa Igersheim
of Greenville; Kimberly Kalmar of Vandergrift, Pa.; Sara
Klingensmith of Kittanning, Pa.; Cora Lazor of Milton,
Pa; Emily Meyer
of Erie, Pa.; Nicole Nolan of Port Allegany, Pa.; Joseph
Pope of Pittsburgh; Nadejda
Stoianova of Hermitage, Pa.; and John Stuyvesant
of Transfer, Pa.
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THIEL COLLEGE RECEIVES
CHARTER FOR MATH HONOR SOCIETY
For immediate release February
5, 2004
GREENVILLE, Pa. - The Thiel College Department of Mathematics
and Computer Science has been granted permission by Kappa Mu Epsilon, a national mathematics honor society, to
establish a local chapter, the Rho Chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon.
An installation ceremony for the new organization will be
held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the college's Howard Miller Student Center.
In order for a student to become a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon,
he or she must have completed at least three semesters of college course work, have obtained a ranking in the highest
35 percent of the class in general scholarship, and have completed at least three college courses in mathematics
including at least one semester of calculus and attained an average of B or better in all mathematics courses,
according to Dr. John Nichols, adviser to the group.
"The students at Thiel who have met these qualifications
certainly deserve this honor and recognition," said Nichols.
Kappa Mu Epsilon is a specialized honor society in mathematics
and was founded in 1931 to promote the interest of mathematics among undergraduate students. With 118 chapters
and approximately 61,000 members in 34 states, its chapters are located in colleges and universities of recognized
standing which offer a strong mathematics major. The chapters' members are selected from students of mathematics
and other closely related fields who have maintained standards of scholarship, have professional merit, and have
attained academic distinction. Both men and women are eligible for membership.
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ODD JOBS WILL HELP THIEL
CHOIR MEMBERS TOUR NORTHERN EUROPE
For immediate release February
3, 2004
GREENVILLE, PA - Need your walk shoveled? Your firewood stacked?
If the winter temperatures are preventing you from tackling your outdoor - or indoor - chores, there are some eager
Thiel students willing to bear the cold weather for you in return for a donation that will help send the Thiel
Choir to Northern Europe.
Members of The Thiel
Choir who anticipate traveling to Northern Europe in May include James Antel of Hermitage, Carla Bojarski and Emilie
Theobald, both of Pittsburgh, Beth Carpenter of Hollidaysburg, Pa., John Erickson of Harborcreek, Pa., Aaron Govias
of Cox Town, Ind., Justin Herald of Wooster, Ohio, Stephanie Hills of Transfer, Pa., Ian Janosko of Munhall, Pa.,
Danielle Jordan of Maple Heights, Ohio, Jessica King and Randall McPherson, both of Marion Center, Pa., Nathan
Leard of Kittanning, Pa., Nicholas Lias of New Brighton, Pa., Amanda McKeehan of Carlisle, Pa., Greta Michaelsen
of Annandale, Va., Jennifer Morrison of Butler, Pa., Garyn Orr of Rural Valley, Pa., Laura Pavlot of Wexford, Pa.,
Jessica Printy of Mechanicsburg, Pa., Matt Reinhardt of Bradford, Pa., Amanda Rooney of Edinboro, Pa., Craig Russell
of Brodheadsville, Pa., Julie Saxon of Oakmont, Pa., Jennifer Signorelli of Greensburg, Pa., Jen Swartz of Rochester,
N.Y., Phil Voland of Cranberry, Pa., and Mary Weidner of Gibsonia, Pa.
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Members of the choir are taking on odd jobs in return for contributions that will help offset the costs of the
choir's spring Northern European tour. The choir, under the direction of Thiel music professor Dr. Michael Bray,
is scheduled to perform in Stockholm, Sweden, Tallinn, Estonia, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki, Finland from
May 10-21.
Each student participating in the trip is responsible the $2,500 travel and lodging costs, which don't cover passport
and visa expenses, some meals or spending money, said Bray. While some students have been able to foot the entire
bill, most of the participating choir members are still looking for ways to come up with the necessary cash. Roughly
20 of the choir's 48 members are not planning to attend the tour at all due to the trip's cost, Bray said.
"Most students still have significant financial need," said Bray, who has been directing the choir since
1996. "I would like to see every student go because there is nothing that broadens one's outlook on life like
experiencing another culture and seeing firsthand people and places one has only read about. It's a life-changing
experience educationally, culturally and socially."
The touring choir has scheduled five performances during the trip. Concert venues include Katarina Church in Stockholm;
Uppsala, Sweden; St. John's Church in Tallinn, Estonia; Lutheran Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia; and the Temppeliaukio
Rock Church in Helsinki, Finland. The group plans to visit many locations including the Golden Hall in Stockholm,
the medieval Toompea Castle in Tallinn, and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. A cruise ship will transport
the travelers from Stockholm to Tallinn.
Bray said that the tour is also open to members of the community and five spots are still available.
