GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College celebrated the groundbreaking of the Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center this Friday, marking the beginning of a transformative multi-million-dollar renovation project for its largest academic building.
Daniel Spence and his late wife, Dorothy, made the lead gift of $4 million for the project. Thiel College President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., Chair of the Board of Trustees and Executive Director of Penn-Northwest Development Corp. Rod E. Wilt ’86, and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Greg Q. Butcher, Ph.D. were joined by members of the Spence family, the Thiel College community, including student leaders, and regional media organizations. Area residents and elected officials and their representatives were also on hand for the event.
The renovation of the Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center is a multi-phased project that will continue over the next few years. The 2024 efforts will focus on enhancing multiple entryways, the main lobby, and the lower level, which will include a new office suite and significant investment for the Department of Nursing. Future enhancements are set to modernize labs, classrooms, and the entrance to Langenheim Memorial Library.
Originally dedicated in April 1971, the Academic Center is a multi-level educational complex that features 11 classrooms, the 300-seat Bly Lecture Hall, five seminar rooms, 24 laboratories, a computer center, five specialized teaching facilities, and 55 faculty offices.
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.