Thiel Happenings

Thiel College business and accounting double-major serving as president of PAC student group

Thiel College accounting and business administration double-major Toby Atwood ’26 has been named the President of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Committee.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Thiel College physician assistant studies students collect donations for Mercy Center for Women

Thiel College students in the Master of Science in physician assistant studies program gathered items to donate to the Erie, Pa. Mercy Center for Women as part of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates annual charity event.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Ringing the Bell!

Thank you to everyone who has already shared their incredible photos! Today’s photo essay is about “Ringing the Bell.” The Thiel tradition is for sports teams to ring the Victory Bell at Alumni Stadium after wins. But President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., Director of Admisssions Sonya Lapikas, Director of Campus Health & Wellness Services Christine Polochak ’96, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life and Athletics Melissa Michael, Assistant Dean for Student Engagement Than Oo, Digital Content Specialist Stacy Butera and Campus Store Manager Nalini Downing were among the employees who rang the bell for the Salvation Army on Wednesday.

We’re always looking for more snapshots that highlight the charm and spirit of campus life! Whether it’s a stunning winter landscape, a favorite spot on campus, or a moment that captures the essence of Thiel College, your photos help tell our story.

📸 Send your photos to tnotes@thiel.edu and join us in celebrating what makes Thiel College extraordinary!

Peg Watts grateful for the Thiel community’s support

On Dec. 10, 2024, a fire damaged the Erie home of Peg Watts and her husband, Jim.

Watts was an instructor of media communications/managing advisor of WXTC Radio/Thielensian at Thiel from 2014 to 2022.

Her colleague, Associate Professor of Communications Lana V. Kulik, Ph.D., has set up a GoFundMe page to help the family while the particulars with their insurance are worked out.

• Read more and donate.

The link is active and is still accepting donations.

Message of appreciation from Peg Watts

My husband, Jim, and I want to say thank you all so much for your generous gift and outpouring of support and kindness after the recent house fire we suffered on Dec 10th.

It means a lot to Jim and me that my former colleagues and students thought about us and wanted to help us during this most difficult time.

You uplifted our spirits and helped us remember — things will be ok, eventually. We know how lucky we are to have so many people who care about us.
Thiel will always have a big space in my heart. I worked with many amazing faculty, staff and students. Your care for us solidifies the warm memories I have of my time there.
We hope you all have a joyous Christmas and wishing you peace in the New Year.

With gratitude (go Tomcats!),
Peg

Spring TNT schedule set

The spring schedule of Thiel News Time gatherings has been sent. All TNTs are held at 11 a.m. in the Sawhill Georgian Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.

• Thursday, January 9
• Tuesday, February 11
• Tuesday, March 4
• Tuesday, April 15

IT updates community on planned network outages

The Information Technology Department will be conducting routine network maintenance on Monday, December 23 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. During this time, the on-campus network and Wi-Fi will be intermittent.

Pole and tree work to be conducted during break

Penn Power will begin taking down the trees and conducting pole work in the next few weeks as part of the Route 18 improvement project.

Student News

Rudolf presents research at conference

Alana Rudolf ’27 presented her poster at the student symposium on the environment at Westminster College on Dec. 5.

• Read more about Rudolf’s project.

PA students donate to student life’s emergency pantry

In November, Master of Science in physician assistant studies students collected money and non-perishable food for the Student Life’s Emergency Pantry.

The Student Life Emergency Pantry provides both non-perishable food items and hygiene products for students experiencing financial need. Monetary donations and donations of food and hygiene items have come from local churches and Christian organizations as well as through the generosity of faculty and staff.

Students who typically access the pantry are those who remain on campus over breaks and holidays and commuter students experiencing need. Any student who has need can reach out to Melanie Broadwater ’98, Director of the Counseling Center or any other member of the Office of Student Life.

Arrangements are made with each student to discretely provide items. Since the inception of the pantry in 2017, approximately 170 bags have been provided to students.

Student organizes toy collection in memory of her firefighter grandfather

Communication sciences and disorders major and neuroscience minor Haylie Kidd ’27 held a fundraiser in memory of her grandfather, who was a fireman and served as chief for nearly 30 years in her hometown of New Brighton, Pa. She and her family organized an annual toy drive in his honor for families in the Beaver County Area.

The drive for toy collection was Saturday, the group also accepts monetary donations as well to purchase gifts for children.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can Venmo a donation to StuffAFireTruck-86.

According to Kidd, these donations help provide an entire Christmas for less fortunate families and make Christmas wishes come true every year! I wanted to share this with you in hopes that maybe you could help spread a word to make a child's holiday magical.