Thiel College launches 160th anniversary celebration with 2026 Founders’ Day awards

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College will recognize faculty, staff and community leadership during its annual Founders’ Day celebration at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center, marking the first major event of the College’s 160th anniversary year.

Founders’ Day commemorates Thiel College’s founding in 1866 and honors individuals whose dedication, service and professional excellence reflect the College’s mission and values.

On the occasion of Founders’ Day, the College will present the Louis and Barbara Thiel Distinguished Service Award to Vicki Poe, a long-time Greenville resident whose service to both the community and the College spans decades. The award is presented annually to a community member who demonstrates exemplary character, sustained leadership and long-term service to the region, consistently placing the common good above private interest.

Poe is a former member of Thiel’s GSO Board and has served on the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Board. She is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Greenville, a service organization dedicated to supporting children and families. Poe and her husband, Russell, have been longtime supporters of Thiel’s Circle K Club. From 1995 to 2011, Poe served as an admissions counselor at Thiel College. Following her retirement, she continued her commitment to the institution by volunteering as a tutor and academic coach for Tomcat football student-athletes.

In addition to the Distinguished Service Award, the Founders’ Day ceremony will honor faculty and staff members for excellence in teaching, scholarship, service and mentorship.

• The 2026 Founders’ Day award recipients are:
• Adjunct Faculty of the Year: Ashleigh Musick, J.D., Adjunct Professor of Political Science
• Teacher of the Year: Jared Johnson, Ph.D., Professor of English
• Scholar of the Year: Sean Oros ’15, Lecturer of English
• Service Faculty of the Year: David Buck, Ph.D., Professor of History
• Faculty Advisor/Mentor of the Year: Neil Lax, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neuroscience
• Professor of the Year: G. Rattan Khalsa, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry
• Staff Advisor/Mentor of the Year: Nalini Downing, campus store manager
• Distinguished Staff Award: Jodie Witherite, counselor
• Distinguished Staff Award: Debbie Schreiber, registrar
• Distinguished Staff Award: Hannah Keeling ’08, coordinator of peer-led learning programs
• Distinguished Staff Award: Anthony Kobak, head men’s and women’s tennis coach
• Distinguished Staff Award: Jennifer Law, environmental services worker

Founders’ Day serves as a moment for the campus community to reflect on Thiel College’s history while celebrating those who continue to advance its mission. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend as the College honors this year’s recipients and officially begins its 160th anniversary celebration.

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