2026
One Hundred Fifty-second Commencement Exercises Eleven O’Clock Saturday, May Ninth
William A. Passavant Memorial Center
The Order of the Exercises
May 9, 2026
Prelude ...................................................................................
Ralph Holtzhauser, Organist
*Processional
Faculty Marshal, Candidates for Degrees, Faculty, Platform Party Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D Edward Elgar
*Placing of the College Mace ....................................................................... Jared Johnson, Ph.D. Associate Professor of English, Faculty Marshal
*Invocation .................................................................................. The Reverend Brenda D. Martin Campus Pastor
Welcome .............................................................................................
Robert Burns, M.D. ’74 H’22 Chair, Board of Trustees
Introductory Remarks .................................................................................Susan Traverso, Ph.D. President
Presentation of Honorary Degree Recipient Guru Rattan K. Khalsa, Ph.D. Professor of Biology
Conferring of the Honorary Degree Chairperson Burns
Commencement Address .................................................................. Shane A. Snyder, Ph.D. ’94
“The Puzzle of Being Human: Still Becoming Who We Are”
Special Music (by members of the Thiel Choir)
Turn, Turn, Turn Music by Pete Seeger Words from the book of Ecclesiastes Arranged by Linda Palmer
In Meeting We Are Blessed ..........................................
Words by R. Gatsnahos and John Donne Music by Troy Robertson
Recognition of Faculty Emeritus .....................................................................
Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D. Vice President for Academic Affairs Dean of the College
Introduction of Senior Class Representatives .......................................... Eugene T. Torigoe, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Physics Chair of the Faculty
Class of 2026 Greetings and Class Gift Presentation......................................................................................... Jordan Wilhoit ’26 Senior Class President
Senior Address .............................................................................................. Sydney Linhart ’25
“Failure: The Unseen Architect of Your Legacy”
Special Recognition of Valedictorians and Salutatorian ............................................................................................... Dr. Torigoe
Presentation of the Class Dr. Nowinski
Conferring of Degrees President Traverso
Distribution of Alumni Flowers ............................................................................................ Jim Frank ’88 President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors
Special Announcements Dr. Johnson
*Hail, Alma Mater ...................................................................................................... Friedrich F. Flemming lyrics by E. Grace Hunton 1900
Hail, Alma Mater, on thy hill enthroned, Firm as a mountain, may’st thou stand enduring Fair as the valley of thine own Shenango.
Hail, Alma Mater!
Hail, Alma Mater, may thy torch forever Shed light resplendent for thy God and Country; Send the flame onward to all generations.
Hail, Alma Mater!
Hail, Alma Mater, we thy children pledge thee Here our devotion, loyal, true, and tender; Thee will we cherish, praise thy name forever.
Hail, Alma Mater!
*Closing Prayer ........................................................................................................................Rev. Martin
*Recessional ................................................................................. Ralph Holtzhauser, Organist
*The audience is invited to rise.
