The Yellow Jacket Special Edition: Memorializing Chancellor Timothy Thyreen (09.22.2022)

CHAPEL

"Restoring the Mission:" A life of ser vice

Waynesburg University honors Timothy R. Thyreen

MICAH LEITH Executive Editor

Faithful to the end.

That’s how Dr. Carolyn Thyreen described the life of her husband, Timothy R. Thyreen, who served as president of Waynesburg University for 23 years and chancellor for nine.

Chancellor Thyreen passed away at his home on May 16. He was 78 years old.

During his tenure as presi dent, Waynesburg construct ed 12 new buildings and tran sitioned from college status to University status.

For people that were close to him, however, the biggest accomplishment of his presi dency was not a physical one; it was a philosophical one, a spiritual one.

“He was challenging the students to make a signifi cant difference with their

lives through their education. And that meant serving God and serving people and that is the restoration, the bringing back of the Christian mission was what he was certainly the most pleased with,” Dr. Thyreen

Accordingsaid.to

--THE MISSION

Waynesburg University’s website, the three focuses of the Univer sity’s mission statement are “Faith, Learning, and Service,” and Dr. Thyreen identifed re turning Waynesburg to that mission as the biggest ac complishment of Chancellor Thyreen’s work at Waynes burg.Waynesburg University’s current president, Douglas G. Lee, agreed. To him, re turning an institution to its original mission was a rare accomplishment.

“He took us back to the mission of 1849, the mis sion that was established in those early days by people of strong faith that trusted in God to bring us a better world through servant lead ership,” he said. “And taking us back to that point is re ally, really uncommon for an institution to go back to its foundingAccordingmission.”toDr. Thyreen, the chapel is the physical representation of Waynes burg’s return to the mission of faith and was the capstone for the Chancellor’s legacy at Waynesburg University.

“When we came to the university or to the college in 1983, the name of Christ really was not spoken except in slurs. And so we knew our work was cut out for us and we never thought we believed we would reach that day that, that, that the name of Christ

would be lifted up,” she said. “The building of that chapel was a wonderful affrmation of where we were as a uni versity. And that was a great pleasure for me and for him as well, that forever that cross will be at the top of the high est point of the campus as a symbol and as a draw for stu dents and the community to us to understand the mes sage.”According to Dr. Thyreen, the university’s educational standards also signifcantly increased during Chancel lor Thyreen’s tenure as Pres ident, and she believes that the university’s emphasis on returning to the university’s original mission is a primary cause for that.

“The students we would see and get to know each year that we could see that we were drawing more students who were serious about their

Memorial to be held in Roberts Chapel

KAELYN ELIEN For the Yellow Jacket

Eleven years ago, a steeple rose high on the Waynesburg campus. A beacon of hope and re newal, for not only the University, but the com munity as well.

The resurrection and celebration of life for Chancellor Thyreen will be held in Roberts Chapel; a capstone of his presidency, a vision that began 39 years ago when he stepped foot on Waynesburg’s campus.

“I think the purpose of the chapel is really twofold,” wife of Chan cellor Thyreen, Dr.

Carolyn Thyreen, said. “One is to give honor to his life, and those who were apart of this, who prayed years before we came here that there would be a chapel on the campus, because it was not done alone.”

Dr. Thyreen recalled the day the steeple went high into the open blue sky. Hundreds of people called, taking in the sight from all different points of views throughout the community. The dedica tion for Roberts Chapel would have been Sep tember 24th of 2011, lin ing up closely with the date of the memorial, September 25th.

“As a Christian, you see God’s hands in ev erything,” Dr. Thyreen said.Roberts Chapel sits as the highest point of campus – 120 ft tall to the top of the cross, Dr. Thyreen said. Relent less faith and grit runs through the foundation of Roberts Chapel.

The service is to be a true medley of Chancel lor Thyreen’s family and the campus community. Scripture readings will be given by the Chan cellors' Worshipburganincludinggrandchildren,LukeDiel,alumofWaynesUniversity(2019).willbeledby

a close friend of the Thyreen Family, Rever end Dr. Stuart D. Brom berg. Bromberg was a part of the Chancellor’s life since he arrived at Waynesburg.RobinKing will be a soloist performer. Like many of the other guest speakers, King has had a significant impact on the Waynesburg community and family of Chancellor Thyreen. King started in admissions at Waynes burg 29 years ago, and gradually moved up the ladder becoming Senior Vice president of Enroll ment and University Re lations, then departing

education, who were serious about their faith, and faculty that came,” she said. “It was the faculty today that would say that they wouldn't be here if it wasn't a Christian

institution. So it was always a path that was constantly mov ing towards the direction of providing the kind of education for the students that it is today.”

Revisit Jacket's

The

THYREEN<<A2

Image courtesy of the President's office

Standing left to right in front of Eberly Library: Dr. Carolyn Eberly Blaney, President Timothy Thyreen and Dr. Robert Eberly, during the dedication ceremony in 1995

Photo courtesy President's office

Painting of Thyreens by Everrett Raymond Kinstler

Image of memorial announcemnent to

The history and significance of Roberts Chapel on campus

LOGAN LEPISCOPO For the Yellow Jacket

At the heart of Waynesburg University stands a three-level, 120 foot tall, 20,400 square foot chapel. Roberts Chapel is named after Dr. Roy Roberts, who pledged that his estate, when he passed away, would go towards build ing a Accordingchapel. to Presi dent Douglas G. Lee, Roberts never got to see the finished structure. He only saw the pictures for what it would look like.Adding a chapel onto campus had been a plan for a while, but it did not go into effect until the transition from Waynes burg College to Waynes burg University in 2007, according to Lee. It took a year and a half for the chapel to finish being built on Sept. 24, 2011.

Upon completion of the chapel, a ceremo ny was held inside the fnished building when 400 people attended the ceremony to hear per formers such as J. Chris topher Pardini and David Allen Wehr, according to a historical account by Anamarie Lipinski, pub lished April 22, 2021 at theclio.com.Insidethe chapel hangs a large Japanese

scroll, held inside a frame with a plaque be side it, explaining how the scroll was acquired, according to the entry at theclio.com. The scroll has the verse Luke 18:16 painted in Japanese. Lipinski’s account ex plained the origin of the scroll. Waynesburg graduate Dr. M. L Gor don spent a lot of his time in Japan as a mis sionary. Gordon and his wife had an elementary school established in Kyo to. The scroll remained at the elementary school until Gordon passed, and the scroll was then donat ed to the university.

The chapel stands near the top of the campus hill and overlooks almost all of campus.“Stand at the top of the chapel… standing at the highest point where it is about faith, look over to the stover campus center which is service… and then down to Miller Hall which is learning.” Lee said three dif ferent parts of the Waynes burg University campus display the University’s mission.Chaplain Joshua Sumpter spoke about Roberts Chapel and its signifcance to the campus and its connection to the late Chancellor Tim othy R. Thyreen, who was president during the con struction of the building. He said, “The chapel

represents the heartbeat of our mission at Waynes burgRobertsUniversity.”Chapel has held numerous different events since being built in 2011; services, Upper Room, memorial services for students who have died and other events. One individual who spoke at Roberts Chapel that Sumpter mentioned was the Rev. Paul Abernathy. Abernathy is an Ortho dox Christian priest who works with the Neighbor hood Resilience Project in the Hill District of Pitts burgh.According to Sumpter, the two times that Aber nathy came to speak for the University the COV ID-19 pandemic restrict ed students from being able to physically go and listen to his Sumptermessage.shared a story about Thyreen that referred to Thyreen’s passion and love for the students and university itself.“Iheard stories that if Thyreen saw students wearing shirts from other schools, he would take them to the old book store and get them new Waynesburg University gear… Thyreen really be lieved in Waynesburg’s mission.”

