January 11, 2017

t-notes archive

Next Issue: January 18, 2017

Thiel Happenings

Witosky named first David M. Miller Endowed Chair of Accounting

Professor of Business, Administration and Accounting and Department Chair Gary Witosky ’79 will begin the semester as Thiel College’s first David M. Miller Endowed Chair of Accounting in January. Witosky received the appointment in late September, during Thiel’s Homecoming 2016 celebrations.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

College hosting Benedict Oddi’s “Scouts” and “Nomads” gallery collections

Thiel College will present Benedict Oddi’s collections “Scouts" and "Nomads” from Jan. 17 to Feb. 17 in the Weyers-Sampson Gallery of the Howard Miller Student Center.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Vice President Lynn Franken’s retirement announced

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Lynn Franken, Ph.D., will retire at the end of the spring 2017 semester. 

President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., said the College is grateful for Dr. Franken’s leadership over the past 6 1/2 years.

“Her vision for academic innovation, including the seminar series, the GNC Faculty-Student Research program, the Hodge Institute and the Dietrich Honors Institute, has substantially strengthened Thiel’s academic programs,” Traverso said in an email to campus. “She has championed academic excellence and secured funding to support faculty professional and scholarly engagement. Please join me in expressing sincere gratitude and thanks for her service to the College and creative leadership.”

The College will launch a national search for Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College during the spring semester. The candidate will be appointed July 1, 2017. 

Input from the faculty and academic staff will help to shape the prospectus for this important search, President Traverso said.

Faculty members can join the president for open conversations at 7:30 a.m. or 4 p.m. Thursday in the Sawhill-Georgian Room. A meeting with staff members in Academic Affairs is at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Sawhill-Georgian Room.

Professor of Religion and Faculty Chair Dan Eppley, Ph.D., has agreed to chair the search committee, which will include elected faculty members and staff representatives. 

All members of campus can share their perspectives and ideas about the search, by emailing President Traverso.

A look at who is using the DRC

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.

During the fall of 2016, the DRC provided services to more than 100 students, 49 of those students were newly self-identified and requesting services. The DRC saw an increase in the number of students with concussions utilizing the DRC for temporary accommodations (23 students during fall 2016 versus 22 students for the 2015-2016 academic year). The above graph is a general breakdown of students receiving services through the DRC.

Poet will commemorate campus Martin Luther King Jr. celebration

Activist, poet, author, film producer and three-time Women of the World Poetry Slam top five finalist Natasha “T” Miller will join the Thiel College community for its commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. events on Sunday and Monday. Miller is the keynote speaker at both the 7:30 p.m. Sunday “Be The Dream” kick-off program and the 4 p.m. Monday interfaith community service events in the David Johnson Memorial Chapel.

These events are free and open to the public. Miller will be on hand to visit with students, faculty and staff members as well as to make guest appearances at select classes on Monday. Miller was the featured keynote poet at the 2015 national Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Youth Gathering—RiseUp Together—in Detroit, Mich. speaking before 30,000 attendees.

Student News

Strategic Management students make presentation to Bail USA

On Dec. 12, students in Professor of Business Administration and Accounting Angelo Giannini’s strategic management class presented their strategic plan to Director of Bail Agent Relations Brett Smith ’14 and several Bail USA vice presidents.  The plan covers four areas of interest as indicated by President and CEO of Bail USA Cheryl Burns.

The students worked with Smith to develop a plan covering marketing, technology, accounts receivable and the sales force. The overall student project manager was Daniel Wiegmann ’17. Joshua Nichols ’17 led the marketing group with Cody Patterson ’17, Bill Malady ’17, Trevor Cope ’18 and Seyeon Yun ’20. Sara Matczak ’17 was in charge of the technology group with Julia Fink ’17, Stephane Formichella ’17, Regan Hess ’17, Seonyoo Joo ’20 and Yueqi Lang ’20. Jaclyn Kuzma ’17 directed the accounts receivable group with Brittany Bates ’17, Carly Romano ’17, Alyssa Mondl ’17 and Jack Middelton ’17. Eugene King ’17 led the sales force group consisting of Brant Dencher ’17, Pat Fitzpatrick ’17, Nic Meighan ’16 and So Young Bae ’20.

