Thiel College community mourns loss of student-athlete and campus leader Toby Atwood ’26

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- The Thiel College community is mourning the death of student-athlete Toby Atwood ’26, who passed away Sunday, July 20, after collapsing during the Presque Isle Half Marathon in Erie, Pa. Atwood was a rising senior, an accomplished member of the women’s tennis team and a campus leader.

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• Read the obituary.
• Read the Erie News Now story on Toby.

Atwood, of Kittanning, Pa., was a standout in the classroom and on the court. A business administration and accounting double major and a recipient of one of the College’s full scholarship awards, she maintained a 4.0 GPA. Atwood was inducted into Alpha Chi, the National College Honor Society, which recognizes students in the top 5 percent of their class. She was also recently inducted into Chi Eta Sigma, the honorary society for commerce. Atwood served as president of the Zeta Tau Alpha women’s fraternity and was actively involved in many academic and leadership organizations across campus.

In athletics, Atwood held the No. 1 singles position on the women’s tennis team and was a team co-captain. She served as president of Thiel College’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was elected president of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference SAAC in 2024. She received the College’s Tomcat Award last year for excellence in athletics, academics, and leadership.

“Her presence touched the lives of so many, and she will be deeply missed,” Vice President for Student Life and Athletics Michael McKinney, Ed.D. ’02 said in a message to the campus community. “During this heartbreaking time, we mourn for Toby and extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family, friends, classmates, teammates, coach, instructors, and all who knew her.”

Viewing hours are 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 24 and Friday, July 25 at Center Hill Covenant Brethren Church, 2039 Freeport Road, Kittanning, Pa. The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26 at Center Hill Covenant Brethern Church.

Counseling services are available to Thiel students and employees during this time of grief. Students seeking support may contact the Thiel College Counseling Center or reach out to the campus pastoral care office.