Editors note: Micah Leith contributed to the reporting for this story.

SERVICE

CONTINUED FROM A1 in 2015, according to Dr.KingThyreen.performed at Chancellor Thyreen’s in auguration as president and sang at three of his daughters’ weddings. King will be performing a Swedish Christian hymn “Children of the Heaven ly Father,” as an homage

to Thyreen’s Swiss roots. The arts will be high lighted throughout the memorial. Student per formances will be done by the University Lamp lighters led by Melanie Katana. Director of Mu sic Ministry and Organ ist, Mark Anderson, of Shadyside Presbyterian Church will perform as the organist throughout the“It’sservice.afull weekend, it’s one that our fam

ily needs,” Dr. Thyreen said. “I think it’s a time to come together for the community.”Inanemail, Dr. Thyreen said that there would be memories shared from the Chan cellor's brother, Daniel Thyreen, and his long time friend, Mark Fox, who is also a trustee of the university. There will be a short recep tion after the service in Marsh Center.

THYREEN

CONTINUED FROM A1

According to Lee, the connection between faith and learning is deeply inter twined and further under scores the commitment on display throughout Chancel lor Thyreen’s life.

“It shows what faith can do when God calls you to a task. God will provide the re sources to fnish the task,” he said. “You notice another con nection is every plaque has a Bible scripture giving glory to God or a message to those that read it about who God is and God's grace and truth in this

Accordingworld.” to a press re lease, Waynesburg Univer sity doubled enrollment, added masters and doctoral programs, along with numer ous academic programs, and created the Stover Center for Constitutional studies.

The third pillar of the Uni versity’s mission is service, which supplements faith and learning. According to Dr. Thyreen, this was an equally critical focus for the chancel lor.“He always would use the term, you know, making a dif ference with your life. And he meant it, she said. “Our ap proach was that community service was really at the very heart of being a Christian and seeing and depending on God to provide the energy and the means to do that.”

One of the most signifcant changes to the University’s commitment to service was the institution of the Bonner Scholars program in 1990, according to Dr. Thyreen. Waynesburg was the first school in Pennsylvania to be awarded the Bonner Schol ar program. A university press release attributes over 750,000 hours of community service to Waynesburg stu dents as a result of the Bonner program.In2004, the Bonner Foun dation established a scholar ship at Waynesburg.

“At a time when we were moving towards community service and serving God and people, there really was no money to do that,” Dr. Thyreen said. “That's when the Bon ner Foundation came and awarded us a very prestigious scholarship program. And so that just kind of convinced anybody who had questions as to whether we should be

going in this direction that this was really being awarded and seen and Thyreen’srecognized.”impact on the community extended far be yond his work as president and chancellor at Waynes burg University. Chancellor Thyreen also was on a number of boards and led numerous organizations, according to the university’s press release. He served on the board of di rectors at the Western Penn

sylvania Conservancy, was chairman of both the Associa tion of Independent Colleges & Universities of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Associa tion of Colleges & Universities and served on the Pennsylva nia Lawyers Client Security Fund Board.

He also provided other higher education presidents with advice about how to lead their programs, according to Dr.“WeThyreen.would go to presiden tial meetings who were trying to bring about a better edu cational experience. He had good contacts with presidents that would call him and would talk to him at meetings. And they depended on him when they saw that we were being successful in moving in the direction we were,” she said. “And not everyone was suc cessful at doing that, but there we were. We were a model to a lot of Throughoutschools.”his life, Chan cellor Thyreen was a source of advice not just for other presi dents and community leaders: According to Dr. Thyreen, he was also a constant source of wisdom for students as well.

“He taught and was in edu cation his whole life, and he could relate to students,” Dr. Thyreen said. “He was a very unselfish, humble person, but very very analytical and always seemed to know what a person needed to hear. And he was respected throughout, you know, throughout the ed ucational community. And the

state was a leader and they trusted him. And he wasn't one that was boastful, I think. I think people that know him and the students that knew him remember him.”

According to Dr. Thyreen, his work as a mentor and a coach was something that was incredibly important to him, and he continued that work up until the end of his life.

“He loved to teach. He was a teacher and a coach, and he coached to the end. His fnal weeks, he had opportunities to coach several people who needed the advice,” she said.

One person in particular who received signifcant men toring and advice is President Lee. According to Lee, Chan cellor Thyreen was a constant source of wisdom and sup port, particularly in the early days of Lee’s tenure.

“I have other colleagues that are presidents that I dis cuss with as well. But that was a sort of a special relationship because, you know, he knew this place as well as I know it. I know this place as well as he knew it,” he said.

As students settle into the new school year, the absence of the chancellor is notable for President Lee.

“You just miss someone who's become such a great friend and mentor. And, you know, that's the one thing that I probably appreciate more now than I did over the sum

mer was, you know, just how much of a great infuence he was and how he's missed by so many others have shared that with me too,” Lee said.

Lee said that the Thyreen family farm will be donated to the university as a retreat.

Additionally, Lee said that the Timothy and Carolyn Thyreen Service Leadership award continues as a way to honor Chancellor Thyreen’s legacy at Waynesburg.

As for new students who matriculated after the pass ing of Chancellor Thyreen, Lee said that they can see the impact of his life on cam pus in the shape of buildings constructed during his time at

Waynesburg.“Lookatthe beautiful cam pus he left behind. There’s a symbol of of his creative ge nius and his commitment to excellence and his passionate love of the mission of the uni versity,” he said.

Dr. Thyreen also said that she believes that Chancellor Thyreen’s legacy as a person will leave a lasting impression on“Hepeople.was a good man. He was a faithful person. He had a sense of humor. He was the most quick-witted person,” she said. “He had a bright, brilliant mind, wonderful mind, a big heart, and a love for students.”

Photo courtesy Ben Champ

Photo courtesy Rebekah Vaughan

TOP: View of the Stover Campus Center from the Roberts Chapel steps. Bottom: Aerial view of Roberts Chapel

Photo courtesy of President's office

Photo courtesy of President's office

Photo courtesy of President's office

Photo courtesy of President's office

The Thyreens were married for 56 years

President Thyreen delivers his inaugural address

President Thyreen receives college charter

President Thyreen with Corella Bonner

Dr. Stratton remembers Thyreen

BY DR. LAWRENCE STRATTON

STAFFEXECUTIVE

EDITOR ALLENSWORTH DUNCAN TIM DURKIN RICHARD KRAUSE KRISTINE SCHIFFBAUER

IN HIS THANKWORDSYOU

I would like to thank the following people for their help in digitizing photos and articles for this special edition. Without their invaluable assistance, this could never have been accomplished. I thank Haley Rhine, Yumin "Melissa" Lee, Rebekah Vaughan, Tim Durkin, Kristine Schiffbauer, Laura Lawrence and President Lee.

