News Headlines Thiel College   Betsy Hildebrand Director of Public Relations 75 College Avenue Greenville, PA 16125 Phone: 724-589-2855 FAX: 724-589-2856 bhildebrand@thiel.edu 1-800-24-THIEL Press Release THIEL TO KICK OFF ITS 139TH ACADEMIC YEAR For immediate release August 23, 2005 GREENVILLE, Pa. - Thiel College begins its 139th academic year this week when members of the class of 2009 arrive on campus for orientation activities. Roughly 450 new freshmen will join the student body this year, helping to kick the enrollment figure above last year's. The college expects about 1,300 students on campus for the start of fall classes on Monday, Aug. 29. Last year's headcount registered at 1,245. New freshmen will be welcomed at the annual opening convocation ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the William A. Passavant Memorial Center. Dr. Lance A. Masters, Thiel president and CEO, is to host the convocation and join faculty and staff in welcoming the new students, parents and friends. Dr. W. Jeffrey Welsh, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, and Roseanne Gill-Jacobson, vice president for student engagement and success and dean of students, will also address the students. Dr. Michael Bray, Thiel Choir conductor and professor of music, with the Rev. Dr. Paul A. Baglyos on guitar, will provide special music, "Pray and Work for Peace." "Pray and Work for Peace" is a song inspired by a letter written to school children by Thiel alumnus Lt. Paul Bush '66, U.S. Marine Corps, during the Vietnam War. During the opening convocation ceremony students will sign the academic honor code, a statement of intent that students will abide by the academic requirements and regulations at the college. A gala for new students and their families will follow the ceremony on the Howard Miller Student Center terrace and lawn. Orientation activities for freshmen continue the rest of the week and throughout the weekend, acquainting first-year students with the college's people, places, traditions and expectations. The orientation program also features a white water rafting trip to Ohiopyle on Saturday.