July 2011
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Campus Happenings
Hodge Hall Renovations Update
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Hodge Hall is undergoing a major overhaul this summer! Renovations include a new roof, new electricity, new window treatments, new flooring and carpeting, and upgrades to all lounges and common areas. Additionally all six bathrooms have been renovated. Hodge updates will be completed in plenty of time for move-in next month. And you can see it for yourself during Homecoming weekend! Hodge Hall will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, September 23 for an alumni open house.
College for Kids Recap
More than 70 elementary and junior-high aged students flocked to campus this month for Thiel’s annual College for Kids program. The students had opportunities to take classes such as Fairy Tale Court, CSI, Digital Photography, The Way Things Work, Cooking with Chef Chris and many others! Several local professionals also came to speak to the students about career opportunities in their chosen fields. Stay tuned for information about next summer’s College for Kids—children of Thiel alumni are eligible for a discount!
Dr. Derek Nelson Named Esteemed Fellow
Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Derek Nelson, chair of the Religion Department, who was recently named a Westcott Fellow at Cambridge University, as well as elected a fellow of St. Cross College at Oxford University! He will take a sabbatical from Thiel during the ‘Michaelmus’ term of September through December 2011 to undergo his work in England.Thiel Names Campus Pastor
On August 1, Thiel will welcome The Rev. Bill Bixby as campus pastor. Previously, Bixby served as director for youth and young adult ministries with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churchwide staff, where he played a major role in youth leader development. As campus pastor, Bixby will oversee campus worship and campus ministry groups, provide pastoral care to those within the college community, support the college’s efforts to attract and enroll Lutheran students, nurture relationships with congregations in the Greenville and surrounding areas, and serve as a spokesperson for the Lutheran identity of the College. For more information, click here.Alumni News
Thiel Fund Results—Thank you!
As the books were closed on June 30 for fiscal year 2011, we are pleased to report that the $1 million goal for the Thiel Fund support was exceeded! We sincerely appreciate the support of our alumni and friends during this fiscal year. Voluntary support is a crucial part of private higher education and, because of these gifts, we will be able to continue to provide an excellent, student-centered educational experience for generations to come.
President’s Challenge Results
The Class of 2010 has won the President’s Challenge with 22 percent participation to The Thiel Fund! Thirty-three classmates made a gift to aid in their effort. They will be officially recognized at a halftime presentation during the October 1 home football game vs. Thomas More. To see how your class finished, visit the President’s Challenge Web site.Survey Participation
Many thanks to the nearly 400 alumni who participated in our June survey. Your feedback is valued and hugely appreciated. Congratulations to Mark DeHaven ’77 and James Kara ’08, winners of the two drawings for participation!Homecoming 2011
The official Homecoming 2011 booklet will hit mailboxes this week! Join us during the weekend of September 23-25 and show your School Spirit alongside fellow alums and Thiel friends. This year’s schedule includes fun new activities as well as the perennial favorites. See you then!In Memoriam
We pay tribute to the following Thiel alumni who passed away in June and July 2011:William Floros ’56
Alice Gerberding ’52
James McElree ’39
George Merk ’65
Mary Jane Richwalsky ’35
Rev. David Schweingruber ’52
Lilly Solomon ’56
Jessie Wilt ’58
For information about obituaries and memorial contributions, contact the Alumni Office. A reminder that our alumni brothers and sisters who have passed on this year will be honored at the Homecoming Service of Remembrance on Sunday, September 25.
Alumni Office AIM
Have a question about Homecoming, an alumni event or another Thiel matter? Want to share a suggestion or feedback with the Alumni Office? Get in touch with us in real-time by sending us an instant message to ‘Thiel Alumni’ on AIM. We’re excited to hear from you!
Help Us Find Lost Alumni
Over the years, we occasionally lose touch with Thiel alumni. Visit our Lost Alumni page and let us know if you can help us to “find” your classmates!
Join Us on LinkedIn
Join the Thiel Alumni group on LinkedIn and network with fellow alumni today! Click here to join.Keep in Touch!
Let us know if you have new contact information or exciting news in your life. Fill in the online update form here.
Thiel alumni gathered recently at Ivy Hall in Philadelphia, hosted by Dr. John ’66 and Martha ’67 Haas.
Thiel alumni gathered at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD for an event hosted by Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ed Bartko ’72.
Athletics
Homecoming Athletic Events
Great news for Tomcat fans—the Thiel football, women’s volleyball and men’s & women’s soccer teams will all be competing at home during Homecoming weekend! Athletic competitions are listed below:Friday, September 23
4 p.m.: Women’s Volleyball vs. Chatham (Beeghly Gymnasium)
8 p.m.: Women’s Volleyball vs. LaRoche (Beeghly Gymnasium)
Saturday, Septmeber 24
12:30 p.m.: Football vs. St. Vincent (Alumni Stadium)
1:15 p.m.: Women’s Soccer vs. Salem International (Greenville Recreational Fields)
4:15 p.m.: Men’s Soccer vs. Salem International (Alumni Stadium)
Cat Tracks Coming Soon
The summer 2011 issue of Cat Tracks will hit mailboxes near the end of July. Thank you for supporting Tomcat athletics!
Blue-Gold Golf Outing Recap
On Friday, May 27, more than 100 members of the Tomcat family took to the Greens of Greenville for the annual Blue-Gold
golf outing. The team of Nick Reiser, Dave Bracco and Dee Faulx earned the first place finish with a score of 11-under par. Many thanks to those who participated in this special event to support Thiel’s 24 varsity athletic programs! For a full recap, visit here.
Inaugural Grass Volleyball Tournament 
Tomcat student-athletes, friends and Thiel family participated in our first-ever grass volleyball tournament on the quad on Saturday, July 9. The tournament was organized by Chelsea Meister ’13 and proceeds benefited the Thiel men’s and women’s volleyball programs. Go Tomcats!
Buy Tomcat Gear Online
Visit our online store to customize and purchase Thiel gear to show your Tomcat pride!
Upcoming Events
Homecoming 2011
September 23-25
Join us for Thiel’s biggest celebration of the year! Full schedule and details will be posted on the Homecoming Web page next week.
Shenango Valley Alumni Mixer
October Date TBD
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Bella Cena Restaurant (3200 S. Hermitage Rd, Hermitage, PA)
Pittsburgh Alumni Golf Outing and Event
Saturday, October 29
Treesdale Country Club (One Arnold Palmer Dr, Gibsonia, PA 15044)
Morning Tee Time TBD
4-6 p.m., Reception
Save the date to join us in October at the Treesdale Country Club. Special golf rates will be offered to Thiel alumni, and all are welcome to attend the golf outing and/or cocktail reception to follow.
Thiel Alumni Network Nights
November / December 2011
Erie, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Cleveland, OH
All exact dates and locations TBD
Join alumni in your city for an evening of networking and socializing. Stay tuned for details!
With questions or to RSVP for any alumni event, contact Lauren Oman, director of alumni services, at loman@thiel.edu or 724-589-2042.