Juniata magazine fall winter 2016

Juniata 2016 FALL-WINTER

Getting to Campaign Mode Juniata’s Top Football Fan The Art of the Deal Land for All Seasons Trout Tracking

CAMPUS NEWS

Read It and Keep: Juniata Faculty and Staff Recommend...

A God in Ruins, by Kate Atkinson This is a companion novel to Life After Life, a favorite novel about small choices having a major impact on a person’s life. Near the end of A God in Ruins, Atkinson’s plan for both novels become strikingly clear in a major “Aha” moment.—Beth Bliel ’99, interim associate director of academic support and director of disability services

The Birth of the Pill: How Four Crusaders Reinvented Sex and Launched a Revolution, by Jonathan Eig The book is a fascinating history of the development of the birth control pill, and the people behind its generation. It’s an incredibly political story about Margaret Sanger (the suffragist) and Gregory Pincus (the rogue scientist), and an important moment in history regarding women’s reproductive rights and family planning.—Lynn Cockett, professor of communication

The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy Leagues, by Jeff Hobbs It’s a sobering look at contemporary American poverty and race, telling the story of a poor young black man, raised by a single mother, who won a full scholarship to Yale, and looked like he would make it. The story details his life before, during, and after college, showing how sometimes even “all the advantages” don’t help people who are the victims of structural racism in our society.

—Lynn Cockett, professor of communication

Stories from the Shadows: Reflections of a Street Doctor, by Dr. James J. O’Connell Fascinating stories of practicing homeless medicine in Boston for many years, written by the president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program.—Sarah DeHaas, Martin G. Brumbaugh Professor of Education

The Social Conquest of Earth, by Edward O. Wilson

Wilson describes how advanced sociality in humans and some insects such as ants, bees, wasps, and termites, has allowed them to become dominant species on our planet. In the process, he also boldly attempts to explain what makes us human.

—Doug Glazier, professor of biology

The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt It offers an insightful answer to the question “what is art?,” and it’s wrapped in a powerful piece of fiction. Tartt is brilliant.

—Randy Rosenberger, professor of economics and business administration

The Martian, by Andy Weir As usual, the book is better than the movie. The main character, Mark Watney, uses his problem-solving skills and science to save his own life. It’s riveting.—Brad Andrew, professor of economics

Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom,

by Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius This book reminded me how to stay centered and alive with the self-presence I strive for to lead a happy, compassionate, focused life.

It was a book filled with many scientific insights about how our brain and its chemistry works, as well as practical in terms of how to meditate and think about our behaviors throughout our daily activities and how these shape our minds and perceptions of the future.

—Ann Echols, associate professor of accounting, business, and economics

PRESIDENT’S NOTE Dear Friends,

As we look toward the rest of 2016, most of you have had a chance to see “Courage to Act: The Plan for Juniata,” which lays out the College’s vision for providing the best personalized education in the country and maps our plans for growth and campus improvement.

Another important function of the plan—perhaps the most important—centers on its role in creating the foundation for the College’s next fundraising effort to pay for the facilities, programs, and scholarships that are destined to push Juniata further into the ranks of the nation’s top liberal arts institutions.

In higher education, these periodic fund-raising drives are called “comprehensive campaigns,” but often those of us who don’t happen to work on a college campus are not aware that in higher ed-speak, “campaign” equals “raising money.”

James A. Troha trohaj@juniata.edu @juniataprztroha

Which is why we decided to write “Behind the Curtain,” which explains how a college typically comes to the decision to begin soliciting donations. Juniata’s next campaign hasn’t started yet, but when we announce it, you’ll know how we reached the decision.

The magazine also details the personal side of two major gifts to Juniata. All too often, colleges and universities emphasize the monetary value of a donation. At Juniata, we realize the decision to honor the College is deeply personal. Please read “Grandfathered In,” which tells how Henry H. Gibbel ’57 and his wife, Joanie, were inspired by their grandchildren to make a gift. Another great story, “Putting Art Back into the Liberal Arts,” tells how John ’54 and Irene ’58 Dale decided to lead the effort to create a new facility for our art and art history students and faculty. It has to do with grandchildren, too, but the Dales also recognized the need to re-emphasize the arts at Juniata.

The story of Jack and Carolyn Sparks, an Altoona couple who donated their family farm to Juniata, shows how the College sees opportunities to expand its educational mission, while enlarging its presence in central Pennsylvania.

Another story, “Trout Tracking in America,” doesn’t have anything to do with grandchildren or art, but it is a powerful illustration of how Juniata works with the surrounding community. The article shows how environmental scientist Uma Ramakrishnan has worked with a local conservation group, the Little Juniata River Association, to track the behavior of brown trout. The association funded the study, and about eight environmental science students have gained valuable field experience following fish through the murky waters of the river.

These stories and others within the magazine show how telling stories, a tradition that stretches back beyond the Greek storyteller Homer, sets an example for all those who hear tales of heroism, bravery, intellectual exploration, charity, and selflessness.

welschg@juniata.edu

Genna Kasun ’06 Director of Social Media and Content Coordination

Luke Fragello Director of New Media Communication

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Juniata is published two times a year by Juniata College, Department of Advancement and Marketing and is distributed free of charge to alumni and friends of Juniata. Postmaster and others, please send change-of-address correspondence to: Alumni Relations, 1700 Moore St., Huntingdon, PA 16652-2196. Juniata can accept no responsibility for unsolicited contributions of artwork, photography, or articles. Juniata College, as an educational institution and employer, values equality of opportunity and diversity. The College is an independent, privately supported co-educational institution committed to providing a liberal arts education to qualified students regardless of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability. Its policies comply with requirements of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IV of the Education Amendments of 1972, and all other applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations and guidelines.

Every fall semester, the Department of Theatre presents Hothouse, a series of performances designed to let students stage readings, scenes or works in progress.

Guest artists also can present projects they are working on.

—Photo by Christine Reilly ’18, Nashua, N.H.

2016 Fall-Winter |

Juniata

Dawn Scialabba Alumni Relations Assistant

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Gabriel Welsch VP for Advancement and Marketing

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Rosann Brown Executive Director of Marketing

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David Meadows ’98 Director of Alumni Relations

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John Wall Editor Director of Media Relations

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This daring young man on the flying trapeze is actually working on a performance in one of the College’s theatre courses.

| Juniata

—Photo by Christine Reilly ’18, Nashua, N.H.

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Is it a zombie? A poorly buried metaphor? Or is it the top-rotted attraction at Juniata’s Haunted House staged on the Quad?

A group of Juniata students and faculty held a candlelight vigil to inspire dialogue, understanding, and tolerance as events of terrorism, bigotry and discrimination coursed throughout the United States and the world.

—Photo by Gordon Dimmig ’17, Elizabethtown, Pa.

—Photo by Brittany Mlynek ’17, York Haven, Pa.

Juniata’s Dance Ensemble strikes a pose in its fall performance. The popular group is a student club.

—Photo by Christine Reilly ’18, Nashua, N.H.

2016 Fall-Winter | 3

Juniata

2016 FALL-WINTER

Juniata

On the cover, Stevie Kitching ’16, of Mount Wolf, Pa., holds a radio antenna as she monitors a receiver that signals the presence of a large brown trout somewhere in the vicinity of her kayak. Kitching is part of an ambitious Juniata research project to track the movements of brown trout in the Little Juniata River. Below, Stevie’s research partner, Emily Nye ’16, of Shippensburg, Pa., records the data received by the electronic equipment.

2016 FALL-WINTER

Getting to Campaign

Juniata’s Top Football The Art of the Deal Land for All Seasons Trout Tracking

W16_Juniata Mag

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CONTENTS Campus Conversations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover

Mode Fan

President’s Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

12/15/15 4:50 PM

Campus News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Behind the Scenes: Getting to Campaign Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Juniata is in the beginning stages of planning for the College’s

PHOTOS: J.D. CAVRICH

next fund-raising effort. So far, the groundwork has been done: a comprehensive self study by the faculty, and a farreaching strategic plan. Read more about how an institution of higher education prepares to reach higher ground.

