Thiel Happenings

Frantz, Mudry named Thiel College Student of the Month honorees for October

Thiel College announces Jacob Frantz ’23, of Greenville, Pa., and Janelle Mudry ’23, of Pittsburgh, Pa., as Student of the Month honorees for October.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Thiel recognizing David F. George as Haller Enterprise Institute Entrepreneur of the Year

David F. George, CEO and President of Joy Baking Group, will be recognized as Thiel College’s 2022 Haller Enterprise Institute Entrepreneur of the Year at 6:30 p.m. October 5.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Buy a sticker to support the Thiel Players; information on upcoming audition

The holographic Thiel Players stickers are in and cost $1 each. Supplies are limited so there is a maximum of two stickers per person. Contact JK Rogers, Ph.D. to purchase a sticker.

All proceeds go toward Thiel Players productions.

COMING SOON! Stay tuned for some exciting news from APO President Nathaniel Meth '23 and Trey Wilt '23 about an upcoming student production!

A reminder that the signup sheet for the Spring 2023 Production of [title of show] is now available on the Call Board in the Robinson Theater Lobby

Auditions will be Sunday, Jan. 15 and Monday, Jan. 16 from 7–9:30 p.m.

Please prepare 16 bars from a contemporary musical both a capella and accompanied

If using sheet music, please be sure to mark which measures you will be using

Please also prepare a 60–90 second monologue (comedic or dramatic) from a contemporary play

For more information, contact Rogers or Mark J. Schnitzler.

Student News

Deist shares insights with the Entrepreneurship Seminar

Dale Deist was the featured speaker at the September 28 Entrepreneurship Seminar. Deist is the former owner of Deist Industries, Inc. in Hadley, Pa. He was previously recognized by the Haller Enterprise Institute as the Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008.

“This week’s seminar speaker was Mr. Dale Deist. He is currently on Thiel’s Haller Enterprise Institute Advisory Board, and he was previously a member of the Board of Trustees. In 2008, he earned the prestigious Thiel Entrepreneur of the Year award.” Ava Kavulla ’25

“His entrepreneurial background came from growing up on his family’s farm, which was a working dairy farm and apple orchard.” Sydney Hipps ’23

“He got his chemical engineering degree and got a regular job with a big firm. He moved around the country early in his career. He would have to move about every five years because of the job he had. After being fed up with being away from his family, Dale and his household moved back to Pa. in Mercer County.” Jakob Misencik ’23

“During a stint of staying in Texas, he and a friend put together a board game and tried to dip into the board game industry but quickly realized he couldn’t quit his day job because getting into that industry is harder than he initially assumed it would be. The game he was pitching was called ‘Sphinx, The Game of Ancient Egypt.’” Devyn Giovengo ’23

“After college, he was moving all over the United States with his family. After moving every five years or so, he and his wife realized that they wanted to make sure their kids knew everyone in the family, he said that seeing them once a year was not cutting it anymore. They soon moved back to Greenville.” Ian Yahner ’23

“He mentioned to us that in his time working for the company he would have to move about every five years across the country. One day he and his family decided that they no longer wanted to have to move every five years. He wanted his children to be able to get to know their grandparents and other family members outside of the one time per year they were able to. So, he requested to be transferred back to Pennsylvania and ended up working in Meadville.” Tyler Zere ’23

“He then took his MBA in Pittsburgh, where he took an entrepreneurship course, and they basically told him if you’re older than 40 then you should look into buying a business rather than starting your own from scratch. From here, Deist looked for numerous different businesses he could purchase. He ended up coming across Buck’s Fabricating (which was for sale), after he and his wife purchased the business; they were one of the 150 companies in their field in the United States and Canada combined.” Devyn Giovengo ’23

“During the period that they owned the company, they also developed the switch and go system, bought the patent for Amerideck, and added plastic roll-offs to the list of things they produced. Being one of 135 dumpster building companies, they did all these things to try and differentiate his company from the others.” Ian Yahner ’23

