Sixteen members of the Class of 2026 at Thiel College are finishing their degrees with student-teaching assignments in various surrounding school districts.
+ Read the full story in the newsroom
Thiel College will recognize faculty, staff and community leadership during its annual Founders’ Day celebration at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center, marking the first major event of the College’s 160th anniversary year.
+ Read the full story in the newsroom
Matthew Britenbaugh, of Glenshaw, Pa., has been awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College, becoming the third recipient of five such scholarships the College will award for the 2026–27 academic year. The scholarship is valued at $158,080.
+ Read the full story in the newsroom
Paxton Short, of Georgetown, Pa., has been awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College, becoming the second recipient of five such scholarships the College will award for the 2026–27 academic year. The scholarship is valued at $158,080.
+ Read the full story in the newsroom
Abigail Beightol, a senior at Conneaut Area Senior High School, has been awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College, becoming the first recipient of five such scholarships the College will award for the 2026–27 academic year.
+ Read the full story in the newsroom
Faculty and staff gathered Tuesday, Jan. 20, in the Sawhill Georgian Room of the Howard Miller Student Center for a Thiel News Time (TNT) session that included a welcome and introductions, an update on 2026 Strategic Plan priorities and actions, a semester kickoff activity, campus announcements, and light refreshments to mark the start of the spring semester.
TNT sessions provide an opportunity for campus community members to share updates, ask questions, and exchange information in support of the College’s ongoing work.
All spring TNTs will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Sawhill Georgian Room at the Howard Miller Student Center on the following dates:
Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend and to bring announcements, comments, and questions for the benefit of the campus community.
Thiel College recognized outstanding commitment to service during its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Service Award Ceremony on Monday, Jan. 19, in Stamm Lecture Hall of the James Pedas Communication Center. Campus Pastor Brenda Martin, Coordinator for Faith, Spirituality & Service Ian Slippy, and President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., offered remarks reflecting on the legacy of Dr. King and the importance of service, leadership, and community engagement.
This year’s honorees included Associate Professor of Psychology Natalie Homa, Ph.D., who received the faculty award, and graduate students Brandon Flock ’25 MBA ’26, of Greensburg, Pa., and LaShawn Williams ’25 MBA ’26, of Farrell, Pa., who were recognized for their dedication to service. Community members shared reflections on each recipient’s impact, and the honorees received certificates and offered brief remarks. A reception followed the ceremony, allowing attendees to celebrate the recipients and their contributions to the Thiel community.
HR Notes
Thiel College says farewell to:
Paid day off schedule
Employees should check their email for the paid-day off schedule for 2026 and the upcoming holiday schedule from human resources.
For more information, contact
Retirement plan advisor available for January virtual meetings
Sierra Christian, the independent advisor for the Thiel College Retirement Plan with Henderson Brothers Financial Partners, is available to assist employees with retirement planning through virtual meetings throughout January.
Employees may reserve a 15- or 30-minute conference call or virtual meeting during Christian’s January office hours.
Christian can provide guidance on:
Henderson Brothers Financial Partners supports Thiel employees in meeting their retirement planning goals and looks forward to assisting plan participants.
Soul Cafe
Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m.
Bistro, Howard Miller Student Center
During Common Hour, students are invited to share stories, poems, reflections, or music centered on a theme of faith and justice. Refreshments will be served.
WRE vs. Bethany
Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
Maenpa Court/Beeghly Gymnasium
Thiel hosts Bethany in women’s wrestling in the Tomcats’ first home mat competition of the 2026 season.
WBB vs. Franciscan University
Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.
Maenpa Court/Beeghly Gymnasium
Thiel hosts Franciscan in women’s basketball as part of a home doubleheader. The men’s game will follow.
MBB vs. Franciscan University
Jan. 24 at 3 p.m.
Maenpa Court/Beeghly Gymnasium
Thiel hosts Franciscan in men’s basketball, concluding a home doubleheader against the Barons.
44th Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Lutheran Heritage Room, Howard Miller Student Center
Thiel Athletics hosts the 44th Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, recognizing distinguished former student-athletes, coaches, and contributors.
