thiel happenings
Please join us for the Winter Weekend on Feb. 10 & 11
Click here to download an RSVP form and learn more. Contact Darlene McClintock at ext. 2027 if you’d like to attend any or all of the Winter Weekend Festivities!
Moodle Bag Lunch
Victor Evans, communication, will demonstrate how he uses Moodle wikis with his classes. Join us Tuesday, Jan. 31, during the lunch hour in AC-236 to share ideas with Victor and other colleagues.
The presentation will begin around 12:15, so please feel free to bring your lunch. This event will end promptly at 1 p.m.; however you may try using wikis, or other Moodle tools, in the MIMC lab (AC-235), if your schedule allows.
Admissions Office is looking for Call-Team Members
We all know quality students who are passionate about Thiel College, confidant, energetic, goal-oriented and looking for a way to earn extra money, right? Encourage them to join the Admissions Office Call Team!
Students need to be available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 7:45 p.m. Encourage students to stop in the Admissions Office in Roth Hall to apply, or contact: Stephanie Wilson at ext. 2111 with your suggestions for recruits.
Hawaii Raffle Tickets on Sale Now!
Tickets are $20 each. Enter for a chance to win a seven-night stay at a five-diamond resort on Waikiki Beach and round-trip airfare for two! Tickets can be purchased from Jack Leipheimer or Patti Leipheimer in the Student Life Office.
student news
Students of the Month
Amy Matchett, a senior English and psychology major, thrives on an academic challenge and works very diligently at each task she undertakes. The faculty of the College is proud to recognize her as Student of the Month.
In addition to earning a place on the Dean’s List for seven semesters, Amy has served as representative on the English Department scholarship selection committee; chair of the community service committee of Lambda Sigma; president of Sigma Tau Delta; editor of The Phoenix; writing lab tutor and writing consultant; admissions student call-team worker; speaker at student visit days; member of the Student Government Association; nominee for Who’s Who Among College Students; and recipient of the Vira Heinz Scholarship.
A double major in actuarial studies and mathematics, Scott Hunkus has earned a GPA of 4.0 and Dean’s List recognition for seven consecutive semesters. As a husband and father, Scott must manage his time carefully in order to achieve work/life balance and to excel in his studies.
In his Dec. 2007 application for admission to Thiel, Scott wrote: “When we are children, parents and teachers are always telling us that we can be whatever we want to be. That is a very powerful truth that I have just begun to realize … I can be whatever I want to be, and right now I want to be a college student.”
Scott’s most immediate challenge is to take and pass his actuarial examinations. Given his past performance, we have no doubt that Scott will achieve his goal. Again, in his own words as a prospective student, Scott speaks of his motivation to work hard and do well: “I want my parents to say ‘that’s our boy.’” At Commencement this May, thanks to Scott’s perseverance and worthy goals, they will get that chance. Professor Jie Wu summarizes Scott’s career at Thiel: “This student is a good example we should learn from.”
Student-Athletes of the Week
Dante McCoy, junior men’s volleyball and business administration major from Reading, Pa. helped lead the Tomcats to a 2-2 mark at last weekend’s Elmira College Tournament to get the 2012 season underway. Through four games McCoy has totaled 66 kills while making just 11 errors in 121 attempts (.455 hitting percentage). He also added 10.0 total blocks and 23 digs.
Named a 2011 all-Midwest III conference first team pick after the conclusion of the 2011 season McCoy finished fourth among Division III counterparts while leading the team in kills per set (4.39), was second on the team in hitting percentage (.261), third on the team in total blocks (63), and first in total points (480).
Rianne Thornton, senior women’s basketball player and media communication major from Trotwood, Ohio finished the week averaging 6.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, helping the Tomcats go 2-0 against Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) opponents Grove City College and Waynesburg University.
The Tomcats have won three straight games for the first time since Jan. 2009 and have strung together three straight PAC victories since defeating Waynesburg University, Washington & Jefferson College and Bethany College to close out the 1997-1998 regular season Thornton is currently second on the team in assists (32) and is averaging a career-best 5.1 rebounds/game this season.
She was selected to represent Thiel at the inaugural NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in 2010 and attended the co-sponsored PAC/Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference “Winning Careers for Women in Athletics” workshop, a NCAA program developed to encourage female undergraduate students to explore careers in intercollegiate athletics.
community news & events
Friends of Music at Holy Trinity presents Benjamin Cornelius-Bates, organist
Sunday, Feb. 12, 3:30 p.m.
The concert is free and open to the public. An opportunity will be provided for a free-will offering to support the series.
The event will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, located on the corner of Penn Ave. and Clinton Streets. Call 724-588-8870 or visit www.holytrinitygreenville.org to learn more.
