The Pittsburgh Promise and Thiel College employees to be recognized for Founders’ Day 2020

Posted January 31, 2020 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- The executive director for a Pittsburgh-based scholarship organization will join 10 Thiel College employees as honorees for the College’s annual Founders’ Day celebration at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 in the College’s Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.

Saleem Ghubril is the executive director of The Pittsburgh Promise to receive the Barbara and Louis Thiel Distinguished Service Award. This award is given annually to individuals who demonstrate exemplary character, continuity of leadership, and long-term service to Greenville and the surrounding community. The recipients must show a commitment to the common good above private interests. The award is named after Louis and Barbara Thiel, whose generosity made possible the founding of Thiel College in 1866. The Pittsburgh Promise funds scholarships for post-secondary access for students who graduate from City of Pittsburgh high schools.

In addition to the Barbara and Louis Thiel recognition, the Founders’ Day ceremony will highlight the contributions of Thiel College employees.

Five staff members will be honored with a Distinguished Service Award:

Jacquelyn Kytchak, of Greenville, Pa., administrative assistant, Office of Student Life
David Knauff, of Reynolds, Pa., Director of IT support and instructional technology
Angela ‘Angie’ Wark, of Greenville, Pa., housekeeper
Patricia Leskovac, of Greenville, Pa., financial aid specialist
Monica Adametz, coordinator of special events

Five faculty members will be honored with awards.

Distinguished Professor: David Miller ’61, of Jamestown, Pa., Professor of Economics and Business Administration, Norman P. Mortensen Chair of Economics
Distinguished Scholar: Ellen Lippert, Ph.D., of Cranberry Township, Pa., Professor of Art History, Department Chair
Distinguished Teacher: Kristin M. Carlson, Ph.D., of Greenville, Pa., Assistant Professor of Languages, Director of ESOL Program, Department Chair
Distinguished Service: Ross Nugent, of Wexford, Pa., Assistant Professor of Communication
Distinguished Adjunct: Michelle Lentz, of Greenville, Pa., Adjunct Professor of Presentational Literacy