Nine students earn year-long roles in communication program as Pedas Fellows

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, announces nine students from a variety of majors make up the 2017-2018 Thiel College Pedas Fellows.

This year’s Pedas Fellows are a highly skilled group, including three returning Fellows, Paige Onomastico, Payton Patterson and Keenan Weimer, and the Pedas Fellows’ first international student, Xin Ning (Eunice) Tan,” James Pedas Professor of Media, Communication and Public Relations and Executive Director of the James Pedas Communication Center Dane S. Claussen, Ph.D., said. “Five Pedas Fellows are working as teaching assistants for Presentational Literacy, a critical core curriculum course, and all are assisting their fellow students from across campus.”

• Abigail Bowser ’20 is a psychology studies major from Freeport, Pa. She is a 2015 graduate of Freeport Area High School.
• Brian Brink ’21 is a media & journalism major from Meadville, Pa. He is a 2009 graduate of Silver Creek Central School in Silver Creek, N.Y.
• Taylor Guth ’20 is a secondary education mathematics major from Ellwood City, Pa. She is a 2016 graduate of Lincoln High School. 
• Laura Hardner ’20 is an English and psychology major from Erie, Pa. She is a 2016 graduate of Erie Collegiate Academy.
• Paige Onomastico ’18 is an early childhood education & special education major from Bridgeville, Pa. She is a 2014 graduate of Chartiers Valley High School.
• Payton Patterson ’18 is a media communication major from East Palestine, Ohio. He is a 2014 graduate of East Palestine High School. 
• Alex Pollock ’20 is a computer science major from Monroeville, Pa. He is a 2016 graduate of Gateway High School.
• Xin Ning “Eunice” Tan ’19 is a business administration & accounting major from Klang, Malaysia. She is a 2013 high school graduate. 
• Keenan M. Weimer ’19 is an English studies major from Duncannon, Pa. He is a 2015 graduate of Greenwood High School.

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. The Pedas Fellows are supervised by Claussen, who is also Chair of the Department of Media, Communication and Public Relations; with assistance from Media Production Engineer Mike Battisti and Assistant Professor Ross Nugent, a film, video and television specialist. 

Related Links

• Department of Media, Communication and Public Relations
• The James Pedas Communication Center

Related Stories

• Communication professor takes on editorship of Newspaper Research Journal (October 12, 2017)
• James Pedas Professor of Communication published in top academic journals (April 19, 2017)
• Communication chair nominated for top academic association role (January 23, 2017)
• Seven students named Pedas Fellows for the 2016-2017 academic year (October 21, 2016)

Office of Admission

• Schedule a visit
• Apply

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.