March 28, 2018

t-notes archive

Next Issue: April 4, 2018

Thiel Happenings

Thiel College women’s advocacy group hosts leadership conference for female high school students

Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, hosted female students from four Mercer and Lawrence county high schools for the annual Women Inspiring the Next Generation conference on March 22.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Stamp dedication for Fred Rogers H’69 renews Thiel College’s connection to beloved TV host

Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, is directly connected to today’s historic first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for a stamp commemorating television’s most beloved children’s show host Fred Rogers H’69.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Wagner’s second Golden Mic among Thiel College’s three trophies at IBS awards event

Dan Wagner ’18 led the way for Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, recently at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards becoming the College’s first two-time Golden Mic Award winner.

+ Read the full story in the newsroom

Thiel recognizing ‘It’s On Us’ grant with event

Students and employees are invited to a campus event at noon Tuesday, April 3 in the Weyers Lounge of the Howard Miller Student Center in recognition of Thiel College’s recent selection as a grant recipient for Governor Tom Wolf’s “It’s On Us PA” campaign.

President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., campus leaders and elected government officials will gather to share more about the grant and state campaign and to discuss the College’s plans for using the grant funds. It’s On Us PA is a statewide campaign that invites everyone to play a role in ending sexual assault, and attendees will be invited to take the Governor’s Pledge as part of this event. Refreshments will also be served. 

Chi Eta Sigma inducts Bittcher following seminar presentation

Jane Bittcher ’80 was a business administration major who also studied art while she was at Thiel College. After graduating she began working at Mellon Bank. While she was working at Mellon, she got her Master of Education degree. When she completed that, she continued working at Mellon and spent 28 years there. Her presentation covered other stops in her career, including her current position with Lutheran Senior Life. She discussed four important career tips with students in the Ruth Miller Senior Seminar class of Norman P. Mortensen Chair of Economics and Professor of Business Administration and Accounting David Miller ’61.

“Jane Bittcher, a Thiel graduate of 1980, was our speaker for the March 21  senior seminar. This was a special dinner due to the fact that it was for the Chi Eta Sigma induction ceremony. I am a 2017 member of Chi Eta Sigma, so I had a role in the ceremony of placing the cords on the new inductees. Jane was also inducted during the dinner which meant a lot to her.”—Greg Galbo ’18

“I was surprised to hear that Jane was almost an art major; however, I think it was smart to take courses in something different from business. Art allows for creative thinking that could be used in the business world to come up with new ideas or solutions to problems. It is important to have a wide range of skills in your career in order to see things from different perspectives. I can truly appreciate her love for small businesses and entrepreneurship—especially after taking an entrepreneurship class with Professor Miller. It taught me the significance of innovation, which can lead to improved standards, new jobs and more opportunities for success.”—Samantha McLaughlin ’18

“Even though Jane’s speech was relatively short, she mentioned four career tips that are very useful. The first tip is to always have goals and to strive to get there. The second is don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something and you’re willing to learn. The third is to have a mentor that you trust and gives honest responses. The last one is to be true to yourself and to do what you think is right.”—Luke Houpt ’18

“Thiel provided her a strong foundation on which her career has been built. Thiel gave her strong ethics and high values, which I can relate to a lot. Many universities don’t focus on the value side of things, and it is so appreciated that Thiel has continued to do that for many students.”—Dana DePaulo ’18

Jane was a board member for Lutheran Senior Life for nine years. This organization focuses on keeping senior citizens in their own homes while keeping them safe. In 2016, she became the president of this foundation. All of Jane’s career choices seem to be about helping people and making a difference, which is something that is very important to her.”—Hanna Todaro ’18

“Jane ended her presentation by sharing a quote by tennis player Arthur Ashe: ‘Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.’ Life will lead you on a mysterious path and your plan will change, but if you remember her wise words, the journey will shape you into the person you want to be as you move toward your goals.”—Katherine Orczeck ’18

Thiel community members participate in March for Our Lives in D.C.

Students, faculty and staff members were among the thousands who attended Saturday’s March for our Lives in Washington D.C.

Students Melissa Allen ’18, Phillip Bewer ’19, Joshua Consider ’18, Jacob Crawl ’20, Sarah Ford ’21, Taraneh French ’20, Josh Kenst ’18, Katelyn Lewis ’21, Hans Myers ’18, Mak Sanders ’21, Shannon Simpson ’18, Cole Smith ’18 attended the event. They were accompanied by campus pastor Jayne M. Thompson, Professor of Religion Dan Eppley, Ph.D., Alecia Eppley, Director of Langenheim Memorial Library Allen Morrill and Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication Lana V. Kulik, Ph.D.

Student News

Sigma Tau Delta inducts new members, installs officers

The Alpha Iota Kappa chapter of International English honor society Sigma Tau Delta initiated three new members and installed two officers during its annual induction ceremony March 16.

Sigma Tau Delta is an elite honor society open to students from all disciplines who have completed a minimum of two college courses in English beyond the first-year English requirements. Membership candidates must have completed at least three semesters of college coursework earning a 3.0 grade point average in both English courses and general scholarship.

Thiel College students who qualified for membership this year were Jasmine Esh ’18, Laura Hardner ’19, and Bradi Osborne ’18.

Chapter president Tina Kramer ’18 welcomed current members, inductees and their families, and the campus community to the ceremony.

Associate Professor of English and Department Chair Jared Johnson, Ph.D., the chapter’s sponsor, provided the organization’s history and introduced the keynote speaker, Sean Oros ’15.

Oros, a former Sigma Tau Delta chapter president, spoke on the value of a liberal arts education and the power of words to shape perceptions of reality.

