School district names middle school in honor of Thiel alumnus and decorated soldier killed in action

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- The Seneca Valley School Board officially approved changing the name of Seneca Valley Middle School to Ryan Gloyer Middle School on Monday to honor the 2004 Thiel graduate and decorated Green Beret, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in November 2016.

Gloyer was a psychology and education double major who graduated from Thiel College with honors and won the College’s Young Alumni Award in 2007. The Seneca Valley board voted unanimously to approve the name change. It will be part of several initiatives at the school to honor Gloyer’s legacy. According to district officials, the plans include creating an interactive display in the building that will feature more about Gloyer and also share details about other Seneca Valley graduates who have served in the military. Gloyer’s story also will become part of the curriculum at the middle school.

“It is our distinct privilege and honor to recognize Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Gloyer for his service and ultimate sacrifice. The renaming of the Seneca Valley Middle School will afford us the opportunity to share the many unique qualities that made him a model student and teacher,” Seneca Valley Communications Director Linda Andreassi said. “His story and his name will live on, and his message will continue to touch the lives of others for generations. We are proud to call SFC Gloyer a Seneca Valley graduate, Class of 2000.”

In November 2017, Gloyer’s father, Richard, created the Sergeant First Class Ryan Gloyer ’04 Memorial Scholarship at Thiel College. Senior education majors at Thiel College will be eligible for an award from the $60,000 Gloyer Scholarship starting this fall.

“Ryan Gloyer had a profound effect on everyone who knew him. He was talented and smart. The fear is when you lose somebody in an untimely fashion that their memory will be forgotten,” Vice President of College Advancement Roberta Leonard said. “Ryan served our nation with distinction. Naming the school and including his story in the education of middle school students along with his legacy at Thiel College will keep his memory alive for years to come.″

Gloyer’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with V device, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger tab and the Special Forces tab. He served the Army as a member of the elite Special Forces Green Berets. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan. Gloyer also served a tour in Africa in Chad.

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