GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College Professor of Environmental Science Anna Reinsel, Ph.D. ’06 has been appointed the College’s first William S. Dietrich II Professor, a new faculty professorship, established through the support of the Dietrich Foundation.
The professorship recognizes a faculty member who is actively engaged with Thiel College’s Dietrich Honors Institute and whose work with students, both in and out of the classroom, advances the mission and excellence of the Institute. The creation of the professorship was approved by the board of the Dietrich Foundation.
Reinsel is professor of environmental science and chair of the Department of Environmental Science as well as associate director of the Dietrich Honors Institute.
A Thiel graduate, Reinsel joined the College faculty in 2011 after earning her doctoral degree from the University of Akron. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Thiel in 2006.
Her work at Thiel has combined classroom teaching, research and experiential learning opportunities for students. She has helped organize and lead student trips to Iceland, where students experienced firsthand the country’s distinctive geology, environment and severe weather, Yellowstone, Hawaii and this spring to destinations around the Adriatic Sea.
“My favorite thing about my job is my students,” Reinsel said. “The relationships that we build continue beyond Thiel.”
Reinsel’s teaching includes courses in chemistry, environmental science and geology. Reinsel has taught HONS 109 Becoming Human, the first-year seminar course, for the last 5 years and has taken more leadership in the design and delivery of this course, as well as the honors first-year experience. She also advises the DHI Leadership Board, a group of DHI students who plan and organize events, including the now annual DHI picnic at the end of the year.
She has been recognized as the Distinguished Faculty Advisor/Mentor of the year, the Distinguished Teacher of the year, and the DHI Professor of the year. Reinsel was also honored with the Alumni Service to Thiel Award.
The Dietrich Honors Institute provides academically talented and highly motivated Thiel students with enhanced opportunities for intellectual exploration, interdisciplinary learning and experiences beyond the traditional classroom.
William S. Dietrich II made the largest gift in Thiel College history. The philanthropist, businessman, scholar and proud northwest Pennsylvania native bequeathed a $25 million fund to Thiel College upon his passing in 2011. Dietrich’s gift is the largest made to the College in its history. His gift founded the Kenneth and Marianna Brown Dietrich Honors Institute in honor of his parents. William Dietrich’s connection to Thiel College began in the 1920s when his parents, Kenneth ’31 and Marianna (Brown) ’32, met as students at Thiel. Ken was a business major and Marianna studied English. They married shortly after graduation and began their life together in Pittsburgh. Thiel College is one of six colleges and universities supported by the Dietrich Foundation. Other institutions supported by the foundation include Carnegie Mellon University, Princeton University and the University of Pittsburgh.
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.