GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College recognized the Class of 2020 and awarded degrees to the Class of 2021 in two in-person Commencement Exercises on Sunday.
Rain forced the two events, which had been planned for Alumni Field at Stoeber Stadium, to the William A. Passavant Memorial Center. Each class had 133 students, who earned degrees or were recognized.
The Class of 2021 celebrated their Commencement Exercises in the morning. Bretton and Stacey Walberg, owners and operators of the Walberg Family Pharmacies, were awarded the William A. Passavant Distinguished Service Award, and Frank Maenpa, Ph.D. ’69, H’21, a former Trustee and a scientist involved in the Human Genome Project, was awarded an honorary degree. The exercises for the Class of 2021 included recognition of the first class of graduate students, who formally finish their programs later this summer.
“Over the past four years—and for our graduate students, in your intensive year of advanced study—you have learned deep and important life lessons, lessons that will support you as you move forward from Thiel,” Thiel College President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., said. “First, you learned to face down challenges. You could have stepped away from your educational plans. But, you didn’t. You learned to manage the challenge, recognizing what you could control and what you could not, as you coped with the uncertainty of this past year.”
The Class of 2020 was recognized during an afternoon ceremony where College archivist John Hauser ’71, H’20 and Trustee Emeritus and the first female Chair of the Board of Trustees Ruthanne Beighley, Esq. ’73, H’20 were awarded honorary degrees.
“Last spring, just as you were looking forward to graduating, the world changed in the face of the pandemic. So much was unknown, as you gathered your things for a hasty departure from Thiel,” Traverso said. “While disappointed, you were not defeated. You finished your courses and final projects, and we awarded your degrees and celebrated your accomplishments.”
For the health and safety of the Thiel College Community, these events were held in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines, which include reduced attendance, hygiene recommendations, social distancing and the use of masks regardless of vaccine status.
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.