-Micah Leith, Executive Editor

Thyreen's address in honor of chapel building completion

Editors note: The fol lowing is a verbatim ex cerpt from Chancellor Thyreen's chapel address from March 29, 2011, af ter the steeple was lifted to the top of the chapel. This address was provided by his widow, Dr. Carolyn Thyreen.

Good morning.

It is good to come to gether as a community to share some thoughts withWeyou.have entered an in credible and significant moment in our history. If you were on campus on Thursday, March 17, then you were a witness to a significant event, that is, the raising of the Steeple and the Cross for the Roberts Chapel.

Last Tuesday, Rev. Dr. Stu Broberg in his Char ter Day address talked about the spiritual seeds that were planted 161 years ago when this col lege was chartered. God's Spirit was at work in the lives of His people at the beginning of our his tory, and has beenfaith ful through the years to keep His Spirit alive in the hearts of many cou rageous and faithful men and women.

In the scriptures read this morning, we hear how important it is for each generation of God's people to praise God's works and declare His

ABOUT OP/EDS

mighty acts to the next generation. We have been witnesses to a transfor mation that has taken place on this campusnot only in the physical environment byt in the reawakening of a vibrant and enthusiatic spirit that seeks to honor God in all things. We are that city on the hill that sheds God's light for all to see. Now, with the Cross lifted to the highest ground and reaching into the sky 120 feet, we declare the overwhleming sense of presence of God on this campus. And, the com munity around us has takenWhatnotice!does this really mean? It means a renewed dedication to all that has made Waynesburg great, that is, the pursuit of aca demic excellence through scholarship; the prepara tion of leaders who will be equipped to serve in the global community of the 22nd century; and, the reinforcement with in our students to to live purposeful lives through service to God and to human kind. Our faith must be demonstrated through our commitment to bringing the message of the Cross to every per son, in every situation that we find ourselves: the message of love, peache, hope, salvation, and redemption.

Editorials marked as such represent the views of the Yellow Jacket. Letters from readers, columns, cartoons and other elements on the editorial page do not necessar ily refect the position of this newspaper and university.

NEWSPAPER POLICY

The Yellow Jacket is the student-operated newspaper of Waynesburg University funded by student fees and advertisements and is intended for the entire college community. The Yellow Jacket is produced by the stu dent staff on a weekly basis during the academic year. The offce of the Yellow Jacket is located in room 400 of Buhl Hall. It is the right of the Yellow Jacket to print all material deemed newsworthy and gathered in a fair and unconditional manner. No advance copies of stories will be shown, and reporters' notes are considered conf dential. No "off the record" information will be accepted.

ADVERTISING POLICY

Anyone wishing to advertise in the Yellow Jacket should email the advertising director at jacketads@waynesburg. edu. Ads must be submitted by the Monday before publi cation date and not confict with the university mission.

Chancellor Timothy R. Thyreen was a passionate educator whose educa tional vision for an aca demic institution predi cated upon the grace and truth of Jesus Christ was inspiring. Just as Old Testament Judean King Josiah rediscovered the scrolls and rebuilt Jeru salem, President Thyreen rebuilt Waynesburg Uni versity on its founding Christian mission. The Stover Scholars cherished his annual Christmas Dinner messages about leadership which were always enlivened with examples from both his tenure and offorofalumnuscouragewouldUniversity'sWaynesburghistory.HeoftenrecounttheofWaynesburgJudgeJohnKnoxtheU.S.DistrictCourttheSouthernDistrictNewYorkwhotesti

fed before the U.S. Sen ate Judiciary Committee against President Frank lin Delano Roosevelt's Supreme Court packing plan after the Supreme Court struck down major parts of the New Deal as being unconstitutional. Knox's testimony against the Roosevelt packing plan and in favor of the U.S. Constitution's struc turally independent judi ciary turned the politi cal tide. But his courage cost Judge Knox his close friendship with Roosevelt and the prospects of his own potential elevation

to the High Court. Chan cellor Thyreen wanted Waynesburg students and alumni to always do the right thing without regard to the consequences! He also wanted students to appreciate the Christian principles undergirding the U.S. Constitution and live them Chancellorout. Thyreen taught me how to shoot a shotgun and gave me pointers about playing golf, among many other insights about life, eth ics, and politics. When ever he gave me insights, I invariably thought about his success teaching countless others over the years---as the President, administrator, professor, and football coach--with his clear instructions and commanding passion. He had a unique spark that made his listeners rec ognize and believe that there was nothing more important as he inspired his students toward greater excellence.

Each year he and Dr. Thyreen would host a dinner with the incom ing class of Stover Schol ars. One year he served Walleye, which he had caught on his fshing boat in Lake Erie. The deep in terest he and Dr. Thyreen demonstrated for these students, like all Waynes burg University students, underscored his commit ment to nurturing stu dents throughout their academic pilgrimages and beyond.

Chancellor Thyreen's actions expressed his profound belief that the most important aspect of Waynesburg University is its mission of bearing witness to the Gospel of Jesus throughout its en deavors. In London's St. Paul's Cathedral, on the tomb of cathedral archi tect Christopher Wren is the statement, "If you would seek my monu ment, look around you." If you looked around while standing at the center of Waynesburg University's

Johnson Commons in the shadow of Roberts Cha pel, the Stover Center, and other buildings, the same can be said of Chancellor Thyreen, especially as vi brant students are joyfully engaged in activities: "If you would seek Chancel lor Thyreen's monument, look around you." Even more signifcantly, Chan cellor Thyreen's monu ment is the living faith of Waynesburg's "transformingandadministrators,students,faculty,alumniwhichistrulythepolis."

What Thyreen's legacy means to a journalist covering his passing

MICAH LEITH Executive Editor

When I wrote the main, front-page story cov ering the Chancellor’s death, life and legacy, I strove to keep my per sonal opinions out of it. I wanted the facts and the sources to tell the story of his life, one that I am certainly not qualifed to tell on my own.

During the process of writing that story and putting together this special edition, I was for tunate to interview key witnesses to his life in the weeks immediately fol lowing his passing, and I was given access to more information than I could have ever asked for or ex pected to receive.

At the same time, I got extremely close to the story. I frmly believe that reporters can and should form opinions about the material they cover, that often journalists have more information about a story or issue than any one else, and the opinion they form is oftentimes more informed and com plex than that of anyone else. At the same time, it is crucial that reporters keep that opinion out of their hard news coverage while being transparent about that opinion and bias in other mediums. This editorial is my at tempt at just that.

I wanted to share my opinion as both a supple ment to the hard news coverage as well as a way to show the campus just how important the chan cellor was.

I never got the op portunity to meet the Chancellor, so I cannot, and should not, attempt to speak about his per sonal character. I gladly leave that up to his wid ow, Dr. Carolyn Thyreen; their family; President Lee and the many, many people who did know him personally and speak so

highly of his faith, of his commitment, and his ca pacity to love.

