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NBA SUPERSTAR, POLITICAL
ACTIVIST MANUTE BOL TO SPEAK AT THIEL OCT. 29
For immediate release October
23, 2003
GREENVILLE, Pa. - Thiel College was recently awarded a $10,000
National College Athletic Association (NCAA) initiative grant that will bring former NBA star and political activist
Manute Bol to campus next week.
Bol will speak at a public forum at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.
29, in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.
At seven feet seven inches, Bol is one of the most recognizable
figures in the world.
A native of Sudan, the former Dinka tribesman spent 11 years
with the NBA. At the height of his career, his $1.5 million contract with the 76ers was augmented by sponsorships
with Nike, Kodak and Toyota.
Throughout the years Bol has been a big supporter of the Sudanese
Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA), an organization consisting of many members of his Dinka tribe. For years, a civil
war has raged between the Islamic Fundamentalist Sudanese government in the north and the Christians and animists
- including Bol's Dinka tribe - in the south. Bol is believed to have spent over $3.5 million supporting SPLA.
Bol is the founder of the Ring True Foundation, which provides
aid to displaced southern Sudanese families. His foundation also supports the Lost Boys of Sudan, young orphaned
refugees forced from their villages and left to trek across the wastelands of the sub-Sahara Africa.
The NCAA offers annual grants to Division III schools that
support the education and professional development of students, faculty, staff and administration. Student-athlete
welfare issues, membership education of campus leaders and diversity are the targeted areas of interest.
For more information about the event, please call Clyde Morgan
at 724-589-2038.
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THIEL COLLEGE HONORS
CONVOCATION IS FRIDAY; LOCAL PASTOR TO SERVE AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER
For immediate release October
22, 2003
 GREENVILLE, PA - Local Lutheran minister, the Rev. Martin M. Roth,
will serve as keynote speaker for Thiel College's annual Honors Convocation at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the college's
William A. Passavant Memorial Center.
Three hundred and eighteen students - including scholarship
recipients, academic honorary members and dean's list honorees - will be recognized for their academic achievements
earned during the 2002-2003 academic year. Freshmen scholarship recipients also will be announced.
Roth, senior pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Greenville,
is a 1966 graduate of Thiel. A member of the Thiel College Board of Trustees since 1996, Roth will provide the
address "For the Honor of It All."
Raised in Pittsburgh, Roth earned his bachelor of arts degree
in philosophy from Thiel College, and his master of divinity and master of sacred theology degrees from The Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
Prior to his arrival at Greenville's Holy Trinity, where he
has been a pastor for 18 years, Roth served at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Port Allegany, Pa., Trinity Lutheran
Church in Smethport, Pa., and Messiah Lutheran Church in Wesleyville, Pa.
Active in the community, Roth is a member of the Thiel College
Chapel Campaign Committee, the UPMC Horizon Hospital System Board of Trustees, the UPMC Horizon Ethics Committee
and the Thiel College Strategic Planning Committee. He is also chair of the Thiel College Board of Trustees Instruction
Committee, as well as the Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee. He is a founding member of the Community Medical
Ethics Project and the Good Shepherd Center Board. He is a past member of the Synod Council, had served as a hospice
spiritual care coordinator, was a member of the Mercer Regional Correction Facility Chapel Committee, and is past
president of the Greenville Area Christian Ministerial Association.
Roth and his wife, Sarah "Sally" Fox Roth, a 1965
graduate of Thiel College, reside in Greenville.
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THIEL COLLEGE FRESHMAN
COMPETES TO BE THE NEXT 'TODAY'S SUPERSTAR'
For immediate release October
20, 2003
 GREENVILLE,
PA - Asia Ross is hoping that her years of singing will finally pay off as she competes to become the next singing
sensation - and the next "Today's Superstar."
Ross, an 18-year-old Thiel College freshman from Cuyahoga
Falls, Ohio, was the first finalist named Monday morning to the second annual NBC News "Today" competition.
