Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Mathematics and Computer Science > Past Commendations > 2004



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2004
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January 2004 Congratulations Graduates! This month we commend three more of our students who have turned into graduates on December 14, 2003. They are (from left to right) Joshua Horn, Rachele Antoniazzi, and Gregory Gornic. Joshua earned a BA in Computer Science and an AA in Management Information Systems. He is from Winsor, Ohio and a graduate of Grand Valley High School. His parents are Marsha and William Horne. Joshua credits he high school physics teacher, Mr. Dingman, with giving him the most help on his road to success. Rachele earned BA in Management Information Systems with a minor in Business Administration. She is from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Quigley Catholic High School. She has indicated that the Athletic Director, Mr. Driscoll, at Quigley was an important guide on her road to reaching her goals. Rachele's is the daughter of Bart and Sherry Antoniazzi. Gregory earned a BA in Computer Science. He is from Erie, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Erie Cathedral Prep. He has named Professor. Grover, one of his computer science teachers at Thiel, as his most important mentor. He is the son of Gerald and Dolores Gornic. We are very proud of these three industrious young people, and their parents and all of their former teachers must surely feel the same. Top

February 2004 Welcome, Dr. Baluck This month we welcome a colleague, Dr. Richard Baluck, to the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Richard holds a B.A. from Youngstown State University, where he majored in Mathematics and minored in Computer Science. He later added a second major in English. His interests in the relationship between Linguistics and Mathematics led him to pursue studies in the areas of Philosophy of Language, Logic and other aspects of Cognitive Science and Computational Linguistics at Loyola University Chicago. There he earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy. His academic experience also includes 8 years of teaching Logic and Theory of Knowledge, as well as a broad range of database management software tools such as Access, Paradox, FoxPro, SQLServer and Visual Basic. For the past 15 years Richard has been providing independent consulting and database application development services to business clients in the Financial and Marketing industries based in the Chicago area, and, more recently, in Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. He enjoys the opportunity to bring his experience to the classroom and views his teaching role as an important aspect of his professional activities. Residing in his hometown, Struthers, OH, he enjoys gardening and woodworking, and is an avid listener and occasional composer of folk and classical music. Top

March 2004 Student Leaders Succeed Three cheers and a round of hurrahs to (right to left in photo) Amanda McKeehan, Nicole Demski, Rebekah Williams, and Melanie Henthorn for all their efforts in the establishment of the Pennsylvania Rho Chapter of the national mathematics honorary Kappa Mu Epsilon here at Thiel College. Amanda McKeehan was especially diligent in seeing to all the details necessary to get the chapter to Thiel. This was a great achievement and is the culmination of a three-year effort by this group of dedicated individuals. Once again, congratulations to you all!! Top

April 2004 Great Problem Solvers The Commendation of the Month for April goes to the winners of the Fall, 2003 Problem of the Week contest. Congratulations to winner (left to right in photo) Andy Murrin and runner-up Nicholas Lias. Congratulations also goes out to the other prize winners: Michael Young who took 3rd and Amanda McKeehan & Raymond Sloss who tied for 4th. All of us in the Math & Computer Science Department extend our congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who participated in the contest. Top

May 2004 Congratulations Scholarship Winners! We in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science have the privilege each year of choosing two students to receive scholarships. The George and Magdalene Skegas Scholarship for Mathematics was established by Karolyn Skegas Krial '43 in memory of her parents. The winner of this award for 2004-2005 is junior Meghan Friedrich (on the right in the above photo). Meghan is a double major in actuarial studies and accounting. She is the daughter of Edwin Friedrich of Jefferson OH and Doborah Friedrich of Independance OH. Maghan graduated from Fefferson Area High School and credits her math teach there, Mr. Havens, for putting her on the road to success. The Nathan Warren Harter and Besse Roseberry Harter Scholarship was established as a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Harter to encourage Thiel students in the study of mathematics or Latin. The award this year goes to sophomore Greg Allison (on the left in the above photo). Greg is also a double major in actuarial studies and accounting. He is the son of Richard and Darlene Allison of Latrob, PA. Greg is a graduate of Latrobe High School where his calculus teacher, Mrs. Pompeia, gave him his primary inspiration to study mathematics. Top

