Thiel College graduate Mark Batt ’87 returns to lead The Thiel Fund

Posted October 4, 2018Communications and Marketing Department

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College graduate Mark Batt ’87 is the new Director of The Thiel Fund at the leading four-year, private college in northwest Pennsylvania.

Batt began Sept. 10. He directs the annual fund, which raises money for areas of the greatest need and scholarship at the College. He will strengthen the fundraising link between the College and its alumni, friends, campus family members, parents, businesses and corporations and creates and executes the Annual Fund solicitation process, which includes planning direct mail campaigns, leading phonathons and conducting personal visits. Additionally, he will manage donor cultivation and contributor recognition.

“I am grateful to the hiring committee in the Office of College Advancement. Personally, I am honored, excited and very fortunate for this opportunity to come back and serve the College that was so good to me,” Batt said. “I hope to serve the students and my fellow employees to the best of my ability. It is with great respect for Thiel College that I can represent to alumni and friends all that is good about the College in my role as director of The Thiel Fund.”

The Thiel Fund raises money to assist student scholarships, attract and retain high-quality faculty, strengthen athletic programs and intramural activities, and enhance fitness facilities for students. It also ensures the College can provide technology needs for all students. Ultimately fulfilling the institutional commitment to providing a quality higher education to every student.

“The College community is excited to welcome Mark back onto campus in this leadership role. He brings with him a wealth of experience, connections and talent to the staff in the College Advancement office,” Vice President for College Advancement Roberta J. Leonard said. “As an alumnus, Mark is the embodiment of what we strive to represent with our community of alumni, donors, friends and associates. Not only is he an excellent addition to our team but also a member of the Thiel College family.”

Batt received the Athletic Alumni Commendation Award, at Homecoming recently. The award is presented to a former Thiel student-athlete who has been an outstanding role model for youth and has made a significant contribution to the community through the venue of athletics. A four-year member of Thiel's basketball team. Batt has coached basketball in Greenville and the surrounding community since 1990, including a stint at Thiel. He served two terms as the head coach for Greenville High School's boys basketball team.

Batt was a health and physical education teacher and dean of discipline at Keystone Charter School for 15 years. Additionally, he was employed by L.J. Kuder, Inc.; Gelvin, Jackson and Starr and First National Bank of Pa. in insurance sales for 18 years. Batt received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology from Thiel College in 1987. He is the father of five children, Jessica, Jordan, Alaina, Joe and Amy.

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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.



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