Shane A. Snyder, Ph.D. ’94
Keynote Speaker
Guru Rattan K. Khalsa, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Biology
CanDiDates for Degrees
Associate of Arts Degrees
Arondé Marquell Bridgett * Criminal Justice Studies
Novaleigh Rahna Firster * Liberal Studies
Abigail Elizabeth Rottman * Liberal Studies
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Braelynn Sarae Anderson ✩ Exercise Science
Triston Wrangler Barr Biology
John Marquis Bresnan Environmental Safety Management
Colton James Brightwell Exercise Science
Calvin J. Cackowski Exercise Science
Cierra Lynn Consider Conservation Biology Environmental Science
Tegan Ann Daugherty ✩ Environmental Science
Logan Vincent Milie Environmental Science
Alexis Rose DeMarco Biology
Karigan Taylor Hager ✩ Biology
Natalie Marie Hering ✩ Environmental Safety Management
Joshua D. Hovan † Biochemistry
Tyler Thomas Hussey Environmental Safety Management
Daisy E. Jenness ✩ Biology
Kylee Lynn Jordan Exercise Science
Haylie Laree Kidd Communication Sciences & Disorders
Dreyvin John Livingston Exercise Science
Garrison G. Martin ✝ Exercise Science
Landon Joseph Mead Exercise Science
Tiffany Marie Mong Communication Sciences & Disorders
Madalyn Bella Moore ✩ Neuroscience
Jenna Marie Murrey * Biology
Jakub Obman Environmental Science
Morgan Elizabeth Popielarcheck Exercise Science
Joshua Thomas Pugh Information Systems
Greg Roae ✩ Biology
Jaellen Ross Keith Rose Data Analytics
Erdem Elijah Schroyer * Neuroscience
Cole Thomas Sherwin ✩ Data Analytics
Riley Thomas Smith ✩ Biochemistry Chemistry
Kylee Rose Surrena
Communication Sciences & Disorders
Tristan Reese ThalmanBruckner
Communication Sciences & Disorders
Hayden William Tucker ✩ Biology Neuroscience
Nathaniel D. Turner ✩ Conservation Biology
Mitchell Valentine Environmental Science
Kaya Storme VanTassel ✩ Neuroscience
Andrew Joseph Verostek Jr. ✝ Exercise Science
Jordan Thomas Wilhoit ✩ Biochemistry Chemistry
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degrees
Garrett Thomas Floch ✝ Nursing
Miracle Lee Irene Jewell ✝ Nursing
Bryce K. Knauf ✝ Nursing
Grace I. Olshanski ✝ ✩ Nursing
Kelly J. Peplowski ✝ Nursing
Carlie Anne Reynolds * Nursing
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Savannah Jane Adams ✩ Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Jeffrey R. Badger Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Ali McKenna Baker Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Amy Elizabeth Batt Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Jaylen NyQuan Benjamin Philosophy Psychology
Mila Anne Brdar ✩ Criminal Justice Studies Sociology
Alexis R. Brown ✩ Political Science
Deandre Tremaine Pierre Brown * Communication Studies
Michael Aaron Lee Brown ✝ Business Administration
Megan Bull Criminal Justice Studies Sociology
Emma A. Cannata
Communication Studies
Media & Journalism
Muncie Jean Canon ✩ English
Marley Claire Chapman
Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Haley Jean Chiappini
Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Richard J. Cianci Business Administration
Katie A. Cook Conservation Biology
Delaney Grace Cowger Psychology
Hunter John Crouse Business Administration
Sofia Marie DeJohn Business Administration
Komlan Samuel Denu * Business Administration
Kaylee R. Diefenderfer Psychology
William A. Donaldson Business Administration
Fumika Ebihara Neuroscience
Priscilla Ehrensberger Business Administration
Kenny Ermat Business Administration
Danielle I. Ficeti * Business Administration
Jordan Lynne Fiorentini Psychology
Madison Elaine Fiorentini Psychology
Abriana Louise Forsythe Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Shayla Elizabeth Jean Foster ✝ Individualized Major of Inclusive Early Childhood Studies
Griffin Nathaniel Fraterrigo Business Administration
Taegan Renee Geiser Psychology
Jason Thomas Gerle Jr. Media & Journalism
Blake Tyler Gibson Health Systems
Isabella Louise Good Accounting Business Administration
Aidrianna Nicole Green Psychology
Sydney Peyton Green Psychology
Brooke Elizabeth Griffith ✩ Psychology Public Policy
Momar Yaram Gueye Business Administration
Makayla Z. Hall † Health Systems
Megan Alyssa Harding Psychology
