May 6, 2020

t-notes archive

Next Issue: May 20, 2020

Thiel Happenings

Grant enables Thiel College students to research better ways to kill leukemia cells

Thiel College Associate Professor of Biology Sarah J. Swerdlow, Ph.D., was awarded a grant from the Cell Biology Education Consortium to teach her students how to perform research utilizing cell and tissue culture techniques.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Four members of Thiel College’s Class of 2020 share valedictorian and salutatorian honors

Four members of the Thiel College Class of 2020 received valedictorian and salutatorian honors as part of the College’s celebration of its graduating class.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Thiel College asking friends and alumni to contribute as part of the national day of giving

Thiel College is taking part in GivingTuesday, which is a global generosity movement, and is asking for help so the institution can continue its mission of providing students the resources they need to develop lives of meaning and purpose.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Online gatherings celebrate Class of 2020

Video messages and social media were important parts of this year’s Commencement Exercises. Plans will be announced for an in-person celebration when guidelines for large in-person gatherings are approved by government officials.

President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., delivered a special video message for seniors. An online toast was held and a video of the bell in front of the William A. Passavant Memorial Center was recorded. The bell is traditionally rung once for each member of that year’s graduating class as the students march into the Passavant Center.

Alumni posted encouraging messages welcoming the newest members of the 15,000-plus alumni network. 

Student News

Psychology students share how they are coping with collage

Students in two of the classes taught by Associate Professor of Psychology Kristel Gallagher, Ph.D. (in the online part of the semester) completed weekly “Well-Being Breathers” at home—activities designed to increase their social and emotional well-being while away from campus. They did things like:

For their final week, Gallagher had them think of how they would answer the question “How did I survive and THRIVE the online semester?” using only one word. The students then took a photo of themselves displaying that word, and Gallagher created class collages of their responses.

“I thought they turned out really well and will be a nice keepsake for the students from this semester,” Gallagher said.

Student returns for item pick up being scheduled

Students are allowed in limited numbers to come back to campus to retrieve their belongings.  As a result, we will be implementing a phased process over a 16-day period once the Governor’s loosened restrictions go into effect for Mercer County.

Students will signup for two-hour time slots. A limited number of students can sign up to be retrieving items in each facility at one time to adhere to physical distancing requirements. 

For more information on scheduling, contact Bob Phillips ’08.

The following guidelines will be in place as part of the retrieval process:

Housekeeping and other staff will be present during the move-out process to clean and disinfect common spaces between time slots.

During this time offices will remain closed and services will continue to be offered remotely.

Below is a list of contact information for specific offices.

eCampus bookstore update and giveaway information

Students who left rental books on campus that need to be returned can contact eCampus customer service at 859-209-6958 or email the online bookstore, and eCampus will work with students on a case-by-case basis. 

For the spring 2020 buyback, the eCampus bookstore is offering something EXTRA for students! 

To promote the Thiel College online buyback, eCampus is giving away a $250 textbook scholarship and free pizza for a year to one lucky student who sells back at least one textbook from now until June 1.

Thiel Team opportunities available for students

Do you know someone who would make a great addition to the Office of Admission’s Thiel Team? Maybe it’s a student in your class or someone on your team?  This unique paid leadership opportunity will support the Admissions Office through campus tours, phone call campaigns, hosting opportunities, recruitment events, and much more. As a valued member of the Admissions Office, Thiel Team members are responsible for assisting in the recruitment of new students. 

Contact Vice President for Enrollment Management Ashley Josay Zullo with questions and/or recommendations. She will contact recommended students with an application. 

Space in this program is limited. Online interviews will be conducted the week of May 11.

Special Notes

HR Notes

Thiel College says farewell to:

CARES Act information

The recently passed CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) provides increased protections and benefits to health plans. These include enhancements to Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts that now cover over-the-counter products and telehealth appointments.

For more detailed information and updates regarding this plan and others, log on to your Employee Navigator. Benefit and relief information will be posted there for your convenience.

If you have any questions, email a member of the Human Resources department Jennifer Clark, Kim Braden ’01 or Kris Whaling.

COVID-19 Employee Assistance Plan

The Human Resources department also has information on the COVID-19 Employee Assistance Plan. Thiel College and Guardian are now providing the WorkLifeMatters Employee Assistance Program through Integrated Behavioral Health to support you and your family. These services are provided at no cost and are available through July 31, 2020

I.T. Phishing Update

Recently, a message was sent designed to look like it was from Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Mike McKinney ’02. It was not. It was an attempt to gather information from our users.

This is the address the Phishing message came from

An examination of the email address shows the spoofed message came from Gmail.com. Any employee who receives a message asking for information of any kind should verify who it is from before replying. Employees must look at the name and the sender’s email address. Hovering the mouse cursor over the name and will also display the address.

If they have not already completed their KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training, they should do it now and follow the safety protocols in that program. Always look twice before replying.

For more information, contact the Solution Center at 724-589-4000.

Facilities Note

To minimize exposure for the Housekeeping staff while maintaining a clean and safe campus, the following adjustments will take place:

If you witness something that requires immediate or emergency attention, please contact Public Safety at 724-589-2222.

Check in for latest Coronavirus updates

Coronavirus updates will be emailed and posted on the website.

Employees who are having difficulties with technology can contact the Solution Center at 724-589-4000 or by email.

Communications collateral

Employees should update the logos used on institutional materials, including email signatures, letterhead, PowerPoint slides, etc. 

Thiel College has used the shield and wordmark combination as the official institutional logo for more than a year. They are the only approved logo for academic co-curricular and institutional use. Additional athletic logo packages are also available.

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.

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).

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Publishing Schedule

T-Notes is published every other week during the summer break. It arrives Wednesday afternoons. The next edition will be out May 20, 2020. Send your event or news to tnotes@thiel.edu by noon Monday, May 18 to be published in that week’s edition.

Events

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