Thiel Happenings

Regional developer, former Trustee chair Hudson to be awarded honorary degree; Retiring business professor Witosky delivering Commencement address

Thiel College will celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2023 during its 149th Commencement exercises, which will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 7, in the William A. Passavant Memorial Center.

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Thiel recognizing Communications Professional and Mentor of the Year at awards luncheon

The winners of Thiel College’s 2023 Communications Professional of the Year Award and Media Mentor of the Year Award will be recognized at a special awards presentation and luncheon at noon Friday, April 14 in the Sawhill Georgian Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.

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Tomcats win national title at NCA College Nationals

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Thiel College cheer team won the National Championship Friday in the Cheer Spirit Rally Open division at the National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla.

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Thiel College hosting Spring band concert titled “Oh, the Places We’ll Go!”

The Thiel College Music Department is hosting a Spring Band Concert for the College community at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, in the William A. Passavant Memorial Center.

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Nordenberg speaking tonight inaugural Miller Lecture Series event

Former Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh and Thiel College alumnus Mark A. Nordenberg ’70 H’97 will deliver the inaugural Professor David M. Miller ’61 H’20 Distinguished Lecture at 7 p.m. April 12 in the College’s Lutheran Heritage Room.

• Watch tonight’s event.

Nordenberg is a luminary in higher education and a driving force behind the transformation of the University of Pittsburgh to a world-renowned research institution and the reinvention of the City of Pittsburgh.

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Six authors to be present at Alumni Authors Meet & Greet

Thiel College Alumni Relations is hosting an Alumni Authors Meet & Greet on Wednesday, April 19th from 12:00-1:45 in the Langenheim Memorial Library.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the Thiel community to come out and meet with our alumni authors who have written both professionally and personally.” Director of Alumni Relations David Hummel ’83 said. “All the authors are thrilled to come back to their alma mater and sit down with students, staff and faculty.”

The authors attending this event include Don Achenbach ’77, Don Hilton ’79, Dan Kirk ’82, Gary Larson ’69, David W. Marczely presenting for his wife, Bernadette Marczely ’67, and Annette Rodriguez Carreras ’08. The alumni authors will speak about their publications and share their journeys to becoming an author. Anyone at the event will have the opportunity to sit down and mingle with the authors and ask questions.

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.

Cilik shares the story of his life, Thiel, and career

Ivan Cilik ’01 was the featured speaker at the April 5 Ruth A. Miller Senior Business Seminar, which also incorporated the induction ceremony for Chi Eta Sigma, the honorary society of the Department of Business Administration & Accounting, as well as the presenting of several awards to outstanding seniors. Ivan is a partner at the accounting firm Baker Tilly in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“Ivan’s story begins with him coming to the United States at the age of sixteen with one hundred dollars in his pocket. He is originally from Slovakia, and he told his father that he wanted to come to the United States. Ivan ended up studying abroad, and this is how he ended up in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. During this time, it was a shock to him that people who had never known him were willing to help him.” Matt Castles ’23

“Mr. Cilik was a truly inspiring person to hear from; living the first sixteen years of his life in Czechoslovakia, he traveled to the United States as a high school exchange student. He mentioned that he grew up in Communism, which was eye-opening to me because I have never spoken to someone who has.” Allison Walsh ’24

“Mr. Cilik was born in Czechoslovakia and came to the United States for high school at sixteen, where he stayed with a host family in Cambridge Springs, which eventually led him to Thiel. He said that Professor Miller was the first person he met on campus when he toured during high school, and he told him that Thiel is like family. Mr. Cilik said he found out it really was, and that Thiel shaped him into who he is today; he even met his wife here.” Autumn Gourley ’24

“In his speech, he really touched on how Thiel shaped him to the man he is today; Thiel is like a family. Professor Miller was the first professor he met, and he was a big influence on Ivan. During his time in college, he got involved with the school; he was an RA and played basketball until his injury.” Emily Grandy ’23

