GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College’s Moot Court team earned a third-place finish at the Midwest Regional Moot Court Finals this past weekend in Columbus, Ohio, advancing to the National Semi-Finals scheduled for Jan. 21–24, 2026, at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The regional tournament, co-hosted by Thiel College and Capital University Law School, featured 32 collegiate teams from across the country.
Thiel finished behind only the University of Southern California and the University of Michigan, securing one of seven qualifying spots for the National Semi-Finals. Thiel was eliminated in the semifinal round by USC, the eventual regional champion, in a narrow decision of nine points out of a possible 1,600.
Thiel’s individual team results included a third-place overall finish, two teams tied for 17th, and one team placed 29th.
This year’s performance caps months of sustained preparation. Earlier in the semester, Thiel students participated in a Constitution Night simulation on Nov. 4 in the James Pedas Communication Center. The live exercise examined constitutional questions related to gender balance in leadership programs and faculty free-speech rights. Structured as a federal appellate hearing, the event served as part of the College’s training for regional competition.
The Moot Court program at Thiel is supported by faculty, staff, and administrators across campus. Professor of History and department chair David Buck, Ph.D.; Professor of Neuroscience Greg Butcher, Ph.D.; Professor of History Jay Donis, Ph.D.; and Professor of English and Dietrich Honors Institute Director Sheila Gross, Ph.D. ’10, contributed to hosting responsibilities and student preparation. President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D., also provided support for the event. Staff member Liz Prada coordinated event operations, helping ensure a seamless tournament experience for visiting teams.
The College also recognizes the significant contributions of Instructional Technologist Michelle Lentz and Adjunct Professor of Political Science Ashleigh Musick, J.D. Both have assisted the Moot Court program for more than six months, including spending hours throughout the summer offering their time, technical support, and expertise to help prepare students for regional and national-level competition. Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Moot Court Program Eric Matthews, Ph.D. has worked closely with students, including throughout the summer, to prepare them for regional and national-level competition.
Moot Court at Thiel College provides students with interdisciplinary experience in constitutional law, oral advocacy, and legal reasoning. The program has expanded significantly in recent years. In 2024, Thiel finished first among NCAA Division III institutions and tied for fifth overall at the Midwest National Moot Court Qualifying Tournament in its inaugural season. Moot Court was recently approved as an official course for the College catalog, with the next course offering scheduled for fall 2026. The course is open to students of any major, and competitors will receive the case for the 2026–27 season on May 1, 2026.
The top eight teams from the National Semi-Finals in Lubbock will advance to the National Finals, which will be held Feb. 14–17, 2026, in Lexington, Ky. The next round will include teams from institutions such as Yale, Georgetown, Baylor, and Texas Christian.
Team members include:
Thiel College will compete against programs from Yale, Georgetown, Baylor, Texas Christian, and others when the national semifinals begin in January.
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.