Alumni Business, European Reunion

PHOTO: HAI NGUYEN ’22

Homecoming & Family Weekend October 2–4, 2020 Reunions 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020 We have all the fun! juniata.edu/hc

It’s the little connections. —Barbara Havens ’74

At a gathering in Richmond, Virginia, Barbara met Brianne, a high school senior. Despite not knowing each other previously, Barbara quickly wrote her a Community Scholarship. Brianne is now studying at Juniata, in no small part due to the outreach of our alumni.

What did you enjoy most about utilizing the Juniata Community Scholarship? It was wonderful to think that I was, in a small way, contributing to a student’s college education. I also think that the student (and their parents) see this as another “something extra” that makes Juniata stand out. It gave me a warm feeling to present the applicant with their acceptance packet that includes the Community Scholarship in my name and it made me feel a more special connection with Brianne and Juniata.

Are you ready to recruit? Contact Cindy Gibboney ’18, at 814-641-3116, gibbonci@juniata.edu, or complete the postage paid card inside this magazine.

Juniata Brewing Company

JBC is Huntingdon County’s only brewery, located a short walk from Juniata College. Two Juniata alumni are creating unique beers for our unique community to share.

Grand Opening—March 14, 2020

Co-Founders: Sean Steeg ’00, CEO

David Welsch ’18, Brewmaster

Follow Juniata Brewing on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

PHOTO: ROBERT STOKOE

International Reunion You’re invited to join us as we celebrate the 36th International Reunion in Basel, Switzerland. Enjoy connecting with the Juniata community in a historic town where the unusual combination of the traditional and the modern provides for an exciting cityscape that stands in total harmony.

Juniata Brewing Company 1102 Susquehanna Ave. Huntingdon, PA 36th European International Reunion May 22–24, 2020 juniata.edu/euroreunion

Elizabeth M. (Wampler) Custer ’37 Aug. 10, 2019—Elizabeth, formerly Juniata’s oldest living alumna, lived in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Va. all of her life. Throughout her lifetime, she made many contributions to her community and was formally recognized by the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors for her contributions. Elizabeth and her husband started the H.L. Custer Poultry company, which later became WLR Foods. She was a Charter Member and past president of The Sherwood Garden Club and the local TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter, and was a past president of the Harrisonburg Business and Professional Woman’s Club. She served as a volunteer Red Cross Nurse during World War II and was the first woman appointed to the Rockingham County Selective Service Board. In her 80s and 90s, she gave many philosophical speeches throughout Virginia. As a teenager, she raised a prize-winning hog and used the prize money for part of her Juniata tuition. She is survived by daughters Kay and Judy, son Stephen, and nine grandchildren.

S. Madeline (Smith) Goldberg ’41 Nov. 1, 2018—Mattie spent many years serving in association with Chosen People Ministries.

Vivian (Yoder) Rickabaugh Harper ’41 July 13, 2019—Vivian was preceded in death by daughter Nancy. She is survived by son Harold, and three grandchildren.

Jane R. (Rosensteel) McKown ’42 Feb. 12, 2019—Jane worked for the Pennsylvania National Insurance Company and became the first female insurance adjuster in Pennsylvania. She was also a member of the Pennsdale Trinity United Methodist Church, where she played the organ and directed the church choir. Jane was preceded in death by husband Paul, brother William Rosensteel ’48, and is survived by son Marvin McKown ’64, and three grandchildren.

L. Deborah (Leamer) Lucas ’43 June 26. 2019—After graduating from Juniata, Deborah pursued graduate work at Penn State University, University of Pennsylvania, and Wheaton College, among others. She taught at Wheaton College Academy, Hollidaysburg Area High School, and Mayport and Finnegan Elementary Schools. In 1966, she became one of the founders for The Players by the Sea, a community theatre in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. She also wrote a musical, The Stranger. She is survived by sons Johnathan, Mark, and Michael, and three grandchildren.

John W. Weller ’43 June 22, 2019—Before retiring, John served as postmaster of James Creek, Pa., for 27 years. He volunteered at the local fire hall, taught Sunday school at his church, and enjoyed sharing the wheat and cornmeal that he ground at his farm. John was preceded in death by wife Janet, and is survived by daughters Judy, Betty, Mary, and Susan, and three grandchildren.

M. Virginia (Geyer) Miles ’46 Aug. 9, 2019—While at Juniata, Virginia met her husband Leland Miles ’46. When Leland became the president of Alfred University and later the University of Bridgeport, Conn., Virginia became very active in the communities of both universities. She helped to cultivate students, promote the universities, and engage with supporters. She was also active in the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) with her husband at the University of Bridgeport (UB). In 1987, the UB Board of Trustees issued a citation in honor of Virginia’s role with the IAUP and for her devotion to the growth and welfare of the institution. She was an avid supporter of the arts in Fairfield County, Conn., including service as trustee of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Board Member of the Westport Friends of Music, and judge in the Carlson-Horn Competition for Young Instrumentalists. During her time at Juniata, she received a scholarship for a summer program at the Yale School of Music. Virginia was preceded in death by husband Leland and is survived by daughter Christine and son Gregory.