Kicking Off: Juniata’s Top Football Fan Finances Soccer . . . . 30

Henry H. Gibbel ’57 is a dedicated follower of all Juniata sports, but football is his favorite. So, why did he think it was important to make the largest donation he has ever made to the College to finance its new soccer facility? Turns out it’s all about family ties.

The Art of the Deal: Completing the Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

John ’54 and Irene ’58 Dale don’t have an extensive background in art. John is a mathematician by trade and Irene majored in home economics at Juniata. The thing is, they both saw that the College’s facilities for fine art could use some restoration. They both decided to make it their mission to complete the portrait of Juniata as a liberal arts college.

Out Here in the Fields: A Farm is Borne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Two longtime Altoona, Pa. educators were looking for a way to preserve the educational legacy of their family farm near Everett, Pa. Jack and Carolyn Sparks reached out to a friend, Jack Makdad ’85, who in turn contacted his old roommate, Rob Yelnosky ’85, to see if the College could use 378 acres that offered facilities or land for environmental science, biology, archaeology, history, and sustainability. Read the story behind their donation.

Ins and Outs of Trout: Tracking Fish on the ‘Little Juniata’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

One of central Pennsylvania’s most popular pastimes is fishing the numerous streams, creeks, and rivers for game fish such as brown and rainbow trout. A community organization, the Little Juniata River Association, reached out to the College’s environmental science department to fund a study tracking where trout go as they swim up and down the Little Juniata. See what they’ve found.

Faculty Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Faculty Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Alumni Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

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32nd European International Reunion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Update Your Closet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Alumni Scholarship “Gold Card” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Alumni Weekend 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

360° . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Endpaper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover

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In the world of science-based comic books, Jay Hosler, professor of biology and author of four popular graphic novels grounded in biology, entomology, and other disciplines, is a rock star.

After all, he’s been featured in the New York Times, Discover magazine, and the ultimate for a college professor—the Chronicle of Higher Education. This year in April, Hosler debuted a new project, Last of the Sandwalkers, a graphic novel focused on Lucy, a scientist beetle who leads a group of insect explorers, most of them beetles of various species, on a trek out of a desert oasis.

The book was released by First Second, a publisher specializing in graphic novels that is part of MacMillan Publishers. A decade or two ago, Hosler would have been able to promote his book through newspaper, radio, and television exposure. Unfortunately for most authors not named Rowling, Roth, or Stephen King, a publisher-paid-for book promotion tour is as rare as a Simon and Garfunkel reunion.

A sabbatical from teaching duties at Juniata left him time to do some promotion.

“My sabbatical was primarily for finishing and promoting the book,” he says. “I also finished a second book and started a third.”

Jay Hosler, professor of biol ogy, was able to market his latest graphic novel, Last of the Sandwalkers, by doing a “tour” of blogs dedicated to science , comic books, graphic nov els, or any combination of those elements.

Aided by the marketing experts at his publisher, Hosler was able to book speaking engagements and did some book signing events at renowned bookstores within driving distance of his central Pennsylvania home.

One new twist was what the publisher called a “blog tour.” The idea is to identify blogs dedicated to subject areas relevant to the author.

In Hosler’s case, he made a tour

of blogs dedicated to comic books, children’s literature, and science.

Although Hosler never left his home during the “tour,” that is not to say that the tour was easy. For the 14 blogs he spoke with he drew one of the beetle characters from Last of the Sandwalkers, wrote a short essay about the character, and provided “fun facts” about that particular beetle species.

2016 Fall-Winter |

PHOTOS: J.D. CAVRICH, (BOTTOM RIGHT) GORDON DIMMIG ’17

Meet The Beetles: Juniata’s Cartoonist-Professor Makes Grade As Marketer

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CAMPUS NEWS

They Like Us; They Really Like Us: National Rankings Rate Juniata Highly There are so many rankings and polls seeking to prove which college or university has the best deal, the best academics, or the best-looking campus, it’s beginning to feel as though our colleges will be competing in People magazine for the “Sexiest Campus Alive” title.

Luckily for Juniata, the College rates highly in almost every national poll, which makes the college, if not sexy, then at least widely appealing. Take the Forbes. com rankings, which rated Juniata 108th in its “Grateful Graduates Index: Top ROI Colleges,” a ranking for return on investment based on how many private donations per student are given to the institution in a given year.

“Increasingly, these national polls are focusing on affordability and student debt, which has helped Juniata become more prominent in many rankings.”

—James A. Troha, president

| Juniata

“Colleges and universities are rightly concerned with how they rank among their competitors and the more favorable rankings an institution acquires is an advantage in a very competitive marketplace,” says James A. Troha, president.

Juniata was ranked at No. 179 in Forbes.com’s America’s Best Colleges ranking. Juniata is one of 650 colleges and universities

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nationwide to be rated in the Forbes. com rankings. There are more than 1,500 four-year colleges and universities nationwide.

The College rose to 89th in Washington Monthly’s larger Best Liberal Arts Colleges poll. Last year Juniata was ranked 101st.

In the U.S. News & World Report 2016 Rankings, Juniata was named as an “A+ School for B Students” among national liberal arts colleges for the second year in a row. In the overall U.S. News & World Report Rankings, Juniata maintained its 105th ranking in the Top Liberal Arts Colleges in the magazine’s annual poll.

Juniata is one of six colleges from Pennsylvania to be included in the “A+” rankings. The others are Allegheny College, Grove City College, Muhlenberg College, Susquehanna University, and Ursinus College.

Juniata shares its 105th national ranking with two other institutions: Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.; and St. Michael’s College, in Colchester, Vt.

“National rankings are essentially endorsements from experts in higher education,” Troha says. “Increasingly, these national polls are focusing on affordability and student debt, which has helped Juniata become more prominent in many rankings.”

In the relatively new “Money’s Best College’s,” collated by Money magazine, Juniata ranked 399th out of 736 institutions rated nationwide.

The Money rankings were collated using 21 factors in three equally weighted categories: educational quality, affordability, and alumni earnings collated from PayScale.com.

Juniata was named as an “A+ School for B Students” by U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 Rankings, which means that the College is expert at taking students who may not be as prepared for higher education and turns them into academic aces.

Diversity Rewarded: Juniata Receives HEED Award PHOTOS (LEFT): JASON JONES; (BELOW) GORDON DIMMIG ’17

The magazine Insight into Diversity has awarded one of its 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Awards to Juniata in recognition of its “level of achievement and intensity of commitment in regard to broadening diversity and inclusion on campus.” committee in order to identify

Juniata is one of 80-plus pathways for advertising and colleges, community colleges, and to prevent bias from unfairly universities that are honored each excluding a qualified job candidate. year for outstanding achievements

Juniata also has the in diversity initiatives, programs Participation in Educational and outreach, student recruitment, Activities that Create Equality retention, and completion, and (PEACE) Certificate, which hiring practices for faculty and staff. annotates the dedication of faculty

“It’s empowering when an and staff who regularly attend objective external organization voluntary trainings across campus. commends us for what we are doing.

It renews the strength of those who have been working to make Juniata a better place and offers feedback on what we still could be doing better,” says Rosalie Rodriguez ’01, special assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion (now working at Bucknell University).

“My hope is that the award will be a way to let prospective and current students know we are serious about our commitment to diversity—and not just because we think so.

Rosalie Rodriguez ’01, now working on diversity issu es at Bucknell Now we have something University, was able to inst itute many innovative dive rsity pro grams over a decade-long tangible to point to career as Juniata’s diversit y officer.

