Alumnus, regional high school teachers win science awards from Thiel College

Posted March 25, 2022Communications and Marketing Department

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College engaged the western Pennsylvania science community and celebrated high school educators with a series of awards that were presented during a science-themed Office of Admission visit day.

Area high school students were invited to take part in the ceremonies and visit days. According to Vice President for Enrollment Management Ashley Josay Zullo the recognition of successful alumni and professionals allows prospective students the opportunity to experience what is possible with a Thiel education.

The College recognized Maplewood High School teacher Jason Drake with the 2022 Patrick C. Hecking, Ph.D. Science Educator of the Year Award and alumnus Walter Binder, Ph.D. ’73 with the Simon Chiu, M.D., Ph.D. ’73 Science Professional of the Year. Fort Cherry teacher Pam Amos won the Sarah Taylor-Rogers, Ph.D. ’69, H’19 STEM Educator of the Year.

The Science Educator of the Year award is named for Thiel College Emeritus Professor of Physics Patrick Hecking, Ph.D., who retired in 2021 after 35 years of teaching at Thiel College.

Thiel College neuroscience and psychology student Jade Rhoads ’23 nominated Drake.

“He is one of the most kind-hearted people I know,” Rhoads said. “He is one of the most influential people in my life.”

Drake uses the school’s rural setting to obtain specimens for use in lessons and engages students in real-life applications of classroom material. He and his students collaborated with the Pennsylvania departments of Transportation and Conservation and nearby Allegheny College to form living snow fences along Interstate 79 by planting nearly 3,000 trees. Drake was instrumental in organizing annual field trips to Wallops Island, Virginia, providing students with hands-on experiences in a marine environment. Drake is a recipient of a Milken Educator Award, an initiative of the Milken Family Foundation. Top educators around the country have received $25,000 in unrestricted awards as part of the program.

“I am humbled and thankful. We talk so often about teachers who make a difference for our students, but I would like to take a moment to recognize students like Jade who make a difference in the lives of teachers,” Drake said. “Thank you to Thiel College for recognizing teachers and thank you to all the teachers who are out there making a difference.”

Thiel College biochemistry major Meghan Columbus ’25 nominated Amos, who has taught a variety of biology and environmental science classes in her 17 years at Fort Cherry High School.

“I am surprised to receive this award,” Amos said. “It is so nice to be nominated and see all the nice things people were saying on social media. This is nice to be recognized, and I am grateful for the support of the Fort Cherry community.”

The award is named for former member of the Thiel College Board of Trustees Taylor-Rogers. The first woman to head the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, The Baltimore Sun called her a giant in the field of conservation in her obituary. She passed away in June 2021. She was also the acting director of the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, which is overseen by the University of Maryland. She was appointed the secretary of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources in 1999—the first woman to hold the position—and served until 2001.

Binder is a retired biotech executive. He holds a Ph.D. in medical microbiology and immunopathology from SUNY Buffalo and did post-doctoral studies at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center and VA Hospital. He was one of the founders of INOVA Diagnostics, a San Diego-based company specializing in developing and producing blood test kits for autoimmune diseases including of systemic lupus erythematosus. He served as INOVA Diagnostics president and chief technology officer for 25 years. Binder serves on the advisory board of several startup companies.

The award is named for Chiu, who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuropsychiatry at Western University in London, Ontario. He has dual training in neurosciences (Ph.D.) and medicine (M.D.). He has done work related to Alzheimer’s disease, chronic schizophrenia and ways to restore and boost brain health in COVID-19 syndrome. He is board certified with the Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in psychiatry and the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry. He has been active in research on neuro-psychopharmacology of CNS disorders, focusing on novel drug targets for neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders.

A second event is the Celebration of Women in STEM Discovery Day on April 8.

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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.



Thiel College
75 College Ave
Greenville, PA 16125
1-800-248-4435