The students worked with Smith throughout the fall semester gathering data, developing suggestions for a new website and sales brochures, investigating and providing health reimbursement accounts, and a marketing survey for updated information regarding the industry.

Special Notes

Paid days off notice from HR

Friday, April 14, Good Friday
Monday, May 29, Memorial Day
Tuesday, July 4, Independence Day
Monday, Sept. 4, Labor Day
Thursday, Nov. 23, Thanksgiving
Monday, Dec. 25, Christmas
Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, New Year's Day
Additional paid days off are Monday, July 3; Friday, Nov. 24; and Dec. 26-29.

Summer hours: From May 8 through July 28, campus offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. Any flexible work schedules must be done with the understanding that sufficient staffing levels will be maintained to keep offices open and employees will continue to work their normal number of hours per week. 

Events

Campus Events

Thiel Forum
Thursday at 4 p.m.
Stamm Lecture Hall, James Pedas Communication Center

Join us for the first Thiel Forum of the spring 2017 semester. Assistant Professor of Performing Arts Pete Rydberg, Ph.D.; Professor of Sculpture Jesse Amar; and Madison Mele ’17 are the presenters.

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

This Changes Everything Lutheran youth event
Sunday-Monday
Campus-wide

This overnight youth event is a warm up for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America national “This Changes Everything” gathering in Houston in 2018. Activist, poet, author, film producer and three-time Women of the World Poetry Slam top five finalist Natasha “T” Miller will join the Thiel College community for the event.

For more information, contact Pastor Jayne Thompson at ext. 2130.

SGA Blood Drive
Jan. 18 from noon to 6 p.m.
Lutheran Heritage Room, Howard Miller Student Center

The Student Government Association hosts the American Red Cross for a blood drive. Donors can register online.

For more information, contact Vice President of Student Life Mike McKinney ’02

Graduation 101 Dinner
Jan. 26
Lutheran Heritage Room, Howard Miller Student Center

An annual event that serves as a preparation for and a countdown to graduation for seniors.

For more information, contact Director of Alumni Relations Kelly Sanzari ’13 at ext. 2014.

Bus trip for Women’s March on Washington
Jan. 20-22
Washington

Managing Adviser for WXTC radio Peg Watts has contracted a bus for anyone interested in attending the Women’s March on Washington on Saturday, Jan. 21. The bus leaves campus at around 11:59 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 and will drop riders at a Metro Station outside of Washington Saturday morning. It will pick up riders at that same station at 6 p.m. Saturday. The bus is scheduled to return to campus at 1 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22.

The cost (if the bus is filled) is $39 per seat. Riders also will need $14 for a Metro pass.

This transportation is open to members of the community at-large as well as the Thiel College community. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

For more information, contact Watts at ext. 2090.

Fourth Annual Shakespeare Festival
Jan. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
William A. Robinson Theater

Area high school performers will present works from William Shakespeare. The morning performance block is free and open to the public. Audience members may come and go between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., but doors to the stage will only be opened during breaks between individual high school performances.

For more information, contact Assistant Professor of Performing Arts Pete Rydberg, Ph.D., at ext. 2029.

Etc.

T-Notes Publishing Schedule

The next issue of T-Notes will be out Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Send your submissions by noon Monday, Jan. 16 to tnotes@thiel.edu.

Tomcat Tributes

Tomcat Tributes are designed to recognize the teamwork Thiel College employees exhibit each day. Employees can nominate co-workers for recognition in four categories (Random Act of Kindness, Going the Extra Mile, Had a Great Idea, Just Because).

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