Here, she chats with Cy DeV as proof.” ries, associate professor of sociology (in blue jacket), alumni Alci

The magazine one Frederick ’05, (behind Rosalie) and Paul Berry ’05, after the group participated in selected Juniata based a Homecoming panel on dive rsity issues. on its commitment to low-income or first In addition, Juniata’s generation college students. Some Global Engagement Initiative, of the programs recognized by the which provides a roadmap for magazine include the College’s international education by using Inbound and Plexus programs, such programs as the Global Village, which are designed to help gives students an opportunity to underrepresented students manage live and learn through in-depth their social transition to college life. cultural interaction in “themed”

The award nomination also living spaces such as Intercultural mentioned Juniata’s efforts in Floor, La Casa Hispanica, Haus hiring faculty and staff, lauding Wanderlust, Le Village Francais, the College’s Stewards of Diversity and Chinese Village. program, which assigns a diversity representative to every search

2016 Fall-Winter | 7

CAMPUS NEWS

Knockout Hunch: Juniatian Jabs Away at Economic Development

| Juniata

Economic development is not exactly a knockdown, drag-out profession, but there are certain similarities to banking and boxing.

After all, two parties come together, defenses are probed, the pair jab away until they find a soft spot to work on, and at the end, someone goes home with a little more hope and perhaps some money in their pocket.

Jessica Baumgardner-Zuzik ’07, knows the links between business and boxing well, because, in addition to the job she worked at last year at the World Bank evaluating microenterprises in Malawi, Africa, she recently fought a four-round bout against a Malawian opponent that she narrowly lost on points. But even her defeat turned into a victory of sorts for economic development.

At the end of the May 10 fight, her opponent, a 20-year-old Malawi woman, was awarded $1,000 and a four-year scholarship to a university in South Africa.

“Had I won, I would have received about $25, but because a Malawian defeated an international boxer (from the United States), she received these great rewards and I felt really good about that,” says Baumgardner-Zuzik, who was a peace and conflict studies POE while at Juniata.

In case alumni and current students see a contradiction between PACS and pugilism, Jessica assures everyone she still is very much a pacifist. “For me boxing is not about beating someone up,” she explains. “It’s more about sportsmanship and perfecting

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Jessica Baumgardner-Zu zik ’07, who works for the World Bank in Africa wh not trading jabs in a box en she’s ing ring, gets her gloves checked by her coach jus a four-round bout she t prior to fought in Malawi, Africa .

techniques and skills from the perspective of discipline.”

When she’s not practicing her ring footwork, Jessica works for the World Bank’s Gender Innovations Lab, where she evaluates and reports on 3,000 entrepreneurs who run microenterprises that occupy open-air markets in the capital city of Lilongwe and the country’s financial center in Blantyre. She’s been in Malawi for two years and recently started a new job in Kenya.

Her boxing career goes back further, about five or six years, when she started training in a boxing program in Southern California while her husband was completing his postgraduate work.

She injured her wrist and stopped

training for several years. She started up again in Malawi, which has an active boxing culture. She and her husband, Allen, found coaches and began to train in earnest. “Boxing here is definitely a less skillful endeavor, it’s more open, but they keep it pretty clean,” she says.

She finds that boxing also helps her in the banking world, where Africans might be slightly leery of officials from a foreign company. “The greatest thing about athletics is that everyone is equal,” she explains. “I’ve worked in four countries in Africa and I will always be an outsider, but after I box they have an opportunity to see me as an equal and that’s an excellent basis to meet people.”

Juniata College received a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women to fund a new initiative designed to prevent sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking through training programs, education, and the creation of a new job position to coordinate training and education within the college and among various local Huntingdon County partners.

The grant will fund a variety of projects, including the hiring of a coordinator for Juniata-Coalition to End Violence Now (Juniata-CEVN).

“This grant is an extraordinary opportunity for us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and the community we live in,” says James A. Troha, president of Juniata. “We are particularly excited to be partnering with local agencies to deliver the necessary education and services that will positively impact our community.”

Juniata also will use the funds to make the process for reporting and preventing sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking more transparent by establishing written protocols for reporting sexual violence while also providing victim support. The protocols also will include codified accountability guidelines and clearly stated disciplinary and legal action for perpetrators.

The next phase of the three-year grant will support a continuing series of training programs for the college, its internal offices that might be affected through sexual violence complaints, and the college’s external

Katie Koestner, found er of the Take Back the Night Foundation, spe nt an entire day educating Juniata employees on campus sexual assaul t and cyber misconduct .

community partners. The training will be delivered to all Juniata students, faculty, and staff by some community partners or Juniata staff.

The college’s external partners are The Abuse Network Inc., Huntingdon House, the Michael J. Ayers Law Project, Huntingdon Borough Police, the Office of the District Attorney of Huntingdon, and J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital.

In addition to implementing clear procedures and policies for reporting crimes and training, the grant also allows Juniata to support speakers’ forums and awareness events. In October, the College brought in Katie Koestner, founder of the Take Back the Night Foundation, to facilitate a Policy Institute on Sexual and Cyber Misconduct.

Juniata’s grant is one of 27 awards totaling $8.5 million given to colleges, community colleges, and universities across the country to enhance victim services and develop training programs.

Members of the Policy Institute for Sexual and Cyber Misconduct (director Katie Koestner, in white blouse, is at center), pose with Juniata employees Cady Kyle, assistant director of human resources, at far left, and Lorri Panaia Shideler (far right), associate director of conferences and events. More than 100 people from the College and surrounding communities attended the institute.

2016 Fall-Winter |

PHOTOS (LEFT): COURTESY JESSICA BAUMGARDNER-ZUZIK; (RIGHT, TOP) COURTESY KATIE KOESTNER; (BOTTOM) CANDICE HERSH

Juniata Receives $300,000 Grant Funding Sexual Assault Prevention Education Program

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CAMPUS NEWS

Bridging Gaps: Juniata’s New Art Museum Director Settles In

| Juniata

Juniata welcomed Kathryn Blake, formerly director of education at the Phoenix Art Museum, to the campus community over the summer as the new director of the Juniata College Museum of Art and professor of art history.

Blake brings decades of professional museum experience to Juniata, including administration, education, curation, management, and program development. Blake brings with her a unique vision for the direction of the museum. Beyond her duties as director and classroom instructor, Blake intends to be a connector—a builder of bridges between seemingly disconnected academic disciplines at Juniata, and between the College and the broader community.

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How does your previous experience as director of education in Phoenix translate to your role as educator and director of the Juniata College Museum of Art?

“I’d been at the Phoenix Art Museum for 24 years when I left.

Having that amount of time in one place allowed me to view museums as hubs, and to understand our collection and the community I was working in. I view myself as a mediator between audience and object.

“A metaphor that I’ve used for a long time is viewing educators as bridge builders. Within the Juniata community, those bridges should exist across disciplines, so that the museum is not perceived as only the domain of art. My administrative position here allows us to place the museum at the surface of many areas of study. Museums involve

Kathryn Blake, director of the Juniata Museum of Art (lef t), is making plans to integrate Juniata’s art pro better grams and museum into the life of the Huntingdon community.

history, sociology, politics, mass media, science, philosophy…all of these things are inherent in art objects to a greater or lesser degree. They are a crossroads for conversation and the point at which connections are created.”

How do you intend to connect the Juniata College Museum of Art with the surrounding area?

“In terms of building bridges with the community, it’s a tremendous benefit to have an art museum here. I’d like to build stronger connections with schools in the area. Art people go to art events, but eventually you have to get outside of that circle. Schools are a great place to do that.

“When students come to a museum again and again, they get comfortable, they have a sense that museums are places for them.

Parents will support their children in whatever their endeavors are—if a student comes, their parents will, too. I’ve done a lot of work with schools in the past to get students involved in unique ways.”

What are some of the things that attracted you to Juniata? How is the transition going?

“Part of the reason I came here is to be innovative. If somebody

wants to try a new interpretive approach, go for it! We can’t keep doing things the way they’ve been done the last 100 years.

Technology is changing our ways of understanding. I’m very happy to be in a place where there’s more latitude for that kind of thinking, because that’s what pushes the field forward and keeps museums relevant.

