Thiel College president-elect and wife pledge $100,000

The college’s next president came to the reception with a big surprise.

STAFF REPORT

GREENVILLE, Pa. — When someone starts a new job, he generally comes in awaiting his first payday.

It’s a bit unusual when the new hire comes in bringing a check.

But that’s what Troy VanAken, who will be the 19th president of Thiel College, has done.

VanAken, who doesn’t begin his duties until July, was in town Friday for a reception in Thiel’s Howard Miller Student Center, and he and his wife, Annette, came bearing a large gift — a $100,000 pledge over the next five years.

The president-elect and his wife said the gift will be directed toward three purposes: First and foremost, an endowment to provide student scholarships; second, an endowment to fund faculty and staff professional development activities; and third, the Thiel Annual Fund, which is the college’s single largest source of funding after student-generated revenues.

“I am so honored that I was chosen as the next leader of this great Lutheran college,” said VanAken. “Annette and I are very moved by the commitment that everyone at Thiel has for its mission, and this gift is a way for us to show that we also are committed to the success of our students and the success of the institution as a whole.”

“It is highly uncommon for a president-elect to make such a charitable commitment, and it shows that the enthusiasm on campus for the continued forward movement of Thiel is more than matched by the VanAkens,” said David Grober, vice president for college advancement.

“Troy and Annette’s pledge is extremely generous, appreciated and will make a real difference to the college.”

VanAken was chosen as the college’s president by the board of trustees in February after a nationwide search.

He will take office in July after the president, Dr. Robert C. Olson, retires.

Thiel, which has 1,100 students, was founded in 1866 and is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.