“Throughout his time at Thiel, he was astonished at how generous the people here were. He mentioned how David and Ruth Miller invited him into their home for dinner. The people at Thiel quickly became his family, and he gave a plethora of examples to back that claim up. Cilik was busy on campus, as he played on the basketball team and was a resident assistant.” Natalie Zgurich ’23

“Professor Miller was someone who helped shape him into who he is today. With that, he told us that we need to surround ourselves with smart and supportive people. An example of people who will always be a part of our support team is our parents.” Amy Jackson ’23

“While at Thiel, Cilik met his wife, who he says has made the most difference in his life. He talks about how he learns so much about himself from her that he uses in his professional career.” Natalie Zgurich ’23

“He said that there were quite a few difficulties as an exchange student, and the biggest of them was culture and language. I agree with him so much. There were many cases where I couldn't speak because of the language barrier, even though I had a lot to say. The cultural difference was hard for me to adapt to at first.” Sujin Park ’23

“Ivan highlights the crucial role that our friends, family, and colleagues play in shaping our lives and helping us achieve our goals. The speech reminded me of the importance of valuing and appreciating the people in our lives and working together to create a positive and supportive community. Overall, it is a powerful reminder of the impact that the people around us can have on our lives.” Seoyeon Choo ’23

“One of the most valuable pieces of advice he gave was that who you are, your experiences, hard work, and skills, matters more than your GPA.” Allison Walsh ’24

“Ivan then told us, especially since the development of technology and social media, not to forget about face-to-face conversations. If you do, you lose that human interaction with people. By spending time and having in person conversations with people, whether they are customers or not, you make connections with them. Those connections turn into them appreciating you and vice versa. Gaining connections can help them with their problems and issues.” Emily Grandy ’23

“One thing that Ivan learned from his time at Thiel was that it is important to spend time with people and learn who they are, explaining that ‘compassion is a phenomenal business skill.’” Allison Walsh ’24

“I would say that tonight’s presentation was one of the most interesting presenters I have ever heard during both semesters of this class. Ivan is a very interesting person who you’d only meet at a place like Thiel.” Ian Yahner ’24

Lessons Learned:

• “Give back to the next generation.” Matt Castles ’23
• “Grades are important, but the most important things are who you are and the skills you learned from your experiences.” Inseo Chong ’23
• “Always find a way to give back to Thiel and your community.” Autumn Gourley ’24
• “Be humble.” Emily Grandy ’23
• “Control what is controllable.” Emily Grandy ’23
• “Mental strength is just as important as knowledge.” Natalie Zgurich ’23
• “Be bold, be curious, and ask questions.” Amy Jackson ’23
• “Be a sponge and learn.” Amy Jackson ’23
• “Thiel will build a great foundation for you.” Amy Jackson ’23
• “Control what is controllable, block out the noise, and stay focused on one’s goals.” Asher Patton ’23
• “Don’t stop asking questions or being curious.” Allison Walsh ’24
• “Don’t ever forget your core values; keep true to yourself.” Ian Yahner ’24
• “Memories and experiences are what life is about.” Natalie Zgurich ’23

Dinner “Dishing”:

• “I knew dinner was going to be good when Chef Crystal said we were having steak. I enjoyed every course Wednesday night.” Autumn Gourley ’24
• “The dinner was excellent, as always, and the people at my table were even better. We discussed how classes were going and how quickly the semester was going, as well as the topic of golf, and where everyone was from. Sitting with Professor Giannini is always a blast because a conversation will always happen.” Amy Jackson ’23
• “Last night was my third night acting as dinner concierge, and it was another great experience! I was happy to be able to celebrate Madie’s birthday with her, and we had a great conversation at our table. I had never talked to Professor Kandray before, and it was nice to be able to get to know him. The dinner itself was wonderful, and I am sad that there are only two more classes left this semester.” Allison Walsh ’24
• “Tonight’s dinner was delicious, as always, and I don’t know how you could top that wonderful chocolate cake.” Ian Yahner ’24