Graduates, faculty and friends of the College honored during 142nd Commencement

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College honored 216 graduates, three faculty members and three dedicated friends of the College during its 142nd Commencement exercises Sunday.

More than 2,000 friends and family members attended the Commencement exercises in the William A. Passavant Memorial Center. Professor of Economics and Business Administration and Norman P. Mortensen Chair of Economics David Miller, a 1961 Thiel graduate and the longest-serving professor in the College’s history, dedicated his Commencement address to the students.

“This is your day. Let’s celebrate it,” Miller said before recognizing students and their contributions to the College and Greenville-area communities. Miller has been a faculty member since 1963.

Former Board of Trustees Chair Edward A. Bartko ’72, former Board of Trustees member Rev. Dr. David P. Gleason and generous friend of the College LaVonne C. Johnson were all awarded honorary doctorates.

Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science and Department Chair Andrew Grover; Lecturer of Mathematics Max E. Shellenbarger; and Professor of Political Science Robert Wells, Ph.D., were granted emeriti faculty status during the exercises.

“Commencement is a celebration of the hard work of the students, but also of the institution,” President Troy D. VanAken, Ph.D., said. “It’s been rewarding for me personally to see these students reach their potential. A degree is a foundation our students can build their future on.”

• Browse more than 140 photos from Commencement 2016