Thiel’s online one-day fundraiser asking alumni and friends of the College to ‘Take the Plunge’

Posted February 20, 2019Communications and Marketing Department

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College’s annual one-day giving campaign to benefit The Thiel Fund is Thursday, Feb. 21.

Match Day events over the last three years have been record-breaking affairs, setting fundraising marks for most donors and most money raised. To continue that momentum, the College is asking alumni, community members and friends of the College to make contributions on Feb. 21. Donations support The Thiel Fund.

Dollar-for-dollar and bonus gift match funds will be made available in response to gifts from alumni and friends of the College. Director of The Thiel Fund Mark Batt ’87 is asking the College community to “take the plunge” and make a gift. If the College reaches its goal of 250 donors, they will get to see Batt, and potentially other campus and student leaders, take a plunge of their own in Pymatuning Lake. Another fun aspect of Match Day will be fundraising connected to the celebration of the birthday of Professor David Miller ’61. Miller is in his 56th year of teaching at Thiel College. He is the longest-tenured professor in the College’s 153-year history.

“Forbes magazine recognized us again in 2018 as one of the top schools in the country for the generosity and commitment of our alumni,” Batt said. “The connection our alumni and friends feel to Thiel is special and every year they prove that by enthusiastically supporting the institution. The generosity of our 15,000-plus member network affirms the work we do here. I am optimistic they will again rise to the challenge and ‘take the plunge’ in order to see me do the same.”

Gifts to The Thiel Fund go exclusively to the areas of greatest need of the College, funding need-based scholarships, academic programming, athletics, and campus improvements.

Donors will be presented with match challenges from academic programs, alumni and other affinity groups. If donor totals meet goals in various categories nearly $50,000 of additional donations will be unlocked.

Over the last three years, the one-day fundraising campaign raised more than $500,000.

About The Thiel Fund

The Thiel Fund is the College’s largest source of unrestricted funds. It funds need-based scholarships, academic programming, athletics and campus improvements. It also provides for unforeseen expenses, student needs and special opportunities.

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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.



Thiel College
75 College Ave
Greenville, PA 16125
1-800-248-4435