Thiel College Confers Degrees to 224 Students
For immediate release May 8, 2006

GREENVILLE, PA – Thiel College granted degrees to 224 men and women during Sunday’s  Spring Commencement exercises in the college’s William A. Passavant Memorial Center.

Two hundred and twenty-four bachelor of arts degrees and three associate of arts degrees were awarded during the college’s 132nd spring graduation ceremony.  Three honorary doctorates were also presented and one retiring faculty member was granted emeritus status.

Thiel College President and CEO Dr. Lance A. Masters welcomed the graduating class, parents, and friends.  He also conferred the degrees and distributed the diplomas.

John N. Gardner, founder and executive director of The Policy Center on the First Year of College, provided the keynote address titled “Giving Praise, Giving Thanks, Giving Back.”

Following his address, Gardner and three others – the Rev. Martin M. Roth ’66, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and William Slater II ’80, president and owner of William Slater & Sons Inc. funeral homes – were awarded honorary doctorate degrees.

Dr. W. Jeffrey Welsh, vice president for academic affairs, presented retiring faculty member Dr. James Bloomfield, professor of history, and awarded him with professor emeritus status. 

Two students – Gregory L. Allison of Greensburg, Pa., and Lisa Rae Schaefer of Jefferson, Ohio – earned valedictorian honors for achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages.  Anna Michelle Pischera of Ravenna, Ohio, was named salutatorian for achieving a 3.979 grade point average.

Allison graduated summa cum laude, an honor presented to students who have earned a grade point average of 3.8 or higher.  He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in accounting, actuarial studies and business administration.  He received departmental honors in his majors and was also awarded a Dean’s Key for being named to the dean’s list all eight semesters.

Schaefer, who also graduated summa cum laude, earned a bachelor of arts degree in parish education and religion. She received departmental honors in religion.

Pischera graduated summa cum laude and earned a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry and environmental chemistry.  She received departmental honors in chemistry and was also the recipient of the Dean’s Key.

Senior Class President Joshua S. Cialone of Van Voorhis, Pa., offered greetings from the graduating class.  Senior Gift Committee member Melanie N. Cragg of Greenville presented the class gift – a Tomcat statue to be placed on campus. 

Cragg also delivered the senior address “Reflecting on the Past, Looking Toward the Future.”

Welsh presented the class for degrees.  Dr. Christopher H. Moinet, English professor, served as faculty marshal. The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Baglyos, college pastor, provided the invocation and benediction.  Special music was provided by the Kathryn A. Gray, adjunct professor of music, and the Thiel Choir under the direction of Dr. Michael R. Bray.