|
James
McHugh '62 is Thiel College's Commencement Speaker
James McHugh '62, dedicated
leader and supporter of Thiel College, will be the keynote speaker for commencement on Dec. 19.
Thiel College expects to graduate 20 students during the ceremony that begins at 11 a.m. in the William A. Passavant
Memorial Center. Thiel President Lance A. Masters, Ph.D. will welcome the graduating seniors, parents and friends
and will confer degrees and distribute diplomas.
Since graduating from Thiel with a degree in business administration, James McHugh has established an exemplary
record as an alumni leader and dedicated volunteer. His outstanding service to Thiel led to his election to the
Board of Trustees in 1988 and appointment as chair of the development committee. In 1994, Mr. McHugh was invited
to serve as vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and was recognized by the Thiel College Alumni Association as
the recipient of The Distinguished Alumnus Award.
In 1995, he was elected to the position of board chairman. Under his leadership, the Board of Trustees initiated
the Thiel 2000: Sharing the Mission Campaign, an impressive fund-raising effort that resulted in gifts and pledges
totaling more than $30 million.
His commitment to excellence is also demonstrated by his professional achievements and community involvement. Mr.
McHugh began his career in 1965 when he joined Kennametal, Inc., where he held various management positions until
1978, when he was promoted to vice president/general manager of Kennametal's Mining Tool Group. In the mid 1980s,
Jim purchased his own company, Pakco Industrial Ceramics, which thereafter became a subsidiary of ALCOA. In addition
to serving as president of Norton/Pakco Industrial Ceramics, he now acts a consultant to St. Gobain Industrial
Ceramics Corporation, a multinational materials company with headquarters in Paris, France. Jim is the chairman
of the Latrobe Area Hospital Board of Directors and serves as a director of the Hospital's charitable foundation.
Mr. McHugh received his MBA at Miami University of Ohio and is a 1978 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University's
Executive Management Program. In 1998, he completed the Entrepreneurial Management Program at Carnegie Mellon University.
He resides in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Betty Ann. They have two children, Beth Ann and Ryan, and a
grandson, James Thomas.
Back
to the top
Phi
Theta Phi fraternity raises $48,276 for Pittsburgh Children's Hospital
 Each year, the men of Phi Theta Phi fraternity at Thiel College embark on a 100-mile trek, a two-day
journey from the Thiel campus in Greenville to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, where they present hospital officials
with donations received over the course of the Phi Theta Phi Walk-A-Thon. This year's Walk, held Dec. 3-4, marked
the fraternity's 33rd year to donate to Children's Hospital. The 1999 fund-raising goal of $45,000 was surpassed-donations
received this year total $48,276.17. The check will be presented to the children's hospital on Dec. 16 and will
be broadcast by KDKA. This year's total places the Thiel fraternity close to the one-million-dollar mark.
"Our motivation is to help out the kids at Children's Hospital," said Todd Pilipovich, a native of Sharon,
Pa., and 1999 Phi Walk chairman. "Every cent of what we raise goes to Children's Hospital."
The Phi Walk was started in 1968 by Rev. Gary Risher. The initial effort raised $1,100 for the hospital. The walkers
included fraternity brothers (both alumni and undergraduate), Thiel faculty members and friends.
 "The tour of the hospital is what makes the entire event worthwhile. By the time we get there,
we're all pretty tired and sore, but when you see the children and the things they have to deal with each and every
day, walking 100 miles doesn't seem so bad," said Pilipovich. "The emotions I experienced during the
tour last year are what made me want to be the chairman for this year's walk."
The fraternity raises the money for Children's Hospital by accepting donations prior to the walk and at intersections
along the walk. The Phi Theta Phi fraternity also collected donations at the Pittsburgh Steelers' football game
against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Nov. 14.
Anyone still wishing to support the fraternity's effort may make checks payable to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
and mail to Todd Pilipovich, Phi Walk, Thiel College, Greenville, PA 16125.
Back
to the top
Thiel
Reduces Tuition
In response
to public concern about rising educational costs, Thiel College has taken the necessary steps to make a quality,
private education accessible to more families through a tuition restructuring program that reduces prices by 27%
for new students entering Thiel in the fall of 1999.
With a recent history of solid enrollment, faculty who are nationally recognized for their pioneering work in the
area of global studies and a personal approach to learning, Thiel College is one of the most affordable, quality
private colleges in the nation, boasting a competitive tuition price tag of $9,990.
Back
to the top
Howard
Miller Student Center Renovations Enter Final Phase
 The final phase of the expansion and renovation of the
Howard Miller Student Center at Thiel College continues. Following the inauguration and commencement exercises
that took place the first weekend in May 1999, Wallace Builders of Pulaski, Pa., began work on what will be a 12-
to 18-month project.
The majority of work being done in Phase III (click here for photos) is on the west end (facing College Avenue) of the current structure. Externally,
the additions and renovations will emulate the architecture of the recently renovated east end of the building.
Internally, the improvements will include benefits for both the students and the staff of the College. In the new
rotunda, a snack bar, a multi-purpose activities room and a game room will be added. New offices will be constructed
for the student services department, the campus ministry and career center. The entire campus community will also
benefit from a new art gallery, bookstore and a campus post office, which will be located on the main level of
the student center.
These improvements will complete the renovations to the Howard Miller Student Center that began in 1994 as part
of the Thiel 2000: Sharing the Mission capital campaign.
Phase I of the project, completed in 1996, included a redesigned dining area, a modern food court, a student-activities
board room, a passenger elevator, handicapped-accessible rest rooms and upgrades to the heating, ventilation and
air conditioning systems.
