The Thiel College community is mourning the death of student-athlete Toby Atwood ’26, who passed away Sunday, July 20, after collapsing during the Presque Isle Half Marathon in Erie, Pa. Atwood was a rising senior, an accomplished member of the women’s tennis team and a campus leader.
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Thiel College women’s fraternity Zeta Tau Alpha featured pink tape from Duck Tape as part of its campaign this past academic year to support breast cancer education and awareness to raise nearly $1,900.
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Thiel College business administration student Anna Kavulla ’27, of Sharpsville, Pa., was profiled Tuesday, July 15 in the Youngstown Business Journal for her entrepreneurial success. The article, “Creating a Generation of Entrepreneurs,” spotlights the venture of Anna Kavulla and her sister, Ava ’25, who is a 2025 Thiel College graduate. Their business, A Pastel Petal, is featured as an example of Gen Z innovation and leadership.
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James E. Tkacik, D.M.Sci., director of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program and professor of physician assistant studies at Thiel College, has been appointed director at large for the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates.
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Thiel College alumnus Mitchell Mason ’25 was featured Friday in the Greenville Record Argus after establishing the “Mitch” Mason Kappa Sigma Scholarship, a new award through the college’s Xi Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma focused on supporting veterans.
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Sorry for the ear worm but it seemed to go with the photos Anna Reinsel, Ph.D. ’06, Professor of Environmental Science, Department Chair, Associate Director of the Dietrich Honors Institute recently snapped on campus.
The Office of Communications and Marketing invities the campus community to contribute photo essays for the staff newsletter, T-Notes. Last semester, your submissions offered glimpses into campus life, from vibrant 🍁 fall colors to festive moments like 🎅 Salvation Army bell ringers and 🎃 Halloween costumes.
The summer months provide some of the best opportunities to showcase the beauty of the campus. We’re looking for even more unique and interesting perspectives that highlight what makes Thiel such a great place to work and learn. Whether it’s a hidden campus gem, a special event, or a snapshot of daily life, we want to see Thiel through your eyes! 👀✨
How to Participate: Send your photos to tnotes@thiel.edu.
💡 Submission Ideas:
Pictured (L-R) First row: Nick Donis, McKenna DiRienzo, Director of Communications and Marketing Dominick DiRienzo M.A.’22, Director of Choir Brianne Samson; Second row: Noah Brieck ’23, Professor of Chemistry Chris Stanisky, Ph.D., Robert Heck, Jim Tolbert, Assistant Professor of History Jay Donis, Ph.D., women’s lacrosse coach William Wightman, Luca DiRienzo ’27, men’s soccer coach Zack Walters, and Ashley Walters.
Several members of the Thiel community participated in a soccer tournament on July 12 to raise money for the Crawford County Youth Soccer Association.
The inaugural Tomcat Tennis Tournament sponsored in partnership with First National Bank was held July 12-13 at Tomcat Tennis Courts on the campus of Thiel College. The event brought together a competitive field of junior players from across the region and beyond, delivering high-quality tennis and strong community support throughout the weekend.
Pictured (L-R) IT AV Technical Support Specialist Manuel Serrano, Solution Center Coordinator Lexi Mazur, Board of Trustees member Maggie Boose Norris ’78, Director of Application Services & Data Management Philip Swartwood and Information Technology Operations Manager Jacob Frantz ’23 MBA’25
Board of Trustees member Maggie Boose Norris ’78 stopped by in early July to visit the newly dedicated in her name Information Technology Solution Center. Norris is a supporter of the College’s information technology department.
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Commencement Exercises are at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31 in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.
Schedule of events
Faculty and staff are invited to stand along Brother Martin’s Walk to congratulate the graduating students.
HR Notes
Thiel College welcomes:
And says farewell to:
Monthly Payroll
Any changes or updates must be submitted before the 20th of the month for the change to process in the current month's payroll.
Bi-weekly Payroll
Any changes or updates must be submitted by Wednesday, the week before payroll week.
DocuCenter Hours
The DocuCenter will be closed Fridays in July, and in August, it will be closed Friday, Aug. 1 and Friday, Aug. 8.
Campus Store Hours
The Campus Store will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both the Excel move in days on Aug. 2 and Aug. 9.
The store will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 and Sunday, Aug. 24 during move-in weekend.
The store will be closed on Friday, Aug. 1, 8, and 22 and also on Monday, Aug. 11.
For more information contact Nalini Downing at ext. 2170.
