Thiel Celebrates New Science Building, Physician Assistant Program
GREENVILLE, Pa. – Thiel College celebrated the unveiling of its renovations to Rhodehouse Memorial Science Building on Thursday, as well as the first class of the physician assistant studies program and the second class of speech-language pathology program.
“Trained professionals in the allied health fields are a need in our region,” said President Susan Traverso at the ribbon cutting for Rhodehouse Science Building. “When I talk to hospital and medical leaders, they say that by building these programs, Thiel is not only strengthening the college but the region, too.”
Renovations at the building covered 12,000 square feet of space and include new classrooms, laboratories, a cadaver lab and collaborative learning spaces. The building is also home to the two master’s level programs and undergraduate science programs.
The renovations were done as part of Thiel College’s $16 million capital improvement effort that started in October. Among the funding was $1 million grant from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant, as well as donations from alumni.
“Dreams do come true,” vice chairman of the Thiel College Board of Trustees Rod Wilt said. “To see this facility go from a glimmer to this stage is great.”
Wilt, an alum of Thiel College, is executive director of Penn-Northwest Development Corp. and a member of the board of Sharon Regional Hospital.
Thiel College received provisional accreditation status to open the physician assistant studies program with its first class of 40 students beginning in this month. Those students as well as the second class of speech-language pathology, master’s of business administration and master of arts in communication and leadership students were also recognized.
The college’s first class of MBA students graduated in May and the communication and leadership students began their inaugural class earlier this July. These programs are accelerated and can be completed in less than one calendar year.
Thiel will also begin offering a master of arts in clinical mental health counseling in 2022. This program is accelerated as well and can be completed in 18 months.
“This is an exciting time at Thiel College,” Traverso said. “Our undergraduate students see these impressive graduate students, and it raises their aspirations for academic achievement. In this way, the profile and reputation of the college are strengthened.”
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