Thiel College has been named to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2026 Transfer Honor Roll, marking the fourth consecutive year the College has been recognized among the nation’s top four-year institutions for creating pathways that help community college transfer students successfully earn bachelor’s degrees.
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The Thiel College men’s and women’s soccer programs continued their strong record of academic success, earning the United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Award for the 2025–26 academic year. The honor marks the sixth consecutive year the men’s program has received the award and the second straight year for the women’s program.
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Thiel College celebrated six graduates of its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program during commencement exercises July 30 in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center, where the graduating cohort also honored longtime faculty member Nancy Antonino, Ph.D., with the dedication of a flower garden outside the Glenn Johnson Center.
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Two Thiel College honors students will take part in an international academic program examining the leadership, history and global impact of the Nobel Peace Prize after being selected for the Partners in Peace initiative through the National Collegiate Honors Council.
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Thiel College faculty and staff gathered for the annual All-Campus Retreat to welcome the new academic year, celebrate colleagues and look ahead to the College’s priorities and opportunities.
President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., welcomed the campus community and delivered a State of the College address. Each cabinet member also took a moment to introduce new employees in their area. Vice President for Enrollment, Student Life and Athletics Mike McKinney, Ed.D. ’02, provided an enrollment update.
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Shelia Nowinski, Ph.D., and McKinney led “Thiel in Time,” an interactive timeline activity highlighting significant moments in the College’s history and inviting participants to consider their place in Thiel’s recent history. The activity incorporated the Homecoming theme of Thiel in Time. The College is marking its 160th year this year.
The campus community was also briefed on the upcoming public announcement of the Join the Journey capital campaign. Vice President for College Advancement Roberta Leonard led a campaign bingo activity highlighting the many initiatives and priorities supported by the campaign.
Faculty and staff celebrating five-year service milestones were recognized during the retreat. See below for the complete list of honorees.
The retreat concluded with a community activity focused on opportunities to grow the College’s auxiliary revenue. Faculty and staff brainstormed new uses for Thiel’s facilities and resources, potential partnerships with outside organizations and institutions, and opportunities for collaboration in both physical and digital spaces.
Service Anniversaries
Forty Years
Tammy L. Shilling
Thirty-Five Years
Allan M. Hunchuk, Ph.D.
Thirty Years
Sonya L. Lapikas
Twenty-Five Years
Roberta J. Leonard
Twenty Years
Judith M. Ellis
Matthew R. Morgan, Ph.D.
Fifteen Years
Kimberly M. Braden ʼ01
Melanie R. Broadwater ʼ98
James A. Knapp
Anna M. Reinsel, Ph.D. ʼ06
Ten Years
Monica M. Adametz
Morgan J. Bodnar ʼ16 MBAʼ21
Paula M. Jaillet
Lana V. Kulik, Ph.D.
Jacquelyn L. Kytchak
Diana Mazur
Susan Traverso, Ph.D.
Five Years
Erin L. Bain
Robert A. Bercis
Christopher M. Casanta
Jacob B. Clark ʼ20
Alice DeBonis
Matthew R. Humphrey
Dionna M. Kassalen
Eric J. McCann
Joseph A. McCloskey
Melissa M. Michael
Paul Moore
Mary Gemmel O’Donnell, Ph.D.
Sean P. Oros ʼ15
Kira M. Oshiro
Kimberly Peters
Jessica K. Rogers, Ph.D.
Brianne C. Samson
Jodi R. Thomas
Capri J. Turk
Jesse H. Turner
Scott Widmyer
Thiel College welcomes seven new full-time faculty members for the 2026–27 academic year:
The new faculty members bring their professional and academic experience to programs across the College and will begin working with students with the start of the fall semester.
Thiel College will complete the final conversion of departmental shared files to Microsoft SharePoint on Thursday, Aug. 20. Employees were also emailed information and instructions regarding the transition.
Beginning Aug. 20, employees should use SharePoint for accessing, working with and saving shared departmental documents. The L-Drive will no longer be used for shared departmental files.
Employees should close all open L-Drive files before leaving the office Wednesday, Aug. 19, to allow files to sync properly during the transition. This includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF and other documents accessed from the L-Drive.
The new SharePoint folders have been organized to provide a familiar folder structure while adding the cloud-based storage and collaboration features available through Microsoft 365.
Employees who do not see their SharePoint folders on Aug. 20 should first reboot their computer, verify their network or Wi-Fi connection and confirm they are signed into OneDrive using their College Microsoft 365 account. Instructions emailed to employees also provide information for accessing SharePoint folders online and manually syncing SharePoint with File Explorer.
Employees who continue to experience problems or have questions about the transition should contact the Solution Center at 724-589-4000 or solutioncenter@thiel.edu.
Public Safety Note
J & J Fire Protection Company, of Butler, Pa., will be on campus Thursday, Aug. 20 to conduct the annual inspection and testing of the College’s fire suppression sprinkler systems.