Nor am I capable of speaking about the theological implications of Waynesburg’s return to its founding mission. In the process of putting this special edition to gether, I had the oppor tunity to hear from many people who are capable of a deep understanding of the spiritual impact that the Chancellor’s work carried, and yet, that is just not something that I am able to fully grasp and fully

Rather,appreciate.Iamable to of fer a perspective similar to that of other students who have enrolled here over the past decade, and those who will enroll here for decades, if not cen turies, to come. Students like myself were not here for the struggles, the hard times, or the blood, sweat and tears shed dur ing the Thyreens’ fight to make the university what it is today. Instead, we are fortunate enough to reap the benefits of their struggle: a compre hensive education that doesn’t just give infor mation, but rather puts it into the context of being a good citizen, living a life of virtue and meaning, and fnding one’s calling.

The quality of that edu cation has steadily made itself more and more ap parent during my four years at this school. Dur ing my time here, I have become a person that is more grounded, stronger in virtue, and dedicated to a calling that gives me meaning and fulfll ment. Further, I can point to specific programs, changes and hires that the Chancellor himself made.Ofcourse, the depart ment of communications ranks has been one of the most infuential for me. During his time as presi dent, Chancellor Thyreen

poured resources, time and effort into the de partment, setting the stage and laying the foun dation for the top-notch education and experi ence that I have been so fortunate to experience.

The chancellor’s legacy has deeply affected me in other ways, as well. I have met some of the clos est friends of my life in buildings like the Stover Campus Center and the Center for Education and Research, buildings that were erected because of his leadership. I have shared life stories and gained invaluable wis dom during meals with friends, faculty and men tors in the Benedum din ing hall, which he worked to renovate and expand. In so many ways, the work that he did as presi dent is woven throughout the fabric of my life, even though I never met the man.Ultimately, however, the return to the mission of Waynesburg’s founding is the single biggest im pact the chancellor had on my life. I am extremely lucky and blessed to have found myself in a place

like Waynesburg, where the focus is on becom ing not just an excellent scholar and a dedicated worker, but rather be coming a cultured, wellrounded person capable of leading others. I frmly believe in the transfor mative nature of that mission, and the entire world is able to see the fruits of that effort in the Waynesburg alumni who work in Congress, prac tice law, lead companies and provide a shining example of what proper education and training canAsaccomplish.Isaid,Inever had the opportunity to meet Chan cellor Thyreen, and yet, I sorely feel his absence on campus. Further, I have been privileged to speak with and get to know many who were close to him.

Although the campus has lost a wonderful source of wisdom and leadership, I have been blessed with deep, lostperspectivetunateclosewithdiscussionsthought-provokingandinterviewspeoplewhostoodbyhim,andIamfortohavegainedthatasastudent.Waynesburghastrulyagiant.

Photo Courtesy Dr. Carolyn Thyreen

President Timothy Thyreen, left, and Dr. Larry Stratton, right, at the Thyreens' farm

Photo courtesy

President Thyreen's legacy will be felt by students for years to come

A histor y of mission and faith

Originally published Oct. 4, 2012

Design by Abigail Phillips

Credit to archived Yellow Jacket stories

Thyreen named fourteenth President

JEANNINE FOLEY Staff writer

Originally published Jan. 1990

Timothy R. Thyreen was selected to be the fourteenth President of Waynesburg College. He is the youngest man ever elected to hold this posi tionPresident Thyreen was named as President dur ing the Thyreenhasdents.DirectorouslytheSomelegecamethethetheannouncementMedicineceremonyribbon-cuttingoftheSportsfacilities.ThismarkedendofthesearchforrightmantotakeoverreignsatWaynesburg.PresidentThyreentoWaynesburgColseveralyearsago.ofthepositionsatcollegethathepreviheldareAdmissionsandDeanofStuHeismarriedandthreedaughters.Mrs.isanalumnusof

WaynesburgCredentialsCollegeheld by President Thyreen in clude a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from North Park College in Chicago, Illinois and a Master’s of Science de gree in education admin istration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

President Thyreen is cur rently working towards his Doctorate at West Vir ginia University in Mor gantown.Thyreen brings to the College presidency over 20 years of education al experience. He feels his responsibility is to have open communica tions with the faculty and the students. Presi dent Thyreen said his goals are “to make sure we continue the positive moral on campus.” He also plans to continue making structural through-outimprovementsthecampus.

To insure good communi cation with the students, President Thyreen plans on having students over for lunch at the Presi dents’ house, hopefully beginning in February. He will probably begin with

the Seniors. He will also try to make sure every body gets a chance.

President Thyreen said, “he’s excited to be the president of a college with such a great history and such a promising future.”

CCCU admits Waynesburg as member

HEIDI WATSON Yellow Jacket Correspondent

Published Sept. 12, 2003

Numerous changes oc curred over this past sum mer at Waynesburg College ranging from new steps outside of Burns hall to the completion of the new residence halls. These ad vancements have shaped and molded Waynesburg College to be one step ahead of where it was last spring.

One of the most signif cant advancements that occurred over the summer is the acceptance into the Council for Christian Col leges and Universities.

Having been an affliate member for the past six years, the CCCU is not an unfamiliar association. The CCCU is an international higher education associa tion of intentionally Chris tian colleges and universi ties.“We are pleased and proud to join the CCCU,” said Waynesburg Col lege President Timothy R. Thyreen. “Our efforts to offer a high-quality Chris tian education for the 21st century can only be strengthened by sharing resources and ideas with other institutions that have similar values and mis sions.”The new CCCU mem

porary Music Center, Latin American Studies Program, Middle east Studies Pro gram, Scholars’ Semester in Oxford, China Studies Program, Honours Pro gramme-CMRS at Oxford, Los Angeles Film Studies Center and the Russian StudiesStudentsProgram.looking for a summer option rather than taking a semester away from Waynesburg College could get involved in the Oxford Summer Pro gramme or the Summer In stitute of Journalism. Each summer program offers up to four academic credits.

Students are also pro vided with the opportunity for involvement in Inter national Partner programs and other off-campus study programs. More de tailed descriptions of the programs CCCU offer can be found at http://www. cccu.org.Asaffiliate members

however, Waynesburg Col lege students would only be considered for pro grams after CCCU mem ber students. Now that we are members of the CCCU, Waynesburg College stu dents have an equal chance of getting accepted into a program as any other stu dent from a CCCU school. “Now our students have all of these programs available to them,” said

Joining the CCCU is not by any means the beginning of a mission to offcially be come a Christian college. “This college was founded by Christian Scholars and we had drifted away from that,” said Thyreen. “In the last decade we have been discovering those roots.”

about us and the kind of changes that have oc curred here at Waynesburg College, they encouraged us to go ahead and apply.”

Editor's note: The remaining four pages of this special edition are made up of republished Yellow Jacket stories covering Thyreen's presidency. They are not presented in chronological order; rather, they are organized in a way that best tell the story of Thyreen's service at Waynesburg. Further, the stories found here are only lightly edited, so as to preserve the historical signifcance of these stories. Imperfections and all, they represent the perspective of students over the course of Thyreen's life.

Thyreen campusaddressesissues

DAN OPEL

Published Sept. 1990

The main goal for Waynes burg College president Timo thy R. Thyreen is “to provide our students the greatest op portunity to develop them selves academically, socially, and spiritually,” he said in a recent interview with the journalism class. Thyreen was inaugurated as president in April.

