thiel happenings
Employees Honored for Years of Service
The annual Employee Recognition Dinner was held on Tuesday, April 17 in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center. This event honors those employees, faculty and staff, who reached milestone years of service.
Pictured are Dr. Derek Nelson (religion – 5 years), Dr. Allan Hunchuk (sociology – 20 years), Richard Walcott (library – 5 years), Dr. Michael Bray (music – 15 years), April Tarantine (music – 5 years), Pam Despo (student health services – 20 years), V. Ed Fry (IT – 10 years), Dr. Michael Bacon (physics – 30 years), Jack Leipheimer (athletics – 10 years), Jennifer Curry (math/computer science – 10 years), Kurt Reiser (athletics – 10 years), Ken Stuyvesant (housekeeping – 5 years), J.K. Whalen (sociology – 5 years), Dr. Matt Morgan (philosophy – 5 years), Homer Bloom (IT – 10 years), Tammy Shilling (admissions – 25 years), Roberta Leonard (college advancement – 10 years), Sonya Lapikas (admissions – 15 years) and Kevin Fenstermacher (athletics – 10 years).
Not pictured are Steve Brewer (athletics – 5 years), Judith Ellis (housekeeping – 5 years), Dr. Doug Hazlett (education – 5 years), Dr. Ellen Lippert (art – 5 years), Tim Loomis (athletics – 5 years), Joan Faltot (psychology – 10 years), Linda Mitchell (housekeeping – 10 years), Edward Schutte (bookstore – 10 years), Roger Seiple (maintenance – 10 years), Randy Coxson (maintenance – 20 years), Kim Scobbie (housekeeping – 20 years), Dr. Joyce Cuff (biology – 30 years) and Barbara Long-Cooper (faculty services – 30 years).
Welcome, Michael Brown!
Thiel welcomes R. Michael Brown as executive director of facilities management. His first day was Monday. Brown is a registered architect and most recently served as executive associate at Heery International Inc. (an architecture, engineering and construction management professional services firm) and director of the Office of University Architect at Kent State University. He has extensive experience in facilities and construction planning and management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Kent State.
Moodle Upgrade Poll Results Are In
Moodle will be upgraded to Moodle 2.0 in August of this year. Watch for information about training and tutorials. Moodle 2.0 will not be available until the second week of August.
Moodle Musing
Problems submitting grades? After you have selected the final grades for your students, turn off editing using the button located at the top right corner of the Grader Report page. The Upgrade button, which should not be used at this time, will have disappeared.
Thiel College Places 52nd in Annual Recyclemania Competition
This semester, for the fourth year, Thiel College participated in RecycleMania, an international competition among college campuses that challenges students to reduce, reuse and recycle the most on-campus waste.
For an eight-week period, which began in early February, Thiel and more than 600 schools representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five Canadian provinces competed in the nine categories of RecycleMania to see who, on a per capita basis, produces the least amount of waste and who recycles the largest percentage of overall waste. Colleges and universities submitted weight data for paper, cardboard, cans, bottles, food waste and general trash each week.
Thiel competed in the "Targeted Materials: Bottles and Cans" division and placed 52 out of 168 colleges and universities, which equals an average of 2.27 pounds of recyclables per person on campus during the eight weeks of competition. Last year, Thiel placed 72nd out of about 150 schools in the same division.
Thanks to Thiel’s participation in RecycleMania, the campus received one of 33 grants from the Alcoa Foundation, the College & University Recycling Coalition and the Keep America Beautiful organization. The bin grant program is an effort to help schools boost their results during the 8-week competition, and expand their recycling efforts throughout the year. Thiel received 75 additional blue recycling bins to help expand recycling efforts to lower campus.
In an attempt to increase awareness of the need to recycle, junior Josh Emanuelson, student-greening manager—with the assistance of Thiel’s Environmental Club members—performed an audit of recyclables found in the campus’ trash bins during RecycleMania. They retrieved 20 pounds of recyclables in just five bags of trash.
