Five graduates earn top honors at Thiel College’s 145th Commencement Exercises

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Four members of the Thiel College Class of 2019 earned valedictorian honors and one received salutatorian honors at the 145th Commencement Exercises, which were held Sunday, May 5 in the College’s William A. Passavant Memorial Center.

Thomas Fisher ’19, Erika Hiwiller ’19, Brittany Jackson ’19 and Evan Youker ’19 shared valedictorian honors with perfect 4.0 grade point averages. Terri Eddy ’19 was named salutatorian.

• Fisher, of Jamestown, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in biology and health systems. He was a member of the Dietrich Honors Institute. Fisher is a 2015 graduate of Greenville High School.
• Hiwiller, of West Sunbury, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and majored in environmental science. She was a member of the Dietrich Honors Institute and is a 2015 graduate of Moniteau Junior-Senior High School.
• Jackson, of Cochranton, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in accounting and business administration. Jackson was a member of the Dietrich Honors Institute. She is a 2016 graduate of Cochranton Junior-Senior High School.
• Youker, of West Lafayette, Ohio, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and majored in neuroscience. He was a member of the Dietrich Honors Institute. Youker is a 2015 graduate of Ridgewood High School.
• Eddy, of Meadville, Pa. and Grange Hill, Jamaica, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in accounting and business administration. She was a member of the Dietrich Honors Institute. Eddy is a 2015 graduate of Conneaut Area Senior High School.

Students who received the honor of summa cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.8-4.0; students who received the honor of magna cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.60-3.79; and students who received the honor of cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.4-3.59. The valedictorians and salutatorian were among the 41 percent of Thiel's Class of 2019 who were awarded Latin academic honors during the Commencement Exercises, which is above published figures for the national average. Graduates earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or higher were awarded cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude.

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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.