College named to Forbes’ Grateful Graduates Index

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College was recently ranked among the top 200 institutions nationwide on Forbes’ Grateful Graduates Index 2016.

Inclusion on the list signifies that a college has a history of producing graduates who consistently donate to their alma mater.

In the article, titled “2016 Grateful Grad Colleges: The Top 200 Show-Me-The-Money Schools,” Forbes uses several factors to rank the schools, including private donation rates, gifts per student and alumni participation rates. The article includes only private, not-for-profit colleges, and comprises many Ivy League institutions.

 “Thiel College is blessed to have generous and engaged alumni,” interim Vice President for College Advancement Roberta Leonard said. “Our graduates remain committed to the success of their alma mater and the current and future generations of young women and men who attend the College.”

Thiel College retains a network of more than 10,000 active alumni. In February, the College announced that it topped the $60 million goal set for the Thiel 2016 campaign, which continues through the end of this year. For the past three years, special online-only, one-day fundraisers have generated record-breaking participation and contribution totals. The 2016 match-day fundraiser in February collected $212,021 and had 354 donors. Following the recent announcement of Susan Traverso, Ph.D., as the 20th president of Thiel College, a group of anonymous donors made a gift of $150,000 in honor of Thiel’s 150-year history and in support of the new president. Forbes reports that the 10-year median donation per Thiel College graduate is $2,987.

“The best colleges are the ones that produce successful people who make enough money during their careers to be charitable, and feel compelled to give back to their alma mater,” Forbes Managing Editor of Investing, Markets and Personal Finance Matt Schifrin said.

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