Jalen Lavar Douglas Communication Studies
Josie K. Gadsby ✩ Accounting Business Administration
Brandon Frederick Gala Business Administration
Skylar Renee Garlick * Philosophy
Kylie N. Heid Political Science Public Policy
Autumn Rae Hendry
Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Kaitlyn Herrmann * Business Administration
Fletcher Herman Hindman * Business Administration
Kylee Lynn Jordan Psychology
Allie Annette Kidder Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Aniya M. King ✝ Psychology
Michael Thomas King History
Tristan A. Kloss ✝ Political Science Sociology
Bryce K. Knauf Health Systems
Ronald Shane LaCamera Jr. * Health Systems
Neira Laird English Psychology
Keagan Allan Landfried * Computer Science
Emma Claire Leehan ✩ Philosophy Psychology
Carina Marie Loreno
Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Breanna Christine Martin Health Systems
Kailee Adrian Matter Business Administration Healthcare Administration
Cody Tyler Maxwell Psychology
Jamie Maxwell ✩ Psychology
Charlee Elizabeth May * Psychology
Edward James McCarthy Jr. Business Administration
Kaleb M. Mcdowell ✩ Computer Science
Hannah Beth McGirr Communication Studies
Brooke Pauline McKinney Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Kendall Gale McLaughlin ✝ ✩ Business Administration
Madalyn Bella Moore ✩ Health Systems
Ethan J. Narby ✩ Health Systems
Raegan Isabella Nelson Business Administration
James Gregory Omerzo Business Administration
Kelly Alana Oros * Accounting
Makenna R. Oswalt ✩ English Individualized Major in Business Communication & Media
Sara Elizabeth Owens ✝ Business Administration
Natalie Noel Cierra Pape Accounting Business Administration
Austin D. Parker Business Administration
Kendra Elise Pennington Psychology
Kaleb S. Proudfoot ✩ History
Justin J’von Logan * Media & Journalism
Deon Logan Jr. * Philosophy
Abbigail Corrine Miller Communications Media
Hannah Faith Miller ✝ Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Nathen Robert Prunty * Business Administration
Joshua Thomas Pugh Accounting
Jacob C. Reeher ✝ Communication Studies
Devin Marie Rhoads ✩ Psychology
Seth Bradley Riley Media & Journalism
Emily Ripple Philosophy Psychology
Carolyn Elaine Ruffing
Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Colin Alexander Schroyer * ✩ English
Erdem Elijah Schroyer * Psychology
Alexander Xavier Scott * Criminal Justic Studies Sociology
Cole Thomas Sherwin ✩ Computer Science
Rachael Ann Smith Business Administration
Alicia Marie Sowash
Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Samantha Josephine Stine English
William J. Stines Puhlman Communications Media
Ethan James Tabaka Accounting Business Administration
Martiale Blessing Tete ✩ Psychology
Madalyn I. Triskett ✩ English
Hayden William Tucker ✩ Health Systems Philosophy
Taryn Skylar Vergnola ✩ Criminal Justice Studies Psychology Sociology
Katie Marie Wagner ✩ English
Haley Madalyne Weber ✝ Accounting Business Administration
Savanna N. Welch * English
Hayden Wightman Business Administration
Derrik James Zappa * Accounting Business Administration
William Robert Zimmerman Business Administration
Gianna Nancy Sprecace ✩ Business Administration
Connor Steven Steffens ✝ Communications Media
Jacob Daniel Wittenberg Psychology
Master of Business Administration
Zachary W. Bergstresser ’25
Olivia Lynn Brown
Jordan D. Castona ’25
Zachary James Dillingham ’25
Brandon E. Flock ’24
Jacara Lynn Green ’25
Jonathan A. Martin ✝
William Michael McCready III ’23 ✝
Aidan Joseph Ochs ’25 ✝
Christopher Fredrick Slaven ’25
LaShawn Lorraine Williams ’25
Master of Science
Speech-Language Pathology
Ceremony in July
Master of Science
Physician Assistant Studies
Ceremony in September
✩ Dietrich Honors Institute
∆ Candidate for Pennsylvania Department of Education Teacher Certification
S Degree awarded Summer/December 2024
✝ Early participant; degree to be awarded when requirements are met.
# U.S. Veteran
Special legacy photographs will be taken for those graduates whose immediate family members are Thiel College alumni. Please meet near the terrace in front of Greenville Hall (rain site will be the Bistro Rotunda in the HMSC) immediately following the Commencement ceremonies.