Buhl Park Concert Series
July 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Hermitage, Pa. - Buhl Park Performing Arts Center
A free summer concert series held every Sunday and Wednesday at the Buhl Park Performing Arts Center. Bring a park chair or blanket and make your way to the Performing Arts Center in Buhl Park in neighboring Hermitage PA.
GACT Salutes the Tonys - A Musical Cabaret
July 24, 25 & 26 at 7 p.m. and July 27 at 2 p.m.
William A. Robinson Theater
Greenville Area Community Theatre is performing
GACT Salutes the Tonys - A Musical Cabaret on campus at the William A. Robinson theatre. Tickets are available through the GACT website.
Waterfire
July 26 at 2 p.m.
Sharon, Pa.
More than 50 braziers are anchored in the Shenango River in downtown Sharon during an event. Filled with cedar and pine, they are ablaze at nightfall to create a compelling display. Add to the mix, a perfect blend of pre-recorded music and live musicians performing from WFS boats to create memories that will last forever. This is the first of two Waterfire events being held this Summer.
GACT Salutes the Tonys - A Musical Cabaret
Jul. 26 at 7:00pm
William A. Robinson Theater
Greenville Area Community Theatre is performing
GACT Salutes the Tonys - A Musical Cabaret on campus at the William A. Robinson theatre. Tickets are available through the GACT website.
Brush High School Band Camp
July 27
Campus
Thiel welcomes the Brush High School Arcs Band for band camp!
Buhl Park Concert Series
July 27 at 6 p.m.
Hermitage, Pa. - Buhl Park Performing Arts Center
A free summer concert series held every Sunday and Wednesday at the Buhl Park Performing Arts Center. Bring a park chair or blanket and make your way to the Performing Arts Center in Buhl Park in neighboring Hermitage PA.
Tomcat Tailgate - Summer Athlete BBQ 2025
July 30 at 9 a.m.
Greenville Hall lawn
A cookout hosting prospective student athletes. Attendees will learn more about collegiate athletics and meet with a coach.
The agenda includes:
For more information, contact Admissions at ext. 2345.
Physician Assistant Information Session
July 30 at noon
Online meeting
Prospective students will join the Thiel College Physician Assistant Admissions Team to learn about the PA Program! During this information session attendees will hear from faculty and staff about course work, clinical rotations, the admissions process, financial aid and more.
Buhl Park Concert Series
July 30 at 6 p.m.
Hermitage, Pa. - Buhl Park Performing Arts Center
A free summer concert series held every Sunday and Wednesday at the Buhl Park Performing Arts Center. Bring a park chair or blanket and make your way to the Performing Arts Center in Buhl Park in neighboring Hermitage PA.
Drum Corp International
Aug. 4-5
Campus
Thiel once again welcomes Marching Music's Major League - Drum Corps International (DCI) to stay and practice for the Western Pennsylvania section of their 2025 tour. The group staying at Thiel is the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps.
Buhl Park Concert Series
Aug. 3 at 6 p.m.
Hermitage, Pa. - Buhl Park Performing Arts Center
A free summer concert series held every Sunday and Wednesday at the Buhl Park Performing Arts Center. Bring a park chair or blanket and make your way to the Performing Arts Center in Buhl Park in neighboring Hermitage PA.
Buhl Park Concert Series
Aug. 6 at 6 p.m.
Hermitage, Pa. - Buhl Park Performing Arts Center
A free summer concert series held every Sunday and Wednesday at the Buhl Park Performing Arts Center. Bring a park chair or blanket and make your way to the Performing Arts Center in Buhl Park in neighboring Hermitage PA.
Fundraising Softball Tournament
Aug. 23
Meadville, Pa.
Tim's House for First Responders, a first responder mental health awareness organization that focuses on advocacy and education on the importance of first responder mental health, is a hosting a fundraiser softball tournament in Meadville, Pa. on August 23.
For more information or to register a team (a minimum of nine players) can contact Meaghan Valesky.
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).
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.
Submit updates and news
The Office of Communications and Marketing is always looking for good content that can be featured in the weekly staff newsletter (T-Notes), the student newsletter (Thiel Happenings), the website Newsroom or on social media.
Please send any information about you, your students, your department or your colleagues to Dominick DiRienzo M.A.’22.
Information about anything your department is featuring this year, any faculty accomplishments or student activity.
These updates do not have to meet a “newsworthiness” standard and do not have to be things that you are specifically doing or hosting.
If you have any questions, contact DiRienzo at ext. 2188.
Publishing Schedule
T-Notes is published on alternating Wednesdays during the summer break. It arrives Wednesday afternoons. Send your event or news to tnotes@thiel.edu by noon Monday, August 4, 2025 to be published in that week’s edition. The next edition will be published Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
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