If you would like to hire a Thiel Choir member for an odd job or if you are interested in participating in the
tour, please contact Bray at 724-589-2149. If you would like to make a donation, you may contact Bray directly
or send a check, made payable to Thiel College, to Dr. Michael Bray, Thiel College, 75 College Ave., Greenville,
PA 16125.
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THIEL COLLEGE CELEBRATES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH ACTIVITIES
For immediate release February
2, 2004
GREENVILLE, PA -Thiel College will celebrate Black History
Month with a series of activities on campus. All events are free and open to the public.
* 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4: African Dance Performance featuring Jabali Afrika. The band originates from
East Africa's Kenya. The sound is a unique mixture and special fusion of African rhythms. Jabali Afrika's band
members compose songs, play a variety of instruments, and blend their voices into a harmonious sound. They are
also talented dancers and choreographers. Performance will be held in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard
Miller Student Center.
* Noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11: Watson's Blues Concert. Howard Miller Student Center.
* 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11: Harambee Dancers and Drummers of the Harambee Youth Organization.
The Harambee Youth Program is a cultural, educational, and recreational program which promotes racial harmony and
provides African and African-American cultural performances for people of all races. The word "Harambee"
is an African Swahili word that means "Let's All Pull Together." Event will be held in the William A.
Passavant Memorial Center.
* 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21: Annual Soul Food Feast sponsored by the Thiel College Organization of Black
Collegiates. Downing Dining Room, Howard Miller Student Center.
For more information on any of these events, please contact
Andre Smith, director of multicultural affairs, at 724-589-2839.
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ENGLISH ANNOUNCES
FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THIEL COLLEGE
For immediate release January
26, 2004
GREENVILLE, PA - U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-Pa., announced
the congressional approval of funding for Thiel College at a press conference Monday, Jan. 26, at the college.
The fiscal year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, approved by the House and Senate on Jan. 22, calls for $200,000
to be earmarked for technology infrastructure improvements at Thiel.
U.S. Rep. Phil English,
center, presents a check for $200,000 to Thiel College Associate Vice President for Business Bill Beil, left, and
Vice President for College Advancement David Grober, right.
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"As western Pennsylvania's economy continues to suffer and
much state aid for area universities have been cut, it is critical that the federal government support Thiel's
objective of providing area students with up-to-date technology," said English who requested the funds in
the House of Representatives. "This update will significantly enhance Thiel's ability to prepare students
for the workplace or continuing education."
Funds will be used to help the college purchase software, hardware and the accompanying implementation and conversion
services, to be able to offer the campus community an up-to-date, accessible and effective computer system.
"This is very good news for Thiel," said Thiel Associate Vice President for Business Bill Beil, who oversees
the college's information technology department. "When we enhance our technological capabilities, we are investing
in our students and their futures. With this funding, we will expand the range of services that we offer to our
students."
"Offering a sophisticated technology infrastructure will help attract more students to the college, which
would be a boost for the local economy," said English. "Thiel is a very important institution in the
Greenville community and I am happy to be able to assist in its progress."
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SEN. ARLEN SPECTER TO
RECEIVE HONORARY DEGREE DURING THIEL FOUNDERS' DAY CELEBRATION
For immediate release January
22, 2004
 GREENVILLE,
Pa. - U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., will serve as keynote speaker and receive an honorary degree during
Thiel College's annual Founders' Day ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 in the college's Lutheran Heritage Room
in the Howard Miller Student Center.
Specter, an attorney and a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is also chair of the Labor, Health
and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee. As chair he has increased funding for education by
more than 130 percent and doubled the budget for NIH which has made major advances in curing Parkinson's, cancer,
heart disease and delaying the onset of Alzheimer's.
The college will pay tribute to eight
faculty and staff members, presenting distinguished service awards and the Professor of the Year Award. Specter
will receive an honorary doctor of public service degree.
Receiving the Professor of the Year Award will be Dr.
J. Henry Barton, professor and coordinator of the
environmental studies program. Other faculty awards to be presented are the Distinguished Scholar Award to Dr. Kristin Kiblinger,
assistant professor of religion; the Distinguished Service Award to Dr.
Michael Balas, associate professor of biology; the
Distinguished Teacher Award to Dr. William Robinson, professor of performing arts; and the Distinguished Adjunct Faculty
Award to Brenda DelMaramo, a lecturer of English.
Barton
has been teaching at the college level for nearly 35 years, including 24 years at Thiel. Appointed a member of
the Thiel faculty in 1979, he had been associate professor of environmental science at Union College and an instructor
of geography at the University of Northern Colorado. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Tennessee Technological
University and Memphis State University, respectively, and earned his doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado.
He and his wife, Donna, reside in Greenville.
Kiblinger
joined the Thiel faculty in 2002 as assistant professor of religion. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in
religion and English from the University of the South-Sewanee, and her master's and doctorate degrees from the
University of Chicago Divinity School. She was an instructor at the University of the South in 1999 and Chombung
Rajabhat Institute in Thailand from 1994-1996. She and her husband, William Kiblinger, lecturer of religion at
Thiel, reside in Greenville.