After viewing over 6,000 audition tapes, judges selected Ross
and seven others as finalists. Ross and one other finalist's name were announced Monday. The remainder of the contestants
will be announced throughout the week and all eight will appear live on "Today" on Friday, Oct. 24, to
find out which song they will individually perform on the Monday, Oct. 28 show.
Ross, a pre-law major with a big voice - and big plans for
her future - said she has been singing since she was 3-years-old.
"I think I was singing before I was talking," Ross
said, adding that she is prepared to display her vocal talents to the nation and confident that she can walk away
the winner. "I'm ready to show people what I can do."
Ross entered the competition at the urging of her mother and
performed the songs "Hero" and "My Funny Valentine," her favorite song, for her audition tape.
The 8:36 a.m. announcement that she was a finalist for the
competition came as a surprise to Ross who learned of her good fortune while she was in a phony work-study interview.
"Throughout my interview, I kept mentioning that I wanted
to get back to the dorm to watch the "Today" show because I wanted to find out if I was going to be named
a finalist in the competition," said Ross.
Laurie Lehosky, anchor with "WFMJ Today," an early-morning
program on the NBC Youngstown affiliate station WFMJ, made the surprise announcement to Ross and the country -
and then connected her via satellite to Matt Lauer of the "Today" show.
After the Oct. 28 performance, fans and viewers
can log on to www.today.msnbc.com to vote for which contestants will continue on with the
competition.
All eight will return on Thursday, Oct. 30 - which happens
to be Ross's birthday - but with the announcement of whom the viewers voted out, only the remaining seven will
perform. This process will continue on Mondays and Thursdays each week until one finalist remains. The songs each
finalist will sing for their appearances will be determined by spinning a wheel.
The competition will culminate with a concert featured the
newly-named "Today's Superstar," broadcast live outside of "Today's" Studio 1A in Rockefeller
Plaza, New York. In addition, the winner will earn a recording session with Warner Brothers Records.
Ross, a member of the Thiel Choir, is a 2003 graduate of Bedford
High School. She is the daughter of Robin M. Dixon of Cuyahoga Falls and Rueben D. Ross of Oakwood Village, Ohio.
Thiel College is a liberal arts, sciences and professional
studies college related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and located in Greenville, Pa.
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THIEL 'KIDS & CHEMISTRY'
PROGRAM IS SUNDAY, OCT. 26
For immediate release October
15, 2003
GREENVILLE, PA - The Thiel College chapter of student affiliates
of the American Chemical Society (ACS) will join other student affiliate chapters throughout the nation to celebrate
National Chemistry Week Oct. 19-25.
In celebration of National Chemistry Week, the Thiel student
affiliate chapter of the ACS will sponsor an afternoon "Kids and Chemistry" program from 2 to 4 p.m.
on Sunday, Oct. 26, to generate children's interest in chemistry and sciences.
Fourth through sixth grade students from East and St. Michael
elementary schools in Greenville will visit Thiel for chemistry demonstrations and break into small groups to perform
hands-on science activities. This year's theme is "Earth's Atmosphere and Beyond" to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of flight.
Some of the day's activities include making Silly Putty and
slime, playing chemistry bingo and building pop rockets.
The program will be held in Room 100 of Thiel College's Academic
Center which is located by the library. The event is free and open to the public. Children should wear old play
clothes to the event. Parents are welcome to attend, although supervision will be provided.
For more information, please contact Dr. Kathryn Frantz at
724-589-2113.
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SEN. BOB ROBBINS TO SPONSOR
GOVERNMENT SEMINAR AT THIEL COLLEGE
For immediate release October 14,
2003
GREENVILLE, PA - Thiel College will host a state government
seminar for high school students on Friday, Oct. 17, in the college's Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller
Student Center.
Sponsored and coordinated by state Sen. Robert D. Robbins,
R-50, over 100 students and advisors will participate in the daylong seminar "State Government: A Closer Look."
