thiel happenings
Biology Majors Present Research
Every year as the spring semester winds down, biology students at Thiel look forward to completing one of their last requirements before graduation: presenting their independent study projects to an intercollegiate audience. However, this year differed from the previous years as the 33rd Annual Undergraduate Symposium for Western Pennsylvania was on campus Saturday, April 14. Biology students from Geneva College, Grove City College and Washington & Jefferson College represented their schools this year.
Thiel students began working on their independent studies last semester with the help of biology professors Dr. Michael Balas, Dr. Joyce Cuff and Dr. Nicholas Despo. This year, 22 students from Thiel presented topics they have been working on throughout the past year.
The format for the event consisted of oral and poster presentations. Oral presentations were given by Rachel Wills, Mindy Wolfe, Brian Newmeyer, Jamiee Anderson and John Stenberg. Presenting posters of their work were Elliot Coonfer, Kylie Czulewicz, Brittany Dell, Bonita Garland, Laura Graham, Joseph Grech, Kelly Kennedy, Victoria Kerin, Kasey Landis, Brenden Lowery, Michael Magyar, Alex McClurg, Erica Rinehart, Weston Snyder, Jill Spino, Ashlee Wood and Yahor Zhaliazouski.
The event took place in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center and began with registration followed by welcoming remarks by Dr. Michael Balas, chair of the Biology Department and Dr. Lynn Franken, vice president of academic affairs, and concluded with a luncheon. Members of Tri-Beta, the national biology honorary society, assisted the department in running this event.— submitted by Dr. Nicholas Despo
Library Week Winners Announced
Congratulations to Amy Matchett who was the winner of the guess the M&M’s and “The Hunger Games” contests. Other winners include Grand Prize winner Kristen Wansor (private study room for finals filled with snacks!) and Dr. Mary Theresa Hall (cookie baking contest).
And thank you to the many faculty, staff and students who attended and participated in the annual Poetry Reading!
Last Chance to Enter Your Choice!
"When to upgrade to Moodle 2.0?"
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 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
Student Artwork on Display in Japanese Gallery
Suguru Daigo, junior commercial art major from Tokyo, Japan, (pictured at left in Times Square, NYC) had two pieces of his artwork ("Created thing" [below, left] and "Moon girl" [below, right] selected for diplay at the Art Araq Asia Gallery in Japan. The theme of the exhibit is "Wonder Land" and will run April 14 - 20. He also has created two t-shirt designs for the Thiel World Organization (T.W.O.). Congratulations, Suguru!
Senior Student-Athletes Honored
The second annual Senior Student-Athlete Banquet and Chi Alpha Sigma induction ceremony hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) took place Monday, April 16 in the Lutheran Heritage Room.
Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes student-athletes who receive a varsity letter in their sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and/or senior years. Thiel’s chapter is the 19th college or university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania selected to join NCAHS and is just the third in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, joining Grove City College and Saint Vincent College. Selection for membership is by an athletic department designee in consultation with the individual’s head coach and is based on outstanding scholarship, earned athletic letters and excellent character and citizenship. The Department of Athletics was pleased to honor 19 student-athletes who have taken very seriously their commitment to academic excellence, as well as their dedication to being the absolute best student-athlete possible, as Thiel’s 2012 Chi Alpha Sigma class.
Four special awards were also presented. The Top Tomcat Award, to Corey Brown (wrestling) is presented to a senior student-athlete who has promoted Thiel College athletics through their outstanding athletic and academic achievements at the College, Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) and national levels. The Male/Female Distinguished Student-Athlete of the Year Award, to Phil Double (baseball) and Megan Kay (volleyball), respectively, are presented to both a male and female senior student-athlete who has distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement, service and leadership. The SAAC Extra Effort Award to Gary Witosky (business administration and accounting) is voted on by SAAC members and is presented to a staff or faculty member who goes above and beyond in their support of Thiel’s student-athletes and is dedicated to helping student-athletes successfully balance their commitment to academics and athletics.
Congratulations to all honorees!
Student Athletes of the Week
Hannah Stelmach, first-year women’s lacrosse player from Reading, Pa., netted a pair of goals for the Tomcats in last Tuesday’s 16-10 win over visiting Medaille College. It was her first two-goal effort of the season, giving her six for the year. A starter in all 10 games this season, Stelmach and the women’s lacrosse squad have won four of their last five contests. She was named to the College’s Dean’s List in fall 2011.
Phil Double, senior baseball player and secondary education/history major from Evans City, Pa., finished the week with a .750 (6-for-8) batting average and an .846 on-base percentage. He totaled three RBI and a pair of runs scored for the Tomcats in their three-game series against Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) rival Saint Vincent College. Double was named an all-PAC honorable mention pick in 2011 while also earning a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District Second Team. His research project, "The Battle of Stalingrad: Clash of Hitler’s and Stalin’s Ideology and Psychology," won an Exemplary Library Research Award in February. Double has been named to the Dean’s List in each of his seven semesters and has earned a spot on the PAC Academic Honor Roll after each of his three seasons.
community news & events
Violin and Piano in Concert—Christina & Bradley Gant
Sunday, April 29, 2 p.m.