“I grew up in New Hampshire and went to college in Massachusetts, so the East Coast climate isn’t out of my realm. That being said, my blood has thinned considerably in the past 24 years.

“I love walking to work. A lot. I love looking at the mountains. I’ve been getting out and driving the back roads on the weekend.

“I’m enjoying teaching the museum studies course. Students wrote mission statements for the museum, and helped choose different versions of Belle Yang’s current exhibition. I am used to teaching in a museum context, though. I’m going to have to get used to all the grading.”

—Tyler Ayres ’16, a senior from Huntingdon, Pa., is the Juniata Associate for Media Relations

Nonprofit Leadership Graduates Tout Benefits For Mid-Career Managers a graduate education program established by the college several years ago.

Miller and Rhodes both enrolled in the graduate program in order to enhance their skills at management in mid-career. For example, Miller, whose job was part of Huntingdon’s county government structure, felt the lessons learned in the 10-course, 30-credit program would help him develop a deeper leadership skill set.

“I think government isn’t recognized for its potential as a nonprofit (model), but it is. We are often looking out for the best

the The first two graduates of ’s ster Ma ship der Lea fit pro Non the in rch ma m Degree progra , directly 2015 Commencement line k Jac al rsh ma lty behind facu Donna Barlow. Adam Miller ’08 and program the in d olle enr ’84 des Rho nt skills to enhance their manageme at mid-career.

2016 Fall-Winter |

PHOTOS (LEFT): JASON JONES; (RIGHT) J.D. CAVRICH

Astute observers of Juniata College’s recent Commencement ceremony last May might recall that the first two graduates to receive diplomas were a bit older than the rest of the graduating class.

That’s because Adam Miller ’08, former director of emergency management for Huntingdon County, and Donna Rhodes ’84, executive director of the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, both in the midst of successful careers, were the historic first recipients for Juniata’s master’s degree in nonprofit leadership,

interests of the community,” Miller says. “Opportunities to lead are not always clear, and completing this program reinvigorated my perspective on how we serve this community.”

Rhodes, who has a ministry certificate from the Church of the Brethren and worked early in her career to coordinate the educational ministry at the Stone Church of the Brethren, sought out the graduate education to better understand some of the nonprofit roles that often are left out of many job brochures, such as tax laws, management for boards of directors, and fundraising. The coursework also applies to her current job at the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, an Elizabethtown, Pa.-based center focused on providing training for people in mid-career who would like to become Church of the Brethren ministers, but lack the time, or perhaps resources, to attend Bethany Theological Seminary, the Church of the Brethren facility in Richmond, Ind.

“Even though my current job is a ministry, there are so many other aspects of governance related to a nonprofit business,” she explains.

“Juniata’s nonprofit leadership degree enhanced my administrative skills.”

After completing the requirements for their graduate degrees, both newly minted nonprofit leaders agree that Juniata can bring a unique twist to graduate education in general and online programs in particular.

“It’s an opportunity for the College to seize a part of the global market for our brand of thinking, our way of doing, and Juniata’s wisdom to the rest of the world,” says Miller.

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CAMPUS NEWS

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Over the past decade, Juniata College has enjoyed much success in diversifying its student body. Today, approximately 25 percent of students come from backgrounds of diversity. Despite this achievement, the College’s hiring practices have not been able to achieve similar results, which inspired Juniata to create a program to increase their effectiveness in the area of diverse recruitment. scope of the search, the fullness of “(Steward training)

The relatively recent program, the process.” dubbed Stewards of Diversity, is part doesn’t say that you

The stewards weigh in on such of Juniata’s effort to evolve as an issues as how Juniata announces institution. The goal of the program must hire people of job openings, how to reach diverse is to better represent national diverse backgrounds for applicant pools, and which résumés demographics among faculty and are being discarded and why. staff. The initiative, which started this position. Stewards

Grace Fala, professor of in 2011, now boasts 50 trained increase the scope of the communication and chair of the stewards.

Stewards of Diversity, helped

Rosalie Rodriguez ’01, former search, the fullness of develop the Stewards’ guidelines special assistant to the president the process.” after several consultations with for diversity and inclusion, explains diversity professionals and experts that the student body has grown —Joel Pheasant ’99, director of at Temple University. much more diverse since 2002, Technology Solutions Center

“We have an obligation to offer pointing out that the number of a healthier balance to our students.

African-American, Latino, Asian and We should not ask how new hires Native American (ALANA) students will be like us, but how they’re has increased from 2 percent to 14 going to change us,” says Fala, who percent, while international student is interim director of the Office of recruitment increased from 4 —Tyler Ayres ’16, a senior from Huntingdon, Pa., Diversity and Inclusion. percent to 10 percent. is the Juniata Associate for Media Relations.

“Our faculty and staff has not mirrored that change,” says Rodriguez, who now works at Bucknell University. The College holds training sessions for stewards at the Raystown Field Station twice a year that cover a breadth of issues that range from best hiring practices to mindfulness of subconscious biases.

One of the steward’s roles is to make sure search committees are not overlooking applicants based on their own preconceptions. “There was a time when individuals would think, ‘This applicant wouldn’t be happy in Huntingdon,’ and reject them out of hand,” says Gail Leiby Ulrich ’81, director of human resources.

A steward’s role is proactive, rather than reactive. “(Steward training) doesn’t say that you must hire people of diverse backgrounds for this position,” says Joel Pheasant Grace Fala, professor of communicat Stewards of ’99, director of the Technology ion (standin Diversity pr g), helped cr ogram, base University an eate the Colle Solutions Center and steward of d on several d other inst ge’s similar prog itutions. rams at Tem diversity. “Stewards increase the ple

PHOTOS (LEFT): JASON JONES; (RIGHT) GORDON DIMMIG ’17

Stewards Of Diversity: More than 50 Take Training

Jack and Carolyn Sparks, two retired educators from Altoona, Pa., recently donated their family farm in Bedford County to Juniata.

On Dec. 11, just months after making their gift, the couple, far right, visited the von Liebig Center for Science to listen to presentations by biology students who have started research projects on the site.

Farming Out Research Assignments wrote “Go With the Flow,” a pilot study that sought to measure the effects of land use on microbial communities along the Juniata River.

The study uncovered vast differences in both pH and biodiversity between their three randomly selected sample sites on the property. “That section of the Juniata is incredibly understudied,” said Lamendella. “My goal is to have students out there sampling all summer.”

As Bedford County developed, Jack bore witness to radical changes in the local ecosystem. “There were major algal and aquatic plant life blooms about 15 years ago,” said Jack. “There aren’t frogs anymore, or water snakes or muskrats. Not one. There are hardly any crayfish, dragonflies or damselflies.”

The fact that Jack can recount these changes firsthand and

correlate them with farming, mining, and other local practices unlocks countless educational opportunities for future Juniatians.

“A historical timeline of local events and their effect on pH and biodiversity is something that almost never accompanies a land gift,” said Decker, a pre-med student. “We’re really lucky to have him.”

The Sparks were thrilled with the students’ presentation and look forward to future progress. “Jack and I didn’t expect you all to go this far in depth with the pilot study,” said Carolyn to the students. “I wish you could all stick around another semester or two, to continue this great work.”

—Tyler Ayres ’16, a senior from Huntingdon, Pa., is the Juniata Associate for Media Relations 2016 Fall-Winter |

Thanks to the generosity of Jack and Carolyn Sparks, five students cut their teeth on some hands-on field research during fall semester at the couple’s family farm. The Sparks recently donated to Juniata College in memory of their two late sons (see story, page 46). The farm spans 378 unspoiled acres in Bedford County and its boundary is framed by the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River.

The students presented their findings to the public at the end of the semester in the von Liebig Science Center. The Sparks attended the presentation and were able to see the first of many research projects made possible by the gift of their homestead.

