Agona, Beach earn February Student of the Month recognition

Posted February 17, 2015Communications and Marketing Department

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College announces Allison Agona, of Warren, Ohio, and Elliott Beach of Springfield, Ohio as students of the month for February 2015.

Agona is a senior English major specializing in Literature and will graduate in May with a minor in Media Communications. She has earned Dean’s List six semesters and is a member of Sigma Tau Delta international English honorary which she has served as secretary for two years. Agona has served as the Editor of Art and Publicity for the last two issues of The Phoenix, an annual magazine for the Creative Arts produced by Thiel’s Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. She has worked closely with the Warren Family Mission, a local mission in her hometown that serves meals on holidays and works with children of the community. After graduation she hopes to travel with her church on mission trips overseas and/or within the United States.

“Allison is a young woman who has grown tremendously in her four years at Thiel into a confident and competent seeker of knowledge and has a balanced perspective on life,” English professor Dr. Mary Theresa Hall said. “Allison is dependable, highly involved, and participative, both in class and in Sigma Tau Delta, and simply lights up when she experiences an ‘epiphanic moment’ in the classroom as opaque concepts suddenly become translucent.”

Agona is a daughter of Nadine Zajaczkowski and Fred Gardner from Warren, Ohio.

Beach is a senior history major who will graduate in December 2015 with secondary education certification. His post-graduation plans include pursuing options in both employment as a high school teacher and graduate school programs in history to prepare for opportunities as a college professor. He has earned Dean’s List recognition for seven consecutive semesters, is vice president for both Kappa Delta Pi international honorary society in education, and Phi Alpha Theta international honor society in history, and is a member of Lambda Sigma, and Les Lauriers honorary societies. Additionally, he is a member of Delta Sigma Phi national social fraternity where he serves in the capacity of both Alumni Awards and Historian Chair. In previous years he has held the offices of President and Recruitment Chair of the fraternity.

“Overall, I would rank Elliott Beach as one of the best all-around students I have had at Thiel College,” history department professor and chair Dr. David Buck said. “He faces experiences and challenges with a positive attitude and creates an environment where people feel valued.”

Beach is a son of William and Sarah Beach of Springfield, Ohio.

The Student of the Month is among the most prestigious academic awards Thiel College grants each school year.


About Thiel College

Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.



Thiel College
75 College Ave
Greenville, PA 16125
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