Campus Highlights

from The Bell, Fall/Winter 2020

Technology upgrades increase campus wide flexibility

New digital frontiers are being explored in several of the College’s divisions. Admissions, Academic Affairs and Advancement each either got new online software or increased resources to leverage existing technology to better serve the campus.

The Division of College Advancement unveiled Thiel Connect in the weeks leading up to Homecoming.

“We’re thrilled to provide this gamechanging resource to the Thiel College community. We are inviting anyone with a connection to the College to be a part of the new Thiel Connect platform,” Vice President of College Advancement Roberta Leonard said. “This exciting opportunity connects our community in simple, convenient and new ways. Alumni can look up friends based on geography or interest.

“Being connected to the right network is invaluable when it comes to getting ahead professionally. This platform allows our students to be connected to the vast resources of our valuable alumni network.”

Members of Thiel Connect can:

• connect with alumni and students • stay informed about campus • RSVP for events • find or become a mentor • meet nearby Thiel alumni • network with professional peers

The Thiel College Office of Admission is using a new online platform to connect and communicate with prospective students. Admission counselors have been hosting events using PlatformQ Education throughout the fall semester to engage students by providing admission, financial, and campus life information. Admissions counselors have been using PlatformQ to meet with prospective students online. Honors Institute Sheila Nowinski,

The first event held by the Admissions office using PlatformQ Education was an application workshop that had 49 participating students. Subsequent events have averaged 40-80 high school students, according to admissions counselor Caitlin DeSantis.

“It’s enhancing our student engagement strategy through prerecorded and live videos and events, email campaigns, live chats (including “office hours” for counselors), and providing analytics to help us keep improving,” DeSantis said. “For our prospective students, it allows flexibility when learning about Thiel because they can watch our videos on their own time if they’re not available during the event.” “Faculty worked hard over the summer

Academic Affairs and Information Technology added instructional support technologist Michelle Lentz. Her addition improves how faculty members use the existing Academic Affairs program, Moodle. An Instructional Design Team was formed that included Political Science and Department Chair Marie Courtemanche, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor of Sociology Jared Hanneman, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Department Chair Neil Lax, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Dietrich Ph.D.; and Reference Librarian for Information Services Tressa Snyder, M.L.S. Those efforts will unlock many of Moodle’s tools and better leverage the platform’s strengths, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Elizabeth Frombgen, Ph.D. said. Moodle is a course management software system designed to provide educators, administrators and learners with a personalized learning environment.

Lentz and Associate Professor of to be able to deliver classes in-person, online or in a hybrid fashion,” Frombgen said. “The best way to maximize that capacity with the least amount of disruption was to continue with the technology platform we had and to expand our Zoom capabilities.”

Business graduates team up to create scholarship in Witosky’s honor

Professor of Business Administration and Accounting Gary Witosky ’79 is being honored by classmates from the Class of 1979 through an endowed scholarship in his name for a junior or senior accounting student.

“Gary is the kind of guy that flies under the radar but serves such an essential role in student’s lives. He is so highly thought of by students and in the Thiel College community in general,” said member of the Board of Trustees Mike Zawoysky ’79. Joseph Scarpitti ’80 shared his respect as well for Gary’s dedication and commitment to Thiel students. Witosky worked in the corporate realm until his retirement. Witosky returned to teach classes at Thiel and then also served as Chief Financial Officer of the College under the 18th President Robert Olson, Ph.D. ’60 H’09.

“Gary’s drive to help the next generation and his strong passion for industry are what has made him vital to the Thiel College community,” Vice President for College Advancement Roberta Leonard said.

Funds to help the endowment are still being accepted.

For more information or to donate, email Leonard at rleonard@thiel.edu or call 724-589-2024.

U.S. News & World Report listings feature Thiel College

Thiel College was again ranked as the top school in northwestern Pennsylvania overall and recognized for the social mobility of its graduates among the Regional Colleges in the North in the 36th edition of U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges listings, released recently.

Furthermore, in the north region, Thiel College is among the Top 5 regional colleges and the Top 5 performers on social mobility among regionallyranked colleges in Pennsylvania.

Thiel College was designated as a top social mobility college because its graduates are better prepared to improve their path ahead after getting a degree. The social mobility list measures the graduation outcomes of students who receive federal grants.