GREENVILLE, Pa.—Two Thiel College nursing faculty members extended their commitment to service and community engagement beyond the classroom by volunteering with youth organizations in the region.
Nursing Program Director Debra Wallace, Ph.D., RN, and Lecturer of Nursing Brooke Renwick each volunteered at youth camps this summer, bringing their commitment to care and service into their communities.
Wallace volunteered at Camp Judson in North Springfield, Pa., where she worked alongside Sophie Smith, a prospective Thiel College student who served as a camp counselor. Smith hopes to enroll at Thiel in fall 2027, major in psychology and join the College’s cheer program.
“Service is an important part of nursing because caring for others extends well beyond a hospital or clinical setting,” Wallace said. “We want our students to understand that being a nurse also means being engaged in your community and looking for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Renwick volunteered as the camp nurse at River of Life Campground of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Greenville, Pa., providing nursing care to campers and staff.
“Nursing gives us skills that can be valuable wherever people need care and support,” Renwick said. “Volunteering at camp gave me an opportunity to use those skills in a different setting while helping create a safe and positive experience for the campers.”
The volunteer experiences reflect the community-minded approach of Thiel’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Through classroom instruction, clinical experiences and engagement beyond campus, the program prepares students for careers centered on caring for and serving others.
Thiel College received initial approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing in October 2024 to establish its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The program combines a liberal arts foundation with professional nursing education and clinical preparation.
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.