GREENVILLE, Pa.—The Arthur McGonigal Department of Business Administration and Accounting at Thiel College held its annual honors and awards ceremony on April 2, in conjunction with the Ruth A. Miller Senior Business Seminar.
Faculty members from the department were joined by Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D. and Vice President for College Advancement Roberta Leonard. Joe Scarpitti ’80, Senior Vice President of the American Funds and a Thiel College Trustee, delivered the keynote address.
The evening began with the induction of new members into Chi Eta Sigma, the department’s honorary society. To be eligible for induction, students must be juniors or seniors majoring in accounting, business administration, healthcare administration, or public relations, advertising and integrated marketing communications. Additional requirements include completion of at least five major-related courses, with at least two at the 300- or 400-level, a full-time enrollment history of at least one year, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, and a major GPA of at least 3.50.
Returning Chi Eta Sigma members Jacob Castona ’25, Jordan Castona ’25 and Mya Winkle ’25 joined Professor John Gomolchak, Esq. and John Logan ’65 in inducting the new class. Students inducted into the honorary society for 2025 include Toby Atwood ’27, Josie Gadsby ’26, Damion Grinnell ’26, Josie Lewis ’27, Kendall McLaughlin ’27, Kelly Oros ’26, Natalie Pape ’26, Kelsey Seddon ’27, Abigail Sefton ’25, Bryce Stubert ’25, and Ethan Tabaka ’26.
In addition to the student inductees, honorary memberships were presented to John Logan ’65 and Ruth A. Miller H’20. Logan, a former professor at Thiel, founded the society in the 1970s. Miller has supported the department and its students for decades as the spouse of the late Professor David M. Miller ’61 H’20.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the department’s top student awards. Bryce Stubert ’25 received the Wall Street Journal Award, presented by Professor of Business Administration and Accounting Angelo Giannini. Mya Winkle ’25 earned the Outstanding Senior Accounting Student Award, presented by Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Accounting Dionna Kassalen. Jacob Castona ’25 received the Business Administration and Accounting Departmental Award, presented by Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Accounting Steven Kandray.
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.