Indodana (The Son) Michael Barrett & Ralf Schmitt Traditional isiXhosa
Baba Yetu (Our Father) Christopher Tin
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 2025 Greetings and Class Gift Presentation............................................................................................ Jacara Green ’25 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
Honorary Degree CanDiDate
G. Leah (Glessner) Dever ’74
G. Leah (Glessner) Dever ’74 is being awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of her distinguished public service and ongoing contributions to Thiel College.
A devoted alumna and advocate for higher education, Dever served on the Thiel College Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2024, including a term as Chair from 2020 to 2023. She contributed to multiple board committees and has served as an at-large member of the Alumni Board since 1999. A member of the Society of 1866, she supports student success through the Ned and Gertrude Glessner Endowed Scholarship. Dever is the recipient of the 2001 Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2024 Service to Thiel Award.
Dever retired as Associate Director of Safety, Security and Infrastructure for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, where she oversaw operations across the federal government’s system of 10 National Laboratories. During her 20-year federal career, she led organizations responsible for the management and oversight of complex nuclear and scientific facilities in Nevada, Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Kentucky, Washington, Maryland and California.
Earlier in her career, she spent a decade with private environmental engineering firms. She also taught biology and ecology courses at several community colleges. Dever has a master’s degree in biology and ecology from Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Thiel College.
Dever lives with her partner, Dennis Hamby, in Florida, where they enjoy fishing, diving and traveling.
emeritae reCipients
Fatimata Palé, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Biology
Professor of Biology Fatimata Palé, Ph.D. began at Thiel in 1998 and is retiring this year. She was named an outstanding runner-up in Talk Magazine’s Professor of the Year competition in 2018.
Palé was involved in an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America funded project to empower faculty in science. She investigated propagules of wetland plants in northwestern Pennsylvania. She also contributed to the survey of wild fruits of Africa with an emphasis on wild fruits of Burkina Faso and investigated bioenergies in Burkina Faso with a focus on non-food crops.
Palé was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Ouagadougou from 2011 to 2020. She received an M.S. in ecology and geography from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1994 and a Ph.D. in ecology and resource management from the University of Bordeaux III in 1986. She earned a Diplôme d’Études
Approfondies (DEA) in Plant Physiology in 1982 through the University of Paris Jussieu, with research conducted in collaboration with institutions in Gif-surYvette and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CNRST) in France and an M.S. in botany from the University of Orléans, France in 1979. She completed studies in chemistry, biology, and general biology (CBBG) at the University of Dakar, Sénégal, in 1974. Palé received her B.S. in 1972 from Collège de La Salle, Ouagadougou.
Dakota Alan King ✝
Environmental Safety Management
Bruin, Pa.
Joseph D. King Biology
Cooperstown, Pa.
Nicholas T. Kobielus
Exercise Science West Middlesex, Pa.
Evan LaClair Kosenina ✩ Biochemistry Clinton, Pa.
Rebecca Lynn Landis
Exercise Science Kinsman, Ohio
Conner Thomas Lewis * Exercise Science
Salineville, Ohio
Sarahy Del Carmen Lopez ✩ Neuroscience Cranberry Township, Pa.
Caden S. Loutzenhiser
Environmental Safety Management
Greenville, Pa.
Nathaniel J. Lucas
Exercise Science Pittsburgh, Pa.
Emily Kay Martin
Environmental Science Greenville, Pa.
Justin A. Mason
Biochemistry
Environmental Chemistry Alden, N.Y.
Alexis Raine McFadden
Exercise Science Franklin, Pa.
Nathan Thomas Musser *# Environmental Safety Management Hadley, Pa.
Aidan Joseph Ochs
Environmental Safety Management Belle Vernon, Pa.
Amya Danay Oliver ✩ Biology Pittsburgh, Pa.
Alyssa Rose Olshanski Biochemistry
Neuroscience Slippery Rock, Pa.
Katlyn Marie Phillips ✩
Exercise Science Canfield, Ohio
Seth M. Phillips
Teagan Marie Pierce * Biology
Cortland, Ohio
Keith Rager
Exercise Science Derry, Pa.
Logan Scott Ross Conservation Biology Titusville, Pa.
Madalyn Ann Russell ✩ Environmental Safety Management Mercer, Pa.
Lillian Rachelle Sitzer Communication Sciences & Disorders Pine City, N.Y.
Abigail Lee Smagala ✩ Communication Sciences & Disorders Russellton, Pa.
Maria Nicole Torres
Exercise Science Boardman, Ohio
Owen Andrew Trumbull
Environmental Science
Lottsville, Pa.
Nathaniel M. Udell
Kyle Joshua Magdich ✝ Exercise Science
Bridgeville, Pa.
Environmental Science Hubbard, Ohio
Exercise Science Abington, Pa.
Jessica Ann Wagner Exercise Science Tionesta, Pa.
Madeleine Grace White ✩ Neuroscience Pittsburgh, Pa.
Faith Anne Zagotti ✩ Neuroscience Farrell, Pa.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degrees
Lauren A. Bonner * Nursing Hermitage, Pa.
Luke E. Campbell * Nursing Newton Falls, Ohio
Nisubire Charlotte ✝ Nursing Pittsburgh, Pa.
Alyssa Lynn DeMarco † Nursing West Middlesex, Pa.
Annie Alexus Gool * Nursing Union City, Pa.
Mackenzie Paige Herman ✝ Nursing Greenville, Pa.
