Six graduates earn valedictorian and salutatorian honors at 142nd Commencement

GREENVILLE, Pa.—Six members of the Thiel College Class of 2016 earned valedictorian and salutatorian honors at the 142nd Commencement, which was held May 8 in the College’s William A. Passavant Memorial Center.

Five students with perfect 4.0 grade point averages (GPA)—Allison Gloor, Shane Martin, Sean Oros, Kourtney Polvinale and Kale Postlewait—earned valedictorian honors. Kristi Lee Guritza was named salutatorian. The six students graduated summa cum laude and received the Dean’s Key for making the Dean’s List during all eight semesters at Thiel College.

• Gloor, of Coraopolis, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in business administration and criminal justice studies. She earned March Student of the Month recognition and departmental honors. Gloor is a 2012 graduate of West Allegheny Senior High School.
• Martin, of Allison Park, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and majored in binary engineering. Martin also received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, as part of the College’s 3-2 dual-degree engineering program. He earned October 2015 Student of the Month recognition and was a member of the Kenneth and Marianna Brown Dietrich Honors Institute. Martin is a 2011 graduate of Shaler Area High School.
• Oros, of Fowler, Ohio, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in English and history. He completed his degree requirements in December 2015. Oros earned December 2014 Student of the Month recognition and departmental honors, and was a member of the Kenneth and Marianna Brown Dietrich Honors Institute. Oros is a homeschooled high school graduate.
• Polvinale, of Brownsville, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in psychology and religion. She was voted senior orator by her peers and delivered an address titled “The Truth Within.” She earned October Student of the Month recognition and departmental honors, and was a member of the Kenneth and Marianna Brown Dietrich Honors Institute. Polvinale is a 2012 graduate of Brownsville Area Senior High School.
• Postlewait, of Port Allegany, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and majored in management information systems, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in accounting and business administration. He was recognized with departmental honors. Postlewait is a 2012 graduate of Port Allegany Junior-Senior High School.
• Guritza, of Greensboro, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in accounting and business administration. She was recognized with departmental honors. Guritza is a 2012 graduate of Mapletown Junior-Senior High School.

Students who received the honor of summa cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.8-4.0; students who received the honor of magna cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.60-3.79; and students who received the honor of cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.4-3.59.

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• Graduates, faculty and friends of the College honored during 142nd Commencement (May 8, 2016)
• Longest-tenured professor in Thiel College history to speak at 142nd Commencement (April 15, 2016)

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.