GREENVILLE, Pa.—Maryland high school senior Zoe Plauger, of Abingdon, Md., won an academic scholarship worth $156,970 to Thiel College during a surprise presentation Thursday morning at Edgewood High School.
Plauger is the daughter of Dana Plauger and the granddaughter of Pamela Androsky. She attended the presentation with her family, classmates, faculty and staff from Edgewood High School, and representatives from the Thiel College Office of Admission.
Plauger plans to study business administration with a focus on human resources management.
She is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Feminist Club, Spanish Honor Society and also participates in choir, debate and softball.
Her softball coach Isabella Bungo ’19 is a Thiel College graduate.
Plauger’s scholarship was one of two awarded Thursday at Edgewood High School. Her classmate Olivia Nerad was also awarded a scholarship 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.