GREENVILLE, Pa.—Professor of Business, Administration and Accounting and Department Chair Gary Witosky ’79 will begin the semester as Thiel College’s first David M. Miller Endowed Chair of Accounting in January. Witosky received the appointment in late September, during Thiel’s Homecoming 2016 celebrations.
“It is both an honor and a privilege to be the first person to hold the Professor David M. Miller Endowed Chair of Accounting. To my good fortune, Dave was my first accounting professor in Principles of Accounting. His incomparable teaching ability provided me the solid base I needed to be successful in the rest of the accounting curriculum and his boundless enthusiasm lit a spark which resulted in a passion for accounting that carried beyond my studies and into my professional career,” Witosky said. “Dave’s influence on me during my time at Thiel has played a significant role, not only in my career, but in my life and I know that thousands of other alumni could make this same statement. Since returning to Thiel in 2002, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Dave as we continue to provide a high-quality education which prepares our students for careers and lives of meaning and purpose.”
The creation of the endowed chair was announced in May 2014, and was funded through the Thiel 2016 Campaign. The position honors Professor of Economics and Business Administration and Norman P. Mortensen Chair of Economics David Miller ’61. He is Thiel College’s longest tenured professor. Miller began teaching at Thiel in 1963 and has taught and advised more students than any professor in the College’s 150-year history.
“I am delighted that Gary Witosky was named to the chair,” Miller said. “I can’t think of anyone more qualified or better fit to receive this distinction. As a former student and very successful business person, Gary returned home to Thiel and has made numerous impactful contributions. He has been unfailingly generous with his time and talent and has invested in a number of projects. I am honored and so thankful that he is the first to hold the David Miller Chair.”
Witosky earned his bachelor’s degree from Thiel College in 1979 and holds a Master of Accountancy from Stetson University. In addition, he is a certified public accountant and chartered global management accountant.
Witosky’s professional experience includes more than 20 years in public accounting and private industry. He concluded his six years in public accounting as an audit supervisor at Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) in Cleveland, Ohio. In private industry he served as treasurer and corporate controller of Park Corporation, treasurer and chief financial officer of American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., and president and chief operating officer of Colfor Manufacturing, Inc.
In 2002, Witosky joined Thiel College as an adjunct professor in the Department of Business Administration and Accounting. He subsequently served as the College’s interim vice president of finance in 2004. In March 2007, he was named the interim senior vice president of the College as part of a two-person team appointed to lead the College while it conducted a search for its 19th president. Upon completing this assignment, he returned to the faculty in 2009 becoming department chair in 2015.
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.