GREENVILLE, Pa.—On Thursday, Sept. 5, more than 200 first-year students from Thiel College participated in a Day of Service at Riverside Park as part of the College’s First-Year Seminar program. The event involved students assisting with various community restoration projects aimed at supporting the town of Greenville.
The day began with a kickoff meeting at the Amphitheater in Riverside Park at 11:30 a.m., where students and instructors were briefed on the tasks ahead. Under the guidance of their instructors and Town of Greenville public works representatives, the students spent an hour working on a variety of projects. These included painting park structures, raking and leveling areas throughout the park, cutting overgrown plants and trees, and performing other essential landscaping tasks to help beautify and restore the park.
“This event allowed our students to connect with Greenville in a meaningful way,” said Associate Dean for Academic Success Jared Hanneman, Ph.D., who oversaw the Day of Service. “They not only learned about the value of service but also developed a sense of ownership and responsibility for the spaces they share with local residents. It was inspiring to see our first-year students work together to make a lasting impact on Riverside Park.”
The First-Year Seminar Day of Service is a central part of Thiel College’s mission to foster civic engagement and community involvement. By working side by side, students strengthened their bonds with each other while developing leadership and teamwork skills, all while giving back to the local community. The event was held during the Common Hour. On Tuesday and Thursday, no classes, organizational meeting or team practices are to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. so that students and faculty and staff can participate in campus-wide activities.
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.