Three Thiel College Students Earn Vira I. Heinz Scholarships

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Audrey Rattay

GREENVILLE, PA (12/17/2010)(readMedia)-- Three Thiel College women will study abroad this summer thanks to the Vira I. Heinz Scholarships for Women in Global Leadership, which were awarded in December 2010.

The three scholarship winners-sophomores Kayla Ohlin of New Middletown, Ohio, Audrey Lynn Rattay of Apollo, Pa., and Emily Whipple of Rochester, Pa.-will each receive $5,000 to fund their study abroad experiences.

Ohlin, an accounting and business administration major with a minor in English, will participate in International Studies Abroad's program at the University of Deusto in San Sebastian, Spain. This program will allow Ohlin to study the language and culture of Spain as well as participate in international business courses.

"I believe that traveling internationally and studying in a foreign country will allow me to understand another part of the globe's thought processes and development," says Ohlin. "By gaining this knowledge, it will make me a valuable asset in the global economic environment upon graduation."

Ohlin is a graduate of Springfield Local High School in New Middletown. She is the daughter of Randall Ohlin of New Middletown and Marilyn Ohlin of Poland, Ohio.

Rattay, a business administration major, will attend International Studies Abroad's program at Moulay Ismail University in Meknes, Morocco. While in Morocco, Rattay will study Arabic and gender issues in Moroccan culture. An event planner in her spare time, Rattay will also study Moroccan weddings.

"I truly enjoy learning new languages and having the ability to speak Arabic is an interesting opportunity that may only come by once in my life," says Rattay.

Rattay is a graduate of Kiski Area High School in Vandergrift, Pa. She is the daughter of Michael & Jean Rattay of Apollo, Pa.

Whipple, an English major with secondary education certification, will use her scholarship to study at Menendez Pelayo International University in Barcelona, Spain, through International Studies Abroad. She will study Spanish culture and language.

"This study abroad experience would provide me with the opportunity to become more fluent in Spanish and to explore a culture that I have always found fascinating," says Whipple.

Whipple is a graduate of Freedom Area High School. She is the daughter of William and Barbara Whipple of Rochester, Pa.

Funded by the Heinz Endowments, the Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership prepares women for tomorrow's global challenges by offering a unique opportunity for international experiences, leadership development and community service. Each year, three women of sophomore status are selected from each of 16 regional colleges and universities admitted to the two-year program and receive an award of at least $5,000 for summer study abroad. In addition, they participate in a series of retreats designed to cultivate leadership and intercultural skills and perform a community engagement experience.

The Heinz Endowment supports efforts to make southwestern Pennsylvania a premier place to live and work, a center of learning and educational excellence, and a home to diversity and inclusion. Committed to helping its region thrive as a whole community-economically, ecologically, educationally and culturally, the Foundation works within Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the nation to develop solutions to challenges that are national and international in scope. One of the largest and most innovative independent philanthropic foundations in the country, the Endowments awarded more than $84 million in grants in 2007.

Thiel College is a liberal arts, sciences and professional studies institution located in Greenville, Pa., that provides a great balance of academic challenge, personal and social involvement, and exceptional value to its 1,100 students.