Thiel College recognizes top entrepreneurs at annual Haller Enterprise Institute event

GREENVILLE, Pa. - EntSun -- Mike Zawoysky '79 and Justin Pearce '20 will be named Thiel College's Entrepreneurs of the Year at the College's annual Haller Enterprise Institute's awards dinner at 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 30 in the Sawhill-Georgian Room of the Howard Miller Student Center.

Zawoysky—the retired chief executive officer for Shoe Sensation Inc., a growing 198-plus store, 19-state, family footwear chain based in Jeffersonville, Ind.—is the Haller Enterprise Institute's Entrepreneur of the Year. Pearce '20, who started Massive Gains Apparel as a high school sophomore, is the Haller Enterprise Institute's Student Entrepreneur of the Year.

"We are proud of the accomplishments of these individuals," said Professor of Economics and Business Administration, Norman P. Mortensen Endowed Chair of Economics and Executive Director of the Haller Enterprise Institute David Miller '61. "This pair exemplifies all that is possible when students are put in touch with the resources that can help them reach their full potential."

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Zawoysky is an in-demand consultant based on his experience as a retail executive, and has worked around the globe. He had been with Shoe Sensation since 2009 and previously at Moore Arts and Crafts as the Chief Financial Officer and prior with Foot Locker Inc. Zawoysky has been involved with many national and local charities including United Way, Toys for Tots, Goldheart Golden Retriever Rescue and the Two-Ten Footwear Foundation.

Zawoysky was recently approved for his third term as a member of the Thiel College (https://www.thiel.edu/) of Trustees and has been active at the College, speaking at student networking and alumni events. Zawoysky studied accounting and business administration at Thiel.

Pearce began by drawing fitness-related graphic designs for t-shirts.

From the start, Pearce wanted to support dogs and pets in some fashion, so he began to contribute 15 percent of the profits from every order to Hope for Paws, a non-profit organization that rescues abused and unwanted pets.

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Pearce, of Leechburg, Pa., is a public relations, advertising, and integrated marketing major and philosophy minor and a 2016 graduate of The Kiski School.

About Thiel College

Thiel College (https://www.thiel.edu/) is a private liberal arts institution founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016 and remains committed to combining tradition with innovation.