Robbins, whose legislative districts include Mercer and Crawford
counties and portions of Butler and Lawrence counties, will provide an overview of the seminar before students
break into groups for particular session topics.
Session topics include:
- "Health care"
with panelists Tim Ohrum, Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania; Morgan Plant, Counseling Professionals
PAC; and state Rep. Michael Gruitza, D-7
- "Telecommunications" with panelists Dutch Wurzbach of Verizon and Rocco Pugliese of Pugliese PAC
- "Business Growth and Global Economy" with panelists Chris Masciantonio of USX Corporation PAC; Natalie
Nutt and Kevin Shivers, both of NFIB; and state Rep. Rod Wilt, R-17
- "Energy Independence" with panelists Randy Coleman of FirstEnergy; Maryann Yochim of National Fuel;
and state Rep. Dick Stevenson, R-8
- "Legislative Process" with panelists Sen. Robbins and his legislative director Nathan Silcox
Rep. Chris Sainato, D-9, will join the afternoon session "The
Impact of Political Participation."
Students will represent the following high schools: Slippery
Rock, Cochranton, Maplewood (Guys Mills, Pa.), Meadville, Laurel (New Castle), Wilmington (New Wilmington), Commodore
Perry (Hadley, Pa.), Farrell, Greenville, Grove City, Jamestown, Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage), Lakeview (Stoneboro,
Pa.), Reynolds, Sharon, Sharpsville, and the Keystone Education Center.
For more information about the event, please contact the office of Sen. Bob Robbins at 724-588-1323.
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TCTV NEWS LAUNCHES PROGRAM
ON TIME WARNER CABLE
For immediate release October
14, 2003
GREENVILLE, PA - The Thiel College Communication Studies Department
will launch the college's first television news program, TCTV News, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, on Channel 9 of
Time Warner Cable.
"We're very excited about this new project," said
Thiel College President and CEO Dr. Lance A. Masters. "Certainly this will be a program of campus and regional
community interest as well as a definite hands-on learning experience for our students."
TCTV News will be produced entirely by Thiel students, said
Kim Young, project advisor and adjunct communication studies professor. Initially, the program will be produced
by students enrolled in Young's Broadcast Journalism course, in which students are learning all aspects of the
field - including writing, editing, shooting, anchoring, reporting, producing and directing.
While TCTV News is in its initial stages a class project,
Young anticipates it will eventually become its own student-run media entity.
Young said because the project is still in its infancy, the
initial air schedule will be flexible, although the goal of TCTV News is to become a weekly half-hour news program
featuring news and sports.
"This is a true labor of love, one I believe will benefit
the college as a whole," said Young, who spent 20 years as an anchor and reporter in television news. Because
Time Warner's coverage area is so vast - covering western Pennsylvania as far north as Erie and northeastern Ohio
areas such as Akron and Youngstown - Young sees TCTV News as a great opportunity to attract students interested
in pursuing a career in the field of broadcast journalism.
"The students are really beside themselves," said
Young. "They are very excited to be a part of something so new -- to be able to help build this from the ground
up."
For more information about the program, please contact Young
at 724-589-2765.
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GROUND BROKEN FOR
FUTURE CAMPUS CHAPEL, COMMUNITY CENTER DEDICATED
For immediate release October
8, 2003
The promise of the David Johnson Memorial Chapel,
Thiel College's first free-standing chapel, came closer to reality with an official groundbreaking ceremony during
the college's homecoming weekend on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The 5,000-square-foot chapel - named in memory for David G. Johnson, the son of Thiel College Chairman Emeritus
and 1988 honorary degree recipient Dr. Glen R. and
LaVonne Johnson - will be situated in the heart of
Thiel's campus and will seat approximately 250.
Welcoming the guests to the groundbreaking ceremony was Albert
U. Gesler III, director of church relations for the
college, followed by special remarks made by Thiel President and CEO Dr.
Lance A. Masters. A prayer of remembrance was offered
by the Rev. Dr. David Gleason, a member of the college's board of trustees.
