GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College celebrated six graduates of its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program during commencement exercises July 30 in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center, where the graduating cohort also honored longtime faculty member Nancy Antonino, Ph.D., with the dedication of a flower garden outside the Glenn Johnson Center.
The graduates are Katabella Marie Byers ’25 M.S.’26, of Franklin, Pa.; Olivia Kay Giardina ’25 M.S.’26, of Greenville, Pa.; Taylor Elizabeth Nickum M.S.’26, of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Vincent Rodriguez M.S.’26, of Riverside, Calif.; Lillian Rachelle Sitzer ’25 M.S.’26, of Elmira, N.Y.; and Abigail Lee Smagala ’25 M.S.’26, of Russellton, Pa.
Giardina received the Dr. Sonya Wilt Outstanding Student Award in Speech-Language Pathology, which recognizes a student who excels academically while demonstrating an exceptional commitment to the spirit of Thiel College and the values of the speech-language pathology profession.
Byers and Sitzer were presented with the Dr. Nancy Antonino Outstanding Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Clinician Award. The award recognizes students who exemplify excellence in clinical practice and demonstrate the ability to combine academic knowledge with compassionate, skillful care.
The ceremony also included a special tribute to Lecturer Emerita of Communication Sciences and Disorders Nancy Antonino, Ph.D. Members of the graduating cohort dedicated the flower garden they planted outside the Glenn Johnson Center in recognition of Antonino’s more than 30 years of service to Thiel College and her influence on generations of students.
Antonino, a former lecturer and coordinator of the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, was instrumental in developing the program during her three decades at Thiel. She retired in 2024.
Giardina spoke on behalf of the cohort during the dedication, comparing the growth of a garden to Antonino’s influence on her students.
“Growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience. It takes care. It takes someone willing to nurture what others cannot yet see,” Giardina said. “Dr. Antonino has done just that. She has given so much of herself to this program and to each of us.”
Giardina said Antonino’s impact extends well beyond her years of service to the College.
“Her impact cannot be measured by the years she has spent here. Instead, it should be measured by the number of lives she has touched,” Giardina said. “She has taught her students that being a great clinician is not about perfection; it’s about carrying our heart with compassion and never losing sight of the people we serve.”
Girdina said the garden will serve as a lasting reminder of the faculty members who helped the students develop as clinicians and individuals.
“This garden will continue to bloom long after we’ve graduated,” she said. “Just as flowers continue to grow because someone once cared enough to plant them, we will continue to grow because of the investment our professors made in us.”
Thiel College’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program prepares students for careers serving individuals with communication and swallowing disorders through academic coursework and clinical experiences.
The Class of 2026 was also the fifth anniversary of the College’s first cohort of graduates.
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.