GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College announces Ryan Harcourt ’25 M.S.’26, of Hermitage, Pa., and Grace Jones ’25 M.S.’26, of Hadley, Pa., as its Student of the Month honorees for February.
The Student of the Month honor is awarded to seniors. It is among the most prestigious student awards at Thiel College with only six students earning the honor each semester.
Harcourt is a 2021 Greenville High School graduate and a health systems major. Following graduation, he intends to complete Thiel College’s Master of Science in physician assistant studies degree.
During the spring semester of 2024, Harcourt helped assess interest and raise awareness for the sensory room. He was also one of the founding members of Thiel’s undergraduate PA club. In addition, while on the soccer team, he participated in several community service opportunities.
His father, Andrew Harcourt ’95, of Greenville Pa., is a 1995 Thiel College graduate. His mother is Pepsi Harcourt, of Hermitage, Pa.
“I had a wonderful Thiel experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone and to excel in my studies. Thiel provided me with the opportunity to play soccer for three years and still pursue a master’s degree through their 5-year accelerated program. The access to so many opportunities allowed me to live out an immensely fulfilling experience,” Harcourt said.
“I would like to thank all my Thiel college professors, including those in the PA department, for providing me with the guidance and materials I need to pursue my degree,” Harcourt said.
Jones is a 2021 Commodore Perry High School graduate and a health systems major. Following graduation, she intends to complete Thiel College’s Master of Science in physician assistant studies degree and pursue a career in the medical field.
Jones is a Pathway 1 physician assistant studies student and Physician Assistant Student Society president of the PA 2026 graduate class. She was one of the students who started and led the undergraduate PA club from her first year to the start of graduate school. During her undergraduate studies, she also served as a peer mentor for incoming first-year students and a peer note-taker. In addition to receiving her undergraduate degree, she has worked as a personal care attendant at St. Paul’s Senior Living Community for the past four years, earning a staff leadership award in 2023.
She is the daughter of Joshua and Thiel alumna Dianna Jones ’03, of Hadley, Pa.
“Thiel provided me with a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with passionate peers and supportive professors, and I gained a one-of-a-kind experience,” Jones said. “Beyond academics, the experience helped me build friendships and confidence in my abilities and personal growth.”
“I’d like to thank Dr. Neil Lax and Jessica Sloan (PA program) for being meaningful mentors as I pursued my degree. I’d also like to thank all the other faculty and staff who have dedicated their time to my education throughout the past four years,” Jones said.
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.