June 2004 Congratulations Graduates! This month we commend the twenty-four students who earned degrees from this department on May 8, 2004. Zane Arbuckle graduated with a BA in Computer Science and an AA in Management Information Systems. Matthew Beacher with a BA in Computer Science. Justin Buzell graduated with an AA in Management Information Systems and a BA in Business Administration. Nicole Demski graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Thiel Honors program with BA's in Actuarial Studies and Business Administration and a minor in Mathematics. She earned Departmental Honors in both of her majors and received a Dean's Key. John Erickson graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Mathematics and a minor in secondary education. Landon Fedeles graduated with BA's in Computer Science and Management Information Systems and a minor in Business Administration. Cassandra Fobes Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Management Information Systems and minors in Business Administration and Sociology. She earned Department Honors in her major. Kerry Gutherie Graduated with BA's in Management Information Systems and Business Administration. Daniel Heckert graduated Cum Laude with BA's in Computer Science and Management Information Systems and minors in Parish Education and Religion. He earned Departmental Honors in MIS. Melanie Henthorn graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Thiel Honors Program with a BA in Mathematics and competed the requirements for Secondary Education certification. She earned Departmental Honors in Mathematics and Education and received the Deans Key. Janalle Kourie graduated with a BA in Management Information Systems. Klotilda Lazaj graduated with a BA in Mathematics and minors in Business Administration and French. Nathan Leard graduated Cum Laude from the Thiel Honors Program with BA's in Management Information Systems and Business Administration and a minor in Theatre Arts. Nicholas Lias graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Thiel Honors Program with a BA's in Mathematics and Spanish. Jonathan Manko graduated with BA's in Management Information Systems and Business Administration. Amanda McKeehan graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Thiel Honors Program with a BA in Mathematics. She earned Departmental Honors in her major and received the Deans Key. Anthony Ross graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Mathematics and completed the requirements for Secondary Education certification. He earned Departmental Honors in Education. Lauren Smolensky graduated with BA's in Management Information Systems and Business Administration. Amanda Swanson graduated with a BA in Management Information Systems and a minor in Mathematics. David Visnicky graduated with BA's in Management Information Systems and Business Administration. Sean Weaver graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Mathematics and completed the requirements for Secondary Education certification. He earned Departmental Honors in Mathematics and Education. Robert Weiland graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Computer Science. Rebekah Williams graduate Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Mathematics and completed the requirements for Secondary Education certification. She earned Departmental Honors in Mathematics and Education and received the Deans Key. Jan Willman graduated with BA's in Actuarial Studies, Accounting and Business Administration and a minor in Mathematics. We salute all of these graduates and wish them well in the future. Top

July 2004 Great Job! This month we congratulate May 2004 graduate Dan Heckert for successfully getting a wonderful job with Acclamation Systems. Dan graduated Cum Laude with BA's in Computer Science and Management Information Systems and minors in Parish Education and Religion. His hard work and excellent education at Thiel helped him obtain this excellent position as a software developer. Dan, who now lives in Elwood City, PA, is the son of David and Grace Heckert of Mount Wolf, PA. He is a graduate of North Eastern High School and credits his technology teacher, Mr. Sicher, with setting him on his road to success. We look forward to a great future for Dan. Top

August 2004 Welcome Home, Jamie! This month we welcome Professor Jamie Pinchot to the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Jamie has earned a Master of Science degree in Communications and Information Systems from Robert Morris University. She also holds a B.A. in Computer Science and an A.A. in Management Information Systems from Thiel College. (See Past Commendation July, 1999.) For the past five years, Jamie has worked as a full time web developer at Bayer Corporation, creating dynamic web applications and E-Business solutions. She is experienced in a wide range of web technologies and programming languages, and is a certified Advanced Macromedia Cold Fusion Developer. In addition to programming, Jamie is also experienced in graphic design for the web and user interface design, including interactive programming with Macromedia Flash. Her teaching interests include E-Commerce innovations and best practices, as well as the field of web usability. In addition to her industry experience, for the past few years Jamie has also been a part-time faculty member of the Computer Information Systems department at Robert Morris University. She has taught courses in Web Development and E-Commerce, Java Programming, Decision Support Systems, and Fundamentals of Information Systems. Jamie lives in Hopewell Township (north of Pittsburgh) with her husband, Paul, and puppy, Zoe. We expect Jamie to be a strong asset to our department as we develop new programs in computer science, and are happy to have her on board. Top