Balas
was appointed to the Thiel faculty in 2000 as an assistant professor of biology. He earned his bachelor of arts
degree in biology from Swarthmore College in 1989. He was awarded his master of science and doctorate degrees,
both in ecology and evolutionary biology, from the University of Rochester in 1991 and 1995, respectively. Balas
had been an assistant professor of biology at St. John's University in Staten Island, N.Y., prior to coming to
Thiel.
Robinson
was appointed to the Thiel faculty in 1974 as a part-time instructor in theatre. He holds bachelor's and master's
degrees from Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh, respectively, and his doctorate from Bowling
Green State University. Prior to his arrival at Thiel, he served as a theatre instructor at LaRoche College and
a drama and speech teacher at Saint Basil High School. He lives in Greenville.
DelMaramo
was appointed to the position of adjunct faculty member in the English department in 1989. She holds bachelor's
and master's degrees from Bowling Green State University where she had served as an intern instructor and a lecturer.
She and her husband, Dr. Mark DelMaramo, professor of English at Thiel, resides in Greenville.
Distinguished Staff Awards will be presented to Pamela
Despo, coordinator of health services; Gayle Erdice,
coordinator of gift accounts/reports; and Anna Mary
Hoovler, prospect research coordinator.
Despo
was appointed to the Thiel staff in 1991. She had served as a staff nurse at Greenville Regional Hospital from
1980 to 1998. Earlier in her career she was a full-time staff nurse at Indiana Hospital in Indiana, Pa. She earned
her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University and completed post-baccalaureate studies
in public health nursing while serving as a captain in the U.S. Army Nurse Corp. She is currently pursuing a master's
degree in nursing. She and her husband, Dr. Nicholas G. Despo, professor of biology at Thiel, reside in Jamestown.
Erdice,
a 1987 graduate of Thiel College, joined the Thiel staff in 1989. She provides systematic processing of all gifts
to the college. She and her husband, Wayne, reside in Jamestown.
Hoovler,
who joined Thiel in 1999, aids the college's advancement division in its search for funding gifts from individuals
and organizations. She and her husband, Dennis, reside in Hermitage.
A reception will follow the ceremony for honorees and their guests.
For more information about Founders' Day activities, please contact Jennie Travaglini at 724- 589-2188.
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ALCOHOL AWARENESS AUTHOR TO SPEAK AT THIEL
For immediate release January
13, 2004
 GREENVILLE,
PA - Alcohol education and awareness speaker Jim Matthews will speak at Thiel College at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan.
22, in the college's William A. Passavant Memorial Center.
Matthews, author of the book Beer, Booze and Books, will speak to the audience on the dangers of alcohol and its
effects, specifically toward college students. He will touch on family issues, personal risks, peer influences,
addiction, intervention and risk factors.
A certified trainer for the Prevention Research Institute, Matthews is currently an adjunct faculty member at Keene
State College in New Hampshire where he teaches courses in the Chemical Dependency Program. For 13 years he was
the special assistant to the vice president for alcohol and other drug programs at Keene. He was a participant
in the Professional in Residence Program at the Betty Ford Center.
Matthews earned a bachelor of science degree from Manhattan College and a master's degree in education from Queens
College in New York City. He holds a certificate in chemical dependency therapy.
The NCAA has approved Matthew's presentations as part of its Sports Sciences Speaker Program. He has been recognized
by the New Hampshire Legislature for his work in alcohol and other drug education and abuse prevention.
He has appeared on ABC-TV, WOR-TV, CNN, NBC Radio and New Hampshire Public Radio and has been featured in numerous
magazine and newspaper articles. He has spoken to over 135,000 students on more than 135 campuses throughout the
country.
The event at Thiel College is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Donovan Beidelschies
at 724.589.2142.
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WITOSKY NAMED VICE PRESIDENT & CFO OF THIEL
For immediate release January
12, 2004
 GREENVILLE,
PA - Gary Witosky of Concord Township, Ohio, has been appointed vice president and chief financial officer (CFO)
of Thiel College, effective immediately, announced Thiel President and CEO Dr. Lance A. Masters.
Witosky, a 1979 graduate of Thiel, will oversee the college's finances, planning, facilities and human resources
With more than 20 years of experience in accounting, finance and operations, Witosky is the former president and
chief operating officer of Colfor Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
For six years Witosky was an audit manager at Ernst & Whinney - now Ernst & Young - in Cleveland. In 1986
he was appointed treasurer and corporate controller of Park Corp., and in 1994 was named American Axle & Manufacturing
Inc. treasurer. He was subsequently named vice president in 1996 and appointed vice president of finance and CFO
in 1997. In May 1999 he was appointed president and chief operating officer of Colfor Manufacturing, Inc., retiring
in 2001.
Witosky is a member of Thiel's Board of Associates and the Alumni Board of Directors and is an adviser to the Haller
Enterprise Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.
He and his wife, Kate, have two children, Adam and Emily.
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