In addition to inducting new members, the local chapter also celebrated its new leadership. Out-going executive board members Kramer and Cassie LaGrange ’18 installed chapter president Hardner and vice president Osborne for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Spring Career Fair connects students with area employers

On March 22, the Thiel College Career Development Center hosted its annual Spring Career Day. The career development department holds two annual campus internship fairs—one in the fall and one in the spring.

Students attended the career fair in the Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center where more than 30 employers gathered to speak with students. Among the attendees were AVI Foodsystems, Inc., City Year, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Bureau of Audits, MassMutual Pittsburgh and UPMC. Students discussed career and internship opportunities with the various employers. They were also offered the chance to schedule 15-minute one-on-one meetings with their preferred employers.

Several Thiel students shared their internship experiences with their respective companies. Furthermore, Martin Black, the associate dean for career development, recognized the top performing interns of 2017. Following the career fair, a reception was held for faculty and staff to meet with the employers represented at the Spring Career Day.

Special Notes

Curriculum guides on the Hub

Students, faculty and staff should be aware curriculum guides are on the Hub.

The guides are in the Network Folders tab with a dedicated folder for curriculum guides in the Departments drive. Archived curriculum guides are available here, too. 

The links to curriculum guides will be removed from www.thiel.edu. Both current and archived guides will be found in the Hub.

HB representative here April 9-10

Participants of the Thiel College Retirement Plan can meet with financial adviser William Ferguson from HB Retirement April 9-10 in the conference room on the first floor of Roth Hall.

He can assist you with questions regarding the new TIAA plan and the recent changes that will affect you. Attendees can also ask about:   

Spouses are welcome to attend and attendees can bring any statements from other investment accounts to the meeting.

Admissions recruiting for newly formed Thiel Team

Are you interested in becoming a member of the newly formed Admissions Thiel Team?  This unique paid leadership opportunity will support the Admissions Office through campus tours, phone call campaigns, hosting opportunities, recruitment events and more. As a valued member of the Admissions Office, Thiel Team members are responsible for assisting in the recruitment of new students.

Want more information? Stop by the Office of Admission information table Wednesday, April 4 outside of the TC Café during lunch or go the Admissions Office at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 5 for an information session.

Know someone you think is perfect for this opportunity?

Space in the program is limited. Interviews will be conducted the week of April 12.

Easter break Campus Store hours

The Campus Store will be closed March 29 to April 1. It will reopen Monday, April 2. 

For more information, contact Vicki or Betty at ext. 2170.

Events

Campus Events

Pedas Presents: Ethics of the Perp Walk
Today at 4 p.m.
Stamm Lecture Hall, James Pedas Communication Center

Maggie Jones Patterson, a professor of journalism at Duquesne University and nationally known media ethics expert, will present on the perp walk.

For more information, contact James Pedas Professor of Communication Dane Claussen, Ph.D., at ext. 2851.

Pittsburgh Happy Hour Alumni Event
Today at 5 p.m.
Pizza Taglio, 126 S. Highland, Pittsburgh

New Director of Alumni Relations David Hummel ’83 and President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., will attend as will members of the Office of College Advancement and the Thiel College Alumni Board of Directors. Alumni and friends in the Pittsburgh area are invited to the casual happy hour and reception hosted by Anthony Giaramita ’03.

For more information, contact the alumni relations office.

Twilight Tour Experience
Today at 6 p.m.
Campuswide

Visitors will experience a personalized campus tour. Prospective students will meet with an admissions representative and learn about campus academics, scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

For more information, contact the Office of Admission.

Haller Enterprise Institute Scholarship Dinner
Tuesday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Sawhill-Georgian Room, Howard Miller Student Center

The annual dinner includes breakout sessions for student interviews.

For more information, contact Norman P. Mortensen Chair of Economics and Professor of Business Administration and Accounting David Miller ’61 at ext. 2037.

Ongoing Events

Aikido
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Glen Johnson Community Center

Aikido, a Japanese martial art dedicated to non-violent conflict resolution, meets three times a week for practice. These classes are open to Thiel College students, faculty, staff members as well as the general public. Conversation with the instructor(s) is required before attending the classes.

For more information, contact Pastor Jayne Thompson at ext. 2130.

Worship on Wednesday
Wednesdays at 3 p.m.
David Johnson Memorial Chapel

Worship on Wednesday is offered for the entire Thiel College community during the semester. We gather each week for hymns, prayers, a message and Holy Communion. All are welcome!

For more information, contact Pastor Jayne Thompson at ext. 2130.

Catholic Evening Prayer
Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
David Johnson Memorial Chapel

Deacon Frank Luciani will lead evening prayer worship services each Wednesday of the academic semester.

For more information, contact Pastor Jayne Thompson at ext. 2130.

Spinning Classes
Mondays and Wednesdays
Glen Johnson Community Center

Spinning classes are at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Mondays and 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Wednesdays in the Glen Johnson Community Center.

For more information or to reserve a spinning bike, contact Martin Black at ext. 2372.

T-Notes Publishing Schedule

The next issue of T-Notes will be out Wednesday, April 4.

Send your submissions by noon Monday, April 2 to tnotes@thiel.edu.

Etc.

Tomcat Tributes

Tomcat Tributes recognize the teamwork Thiel College employees exhibit each day. Employees can nominate co-workers for recognition in four categories (Random Act of Kindness, Going the Extra Mile, Had a Great Idea, Just Because).

Connect with Thiel College

        

Read the Thielsenian online

What’s happening on campus? Visit the Thielensian website and read the latest articles. 

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Greenville, PA 16125
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