Alumni News
Seven Alumni Award Winners Say “Thank You” Billed as one of the favorite events of the year by faculty, staff and students, the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony that kicks off Homecoming Weekend reminds attendants of the deep and long-lasting connections Thiel College creates and supports. This year’s event was no different. Seven honorees from all walks of life took to the podium and each said “thank you” in unique ways, but a common theme was the impact that Thiel College had in shaping their intellectual curiosity and setting a firm foundation to lauch their careers.
Distinguished Alumni Award Winners
Recipients are nominated for outstanding contributions to their professions.
Dr. William Reinhart ’61 Dr. William Reinhart ’61, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, has spent decades as a professional ophthalmologist and corneal transplant surgeon and has been nationally recognized for his contributions as a physician, scientist and educator. He graduated from Thiel College with a bachelor’s degree in physics in 1961. While a student at Thiel, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the football team. William earned his M.D. from CWRU School of Medicine in 1968. His professional appointments include: professor of ophthalmology at CWRU; associate ophthalmologist at University Hospitals of Cleveland; medical director, The Cleveland Eye Bank; active staff in the Department of Surgery/ Ophthalmology MetroHealth Hospital, and active staff in the Department of Surgery/Ophthalmology at the Cleveland Veterans Administration Hospital. From 1996 to 2011 he was recognized by Cleveland Magazine as one of its “Top Doctors.” In 2003 he was listed 26
The Bell • Fall 2013
Michael A. Lanciotti ’78
John E. “Jack” Martin ’75
in Consumers’ Research Council of America’s “Guide to America’s Top Physicians” and named one of the Best Doctors in America. Also in 2011, CWRU School of Medicine announced a $1.5 million endowed chair: The Silvia Baslew PageWilliam J. Reinhart, M.D. Research Chair in Ophthalmology funded by patient Silvia Baslew Page. Michael Lanciotti Jr. ’78 was described in Management Today as a “very strong leader and very business savvy…the epitome of a CEO.” Mike has been the CEO of Renegade Custom Coaches and Trailers in Bristol, Ind., producing motor coaches, trailers and specialty vehicles in thousands of custom options since 2008. In 2013, Renegade forecasts sales in excess of $55 million. Prior to joining Renegade, Mike was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Lock Joint Tube, manufacturers of mechanical and structural grade steel tubing in four plants located in Indiana, Texas and Tennessee. Before that, he served as Vice President at Jackson Tube Service, another welded steel tube manufacturer in Piqua, Ohio. While a student at Thiel, Mike
was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, the wrestling team, the newsletter committee and a library employee. After graduating Thiel with a degree in accounting, he earned his executive M.B.A. from Baldwin Wallace College. Owner and supervisor of Dusckas-Martin Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., in Erie, Pa., John “Jack” Martin ’75 has had a very diverse professional life. After graduating from Thiel with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education, he became a teacher and coach and was named Teacher of the Year in 1985. Jack earned a Master of Science Degree in counselor education from Gannon University. From 1986 to 1989 he was Thiel’s Alumni Director and then became Director of Development at Gannon University. He earned an Ed.D. in higher education administration from the University of Akron and then accepted the position of Vice President for Advancement at Edinboro University. Throughout his career, he also worked part-time at the family-owned funeral home in Erie, Pa. He earned an associate’s degree in mortuary technology at