Alumni couple and community leaders join employees as Thiel Founders’ Day honorees

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Linda (Dean) ’75 and Barry Oman ’74 will join 10 Thiel College employees as honorees for the College’s annual Founders’ Day celebration at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1 in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.

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The Omans have made a significant impact on the region and at the College.

Barry Oman has been a member of the Board of Trustees, a Blue-Gold Club committee member and a volunteer football coach. Linda Oman was a former member of the Thiel Women’s Club. She is a member of the Thiel Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and was a co-chair of the recent celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX. The Omans have a passion for this region that extends beyond the borders of campus. The Greenville Area School District Education Foundation, Restore Riverside Park, Rotary Club of Greenville, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Relay for Life, Greenville Little League and Greenville Public Library Board have all benefited from the Omans’ involvement.

In addition to the Barbara and Louis Thiel recognition, the Founders’ Day ceremony will highlight the contributions of Thiel College employees.

Five staff members will be honored with a Distinguished Staff Award:

• Olivia “Libbi” Brown, of Greenville, Pa., admissions counselor and Career Development Center liaison
• Dominick DiRienzo M.A.’22, of Meadville, Pa., director of communications and marketing
• Jacob Frantz ’23 MBA’25, of Greenville, Pa., Solution Center support specialist
• Stacy Gerber, of Atlantic, Pa., facilities office coordinator
• Michelene Orteza, of Sharon, Pa., cataloging and reference librarian and interim director

Five faculty members will also be honored with awards.

• Distinguished Adjunct: John Morettini ’94, of Meadville, Pa., Adjunct Professor of Environmental Science
• Distinguished Scholar: Christopher Morgan, Ph.D., of Cortland, Ohio, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
• Distinguished Service: Mary Beth Mason, Ph.D., of Edinboro, Pa., Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology program director and Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders chair
• Distinguished Teacher: Greg Kingston, Ed.D., of Slippery Rock, Pa., Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
• Distinguished Professor: Marie Courtemanche, Ph.D., of Hermitage, Pa., Professor of Political Science and Department of Political Science chair

Related Link

• About Founders‘ Day

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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.