Employees may hear a brief audible alarm in their building during the testing. The alarm is part of the inspection process and does not indicate an emergency.
HR Note
Thiel College welcomes:
Retirement Planning Appointments Available
Thiel College's independent retirement plan advisor, Sierra Christian of Henderson Brothers Financial Partners, is available for virtual meetings throughout the month. Employees can schedule a 15- or 30-minute appointment to discuss retirement planning, investment options, retirement income strategies, market updates, outside investment reviews, insurance needs, or comprehensive financial planning.
Campus Wellness
Noon Hoops open to faculty and staff
Faculty and staff are invited to play noon basketball from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on the Maenpa Court. All skill and ability levels are welcome. Come get some exercise, have some fun and join colleagues for a pickup game. Games begin Monday, Aug. 24.
For more information, contact Dominick DiRienzo M.A.’22.
Buhl Summer Concert Series
Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.
Buhl Park Performing Arts Center, Hermitage, Pa.
Enjoy live music as part of the Buhl Summer Concert Series.
QPR: Question – Persuade – Refer
Aug. 20 at 11 a.m.
Stamm Hall, James Pedas Communication Center
Members of the campus community are invited to learn the warning signs of suicide and how to intervene if they believe someone may be at risk.
Sigma Kappa Recruitment
Aug. 20 at 6 p.m.
Tomcat Cafe, Howard Miller Student Center
Students are invited to learn more about Sigma Kappa.
Sigma Kappa Recruitment
Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.
Cafeteria, Howard Miller Student Center
Students are invited to learn more about Sigma Kappa.
Move-In/Welcome Back
Aug. 22
Thiel College
Move-In Weekend welcomes all students who have not yet reported to campus for the fall 2026 semester.
Sigma Kappa Recruitment
Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.
Tomcat Cafe, Howard Miller Student Center
Students are invited to learn more about Sigma Kappa.
Grove City Outlet Trip
Aug. 23 at 3 p.m.
Grove City Premium Outlets
Thiel students are invited on a shopping trip to Grove City Premium Outlets featuring special deals and swag bags.
Opening Weekend Worship
Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.
David Johnson Memorial Chapel
Students and their families are invited to Opening Weekend Worship to begin the semester, with faculty and staff also welcome.
Buhl Summer Concert Series
Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.
Buhl Park Performing Arts Center, Hermitage, Pa.
Enjoy live music as part of the Buhl Summer Concert Series.
Sigma Kappa Recruitment
Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.
Tomcat Cafe, Howard Miller Student Center
Students are invited to learn more about Sigma Kappa.
Classes Begin
Aug. 24 at 8 a.m.
Thiel College
Classes for the fall 2026 semester officially begin Monday, Aug. 24.
Sigma Kappa Recruitment
Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.
Tomcat Cafe, Howard Miller Student Center
Students are invited to learn more about Sigma Kappa.
Sigma Kappa Recruitment
Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.
Tomcat Cafe, Howard Miller Student Center
Students are invited to learn more about Sigma Kappa.
Buhl Summer Concert Series
Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.
Buhl Park Performing Arts Center, Hermitage, Pa.
Enjoy live music as part of the Buhl Summer Concert Series.
Opening Convocation
Aug. 27 at 11:30 a.m.
Brother Martin’s Walk/Passavant Center
The Thiel College community welcomes the Class of 2030 at Opening Convocation to officially kick off the fall 2026 semester.
Last Day to Add
Aug. 28
Registrar
The final day for current students to add a course, register internships or independent studies and for new students to register; no financial adjustments will be made after this date.
PA Commencement
Aug. 29 at 8:30 a.m.
Passavant Center
Thiel College will celebrate the Physician Assistant Class of 2026 during its commencement exercises.
Buhl Summer Concert Series
Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.
Buhl Park Performing Arts Center, Hermitage, Pa.
Enjoy live music as part of the Buhl Summer Concert Series.
WSOC vs. La Roche University
Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Alumni Stadium
The Thiel College women’s soccer team hosts the La Roche University Redhawks under the lights.
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
Nominees: Morgan (Steiner) Bodnar ’16 MBA’21 and Aaron Wilson
Nominator: Anonymous
Comment: “Both of them have been doing a wonderful job collaborating with IT this orientation season. They’ve been great about making sure to loop us in as early as possible so that we can prepare for each new student. Thank you both!”
Going the Extra Mile
Nominee: Jacob Frantz ’24 MBA’26
Nominator: Melissa Michael
Comment: “I'm grateful for Jake helping me solve a technical issue. His knowledge and expertise is valued and very appreciated. Thank you, Jake, for all that you do!”
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.
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 Wednesdays during the academic year. Send your event or news to tnotes@thiel.edu by noon Aug. 24, 2026 to be published in that week’s edition. The next edition will be published Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026.
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