He continued, “What I’m hoping is for better lines of communication” between students and administrators and faculty. “I hope we’re chal lenging, providing inspiration, providing faculty access, and showing love and responsi bility.”Thyreen explained that the move to have professors seek master’s or doctorate de grees is because of accredita tion. “Typically a master’s de gree should be the minimum,” he said and pointed out that degrees are “essential” to re ceive accreditation from the agency that evaluates the school.Also concerning the faculty, Thyreen said that he “strongly” considers the eval uation forms and looks at the mean evaluations. Because of the performance of the facul ty, Thyreen said that members “received the largest salary in crease in our history.”

mentioned that the move from NAIA has made the college “better for all stu dents.” He said “Everyone is on a scholarship” because the school cannot be run with only tuition money. However, he mentioned that “because of all the support systems we have, students have a bet ter chance to succeed.” The school has also become more selective as a result of the switch. “For the fall of 1990, we denied more students than in the past 15 or 20 years,”

ThyreenThesaid.move to NCAA Di vision was made for two reasons. One, “because only two other teams in the state were NAIA,” he said. The oth er reason was that the new conference is “a prestigious small-college conference with excellent athletic teams.”

bership will make many Christian higher education resources available to the college, such as interna tional and domestic study programs as well as faculty and staff development op portunities.TheCCCU provides and administers programs de signed to increase par ticipating students’ ca pacities for critical and global thinking. The 16 credit semester study pro grams include: American Studies Program, Contem

lege fairs that are specif cally for CCCU members, and prospective students can access the Waynes burg College website from the CCCU website when searching online for Chris tian colleges.

These steps toward becoming a more Christcentered college were not taken in hopes that we could become members of the CCCU; they were taken in honest seeking to become more Christ-like as an Waynesburginstitution. College administration has been working very hard in the past decade to return to our Christian roots. “The biggest step has already been taken; [Our member ship with the CCCU] is just a recognition of the step,” saidViceThyreen.President for Insti tutional Planning, Research and Development Richard “Skip” Noftzger, has had much to do with these steps toward our tradition of a Christ-centered col lege.He explained that in the previous Strategic Plan, which is written docu ment that sets priorities and goals of Waynesburg College for a given time period, it was specifcally stated that Waynesburg College wanted to join the CCCU as an affliate mem ber.“We also wanted to consider the possibility of becoming a full member. Early on in that plan we be came an affliate member, and in the past 18 months we began to have some more serious discussions about whether or not this was the right time, and if it was a possibility now or not,” said Noftzger.

“Based upon what they CCCU staff members knew

Thyreen said, “We were given, by the CCCU board, a unanimous vote in, and we are dramatically ex cited.”People at Waynesburg College are not the only ones pleased with our new membership.“TheCouncil is excited to welcome Waynesburg College to the CCCU,” said Robert C. Andringa, Coun cil president. “We join with the college’s board, alumni, faculty and staff in cel ebrating the strong return of the school to a focus on its processthatsionChristianrecoveringrectionstitution.”moreofbutbeginningJoiningmission,”ofburgareasgiondiscussionveryNoftzger.esalwaysgionpelanticipatinganddirectlybutopportunitiesthecommitmentPresidentmission,Christ-centeredandweapplaudThyreenforhistothisend.”OurmembershipwithCCCUprovidesmanyforstudents,doesnotnecessarilyaffecttheactivitiesdailylifeoncampus.“Wearenotinanywayrequiredchaormorerequiredrelicourses,howeverastherewillbechanginthecurriculum,”saidTherearesomepreliminarystagesofinmakingReliorMinistrypossibleofstudyatWaynesCollege.“TheCCCUisasymptomsuccessofobtainingasaidThyreen.theCCCUisnottheofourefforts,inessence,avalidationourefforttobecomeaChrist-centeredinNoftzgersaid,“Ourdiistobeclearaboutoursenseofidentityandmisasaninstitution.Andhasbeenanongoingfor15years.”

The raise was made pos sible by “positive” enrollment numbers and a “very positive” fnancial situation, he noted. Our fund-raising has been excellent, he said, raising 6.4 million when the goal was 6 million. “We planned to make Miller Hall handicapped-ac cessible,” he stated. Also, “we received a large gift for reno vations for Hannah Hall.”

Thyreen additionally

The president also stated that new budgets could affect grants, but that the changes shouldn’t be large. He also said that tuition will probably increase, but added, “It is my pledge to keep them as low as possible.”Headdressed many prob lems and gave possible solu tions. Concerning parking, he said that we need “green space,” but “We have to get one or two more parking ar eas.”“There is no place for sexu al harassment on campus,” he said, noting that a commit tee on harassment is being formed.Heis also “anxious to get a radio power increase” be cause “it can be a good link between the college and the community.”Finally,Thyreen hopes to make improvements in the stadium stands and locker rooms and start women’s and men’s soccer teams.

Pres. speaks about service at chapel

MELANIE POLESOVSKY Staff Writer

Published Sept. 29, 2008

At the Chapel service on Tuesday, Sept. 16 guest speaker, Univer sity President Timothy R. Thyreen spoke to Waynesburg University students, faculty and staff about how they should take advantage of youth and to contrib ute to the wellness of their communities.

He explained that most students believe they should help their communities; however they will wait until they are older to do so.

“There is no purpose of waiting; do good now,” said Thyreen.“Give up your best to the master; give up your strength of your youth.”

After hearing Thyreen’s message about service and its importance Sarah Rizzi agreed.“Ibelieve that Thyreen made a very important point because we might not have the opportunity in the future to help the community in ways we canThyreendo.” also spoke about the importance of making the right decisions

when it came to alcohol, drugs and education.

“Make good decisions,” he said. “Your life can af fect someone and may have a great influence for someone in your life.”

Thyreen recognized Jo seph Califano, head of the National Center on Addic tion and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, for his research about alcohol abuse on college campuses in the United States.

“If enough students come to a campu and say no to addictive behavior,” heThyreensaid. wrote a letter to Califano thanking him for his contribution to the awareness.Inresponse, Califano wrote a letter to Waynes burg University thanking its faculty Thyreen’sinstead.message to the students, faculty and staff of Waynesburg University brought a positive attitude and viewpoint about ser vice.“President Thyreen chal lenged students to make the most of their youth,” said junior Heather Quin link.Next week’s Chapel speaker will be William Stickland, CEO of Manches ter Bidwell Corporation

Photo By Jeannine Foley

Timothy Thyreen is named Waynesburg's fourteenth president

“We are pleased and proud to join the CCCU... Our efforts to offer a high-quality Christian education for the 21st century can only be strengthened by sharing resources and ideas with other institutions that have similar values and mis sions”

TIMOTHY THYREEN Waynesburg College

University name change set for this summer

ELIZABETH WITTE Executive Editor

Published Jan 26, 2007

Waynesburg College will officially become Waynesburg University as early as this summer, Presi dent Timothy Thyreen said.

"We'll have a big celebration on campus," Thyreen said about the College's plans for the summer. "Then during the year, we'll have celebrations through out the country for alums."

Between Feb. 27 March 2, a team from the state Department of Education will visit to evaluate the College.Theteam will then sub mit a report to the state Secretary of Education, who makes the fnal deci sion, which is expected to happen this summer.

