GREENVILLE, Pa.—The renovation work in Thiel College’s Beeghly Gym has led to the replacement of nearly everything in the building, except one important item: The United States flag that hangs on the wall.
U.S. Army veteran and Thiel College veterans’ liaison Mike Mason collaborated with Michael Lawrence, owner of the Greenville Shoe Hospital, to make sure the former flag that has hung in the gym could return to the facility. The flag needed grommets installed so it could be hung properly.
“We had to alter it to allow it to be flown horizontally. This is where Michael Lawrence owner of the Greenville Shoe Hospital stepped in and helped. He dropped what he was doing on a very busy Friday and stepped in to help,” Mason said. “When he was done, he refused to charge anything to Thiel since this was for the U.S. Flag to be displayed.”
Lawrence said he was happy to do his part to make sure the flag was displayed properly.
“I was born in Greenville,” he said. “I felt it was important to help out and be part of the community.”
Also helping Mason was Thiel College Director of Public Safety and Police Chief Dennis Bish, who is also an Army veteran.
“It was an honor to work with Chief Bish to hang the U.S. flag,” Mason said. “He is always ready to support Thiel and especially Veterans. Dennis and I are both combat veterans and officers at local VFWs. We always cross paths supporting the community and veterans alike.”
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.