Thiel Happenings

Thiel cheer team set to compete during second straight trip to Nationals

The Thiel College Tomcat cheer squad is set to improve on its national runner-up finish last year at the National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida today through Sunday.

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Thiel College hosting Spring Choral Concert titled Seasons of Love

The Thiel College Music Department is hosting a spring choral concert for the College community at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in the David Johnson Memorial Chapel.

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Thiel College recognizes Commodore Perry teacher as its business mentor of the year

Commodore Perry teacher David Snyder was honored Friday as the winner of Thiel College’s 2023 Business Mentor of the Year Award during a special presentation and luncheon Friday, March 31 in the Sawhill Georgian Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.

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Ethicist to discuss conscientious objections and provisions of health care

Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at West Virginia University and Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Mark R. Wicclair, Ph.D. will speak at the Community Medical Ethics Project’s annual event at Thiel College at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13 in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.

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Thiel Fund, Phi Theta Phi hosting Pirate game event

The Thiel community is invited to join David Mogle, Director of the Thiel Fund, at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at North Shore Tavern for a cash bar and Pittsburgh Pirates game to follow. Address is North Shore Tavern; 120 Federal Street; Pittsburgh, Pa. 15212.

• Purchase Pirates tickets here.

Ticket proceeds assist Phi Theta Phi fraternity. Event is open to all! Can’t make this game? Stay tuned, College Advancement will host another Pirates game this summer.

Rotaract Club active in the community

Thiel College students Bryce Stubert ’25 and Emma Park ’24, members of the Thiel College Rotaract Club, make preparations for an Easter egg hunt for the PA Pre-K Counts classroom. The event was sponsored by the Thiel College Rotaract Club with the support of the Kappa Delta Pi organization of Thiel College.

Thiel College student Colin Schroyer ’26 (member of the Thiel College Rotaract Club) helped to pack and distribute Easter food bags at the Good Shepherd Center recently.

Student News

FAFSA filing contest for students

Students who have successfully filed a 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid with EFC determination on or before April 28 will be entered into a drawing for a $200 book voucher.

Winner will be drawn on May 3 and will receive a $200 credit to the E-Campus Book Store.

Appointments can be made with any of the Financial Aid staff to assist with FAFSA completion.

For more information, contact Michelle Work at ext. 2116.

Reefer shares her Thiel story and advice on leadership

Michelle Reefer ’90 was the featured speaker at the March 29 Ruth A. Miller Senior Business Seminar. Reefer is the CEO of the Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County in Kittanning, Pa.

“For our speaker, we had Michelle Reefer, CEO of Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County. This group is a non-profit organization formed in 1968 that has the goal of providing vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabilities.” Jeremy Meyer ’23

“Her pastor and his wife went to Thiel, and then one time the Thiel Choir came to her church, which inspired her to go to college. She said she went to her guidance counselor to talk about college, but he completely shot her down and told her to be a secretary! She did not listen to him and came here to visit, then committed.” Autumn Gourley ’24

“Michelle made her four years of college memorable as she got her degree in English and communications. She got involved with student life, she got into the choir, and she joined a sorority. ZTA changed every aspect of her life. Other members of the sorority are still her friends to this day.” Emily Grandy ’23

“During her time at Thiel, she switched majors going back and forth between English and communications. Then her advisor in the English Department, Dr. Moinet, mentioned she should just decide to major in both. So that is what she did as well as minoring in psychology. This professor ended up being a real help through college and she still keeps in touch. She mentioned that we should keep in touch with a great professor.” Amy Jackson ’23

“The most memorable story she talked about of her school life is about Dr. Moinet. As she talked about it, she reminded us that we should have someone like Dr. Moinet, and what the Thiel connection means to all Thiel students.” Seoyeon Choo ’23

“Once she graduated from Thiel, she had only two things for sure she wanted and that was to be a mom and to build a career in which she would be the boss. Looking back at it now, she got what she wanted. She is now the CEO of PWAC, which is a program to help special needs employees build careers for themselves.” Asher Patton ’23