President Masters introduced the initiating gift donors the Rev.
Dr. Col. Johns Woods, class of 1928 and 1957 honorary
degree recipient, and his wife Dr. Arlene Sitler Woods, and the chapel-naming donors, the Johnsons.
A prayer of groundbreaking was provided by Thiel College Campus Pastor the Rev.
Dr. Paul Bagylos. Special music throughout the ceremony
was provided the Thiel College Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr.
Michael Bray, professor of music.
Shoveling the first bits of dirt for the chapel project were President Masters and his wife, Dr. Brenda Ponsford;
the Johnsons; David Johnson's widow, Sheila Blokzyl
Johnson, and their daughters Katelyn, Kora, and Kari;
the Woods; the Rev. Julia Fraser, assistant to the bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America; and Ronald Anderson, vice chair of the Thiel College Board of Trustees and member of the
Chapel Cabinet.
Aside from serving as a location for traditional worship services, the chapel's size will allow for many different
public functions to occur, such as gatherings for baptisms and weddings. The college's current chapel, Burgess
Chapel located within the William A. Passavant Memorial Center, is ill-suited to serve as a venue for such events.
Construction bidding for the $1.4 million project will begin this fall and site preparation construction is expected
to begin as early as January.
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, a dedication ceremony was held for the Glen Johnson Community Center, a
building located on the west end of campus.
Named for Johnson, who served the college's board of trustees for 14 years and was chair of the board from 1993
to 1995, the center was constructed in 2002. Located between two housing structures, the building features standard
support units such as laundry rooms, a computer lab, restrooms and a lounge area.
The building also features the Center for Greek Excellence and features storage lockers for Greek ritual items,
a ritual room to be shared by all Greek organizations, a conference room and office space for the coordinator of
Greek life.
Since 1990 Johnson has been vice president of the Pittsburgh-based Federated Investors, a $200 billion investment
management company. He and his wife, LaVonne, reside in Marco Island, Fla.
Pictures from the events.
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GENE KIRILA II TO EARN
THIEL ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
For immediate release October
6, 2003
GREENVILLE, Pa. - Gene Kirila II, president of GK Ventures,
Transfer, Pa., has been selected to receive the Thiel College Haller Enterprise Institute 2003 Entrepreneur of
the Year Award.
Thiel President and CEO Dr. Lance A. Masters and professor
David Miller, executive director of the Haller Enterprise Institute, will present Kirila with the award at the
annual Haller Enterprise Institute Entrepreneur of the Year Award dinner at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, in the Sawhill-Georgian
Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.
Kirila, a native of Brookfield, Ohio, created a high growth
profitable business in 1984 called Pyramid Fitness. Kirila sold the business in 1993 just after it was one of four
small businesses to have a site visit for the United States Department of Commerce's Malcolm Baldrige Award. In
the meantime, Kirila founded Pyramid Composites where he pioneered the VEC Operating System. In 1994, Kirila founded
his third company, Efficient Machine Tool Sales, Inc. (EMT). EMT reached the number 13 slot on the "Fastest
Growing Companies" list published by Inc. Magazine. In 1999 Genmar Corporation, a billion dollar boating conglomerate,
purchased the VEC Operating System from Pyramid Composites.
In March 2000 Kirila was presented with the distinguished
Fortune Magazine award, "Heroes in Manufacturing." Kirila was also featured in Time Magazine in 2000
with an article titled "The Revolution in a Box." Currently Kirila's focus is GK Ventures and he limits
his roles to planning and business development.
Kirila and his wife, Ginger reside in Transfer, Pa., and have four children.
The Haller Enterprise Institute, originally named the Thiel College Enterprise Institute when it was organized
in 1983, was renamed in 1996 when Pittsburgh residents Dr. Henry E. and Grace Mary Haller provided a $1 million
gift to develop entrepreneurial education at Thiel College.