September 2004 Welcome, Professor Perrotta! Angelo A. Perrotta, Jr. is a new addition to the Mathematics and Computer Science Department. He will be an Adjunct Professor teaching College Algebra. He has earned a B.S.degree in Chemistry from Duquesne University. He also holds a Master of Education degree in Secondary School Administration from Westminster College. Angelo has worked in the education of youngsters for forty six years. He has experience as a Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics teacher. He was a school administrator for twenty six years, although his interests has been in teaching Mathematics and Chemistry. In addition to teaching he was involved in the transportation of handicapped children and adults. He taught for two years at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pa. While at Central he taught Mathematics. He then moved to his home town New Castle, Pa. in 1960. At the High School he taught Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. While at New Castle he receved several N. S. F. Grants furthering his education in Mathematics and Science. During his tenure at New Castle High he was also Assistant Principal and Principal. Upon retiring from the New Castle Area School District in 1999, he continued his teaching at Youngstown State Univeresity in the field of Mathematics. He then took another part time position teaching Mathematics at Our lady of Sacred Heart in Moon Township, Penna. He lives in New Castle, Pa. with his wife Angela. He was blessed with two children Angelo III and Rosemarie. Both of his children are working in the field of education. His pride and joy is his grandson Angelo IV, who is two and a half years old. This young man has the same birthday with his great grandfather. He is deeply impressed by the friendlness of everyone he has met here at Thiel College and is looking foreward to an excellent experience here. We are pleased to have a person with such extensive experience on our staff and look forward to great things from him. Top

October 2004 Congratulations Scholarship Winners! This month we salute three freshmen in our department who received impressive scholarships this year. They are Nicholas Scaife (left), Stephen Nesbitt (right) and Ryan Lewis (not pictured). Nick, recipient of a Presidential Scholarship, is an actuarial studies major who comes to us from Stow, Ohio where he lives with his parents George and Betty Scaife. He is a graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School. He attributes much of his success to date to his 11th grade English teacher, Mrs. Colligan. Steve earned an Achievement Award scholarship. He is the son of Sandra and Walt Nesbitt of Mt. Laurel, N.J. His most important inspiration came from Mrs. Mozelewski, his computer science teacher at Burlington County Institute of Technology. He plans to continue his study of computers by pursing a degree in management information systems at Thiel. Ryan is another Achievement Award winner. He is the son of Karen and Jeffrey Lewis of North East, PA. Ryan graduated from North East High School where his chemistry teacher and soccer coach Mr. Phill Sarver, and his calculus teacher Mr. Mat Shesman were both instrumental in guiding him to success. We are very proud of these three young men and look forward to helping them on their road to success for the next four years. Top

November 2004 Great Job, Phil! Phil Troutman, a Senior from Cabot, PA majoring in Management Information Systems spent this past summer in an internship at Butler Country Courthouse engaging in a substantial overhaul of the county's website. Phil had a rewarding experience learning many details of web development as well as the challenges of having to meet government dictated standards - even when they didn't always appear to make sense. Phil noted, "At first I had a lot of trouble trying to get it [the county government dictated web editor] to do what I wanted, especially since I was used to a different editor - Dreamweaver MX." After working with the county's web editor Phil noted that "knowing how to edit websites through the code is much more beneficial than trying to create and edit all web pages through a pre-designed interface." Not only did Phil gain technical proficiency designing websites this past summer, but he also learned important people skills working with several clients working with "many different people [in various departments] who had different personalities and work styles" as well as his supervisor in the Information Technology department. Congratulations to Phil on a very successful internship experience. Top

December 2004 Programmers Hit the Road Again On Friday Nov. 5, a group of nine students and two professors embarked from Thiel to participate in the 2004 Regional Association for Computing Machinery, or ACM, Programming Competition. Competing for approximately 20 years, Thiel sent three teams to represent the college against 72 other colleges and universities comprising a total of 131 teams drawn from Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, eastern Ontario, and Indiana. The nine Thiel students were selected through a mini programming competition organized by Computer Science Professor, Andrew Grover, after several weeks of optional practice sessions. Students were asked to design computer programs to solve selected problems. After this ordeal, three teams were formed, Code_Dependence, Int_Main(), and Thiel_RTFM. The teams consisted of senior Scott Free (standing 2 from right), freshman Scott Greis (kneeling middle), freshman Masanori Iwasaki (kneeling 2nd from left) on Int_Main(), freshman Ryan Hall (kneeling 2nd from right), junior Luke Rose (standing 2nd from left), and junior Ben Wheeler (kneeling left) on Code_Dependence, and junior Adam Moeller (standing right), sophomore Brian Zimmerman (standing left), and sophomore Nicholas Rhodes (standing center)on Thiel_RTFM. Professors Grover (kneeling right) and Jamie Pinchot (behind the camera) chaperoned the students. In the contest, eight problems were presented with a five hour time limit placed on submissions. Submissions were judged on correctness with points awarded according to the amount of time it took to solve the problem. The team with the most problems solved in the least time was declared the winner. Each of Thiel's teams end up solving one of the eight presented problems. Team Code_Dependence and Thiel_RTFM tied for 89th place while Int_Main() finished 113th. Top