This year's graduating class, the Class of 2007, will have the option to receive a new Waynesburg Universi ty diploma after the change takes effect, with the Class of 2008 expected to be the frst class to offcially graduate from Waynesburg University.Theoption of receiving a new diploma will also be pen to all alumni, with one stipulation."They've got to shake

my hand," Thyreen said of the alumni who may want a new diploma. "The 2007 graduates will be shaking my hand in the spring, so that's soon enough. But the alums have to shake my hand or the dean's hand, and then they'll get a new diploma with 'Waynes burg University' on it."

The name change brings the College one step closer to Thyreen's vision for the institution.“Thereal goal was to go from Waynesburg college to Waynesburg university to just Waynesburg,” he said.In addition to the name change several of the new campus wide construction projects will also reach completion this year.

The Center for Research and Economic Develop ment offcially opened ear lier this month with con sulting analysis frm RJ Lee group, the education and technological project An Adventure of the American Mind and several forensic science laboratory class rooms currently housed in theThebuilding.other two major construction projects, the additions to Eberly library and Benedum dining hall, are expected to be com

pleted this spring.

“Partial occupation of the library being the circulation desk in the area to the left as you go in looks like the end of February, “ Roy Barnhart, vice president for busi ness and finance, said. “The rest of the library and the cafeteria looks like the end of April.

Although Thyreen admits the construc tion projects are behind schedule, he attributes most of the delay to exist ing structural problems in both buildings that had to be corrected before the

additions could be made. New construction will commence at approxi mately the same time that the current projects reach addtion.saidinvasive,building.onwhichetryb.editionWellnesswillThiscompletion.spring,thecollegebreakgroundontheCenterand2ndtothelibrarythatf.maizCenterforpoandbiblicaljustice,willbelocatedtheNorthEndofthe“Thatonewillbelessthough,”Thyreenofthesecondaddi“It'llbemoreofanon.”

The maiz center, named after the late poet who left his estate and writ ing to the college upon his 2004 death, will also house the Stover Center for Morality and Consti tutional Studies, a section of the library devoted to the study of the constitu tion that will also serve as a forum for civil debate about morality and ethics and law and business.

With the flurry of cam pus changes occurring, Thyreen wishes that maiz, a personal friend, was still around to witness the construction in his honor.

“When people give you money or their works, what I feel I have to do is be a good steward of that,” Thyreen said. “I know what b.f. expects out of me because we used to argue late into the night. And so I know why he gave [his work] to us. I know of our personal relationship that we had and I just wish that b. f. could come back, and I could show it to him because the phrase that b. f. Gave me was, brag gadocious was OK as long as you under promise and over deliver.”

First Yellow Jacket edition under University branding

Marketing efforts tie Waynesburg past, present

KARINA GRAZIANI

"I am itsthatcomprehensiveversitytroductionblosaswebsite.andshirts,University,"WaynesburgThissloganisfeaturedonbillboards,advertisementstheuniversityWhatstartedanamechangehassomedintoareinoftheunitotheregion."We'restillthatsmallerChristianschoolputsstudentsatfocus,"saidDirec

tor of University Rela tions, Bethany Doyle. "We care about the students. You're more than a number when you get here. All of that is oing to stay the same."Initially, Doyle worked alongside di rector of admis sions and marketing, Dave Mariner, vice president for enrollment and marketing Robin King and a company out of Pittsburgh.Afullcommittee was put together at the end of May to start plan

ning for the announce ment.According to direc tor of admissions Sar ah Zwinger, the name change will open up more of the west coast and international mar kets because students tend to see a university asmoreofferingoptions and more.

andwe'rewe'rereallysentationname"Theopportunities.changeofourisstillarepreofwhoweare,whichisthatserviceoriented,faithorientedwe'rerigorousac

ademic oriented," said Zwinger. "We're still making sure students understand that.

"We're still going to be small and inti mate, and that's why we wanted the 'I am Waynesburg Univer sity' to really get that feelAsacross."partof the "uni versity splash," the slogan born bards the area through radio, television and magazine advertisements and is integrated into the revamped univer sity Web site.

In addition to the adver tisements, a fac t book was sent to over 29,000 alumni with a letter from the president announcing the name change, and businesses around the area got cards with the announcement: as well.

"It's a great way to announce the name change and establish pride in the institution and for alumni to stay in touch," said Doyle. " The stories we develop and a lot of the things we do are going to fall back on to this 'I am

Waynesburg Univer sity' theme and what that means. Anything we write or design, that comes full circle."

This includes inte grating communica tions through the web site, as well through the university's publi cations."With everything that we're doing now, we're integrating out communication pro cess so that you're get ing a consistent mes sage and you're not just finding the story in one spot," said Doyle.

Photo by Nathan Satsgiver

'Another step in college growth'

College prepares plan for transition after Thyreen’s tenure as president

BRANDON SZUMINSKY Executive Editor

Published Jan. 28, 2005

In an effort to look to wards the future, Waynes burg College announced plans to implement a plan of succession that will en sure an “orderly transition” following current Presi dent Timothy Thyreen’s tenure. The President does not plan to leave the offce in the near future, though; he expects to be president for at least fve more years.

“I still have a burn in my belly for this college,” Thyreen said. “There are a lot of things I still want to accomplish as president.”

The plan, developed by the Board of Trustees and the President, includes Thyreen agreeing to serve as Chancellor after his ten ure as President, in which he will serve as an “ambas sador of goodwill” with a focus on fundraising.

After stepping down as president, Thyreen’s role as Chancellor will focus less on the daily operation of the college and shift to one centered off campus on fundraising and developing contacts for the college.

“I won’t be involved in the running of the college. The new president will do all of those things, but I’ll continue with all of those networks that I have devel oped for the college. It’s re ally an ambassador’s role,” he said. “But that’s years fromThenow.”plan of succession also includes the creation of a new administrative position. The position of Executive Vice President will be the most senior administrative offcer re porting directly to the President and, according to Thyreen, whoever flls that role could be in a very good position to succeed him as president. The ad dition of the new position is “just another step in col lege growth,” he said.

“This position is directly related to the succession plan. If this person comes in and is successful - and the board feels that this person is good and has done a good job and they feel they’re ready for the presidency - they would be a very, very, very strong candidate for the presi dency,” Thyreen said.”[The Board] will have witnessed frst hand the abilities and the achievements of the individual.”Though just going into effect now, the process began years ago, Thyreen said. It was worked into his contract to ensure the college’s success contin ues and the transition after his retirement is smooth. Through a plan of succes sion is being implemented, Thryeen intends to contin ue as president for “more than fve more years.”

“We’ve had some won derful, significant years and the Board years ago wanted to make sure there was an orderly transition. That doesn’t mean that I’m leaving the presidency - I’m still going to be the president. I’m healthy; my wife’s healthy and we’re go ing to be here several years as president,” Thyreen said.

“But we also know the responsibility of think ing long term. We have a very proactive Board and I’m very much committed to making sure the college continues to move.”

The process was in stituted by the Board of Trustees, which an nounced the plan to the campus community via email on Jan. 21.