Rotary Valentine’s Day Rose Sale
The Rotary Club of Greenville is having its annual Valentine’s Day Rose Sale to support local community projects and international exchange programs. The price is $20/dozen. Choose red, pink, or yellow. Orders are due by Feb. 6. Roses will be delivered the morning of Feb. 14 and can be picked up at the library circulation desk. Contact Lida Mason in the library or at ext. 2128 to place your order.
special notes
Attention Highmark Health Plan Participants
For the 2012 benefit year, you can again earn a $120 incentive payment if you earn at least 120 points in the Highmark Lifestyle Returns program. We will be offering some great Wellness programs in 2012 making it easier to earn points - so don’t delay! Visit www.highmarkbcbs.com to complete your Lifestyle Returns pledge and wellness profile for 2012.
You will receive 30 points ($30 in your April paycheck) just for completing your online pledge by the March 15 deadline. When you complete another 90 points by October 31 you will receive $90 in your December paycheck.
Take a more active role in your health and earn a reward for your efforts. If you have any questions contact Human Resources at ext. 2858 or 2150.
2012 Holiday Schedule
Standard paid holidays for regular full-time employees for the 2012 calendar year:
Monday, Jan. 2
New Year’s Day alternate
Friday, April 6
Good Friday
Monday, May 28
Memorial Day
Wednesday, July 4
Independence Day
Monday, Sept. 3
Labor Day*
Thursday, Nov. 22
Thanksgiving Day
Tuesday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013
New Year’s Day
*Cabinet representatives may approve, in advance, a substitute holiday during the 30 days before or 30 days after the scheduled Labor Day Holiday for any employee who is required to work on Sept. 3.
In addition, cabinet has approved six additional paid days off during the 2012 calendar year for full-time employees. This decision amounts to one additional paid day off in 2012 compared to 2011.
The following days have been approved:
Friday, Nov. 23
Paid Day Off 1 (PDO1)**
Dec. 24, 26, 27, 28 & 31
Paid Days Off 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (PDO2, PDO3, PDO4, PDO5, PDO6)**
**Cabinet representatives may approve, in advance, substitute paid days off during the 30 days before or 30 days after the holiday period for any employee who is required to work on Nov. 23 or during the holiday period between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Contact Jennie Kather about donating to the United Way.
From the Wellness Committee
Make it a Healthy New Year (PDF)
campus events
A Good Half Hour —
Worship for All
Thursday, Jan. 26 from
12:30 - 12:55 p.m.
Johnson Memorial Chapel
Jesus vs. Destructive Spirits
Domestic Violence Awareness Week
Thiel Campus Ministry: Welcoming One Another As Christ Welcomes Us
Farewell Reception for Frank Connelly
Please join in offering best wishes to Frank at a farewell reception on Friday, Jan. 27 from 2 -4 p.m. in the Weyers Lounge of the HMSC.
Founders’ Day
Thursday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m.
Lutheran Heritage Room
Campus celebration to honor recipients of the Louis and Barbara Thiel Award and the distinguished staff and faculty awards.
Exemplary Library Research Awards Ceremony
Thursday, Feb. 2, 4 p.m.
Lutheran Heritage Room
Students will be honored for excellent research skills in completing their course assignments. All nominees will be recognized at the ceremony and the top five will present their papers.
Black History Month Events
Chapel Service
Sunday, Jan. 29, 6 p.m.
Johnson Memorial Chapel
With guest speaker Pastor Jeff Sherman, musical performance by Slippery Rock University gospel choir and mime performance by Thiel College (TC) Soldiers.
Student Panel
Monday, Feb 13, Noon
Lutheran Heritage Room (LHR)
Student panel of an African American Experience at Thiel College. Get a close experience of what it is like to be an African American student at Thiel College and in the Greenville Community. Learn what initiatives helped or did not help these students with this transition.
Black History Trivia Game Show
Monday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., LHR
This event is open to students, faculty and staff. Teams will consist of two-to-four members. Topics will include: African Americans in education, politics, sports, movies, music, and history. Please RSVP to jwebb@thiel.edu if you’d like to register a team to participate.
OBC Annual Soul Food Feast
Sunday, Feb. 19, 5 p.m., LHR
With guest speaker Jimmy Pugh. Live performance by California University gospel choir and great food that will have you coming back for more.
Safe Zone Training
Monday, Feb. 27, 3 p.m., LHR
Professor Ted Hoover and colleagues will join us for an hour session on the importance of safe zone training and how to implement this training year around.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraisers
Thiel Christian Fellowship will host Spaghetti Dinner Fundraisers on the following dates:
Friday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
Bethel Life Fellowship Hall
Saturday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Sunday, Feb. 12 at noon
First Baptist Church
Suggested donation is $5 (adults) and $2 (children)
Proceeds will benefit the group’s attendance at a Christian conference called “jubilee” in Pittsburgh February 17 – 19.
Tenth Avenue North and Reily CDs will also be on sale for $5 each.
contact us
If you’re interested in submitting a story or event to T-Notes, e-mail tnotes@thiel.edu. Our next issue will be Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Deadline for submissions: Monday, Jan. 30