GRADUATION HONORS
Graduation Honors: Seniors who have completed at least 60 credit hours in residence at Thiel are eligible for graduation honors. Those who have a grade point average of 3.80 or higher are graduated summa cum laude, and are wearing a blue and white cord. Those who have attained a grade point average of 3.60 to 3.79 are graduated magna cum laude, and are wearing two blue cords. Those who have a grade point average of 3.40 to 3.59 are awarded cum laude, and are wearing two white cords.
R The Dean’s Key is awarded to those students who made the Dean’s List during all eight semesters at Thiel. Transfer students who attended Thiel for at least one year, were on the Dean’s List every semester at Thiel and were on the Dean’s List every term at his/her former college(s) also receive the Dean’s Key.
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
Departmental Honors are a prerogative of each department and are calculated and submitted by those departments that recognize such a distinction.
Senior Class Officers
President - Jordan Wilhoit
Vice President - Brooke Griffith
Secretary - Charlee May (graduated)
Treasurer - Nathaniel Turner
Senior Class Gift Committee
Lexi Brown
Jordan Wilhoit
Graduates wearing honor cords and tassels are members of designated honorary societies.
Emerald Green & Sapphire Blue Cords ..... Alpha Chi, national college honor scholarship society
Teal Cords ............................................
Alpha Kappa Delta, sociology/criminal justice honor society
Gold Cords with Gold Tassels.................... Alpha Mu Gamma, national language honorary society
Antique Gold & Light Blue Cords .......... Alpha Psi Omega, national honorary dramatic fraternity
Blood Red & Leaf Green Cords ......................... Beta Beta Beta, national biology honorary society
Sapphire Blue & White Cords .. Chi Alpha Epsilon, national honorary for academic achievement
Black & Gold Cords .................................... Chi Alpha Sigma, national college athlete honor society
Drab Cords .......................................................... Chi Eta Sigma, national commerce honorary society
Gold, Purple & Mint Cords .................. Kappa Delta Pi, international honor society for educators
Rose Pink & Silver Cords .................................. Kappa Mu Epsilon, national mathematics honorary
Gold Cords with Tassels ....................Lambda Pi Eta, national honorary in speech communication
Royal Blue & Gold Cords Lambda Sigma, national sophomore honor society
Scarlet & White Cords .. Les Lauriers, senior honorary society for scholarship, service & leadership
Gold & Black Cords Nu Rho Psi, national neuroscience honorary
Dark Blue & Platinum Cords ............................................Psi Chi, international psychology honorary
Red & Light Blue Cords Phi Alpha Theta, international history honorary society
Purple & White Cords................................................... Phi Sigma Tau, national philosophy honorary
Gold & Silver Cords
Pi Nu Epsilon, national music fraternity honorary
Black, White & Scarlet Cords ........................... Pi Sigma Alpha, national political science honorary
Scarlet & Black Cords
Sigma Tau Delta, international English honorary
Scarlet Cords. .........Theta Alpha Kappa, national religious studies and theology honorary society
Black, White and Blue Cords
Veritas Ars Quaero, humanities research honors society
Red, White and Blue Cords............................................................................................................... Military
ACADEMIC REGALIA
The gowns, hoods and caps worn in the academic ceremonies today are relics of clothing worn in medieval times by students and professors. In the early universities—Bologna, Paris, Oxford—professors wore more colorful academic regalia than do their modern-day descendants. The gowns and hoods were probably worn for warmth in the unheated halls where lectures were delivered.
Since 1895, in the United States, the colors and types of caps and gowns have been largely standardized. In 1932, the code was revised to some extent, and in 1960, it was revised once more. A few American universities have adopted gowns other than black in color, and in European universities there is more diversity in cut and in the cap than prevails in the United States.
TASSELS
The tassels worn on the caps may or may not be of the same types. In some institutions, all master’s degree and bachelor’s degree tassels are black; in others, the tassels, which are the same as the colors on the facing of the hoods, reflect the degree received. The tassels worn by doctors may be black or gold thread.
