April 17, 2019

t-notes archive

Next Issue: April 24, 2019

Thiel Happenings

Pittsburgh arts and education icon Strickland to be Thiel College Commencement speaker

Manchester Bidwell founder and executive chairman Bill Strickland will address Thiel College graduates during the College’s 145th Commencement Exercises at the William A. Passavant Memorial Center at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Thiel College men’s volleyball wins its first conference championship in program history

The Thiel College men’s volleyball team beat the tournament’s top two seeds on its way to the program’s first conference championship with a 3-1 win over Wittenberg in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference men’s volleyball championship on Saturday, April 14.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Posters and multimedia presentations share stage during symposium

The embedded video above was just one of the projects showcased by students during the College’s first day-long Scholarship & Research Symposium on April 11.

Caleb Garvey ’19 created the video and displayed it in conjunction with paper and market research he conducted.

The symposium featured many other multimedia, oral and poster presentations, art and performances. Classes were not held that day so students could attend sessions throughout the day.

Professor of Biology Michael Balas, Ph.D., delivered the keynote address and the Thiel Choir performed during the closing ceremonies.

“[The symposium was] a great experience,” political science major Alonzo Brown ’19 said, while presenting his poster research on how trust affects political participation. “This research wasn’t easy, so being able to talk about it...to answer questions about it makes it feel like this is important stuff we are doing.”

Scarpitti tells students to stay optimistic

Former Thiel College professor Joe Scarpitti ’80 was the guest speaker for the Ruth A. Miller Senior Seminar on April 10, 2019. Scarpitti spoke to the students about the importance of a liberal arts education and provided them with several life lessons, such as realizing that anything is possible and recognizing the importance of staying optimistic in tough times.

“Some of the important things Joe left us with was to give back later in life. There are so many things that we have been blessed with in life and that we need to take the time to give back to things or people that helped us along the journey. Joe also told us how important it is that we have a liberal arts education because it prepares us for the future and gets us ready. Lastly, he told us that anything in life is possible but it is up to you to make it happen. Nobody owes you anything and that you have to go and earn it. Joe Scarpitti was a great speaker and provided us with some valuable lessons and advice and I’m glad we had the honor to listen to him.” –Nick Fowkes ’19

“Your journey is built by your heart and soul. Nurture and empower the people around you. Learn to laugh. Be a mentor to people. We are in charge of our own attitudes. Anything is possible, we were not born to fail.” –Diana Sileshi ’19

“Joe presented some very insightful viewpoints that we should take in order to boost our full potential. This process involved discovering our strengths and weaknesses and recognizing who we wanted to become. Joe told us to think of three things that define us and to use those things to help us discover who we should strive to become. I really liked Joe’s statement on being optimistic and keeping a positive attitude.” –Justin Pearce ’19

“During the presentation, Joe emphasized important moral codes and beliefs, as well as discussing the importance of investing. With morals and finances playing an important role in shaping himself, Scarpitti lives by 3 main criteria, which are being financially independent, living through Christ, and giving back.” –Ben Ratka ’19

“He explained how his heart is the only thing that makes him stick out from the crowd. He may not be the smartest or have the most awards, but no one has the heart like he has. Joe’s amazing heart was built at Thiel. Thiel is where his life journey really began. A liberal arts degree can really make a difference in the long run. People with a liberal arts degree are said to be able to listen, hear, and connect. This makes me content and delighted of my choice of Thiel. A liberal arts degree can really make for a well-rounded individual.” –Paul Wotus ’19

Employees needed to help out with Farewell Festival

On Friday, April 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thiel College will celebrate its annual Farewell Festival. Any faculty or staff members who are available should sign up for a time slot to help run some of the food and activity stations.

Volunteers will be assigned a responsibility during the event, such as:  

For more information, contact Than Oo at ext. 2192.

Student News

Psychology, Neuroscience students present at Western Pa. Conference

Fourteen psychology and neuroscience majors attended the Western PA Undergraduate Psychology Conference at Chatham University on April 6 to present their research with poster and oral presentations. 

Students who presented were:

Top (L-R): Jake Morgan ’19, Laura Hardner ’19, Kristyn Kinner ’19, Theresa Kretzmer ’20, Cam Neal ’19, Gage Gladysz ’19; middle: Julia Wagner ’20, Tanyra Williams ’19, Austin Bowman ’20, Ashley Mangel ’19; front: Katie Campbell ’19, Brooke Gosnell ’21, Kristen Brunner ’21 and Stacy Reecks ’21

DHI students present research in Baltimore

Four Dietrich Honors Institute students from the departments of Business Administration, Psychology and Environmental Science presented papers and posters at the Northeast Regional Honors Conference in Baltimore. The four student presenters are the most Thiel has ever sent to the event. The conference ran from April 11-14. Students left following the Scholarship and Arts Symposium on April 11.

Students presenting and the titles of their research:

The theme for this year’s regional honors conference was: Generating Power: Impact, Influence, Endurance. Also attending were Matthew Morgan, Ph.D., and Anna Reinsel, Ph.D. ’06 as student sponsors and advisors.

Orczeck family makes Lambda Sigma induction historic

Lambda Sigma inducted its Class of ’22 Sunday at the David Johnson Memorial Chapel.

