GREENVILLE, PA—Dr. Troy D. VanAken will be inaugurated as the 19th president of Thiel College Saturday, April 17, at 3 p.m. in the William A. Passavant Center. The public is invited to attend.

Dr. VanAken began his presidency on July 1, 2009. He previously served as executive vice president at Albion College in Michigan where his management responsibilities included oversight of athletics, business, finance, fundraising, facilities and technology.

A native of Michigan, his career in higher education began in 1994 when he was appointed assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Evansville and where he was later selected as assistant vice president for instructional technology. In 1999, Albion College named VanAken vice president for information technology. After being awarded an American Council on Education Fellowship and working at San Jose State University in 2002-2003, VanAken returned to Albion College with expanded responsibilities as athletic director and executive assistant to the president, and eventually vice president for business and finance. VanAken participated in Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management in 2005 before being named Albion’s executive vice president in 2006.

Dr. VanAken holds a bachelor’s degree from Hillsdale College, and master’s and doctorate degrees from Bowling Green State University.

He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is active in economic and community development projects. He also has started three successful technology-related companies.

Dr. VanAken and his wife, Annette, are the parents of a son, Trey, and a daughter, Gabriella.

Visit http://www.thiel.edu/president/biography.htm for more information about Dr. VanAken.

Saturday’s ceremony includes vocal and instrumental selections from the Thiel Choir, The Thiel Players and visiting performers The Tower Brass Quintet; and an academic processional of Thiel faculty, administrative staff, Board of Trustees, Thiel students and delegates from other colleges and universities.

The Rev. Ralph E. Jones, bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will give the invocation.

Greetings from the Thiel community will be given by: Hubert McCarthy ’12, a media communication and neuroscience major from Haines City, Fla.; Dr. Cynthia L. Sutton, Thiel professor of sociology and faculty chair; Gary J. Witosky ’79, executive assistant to the president of Thiel College; Thiel College Alumni Association President Raymond B. Hanlon ’74; and the Hon. Robert D. Robbins, Pennsylvania State Senator (R-50).

Former Thiel President Dr. Robert C. Olson ’60 will present the history of the Thiel College presidential medallion; Dr. M. Roy Strausbaugh, chair of the Board of Trustees, will conduct the installation; and chancellor and CEO of the University of Pittsburgh Dr. Mark A Nordenberg ’70 will give the inaugural address.

Danielle Dwyer ’11, a business communication and media major from Dalton, Ohio, will introduce Dr. VanAken, who will present his inaugural response, “Imagining Thiel.”

A reception will follow the inauguration ceremony on the terrace of the Howard Miller Student Center.