Thiel College business professor awarded endowed chair of economics

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Accounting Steven Kandray was recognized as the Norman P. Mortensen H’81 Chair of Economics at Thiel College’s Academic Honors Convocation recently.

Dr. Peter Mortensen H’81 is the retired Chairman of FNB Corporation and a Thiel College Trustee Emeritus. He served on the Board of Trustees from 1987-1998 and was awarded an honorary degree in 1981.

Kandray joined Thiel College in 2020 and has served as Assistant Director of the Haller Enterprise Institute since 2021. He is an Assistant Professor of Business and Marketing and teaches several entrepreneurship classes at Thiel.

He has a bachelor’s degree from Mount Union and an MBA from Youngstown State University.

Each of the College’s five endowed positions were recognized during the Feb. 9 ceremony.

The four other endowed positions are:

• Professor of English Mary Theresa Hall, Ph.D. was awarded the Dr. James Pedas ’50 H’89 Chair of Communication;
• Associate Professor of History Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D. was recognized with the Kenneth ’31 and Marianna Brown ’32 Dietrich Honors Institute Chair;
• Professor of Business Administration and Accounting and Chair of the Arthur McGonigal Department of Business Administration and Accounting Melissa Oakes ’03 was awarded the David M. Miller ’61 H’20 Endowed Chair of Accounting; and
• Craig Thurber was recognized with the Rod E. Wilt ’86 Head Coach for Thiel College Wrestling.

Related Links

• Academic Affairs
• Arthur McGonigal Department of Business Administration and Accounting

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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.