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THIEL COLLEGE STUDENT
DIRECTS PLAY TO BE PERFORMED AT HOMECOMING
For immediate release October
2, 2003
GREENVILLE, Pa. - As part of Thiel College's homecoming activities,
a murder mystery dinner theatre "Who Killed the King?" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, in the
dining hall of the Howard Miller Student Center on Thiel's campus.
Under the direction of Thiel College senior Nathan Leard of
Kittanning, Pa., the performance will be held during the college's annual alumni dinner.
"The play is a five-act Agatha Christie-style murder mystery
with many suspects and plenty of red herrings," said Dr. William A. Robinson, professor of performing arts and
director of Thiel Players. "This play is set apart from other murder mysteries as it takes place in the Middle
Ages in a mythical kingdom and the cast consists of royal characters."
While the members of the audience feast - silverware optional
- on stone soup and roast fowl, they will have the opportunity to guess "who-done-it." While Leard did not write
the script, he is responsible for locating the play and fitting it in with the medieval theme of homecoming weekend.
Leard, a business administration and management information
systems major, is a member of Thiel Players, the Thiel Choir, chamber singers and the handbell choir. Leard is
active in Circle K, Thiel Christian Fellowship and the Men's Leadership Center. He is also a member of the dramatics
honorary Alpha Psi Omega and the Thiel Honors Program.
He is a 2000 graduate of Grace Baptist Academy in Kittanning
and the son of Robert and Joyce Leard.
An encore performance of the play will take place on Friday,
Oct. 18, in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the college's Howard Miller Student Center. For more information please
contact Dr. William Robinson, professor of performing arts, at 724-589-2029.
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THIEL FAMILY WEEKEND
IS OCT. 24 & 25
For immediate release October
2, 2003
GREENVILLE, PA - Thiel College Family Weekend is scheduled
at for Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25.
The weekend begins on Friday evening with the annual Honors Convocation at 7 p.m. The ceremony recognizes students
for their academic achievements earned during the 2002-2003 academic year. Freshmen scholarship recipients will
also be announced.
Also on Friday evening following the convocation, families are welcome to attend the Friday evening "Night
at the Movies" in Bly Lecture Hall.
On Saturday the day begins at 11 a.m. at which time parents are invited to meet members of Thiel Family Council
in the Rudisill Room of the Howard Miller Student Center. The council, which consists of parents of current and
past students, is an organization which serves as a liaison between families and the college.
While parents meet with members of the Thiel Family Council, high school siblings of current Thiel students will
be able to take part in a special Siblings Visit Day sponsored by the Office of Admissions.
At noon families will reunite for a Thiel tradition, the Tomcat tailgate party in the parking lot adjacent to Alumni
Stadium at Stoeber Field. Students and their families have the opportunity to eat and mingle prior to the football
game.
At 1:30 p.m., the Thiel Tomcats take on Presidents' Athletic Conference rival the Bethany Bison. The game is also
the sixth annual NCAA Football's "Take a Kid to the Game" program. Kids 14 and younger will receive a
free ticket to the game with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket.
For more information about the weekend, please contact the Office of Student Services at (724) 589-2125. To make
reservations for the Siblings Visit Day, please contact the Office of Admissions at (724) 589-2345.
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THIEL COLLEGE HOMECOMING
PARADE IS SATURDAY, OCT. 4
For immediate release September
19, 2003
GREENVILLE, Pa. - The 2003 Thiel College Homecoming Parade
will travel through the streets of Greenville beginning at noon on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The parade route is as follows:
Starting point: Riverside Park; travel south on North Race
Street to Shenango Street; turn right onto Shenango Street and continue to Water Street; turn left on Water Street
and continue until Main Street; turn left on Main Street and continue to College Avenue; left on College Avenue
until Ridgeway Avenue; left on Ridgeway Avenue. Ending point is at the base of Ridgeway Avenue.
For more information on the Homecoming parade, please contact
Melanie Koontz, director of student activities, at 724-589-2220.
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