New sonar find sparks latest theory about what happened to famed aviator Earhart

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- The recent developments in the search for Amelia Earhart H’32, the iconic aviator who mysteriously disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937, have a special meaning for the Thiel College community.

Deep Sea Vision, a Charleston, South Carolina-based team, shared sonar images on Instagram that the organization says is Earhart’s plane.

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• Read about the recent developments.

On Dec. 11, 1932, Earhart was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Thiel College. Earlier that year, she was awarded the National Geographic Society’s gold medal by President Herbert Hoover and the Distinguished Flying Cross by the U.S. Congress. Earhart’s father, Edwin, graduated from Thiel College in 1886. Edwin Earhart’s sister, Kate, also attended Thiel College and was present when Amelia Earhart was awarded her honorary degree.

In his book “The Search for Amelia Earhart,” author Fred Goerner said, “The most satisfying recognition, however, came from her father’s alma mater, Thiel College of Greenville, Pennsylvania in the form of an honorary Doctor of Science degree.”

Before disappearing in 1937 while attempting to circumnavigate the globe, Earhart met with Thiel College’s president. Earhart had expressed affection for Thiel during her keynote address in 1932. Because of her affection for the College and her desire to empower women, she had planned to work with and fundraise for groups that would create opportunities for women on campus.

Members of a group founded at Thiel in honor of Earhart met with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The group raised about $48,000 in 1940—the equivalent of more than $800,000 by today’s standards—to promote and strengthen women’s activities and causes on campus. The spirit of that group can be traced to the women’s groups that exist on campus today.

Author and historian Susan Traverso, Ph.D. is the president of Thiel College. She also has her own ties to the missing pilot. Traverso researched and wrote about women’s rights and social welfare programs in early 20th century Boston—including Denison House, where Earhart worked before her aviation career.

Related Link

• The Thiel College-Amelia Earhart connection

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