“We trust that our Presi dent will continue to serve the college for many more years,” Jeffrey M. Wymard, chair of the Board of Trust ees, said in the memo. “We are deeply grateful for President Thyreen’s in spired leadership that, in the company of a fne fac ulty and staff, has brought

Waynesburg College to a unique and admired place in American Higher Edu cation.”Byputting in place the process for his retirement, Thyreen, who has been president since 1990, ad mitted that many others in his position might feel concerned, but he remains confdent in feeling that he and his wife were called to this position. He said oth er presidents might worry that they would be seen as weak or as a lame duck with a plan of succession in place, but he is very com fortable with the plan.

“I’m no lame duck,” he said.In fact, the plan of suc cession secures Thyreen’s role in the administration after his retirement. It rep resents a very long term commitment by Thyreen and his wife to serve the college by searching and networking resources for this“That’sinstitution.what this board and this presidency has always been about. We take on these issues well in advance. I don’t think too many presidents in the middle of their presidency would be comfortable with the board talking about a succession plan. That talks about the wonderful respect and trust that the Board and I have with each other,” Thyreen said.

“Most presidents would say ‘oh no, no’ but we know this a very special place and this is a very special time and we want the ef

forts that we’ve all made here - many people have contributed to what this college has become-to live on beyond all of us.”

The other part of the plan of succession is the addition of the Executive Vice President. One of the role’s primary responsibili ties will be fundraising and whoever flls the role will initially assume current tasks from other areas and then over time the person will take on additional re sponsibilities. Though add ing an administrative salary to the payroll, according to Thyreen, the position will actually produce more in come fundraising opportu nities. According to Rich ard “Skip” Noftzger, senior vice president for institu tional planning, research and educational services, this position was not cre ated out of any current deficiencies that needed flled, but instead as a far looking“Whetherdecision.it’sthis posi tion of anything else, it’s always a matter of making priority choices,” Noftzger said. “In this case the deci sion by President and the Board it is an investment in the Thyreenfuture.”does not expect the addition of a senior lev el administrator to result in immediate wholesale changes to the adminis tration, but that the col lege will “grow into a kind of “We’rerestructuring.”verylean at the administrative level as compared to most other

schools, so there’s noth ing wrong with us having additional people to ad vance the mission of the institutional,” Thyreen said. “The other piece of it is we’ve stayed the same for how many years and we’ve grown from 1,000 students to 2,000 stu dents. We’ve become a very complex college. And with those complexities brings on the additional need for support but also leader ship, and then of course creating grants and gifts and fundraising for all the additions.”Dr.Thomas Pavick, pro fessor of history, will chair a committee to conduct the national search for the new position. The com mittee will include trust ees appointed by the Board Chair and an administra tive staff member.

Most search commit tees do not contain Board members, but this commit tee will feature several be cause of the nature of the position. The additional members of the search committee are currently being selected by the chair of the Board of Trustees.

According to Pavick, the hardest part of this kind of search is fnding the appli cants. Once quality candi dates are discovered, he said, things move downhill and the process moves to interviews on and off cam pus. The application pro cess is extremely confden tial since most applicants are already employed dur ing the application process.

Searches like this can run into diffculties including applicants dropping out of contention or being hired by someone else, which can require the search committee to essentially start over. Most of all, he said, these searches are very time consuming.

“I don’t think it’s good to rush into these things just to get it done,” Pavick said.

“I think that’s why they’re doing it now, so you’re not up against the wall doing it. That’s important.”

A potential applicant, Thyreen said, would be a person who’s been a positive voice for change within their organization, possesses an understand ing of higher education and Christian higher educa tion and has a passion to advance this institution.

The President expects the search to take a maxi mum of a year and ideally he would like someone to have been hired by this time next year.

“It’s a rather lengthy process because we want to make sure we get what’s best for the institution and get the very best person that’s out there. We’re not going to hire somebody just to hire somebody,” Thyreen said. “That’s the reason to do these things very early.”

Of course, beginning the process of plan ning for a successor has led to speculation that Thyreen’s tenure at the college is near ing an end, but Thyreen is quick to dispel those rumors, “I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

“I’m going to be here several years as president, but we also know the responsibil ity of thinking long term.” Timothy Thyreen Waynesburg College President

Steeple is raised over campus

““I’m going to be here several years as president, but we also know the re sponsibility of thinking long term.””

TIMOTHY THYREEN Waynesburg College President

This is exactly how the Yellow Jacket presented its photo coverage of the raising of the steeple on Roberts Chapel

Thyreen named University Chancellor

KATHERINE MANSFIELD Editorial Assistant

Published October 4, 2012

Waynesburg Univer sity President Timothy Thyreen’s accolades in clude the application for and reception of univer sity status for the school, increasing the number of majors offered from 30 to 80 and revamping the cam pus’ physical appearance.

Despite a long list of impressive achievements, President Thyreen - who announced Monday that he will be passing the mantle of Presidency along to a successor in July to assume the position of University Chancellor - considers his greatest burg14th1990,WaynesburgganwegreatIthingsweThyreen.[Imostiningversitysomethingaccomplishmentintangible.“Webroughttheunibacktoitsfoundmissionof1849;Iknew1990thatwouldbetheimportantthingdid],”saidPresident“Ibelievedthatifdidthat,alotofgreatwouldhappen,andthinkwecansaymorethingshappenedthancould’veeverdreamed.”PresidentThyreenbemakinghisdreamsforarealityinwhenhewasselectedpresidentofWaynesCollegeafterserving

frst as Admissions Direc tor and then Dean of Stu dents. His most ambitious goal was the beautifying of a promising but run-down campus; his first project: the renovation of Miller Hall under the guidance of master planner Carl John son.It took much coax ing to bring Johnson, a renowned architect and master planner, to cam pus. But once Johnson toured the then-college’s grounds and saw the po tential in many of its gor geous buildings, he agreed to work with the president to make the school a pretty place where, as President Thyreen said, a poet would write better poetry be cause they were here.

Over two decades, John son and President Thyreen worked hard to envision a more aesthetic campus and to remodel buildings, cre

ate welcoming commons and add extra housing for the growing student body. Last year, Presi dent Thyreen’s crown ing achievement, Roberts Chapel, was completed and dedicated.Forthepresident, creat ing a beautiful learning en vironment where students feel at home has been an ongoing and rewarding challenge, but President Thyreen has also enjoyed watching students grow into themselves and ac complish great things dur ing their time at Waynes burg.“[My] most favorite part is to see students take ad vantage of what a great uni versity we now have, where students get involved,” said President Thyreen. “I know if they take advantage of all the things that are offered to them here, that they’ll get a very special educa tion. Students have done that, and now it’s my hope and prayer that this will continue.”President Thyreen be lieves that Waynesburg’s tradition of excellence will continue under the guid ance of now-Executive Vice President Dr. Douglas Lee, who will assume the role of President on July 1 of next year.

The transition from President Thyreen to his successor was, like the remodeling of campus, a much-deliberated and

c arefully planned pro cess. In 2001, the Board of Trustees informed the president that it wanted to appoint him Univer sity Chancellor after his retirement. In 2006, the board took its first step in the plan of succes sion when it announced a search for an executive vice president who would one day fll the president’s shoes. Lee, a prominent attorney and partner at the Law Firm of Steptoe and Johnson, was voted unanimously into the po sition.“The advantage we have with Dr. Lee is that he was chair of the Aca demic Affairs Committee and the Board of Trust ees for eight years, so he brings that experience,” said President Thyreen. “The trustees, the faculty on the committee and my self felt that he by far was the best candidate and best prepared to become executive vice president.”

