THIEL COLLEGE NAMES CAMPUS PASTOR

June 9, 2011

The Rev. Bill Bixby

GREENVILLE, PA – Thiel College announced today that the Rev. H. William Bixby has been appointed campus pastor, a position he will assume August 1.

As campus pastor, Bixby will oversee campus worship and campus ministry groups, provide pastoral care to those within the college community and facilitate their spiritual formation, support the college’s efforts to attract and enroll Lutheran students, nurture relationships with congregations in the Greenville and surrounding areas, and serve as a spokesperson for the Lutheran identity of the college. The position also offers opportunities for teaching, including support for the college’s new major in Theology and Youth Ministry.

Previously, Bixby served as director for youth and young adult ministries with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churchwide staff, where he played a major role in youth leader development. He also served as a grant project director and theological educator at two ELCA seminaries where he led intensive theological and vocational exploration efforts with teens. Bixby has served as pastor in three ELCA congregations, all located in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod where he was ordained in 1986.

“Bill Bixby’s strengths in theologies and practices for youth ministry and his creative worship design and leadership are a perfect fit for Thiel College,” says Mike McKinney, dean of students at Thiel. “His relationship-building skills will also help strengthen the presence and effectiveness of the Campus Ministry Office both on campus and in the community.”

Bixby holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Colgate University and a master’s of divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa. He is married and has three adult daughters.

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.

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