January 26, 2022

t-notes archive

Next Issue: February 2, 2022

Thiel Happenings

Fort Cherry senior surprised with $141,000 scholarship during event at his school

Fort Cherry High School senior Jordan Wilhoit was awarded an academic scholarship worth $141,000 to Thiel College during a surprise presentation Thursday, Jan. 20 at his high school.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Founders’ Day recognition part of first TNT of spring

TNT meetings this semester will begin with virtual sessions. The hope is the online meetings will be replaced with in-person events later this spring. These gatherings are an opportunity to share timely information with the full campus 

The first TNT of the spring semester will take place on Founders’ Day, February 3 beginning at Noon via Zoom.  Like last year, Founders’ Day will be celebrated virtually allowing us a chance to honor our colleagues being recognized with Presidential Staff and Faculty awards and to announce the Barbara and Louis Thiel Distinguished Service Award recipient.

Spring TNTs are at noon. Upcoming schedule: 

Campus comes together to celebrate Kathy Frantz

Professor of Chemistry Kathy Frantz, Ph.D. is retiring at the end of this academic year. Frantz joined the Thiel College faculty as a chemistry professor in 1998.

Members of the Thiel College community attended a celebration for Frantz in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center on Jan. 21.

During her career at Thiel, she has served as the Chair of the Chemistry Department and Chair of the Biology Department.  Dr. Frantz also developed the Biochemistry major and several new courses over her career.  Her teaching responsibilities were primarily focused on teaching organic and biochemistry courses to science majors, many of whom have gone on to careers in health-related fields.

Highmark unveils new virtual services with American Well

Highmark has established a new benefit platform in 2022 with American Well as the primary provider for virtual services. “Doctor on Demand” is no longer an In-Network provider under your health plan. “Well360” Virtual Health is the new platform.

Well360 Virtual Health provides the following services to members:

What has changed:

Highmark recommends signing up for access before care is needed, either through the AmWell phone app or the website.  That way, the 10 minutes or so for setting up website access is already completed and you can move right to a virtual urgent care visit, or schedule an appointment. 

For more information, use the contact Highmark customer service with the number located on the back of your card).

National Wear Red Day is February 4

The Wellness Committee invites Thiel College community members to wear red on Friday, Feb. 4, National Wear Red Day.

This day serves to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke in women. It also serves as a reminder that preventative measures can be taken to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems so that women can live healthier and longer lives.

To raise awareness and show support, wear your favorite red attire on Feb. 4.

Student News

Parkers prepare students for dining and career success

Sandy ’81 and Rich Parker ’82 were the guests and featured speakers at the Jan. 19 Ruth A. Miller Senior Business Seminar. Sandy guided the class through an etiquette dinner highlighting the dos and don’ts of dining in a business situation. After dinner, Rich shared his Thiel story as well as many observations about the challenges and successes he had during his career in business.

“Sandy gave her presentation throughout the dinner as she was teaching us about proper dinner etiquette. Her lesson dealt with a wide range of issues; when to arrive, how to dress, napkin placement, how and what to order, ownership of community items on the table, etc.”  Angela Sorg ’23

“What I learned from Mr. and Mrs. Parker was that simple conversation at a dinner setting or even lunch in the business world goes a long way and that you can learn a lot from the person from that conversation. We talked about many things with them from business to just everyday life at Thiel College.” Alrick Francis ’22

“Rich explained that Thiel College offered him tools and training that he would need to succeed, but it was all about what he did with them. Thiel wanted to see him move on to be successful, but he had to do the work and stay committed to have that result. This is something that Rich proved he could do.” Abigail Cico ’22

“He said the reason he got this job was because he was well prepared when he went into his interview and he was bold and asked the question that most people don’t, he basically asked for the job.” Emily Sears ’22

“Rich’s story really struck home for me because he also talked about taking up opportunities when they are provided.” Brycen Dorfmeister ’22

