GREENVILLE, Pa.—John ’71 and Nancy (Gibson) Hauser ’75 will receive the Louis and Barbara Thiel Distinguished Service Award at Thiel College’s Founders’ Day celebration at 11 a.m. Feb. 2 in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.
“John and Nancy Hauser are shining examples of Thiel alumni fulfilling the College’s mission and doing service in the world,” Vice President for College Advancement Roberta Leonard said. “Nancy’s life work as an educator and advocate for children, John’s leadership and community engagement, their combined unfailing support of their alma mater make Nancy and John Hauser the perfect choice for the Louis and Barbara Thiel Award. As an institution, we are blessed to have the Hausers as engaged, active and vocal members of the Thiel family.”
John Hauser graduated from Thiel in 1971 with a degree in psychology. As a student, he joined the Phi Theta Phi fraternity and continues to participate in fraternity events to this day.
Hauser worked at Thiel from 1971-1986 and served as director of admissions from 1975-1980, director of admissions and financial aid from 1980-1982, and director of alumni affairs from 1982-1986. He served as director of development for the University of Pittsburgh’s College of Arts and Sciences from 1986-1988. In 1988, Hauser became the executive director of development at Franklin College in Franklin, Ind. He helped Franklin raise over $18 million from 1988-1996 and was promoted to Franklin’s vice president for development and public affairs in May 1994. He was named Thiel College’s executive director of development in 1996 and has served as Thiel College’s archivist since his retirement in 2007 after working in higher education for 36 years. Hauser earned his Master of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985. He became an adviser for the Lambda Sigma National Honor Society when the Thiel College chapter was installed in 1976 and is its national president-elect. Hauser won the Lifetime Service Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in 2007. He is also vice chair of the Greenville zoning board and chaired the successful $1.2 million capital campaign for the Greenville Area Public Library. He is also a charter member of the board of the Northern Mercer County Community Foundation.
Nancy (Gibson) Hauser graduated from Thiel College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and history. She went on to receive a Master’s of Education degree from Youngstown State University. Retired after 35 years as an elementary teacher in the Ohio Beaver Local school district, she is an advocate for the College and its students. She continues lasting friendships with the faculty, administration, Board of Trustees, students and staff, and maintains close fellowship with Chi Omega—the sorority she joined at Thiel—and actively participates with the Youngstown Area Chi Omega Alumnae chapter, having served as their secretary and president. She is also an energetic participant in the life of her church, the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, where she serves on the board of deacons and the mission interpretation committee.
The couple married on June 4, 2011.
The Hausers are committed philanthropists, giving their time and resources to many organizations that serve Greenville and the region. They both actively participate in the Thiel community, attend and support Thiel College events, and have been influential in the life of the institution’s alumni network.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate exemplary character, continuity of leadership, and long-term service to Greenville and the surrounding area. The recipients must demonstrate a commitment to the common good above private interests. The award is named after Louis and Barbara Thiel, whose generosity made the founding of Thiel College possible in 1866.
As part of the Founders’ Day celebration, selected staff and faculty will also be recognized for their contributions to Thiel College.
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.