Under the direction of Regina Lamendella, assistant professor of biology, Morgan Decker ’16, Max Magley ’16, Taylor Miles ’16, Kate Sabey ’16, and Nikea Ulrich ’17

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Heavy Lifting, Awards Division: Coach Smith Honored

by Tyler Ayres ’16 Juniata Associate for Media Relations

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PHOTO: JASON JONES

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ou’d be hard-pressed to find a studentathlete at Juniata who hasn’t grumbled about Doug Smith’s workout programs at one time or another. Even professors and members of the Huntingdon community grumble about the rigor of his infamous noon conditioning clinics.

Juniata’s Doug Smith, strength and conditioning coach, (in background in white jersey) oversees a newly expanded weight and training room that comfortably serves students and athletes. Smith was recently named the 2015 Coach of the Year by the Strength and Conditioning Association.

2016 Fall-Winter | 15

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In January, Smith, head strength and conditioning coach at the College, was named the 2015 Strength and Conditioning Association’s Coach of the Year. Smith’s competition for the award included coaches across all three NCAA divisions from almost 1,100 colleges and universities.

Since his arrival at Juniata in 1990, Smith’s leadership has produced 83 All-American athletes and eight national championship teams. Much of the overwhelming success of Smith’s training programs is a result of his fluid and unique approach. “We’re far from the norm here,” he says.

The support of Juniata’s benefactors has also been pivotal to the success of Smith’s program. “We’ve always had a facility that was a step ahead,” Smith continues. The Sam ’54 and Martha Brumbaugh Fitness Center was expanded by approximately 600 feet over the summer, thanks to the generosity of Carol and Ed Anderson, as well as ongoing contributions from the original donors, the Brumbaughs. “We’ve made better use of the space we have. It’s safer, has a larger capacity, better traffic patterns.”

Sarah Simeone ’14, assistant strength and conditioning coach, says the expansion of the fitness center has dramatically increased its usability. “The renovation allows Coach Smith and I to take two teams through at a time.

Before, everything was dangerously tight, people

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The Best of

JUNIATA SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Juniata goalkeeper Kerry Leonard ’18, of Cockeysville, Md., leaps up to make a save.

Allison Groft ’16, of Hanover, Pa., keeps her focus during a torrential downpour.

PHOTOGRAPHY

2016 Fall-Winter |

The Best of

JUNIATA SPORTS

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were on top of each other.”

There is nothing static about Smith’s methods. “We continue to evolve here—with our teams, with individual athletes’ strengths and weaknesses—and every program we design here is not only sport-specific, but also position-specific, and athlete-specific,” he says. “We’re using all the tools of the trade to develop our program…

I’m not a disciple of any one method.”

While Juniata’s approach to strength and conditioning is in a state of constant growth, there is a principle that Smith insists on. “We consistently demand correctness-of-form.

Behind every exercise we do, there are concepts and mechanics.”

Aaron O’Brien ’17, of York, Pa, makes a catch under tremendous defensive pressure.

“We spend as much time learning outside the weight room as we spend training inside.”

—Doug Smith

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH

The Best of

JUNIATA SPORTS

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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Athletes lacking a basic understanding of physiology are prone to injuries, and so coaches at the College proactively train both body and mind in their programs. “There are a lot of motor patterns that can hurt you in a weight room, and once

The Best of

JUNIATA SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Danilo Meyer-Arrivillaga ’17, of Durham, N.C., contorts himself in mid-air to head the ball.

2016 Fall-Winter | 19

you develop them, they’re hard to change,” Smith explains. “We spend as much time learning outside the weight room as we spend training inside.”

In addition to a kinetic program and thorough athlete education, there is a third element to Smith’s philosophy: fortitude.

“Physical toughness comes from mental toughness, and we’ve developed grind programs here that make our athletes tougher. Groups of individuals that grind like that become teams of leaders, teams that can communicate and work together at an advanced level.”

Smith tends to emphasize the role that others have played in his achievements. “My award in January wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the administration and sports coaches, who are great at getting their players on board with the strength programs. Any success we have in there is because of them.”

Many other institutions partition their athletes based on program, and have entirely separate fitness centers for nonathletes. “Some say our combined facilities are a disadvantage—you have an administrator over here, students over there, a team working in back— but people bond in here and get to know each other.” >j< SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY BY: J.D. CAVRICH The Best of

JUNIATA SPORTS | Juniata

PHOTOGRAPHY

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2016 Fall-Winter |

The Juniata Women’s volleyball team celebrates a victory in the Landmark Conference championships. The Scream Team are as follows: Bryce Arnold ’16, of Shippensburg, Pa.; Christine Irwin ’18, of State College, Pa.; Katie Byrne ’19, of Annapolis, Md.; Mar-Jana Phillips ’17, of Carson, Calif.; and Nakita Gearhart ’17, of Waynesboro, Pa.

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Behind the Curtain

By Gabriel Welsch, vice president of advancement and marketing

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tory, s of his g emeritu rst fundraisin r o s s fe o fi r p ’s , 6 ta , ’4 n ia . on Visio ibes Jun aylor Jr s Earl K ne as he descr ege: Uncomm mbaugh e ll u Alumnu c o r s C B e . ta sets th artin G ent , Junia vividly ident M ege’s endowm is book s h e r P in n n e ll ig h o a T c p . e y m th ca yalt to raise mon Lo friends Uncom ni and m lu a aske d .

200,000 ab o v e $

PHOTO (LEFT): J.D. CAVRICH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JASON JONES unless noted

Finding the Right Path for a Fund-raising Campaign

A

2016 Fall-Winter |

round 1910, alumni of Juniata College, fresh off the celebration of their alma mater’s first quarter century of existence, were asked to lend assistance to an ambitious president (who also governed the state of Pennsylvania) and Board of Trustees. People received a brief slip for their commitments that read, “With a desire to co-operate in the movement to raise the Endowment of Juniata College to the two hundred thousand dollar mark, ($200,000) I hereby agree to pay to the Alumni Endowment of the College the sum of ______.”

The statement referred to a plan that, according to historian Earl ’46 Kaylor’s Juniata College: Uncommon Vision, Uncommon Loyalty, had been in place since at least 1903, during a period when the College expanded by building Carnegie Library, acquiring the land north of campus known as Round Top, paving Moore Street for the first time, and installing the first light bulbs in Founders Hall.

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Behind the Curtain

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Since then, Moore Street has been paved several dozen times, Founders has gone through thousands of light bulbs and now has wireless access to an Internet imaginable in the early 1900s perhaps only by H. G. Wells, and Carnegie became an art museum some time after Beeghly Library was opened in the 1960s. But the small slip of paper that asked for a contribution, a paper still available in some archives on campus, is a tangible sign of how planning, building, and participation of alumni come together cyclically to enhance the ability for Juniata to meet its mission.

Juniata is in the beginning phases of its next effort to connect planning, evolution, and funding.

The College is not alone in doing so. More than 50 institutions are launching dizzying fund drives— including Harvard, which has a goal of $6.5 billion. In addition, private donations to colleges and universities have increased each year. In 2014, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, giving increased by 5.1 percent from 2013 totals. Over the past 25 years, again according to the Chronicle, giving to private colleges rose from about $7 billion in 1990 to about $12 billion today.

“Part of the marked increase in giving nationally can be attributed to recovery from the recession and the increasing sophistication of our sector making a case for support,” says Jim Troha, president. “At Juniata, we have experienced steady increases in annual giving and gifts to build our endowment, because our alumni and friends understand well what we provide for students.

Now, we are preparing to say, in a big way, how we will improve what we do for students, and how our friends can take part in that great step forward.”

The term used for a coordinated effort at connecting planning, execution, storytelling, and a sustained plan for building revenue through philanthropic investment is campaign. The root of the word comes from the Latin “campus,” appropriately enough, which roughly translates as “level ground.”

The other common definition—“an organized course of action to achieve a particular goal”—is more in line with how modern institutions of higher education go about raising money.