“He shared that he was fired many times throughout his career before finding what his true passion was, even though he always knew what he wanted to do it just took some time to get to that point. I enjoyed how Mr. Parker shared his story with us, he didn’t sugarcoat his career he showed us that even when things aren’t easy you have to push through.” Madeline DePalma ’22

“Lessons learned: do not put your failures on other people. Find out why you lost that job, why you failed a test, and make those changes. Make yourself better, prepare better, become a better/stronger person.” Maddison Neely ’22

“I learned from Richard that you have to always keep your head up and keep pushing along. If you get fired or if you don’t like a certain job, there’s always other options out there and it takes time and experience to learn what fits you best.” John Retton ’22

“Lessons learned: never be discouraged by failure and instead view it as an opportunity to grow and find future opportunities.” Owen Sa ’22

“Rich really stressed that if you do not love going into work every day, then you need to look for and find a new job where you do enjoy it.” Trey Williams ’22

“He noted that many organizations will give us the tools to be successful in the workplace, but again it is the way we use those tools that makes the difference. This idea of having the right tools to be the best is an incredible way to view how well a person utilizes what is right in front of them. It makes me wonder if I am using the tools at Thiel in the best way or if I need to reevaluate to further my success.” Kate Sollers ’22

Special Notes

Alumni Relations seeking alumni awards nominees

Alumni are encouraged to nominate a deserving alumnus/alumna for one of three awards. The categories are Distinguished Alumni (individuals are nominated and chosen for their outstanding contributions to their professions), Service to Thiel Award (individuals are nominated and chosen for their loyalty, service and devotion to Thiel College) and Young Alumni (nominees must have received their Thiel degree within the past 10 years and are nominated for their potential for future accomplishments in their professions and service to Thiel).

For more information, contact Director of Alumni Relations David Hummel ’83.

Wellness Committee Challenge

The Wellness Committee sponsoring a 50/50 Employee Wellness Challenge. 

To enter, select a specific goal and commit to working on this goal over a 6-week period, beginning January 24 and ending March 4. An entrance fee of $20 along with the completed bottom portion of the form can be returned to Jackie Kytchak in the Student Life Office.

A winner will be randomly selected from all the participants at the completion of the 6-week challenge period. The winner will receive half of the money collected, and the other half of the money will benefit the American Heart Association. 

Wellness goals can be related to physical health, emotional health, fitness, or nutrition. Here are some examples of goals, but feel free to create your own:

Retirement plan advisors available for online meetings

Thiel College independent retirement plan advisor Jack Ryan from HB Retirement is hosting virtual office hours.

Ryan is available on Jan. 28.

Advisors can answer questions about:

Events

Common Hour: First–Year Experience Advising Program
Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon
Thiel College campus

Academic departments are hosting events in various location around campus to welcome new students (both first-year students and those that have recently changed to a new major). First-year students will be able to meet their new academic advisors at these sessions.

For more information, contact Kristin M. Carlson, Ph.D. at ext. 2183.

Adagio Health Mobile Walk-In Clinic
Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Howard Miller Student Center parking lot

First Tuesday of the Month until May.  No appointment is necessary!

Many services are available, including STI testing, contraception, gynecology, family planning, reproductive care, preventive services, TB screening, diabetes & cholesterol screening and tobacco cessation as well as flu shots, COVID-19 shots, Hepatitis A&B, MMR, pneumonia and tetanus.

Founders’ Day
Thursday, Feb. 3 at noon
Thiel College online

Thiel College will observe Founders’ Day online as part of the first TNT of 2022.

Etc.

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.

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).

Publishing Schedule

T-Notes is published weekly during the academic year. It arrives Wednesday afternoons. The next edition will be out Feb. 2. Send your event or news to tnotes@thiel.edu by noon Monday, Jan. 31 to be published in that week’s edition.

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Greenville, PA 16125
1-800-248-4435