Lee has spent the last three years watching and participating in manlievesPresidentonLeePresidentsensitiveYes,cesses.decision-makingvariouspro“HaveIcoachedhim?Ihave,inmysweet,way,”laughedThyreen.Heandhaveworkedcloselyvariousprojects,andThyreenbethatLeeistherightforthejob.“Hereallyhasanun

derstanding of the op erations and culture of Waynesburg,” said Presi dent Thyreen. “The best preparation anyone could have gotten was to be here. Through the three years he’s been executive vice president, he’s ready to become President.”

Lee’s succession of President Thyreen is not the end of Thyreen’s con tribution to the univer sity. As Lee moves into the President’s Office, President Thyreen will be busy moving his belong ings into the Chancellor's Office in the cred build ing President Thyreen will continue to improve Waynesburg by assisting President Lee and the Board in research devel opment,“It’saposition that will allow me me to help ad vance the university, and the university can benefit through all of the connec tions and all of the friend ships [that I’ve established in] 23 years as President,” said President Thyreen.

His continued pres ence at the university he has dedicated most of his professional life to improv ing is something that the president said he is excit ed about. Though he will no longer be the university’s President, he is eager to make a difference as Chancellor.

Said President Thyreen, “There’s no bitter - I’ll say it’s just all sweet.”

Greene County leaders thankful for Pres. Thyreen

BY ALEX HINTON Assignments and Op/Ed Editor

Published Oct. 4, 2012

During the 22 years that President Timothy Thyreen has served at Waynesburg University, he has not only largely impacted the univer sity, but he has also made a large impact on the entire community.UnderThyreen’s direction, Waynesburg College became Waynesburg University, a Graduate and Professional Studies program was de veloped, more than 12 new buildings were added to the campus and 10 additional structures were renovated.

During his presidency, university enrollment has doubled, and the size of the once tiny campus has tripled.

Greene County’s commu nity leaders appreciate all of Thyreen’s hard work both for the university and the town of “PresidentWaynesburg.Thyreen’s vision for the university when he frst became president was one that people thought he couldn’t accomplish, but he defnitely has accomplished it,” Greene County Commis sioner Pam Synder said.

“He has been an outstand ing president. He has trans formed the university into something that everyone can be proud of.”

Only July 1, 2013, Douglas Lee, current executive Vice President of the univer sity, will take on the role of

president, and Thyreen will become chancellor of the university.Snyder believes that the selection of Lee will be ben efcial.

“Doug Lee will do an excel lent job as the new president,” SnyderBoroughsaid.manager, Bruce Wermlinger is impressed by the large list of Thyreen’s ac complishments throughout the past two decades.

“Anybody who’s seen what [Thyreen] has done since 1990 has to admire all he’s accomplished. He’s defnitely made a signifcant difference in the community,” Werm linger“Nosaid.one will be able to ac complish in the next 20 years what he has accomplished in the last Under20.”Thyreen’s direction, students have strived to help others, both in the com munity and throughout the world, by completing mis sion trips and service work.Under his leadership, the university has also donated police cars and fire equipment to the Waynesburg community, assisted with said.goodnitysity,heBoroughandbeautificationdowntownprojectshelpeddevelopedaMasterPlan.“Ithink,inallhonesty,broughttheunivertownandcommucloser,whichisathing,”Wermlinger

Dramatic changes seen during Thyreen's 22- year term

NICK FARRELL Assistant Sports Editor

Published Oct. 4, 2012

Norma Harper has seen major changes to cam pus during her 50 years at Waynesburg. Like, for example, the simple fact that the roofs don’t leak when it rains anymore.

“When I was working on my associate’s degree, I had class in Madison Hall,” said Norma Harp er, secretary of Academic Affairs. “When it rained, the professor would put buckets around to catch theHarperrain.” has watched Waynesburg change in countless ways.

As recently as 20 years ago, Waynesburg Uni versity was very much in a state of disarray; the buildings didn’t match, the faculty lacked prop er compensation and the school’s mission of faith, learning and serving was oftenSinceignored.that time, the university has experi enced a complete make over. Under the supervi sion of President Timothy R. Thyreen, the beauty, integrity and prestige of Waynesburg University has been enhanced over the past two decades, reaching new heights that it never before ap proached.“Youcan’t come back to campus after being gone for 30 years with out saying, “Wow,” said

Jan Teagarden, secretary of English and communi cation.Teagarden began her career at Waynesburg in 1976, 14 years be fore President Thyreen began his tenure at Waynesburg. Teagarden has watched the campus grow and evolve over the 22 years of Thyreen’s

presidency.Harperremembers

cent addition is Roberts Chapel, which was dedi cated one year ago.

Harper said that she thinks this building is President Thyreen’s pride and “Watchingjoy. the chapel go up made me anxious to come to work to just watch the construction,” said Harper.

According to Harper,

its abundant resources.

T eagarden said that the mentality of the typi cal Waynesburg Univer sity pupil has changed just as drastically as the physical look of the school.“When I first started here, it was like ‘Ani mal House’ with all the fraternities,” Teagarden said.“Now, students take college a little more se riously than in the 70s and 80s with that ‘Animal House’ culture.”

a Waynesburg University that was distinctly differ ent than the one students attend today. When she began studying and working at Waynesburg, many current fixtures of the school hadn’t yet been thought of.

Madison Hall was built during World War II but was used as the perform ing arts building, until the Performing Arts Center replaced it in 1996. The building, which houses an auditorium and classrooms, was renamed the Goodwin Performing Arts Center in The2007.campus’ most re

who is stationed in the Academic Affairs office in Miller Hall, the most beautiful aspect of cam pus is Johnson Commons.

When she was a stu dent, the quad was a parking lot.

Now, it is a campus common area surround ed by gorgeous scenery that changes with each of the seasons.

“I love how beautiful the back campus and quad area is,” Harper said.

“I’m glad to see the trees again. The quad is like a park setting.”

This newly renovated campus would mean nothing without stu dents who use and enjoy

With all the changes in appearance and cul ture taken into account, Teagarden said that the students’ education is still the highest prior ity to “Everythingfaculty. is much more beautiful, but the students, too, have im proved with the build ings,” said Teagarden.

“They want an educa tion, and it is important to get that education we are trying to give them.”

As Waynesburg Uni versity transitions into its next era under the guidance of presidentelect Doug Lee, the current executive Vice President of Institu tional Development, Harper believes that the school will continue to flourish.“Ihope it

Photo Courtesy of the President's office

Dr. Douglas G. Lee (left) was named President of the University, effective July 2013. President Timothy Thyreen will assume the role of University Chancellor

Photo courtesy President's office

“Everything is much more beautiful, but the students, too, have improved with the buildings... They want an edu cation, and it is important to get that education we are trying to give them.”

JAN TEAGARDEN Secretary of English and Communication

Photo courtesy President's office

Photo courtesy President's office

Photo courtesy President's office

Thyreen with Mo Scarry and John Wiley

Thyreen with cosmonaut Viktor Savinykh and American University in Moscow president Edward Lozansky

Thyreen with Dr. Wayne Meisel and Rev. Dr. Robert W. Cahn