March 21, 2007 Saundra '81 & Richard Parker '82, speakers VP, PNC Bank retired Pharmaceutical Sales Rep, Cepacol "Rich and Sandy Parker are a couple I really admire.  As a young woman engaged to be married this August, I am constantly wondering how my career life will impact my marriage.  It is so refreshing and comforting to see that there is so much vitality possible in both career and marriage." ~ Abigail Lubanovic, senior "Thiel graduates Sandy and Rich Parker spoke to our senior seminar class not just about their careers but about their lives.  They both had many interesting things to say at dinner, which was lovely.  We ate stuffed chicken with wild rice.  It was delicious.  Dinner conversation consisted of where everyone was from and what we had done for spring break." ~ Evan Johnson, senior "Lessons Learned: *Always back your employees, whether right or wrong, even in front of a customer. *Never scream at your employees, it will lesson your credibility. *If it is important to an employee, it should be important to you. *Do jobs no one else wants to do. *Respect is earned, not given. *It is better to be respected than liked. *Surround yourself with something you like and is fun too. *Sometimes choices are made for you, and sometimes you'll make your own." ~ Bess Moran, senior "Richard stressed the idea that, 'If you don't play, it is your fault.'  Lessons Learned:  mistakes are okay; not every opportunity is good and not every decision will be a right one; take the tools you are given and apply them; there are many more important things in life than money and jobs... value life and the people close to you." ~ Eric Newlin, senior "Saundra was very outgoing and outspoken.  The dinner conversation had a great flow.  I personally asked Saundra questions regarding her time while attending Thiel.  She made it clear that she had a wonderful time.  I personally related with Saundra in the fact that her junior year she decided she did not like accounting and that a career in public accounting was not for her.  In her speech, Saundra discussed her banking career path." ~ Sarah McCoy, senior "The Parkers show what a true relationship is all about.  That is probably the best lesson I learned tonight.  If one member of the relationship has a weakness, then the other can make up for that weakness with their strengths." ~ Chris Lorber, junior