Thiel is an Official Certiport Testing Center
Dr. Gayle Jesse, mathematics and computer science, is proud to announce that Thiel officially became a Certiport Testing Center in January. Kim Ault, (pictured above, left) a sophomore business administration and accounting major, was the first Thiel student to take the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam for Word 2010 and then Excel 2010. She successfully passed both exams and obtained core level certifications. Congratulations Kim! Additionally, Barb Horn, (pictured above, right) a senior web development major, has successfully passed the Adobe CS5 version tests for Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Flash. She is now an "Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) - Web Specialist CS5". Congratulations Barb!
For more information about the tests Certiport offers, visit www.certiport.com. Contact Gayle Jesse to sign up to purchase and take an exam.
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 Success Update
Congratulations to the following seniors, who have confirmed their future plans:
- Jared Soell – accepted a position at Royal Chief Marketing
- Yahor Zhaliazouski – accepted to the University of San Francisco for a PSM in Biotechnology
- Erica Riola – accepted a position at a Montesorri School
- Amy Matchett – will pursue a Master of Arts degree in English at Gannon University while working in the Writing Center there and teaching two sections of composition
- D.J. Martino – will attend YSU to earn a Master’s of Fine Arts in creative writing
- Beth Yurky – accepted to Edinboro University where she will earn a Master’s degree in special education
Auditing Class Presents to Board of Trustees Committee
On Thursday, April 19, students from Professor Gary Witosky’s auditing class attended a meeting of the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees to present the results of a project they have been working on in conjunction with Connie Jablonski, Thiel College controller. The project began last fall as part of Ellie Belleau’s internship in Thiel’s Office of Financial Services and continued with Adam Householder’s internship there this spring.
The class served as the audit team for the project, performing various auditing procedures that resulted in an updated and refined fixed asset listing for the College.
In addition, the class made a series of written recommendations designed to improve and strengthen the College’s policies and procedures in this area. The project consisted of creating an audit plan and an audit program, conducting fieldwork, and compiling the conclusions into an audit report.
The project reinforced much of the material presented in class, bringing to life many of the concepts covered throughout the semester. In addition to Householder and Belleau, participating students included: Brandon Bukovinsky, Tyler Ennis, Kristen Moreland, Kayla Ohlin, Michael Roberts and Jacob Shaffer. Overall, it was a great hands-on learning experience, and allowed for successful collaboration between the accounting students, the College’s administration and the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees. — submitted by Gary Witosky
Sigma Kappa and Delta Sigma Phi Capture Greek Week Championships
The Office of Greek Life would like to thank all faculty, staff, and Thiel family for their support throughout Greek Week last week. The students had many late nights of competition and practice leading up to their final events Friday, including Lip Sync and Greek Sing. All of the organizations had excellent performances and the scores were extremely close! Sigma Kappa and Delta Sigma Phi came out victorious as the 2012 Greek Week Champions. Best wishes to everyone as we wrap up the year!
Education Students Get Familiar with Study Island
"Study Island is a great standards-based, engaging teaching tool for teachers and students!" – Dr. Hazlett
The Thiel College Education Department incorporates Study Island into the Integrated Instructional Systems and Using Instructional Technology and Universal Design to Support Literacy, Mathematics and Science Achievement course.
Dr. Doug Hazlett, education, feels very strongly that education majors should be familiar with the tools being used in local school districts. Since Study Island is used extensively in western Pennsylvania as well as throughout the United States, Thiel College integrates Study Island into students’ courses.
Susan O’Leary, the Study Island Western Pennsylvania Sales Representative, presented this semester to students in Dr. Hazlett’s class. Students are expected to use the knowledge to explore Study Island, use it to create lesson plans and to gain experience with it when doing their field experiences. Since most of the surrounding school districts use Study Island, Thiel students are afforded opportunities during mentoring and student teaching to utilize Study Island. —submitted by Kaila Hawley
Student Athletes of the Week
Ashley Dolan, sophomore softball player and communication sciences and disorders major from Export, Pa., helped lead the Tomcats to a 5-1 record last week and improve their Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) standing to 9-5, currently the third best record in the league. She finished the week hitting .571 (10-21) with 10 RBIs, four doubles and also hit the first homerun of her career. Currently riding an 11-game hit streak, her leadoff home run in the top of the seventh inning carried Thiel to a 6-5 game two win over Oberlin College on April 18. Dolan is currently ranked seventh among DIII counterparts in hardest to strikeout with just two strikeouts in 104 at-bats this season. She has been named to the Dean’s List twice.