David Johnson Memorial Chapel
Music adjunct, Christina Gant (violin), and her husband, Bradley Gant (piano), will delight the audience with the music of Brahms, Faure and Beethoven.
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.
3rd Annual Pink Angels Golf Scramble
Thursday, June 21
Greens of Greenville
Women’s Event Registration 7: 30 a.m.; Shotgun start, 8 a.m. $220/foursome includes coffee, muffins, greens fees, cart, lunch and prizes.
Men’s Event Registration 1:30 p.m.; shotgun start, 2 p.m. $220/foursome includes greens fees, cart, dinner, auction and prizes.
All proceeds benefit local men and women undergoing cancer treatment. Donations of $50 hole sponsorships, Chinese auction baskets or silent auction items (i.e. the use of a vacation home, artwork, NFL tickets, jewelry, golf packages, gift certificates, etc.) are now being accepted. Registration deadline is June 1. Please contact Kathleen Christiansen, 724-588-97570, with questions, for more information or to register.
special notes
TIAA Counseling Sessions
A TIAA-CREF counselor will be available for individual counseling sessions on Friday, April 27 in the Edwin Hodge Conference Room in the HMSC.
The sessions are open to those interested in enrolling, new enrollments, recent retirees or those nearing retirement, as well as those who have not met with a representative in the last year. Call 1-800-732-8353 to schedule your individual appointment.
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 19, 12:30 p.m.
Johnson Memorial Chapel
Easter Worship for All!
THEME: All Disbelievers Welcome!
Worship with the Lord’s Supper
Thiel Campus Ministry: Welcoming One Another As Christ Welcomes Us
Senior Art Exhibition
April 13 - 26
Weyers-Sampson Art Gallery, HMSC
Honors Program Presentations
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.
Greek Week Events
Wednesday, April 18, 9:30 p.m.
Flag Football
Rissell-Schreyer Dome
Thursday, April 19, 9:30 p.m.
Greek Olympics
Rissell-Schreyer Dome
Friday, April 20, 7 p.m.
Lip Sync & Greek Sing
Passavant Center
M.E.R.P. Mania
Saturday, April 21, noon – 3 p.m.
Glen Johnson Community Center
The students in Prof. Huddleston’s marketing class have teamed with M.E.R.P. (Medical Equipment Recycling Program) to promote awareness and raise funds for the local organization. The event will include a silent auction, equipment games and a medical equipment drop-off and pick-up service. Please contact M.E.R.P. at 724-589-6377 to schedule a pick up if you have a donation. Please forward any donations or questions to Audrey Rattay, project manager.
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.
Spring Concert for Choirs and Handbells
Sunday, April 22, 3 p.m.
Johnson Memorial Chapel
The 36-voice Thiel Choir will perform its home concert, "A Spring Concert for Choirs and Handbells." Also performing on the program will be the Thiel College Handbell Ringers and the Thiel College Chamber Singers. The performance marks the beginning of the Thiel Choir’s 2012 spring choir tour. The choir will perform a variety of sacred works by Palestrina, Hovland, Lauridsen, Ijames, Madiera, Tate, Raminsh, Lutheran composers F. Melius Christiansen and Robert Wetzler, as well as arrangements of spirituals by Howard Helvey, Moses Hogan and Paul Weber. The program will include sacred works which celebrate hope and love, and works of the Native American culture and earth consciousness. There will be no charge for admission, however, a freewill offering will be taken. For more information about the concert, contact Dr. Bray at ext. 2149.
Bacon/Cuff Retirement Reception
Monday, April 23, 3-5 p.m.
Sawhill-Georgian Room, HMSC
Join us as we bid farewell and good luck to long-time professors Michael Bacon (physics) and Joyce Cuff (biology).
Experiences with Wildlife and the Natural Environments of Africa
Tuesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m.
S-100
Presented by Dr. Joyce Cuff and Dr. Michael Bacon. All are invited. Light refreshments will be served.
National Walk at Lunch Day
Wednesday, April 25
Meet the group at the quad
National Walk @ Lunch Day® is designed to complement — not compete with — your busy lifestyle. Created to improve personal health and decrease the costs of healthcare for employers and employees. So join the many Americans by walking at lunch and improving your health step by step!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the cost to treat illness and chronic disease caused by inactive lifestyles is nearly $1,000 for every family in America, every year. Simply getting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as a brisk walk, at least five times a week has significant health benefits, lowering the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, hypertension or type 2 diabetes, and improving the health of muscles, bones and joints.
Farewell Festival
Thursday, April 26, 4 - 7 p.m.
Upper 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.
AVI Healthy Cooking Demo
Tuesday, May 1, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Galleria, HMSC
Don't miss this fun and interactive lunch! Learn how to prepare a quick, tasty and healthy meal for the normal door rate of $6 cash (or use your meal plan card).
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 25.
Deadline for submissions: 5 p.m., Monday, April 23.