Thiel Happenings

Three seniors honored as February Students of the Month

Loyal Jasper ’16, of Penn Hills, Pa., Derek Runge ’16, of Greenville, Pa., and Kelsey Schneider ’16, of Butler, Pa., are Thiel College’s Students of the Month for February.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

One-day fundraising drive for The Thiel Fund produces historic results

A record number of Thiel College donors contributed more than $200,000 during Monday’s one-day fundraising campaign for The Thiel Fund. The 330 donors in one day, including 196 Greek organization alumni, and the $208,481 given were both single-day records for The Thiel Fund.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Disability Resource Center Minute

Director of the Disability Resource Center Tami Micsky, M.S.S.A., L.S.W., C.T., will discuss important issues regarding her office in the “Disability Resource Center Minute” in this space in the first T-Notes of each month during the academic year. If you have any questions, contact Micsky at ext. 2063.

This month, she discusses attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In our daily lives, we may be faced with distraction and difficulty concentrating. However, many of the students and adults we work with are struggling to stay focused and organized every day. There is a difference between being occasionally distractible and clinically diagnosed with ADHD. According to the National Institutes of Health, ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and into adulthood. Its symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity. The American Psychiatric Association states that 5 percent of children have ADHD. However, other studies in the U.S. have estimated higher rates. ADHD is the most commonly reported diagnosis in the DRC. In fact, 24 percent of the students who receive services through the DRC have been diagnosed with ADHD. Students receiving services through the DRC may receive accommodations such as a quiet testing space, the opportunity to move around during testing, or using a Livescribe SmartPen to take notes and record lectures. Students also benefit when they are taught and practice proper study skills, time management and general organizational skills.   

• Read more about ADHD at the Centers for Disease Control
• Read more about the Livescribe SmartPen

Oo earns recognition as a top campus event planner

Than Oo, M.S., recently received a Campus Event Planner of the Year Award in the “Most Memorable Event” category for 2015. The recognition is awarded by Power Performers through a selection committee process. The award notification said, “Than stood out among more than 1,700 campuses nationwide to be honored. This award was created to honor the hard work and dedication that Than put forth creating memorable campus activities and events during 2015 for the students of Thiel College.”

Oo is being recognized for his “Dueling Pianos” event last year. 

This is the second straight year Oo has been recognized by the organization.

Student News

Owen ’71 discusses overcoming adversity and being successful at seminar

Ron Owen ’71 spoke to the senior business seminar class of Professor David Miller, M.B.A. ’61 on Feb. 17. He spoke to students about community involvement, overcoming adversity and how to achieve professional success.

“Ron Owen talked about his daughter, Sarah, which really got to me. I was deeply saddened to hear about the overdose, and I could not help but to tear up. I was glad to hear about R.O.S.E.S. from Sarah, which was a foundation that his family started in 2005. I really thought that the presentation from Ron Owen covered many essential aspects of life. I am very pleased that he came, and that I was able to have dinner with him.” – Kristi Guritza ’16

“Mr. Owen is involved in the community and many different charities. After many years of experience in insurance, marketing and sales, Ron Owen demonstrated that the key to success is hard work and discipline. Keep your eyes on the goal and just keep taking the next step toward completing it.” – Valen Meade ’16

“He closed his speech with sharing about his daughter, Sarah. I think it is an amazing way to honor her memory with the foundation R.O.S.E.S. from Sarah. He also told us that we should ‘breathe integrity and ethics.’ This really hit home with me because being in Professor Miller’s classes he is always talking about how integrity is one of the easiest things to lose that you will probably never get back.” – Paige Bennett ’16

“Mr. Owen probably will not remember my face, but he truly touched my heart and soul. I want to grow up to become successful enough that I can give back to my community and friends just like Mr. Owen is continuing to do. Like I said, I am sure he will not remember my name. But because of the impact his speech made on my life, Mr. Owen has become a role model to me because of all the adversity he has faced in his life and the manner in how he conducted himself to keep moving on, just like me.” – David DeVivo ’16

“Mr. Owen said, ‘If you never make a mistake, you are probably not trying hard enough.’ This shows that we should always have the opportunity to ask questions in our jobs. If we cannot ask questions, there is no way for us to learn new things. I also enjoyed when Mr. Owen talked about his community service and how he and his wife are being honored in Pittsburgh this spring with a community service award alongside Andrew McCutchen. I will be taking Mr. Owen’s advice of ‘work hard, play hard’ with me as I begin my professional career.” – Allie Gloor ’16

Henry leads Equestrians program achievements

Kayla Henry ’18 became the first Thiel College Equestrians program rider to qualify for the International Horse Show Association regional competition recently.

She will compete at regionals on March 12 at the University of Findlay. To qualify for regionals, a rider must accumulate 36 points at IHSA events throughout the season. Points are awarded based on a rider’s finish. Seven points are awarded for a first-place finish down to one point for a sixth-place finish. She will have to place first or second at regionals to advance to the semifinals. 

Henry’s achievement is just the latest for the team. Hanna Tegel ’17 and Carly Romano ’17 recently completed their IHSA hunt seat competitions for the season. 

At a recent Findlay hunt seat competition, Romano placed seventh out of 21 riders in her division. Tegel finished sixth overall in her division of 21 riders for the weekend. At the Lake Erie College hunt seat competition, Tegel won her division, while Romano placed sixth in her class.

Sigma Tau Delta inducts 16th class

The Sigma Tau Delta English international honorary society held its 16th annual induction ceremony on Feb. 21. Alexis DeMott ’18, Tina Kramer ’18, Alison Schemrich ’18, Alayna Sharp ’18 and Stephen Staats ’17 were inducted into the Alpha Iota Kappa Chapter.