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 Musing


For digital immigrants, learning to use a construct like Moodle can be likened to anything from solving a puzzle to living a nightmare. Stepping from reality into an LMS (learning management system) can be confusing. How best to help those who are working their way along the path to comprehension? Everyone has his own ways of learning…

Moodle offers on-screen help signaled by question marks. Sometimes there is a link to additional resources at the bottom of the screen. Moodle has also provided a detailed manual. You can find a link to the manual on the log-in screen and in the faculty lounge.

EThink Education, our Moodle support company, has given in-house training on several occasions, and will again if we arrange it. They have also provided a Faculty Guide tailored to Thiel College use. You can find a link to the guide on the log-in screen and in the faculty lounge.

The MIMC staff also makes a variety of learning opportunities available: Moodle Muddling, Moodle Musing, topic-oriented training sessions, step-by-step written instructions (found in the faculty lounge), video demonstrations (narrated screen capture) of certain procedures, brown bag lunches. Watch T-Notes and the faculty lounge for announcements regarding these. Ask us to provide additional opportunities and resources…

For those who find none of these helpful, but who would like to learn to use Moodle effectively, we offer individual help sessions. There is no limit to the number of times we will work with each and every one who requests assistance. To arrange for help, contact Leslie Graul or Erika Jones with any questions.


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


Student-Athletes of the Week


Corey Hamilton, a sophomore men’s volleyball player and management information systems major from Meadville, Pa. helped the Tomcats secure a 2-0 record last week, winning 3-1 at Penn State Behend on Wednesday before posting a 3-0 sweep over Hilbert College Saturday afternoon in Hamburg, N.Y. He totaled 42 assists, seven digs, and 3.0 block assists against Behrend and added 12 assists in the win at Hilbert. With the Tomcats currently 4-2 and riding a program-best four game win streak, Hamilton leads the squad with 193 assists (9.19 assists/set). He is also a two-time Dean’s List honoree.



Kelly Barzak, a junior women’s basketball player and elementary education major from Warren, Ohio averaged 14.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 3.0 rebounds for the women’s basketball squad last week. Through 18 games Kelly leads the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) and is 20th among her Division III counterparts in blocks (53), is second in rebounding (8.4 rebounds/game), fifth in field goal percentage (48.6%), and eighth in scoring (12.4 points / game). Barzak has been named to the Dean’s List on four occasions and has earned a spot on the PAC Academic Honor Roll four times. She was named a Capital One Academic All-District selection for her performance as a member of the women’s volleyball squad during the 2011 season. Barzak also was named an honorable mention pick following the 2011 women’s basketball season after garnering second team honors following her freshman campaign.


community news & events


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.


Trout Island Tromp


The Mercer County Trails Association, Inc. is hosting this inaugural event on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. to introduce new visitors to the Trout Island Trail in Sharpsville, Pa. Click to register


special notes


HR Notes


Thiel says farewell to:
Frank Connelly, maintenance


Important Payroll Notice


Please double check your pay advice/pay check for the first payrolls of 2012.

Please be sure that all voluntary deductions are correct (group medical, dental, vision options; FSA; HSA; voluntary life insurance; or contributions to your retirement annuity). The employee’s portion of the social security tax rate that was reduced from 6.2% to 4.2% for wages paid in 2011 has been extended for wages paid through Feb. 29. Thiel’s payroll system has been updated with the latest tax information issued by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

Please note, as the HR/Payroll staff are not certified tax preparers, we cannot provide any tax advice or guidance. Please consult your tax adviser for guidance. Finally, please check your address on your pay advice/pay check and report any changes to HR/Payroll immediately.


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.




Contact Jennie Kather about donating to the United Way.


campus events




A Good Half Hour —
Worship for All

Thursday, Feb. 2 from 12:30 p.m.
Johnson Memorial Chapel

Can You Shed A Little Light Over Here, Jesus? Celebrating the Presentation of Our Lord.

Thiel Campus Ministry: Welcoming One Another As Christ Welcomes Us

There will be time to attend both the Founders’ Day Convocation and Chapel this Thursday.


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


Documentary "Ghetto Physics"
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m.
Bly Hall

The documentary film "Ghetto Physics: From the Corner Office to the Street Corner" will be shown. A Q & A session will follow.

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. 8.

Deadline for submissions: Monday, Feb. 6