Members of the Class of 2014 walk the traditional route up Brother Martin’s Walk to the Opening Convocation in Thiel College’s Passavant Center on August 26.

More than 400 new students joined the student body this year and began classes today, said Thiel College President Dr. Troy VanAken.

“It was gratifying to see so many smiling young faces at this year’s Opening Convocation,” said VanAken. “Their excitement to begin this new phase of their lives is infectious, and they will be a vibrant addition to both the Thiel College and Greenville communities. I think we can expect a lot of great things in the years to come from the class of 2014.”

The first-year students were welcomed at the annual opening convocation ceremony on August 26 in the William A. Passavant Memorial Center. VanAken hosted the ceremony and joined faculty and staff in welcoming the new students as well as their parents and other friends of the college. Dr. Lynn Franken, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college; Mike McKinney ’02, dean of students; and Matt Saur ’11 of Eldersburg, Md., president of the Student Government Association, also addressed the students.

During the opening convocation, students signed the academic honor code, a statement of intent that students will abide by the academic requirements and regulations of the college.

A welcome picnic for new students and their families followed the ceremony on the Howard Miller Student Center terrace and lawn. Orientation activities for freshmen continued through August 30.

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