GREENVILLE, Pa.—On Friday, Sept. 10, members of the Thiel College fraternity Kappa Sigma took part in a symbolic walk at Greenville’s Plimpton Graul Amphitheater in Riverside Park in memory of the first responders who perished in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Participants walked 13-and-a-half laps around the amphitheater to symbolize the 4,452 steps emergency personnel went up to rescue those trapped in the World Trade Center towers.
“We understand the sacrifice that our first responders made 20 years ago, and we think this event details the gravity of their brave choices,” said chapter President Charlie Lichtenwalter ’22, of Erie, Pa. “Being mindful of this day is something we should do more often.”
Also, in the wake of the 20th anniversary, Thiel College campus pastor Brian Riddle ’07 organized a remembrance service that was held during Common Hour on Thursday, September 9 in the David Johnson Memorial Chapel.
In addition to members of Kappa Sigma and their friends, Brian Albaugh and Steve Thompson represented the Greenville Fire Department at the event as well as Alex Martin ’24, a volunteer fireman at Hempfield Fire Department.
Kappa Sigma created the Military Heroes Campaign in 2007. The campaign serves as their philanthropy. The campaign honors and aids thousands of military veterans and their families in communities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Since its inception, the campaign has donated over $1 million to non-profit organizations that advocate on behalf of servicemen and women and those wounded in combat.
Thiel College is a Yellow Ribbon institution. The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
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.