Thiel College targeting several impressive goals for eighth annual Match Day event

Posted February 19, 2021Communications and Marketing Department

GREENVILLE, Pa.—The Thiel College tradition of a one-day online giving event and day of excitement that has included polar plunges, a professional wrestler body-slamming the school mascot, Tommy Tomcat, and Thiel College officers getting a pie in the face or being rolled the length of the football field is February 25.

This year’s campaign theme is Match Madness and the goal is 550 donors. That would mean a sixth consecutive year with increased participation and also likely mean a historic milestone would be passed in the process. Organizers are looking to surpass the 550-donor level. Last year, a record-setting 507 donors gave $161,773. To show donors how committed the College’s students, staff and faculty are to the event, organizers are signing up 550 volunteers to walk or jog 550 laps at the Dr. Barry ’70 and Carol ’71 Stamm Track & Field Complex.

The last seven Match Days have raised more than $900,000 and organizers expect to top the $1,000,000 raised mark this year. During Match Day fundraising competitions between fraternities and sororities on campus and other organizations, clubs, academic programs and class year groups are going on. Those affinity groups are competing to be the top donating organization.

“This event has grown into one of our most exciting and highly-anticipated events among our alumni and friends,” Thiel College Vice President of College Advancement Roberta Leonard said. “So many special people pull together for a friendly competition that is of immense benefit to the College.”

Gifts for Match Day go to the College’s Thiel Fund, which is the largest source of unsecured funds at the College. The Thiel Fund is used to support the areas of greatest need of the College, funding need-based scholarships, academic programming, athletics, and campus improvements. This fund annually provides for the challenges such as unseen expenses, student needs and special opportunities.

Three of the past four years, due to the support of its alumni and donors and because of events like Match Day, Thiel College has been recognized by Forbes on its Grateful Grads list.

Also happening on Match Day will be a campaign for Professor of Business Administration and Accounting Gary Witosky ’79, who is the College’s first David Miller ’61, H’20 Endowed Chair of Accounting. A donor has also pledged a $20,000 match for a scholarship in Witosky’s name if donors reach that level.

“It is exciting to see how energized the community as we get closer to Match Day,” Director of The Thiel Fund Mark S. Batt ’87 said. “This event creates a real sense of community. Members of our community are going to be wearing Thiel College apparel throughout the day and sharing it on social media with the hashtag TCMatch. I am so proud to be a part of this generous, supportive and committed community. I can’t wait to see us smash our donor goal, our volunteer goal, our laps walked goal and our million-dollar milestone.”

Related Links

Related Stories

Office of Admission


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.



Thiel College
75 College Ave
Greenville, PA 16125
1-800-248-4435