Environmental professional rejoins the College for another term as a Thiel Trustee

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- G. Leah (Glessner) Dever ’74 H’25, an enduring supporter and abiding asset to Thiel College, has been reappointed to the Board of Trustees and is set to begin her new term in November.

Dever retired from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science as Associate Director of Safety, Security and Infrastructure, where she had operational oversight of the federal government’s system of ten national laboratories. In the course of her career with the Department, she led organizations in managing and overseeing large-scale activities at science laboratories and nuclear weapons facilities in Nevada, Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Kentucky, Washington, Maryland, and California. Before her work with the Department of Energy, she worked for several environmental engineering firms analyzing proposals for industrial facilities to measure their projected impact on the environment. Dever also evaluated safety and environmental regulations for industrial sites and ensured regulation compliance. She also taught courses in ecology and biology at several community colleges.

Dever graduated from Thiel College in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in biology before going on to earn her master’s degree in biology and ecology from Pennsylvania State University. During Thiel College’s 2025 Commencement Exercises in May, Dever was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of her admirable public service and contributions to the College. Her other awards from the College over the years include the 2001 Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2024 Service to Thiel Award.

Dever previously served on the Thiel College Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2024, and during that time, she served as Chair from 2020 to 2023. She has served on several board committees and on the Alumni Board. She is also a member of the Society of 1866, where she supports students through the Ned and Gertrude Glessner Endowed Scholarship.

Dever and her partner, Dennis Hamby, live in Florida, where they enjoy diving, traveling, and fishing.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the oversight of Thiel College. The Board adopts rules, regulations and policies governing Thiel College and has authority over curricular development, use of property, development of facilities and fiscal and human resources management. The Board of Trustees meets formally three times a year on campus. Trustees typically serve three-year terms.

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• Thiel College Board of Trustees

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