Thiel Happenings

Thiel professor, honors director recognized among Mercer County’s young leaders

Associate Professor of English and Dietrich Honors Institute Director Sheila Gross, Ph.D. ’10 will be recognized for her professional leadership and community involvement with Mercer County’s Under 40 Distinguished Impact Awards.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Tomcat Tennis Tournament in mid-July expanding to include second event later in month

Thiel College will host two United States Tennis Association junior tournaments this summer at the College’s updated tennis facilities, welcoming players from across the region and beyond.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Thiel College celebrates top students and awards degrees to members of the Class of 2026

Thiel College recently awarded diplomas to its graduates and acknowledged its top performing students at its 152nd Commencement Exercises on May 9.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

New Thiel College Dean of Students brings experience in student success and leadership

Thiel College has appointed DaVaughn M. Vincent-Bryan, Ed.D. as Dean of Students, effective July 1, 2026.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Aging Gracefully author series available to livestream

United Lutheran Seminary will host the second installment of its “Aging Grace-Fully” author series this fall, featuring nationally recognized writers and speakers exploring themes of aging, caregiving, spirituality, loss and resilience. The series is supported through a grant from the Lutheran Foundation for Long Term Living. The author talks are also available through a livestream.

• Read more here.

As a Lutheran-affiliated institution, Thiel College faculty and staff may find the virtual and in-person events of particular interest.

Scheduled speakers include:

• Rozella Haydée White on July 30 at the Gettysburg campus
• Geraldine Brooks on Sept. 10 at the Gettysburg campus
• Ayana Mathis on Oct. 8 at the Philadelphia campus
• Kate Bowler on Nov. 12 at the Gettysburg campus

All events begin at 1:30 p.m. and will also be available via livestream. Receptions and book signings will follow each presentation.

Student News

Four Thiel College students present research at regional psychology conference

Four Thiel College psychology students presented their research at the Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Psychology Conference earlier this spring.

The 53rd annual conference took place at Gannon University in Erie, Pa. and highlights undergraduate research across all psychology fields. Psychology majors Gracie Mosko ’27, Sylvia Novak ’27, and Teagan Geiser ’26 and health systems major Emmalea Zummo ’27 participated in the conference.

• Read more.

Summer cheer camp for kids returns to Thiel College this July

The nationally-recognized Thiel College cheer team is bringing back its annual Lil’ Scratchers youth cheer camp for participants ages 4–12 this summer with a country-themed twist.

• Read more.

“Lil’ Scratchers is Back and We’ve Gone Country” will take place July 9–10 in Beeghly Gymnasium on the Thiel College campus. The two-day camp is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day.

• Register online.

Etc.

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).

• Nominate a colleague!

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.

• Download brand assets.

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.

• Job request form

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 every-other Wednesday during the summer break. Send your event or news to tnotes@thiel.edu by noon June 8, 2026 to be published in that week’s edition. The next edition will be published Wednesday, June 10, 2026.