The A. Louis and Barbara Thiel Distinguished Service Award will be presented to local orthopedic surgeons Dr. Robert H. Baker and Dr. John P. Scullin, partners of the Greenville Orthopedic Association Inc.

The award is presented to those who demonstrate exemplary character, continuity of leadership and long-term service to Greenville and its environs. The recipient must have demonstrated a commitment to the common good above private interests. Baker and Scullin have been in practice together since 1976.

A. Louis and Barbara Thiel's generosity made possible the founding of Thiel College in 1866. The Thiels dedicated themselves to the welfare of others. The German couple immigrated to western Pennsylvania in the 1840s.

Receiving the Professor of the Year Award will be Dr. Curtis L. Thompson, professor of religion. Other faculty awards to be presented are the Distinguished Scholar Award to Dr. Mary Theresa Hall, associate professor of English; the Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Nicholas G. Despo, professor of biology; the Distinguished Teacher Award to Judith G. Newton, professor of mathematics and computer science; and the Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Award to Joan S. Heald, lecturer of mathematics and computer science, and adjunct professor in chemistry and the Global Heritage program.

Thompson, Greenville, was appointed to the Thiel College faculty as assistant professor of religion in 1983, and was named associate professor of religion in 1987 and professor of religion in 1993. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., in 1969. He graduated with a master of divinity degree from Luther Theological Seminary in 1974 and earned master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Chicago in 1979 and 1985, respectively.

Hall, Slippery Rock, joined the Thiel faculty in 1999. She had been assistant professor of English at Seton Hill College, assistant professor at Kutztown University, and an English and French teacher at Elizabeth Seton High School and Seton-LaSalle High School. Hall earned her bachelor of arts degree in English from Seton Hill College, her master of arts degree in English from Carnegie Mellon University in 1987, and her doctor of philosophy degree from Duquesne University in 1991. She resides in Slippery Rock.

Despo, Jamestown, joined the Thiel College faculty in 1975 as an instructor in biology, later assuming the title of professor. He received his bachelor of science degree in 1966 from Pennsylvania State University, his master's degree from Duquesne University in 1968, and his doctorate from Rutgers University in 1977.

Newton, Greenville, began her career at Thiel College in 1971 when she assisted with the college's computer science courses. Newton was appointed instructor in economics and business administration in 1973 and earned the rank of professor in 1991. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Santa Clara in California, and holds master's degrees from the University of New Mexico and the University of Pittsburgh.

Heald, Greenville, has served Thiel in several capacities over the past 37 years. During the 1965-66 academic year, she served as an instructor in analytical chemistry, and in 1978 she was appointed adjunct faculty member in Thiel's chemistry department. For the next 20 years, she served in full- and part-time capacities as a faculty member and a library computer specialist.

Distinguished Staff Awards will be presented to Wayne P. and Peggy A. Hause, press supervisor and bindery specialist, respectively; Peggy A. Miller, coordinator of student housing and student services administrative assistant; and Sara L. Smargiasso, housekeeper.

Thiel will also confer professor emeriti status to six retired faculty members during the Founders' Day ceremony. Associate professor emerita status will be given to Dr. Twylah C. Benson, sociology. Professor emeritus status will be given to Dr. Emerson F. Heald, chemistry; Dr. Conrad J. Koehler, philosophy; and Dr. Richard A. Schroeder, English. Professor emerita status will be given to Dr. Bonnie K. MacLean, biology, and Dr. Georgina S. Rettinger, education.