GREENVILLE, Pa.—A leading voice to eliminate global prejudice and intolerance and a former candidate for Pennsylvania Governor Laura E. Ellsworth, J.D. will be given an honorary degree and be the speaker for Thiel College’s 150th Commencement Exercises at 11 a.m. May 12 in the William A. Passavant Memorial Center.
The event will be livestreamed. During the Commencement Exercises, Thiel College will grant undergraduate degrees and celebrate students who will complete graduate degrees in business administration and clinical mental health counseling this spring. A Baccalaureate worship service will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024 in the David Johnson Memorial Chapel.
Ellsworth is Jones Day’s pioneering Partner-in-Charge of Global Community Service Initiatives. Her work spans vital legal practice and far-reaching community engagement. At the heart of her community service efforts is the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, which she co-chairs with Thiel College Trustee Emeritus Mark Nordenberg, J.D. ’70 H’97. This initiative demonstrates an unwavering commitment to eradicating hate-fueled violence and building global strategies to combat violent extremism.
The Summit brings international experts to Pittsburgh to tackle the prevalence of anti-Semitism, hate speech, and violent extremism. In her role with The Eradicate Hate Global Summit, she has played a role in assembling many of the world’s leading anti-hate experts from many disciplines to collaborate and develop new solutions to prevent hate-motivated violence.
In 2018, Ellsworth ran for Pennsylvania Governor and lost during the Republican primary. Her dedication to service extends to her local community, having been recognized with the 2018 Coleman Award for excellence in community service from the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell named her one of Pennsylvania’s Top Businesswomen, and Governor Tom Corbett appointed her to serve on the boards of the Pennsylvania State System for Higher Education, Pennsylvania Council on Privatization and Innovation, and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
As a mentor and educator, Ellsworth’s influence reaches the next generation through her teaching in city schools and Lawyers Without Borders programs teaching engagements in Kenya. Her efforts will continue with the next Eradicate Hate Summit on October 21-23 in Pittsburgh.
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.