Thiel College reflects on a year of changes and celebrations in Top 10 stories of 2022

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- The Thiel College community experienced many changes, challenges, and celebrations during 2022 with the welcoming of new staff members, commending student achievements, and coming together for one very special and solemn memorial for an esteemed, historic figure in the College’s history. The following Top 10 news stories were among the most popular this year in the Thiel College Newsroom based on their number of views, media attention, and social media impact.

10. Thiel College awards degrees to members of the Class of 2022

On Sunday, May 8, Thiel College awarded diplomas to its graduates during its 148th Commencement Exercises following the spring 2022 semester. The College also celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of Master of Business Administration students as well as its first cohort of Master of Communication and Leadership students.

9. Sixteen Thiel College student-teachers headed to three Mercer County school districts

Sixteen members of the Thiel College Class of 2022 headed to three Mercer County school districts for their student-teaching assignments.

8. Thiel College’s annual Martin Luther King awards recognize Thiel community members

Thiel College annually celebrates the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. by recognizing members of the Thiel community who embody his ideals and values. This year, during the awards ceremony, the College heard from keynote speaker Dr. Armendia Dixon, a groundbreaking education pioneer who was the first African American teacher hired to work in the previously all-white schools of Laurel, Mississippi in the 1960s. During her extensive career, she came to work as a teacher in Erie, Pa. and as a teacher and principal in Meadville, Pa.

7. Former Thiel College professor joins faculty and staff to be honored on Founders’ Day

Thiel College recognized former Professor of Education Mary Reames along with 10 Thiel College faculty and staff members during the College’s annual Founders’ Day celebration.

6. Thiel College vice president for student life has role expanded to include athletics

Mike McKinney, Ed.D. ’02 had his role as vice president for student life expanded and title changed to reflect the addition of overseeing the Department of Athletics at Thiel College. McKinney is now the Vice President for Student Life and Athletics.

5. Thiel College Athletic Hall of Fame to welcome six new members

Kyle Brown ’07, Kandiace Gibson ’06, Bob Lewis ’65, Daryl Moore ’05, Jason Ross ’96, and Joe Scarpitti ’80 were inducted into the Thiel College Athletic Hall of Fame on September 23.

4. Bauman named Thiel College head football coach

Sam Bauman was hired as the head football coach at Thiel College in February.

3. Thiel College hires Jason Fautas as athletic director

Jason Fautas was hired as the new athletic director at Thiel College in September.

2. Thiel College announces Dean’s List for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022

Thiel College announced in January that 360 students were on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 semester, and in June, the College announced that 350 students were named to the Dean’s List for the Spring 2022 semester.

1. Thiel College celebration of life service for Emeritus Professor David Miller

Thiel College held a celebration of life service on November 19 in honor of Emeritus Professor of Business Administration and Accounting David Miller ’61 H’20 who passed away on October 23. He retired in 2020 after 57 years of teaching and leadership at the College. He advised and taught more students than anyone in Thiel College’s 156-year history.