thiel happenings
First National Bank Honored for Commitment to Community
Each year, hundreds of local elementary school students attend a workshop at the College’s annual Earth Week celebrations where they participate in hands-on activities to learn more about the Earth. This important educational event would not be available to the community without the support of local institutions like First National Bank.
"We take pride in offering important learning opportunities like Earth Week to our community, and thanks to the dedicated support of community partners including First National Bank, Thiel faculty, staff and students are able to offer fun, educational opportunities to local students free of charge," said Dr. Troy D. VanAken, president of Thiel College. "It’s another aspect of the Greenville area that makes it a great place to live and learn."
Vincent J. Delie Jr., CEO of First National Bank and President and CEO of the Bank’s holding company, F.N.B. Corporation, commented on the long-standing relationship between First National Bank and Thiel College. "First National Bank was founded in Greenville in 1864, and our headquarters were later established in Hermitage. We have a rich history and commitment to this area. As a bank, we are dedicated to supporting our local communities and to making educational opportunities like today’s Earth Day possible."
In appreciation for First National Bank’s support of events like Earth Week, President VanAken presented a plaque to Jeff Wallace, vice president of First National Bank and a member of Thiel College’s Board of Associates, at the children’s workshop on April 10 in the Rissell-Schreyer Dome during the 2012 Earth Week celebration.
Photo caption: Pictured with students participating in Thiel’s annual Earth Week celebration are (back row from left to right) Jill Murrin, Jamestown branch manager; Amy Perell, Hadley Road branch manager; Sue Brennan, Greenville branch manager; Dr. VanAken; and Jeff Wallace, vice president of First National Bank.
Moodle Musing
Moodle has a great tool for soliciting a simple and quick response: the "Choice." It is found under the Activity menu. You merely give the choice a name, write the question, give two or more possible responses (choices) and save them.
Last week, all faculty and teaching staff received an e-mail message asking for their help in deciding when to upgrade to Moodle 2.0. They were directed to the "choice," found near the top of the Faculty Lounge home page.
If you have not yet answered that question, please go to the Faculty Lounge, and click on the link entitled "When to upgrade to Moodle 2.0". Results of this choice will be collected at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 20.
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
April Students of the Month Announced
Students of the Month at Thiel College are selected by faculty vote from among upper-class students with superior grade point averages.
Two seniors, Sarah Conte and Joseph Hertzog, were chosen as the Students of the Month at Thiel College for April 2012.
Conte is a psychology and sociology major and a member of Psi Chi, Alpha Chi and many other organizations at Thiel. As a member of the Thiel Honors Program, she completed a project in which she researched the cognitive and emotional responses evoked by different genres of music. In fall 2011, Conte interned at The Center for American Progress, sponsored by the Lutheran College Washington Semester. A native of Russellton, Pa., Conte will be studying for her masters in higher education administration at Indiana University of Pennsylvania after she graduates.
Hertzog is a history major with minors in theater and pre-ministry. A native of Butler, Pa., he is the treasurer of Phi Alpha Theta (history honor society), president of The Alliance, SGA representative for the Lutheran Student Movement and a member of Alpha Chi honor society. He also appears regularly on the college’s Dean’s List. Extremely active in The Thiel Players, most recently appearing as Mr. Mushnik in “Little Shop of Horrors”, Hertzog also volunteers for the Summer Butler Little Theater Program. Herzog has participated in two study abroad trips; the first was a mission trip to Tecate and Tijuana, Mexico and the second was to Southern Italy.
Student Athletes of the Week
Jaimee Anderson, a senior biology major and member of the women’s track and field team from Emlenton, Pa., finished finished in fifth place and achieved a new season best with her time of 1:06.20 in the 400-meter dash at the Slippery Rock University Open on April 5. Anderson is a participant in Thiel’s Honors Program, is a member of Beta Beta Beta (National Biological Honor Society) and has been named to the Dean’s List six times.
Nic Jones, a first-year elementary education major and member of the men’s track and field team from Franklin, Pa., highlighted the squad’s individual efforts with a pair of first-place finishes at the Slippery Rock University Open on April 5. He won the high jump with a lifetime-best jump of 6-4, while his season-best mark of 21-8 in the long jump was good enough for the top spot in the event. Jones was named to the Dean's List in fall 2011.
community news & events
Community Conversations at the Greenville Are Public Library presents
Author/Columnist Sean Barron
Thursday, April 12, 6:30 p.m.
Greenville Area Public Library, 330 Main Street
Free and open to the public
Sean Barron is the co-author of two books about autism and a columnist for the Youngstown Vindicator. He and his mother, Judy Barron collaborated on "There’s a Boy in Here: Emerging from the Bonds of Autism" and "Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism" was written with Temple Grandin. Although diagnosed autistic in 1965, he considers himself “healed” from autism, because it no longer adversely affects his day-to-day life. In 1992, he began to speak publicly at autism conferences about his experiences.
Celebrated Tenor, Francisco Casanova, to perform at Pierce Opera House
Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m.
