GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College’s 10th annual, one-day online giving event that unites the Thiel community and celebrates the College is Thursday, Feb. 23.
To show donors how committed the Thiel community is to the event, students, staff, and faculty will volunteer to walk or jog laps around the Col. Charles “Bud” Manes ’58 Track at the Dr. Barry ’70 and Carol ’71 Stamm Track & Field Complex. While getting their steps in, volunteers will also be able to compete for a number of fun prizes. Last year, during Thiel’s ninth annual Match Day, an event-record $238,000 was raised, and the number of donors for the event increased, with 579 donors contributing.
Fundraiser challenges seeking matching donations from the members of fraternities and sororities and clubs and organizations add a dose of competition and rivalry to the event. Those affinity groups compete each year to be the top donating organization.
For the overall event, this year’s goal is 560 donors. If the goal of 560 donors is met, an additional $10,000 will be donated to the College. Alumnus and former Professor of Business John Logan ’65 is hosting a challenge to honor the legacy of Professor David Miller ’61 H’20, who passed away on October 23, 2022. Miller retired in 2020 after 57 years at the College. He is the longest-tenured faculty member in school history and taught and advised more students than anyone else in the school’s 157-year history. For Logan’s challenge, if 84 donors give on Match Day, an extra $5,000 will be added to the total, and any donor who gives $200 or more to this challenge will also receive a t-shirt. Other high-profile challenges include the athlete challenge, which will include an additional $10,000 if 100 current or former Thiel athletes donate. The Greek challenge goal is 250 donors, which will unlock an additional $20,000 for the College. If all the match challenges are met, more than $70,000 will be added to the total donations made that day.
“This event has grown into an incredible display of unity on campus and among alumni and friends of the College from around the country,” Director of the Thiel Fund David Mogle said. “Throughout its history, this day of giving has raised more than $1 million for the College. That investment in the College underscores the magnitude of this day because it is a grassroots event driven by the community’s desire to support the College.”
Gifts for Match Day go to the College’s Thiel Fund, which is the largest source of unrestricted funds at the College. The Thiel Fund is used to support the areas of greatest need of the College, funding need-based scholarships, academic programming, athletics, and campus improvements. This fund annually provides for the challenges such as unseen expenses, student needs and special opportunities.
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.