Young Alumni

Evan Gerber ’23; Allison (Walsh) Sankey ’24; and Madi Yurich ’24 M.S.’25 were the featured speakers at the Feb. 25 Ruth A. Miller Senior Business Seminar. Gerber is an Associate at Shaffer Financial Services in Conneaut Lake, Pa.; Sankey is the Senior Director of Human Resources at Embassy Healthcare in Hermitage, Pa.; and Yurich is a Speech Language Pathologist with the Trumbull County Educational Service Center, in Niles, Ohio.

“For class on February 25, 2026, three young alumni returned to campus to share their Thiel stories after our class enjoyed a delicious Australian themed meal together. Each of them spoke about their experiences as students, the relationships they built, and the transition from college into their professional lives. It was clear that they all hold deep appreciation for their time at Thiel and genuinely treasure the memories and friendships they formed here. At the same time, they demonstrated that it is possible to value your college experience while still confidently moving forward and thriving in your career.” Giovanna Franz ’27

“It was refreshing to have recent graduates sit in front of us and talk about their lives after graduating because it is a little easier to see myself in two years rather than in twenty years. Not that I don’t get a lot out of the other guest speakers, but it’s nice to hear the little things that happen after graduation in more detail.” Lorene Byler ’26

“Almost right after graduation Evan got a job offer in Dallas, Texas, from Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Ultimately accepting the offer, he traveled halfway across the country alone. His first bit of advice for us was if you have the opportunity to leave, go. He said the experience was amazing and it was very transformative to him, as a whole.” Trey Grazier ’27

“I was particularly interested in what Evan shared. After graduation, he made the bold decision to move to Texas, stepping far outside the comfort of the small-town environment he was used to. His advice to “go out and explore” really resonated with me. He spoke about how that transition challenged him, pushed him to grow, and ultimately shaped him into a more confident and capable version of himself.” Giovanna Franz ’27

“I was lucky to have been seated with Allison Sankey during our dinner because she had graduated from Thiel with a Human Resources degree, which is the degree I am pursuing. She spoke to our class about her professional journey in human resources and the skills required to succeed in leadership roles within the healthcare industry.” Raegan Nelson ’26

“Allison shared that her first job was as a leasing manager. While it was not what she wanted to do, she still valued the experience for showing her what she does want in a career. I think this will be especially helpful to think about while applying for jobs. While it may not be what I want to do, it can still help to start my career and expose me to other people, companies, and fields I may want to get into.” Kendall McLaughlin ’26

“As a Human Resources Management major myself, I liked being able to hear a little bit about what she does at her job because I’ve read descriptions of what HR professionals do, but hearing Allie explain some of her responsibilities gave me a clearer idea of what I would be getting myself into.” Lorene Byler ’26

“Beyond her professional career, Allison is actively involved in service and leadership roles. She currently serves as a Board Member for the Thiel College Alumni Board and as a Financial Advisor for the Zeta Nu Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha at Lock Haven University. Allison stressed the importance of giving back, networking, and staying connected to educational institutions as ways to grow personally and professionally.” Raegan Nelson ’26

“During Madi’s time at Thiel, she was involved in a wide range of activities, including the tennis team, volleyball, and track, while also participating in organizations such as DHI, the Staff Appreciation club, and Circle K. Being involved in all of these activities reflects her commitment to staying engaged and making the most out of her college experience.” Lindsey Pearce ’27

“Madi is a speech therapist who only left Thiel last year. Hearing her Thiel tales was invigorating as I felt I closely related to how active she was across campus, so to see her succeeding the way she is, made me focus on every word she said. Her sentiments about building real connections and always trying to be involved in things stuck with me as those human connections she had made ended up landing her the externship she required to graduate.” Spencer Cleary ’27

“As I listened to Madi’s story, I thought she was like ‘Hermione’ from Harry Potter. She said that she had no regrets about her college life because she tried everything she wanted to do. Since it is almost impossible to live without any regret, I felt that what she meant was that she approached her studies and activities with confidence and without hesitation. I found that very admirable. I wondered how she was able to plan so carefully and manage her time so efficiently.” Miyeon Lee ’26

“Madi currently works in schools with children that ranged from pre-k to 12^th grade as a speech language pathologist. She discussed how she thought that this would be a possible pathway for her. Madi discussed how one day she would like to have a family, and she weighed the pros and cons of working in a school setting. However, in her ‘clinical’ year at the school, she learned that this specific pathway may not be for her. I applaud Madi for being open with us and telling us her honest opinion. I enjoyed the fact that she did not just come to dinner and talk about how amazing her first job was but rather told us the truth about how she was feeling. That meant a lot to me because it shows that our first job may be a positive steppingstone but ultimately may not be the career path we want to follow.” Makenna Oswalt ’26

