THIEL BEGINS 146TH ACADEMIC YEAR

Aug. 29, 2011

Members of the Class of 2015 walk the traditional route up Brother Martin’s Walk to the Opening Convocation in Thiel College’s Passavant Center on August 26.

GREENVILLE, PA – Thiel College began its 146th academic year on Friday when members of the class of 2015 arrived on campus for orientation activities.

More than 450 new students joined the student body this year and began classes today, said Thiel College President Dr. Troy VanAken.

“Opening Convocation is one of the highlights of the academic year at Thiel College,” said VanAken. “Seeing the infectious excitement of our first-year students as they begin this new phase of their lives gets the semester off to a great start. I am sure that the Class of 2015 will do great things during their time at Thiel College and in Greenville.”

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 Evan Ditty ’12 of Titusville, Pa., president of the Student Government Association, also addressed the students.

During the opening convocation, students recited a new pledge, vowing to give their best efforts as a student and as a citizen of the community and hold themselves to the highest standards of shared inquiry and academic integrity.

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 28.

About Thiel College

Thiel College is a liberal arts, sciences and professional studies institution located in Greenville, Pa., that provides a great balance of academic challenge, personal and social involvement, and exceptional value to its 1,100 students. For more information about Thiel College, visit www.thiel.edu or call 800-24-THIEL.

–30–

.