Experience the Thiel Commitment
Winter 2011-2012 Campus Pastor Bill Bixby—New Beginnings “I’m delighted about all the new beginnings taking place at Thiel,” says the Rev. Bill Bixby. Pastor Bill, who served most recently as a director for youth and young adult ministries with the ELCA churchwide staff, is energized by the many new relationships, new ministries and new possibilities that he is discovering—with students, with staff and with the wider community. “There’s a real freshness, and a sense of the stirring of the Spirit, on this campus. Every day—whether I’m working with amazing student leaders of the campus ministry groups, or shaping a memorial service for a former Thiel staff person, or offering a guest presentation on vocation with first year seminar students—there is deep blessing and deepening community here.”
The “Mexicrew” Experience
In January, Rev. Dr. Derek Nelson led 11 students first to San Diego, Calif., then onto Tijuana, Mexico, where they helped drywall a “dump house.” A few days later, the “Mexicrew” moved onto Tecate, Mexico, where they volunteered at Miracle Ranch, a local orphanage, before returning home. Stories about what they learned inspired one Board of Trustee member to fund future mission trips. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others,” said Nelson. “That’s the hallmark of Lutheran higher education; it’s something we all experienced on this trip.” A second trip to Miracle Ranch is being planned for 2012. Visit http://bit.ly/onztD8 to view the entire Mexicrew story in the last spring issue of The Bell (page 2).
The Admissions Office is always looking for opportunities to connect with Lutheran students. If you would like a Thiel representative to visit your church, youth conference or festival, please contact Stephanie Wilson at 724-589-2111 or swilson@thiel.edu.
Upcoming Campus Events Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 • Campus Preview Day Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 • Scholarship Competition Feb. 11-12, 2012 • Winter Weekend Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 • National Girls and Women in Sports Visit Day Feb. 25-26, 2012 •Scholarship Competitions Friday, March 9, 2012 • Accepted Student Visit Day Call 724-589-2345 for more information.