One-day fundraising effort sets record for Thiel College giving

Posted May 28, 2014Communications and Marketing Department

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Wednesday, May 21 was a record-breaking day in the history of Thiel College. During the Thiel Fund Challenge, Thiel's 2:1 match day on May 21, alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff and students rallied in just 24 hours to raise $51,975 demonstrating their belief in the Thiel Commitment.

More than 100 gifts were made online, by phone, by mail and even in person at a Thiel College alumni event in Denver, Colo. through a robust, and almost exclusively, social media campaign. This generosity made Thiel College history for most contributions made in a single day. Each donation was doubled due to the generous sponsorship of three anonymous alumni and friends, and all gifts to The Thiel Fund, regardless of size or frequency (i.e. multiple gifts within the fiscal year), were matched.

President Troy D. VanAken said, “It is with great pleasure that I can say the one-day giving campaign was a huge success, setting a precedent for the number of gifts generously given in a single day. This outpouring of support by alumni and friends of Thiel humbles me, and they are the true embodiment of the Thiel Commitment. Their investment in our students ensures that Thiel College will continue to be a leading provider of both a life-enriching liberal arts education and career-enhancing professional preparation.”

Twitter and Facebook were active with photos and messages of support from the Thiel College community.

Gifts to The Thiel Fund support the areas of academics, athletics, scholarship, and the greatest needs of Thiel College. To learn more, contact Leta Jeffers, Director of The Thiel Fund, at 724-589-FUND (3863) or thielfund@thiel.edu.


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.



Thiel College
75 College Ave
Greenville, PA 16125
1-800-248-4435