GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College announces Bethany Bonnar ’23, of Beaver, Pa., and Jade Rhoads ’23, of Franklin, Pa., as Student of the Month honorees for April.
The Student of the Month honor is awarded to seniors. It is among the most prestigious student awards at Thiel College with only six students each semester earning the honor.
Bonnar is a public relations, advertising and integrated marketing communication, political science, and public policy triple major. She has been a four-year starter and the captain of the women’s soccer team, and a sister of the Sigma Kappa sorority, where she held numerous positions including public relations chair, vice president of philanthropic service, sisterhood chair, and social chair. Also, through Sigma Kappa, Bonnar has organized fundraising events and efforts for the Alzheimer’s Association. She has been a member of the Alpha Chi honors society and the Dietrich Honors Institute. Bonnar was named Thiel Women’s Athlete of the Week in the Fall 2022 semester and has been on the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll each semester. Bonnar has worked as a Pedas Fellow and a Peer Tutor in the Thiel Learning Commons.
After graduation, she intends to pursue a career in public relations in Pittsburgh and eventually attend graduate school to continue studying political science. She is a 2019 graduate of Beaver Area High School and the daughter of Amy and Jason Bonnar, of Beaver, Pa.
“I am very grateful for all the friends and professors I have met at Thiel who have helped shape me into the person I am now,” Bonnar said. “I will forever be grateful that Thiel enabled me to have an enriching college experience by providing me with many opportunities to learn and grow.”
Bonnar extends her gratitude to Associate Professor of Political Science and Department Chair Marie Courtemanche, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor of Communication Lana Kulik, Ph.D. for being inspirations for women in academia. Bonnar would also like to thank Associate Professor of Religion and Department Chair George Branch-Trevathan, Ph.D. for his relentless kindness, and his ability to create classes that inspire students and push them to the best of their ability.
Rhoads is a neuroscience and psychology double major. Rhoads is a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority and the women’s cross country team. She is also a sweetheart of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Following graduation, she plans to earn a Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, N.Y. She graduated from Maplewood High School in 2019 and is the daughter of Michele Brumagin and Shawn Rhoads, both of Franklin, Pa.
“Thiel granted me so many opportunities that I will forever be grateful for,” Rhoads said. “The professors at Thiel gave me an outstanding education, which led to me getting a position at a very competitive internship at the Medical University of South Carolina and into a Ph.D. program for research.”
Rhoads would like to acknowledge her advisor, Associate Professor of Psychology Kristel Gallagher, Ph.D. for her continued support and belief in her during her four years at Thiel.
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.