The class of 1974 history major, Jim Giel, was recently dubbed a changemaker in his suburban Pittsburgh community for the exhaustive list of service and volunteer commitments in which he is an active participant. We could give him the same moniker here at WC about his five-decades-long service to the Westminster College community. The former WC alumni council president talks to us about the special reasoning for putting his support behind student scholarships in the upcoming Giving Day '26 campaign.

You were recently featured as a “Changemaker” in North Hills magazine, what inspired you to become so involved in your community?

I love living in my hometown of Glenshaw/Shaler Township, PA. My family has a long history in the area and my dad operated a residential and commercial garage door business for almost 70 years, so our family was well known. I was active as a teenager in my church youth group at Elfinwild Presbyterian Church where we did annual summer work camps throughout the U.S. led by our youth pastor, another Westminster graduate, Rev. Terry Stoops '63. Through these activities, I learned that volunteers are the heart of the community. When I returned home from college, I stayed involved with church activities being a member of session, a deacon, and also a trustee. These experiences and offices led to being involved with many non-profits over the years such as Travelers Aid, North Hills Community Outreach, a food pantry, River City Brass Band, Shaler North Hills Library as well as 16 years serving on the local Shaler Area School Board as a member and board president. We were fortunate to have several Westminster grads, like Dave and Beth Interthal and Steve Seidelson, on our teaching staff and our administrative team (Brad Ferko and Billie Rondinelli). I also was involved with the parent-teacher organizations and boosters organizations. All of these organizations rely on volunteers to run and to provide opportunities for a healthy and vibrant community. The skills and knowledge I attained from each organization, as well as my professional experiences, aided me in successfully leading these organizations as well as encouraging others to get involved for the betterment of the particular organization. I have also been involved with alumni activities and the WC Alumni Council and my reunion committees since graduating in 1974.

How did your college experience help shape the person you are today?

I was very involved with student government during my time at Westminster under the leadership of Rusty Everett, Bill Gaches, Debbie Swatsworth Foster and Bill Foster. I was also involved with the student board of trustee committees where we got to know the staff and board on a personal level. We were able to gain experience of working with professionals and understanding the operations of the College. The classroom experiences of the liberal arts allowed us to think outside the box, explore other opportunities as well as become critical thinkers outside of our major. Also, being a resident assistant my senior year and leading the student fund that raised money for the new swimming pool in 1974, under the leadership of Col. Harry Shoup and Dr. Earland Carlson, gave me responsibilities and experience I would not have gained otherwise.  

You have generously offered a match for Westminster’s upcoming Giving Day campaign: $50/donor will be contributed to support the Class of 1974 scholarship (up to $500). Can you tell us why you chose to support student scholarships at Mother Fair?

Westminster was and is a special place in my life. I met a great group of special people in a special place at a special time and I want other students to experience what I did and to do it without a financial burden. While I was fortunate not to have the burden, many do not or are challenged to finance that experience and I feel they will miss out if they are not given the opportunity. The Westminster Class of 1974 has the distinction of having one of the largest 50th anniversary reunions in the history of the College. We believe that our Westminster experience and Westminster education rooted us in our life's work. That class scholarship will provide today's students with just that…grounding for life as well as provide them the tools to be adaptable with what life has in store for them. People of my age can provide gifts through their required minimum distributions (RMDs) from their tax-deferred retirement plans and not be taxed on gifts to qualifying non-profits and colleges.

Jim’s favorites from Westminster:

Favorite class or professor:
I enjoyed all of my professors, particularly those in the history department at the time Swanhart/Jensen/McKee/Sublett/Sharkey and from political science, Mullin.

Favorite place on campus:
I have two favorites. One is Hillside Hall where I lived for two years in the annex and gained lifelong friendships with Bill Foster, Charles Fleshers, Bill Murphy, Bill Gaches, Charles Fisher, Jerry Caslow and Roger Neal. To this day we keep in touch as often as possible. My second favorite spot is the crest of the hill on Rt. 208 as you approach New Wilmington from the east and look over that valley seeing the College and Old Main. When I come across that crest and I look out, I feel like I'm coming home.

Favorite memory:
My favorite memory is meeting my friends for dinner every night. After dinner, some of us would get in a car and drive the back roads of New Wilmington.    

Favorite free time activity:
Going to the original Coney Island lunch at the square in New Castle for hot dogs, fries and a beverage and it would only cost about $2.00. There was always a crowd of Westminster students there.

Jim retired in April 2024 after serving as Vice President HR/Benefits from Dollar Bank in Pittsburgh. He spends much of his time as an active community member and with his grandkids.

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