Thiel College honors distinguished community leader and staff on Founders’ Day

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Dan Spence will join 12 Thiel College employees as honorees for the College’s annual Founders’ Day celebration at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.

Spence, a respected and influential figure in both the Thiel College and Greenville communities, will be awarded the Barbara and Louis Thiel Distinguished Service Award. He built a successful career in information systems, serving as a Senior Information Systems Analyst for Westinghouse Electric and CBS. In retirement, Spence has made a significant impact, serving as president of the Greenville Kiwanis Club and board member of the Greenville Symphony. Dan and his late wife, Dorothy, further cemented their legacy at Thiel with a transformative $4 million gift to renovate the Academic Center, with each contributing $2 million. The Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center was named in honor of their generous contributions. Additionally, Spence's family has a rich history at Thiel College, with his mother, two uncles, and grandfather all serving as alumni, professors, or staff members.

In addition to the Barbara and Louis Thiel Service Award, the Founders’ Day ceremony will highlight the contributions of Thiel College employees. New this year are awards dedicated to faculty and staff who are being recognized for their role as a mentor to students.

The first Distinguished Advisor/Mentor Award for staff will be presented to Robin Sakonyi, of Sharon, Pa., Director of the Learning Commons.

Five other staff members will be honored with a Distinguished Staff Award:

• Robert Bercis, of Jamestown, Pa., Assistant Director of Maintenance
• Melanie R. Broadwater ’98, of Transfer, Pa., Director of the Counseling Center
• Andrew Geisler MBA ’24, of Greenville, Pa., Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach
• Melissa Michael, of Conneaut Lake, Pa., Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life and Athletics
• Jaclyn Schulz, of Hermitage, Pa., Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs

Anna Reinsel, Ph.D. ’06, of Brookfield, Ohio, Professor of Environmental Science and Department Chair is the first recipient of the Distinguished Advisor/Mentor award among faculty.

Five faculty members will also be honored with awards.

• Distinguished Professor of the Year: George Branch-Trevathan, Ph.D., of Leetsdale, Pa., Associate Professor of Religion and Department Chair
• Distinguished Adjunct: Cynthia Dayton, of Sharon, Pa., Adjunct Professor of Chemistry
• Distinguished Teacher: Kara Schreckenghost, of Sharpsville, Pa., Assistant Professor of Education, Director of Teacher Education and Department Chair
• Distinguished Scholar: Jay Donis, Ph.D., of Sharon, Pa., Assistant Professor of History
• Distinguished Service: Nicole K. Olshanski, D.N.P., of Slippery Rock, Pa., Assistant Professor and Director of Nursing Program

Related Link

• About Founders’ Day

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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.