However, what higher education capital campaigns really are about harkens to the original Latin root, “level ground.” Each college considering a campaign takes a metaphorical look around at its competitors and peers and makes decisions on what facilities, faculty, and financing it needs to compete and improve its ability to deliver on its mission for the next decade or so. As Juniata approaches its sesquicentennial in 2026, it does so in a climate that publications as varied as The Wall Street Journal and Mother Jones describe as the most challenging ever for small colleges.

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“Now, we are preparing to say, in a big way, how we will improve what we do for students, and how our friends can take part in that great step forward.”

—Jim Troha PRESIDENT

2016 Fall-Winter |

The path that led to the decision to start a new comprehensive campaign can best be described as two powerful rivers of information. One river is the College’s self-study completed for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The other stream is the Campus Master Plan. Once the College examines these two data streams to see where its educational and infrastructure needs lie, the stage is set to formulate a campaign.

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reparations for starting a campaign involve more than good timing, a calculator, and a sense of challenge. Although Juniata is just now researching a fundraising initiative, the ideas and documentation surrounding building projects and academic improvements began in 2011.

Juniata’s journey began with two projects that can be likened to two powerful rivers. These two rivers are not isolated. Tributaries flow from one to the other, intermingling information, workload, and ideas. The first stream is an intensive self-study by the faculty and administrative departments for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accreditation agency for colleges and universities. Every 10 years—Juniata’s self study began in 2011— all colleges and universities must examine how they provide education and whether their operations meet the standards necessary to deliver on their promises.

The second stream is the creation of a master campus plan, titled at Juniata as “The Campus Master Plan.” Between these two torrents are “tributaries” that function as means of communication and collaboration.

Some of the tributaries are major, such as the Board of Trustees, who were involved in many of the discussions of the Middle States project and master plan, and some are minor, such as a faculty member or administrator who is asked to contribute to a discrete part of the campaign plan.

In higher education, administrators are often asked to look into the future to see what a campus might need. Typically, these leaps forward are at least 20 years. In 2011, then-President Tom Kepple gathered faculty, administrators, staff, and students and initiated the Campus Master Plan. At the same time, thenprovost Jim Lakso started the process of the Middle States evaluation.

Knowing a new president and new provost would come to Juniata in 2013, the Trustees and administration felt these critical self-examinations should be completed.

“When the search committee started the process of looking for a new president, we marketed the

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President James Troha makes the decision to go forward with a campaign, but everyone has input into the process. Faculty, staff, administrators, students—including the three walking beside the president—can offer suggestions.

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fact that these projects would be done by the time the candidates were ready to make a decision to come to Juniata,” says Rob Yelnosky ’85, vice president for finance and operations.

The creation of a master plan for the campus is not a matter of looking on a campus map and designating new buildings wherever there is available space.

“Master plans are not so much about specifics as they are about what the possibilities are,” Yelnosky explains.

Yelnosky gathered a committee of 32 campus members, and asked representatives from two architectural firms, Hastings + Chivetta, responsible for the von Liebig Center for Science, and Street Dixon Rick, responsible for Founders Hall, to participate.

Guided by three principles—accessibility, community, and sustainability—the committee met every three months or so and held a number of campus open forums to solicit feedback from employees. In addition, officials from municipal governments in and around Huntingdon were consulted during the process and after the plan was approved. (To view the full plan, go to www.juniata.edu/strategicplan)

“As Trustees, we see these things at the beginning and offer what our strategy should be,” Robert McDowell ’67, chair of the Board of Trustees, points out.

“Although we are not all in the meetings for the master plan and Middle States, we were informed throughout the progress of each project.”

Meanwhile, most, if not all, of the faculty and some administrators were deeply involved in looking within Juniata’s educational model to determine if the College’s curriculum and educational model remained relevant and identify areas where Juniata could improve. Each time a college goes through the Middle States evaluation, it must address 13 standards.

“As you explore each of these standards, questions are raised,” says Kathy Westcott, professor of psychology and interim provost during 2013-2014.

“Questions that we wanted to address were about whether to improve or change the POE, the general education curriculum, assessment of how successful

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we are at teaching, experiential learning and faculty workload, and a variety of other important issues.”

After the self study was completed in Spring 2013, an evaluation team comprising administrators from other colleges and universities arrived on campus to determine where the College’s strengths lay and what areas needed improvement. The team made recommendations in four areas—assessment, diversity, online learning, and communication—and otherwise affirmed the work of the College.

Listening in on the committee’s April 2013 presentation by speakerphone, Juniata’s then-incoming president, Jim Troha, heard both praise for the College’s focus on mission and the work he would have ahead of him. Troha’s first major initiative thus was to start the strategic plan process. Doing so would help Juniata determine whether or not it should grow in size; what facilities would enhance Juniata’s educational offerings; which existing facilities must be improved; which parts of the curriculum should be emphasized or merit additional investment; and whether it’s important to remain a globally connected campus.

By fall semester 2013, faculty and staff were kneedeep in serving on committees created to develop a new strategic plan. “Each line of the plan was put through a filter in which we asked ourselves how does it support enrollment, how does it support learning,” says McDowell. “The ideas, projects, and initiatives that made it through that filter became the priorities of the strategic plan and the priority for Juniata. As trustees it’s not our job to try to manage the process. We have more of an advisory role, so for the strategic plan, basically, we approved the concept and told Jim and the Senior Leadership Team to go forth and do it.”

The trustees gave final approval to “Courage to Act: The Plan for Juniata” in spring 2015. Then, President Troha, Lauren Bowen, provost, and the rest of the Senior Leadership Team began to set priorities on how to accomplish each step of the plan.

Behind the Curtain

PHOTO: J.D. CA VRICH

I

2016 Fall-Winter |

Aaron Rabinowitz, a New York City-based real estate executive, wrote a letter to Calvert Ellis ’23, Juniata’s president, to outline three suggestions on how to raise the profile of the College.

Rabinowitz’s suggestions are just as timely today as they were in 1966, when the letter arrived on campus.

n 1966, Juniata President Calvert Ellis ’23 received a letter from Aaron Rabinowitz, a real estate executive located in Manhattan who had developed an interest and affinity for the College after being introduced to it by Juniata trustee John C. Baker ’17.

Rabinowitz would go on to provide financial gifts to the College, primarily to Beeghly Library, as well as gifts of books and artifacts. The letter to Ellis arrived following a weekend spent on campus celebrating the College’s 90th anniversary and during which time Rabinowitz was awarded an honorary degree.

Rabinowitz makes three suggestions in the letter that are as familiar and timely now as they were 50 years ago: that Juniata “should be better known,” that a worthwhile cause like the College should engender “no fear of debt,” and that Juniata should “speak up and tell of [its] needs.”

In essence, Rabinowitz’s letter encapsulates what backs a campaign. Cement the plan and the cause, provide early funding, and ask for help from those who best understand the value and benefit of the enterprise. Rabinowitz saw the potential of the College, and supported it in various ways, as did his daughter, Susan R. Malloy, whose name graces one of the galleries in the Juniata College Museum of Art.

As Rabinowitz’s note implies, plans require time and financial resources. McDowell explains that once the College solidified the

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Behind the Curtain

current strategic plan, College leaders set priorities for what Juniata needs to accomplish and estimated a price tag for what it would take to pay for those goals.

“If you add them all up, it comes to about $75 million,” McDowell says.

To continue the steady endowment growth that has occurred over the last several years, an additional $50 to $75 million in donations is also necessary.

Early in fall 2015, the College hired a consultant to answer three main fundraising questions: What should be our fundraising goal and why? What projects are most likely

campaign that will inspire people to act?

“A campaign is nothing more than a vehicle to tell a story,” says Thomsen, who has consulted on capital campaigns for dozens of colleges and universities. “Our job is to help Juniata find that story.”

On Thomsen’s first visit to campus, he spent most of his time “reporting” Juniata’s story. “You are looking at the history of the place. At the end of the process my aim is not to be a consultant but to become a friend.”

