Thiel Happenings

Thiel College to celebrate Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology graduates July 30

Thiel College will celebrate the graduates of its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program during commencement exercises at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Eight alumni named to Thiel College Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Thiel College Athletics announced Wednesday morning that Corey Brown ’12, Matt Elko ’20, Jill Harry ’10, Dante McCoy ’14, Kelly Muffley ’13, Nick Rossmiller ’13, Tinnesia (Blood) Snyder ’95 and Danielle (Massengill) VanAtta ’15 will be inducted into the Thiel Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

State grant supports Thiel College’s Olympus Athletic and Recreation Center project

Thiel College has received a $300,000 state grant through Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to support construction of the Olympus Athletic and Recreation Center, a planned 40,000-square-foot recreation and wellness facility serving students, employees and the surrounding community.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Thiel College physician assistant students build safety skills with self-defense training

About 40 students in Thiel College’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program strengthened their personal safety skills during a hands-on self-defense workshop held on campus in late June.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Introduction from Dr. DVB

DaVaughn Vincent-Bryant is the new Dean of Students. Below he offers some insights into his first weeks on campus.

• Read more about Dr. DVB here.

Finding belonging from Day One

Over the past several weeks, I've had the privilege of beginning my role as Dean of Students. While the title carries many responsibilities, at its core, the Dean of Students serves as an advocate for students and a partner in creating an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and personally. Much of that work begins with a simple but powerful idea: every person deserves to know they belong.

As we prepare to welcome a new class of Tomcats this fall, I've been reflecting on what it means to create a true sense of belonging. Belonging isn't something that happens by chance. It is created through countless intentional moments. A warm greeting, an open door, an invitation to join a conversation, a willingness to answer questions, or simply taking the time to learn someone's name and hear their story. These small acts often become the foundation for meaningful relationships and lasting connections. My dissertation focused on a sense of belonging, with a focus on staff in higher education spaces, so I know a thing or two. What has impressed me most during my transition to Thiel is that I haven't simply been welcomed into a new position. I've been welcomed into a community.

From the thoughtful onboarding process coordinated by Human Resources to the welcome emails, handshakes, hallway conversations, and offers to help, I've experienced a community that genuinely cares about people. Colleagues have been eager not only to explain my role and help me navigate campus, but also to learn about me as a person. Those conversations have reminded me that belonging is built through authentic relationships, not just orientation schedules or organizational charts.

As someone whose work centers on student success, that experience has been incredibly affirming. If the warmth, generosity, and genuine interest I've experienced are representative of the Thiel community, then I have every confidence that our newest students will receive the same powerful welcome. They will be greeted not simply as students enrolling at a college, but as individuals being invited into a community where they are known, valued, and encouraged to contribute.

Thank you to everyone who has made my first weeks at Thiel so meaningful. Your kindness has reinforced something I already suspected about this community: belonging is not just something we hope our student's experience. It is something we intentionally create, together. I look forward to meeting many more members of the Thiel community in the weeks ahead and to welcoming the Class of 2030 to campus this fall.

Thanks,

Dr. DVB
Dean of Students

Pittsburgh area player wins second annual Tomcat Tennis Tournament

The second annual Tomcat Tennis Tournament sponsored in partnership with First National Bank was held this past weekend 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.

The Girls 16U singles division final pitted Clara Drahnak (Glenshaw, Pa.) against Carly Weber (Carnegie, Pa.) in a matchup of the top two seeds. In an enthralling battle, Weber came away with the crown, winning 6-4, 4-6, 10-8.

• Read more.

The Girls 18U Tournament will take place July 25-26.

• Read more about the 18U Tournament.

Student News

Thiel community comes together at Presque Isle Half Marathon

Several members of the Thiel community gathered together at the Presque Isle Half Marathon to remember Toby Atwood ’26 who passed away last year while participating in the event. 

Left to right are Dominick DiRienzo M.A.’22, Lyndzee Amory ’28, former tennis coach Anthony Kobak, Allie (Walsh) Sankey ’25, Kaleb and Bella Good ’26, Melissa Oakes ’03, Spencer Cleary ’27, and Bill and Sheila Porterfield.

The photo on the right includes women’s basketball coach Jess Vormelker ’19 before the race.

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!

Going the Extra Mile
Nominee: Randall Burnett M.A.’22
Comment: “Thank you, Randall, for the outstanding work you do leading your team and bringing energy to campus each summer. Your dedication to highlighting your athletes, celebrating their accomplishments, and promoting Thiel reflects your commitment to their success and our community.”

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.

The updates can include 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 Aug. 3, 2026 to be published in that week’s edition. The next edition will be published Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.