Track & Field Complex, Science Connector dedications headline Homecoming

Posted October 14, 2017 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, celebrated Homecoming 2017 with the historic dedications of its new track and field complex and the Haer Family Science and Art Connector.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., members of the Board of Trustees, alumni, students, and faculty and staff members gathered at the College’s new track and field complex to celebrate the dedication of the facility that gives all of Thiel’s varsity sports team a home on campus. The dedication concluded with a 5K race—sponsored by the Thiel College track & field and cross country teams—that began and finished at the starting line of the track.

“This space will be home,” Traverso said. “This is where our athletes learn lessons that are greater than any win or loss. Lessons about integrity, unity, sportsmanship and character that will enrich their lives long after competition on the field has ended. Lessons about teamwork, perseverance and respect; concepts that will translate into their personal and professional lives. I look forward to cheering for coach (Will) Mills ’08 and the track team and all of the coaches and teams who will utilize this facility in the coming years.”

The campus community then convened at 10:30 a.m. in the atrium of the Haer Family Science and Art Connector, where the president again spoke and dedicated the structure. During the ceremony, Traverso revealed the official name of the building, honoring member of the Board of Trustees Fred Haer ’66 and his wife, Jill (Schackett) Haer ’66.

Fred Haer said he and the Board of Trustees were certain that the facility would inspire and facilitate collaboration and faculty/student research.

“From the beginning, this connector was a metaphor for us,” Fred Haer said. “And for the connections we made between each other, and between the sciences and liberal arts.”

The $4.5 million project adds 7,850 square feet of academic space. The state-of-the-art complex includes four enhanced labs that will enable more robust faculty and student research projects. Open collaborative areas on both floors of the atrium are linked to enhanced laboratory spaces dedicated to histology, environmental science, data analytics, and faculty and student research.

More than 200 people attended the dedications, including state Representative Mark Longietti and a member of the office of state Senator Michele Brooks.

The weekend’s events also included class reunions, an alumni awards ceremony, a service of remembrance for deceased alumni and friends of the College, the annual Homecoming parade and a football game versus Case Western Reserve University.