College breaks ground for $4.5 million science connector building expansion

Posted October 1, 2016Communications and Marketing Department

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., members of the Board of Trustees and faculty broke ground today on a new $4.5 million science connector expansion.

The event, which took place as a part of the College’s Homecoming 2016 celebration, was attended by more than 200 alumni and friends of Thiel. Pennsylvania state Representative Mark Longietti and state Senator Michele Brooks also were in the audience.

Breaking ground alongside Traverso were her husband, Kent Taylor; Chair of the Board of Trustees Barry Stamm, M.D. ’70 and his wife Carol (Yeager) Stamm ’71; Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Lynn Franken, Ph.D.; Vice President for Finance and Management Robert Schmoll; Chair of the Neuroscience Department Greg Butcher, Ph.D.; Professor of Chemistry and Interim Chair of the Department of Biology Kathy Franz, Ph.D.; Chair of the Science Initiative Robert Burns ’74, M.D.; Carl ’69, H’10 and Theresa Hoffman; Fred ’65 and Jill (Shackett) Haer ’66. They were also joined by three students: neuroscience major Caitlyn Carney ’17, physics major Michael Long ’18 and environmental science major Matthew Babeji ’19. After the initial dig, everyone in attendance was invited to participate as well.

“The road to this groundbreaking has been filled with collaboration, conversations and inspiration,” Stamm said. “It has challenged us as a community to be good stewards of the investment of our donors while continuing to strive to meet the needs of today’s scholars.”

The project is anticipated to add 7,850 square feet of academic space. The consolidated science education areas will create a more efficient and student-friendly center. This state-of-the-art complex will include four enhanced labs that will enable more faculty and student research projects. Open collaborative areas on both floors of the atrium are linked to enhanced laboratory spaces dedicated to histology, environmental science, data analytics, and faculty and student research.

The structure will connect the Rhodehouse Memorial Science Hall and the Academic Center at their eastern ends.

“As our society strives to solve vexing issues in science and medicine, as it looks to produce new knowledge to improve the quality of life for future generations, and as it seeks out ways to protect and sustain our natural environment, we will depend on today’s college students—students at Thiel—to see the world differently, through new lenses, with creative ideas and new approaches,” Traverso said. “At Thiel, we are committed to preparing students who are ready to take on and solve society’s most pressing challenges.”

Throughout her inaugural year, Traverso will advance her commitment to student success. The Science Connector and the two newly-renovated lab spaces in the Academic Center represent investments in the Thiel College mission to provide the best learning environment for its students.


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
1-800-248-4435