After his initial visit, Thomsen conducted many interviews.

as well. “The thing I love about this job is that you can have a personal relationship with the College and its employees. I’ve helped them do something that will make a difference in people’s lives.”

The College will pick a time to announce a campaign publicly, most likely 18 months to two years from now. In the meantime, Juniata is preparing its staff and talking to its supporters. Early activity has already begun, as you can see in the pages of this magazine, on some key capital projects, the Studio and Integrated Media Arts Building and the Winton Hill Athletics Facility.

“The thing I love about this job is that you can have a personal relationship with the College and its employees. I’ve helped them do something that will make a difference in people’s lives.”

—Thomas Thomsen SENIOR CONSULTANT WITH MARTS & LUNDY AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF CONCORDIA COLLEGE, MINN. AND GRAND VIEW COLLEGE, IOWA

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to attract support? When should the campaign start?

Thomas Thomsen, senior consultant with Marts & Lundy, a world-renowned strategic consulting firm specializing in nonprofit philanthropy, helped find the answers. A former president of Concordia College in Minnesota and Grand View College in Iowa, Thomsen lends expertise in helping institutions prepare for campaigns, implement campaigns and form a strategy for major gifts.

Unlike the previous work, Thomsen’s first move was not to form a committee. Instead, he acted more as an investigative reporter. He sought answers to three questions. Why is it worth giving to Juniata? Can the Juniata community give at the rate necessary? Is there an engine in the

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He spoke with more Juniata administrators and faculty, competitors, and current donors.

He made many of the interviews by phone. “Ten years ago we did all of these in person, but these days the home is a more private place and people often are more relaxed and open on the phone,” he says.

After interviews, Thomsen collaborates with Marts & Lundy analysts to combine his reporting with database information to determine whether a college in question can support a campaign.

The final step is a presentation to Juniata’s leadership team and the Trustees, which took place in October. Based on that conversation, the College’s leadership is continuing to the next phase of study, looking to clarify priorities.

Thomsen will help with that process

But the 2012 Juniata College Master Plan and “Courage to Act” call for more steps. Those steps will depend on what might be the most important fundraising drive in the College’s history.

“It’s now time to act,” says Yelnosky. “The campaign becomes the means to take the campus to a new level.” >j<

Innovative thinking, like creating a teaching space that is equal parts classroom and patio, is what fuels the planning process for the campus and provides the inspiration to take action.

2016 Fall-Winter | 29

Grandfathered In Henry ’57 and Joanie Gibbel Honor Juniata’s ‘Beautiful Game’ with Bountiful Gift

By John Wall director of media relations PHOTOGRAPHY BY: J.D. CAVRICH unless noted

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ever underestimate the power of grandparents, particularly those who have roamed more soccer fields than Abby Wambach (with just as much intensity).

Thanks to a seemingly never-ending line of grandchildren who have excelled at soccer, known the world over as “the beautiful game,” Henry H. Gibbel ’57 and his wife, Joanie, have made a substantial gift that enables Juniata to renovate its existing soccer field into a jewel-like facility replete with artificial turf designed specifically for soccer, locker rooms, lights, and other features.

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It’s nearly all soccer all the time on Henry and Joanie Gibbel’s home refrigerator as they track the exploits of their grandchildren on high school, college, and professional soccer pitches across the state and country.

2016 Fall-Winter |

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Grandfathered In

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—Henry H. Gibbel ’57

At left: Few Juniata athletic fans can match the dedication of Henry H. Gibbel ’57, who, at age 82, still drives to campus to watch Eagles athletic contests. Henry’s wife Joanie, often tags along.

statistics and team members from his days managing the football team. He can rattle off stats for Juniata soccer, too, and one of his most powerful statistics centers on how the College’s current soccer facilities pale in comparison to other Landmark teams.

“It’s the largest gift I’ve ever given—by far,” says Henry, who prefers not to mention the level of his support for a new soccer field.

So how does a football fan second only to the New York Jets’ Fireman Ed decide to help finance Juniata’s new soccer complex?

Grandchildren.

Let’s start at the beginning.

Kathy Jo Gibbel (1983, Duke University) married Jim Wenger, who played soccer in college.

Their first son, Andrew, turned out to be good at soccer. Really good. His grandparents, Henry and Joanie, attended all of his games: grade school, high school, Duke University where he was an All-American, and now the Philadelphia Union, a professional team in the MLS (Major League Soccer).

As it turned out, almost all the Gibbel grandchildren played soccer and most of them played at high levels. Jonathan Wenger, a senior at Elon University, is on a soccer scholarship, as is his sister, Elizabeth, a sophomore at Georgetown University. Mary Beth (Gibbel) Bertrando, who graduated from the University of Richmond, has three children, Ryan, Marisa, and Talia. Ryan is at Lehigh University on a soccer scholarship.

2016 Fall-Winter |

The facility is to be called the Henry H. and Joanie R. Gibbel Stadium. However, before the reasons behind such a substantial donation are revealed, it might be best to relate a little history behind Henry H. Gibbel’s dedication to Juniata athletics.

First of all, he’s not the only Henry Gibbel. There’ve been five of them, all with different middle names, and they all went to Juniata. Not all played sports at Juniata, but they’ve all been involved. For instance Henry H. was the football team manager from 1953-56, and there’s some evidence to confirm that without the permission of Henry H.’s father Henry B., chair of Juniata’s Board of Trustees at the time, the 1956 Tangerine Bowl team might not have been allowed to go to the game.

Secondly, probably due to the fact he attended all Juniata sporting events since he was old enough to travel to games, Henry H. is a fanatical Juniata football fan. That’s American football. To demonstrate the level of his loyalty, some statistics. From 1957 to 1972, he went to every Juniata football game. He even made one game after being T-boned on the highway while leaving his hometown of Lititz (everybody was OK, but Henry asked Joanie if he could borrow her car to go to the game after bringing everyone home from the hospital). At age 82, he still drives to Juniata to see the majority of Juniata home games, no matter what the sport. He can still tell you

“What impressed me about President Troha’s plan for the soccer stadium is that he’s willing to do it right. I think given the choice between two great academic schools, an athlete will pick the school that has better facilities.”

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Grandfathered In

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The Henry H. and Joanie R. Gibbel Stadium on Winton Hill features lights, grandstands, a pressbox, and locker rooms/training rooms within the structure at the center of the illustration. Behind the field is the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new tennis facility.

Inset: A closeup view of the entrance to the lockerroom and training facility.

DESIGN AND GRAPHICS COURTESY DERCK & EDSON ASSOCIATES 2016 Fall-Winter | 35

Roll With Us, Henrys Here are the no-quibble facts on all the Henry Gibbels.

Henry R.: Class of 1888. Former chair of the Juniata Board of Trustees. (right portrait) Henry B.: Class of 1926. Former chair of the Juniata Board of Trustees. (left portrait) Henry H.: Class of 1957. Former chair of the Board of Trustees, presently chairman of Lititz Mutual Insurance Co. Henry R.: Class of 1981. President and CEO of Lititz Mutual Insurance Co.

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Henry A.: Class of 2015. Known as “Alex,” he works at Lititz Mutual.

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So, Nana and Papa Gibbel have been prowling the sidelines of Lititz soccer fields and beyond for the past 25 years. And you don’t see hundreds of games without learning to recognize talent and also to recognize how top-flight soccer facilities tend to attract talented students who wanted to continue their soccer careers.

“Our grandkids helped us recruit,” confides Joanie. “They would tell us who was interested in Juniata and we could see if they were good soccer players. It’s going to be tougher now, we only have one left in high school.”

(That’s Talia Bertrando.)

“What impressed me about President Troha’s plan for the soccer stadium is that he’s willing to do it right,” says Henry H. “Juniata really needs it. I think given the choice between two great academic schools, an athlete will pick the school that has better facilities.”

