GREENVILLE, Pa.—Gary Streiner, the sound engineer and an extra who played a “flesh-eating ghoul” in the Western Pa. cult classic “Night of the Living Dead,” attended a screening of the seminal zombie film at Thiel College’s James Pedas Communication Center on Oct. 26.
Following the screening, Streiner, of Evans City, Pa., answered questions from students and attendees about the groundbreaking film that immortalized the region. The event was sponsored by the Pedas Fellows, a student-centered organization who serve as ambassadors and experts in the resources available in the Pedas Communication Center.
“As someone from Western Pennsylvania,” Pedas Fellow Hollie Barna ’22 said, “it is amazing having a movie based in the area and to hear from somebody who worked on the movie in such a cool way!”
Streiner was a founder and is current director of Image Ten, the production company responsible for creating “Night of the Living Dead.” Streiner’s brother, Russell, was one of the movie’s producers and also starred as one of the zombies’ first victims, Johnny, at the start of the movie.
“Having Gary speak on campus after the film was a great opportunity for Thiel students to get an insider’s look at the making of a classic of independent horror cinema,” Assistant Professor of Communication Matthew Humphrey said. “I hope it serves as an inspiration for future media content creation here at Thiel and beyond.”
The Pedas Fellows’ role is to assist other students with media and computer hardware and software in the James Pedas Communication Center; aid students with other communication skills and processes, such as preparing presentations; serve as teaching assistants for the Presentational Literacy course in the College’s core curriculum; and support courses across campus with communication needs such as video recording.
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.