W. David Rummel ’46 June 19, 2019—After graduating from Juniata, Dave went to medical school at Hanneman University in Philadelphia and completed his Ophthalmology residency at Ohio State in Ohio. During the Korean War, Lieutenant Junior Grade Rummel served as a flight surgeon for U.S. Navy/VMF 232 and was proud to be a “Devil Dog.” Beginning his medical career in Ohio, he moved with his family to Arizona and was the first ophthalmologist north of Phoenix. Dave loved to fly and was an accomplished pilot. He was an active supporter of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Dave was also known for his love of education. He established a ministerial scholarship in the name of his father and a nursing scholarship in memory of his daughter. He was preceded in death by wife Wanda, daughter Martha Paige, father William Rummel 1917, and sister Sara (Rummel) Speicher ’41. He is survived by sons William, Robert, and John, daughter Mary Elizabeth, and 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by brother John Rummel ’62.

Barbara L. (Jensen) Whitsel ’48 July 20, 2019—After graduating from Juniata, Barbara received her master’s degree in education from Penn State University and taught in the Mount Union Area School District. Barbara was the first woman in Huntingdon County to fly an airplane and took her first solo flight down the east coast at 19. She remained very active for most of her life. She enjoyed mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking into her 80s. Barbara was preceded in death by husband Paul Whitsel ’50, sister Joan (Jensen) Betts ’48, and son Stanley Whitsel ’83, and is survived by brother Boyd Jensen ’45, sons Bradley Whitsel ’85, Ralph, Johnathan, and Christopher, and three grandchildren.

E. Floyd McDowell ’49 July 9, 2019—Floyd was an avid pilot and photographer who owned three Beechcraft V-Tail Bonanzas and flew into his late 80s. He met his wife Lois (Miller) McDowell ’52 while studying at Juniata. He was very active in the Church of the Brethren, serving congregations as director of Christian education and pastor in the 50s. In 1959, Floyd was called to Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago as director of development while the denomination built a new campus in Oakbrook, Ill. Upon retirement, Floyd and Lois moved back to the mountains of Pennsylvania.

He was preceded in death by wife Lois, and is survived by daughter Kimberly, sons Gregory and David, and nine grandchildren, including Hannah Monroe ’11.

Marjorie A. (Dods) Saunders ’49 July 14, 2019—Marjorie was a public-school librarian and volunteered at the Lakeland Public Library in Lakeland, Fla. She was on the board of directors of the Lakeland Symphony Guild. Marjorie loved traveling with her husband, having travelled to all seven continents and most U.S. National Parks. She is survived by husband Robert, daughters Kathryn, Rebecca, and Judith, and son Thomas.

David W. Croft ’50 Aug. 11, 2019—David was inducted into the Juniata College Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 for his time on the football team. After graduating from Juniata, he went to the Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia, Pa. After receiving his doctorate, David enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he attained the rank of major. After leaving the military, he began a medical office in Huntingdon before he moved to California where he worked part time. He was preceded in death by son Daniel, and is survived by wife Gay, daughters Susan, Jennifer, Kimberly, and Cynthia, sons David, Andrew, and Michael, and 14 grandchildren.

Mary L. (Wagner) Frain ’50 Sept. 24, 2019—Mary was a member of the ski patrol at Timber Hill Ski Area, was a Red Cross nurse, and volunteered as a first aid instructor. She also volunteered at Lehman Memorial Church in Hatboro and Mountain home United Methodist Church in Mountainhome, Pa. She volunteered at Christ’s Home Assisted Living up until two weeks prior to her death. She enjoyed skiing, hiking, canoeing, and horseback riding. She was preceded in death by husband Robert Frain ’53 and son Robert Jr., and is survived by daughter Joan, son David, and four grandchildren.

Gerald F. Hartzel ’51 Aug. 12, 2019—Gerald was the owner and president of Nyce Manufacturing Co. He was a member of Zion Mennonite Church, Souderton-Telford Rotary Club, and the Juniata Alumni Council. He was a World War II veteran serving on a Liberty ship in the Merchant Marines. He was preceded in death by his wife Gwen (Nyce) Hartzel ’49 and is survived by children Gerald, Laurie, Randall Hartzel ’79, and Jennifer.

Dorothy J. (Hummer) Allen ’52 May 30, 2019—While at Juniata, Dottie served as Student Senate secretary and met her future husband, president Arthur Allen ’52. They married in December 1952. Following graduation, Dottie and 10 cherished Juniata girlfriends formed a Round Robin letter, their correspondence totaling nearly 1,300 letters over 67 years. Dottie taught second grade before becoming a full-time mother. She was preceded in death by husband Art. She is survived by daughters Jane and Karinne, sons Mark and Scott, and six grandchildren.

Josephine L. (Chiodi) Chesley-Sipes ’52 Aug. 24, 2019—After graduating from Juniata, Josephine earned a doctorate in education from the University of Miami. Jo began her career in Virginia and later taught in Miami. She was a highly regarded teacher of English, drama, music, and gifted education. She became a leader in gifted education and supervisor of the executive internship program for advanced high school students. She loved music and theater. While living in New York City, she sang in the Robert Shaw Chorale, and in New York and Miami, she performed in musicals, the theater, and for weddings. Jo participated in international tours with the Juniata College Alumni Choir, and she was a proud, long-time member of Actors’ Equity. Josephine was preceded in death by husband Robert, and is survived by a granddaughter.

John C. Corson ’55 Sept. 3, 2019—John was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Mount Union, Pa., and was a former president of the