Thiel Happenings

Leipheimer appointed to NCAA DIII football committee

Thiel College Director of Athletics Jack Leipheimer ’74 has been appointed to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division III Football Committee. His term of service on the committee begins immediately and will continue through September 1, 2017, when he will be eligible for reappointment.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

James Pedas Communication Center construction making great strides

Thiel College Research Symposium event is a well-attended success

Thiel College held its first-ever, college-wide Research Symposium on Saturday, April 12 in the Glen Johnson Community Conference Center.

The Symposium is anticipated to become an annual event designed as an academic forum where students from a variety of disciplines have the opportunity to present the results of their research efforts. Students from biology, English, history, neuroscience, and from the Dietrich Honors Institute presented poster sessions, oral presentations and exhibits.

Dr. Nick Despo, professor of Biology and interim director of the Neuroscience program organized the the event. "It is imperative that we provide unique opportunities for Thiel College students to engage with faculty in research, scholarly and creative endeavors. Our goal is to build upon this year’s symposium to strengthen student engagement in research across all academic disciplines in the future.”

"Our students were articulate, engaged, slightly nervous, of course – as are we when called upon to present our research – but most of all clearly proud of their work and eager to share it with others," Dr. Lynn Franken, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, said. "This was a proud day for Thiel College. Warm thanks to all who made it possible."

Technology survey winners receive gift cards from Information Technology

As part of Information Technology's continuing efforts to improve communication and convenience for students, faculty and staff, the department sent out surveys last month.

Staff member Indiana Bogdan (left), resident director of Bane Hall, and Shayla Percy '15, neuroscience, were the drawing winners and received $25 Amazon gift cards. Winners photographed above with Kurt Ashley, chief information officer.

"We were extremely satisfied with the great response for both surveys," Ashley said. "This feedback enables Information Technology to set relevant priorities and improve the technology experience for the entire campus."

Look for survey results in an upcoming edition of T-Notes. A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the student and faculty/staff technology surveys!

Student News

Thiel students and staff join United Way's Small Grants Evaluation Teams

Photographed above: (seated, left to right) Ronnell Hunt, John Amorose, Andy Gaul, Alana Smith. (standing, left to right) Martin Black, Jim Micsky, Heather Balas '02, Steve Ceremuga. Missing: Sarah Toombs, Colin Vitale.

Earlier this year, the United Way of Mercer County (UWMC) invited Thiel students to join their small grant evaluation process. Thiel’s Career Development Center organized the support, placing a student or staff member on each of the nine panels. UWMC receives several dozen petitions for program funds from an equal number of front-line, direct-care nonprofit firms. As federal, state and local resources continue to suffer in the aftermath of the Great Recession and the current debt reduction regimen, the United Way has had to underscore the importance of its primary mission: poverty alleviation.

UWMC Executive Director Jim Micsky exhorted the students to evaluate the organizations’ petitions on the basis of this fundamental mandate, and the students responded. UWMC Administrator Barbara George had this to say: “We thoroughly enjoyed having your students participate. They’ve actually done more than simply participate - they asked solid questions that are (very obviously) the result of critical reflection on the materials they received for each agency. We just want to thank you again for sending these wonderful young people to work with us on our Allocations project.”