“However, it was Ms. Yurich’s advice that deeply resonated with me. While building a strong resume through good grades, certifications, and internships is undoubtedly important for employment, focusing solely on that end goal can leave one feeling aimless once the job is finally secured. I realized that building meaningful human connections and truly enjoying this specific chapter of my life are just as vital as achieving my professional goals.” Eunseo Lee ’26

“Because they were young alumni, I could relate to them more deeply. As someone who is still thinking about my future career, I saw myself in their stories. The lecture made me feel a stronger desire to become a confident and successful member of society like them.” Miyeon Lee ’26

“Mr. Gerber reiterated a theme that Thiel prepares you and gives you many opportunities, if you’re willing to take them. Mrs. Sankey agreed with this, adding that the same applies for your career. While we are young professionals, we should be taking on extra work and doing what we can to stand out and set us apart for future opportunities.” Kendall McLaughlin ’26

“When listening to the speakers, I learned that sometimes our first steps after college may not be the right move, and that is okay. God has a plan for all of us, and it will all work out in the end. Additionally, they also emphasized the importance of networking and keeping those connections. Madi discussed the moment when she reached out to Allie for assistance when she was in need of an externship. These connections that we make during our years at Thiel will last a lifetime.” Makenna Oswalt ’26

“All three of the panelists highlighted Professor Witosky’s quote that ‘luck is when preparation meets opportunity.’ I have enjoyed seeing how many of the speakers have recurring themes and experiences. When Mrs. Sankey was talking about how she got the role she was in now, she attributed it to luck, not herself, but Professor Witosky was quick to remind her of this and that she worked very hard to be where she is today.” Kendall McLaughlin ’26

“A unifying theme among all three speakers was the critical importance of networking; they strongly encouraged us to build and maintain our "social bridges" to aid in our future careers.” Eunseo Lee ’26

“The lecture continued in a very comfortable and warm atmosphere. And their friendship is truly inspiring. I believe Thiel College does a wonderful job of continuously creating opportunities for students to network with alumni.” Miyeon Lee ’26

“Overall, this panel left me feeling encouraged and motivated. Instead of viewing graduation as an ending, I now see it more as a beginning. Speaking with these alumni made the future feel less overwhelming and more full of possibility. Their journeys showed me that while change can be uncomfortable, it is also where some of the most important personal and professional development takes place. Rather than fearing what is ahead, I feel more excited to step into it and see where my own path leads.” Giovanna Franz ’27

“Overall, I gained a lot of insight from all of them, and they made life after graduation seem a little less scary.” Lorene Byler ’26

Lessons Learned

“Build as many relationships as you can. Relationships can only help you with your success.” Preston Lefkowitz ’27
“Don’t be afraid to branch out and find new things.” Dwayne Simpkins ’27
“Build a closer relationship with God.” Spencer Cleary ’27
“Cast a wide net of connections in all fields of work.” Brett Channell ’27
“Right out of college is the time to experiment.” Lorene Byler ’26
“Avoid burning bridges.” Lindsey Pearce ’27
“Enjoy the journey.” Spencer Cleary ’27
“Go out and explore.” Giovanna Franz ’27
“Find a job that doesn’t feel like work.” Raegan Nelson ’26
“Being a good person with integrity and doing the right thing matters.” Trey Grazier ’27
“Your first job after graduation doesn’t have to define the rest of your life.” Miyeon Lee ’26
“Get out of your shell and try and get involved as much as you can.” Preston Lefkowitz ’27

Dinner “Dishing”

“AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE, OI, OI, OI!
The dinner was unreal. I cannot believe the effort the AVI put in. I will be forever indebted to them for the food, decorations and general experience. Most of the time when I get things like meat pies, they are store bought, so the home-made touch was a nice twist. A lot of our table conversation was centered around the foreign foods in front of them, so conversation flowed effortlessly for the whole dinner. Spencer Cleary ’27
“I was able to sit among my friends and Mr. Mark Batt and enjoy amazing Australian cuisine. Mr. Batt was awesome to sit with and a really great guy. For dinner we had meat pie and sausage roll to start, as our entrée we had fish and chips with skewered shrimp, and dessert was a sort of raspberry jelly cake coated in chocolate and coconut shaving. Another meal sent down from God through AVI. Every time I come to dinner, I get more impressed. Thank you, Spencer, for the wonderful menu!” Trey Grazier ’27
“Dinner was Australian-themed, and I did not know what to expect, but it was something different, and I really enjoyed it. I will say, though, everyone always talks about how awful Vegemite is, but I did not mind it at all. Oddly enough, it reminded me of the cheese that comes from a can, just saltier.” Lorene Byler ’26
We had dinner with Australian food organized by Spencer. I was impressed by the table decorations, which were arranged in red, blue, and white to represent the Australian flag. We enjoyed Vegemite, meat pie, fish and chips, and even a coconut dessert. As we shared stories about Australia and talked about our classes, we had a very enjoyable time together.” Miyeon Lee ’26
“Overall, dinner was an amazing new experience, and I would recommend everyone explore different foods from various places and cultures.” Raegan Nelson ’26