GREENVILLE, Pa.—The College Advancement team at Thiel, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, wants to top last year’s record-breaking total of 339 donors, and to encourage giving, the institution has created some exciting rewards to spark alumni, staff and friends of the College to “Unlock Awesome” on its annual Match Day on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018.
The event supports The Thiel Fund and is centered around dollar-for-dollar and bonus gift match funds that will be made available in response to gifts from alumni and friends of the College. Along with the match bonuses are a series of videos portraying noted campus personalities, alumni and staff participating in a variety of physical challenges to thank donors for the gifts. When giving dollar amounts reach $25,000; $50,000; $75,000 and $100,000, the videos will be unveiled. Gifts to The Thiel Fund go exclusively to the areas of greatest need of the College, funding need-based scholarships, academic programming, athletics, and campus improvements.
Donors will be presented with match challenges from academic programs, alumni and other affinity groups. If donor totals meet goals in various categories nearly $50,000 of additional donations will be unlocked.
Over the last two years, the one-day fundraising campaign raised nearly $400,000. In 2016, the initial donor goal was surpassed by noon.
“The Thiel community remains connected even after graduation and our friends, community and business partners share that feeling of belonging,” Vice President for College Advancement Roberta Leonard said. “This lasting connection has created a culture of philanthropy that each year makes us set our expectations high. And every year our enthusiastic supporters and donors set new standards. I am humbled and awe-struck by the generosity of our network each year and am optimistic they will again rise to the challenge.”
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.