Joshua J. Ickes ✩ Nursing Greenville, Pa.
Jennifer Olivia Kalp ✝ Nursing West Middlesex, Pa.
Emily Lynn Reese ✝
Nursing Kittanning, Pa.
Maddie Kay Shirey ✝ Nursing Jamestown, Pa.
Kaitlyn Marie Sprague ✝ Nursing Kinsman, Ohio
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Stamp ✝ Nursing Boardman, Ohio
Abby Lynn Stewart ✝ Nursing Petrolia, Pa.
Cassandra Elizabeth Thuranira ✝ Nursing Greenville, Pa.
Lexy Wagner * Nursing Pittsburgh, Pa.
Mark David Littke * ✩
Religion
Theology & Youth Ministry Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sarahy Del Carmen Lopez ✩ Health Systems
Cranberry Township, Pa.
Charles Maddox Luedtke Business Administration Mars, Pa.
Mitchell Holt Mason Health Systems Transfer, Pa.
Connor McInnis Health Systems Southington, Conn.
Andrea Elizabeth Meals ✩ Early Childhood Education/ Special Education Foxburg, Pa.
Zachary J. Melin
Business Administration Chardon, Ohio
Brianna Miller Early Childhood Education/ Special Education New Castle, Pa.
Chad Robert Grant
Morningstar ∆ History Saxton, Pa.
Matthew Kyle Nale Early Childhood Education/ Special Education
Saegertown, Pa.
Christina Marie Newman
Media & Journalism Corry, Pa.
Ioannis Pete Panagiotopoulos *
Public Relations, Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communication
Rockville, Md.
Sylvia Cate Patterson English Greenville, Pa.
Anna Paul
Health Systems Zelienople, Pa.
Emily Elizabeth Peters
Psychology Ravenna, Ohio
Cora Grace Post
Business Administration
Daniel Vincent Rennie
Business Administration
Cape Coral, Fla.
Tanner W. Rennie
Business Administration Cape Coral, Fla.
Tyler Xavier Roddy Criminal Justice Studies
Philosophy
Troy, N.Y.
Gavin R. Sankey ✩ History Jamestown, Pa.
Kaitlyn Anne Schmidt ∆ ✩ Math Monroeville, Pa.
Abigail Jane Sefton Accounting
Business Administration Sandy Lake, Pa.
Fiona Faith Shaffer ✩ Health Systems New Bethlehem, Pa.
Christopher Fredrick Slaven
Business Administration
Bridgeville, Pa.
Randall D. Miller Jr. Health Systems
Mineral Ridge, Ohio
Elizabethton, Tenn.
Emily Lynn Reed ✩ Biology Livonia, Mich.
Julianna Lynn Sloan # Health Systems
Kingsville, Ohio
Katherine Marie Smith
Business Administration Erie, Pa.
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
Biology & Life Sciences
Tessa Allison
Giana Arnese
Luke Samuel Faber
Lane Daniel Fry
Breana Rae Gerst
Christian Michael Good
Alexa Rose Kantner
Nicholas T. Kobielus
Rebecca Lynn Landis
Conner Thomas Lewis
Amya Danay Oliver
Jessica Ann Wagner
Business Administration & Accounting
Jacob D. Castona
Jordan Castona
Damion Monroe Grinnell
Emma Jeanne Hatfield
Abigail Jane Sefton
Bryce Erik Stubert
Mya Rae Winkle
Chemistry & Physics
Ethan M. Bintrim
Alyssa Rose Olshanski
Communication Sciences & Disorders
Katabella Marie Byers
Olivia Kay Giardina
Lillian Rachelle Sitzer
Abigail Lee Smagala
Communications Media
Patrick Belback
Jason MacLeod Jewett
Christina Marie Newman
Ioannis Pete Panagiotopoulos
Education
Grace Elizabeth Carrizo
Mackenzie Jo Hause
Alexa Horton
Ava Annaliese Kavulla
Donna Joanne Kocher
Madison Michelle Liggett
Melina Olivia Liszka
Andrea Elizabeth Meals
Matthew Kyle Nale
Kaitlyn Anne Schmidt
Taylor Lynne Susany
English
Cynthia Grace Honeycutt
Hannah Stoughton
Kaitlynn Elizabeth Wolffe
Environmental Science
Aidan Joseph Ochs
Madalyn Ann Russell
Owen Andrew Trumbull
History
Jordan T. Lang
Chad Robert Grant Morningstar
Gavin R. Sankey
Languages
Mark David Littke
Mathematics & Computer Science
Cameron Craig Cygan
Kaitlyn Anne Schmidt
Bailey George Stilts
Neuroscience
Evan L. Cessna
Jakob S. Dies
Jonah Yates Lentz
Sarahy Del Carmen Lopez
Alyssa Rose Olshanski
Madeleine Grace White
Philosophy
Laci Leanne Dezern
Political Science
Jacob Michael Walsh
Jason M. Walsh II
Psychology
Laci Leanne Dezern
Samantha Dianne Jones
Rebecca Lynn Landis
Jonah Yates Lentz
Religion
Mark David Littke
Hannah Stoughton
Sociology & Criminal Justice Studies
Jared J. Beers
Sydney Paige Linhart
Departmental Honors are a prerogative of each department and are calculated and submitted by those departments that recognize such a distinction.
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
Dear Class of 2025,
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. 26-28, 2025. 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
