Thiel Happenings

Carpenter, Franley named Thiel College Students of the Month for October

Thiel College announces Robert Carpenter ’17, of Ulysses, Pa., and Audra Franley ’17, of Jefferson, Ohio, as its October Students of the Month.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Langenheim Memorial Library to present eighth annual library research awards

Thiel College’s Langenheim Memorial Library will present the eighth annual Library Research Awards and The Professor Evelyn C. Baer Exemplary Writing Awards at 4 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Stamm Lecture Hall of the James Pedas Communication Center.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Harrisburg healthcare executive to be recognized with honorary degree at Honors Convocation

Thiel College will honor PrimeCare Medical, Inc. Executive Vice President Theresa Hoffman with an honorary degree at its Academic Honors Convocation at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 in the William A. Passavant Memorial Center.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Disability Resource Center Minute

Director of the Disability Resource Center Tami Micsky discusses important issues regarding her office in the “Disability Resource Center Minute” monthly in T-Notes. If you have any questions, contact Micsky at ext. 2063.

In the first image, it is assumed that everyone will benefit from the same supports. They are being treated equally. In the second image, individuals are given different supports to make it possible for them to have equal access to the game. They are being treated equitably. In the third image, all three can see the game without any supports or accommodations because the cause of the inequity was addressed. The systemic barrier has been removed. The illustration depicts the process of change and the ultimate goal: removal of systemic barriers.

Nearly everyone faces hardships and difficulties at one time or another. But for people with disabilities, barriers can be more frequent and have a greater impact. The World Health Organization describes barriers as being more than just physical obstacles. Here is its definition of barriers:

“Factors in a person’s environment that, through their absence or presence, limit functioning and create disability. These include aspects such as:

• a physical environment that is not accessible;
• lack of relevant assistive technology (assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices);
• negative attitudes of people towards disability;
• services, systems and policies that are either nonexistent or that hinder the involvement of all people with a health condition in all areas of life.”

(World Health Organization, International classification of functioning, disability and health. Geneva: 2001)

The Disability Resource Center is committed to providing access and ultimately hope to remove barriers for students with disabilities. 

Seneca People, ELCA, sabbatical experiences highlight second Thiel Forum

The second Thiel Forum of the academic year will feature discussions of the Seneca People, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a sabbatical fall 2015 experience at 4 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Stamm Lecture Hall of the James Pedas Communication Center. 

• Assistant Professor of English Melissa Borgia-Askey, Ph.D., will present some of her research on the Seneca People.
• Campus Pastor Jayne Thompson will discuss her “Adventures with the ELCA.”
• Professor of History and Department Chair James Koshan, Ph.D., will discuss his sabbatical fall 2015 experience, “‘Traveller in Time:’ Journeys of Historical Exhilaration, 2013-Present”

For more information, contact Mary Theresa Hall, Ph.D., at ext. 2154.

Student News

TriBeta inducts new members

The Kappa Chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the national honorary society for the biological sciences, held fall inductions on Oct. 25 in the Sawhill-Georgian Room of the Howard Miller Student Center. Bev Kozuch ’17, president, officiated and was aided by Morgan Murphy ’17, vice president, Jason Takacs ’18, secretary, and Amber Martin ’17, historian. TriBeta officers AJ Corradi ’18, treasurer, and Alana Callahan ’17, student government representative, were also part of the induction.

Eleven students were inducted into the chapter. Admitted to full membership were Brooke Gates ’18 (pictured above left), Caitlyn Carney ’17, Crystal Carradine ’18, Nick Grice ’18 (pictured above left), Jonathan Papa ’18 (pictured above left), Josh Ross ’17, Shannon Simpson ’18, and Elizabeth Wilkinson ’17 (pictured above left). 

Those admitted as associate members were Katie Altman ’19, Thomas Fisher ’19 and Jessica Orczeck ’18 (pictured above right).

The requirements to become a member of Beta Beta Beta are a 2.5 or higher overall grade point average, completion of three biology courses and a 3.0 grade point average or higher in the biology courses.

Career Center road trips hit three major markets

Last week, Thiel College students were on the road pursuing careers and career learning in three different markets all on the same day. The travel began at midnight Thursday when approximately 100 students headed to New York City. Among the students were three classes: two from Professor of Biology Fatimata Pale, Ph.D., and one from Laura Pickens, Ph.D. ’06.

Visits were made to the United Nations Development Programme, The New York Botanical Garden and the Museum of Sex. By 8 a.m., a second trip was underway. This one to Pittsburgh for SciMathTech, an interview day for students of computer science, math and the research side of the natural sciences. Finally, at 3 p.m., a third group left campus. This one bound for Ocean City, Md., where four Thiel criminal justice students were tested and interviewed for summer internships with the Ocean City Police Department.