“He expanded Bucks to manufacturing plastic roll-off containers, invented a system for medium-sized trucks called Switch-n-Go, and was very successful with it. In 2010, he sold his business to his son-in-law because he had a good spirit for business as well as a finance background.” Autumn Gourley ’24

“He also shared some successful tips for business operations. He emphasized that it is important to understand the language of business, which is accounting. He told us about football coach Lou Holtz’s three values that we could adopt and live by. He also shared some examples of being street smart. Lastly, he had more tips like having an advisory board and always remember that there is more than one opportunity in a lifetime, that he shared with us.” Chaeeun Lee ’23

“He bought a business and increased its efficiency through new innovations and productivity. His story was inspiring, and he left us with some keys to success that I won’t forget. He said that if you want to be an entrepreneur, you have to give all your energy and be totally invested into the idea. He also mentioned that persistence is very important in becoming a successful entrepreneur because you are always searching for opportunities.” Brycen Dorfmeister ’23

“I found Dale’s story to be very influential because it tells us it’s never too late to follow these dreams.” Sydney Hipps ’23

“Mr. Deist was a phenomenal speaker who shared many great pieces of advice and allowed the class to enter into the world of entrepreneurship from our seats.” Hayley Phillips ’23

Lessons Learned

• “Values are important. Stand by everything you said and DO NOT go back on your word.” Nevaeh Arnold ’23
• “It is very important to understand accounting.” Matt Castles ’23
• “Do your best; If you are struggling, do not hesitate to ask for help and training.” Seoyeon Choo ’23
• “Running and buying a business are two different skill sets.” Autumn Gourley ’24
• “Salesman gossip; learning new information about the industry can come from your own people who are out in the field.” Hayley Phillips ’23
• “I should learn not to be frustrated by failure, but to find something to learn and try to improve in it.” Jisu Kim ’23
• “Make a three-year business plan which has both real and pessimistic sides.” Siwon Lee ’23
• “Make sure there is a balance between work and family. Value the importance of family and the support they provide in running the business.” Ava Kavulla ’25
• “Go around obstacles, think, and persist. If you give up there was no point to starting.” Hayley Phillips ’23
• “Always be honest. If you have a deal with a customer, keep your promise and gain trust.” Areumsongi Shin ’23
• “Along with book smart you need to be street smart.” Ian Yahner ’23
• “Understand that there is more than one “once in a lifetime” opportunity.” Ava Kavulla ’25
• “Ask yourself what the most important commitments in your life are.” Brycen Dorfmeister ’23
• “That you are never too old to start a new chapter in your life.” Tyler Zere ’23
• “UNDERSTAND THE BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE OF BUSINESS - ACCOUNTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Jakob Misencik ’23

Dinner “Dishing”

• “The dinner experience tonight was brilliant. I had dinner at the same table as the speaker. For the appetizer, broccoli cheddar soup was served. The main dish was stuffed chicken breast with mushrooms, spinach, and mozzarella cheese with carrots and potatoes. We had Oreo cheesecake for dessert. While we were having dinner, we had a lot of conversations.” Siwon Lee ’23
• “I had the wonderful opportunity to be the Dinner Concierge and pick the menu and blessing before dinner. At the beginning, I was nervous about this because I normally like to make sure people are happy with what I pick, but I did not want to pick something basic. I also have different tastes than many in the class when it comes to liking mushrooms. Overall, I received great feedback from the class, and it was an honor to pick the menu.” Justina Jenkins ’23
  
• “The dinner Wednesday night was fantastic. I sat with the dinner concierge Justina, and I gave her a very positive review.” Autumn Gourley ’24

Career Development Center launches Facebook page

Students, faculty and staff can stay current with what is happening at the Career Development Center by following the center's page on Facebook.

• Thiel Career Development Center Facebook page