The Pierce Opera House, 100 N. Mercer Ave., Sharpsville, Pa., 16150
The historic 1874 Pierce Opera Houseand the Sharpsville Historical Society are proud to welcome back the celebrated tenor, Francisco Casanova. Also performing are Ubaldo Feliciano, tenor; Stefanos Koroneas, baritone; Sandra Mercado, Sara Murphy and Jennifer Furst, sopranos and Maestro Brian Holman, pianist. The first half of the performance will be arias from beloved operas. The second half of the performance will be selections from Aida. Tickets are $20 and benefit the Sharpsville Historical Society building restoration fund. Tickets may be purchased online at www.sharpsvillehistorical.org, by calling 724-962-5757, or at the door the night of the performance.
Friends of Music at Holy Trinity presents The Youngstown Fine Arts Brass
Sunday, April 15, 3:30 p.m.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Corner of Penn Avenue and Clinton St.
724-588-8870
holytrinitygreenville.org
The concert is free and open to the public. An opportunity will be provided for a free-will offering to support the series.
Steelpan Virtuoso, Liam Teague, to perform at Passavant Center
Friday, May 11, 8 p.m.
The Greenville Symphony Orchestra and the Greenville High School Steel Band welcome steelpan virtuoso, Liam Teague for a joint concert at the Passavent Center. Advance tickets available from the Greenville Band Boosters for $10 each. Tickets will be $15 at the door. Students admitted for free. For more information or tickets, e-mail greenvillebandboosters@gmail.com
Annual Empty Bowls Project of Mercer County
Wednesday, May 16, 4 - 8 p.m.
109 Sharpsville Ave., Suite A, Sharon, Pa., 16146
www.foodwarehouse.org
Join us at the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County for a simple meal of soup and bread and take home a handcrafted bowl. Tickets are now available. Handcrafted bowls and Chinese auction items are needed. For more information, call 724-981-0353. Check out the website at www.emptybowlsmc.com.
special notes
Thiel College Welcomes:
Michael Weschler Jr., Public Safety
Farewell Festival Volunteers Still Needed
This year’s Farewell Festival will be held on Thursday, April 26 from 4 - 7 p.m. in the quad (note location change). Shifts will be: 3:30-5 p.m., 5 - 6 p.m., and 6 - 7:30 p.m. E-mail Barbara Blue with your available times or a specific station you would like to work.
Wellness Committee Programs
- Online Video "Eating for Health: 5 Must Do’s" by Emily from the Biggest Loser Resort
- Healthy Cooking Demo by AVI – First week in May (exact date TBA—stay tuned!)
- Monday, May 7 and Friday, May 11 Meetings with a Licensed Dietician - FREE for Highmark participants!
- 6 weeks of healthy e-recipes!
For more information or to sign up, check out the Wellness webpage at our main site.
Highmark Lifestyle Returns participants will earn points for participation in the above programs.
April Healthy Highlights
Click to download the following Cancer Risk information from Highmark
Cancer Risks: Am I at Risk?
Local Wellness Programs sponsored by Highmark
Click to download the following local Highmark Wellness Programs 2012 calendars:
Crawford County
Mercer County
campus events
A Good Half Hour
Thursday, April 12, 12:30 p.m.
Johnson Memorial Chapel
Guest Preacher and Thiel College Alumna: The Rev. Emilie Theobald-Rowlands, Pastor, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Oakdale, Pa.
Thiel Campus Ministry: Welcoming One Another As Christ Welcomes Us
National Library Week Events
April 8 - 14
All events will take place in the library.
Activity for the week: Count the M & M's. Fill out a raffle ticket at the circulation desk for a chance to guess how many M & Ms are in the jar. The person who comes closest without going over wins! Each losing entry will then be entered into the Grand Prize raffle.
Wednesday, April 11, 8 p.m., "5th Annual Night of Poetry and the Creative Arts"
Join us as students, faculty and staff read the selections that have submitted to the most recent issue of The Phoenix.
Thursday, April 12, 9 p.m. "Library Hunger Games"
Test your archery skills by collecting arrows as you find the answers to library questions. Winners receive a Hunger Games poster and an entry into the Grand Prize raffle.
Friday, April 13, Relax and enjoy a piece of cake!
Winners of the M & M contest and the Grand Prize raffle will be announced.
The Grand Prize will be a private study room for one evening during finals week—filled with snacks!
Earth Week Events
Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m.
"The Covenantal Triangle: Prophetic Perspectives on the Created Order" with Dr. Ellen Davis, Duke Divinity School
Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m.
"Illusion and Denial: Reflections on Climate Change" with Dr. Wendy Farley, Emory University
Honors Program Presentations
Tuesday, April 17 (first presentation begins at 4:15 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 18 (first presentation begins at 3:30 p.m.)
The Learning Commons classroom
All faculty and staff are invited to attend the junior/senior project presentations.
Kids Night with the Tomcats
Saturday, April 21, 6-9 p.m.
Rissell-Schreyer Dome
Enjoy a night off while your kids play soccer, football, relay races and obstacle courses; bounce on fun inflatables; or participate in coloring and crafts with Thiel student-athletes and coaches in the Rissell-Schreyer Dome. This event is open to children 3 to 12 years old and secure drop-off and pick-up for children will be provided. Cost is $5 per child if registering before April 15; $7 per child after April 15 or at the door. Contact Angie Zeuch, head women’s basketball coach with questions or to register.
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, April 18.
Deadline for submissions: 5 p.m., Monday, April 16.