GREENVILLE, Pa.—Maryland high school senior Olivia Nerad, of Bel Air, Md., won an academic scholarship worth $156,970 to Thiel College during a surprise presentation Thursday morning at Edgewood High School.
Nerad is the daughter of Julie Conger and Jack Nerad, and the stepdaughter of Joseph Conger. She attended the presentation with her family, classmates, faculty and staff from Edgewood High School, and representatives from the Thiel College Office of Admission.
Nerad plans to study environmental science at Thiel.
She is a member of the softball team and is involved in mock trial, speech and debate.
Her softball coach Isabella Bungo ’19 is a Thiel College graduate.
Nerad’s scholarship was one of two awarded Thursday at Edgewood High School. Her classmate Zoe Plauger was also awarded a scholarship on Thursday. These were the final two of the five available scholarships awarded in 2025. DuBois (Pa.) Area High School senior Maxwell Dombroski, Bishop McNamara (Md.) High School senior Aliyah Thompson and Commodore Perry (Pa.) High School senior Kennedy Cropp were awarded scholarships at events earlier this month. Students attended one of the College’s scholarship competitions in late 2024 where they were interviewed by faculty and staff members. Each year the College awards five full-tuition scholarships from a field of hundreds of eligible candidates.
“Winning a full-tuition scholarship is truly a life-altering event for these students,” Thiel College Director of Admission Sonya Lapikas said. “It opens the door to transformative educational opportunities, allowing them to focus on their studies and future without the burden of tuition costs. We are proud to support their aspirations and be a part of their journey to success.”
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.