“Upon graduation from Thiel, she gained employment working for challenged youth. She still works in the same industry today. She is the CEO of the Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County. This organization serves the mentally disabled population and trains them so they can have jobs and be functioning members of the workforce. She noted this career has had a huge impact on her life.” Tyler Zere ’23

“Throughout her presentation, she talked about the many jobs she had before coming to Progressive Workshop. One job that she mentioned was a group that helped kids with issues. She loved to help people; however, this job would lead to her being burnt out. Being in an area that deals a lot with mental health can take a toll on you.” Jeremy Meyer ’23

“Reefer hopped around between jobs in her early career, but they all related to helping the mentally challenged or mental health patients in some way. At her current job, the CEO of Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County, it was obvious that she was extremely passionate about her work. I loved her optimistic attitude about life, and it resonated with me when she said, ‘there is nothing in my life that I cannot put off until tomorrow if an emergency arises.’” Natalie Zgurich ’23

“Michelle had an infectious passion for PWAC and highly recommended working for a non-profit. It feels naïve to say now, but I always thought that the people working for non-profits didn’t get paid. I learned a lot about this type of business structure that I hadn’t previously known, and I am very thankful for that! Her answer to my question is not one that I was expecting but was extremely insightful and one of the most valuable pieces of information a speaker has given.” Allison Walsh ’24

“A core value that has stuck with Michelle her whole life is something her dad taught her, ‘Whatever your job is, you be the absolute best at that job that the company has ever seen.’ Her dad also instilled in her to have kindness and generosity, and to always take care of your community.” Ian Yahner ’24

“It is not realistic to leave your problems at the door; it is your job as a leader to make sure your people are taken care of (give them time off if they’re going through something particularly bad, check in with them, etc.).” Allison Walsh ’24

“She said ‘Create the type of leader you want to be. Be a servant leader and have empathy for your employees.’ Michelle’s presentation was a great example of how to treat others in the workplace, which is great coming from someone who has had a long successful career.” Ian Yahner ’24

“Overall, I enjoyed Reefer’s perspective and outlook on life because she radiated positivity with everything she does.” Natalie Zgurich ’23

“She is very passionate about her work. I gained a lot of respect for her after her presentation, it was inspiring to hear her talk.” Autumn Gourley ’24

Lessons Learned

• “Don’t be afraid to talk to new people as you never know the opportunity there.” Matt Castles ’23
• “You should have a plan for if the worst happens.” Inseo Chong ’23
• “Watch your words, words hurt.” Autumn Gourley ’24
• “Have empathy for your employees.” Natalie Zgurich ’23
• “Take care of your staff and they will take care of you.” Autumn Gourley ’24
• “There’s a difference between a boss and a leader.” Emily Grandy ’23
• “Network at any time you can.” Amy Jackson ’23
• “Always chase your dreams and never let anyone else take them from you.” Asher Patton ’23
• “Always make time for fun, do what you want to do now.” Ian Yahner ’24
• “Advocate for yourself.” Tyler Zere ’23
• “Service above self.” Natalie Zgurich ’23

Dinner “Dishing”

• “The dinner has got to be one of my top five dinners of the ones we had this semester. The chef and her staff outdid themselves, taking Emily’s and my idea of what we wanted and going above and beyond what I expected.” Amy Jackson ’23
• “Overall, I enjoyed the dinner and conversations we had. I thought that the choice of Mexican was interesting because that isn’t exactly a type of food to be in this setting. I liked the queso, the tortilla soup, and the relleno. The dessert was a nice touch too with the churros.” Jeremy Meyer ’23
• “Dinner was very different, but it was a nice change. Also, it was nice to sit with Dr. Hall as until last night I had never talked to her, but it is always nice to meet new people and talk to them.” Matt Castles ’23
• “In addition to the wonderful dinner, our table also had wonderful conversation. I haven’t seen Molly Rowan in a little under a year; it was so nice to catch up and have dinner with her. Dr. Hall is Molly’s Dr. Moinet as well as she is mine, and I always enjoy the opportunity to speak with her outside of class. It is safe to say that this was one of my favorite dinner groupings and conversations!” Allison Walsh ’24