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

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

Related Links

• Photo gallery from Founders’ Day 2019
• About Founders‘ Day
• The Pittsburgh Promise

Related Stories

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• Hope Center officers join Thiel faculty and staff for recognition during Founders’ Day
• Area dignitaries join faculty, staff and students for annual Thiel College recognitions

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About Thiel College

Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.