Eric Steininger, junior baseball player and psychology major from West Leechburg, Pa., finished the week with a .357 (5-for-14) batting average, seven RBIs and five runs scored as he helped guide the Tomcats to a 2-2 record. His 32 RBIs this season are tops among his Tomcat teammates and tie him for fourth in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC), while his 52 hits lead all PAC counterparts. Steininger was named an all-PAC second team selection following the 2011 season.
special notes
HR Notes
Thiel welcomes:
Brendan Connelly, maintenance
and says farewell to:
Kim Smith, housekeeping
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 – Tuesday, May 1
- 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.
Discount Tickets Available in HR
Discount combo tickets for Waldameer Park/Water World are available in the Human Resources office. Price is $21.50 per ticket.
campus events
A Good Half Hour
Thursday, April 26, 12:30 p.m.
Johnson Memorial Chapel
Easter Worship for All!
THEME: God's Got Your Back!
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
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.
Interfraternity Council Burger Grill-Off
Friday, April 27, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greenville Hall, Front Lawn
$1 allows you to taste test burgers and cast one vote. Additional tickets to vote are $1 each. All proceeds benefit the fall philanthropy event.
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).
Commencement 2012
Schedule of Events
Sunday, April 29
Commencement Rehearsal, 6 p.m.
Passavant Center
Sunday, May 6
Baccalaureate Service, 10 a.m.
David Johnson Memorial Chapel
Dedication—Class of 2012 Tree, 11:15 a.m.
David Johnson Memorial Chapel
Gala Luncheon, 11:45 a.m.
(For Graduates and Guests—Reservations Necessary)
Dining Hall, HMSC
Faculty Robing, 1 p.m.
Greenville Hall
Graduate Robing, 1 p.m.
Rissell-Beeghly Gymnasia
Commencement Exercises, 2 p.m.
Passavant Center
Commencement Reception, 3:30 p.m.
HMSC Terrace and Lawn
Blue-Gold Club Golf Scramble
Friday, May 25, 9 a.m. shotgun start
The Greens of Greenville
Registrations must be in by Friday, May 11. Contact Patti Leipheimer at ext. 2125 with questions.
Registration/Sponsorship Form
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.
Rally on the River
Sponsored by Shenango Conservancy & Shenango River Watchers
Sunday, June 3
Shuttles run from 8:15 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Lunch (hot dogs, chips, drink) Noon – 2 p.m.
Live music 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Drop your boat (canoe or kayak) at the put-in below the dam in Pymatuning State Park near Jamestown, Pa.; drive to Riverside Park in Greenville; park your vehicle; from there, take the shuttle back to the put-in and then hit the water! Rain or shine…all class one water, no portages or obstructions. Approximately an 8½ mile reach. Typical single kayak paddle time is about 2½ to 3 hours.
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, 724-588-9757, with questions, for more information or to register.
10th Annual Strawberry Festival & Auction
Sunday, June 24, 1 - 4 p.m.
The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley
One Elston Way, Hermitage, Pa., 16148
www.ridgewoodshenango.org
Serving delicious, complimentary strawberry desserts! Featuring live and Chinese autions, 50/50 raffle, progressive raffle for a 40" Toshiba HD LCD TV (valued at $695–supported by Eckley’s TV & Appliance Center). Auction items include: gift baskets, gift certificates, art, autographed sports memorabilia, golf packages, toys and much more! Proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Fund. Gifts to this fund are used soley for benevolent and unfunded care. Ridgewood Shenango is a collaborative service of St. Paul’s and UPMC Horizon.
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, May 2.
Deadline for submissions: 5 p.m., Monday, April 30.