GOWNS
The gown for the bachelor’s degree has pointed sleeves. The gown for the master’s degree has an oblong sleeve, open at the wrist. The gown for the doctor’s degree has bell-shaped sleeves, and is designed to be worn open or closed.
TRIMMINGS
None for the bachelor’s or master’s degrees. For the doctor’s degree, the gown is faced down the front with black velvet with three bars of the same across the sleeves; or these facings and crossbars may be of velvet of the color distinctive of the subject to which the degree pertains.
HOODS
The length of the hood worn for the master’s degree is three and one-half feet; and for the doctor’s degree, it is four feet; that worn for the doctor’s degree shall have panels at the sides.
The hoods are lined with the official color or colors of the college or university conferring the degree; more than one color is shown by division of the field color in a variety of ways, such as chevron or chevrons, equal divisions, etc.
The binding or edging of the hood is of velvet or velveteen, two, three and five inches in width for the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s degrees, respectively, while the color is distinctive of the subject to which the degree pertains.
COLORS
For all academic purposes, including trimming of doctors’ gowns, edging of hoods and tassels of caps, the colors associated with the different subjects are as follows:
Agriculture ............................................................... Maize Arts, Letters, Humanities White Commerce, Accountancy, Business Drab
Dentistry...................................................................... Lilac
Economics ............................................................. Copper
Education ......................................................... Light Blue
Engineering Orange
Fine Arts, Architecture ......................................... Brown
Forestry, Environmental Studies, Sustainability ........................................................ Russet
Journalism Crimson
Law ........................................................................... Purple
Library Science, Information Management.......... Lemon
Medicine ................................................................... Green
Music Pink
Nursing Apricot
Oratory, Speech, Communications ............Silver Gray
Pharmacy ....................................................... Olive Green
Philosophy Dark Blue
Physical Education, Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy ......................................... Sage Green
Public Administration, Public Policy, Foreign Service Peacock Blue
Public Health Salmon Pink
Science (both “Social” & “Natural”)...........Golden Yellow
Social Work ............................................................. Citron
Theology, Divinity Scarlet
Veterinary Science Grey
From American Colleges and Universities, 11th Edition
Susan Traverso, Ph.D.
FACULTY
President & Professor of History
Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D. Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College, Professor of History
Jared Hanneman, Ph.D.
Associate Academic Dean, Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice Studies
Alysandra Andrusky, MS, PA-C Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Program
Michael T. Balas, Ph.D. Department Chair, Professor of Biology
George Branch-Trevathan, MDiv, Ph.D. Department Chair, Associate Professor of Religion
Jennifer Broderick, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biology
Kristina Brzoza-Lewis, Ph.D. Assistant Profesor of Biology
David R. Buck, Ph.D. Department Chair, Professor of History, Political Science Interim Department Chair
Greg Q. Butcher, Ph.D. Professor of Neuroscience
Kristin M. Carlson, Ph.D. Director of Core Curriculum and Student Success, Department Chair, Professor of Languages & Director of ESOL Program
Daniel Dankovich, D.C. Clinical Associate Professor of the Physician Assistant Program
Shannon Len Deets, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology
Brenda K. DelMaramo, M.A. Lecturer of English
Scott DiTullio, Ed.D. Lecturer & Director of Bands
Jay Donis, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of History
Hope Dropp, M.S. Assistant Professor of Environmental Safety Management
Thomas Dulaney, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Computer Science
Emily Erb, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Audra Franley, M.Div ’17 Lecturer of Religion
Kristel M. Gallagher, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology
Angelo A. Giannini, MBA Professor of Business Administration & Accounting
