Record number of Thiel College donors show support during one-day drive

GREENVILLE, Pa. - March 1, 2018 - PRLog -- A record 342 donors gave $150,365 to Thiel College's one-day fundraising drive for The Thiel Fund on Wednesday. It is the third straight year that the College broke participation records and also the third straight year with more 300 donors.

To encourage giving, the institution created some exciting rewards to spark alumni, staff and friends of the Thiel (https://www.thiel.edu/) to "Unlock Awesome." Short videos showing alumni, faculty and staff engaged in funny physical challenges were revealed as fundraising goals were met.

Nearly half the donors (164) were graduates with fraternity and sorority connections. Of the Greek organizations, Sigma Phi Epsilon had the most donors with 44. The next-highest giving group was Thiel College's faculty, staff and students with 88 donors, and the third-largest giving group were the 78 donors who gave in recognition of Professor of Business Administration and Accounting and the Norman P. Mortensen Chair of Economics David Miller '61. Miller has taught at Thiel for 55 years—longer than anyone in the College's history. Donors were encouraged to give to The Thiel Fund. Dollar-for-dollar and bonus gift match funds were made available in response to gifts from alumni and friends of the College. Along with the match bonuses were a series of videos portraying noted campus personalities, alumni and staff participating in a variety of physical challenges to thank donors for the gifts.

Over the last three years, the one-day fundraising campaign has raised more than $525,000.

"The people connected with Thiel have displayed tremendous generosity. This is an outstanding example of the lasting connection and belonging our alums, our employees and our friends feel," Vice President for College Advancement Roberta Leonard said. "Wednesday's totals serve as a reminder that the momentum generated by the College's $65 million campaign completed in 2017 continues today."

The money donated to The Thiel Fund go to areas of greatest need on campus, and can include paying for emergencies or any other unforeseen expense, and expanding scholarship opportunities.

About Thiel College

Thiel College (https://www.thiel.edu/) is a private liberal arts institution founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 25 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio to more than 900 students. A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016 and remains committed to combining tradition with innovation.