Frigid Pfrogner:
Malynda P. Johnson
recently graduated from the University of New Haven in Connecticut with a master’s degree in psychology. She joined the U.S. Army and left for basic training Jan. 29, 2009. Amber M. Myers
received her master’s degree in social work at the University of Michigan in August 2008. She has relocated to Chicago, Ill. Daniel A. Weitoish
recently partnered with Shaklee Corporation in Bellefonte, Pa. and now sells environmentally-friendly health and wellness products. He also mentors others to reproduce this successful business model.
2008
Matthew H. Katz
presented a mathematics colloquium on the “Prime Number Theorem” on Nov. 20, 2008 at Juniata College. Emily (Landis) Lampert
is a special education teacher at Melmark School in Berwyn, Pa. Andrew E. Papale
relocated to Minneapolis, Minn., where he is pursuing his doctorate degree in neuroscience at the University of Minnesota. Susan M. Peters
was promoted as membership coordinator at the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy in Falls Church, Va. Joshua M. Scacco
Professor Immortalized in Ice Some people win awards for completing research, while others only dream of having a building or a piece of land named after them. Ray Pfrogner ’60, associate professor of physics, has achieved landmark status by having a landmass in Antarctica named for him. A bit desolate perhaps, but no one else in Juniata history has a geographic feature named for him. After graduation, Ray joined the Department of Commerce, Division of Coast and Geodetic Survey with the United States Antarctic Research Program (USARP), before starting his academic career. Explore further.
Q: How did you end up in Antarctica? A: I was with the Department of Commerce, Division of Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Specifically, I was doing research in the United States Antarctic Research Program. Antarctica is very cold, dry, and windy, mainly covered by ice and snow. While there I saw penguins.
Q: What were the day-to-day activities in Antarctica? A: I was at Byrd Station, which is a series of underground tunnels, I would check the
measurements on the seismometer, and check the geomagnetism instruments to make sure the ground wasn’t shifting. If there was a major shift, I would radio in the report. Finally, I would check the longitude and latitude coordinates so we knew where we were located. It is a lot easier today to check the coordinates of the stations due to GPS and satellites at the research stations.
Q: How did you find out that a point in Antarctica was named after you? A: I was searching for myself online, and I happened to stumble upon Pfrogner Point. It is located at the 80th Parallel (well inside the Antarctic Circle) on the Fletcher Peninsula. It was a complete surprise to me.
Q: Who named Pfrogner Point? A: The federal agency I used to work for. Q: How far is Pfrogner Point from Huntingdon? A: Pfrogner Point is directly south from Huntingdon. I believe it is 8,000-9,000 miles from here.
Q: Will you ever go back and visit Byrd Station, or go to Pfrogner Point? A: No, you actually can’t go to Byrd Station anymore because it has been destroyed by shifting ice. I will never visit Pfrogner Point because you can only get to it if you have a lot of money.
was selected as the 2008 College Communicator of the Year—Voices of Tomorrow recipient. He is a communication associate at Triad Strategies LLC in Harrisburg, Pa.
—Morgan O’Dellick ’09 Intern, Alumni Office
Amanda J. Wimer
spent summer 2008 working as a mate on a sailing yacht in the Bahamas and the fall season as the Juniata field hockey assistant coach. She currently works for Hummer Sports Turf Inc. in Manheim, Pa. as their marketing/ media relations liaison.
Pfrogner Point
2009 Spring-Summer
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