Brittany Gladysz, MS, PA-C Clinical Assistant Professor of the Physician Assistant Program
John E. Gomolchak, Esq. Associate Professor of Business Administration & Accounting
Sheila M. Gross, Ph.D. ’10 DHI Director, Assistant Professor of English
Mary Theresa Hall, Ph.D. Dr. James Pedas '50 H’89 Chair of Communications, Professor of English
Greg Hellier, D.O. Lecturer, Physician Assistant Program
Natalie Homa, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology
Mary Honard, MS, PA-C Clinical Assistant Professor of the Physician Assistant Program
Matthew R. Humphrey, MFA/MS Department Chair, Assistant Professor of Communications Media
Allan M. Hunchuk, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice Studies
Jared Johnson, Ph.D. Department Chair, Professor of English
Steven Kandray, MBA
Norman P. Mortensen H’81 Chair of Economics, Assistant Professor of Business Administration & Accounting
Dionna Kassalen, MBA, CPA Assistant Professor of Business Administration & Accounting
G. Rattan Khalsa, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry
Jeonghun Kim, Ph.D. Department Chair, Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science
Gregory Kingston, EdD, CSCS Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Julie Kobak, MA, CCC-SLP
Interim Speech-Language Pathology Program Director, Associate Professor Communication Sciences and Disorders / Clinic Director
Anthony J. Kos, Ph.D. MBA Program Director
Lana Kulik, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Communications Media
Neil Lax, Ph.D. Department Chair, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Interim Psychology Department Chair
Omar Malik, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of the Physician Assistant Program
Eric Matthews, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Political Science
Sean McConnor, MFA Department Chair, Professor/ Curator of Art
Christopher Morgan, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Matthew R. Morgan, Ph.D. Deparment Chair, Professor of Philosophy
Angelique Morse, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Education
Melissa S. Oakes, CPA, CFE, MBA ’03
David M. Miller ’61 H’20 Chair of Accounting, Department Chair, Professor of Business Administration & Accounting
Mary O'Donnell, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biology
Nicole Olshanski, MSN, DNP Department Chair, Program Director of Nursing, Assistant Professor
Sean Oros, M.A. ’15 Lecturer of English
Fatimata A. Pale, Ph.D. Professor of Biology
Anna Reinsel, Ph.D. ’06
DHI Associate Director, Department Chair & Professor of Environmental Science
Russell Richins, Ph.D. Institutional Researcher & Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science
Jessica Rogers, Ph.D. Department Chair, Lecturer & Director of Theater
Brianne Samson, M.M. Lecturer & Director of Choirs
Kara Schreckenghost, M.Ed. Department Chair, Assistant Professor of Education
Cassandra Shearer, M.S. Lecturer & Externship Coordinator of Speech-Language Pathology
Calli Shekell, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Education & Director of Teacher Education
David R. Shellenbarger, M.D. Medical Director, Physician Assistant Program
Jennifer Shellenbarger, MS, PA-C Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Program
Matthew Shellenbarger, Ph.D. Lecturer, Physician Assistant Program
Jessica Sloan, PA-C Clinical Assistant Professor of the Physician Assistant Program
Christopher Stanisky, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry
Cynthia Sutton, Ph.D. Department Chair, Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice Studies
James Tkacik, DMSc, PA-C Department Chair, Program Director &Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Program
Eugene T. Torigoe, Ph.D. Chair of the Faculty, Department Chair, Professor of Physics
Jie Wu, Ph.D. Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science
PRESIDENT’S CABINET
Susan Traverso, Ph.D. President
Roberta Leonard
Vice President for College Advancement
Michael McKinney, Ed. D. ’02
Vice President for Enrollment, Student Life, and Athletics
David Myron
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College & Professor of History
Richard Orr
Vice President for Communications and Marketing
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Officers
Robert D. Burns, M.D. ’74 H’22
Mark Benninghoff ’82
Dominic Dionisio ’72
Catherine V. Mott
Trustees
John Barr ’70
Edward A. Bartko ’72 H’16
Ricardo Daley ’96
G. Leah Dever ’74 H’25
Rev. Brian Evans ’03
David J. Fauth, Ph.D. ’73
John R. Frangakis H’19
Fredrick C. Haer ’65
Bruce Hartman, Ph.D.
