Wednesday, May 3, 2006 Vol. 33, No. 32 Next issue: May 17, 2006 Deadline for submissions: 5 p.m. Monday, May 15 Send news to: [email protected] or T-NOTES ICM to Office of Public Relations Campus Communiqué Notices

Gardner to serve as DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR COLLEGE FOR KIDS: Children and grandchildren of Thiel employ- commencement speaker ees are eligible for a 15-20 percent discount for this summer’s College John N. Gardner, For Kids program. The dates for founder and execu- Bloomfield to receive the elementary camp (students tive director of The entering grades 4 -6 in the fall) are Policy Center on the emeritus status June 26 - July 7, with no class on First Year of July 4. The dates for the junior College, will serve Sunday’s com- high camp (students entering as the keynote mencement cer- grades 7-9 in the fall) are July 10 - speaker at Thiel’s emony will also 14. If you register one child or spring commence- pay special trib- grandchild, you will receive 15 ment at 2 p.m. ute to retiring Gardner percent off tuition. If you register Sunday, May 7. faculty member more than one of child, you will Dr. James receive 20 percent off your total Gardner and two Bloomfield. cost. If you are interested in the alumni, the Rev. programs, you are encouraged to Martin M. Roth ’66, Bloomfield Bloomfield, pro- register as soon as possible. For pastor of the Holy fessor of history, more information on this year’s Trinity Lutheran has been a member of the faculty camps, please visit online at Church in for 41 years, arriving in 1965. www.thiel.edu/cfk or contact the Greenville, and program director, Robyn Lohr, at William Slater II He earned his bachelor’s degree 724-456-4050 or [email protected]. ’80, president and from , his mas- John Rindy, ext. 2181, also has a owner of William ter’s from Lehigh and his Roth limited number of brochures in the Slater & Sons Inc. doctorate from the University of Office of Educational Outreach. funeral homes, will . be awarded hon- T-NOTES BEGINS SUMMER orary degrees dur- Prior to his arrival at Thiel he had PUBLICATION SCHEDULE: ing the ceremony. been an instructor at Temple The month of May marks the the University and Muhlenberg College. beginning of the T-Notes summer Best known as the publication schedule. T-Notes will initiator of the inter- Under Gardner’s leadership, The be published biweekly until classes national reform Policy Center on the First Year of resume in the fall. The next issue movement in higher College has as its basic mission the will be published on Wednesday, education to what improvement of the first college year May 17. he has coined “The through enhanced learning outcomes Slater Freshman Year and the success of first-year students. Experience,” Gardner will provide the address Gardner will be awarded an honorary “Giving Praise, Giving Thanks, Giving doctor of humanities degree during the Back.” ceremony.

See GARDNER, page 2 Special Message Events High school students invited to Day of Leadership  The Mercer County Trails Association, Inc. will host a public The Thiel Leadership Development Institute (TLDI) is excited to announce its presentation and book signing first session of the Day of Leadership, a community outreach program. We are of Ghost Rails by author Wayne inviting and encouraging high school students to participate in one full day of A. Cole at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May leadership training at Thiel College involving seminars, small ropes course 15, at the Hermitage Municipal activities, group activities and discussions, and much more. Building on state Route 18. Ghost Rails tells the story of early west- The TLDI’s broader mission is to encourage individuals to make a personal ern Pennsylvania and eastern commitment to leadership through education, skill development, practical expe- Ohio railroads. Of particular inter- rience, and service-learning opportunities. Moreover, the TLDI promotes and est to local residents are chapters emphasizes ethical and inclusive leadership practices, stressing the value of about the Erie and rail- relationships, community, diversity, civic engagement and responsibility, and road and the Sharpsville railroad. integrity as tools for positive change in society. This is Cole’s first Mercer County presentation of Ghost Rails, and That being said, this year we’re hoping to host up to 40 high school students copies of the book will be available from the local and surrounding communities, on a first come first serve basis, for sale. For more information, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 12. This exciting leadership program is please contact Stephen Theiss at completely free of charge (lunch, dinner and snacks will also be provided) for all 724-342-2520. high school students wishing to attend.

Please help us to spread the word about this important program and com- GARDNER continued munity outreach. All high school students interested in being part of the Day of Leadership must complete an application form and a statement of understand- Roth, pastor of Holy Trinity ing and legal release form. Forms may be requested by e-mailing me at Lutheran Church in Greenville [email protected]. since 1986, is a 1966 alumnus of Thiel College. He earned master Letters have been sent to several high schools in and of divinity and master of sacred eastern Ohio. If you know high school students who may be interested in this theology degrees from the fun yet challenging leadership opportunity or know someone who could help us Lutheran Theological Seminary in to spread the word in high schools in the area, please let us know. Philadelphia. Roth will receive an honorary doctor of divinity degree. If you have other questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at ext. 2221. Slater, whose company operates Henrique Alvim eight funeral homes in the Coordinator Pittsburgh area, is a 1980 alumnus Thiel Leadership Development Institute of Thiel and a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. An active Mason, Slater People is also noted as the youngest grand master in 100 years to serve McConnor selected for art exhibition the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Slater will receive an honorary Sean McConnor, assistant art professor, was recently accepted into the 70th doctor of humanities degree. National Mid-Year Exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio. The annual painting exhibition was juried by Peter Plagens, a well-known painter and noted Newsweek writer/critic. Of the 764 entries sub- Congratulations! mitted by 267 artists from across the country, 39 artists were accepted with a total of 41 works chosen for the exhibition. Show dates are July 9 to Aug. 27. Drs. Jay and Kathy Ward will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on Saturday, May 6.

Congratulations to Jay and Kathy! COMMENCEMENT SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Sunday, May 7, 2006

9 a.m. Continental Breakfast Howard Miller Student Center Rotunda

9:45 a.m. Call To Worship Ringing of College Bell

10 a.m. Baccalaureate Service David Johnson Memorial Chapel

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. College Bookstore Open Howard Miller Student Center

11:15 a.m. Dedication - Class of 2006 Tree Brother Martin’s Walk

11:15 - 11:45 a.m. Hospitality (Platform Party check-in) Friends of Art Gallery, HMSC

11:45 a.m. President’s Luncheon (Platform Party, Trustees & Guests) Sawhill-Georgian Room, HMSC

11:45 a.m. Gala Luncheon (For Graduates and Guests) Dining Hall

1 p.m. Commencement Platform Party Robing & Photographs Friends of Art Reception Gallery, HMSC

1 p.m. Commencement Faculty Robing Greenville Hall

1 p.m. Commencement Senior Robing Rissell-Beeghly Gymnasia

2 p.m. Commencement Exercises William A. Passavant Memorial Center

3:30 p.m. Commencement Reception Howard Miller Student Center Terrace

Questions? Please contact the Office of Special Events at spe- [email protected] or 724.589.2240. The annual BlueBlue~~GoldGold Golf Outing

Friday, May 26 Greenville Country Club Shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. Cost: $75 per person

Sponsorships available: Hole sponsor: $75 Corporate sponsor: $250

Your support of this event will benefit all student-athletes. Please visit the link below to download a registration form and return it to Barb Yokubeak before May 19th. http://www.thiel.edu/athletics/blue_gold_club/2006-spring-outing.htm