Thiel College’s chapter became the first in the 42-year history of the national sophomore honorary society to induct five members from the same family with the induction of Jacob Orczeck ’22. Pictured on left is advisor John Hauser ’71, Jacob’s father, Dr. Shawn Orczeck ’87, sister Katherine ’18 and Jacob. In the front row are his mother, Laura (Werner) Orczeck ’88, his sister Jessica ’19 and President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., who was an honorary inductee.

Pictured on the right are all the inductees.

Etc.

Tomcat Tributes

Tomcat Tributes 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).

Going the Extra Mile

Nominee: Barbara Long-Cooper ’98
Nominator: Allen Morrill
Comment: “Thank you, BLC, for making cookies and providing icing, sprinkles, etc., for National Library Week. You didn't have to help, but we librarians are glad you did.”

Publishing Schedule

T-Notes is published weekly. It arrives Wednesday afternoons. The next edition will be out April 24. Send your event or news to tnotes@thiel.edu by noon Monday, April 22 to be published in that week’s edition.

Special Notes

DocuCenter closed on Good Friday

The DocuCenter will be closed Friday, April 19.

Caps and gowns available

Cap and gown purchase is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Thursday in the Campus Store.

The 2019 Commencement regalia package (gown, hood, mortarboard, and tassel w/ graduation year) costs $54.28.

HR Notes

Thiel College welcomes...

Office of Communications and Marketing Essentials

Email signatures, brand resources, and a job request form are all available online. A Dropbox folder has been set up with instructions and the materials necessary to create new email signatures. Employees can find other Thiel College-branded resources including letterhead, logos and PowerPoint slides in the same folder.

Thiel College community members who need help with communications and marketing initiatives and collateral can now request those services with a job form. The request form is available on the communications and marketing webpage or linked directly below.

For more information, email the office.

Events

Campus Events

Easter Recess
April 19–22
Thiel College Campus

A four-day break from classes for students in celebration of Easter. The last class ends at 9 p.m. Thursday. The Rotunda Bistro will be open until 4 p.m. and will reopen at 6 p.m.  Monday, April 22. The Dining Hall will be open until 6 p.m. on April 18. The residence halls will close at 7 p.m. and will reopen at noon Monday, April 22. Classes resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 23.

DHI Senior Banquet
Tuesday, April 23 at 6 p.m.
Sawhill-Georgian Room, Howard Miller Student Center

This banquet is for seniors who will be graduating from the Dietrich Honors Institute. They will be reflecting on their DHI experience and receiving their DHI medallions that they will wear at graduation.

For more information, contact Matt Morgan, Ph.D. at ext. 2030.

Employee Benefit Fair
Wednesday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lutheran Heritage Room, Howard Miller Student Center

Vendors, service providers and area businesses will attend to promote and discuss their services. Attendees can register to win gift baskets and pick up giveaways from the businesses.

There will be refreshments, giveaways, and just for attending the fair you will be entered into a drawing to win one of the many fabulous gift baskets!

For more information, contact a member of the Human Resources team Kris Whaling at ext. 2150, Kim Braden ’01 at ext. 2004 or Jennifer Clark ext. 2858.

Teen Safe Driving Competition
Thursday, April 25 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sawhill-Georgian Room, Howard Miller Student Center

A driving competition for area high school students sponsored by the PA Department of Safety. The competition is open to high school students in their junior or senior years and will feature three different categories. Participants can win prizes and opportunities to go on to the next round of competition.

Common Hour: A Year in Thiel College Sports
Thursday, April 25 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lutheran Heritage Room, Howard Miller Student Center

This Common Hour presentation is presented by the Athletics Department and will look back on the 2018-2019 athletic season and will announce what is yet to come in the 2019-2020 season.

For more information, contact Amy Schafer at ext. 2212.

Chemistry and ACS Student Affiliates Annual Awards Banquet
Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m.
TC Cafe, Howard Miller Student Center

This banquet is for members of the Thiel College Chemistry Department and the American Chemical Society to receive their awards for the year.

For more information, please contact Anna Reinsel, Ph.D. ’06 at ext. 2821.

Final day of Classes
Friday, April 26
Thiel College campus

This is the final day of classes for the 2019 spring semester. Final exams will begin on Monday, April 29.

Student Teaching Celebration Luncheon
Friday, April 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sawhill-Georgian Room, Howard Miller Student Center

This banquet is held for those education students who have been involved in student teaching this semester.

For more information, contact Nancy Castor at ext. 2065.

Annual Farewell Festival
Friday, April 26 from 4–7 p.m.
Howard Miller Student Center

This annual event that features many campus-sponsored activities and food choices celebrates Thiel College’s graduating seniors and the end of the semester.

For more information, contact Student Activites.

English Club Game Night of Thrones
Friday, April 26 from 7–9 p.m.
Weyers Lounge, Howard Miller Student Center

This event is a “Game of Thrones” themed game night sponsored by English Club. It will serve as a stress-less event. Admission is free and for each person in attendance, English Club will donate $2 to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that mails books to children from birth until they start school. Snacks will be provided.

For more information, contact Sophia Kostoff ’21.

Community Events

Ask an Expert Series
April 25 at 6:30 p.m.
The Keifer Building at St. Paul’s

St. Paul’s will host three experts to discuss brain health, Alzheimer’s care and tips for caregivers.

Limited seating. Reservations are required.

For more information, contact Jennie Kather at 724-589-4646.

Auditions for GACT production
May 2 and 4
Robinson Theater

Auditions for The Greenville Area Community Theatre summer production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” are May 2 and 4.

Thiel College Shield

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