Alex Hudson MBA’21
Rick Huether ’74
Diann M. Kuder
Frank Maenpa, Ph.D. ’69 H’21
Sara Matczak ’17
Virginia M. Moszkowicz ’74
Nathan P. Neely ’94
Margaret “Maggie” (Boose) Norris ’78
Brian Nowak ’89
Mary Odem, J.D.
Antonio Quarterman, Ed.D. ’08
Robert Rogalski, J.D.
Paul Runge ’70
Joseph Scarpitti ’80
Lee Tilghman
Rod E. Wilt ’86
Gary Witosky ’79 H’24
Joel Yuhas
Michael G. Zawoysky ’79
Trustees Emeriti
Frank Baker, Ph.D.
Ruthanne Beighley, Esq. ’73 H’20
Alan F. Fager, Ed.D. ’69
Carl A. Hoffman Jr., D.O. ’69 H’10
Dr. James McHugh ’62 H’02
Dr. Peter Mortensen H’05
Barbara Nakles
Mark A. Nordenberg, J.D. ’70 H’97
Dr. James Pedas ’50 H’89
Edward Redman ’60
Barry Stamm, M.D. ’70
Roy Strausbaugh, Ph.D. H’14
BOARD OF ASSOCIATES
Officers
Joseph Nairn D.Mgt. ’79, President
Patrick Findle ’79, Vice President
Vicki Poe, Vice President
Associates
Hunter Baxter M.S.’23
James Bittel Jr. ’60
Dr. Alan Childs
James Cunningham III ’77
Dr. Karen Ely ’84
Matthew Fiore ’14
Curtis Jones Jr. ’98
Michael Kuder
Cris Loutzenhiser
Chelsea C. Maukonen, Esq. ’14
Dr. Brittany Mears ’07
James Miale ’85
Eric Newman ’99
Ellen Pardee
Rev. Scott Schul
Nick Travaglianti ’11
Jeffrey A. Wallace
Honorable Roy W. Wilt ’59 H’85
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
James Frank ’88, President
Damen Taylor ’95, Vice President
Jessica (Peters) Burkley ’21, Secretary
Directors
Renee Bair ’99
Elliott Beach ’12
Lindsey Bona ’07
Gary Bonner ’80
Angela Campbell ’20
Austin Hall ’17
Joshua Koncar ’06
Hannah (Uschock)Lichtenwalter ’22
John Marrs ’83
Sara Matczak ’17
Frank Newnam ’71
Amy (Myers) Noble ’83
Sean Oros ’15
Sandy (Trasferini) Peace ’87
Michelle (Stahl) Reefer ’90
Chris Shinkman ’62
Kayla (Steiner) Smith ’23
Zachary Smith ’23
Gregory Stringer ’87/’18
Judy (Knestrick) Taylor ’73
Allie Walsh ’24
Directors-at-Large
Michael Allen ’90
Laura (Lord) Broome ’92
Nikki (Colpo) Galbo ’06
Angela (Lago) Hughes ’97
Michael Miller ’92
James McRoberts ’58
Jessica (Somerville) Phillips ’08
Dawn Salter ’95
Allen Schreiber ’99
David Schreiber ’00
Marion (Norris) Shoemaker ’63
John Wotus ’74
Dear Class of 2026,
Welcome to a community of more than 14,000 active Thiel College alumni.
We celebrate your academic accomplishments! We—the alumni and members of Thiel College’s faculty, staff, and trustees—will follow your future endeavors with great excitement. We hope you remain connected to the Thiel community and the friends you have made at the College.
We encourage you to continue to use the resources we have for you on campus, especially Alumni Affairs and the Career Development Center. Stay in touch with the faculty and staff who have taught and encouraged you. They will be happy to support you in the next phase of your life.
Before you know it, you can take your first trip back as an alumnus to Homecoming Sept. 24-27, 2026. We look forward to having you back on campus for that exciting alumni gathering.
Sincerely,
Susan Traverso, Ph.D. President President, Alumni Association Board of Directors