Baseball Winter Camp
Jan. 25 at 12:30 p.m.
Rissell-Schreyer Dome
Thiel College baseball hosts the final session of its winter camp series for players ages 8 through high school seniors. Enrollment is limited to support individualized skill development.
MBA Information Session
Jan. 26 at 12 p.m.
Zoom
Thiel College’s Master of Business Administration admissions team hosts a virtual information session highlighting program coursework, admissions requirements, and financial aid.
Auditions: Much Ado About Nothing
Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.
William A. Robinson Theater
Auditions will be held for the Spring 2026 production of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. The production is an adaptation developed in collaboration with ENG 255/THAR 255 Shakespeare: Page to Stage.
MVB vs. Mount Union
Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
Maenpa Court/Beeghly Gymnasium
Thiel hosts Mount Union in men’s volleyball in the Tomcats’ first home match of the 2026 season.
Bible Study
Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
Fresh Grounds Coffee House, Greenville, Pa.
A weekly Bible study will be held at Fresh Grounds Coffee House. For additional information, contact Anna Kavulla ’27.
WBB vs. Westminster
Jan. 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Maenpa Court/Beeghly Gymnasium
Thiel hosts Westminster in women’s basketball at Maenpa Court. The men’s game will follow later in the evening.
MBB vs. Westminster
Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Maenpa Court/Beeghly Gymnasium
Thiel hosts Westminster in men’s basketball as part of a home doubleheader against the Titans.
Black Excellence Lecture
Jan. 29 at 11:30 a.m.
Stamm Lecture Hall, James Pedas Communication Center
Entrepreneur Nisha Blackwell, owner of Knotzland, will share her journey and insights into building a successful business.
MVB vs. SJF/Roanoke
Jan. 31 at 1 p.m.
Maenpa Court/Beeghly Gymnasium
Thiel hosts a tri-match men’s volleyball event featuring St. John Fisher and Roanoke at Maenpa Court.
Groundhog Day
Feb. 2 at sunrise
Punxsutawney, Pa.
Groundhog Day is observed as Punxsutawney Phil delivers his annual weather prediction.
Three Days to Wicked
Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.
Online
Students are reminded of the upcoming opportunity to attend a live performance of Wicked at the Benedum Theater in Pittsburgh, pending seat availability.
SGA Meeting
Feb. 3 at 11:45 a.m.
Bly Hall, Daniel & Dorothy Spence Academic Center
The Student Government Association will hold its regularly scheduled biweekly meeting.
Bible Study
Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
Fresh Grounds Coffee House, Greenville, Pa.
A weekly Bible study will be held at Fresh Grounds Coffee House. For additional information, contact Anna Kavulla ’27.
Last Day to Drop With No Grade
Feb. 4
Office of the Registrar
Feb. 4 is the final day to drop a course without receiving a grade. Courses dropped after this date will receive a “W” on the academic transcript.
WRE vs. Waynesburg
Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.
Maenpa Court/Beeghly Gymnasium
Thiel hosts Waynesburg in wrestling at Maenpa Court as the Tomcats take on the Yellow Jackets.
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).
Just Because
Nominator: Stacy Butera
Nominee: Jessica Rogers, Ph.D.
Comment: “Jessica played a pivotal role in helping one of our recent full-tuition scholarship recipients choose Thiel. She led an engaging tour of the theater for Matthew Britenbaugh and his family, and they couldn't stop raving about her during his scholarship check presentation.”
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 Wednesdays during the academic year. Send your event or news to tnotes@thiel.edu by noon Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 to be published in that week’s edition. The next edition will be published Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.
Webmail
Campus Offices
Directory
Schedule an Event
Maintenance Issue
Spectrum U
IT Support
Academic Catalog
Academic Resources
Accessibility
Attend & Assist
Buy Books
Calendar
Campus Map
Handshake
Course List
Library
The Learning Commons
Moodle
Newsroom
Public Safety
Self Service
Solution Center
Pay My Bill
Thiel Gear
Tomcats Care
Wellness Center