Later, in October of 1997, female students enrolled in Thiel's Center for Women's Leadership became the beneficiaries
of improvements made to Livingston Hall, a residence hall connected to the Howard Miller Student Center. This residence
hall was transformed into a living-learning environment where women can prepare for leadership roles in government,
business, research and medicine.
Phase II of the project called for renovation to the east end of the building. The student lounge area outside
of the Sawhill-Georgian Room was expanded and changes were made to the roof of the southeast portion of the building.
A new entrance was built, along with a student lounge, an interior commons area and a pre-function room leading
to the Sawhill-Georgian Room.
"We are continuing our promise to students of providing a great education in a quality environment by enhancing
and improving their student center, their classrooms and residence halls," said Thiel College President Lance
Masters. "This will help build even more pride among our students for Thiel College."
Back
to the top
Thiel College Earns $100,000 Grant For Environmental
Chemistry
Thiel College received
a $100,000 grant from The Orris C. Hirtzel and Beatrice Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Foundation to go toward the pursuit
of a new program in environmental chemistry. The grant, allocated for the purchase of new equipment, upgrades to
current equipment and services of a consultant, will help attract a high-caliber environmental chemistry faculty
member for the fall of 2000.
"This grant will help us create a new environmental chemistry program that will be a strong addition to an
already distinguished chemistry department," said President Lance Masters, Ph.D. Thiel's chemistry major is
one of a relatively small number in the United States that has earned accreditation by the American Chemical Society.
The field of environmental consulting is one of the fastest growing industries in western Pennsylvania, and with
only two other colleges in the area (Mercyhurst College, St. Vincent College) offering a specialization, Thiel
will compete favorably for students. Thiel's location near highly industrialized areas, abandoned steel mills and
coal mines and major waterways will provide a virtual experiential laboratory with an abundance of internship opportunities
and career jobs. The addition of the environmental chemistry specialization to Thiel's programs, made possible
by this grant, will continue the highly distinguished reputation of Thiel's science and chemistry programs.
Back
to the top
Thiel Establishes Paul Bush '66 Memorial Fitness Center
 The Paul Bush
'66 Memorial Fitness Center is a facility committed to all students as a fitness and gathering place. It was conceived,
designed and built out of the recognition for the need to have an energetic social place where physical fitness
and fun are key.
"Today's college-bound youth expect to have a fitness or wellness center that is not centered on athletics
or physical education, but rather on a wholesome and healthy lifestyle for both women and men. As work continues
this academic year on the Howard Miller Student Center, the new Fitness Center is even more important to the students
as a place to gather and meet," said Professor John Dickason, Thiel's director of recreation programs and
the Bush Fitness Center.
The Fitness Center is located in Rissell Gymnasium, a 71-year-old facility. "In a collaborative effort, we
decided to put the Center there as a creative use for a facility that's getting old and worn out," said President
Lance Masters, Ph.D. "One of my first initiatives was to have a fitness center available to our students.
What began as an initial anonymous donation of $150,000 when the project was first conceptualized has grown to
a $375,000 project."
This project included draining of the pool, covering it with a composite floor and dividing the room with an articulating
panel wall system into an aerobics/dance studio, with mirrors and a large multi-purpose room that is being used
for wrestling and other activities. Upstairs, three areas are being completed on the main floor of the old gym:
one with a rubber floor for free weights and plate machines, one for selectorized strength and conditioning machines
and one for cardiovascular equipment such as treadmills, stair machines and elliptical trainers. A social space
with vending machines and tables and chairs is also being built. The Fitness Center also received new heating and
cooling systems.
The Center should be fully operational for students returning from Christmas break.
The facility was created in memory of Lt. Paul Bush '66, an exemplary Thiel graduate who served with distinction
in the Vietnam War and was an early combat casualty.
Donations are still welcome to complete the funding of this addition to student life. For more information, please
call David Grober at 724.589.2842.
Back
to the top
Thiel Welcomes Roseanne Gill-Jacobson as New VP of Student Services
 Roseanne Gill-Jacobson,
Marietta, Ohio, was recently named Vice President of Student Services at Thiel College.
Gill-Jacobson is responsible for providing executive leadership in areas of programming, financial management,
personnel administration and strategic planning for the Student Services Division; oversees residence life, health
services, student activities, greek affairs, athletics, multicultural affairs and judicial affairs.
"I'm very excited to be part of the Thiel College family and President Masters' team," said Gill-Jacobson.
"I look forward to working with the staff to make Thiel a more enjoyable place for the students."
Before assuming her current position at Thiel, Gill-Jacobson was the associate dean of student life/director of
residence life at Marietta College in Ohio. She also held previous positions at Marietta College, including director
of campus life programs, total quality management trainer and director of student center and summer conferences.
Gill- Jacobson has held leadership roles in the planning of special events and conferences such as Telesis, a community
leadership program developed for the Marietta Chamber of Commerce. She also has experience teaching at seminars
and workshops across the nation.
Gill-Jacobson received both her bachelor of interdisciplinary study and master of education degrees from Ohio University.
"Roseanne's extensive experience in a student life department and her skills in program development can only
benefit our effort to improve the experience students will receive by attending Thiel College," said Thiel
College President Lance Masters, Ph.D. "In addition, her experienced ability to form positive relationships
with students will allow her to help students with issues ranging from academic performance to social and emotional
issues on a one-on-one basis."
Gill-Jacobson is originally from the Campbell area, having graduated from Campbell Memorial High School. She currently
resides in Greenville with her husband Michael and their son Scott.
Back
to the top
|