Dan Dubois, head coach for men’s soccer, says that once the new soccer complex is finished, Juniata will have the finest soccer facility in the Landmark Conference.

He adds that some competitors may have better fields or different stadium setups, but taken together, Juniata’s soccer complex offers bells and whistles that could be a siren call for recruiting.

“The battle in recruiting is usually about facilities, and for soccer we have been losing that battle,” Dubois explains.

“It will be nice to start winning a few of those.”

Currently the “Winton Hill Athletics Complex,” the entire area will combine an artificial-turf

Grandfathered In

soccer field, a six-court tennis facility, lights for both sections, and a stadium-style grandstand with indoor press box set atop a locker room complex large enough to accommodate both men’s and women’s soccer and tennis teams, as well as facilities.

The College will move the Raffensperger Tennis Courts, currently behind Swigart Hall and also adjacent to Ellis Hall, to the new complex, which would free up construction space for the planned Studio and Integrated Media Arts Building.

In addition, the improved tennis complex will no doubt prove to be just as much of a boon to recruiting and “best facility” competition with the rest of the Landmark Conference. “Soccer continues to gain as the fall sport of choice for men and the number of women who continue to flock to the game is increasing,” says Gabe Welsch, vice president of advancement and marketing. “Tennis is also growing in popularity again and that sport has proven to be a very effective way to recruit international student-athletes. The Winton Hill complex truly has the potential to transform Juniata’s ability to meet our ambitious enrollment goals.”

“The new facility will make Juniata a destination facility not only for recruits but for our opponents,” says Scott McKenzie, soccer coordinator and associate athletic director. “In addition we will become attractive for high school soccer events and NCAA tournament opportunities.”

The complex will be located behind Nathan Hall at the intersection of College Avenue and Cold Springs Road.

“About 30 percent of the students on campus come to Juniata through athletic recruitment, so the more we can do to ensure that young men and women come to Juniata the better,” Henry H. says. “Winton Hill is not a part of us, it’s going to be an important part of Juniata.

We’re always happy when Juniata looks better than the competition.”

So are the soccer coaches, who look forward to recruiting on a level playing field. McKenzie says, “Our message will be ‘Look at the investment our College is making in our sport. Don’t you want to come here and be a part of that?’” >j<

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Thanks to watching hundreds of their grandchildren’s soccer matches, Henry and Joanie Gibbel have developed an Eagle eye for soccer talent. They have recruited many students for Juniata over the years. They felt it was important to donate funds to the soccer program so the College could compete in recruiting. Once finished, Juniata’s coaches feel the facility will be the best in the Landmark Conference.

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John ’54 and Irene Dale ’58, pose at their retirement community surrounded by artwork created by their grandchildren.

Grandson Ben Harris is a former commercial artist who is now a tattoo artist. Cliff Koetas, another grandson, is an art teacher at Lake Liberty Day Camp in New Jersey.

“John’s commitment to raising the visibility of the arts on our campus, and thus likely raising our status in nationwide liberal arts college rankings, far exceeded our expectations.”

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—Karen Rosell

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PROFESSOR OF ART HISTORY

Putting Art Firmly into the Liberal Arts

# John â&#x20AC;&#x2122;54 Dale and Irene â&#x20AC;&#x2122;58 Dale

Paint Convincing Picture to Build New Art Facility

By John Wall, director of media relations PHOTOGRAPHY BY: J.D. CAVRICH unless noted

Next time you are stuck in an endless meeting with some guy droning on about an irrelevant piece of bureaucratic minutia, take heart. At Juniata, when people are asked to join committees to study something, things happen.

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Putting Art Back

John and Irene Dale admit the gene for artistic expression passed them by, although they both took art courses while at Juniata. John realized the College’s art facilities could use an extensive touchup when he was asked to serve on a program review committee for the art department.

“John and I talked about it, and we decided that what the

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Perhaps not right away every single time, but when the College puts wheels in motion, the intent is to get the project, whatever it is, to completion. Go ahead and ask John Dale ’54. He and his wife, Irene ’58, have done the math concerning the need for a new campus building and as a result, the College will be breaking ground for a new facility devoted to fine arts and integrated media arts.

Their story—or most of it, anyway—begins in a committee meeting around 2000 when John Dale, then serving on the Board of Trustees, was asked to serve as the representative from Juniata’s board on a group gathered to complete a program review of the art department.

“It really opened my eyes to the dire straits the art department was in,” says John, whose degrees from Juniata and the University of Pennsylvania are in mathematics.

“You couldn’t use oil paints in the painting room because of poor

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ventilation, the pottery shop was a mess.”

“The darkroom for photography was perhaps the worst,” says Irene Dale, who earned a degree in home economics from the College.

“I walked in there and stepped right back out. It was so small and jammed full of equipment.”

“John was our most effective advocate. He was passionate, disciplined, and articulate in his arguments,” says Karen Rosell, professor of art history.

“His commitment to raising the visibility of the arts on our campus, and thus likely raising our status in nationwide liberal arts college rankings, far exceeded our expectations.”

“John and I talked about it, and we decided that what the art department most needed was a real place to call home,” Irene recalls.

Although neither John nor Irene can find an artist in either of their extensive family trees going back in time, the couple’s appreciation

John Dale and Irene have amassed quite a collection of art, pretty much all of it, including the three framed drawings behind John, done by their grandchildren.

art department most needed was a real place to call home.”

—Irene Dale ’58 Emily White ’15, came to Juniata as a theatre POE and now works throughout the Philadelphia area in acting and technical jobs. A recent October gig had her scaring people during a haunted house job at the creepy Eastern Penitentiary

These days, the Dales have amassed an impressive collection of art, almost all by their two artistgrandsons. There are oils, penand-ink drawings, plus a couple of portraits of Irene hung on the walls of the couple’s home.

Meanwhile, during John Dale’s three terms as a Trustee, he began working to improve Juniata’s art facilities. He underlines that he’s not the originator of the idea to include a classroom-and-studio building devoted solely to the arts.

“There’s a master plan for the campus from the College’s Jubilee anniversary in 1926 and you can see a building labeled ‘Art’ right in the center of campus,” John says.

The Dales have been significant donors to their College since the mid-1990s, when John retired

2016 Fall-Winter |

for art grew at home initially. John had taken a History of Modern Art course at Juniata while Irene had taken three introductory courses during her freshman year: Appreciation of Art, Appreciation of Music, and Appreciation of Literature. Throughout their lives, the Dales have enjoyed looking at art and going to museums, but their lives and their pocketbooks did not extend to amassing a fantastic art collection.

That sort of changed when the seven grandchildren came along. One grandson, Ben Harris, now 32, attended the Maryland Institute College of Art, worked as a commercial artist, and is now a tattoo artist. Another grandson, Cliff Koetas, now 25, “wanted to be an art teacher since he was about six,” according to his grandmother.

He researched top art education programs, graduated from Arcadia College near Philadelphia, and is now an art specialist at Lake Liberty Day Camp, near Mansfield, N.J. A third arts-loving grandchild,

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Putting Art Back

| Juniata

The Studio and Integrated Media Arts Building contains multiple studios for painting, photography, three dimensional art, and integrated media. All the studios feature lighting and seating designed for optimum learning.

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2016 Fall-Winter |

ILLUSTRATION COURTESY STREET DIXON RICK ARCHITECTS

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Putting Art Back

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from a telecommunications firm called Dale, Gesek, McWilliams & Sheridan that he co-founded in 1970 with colleague Rex McWilliams. The company, which was bought out by Comverse Inc. in 1995, had developed telephone technologies still used in call forwarding, voice storage, and caller ID applications.

After retirement, John exercised his math-rich analytical side and donated more than $6 million to expand the College’s technology curriculum into information technology. He also contributed more funds to renovate the “C” wing of Brumbaugh Academic Center to house faculty and classrooms for the business, IT, communication, and math departments into what is now a collaborative space known as Dale Hall. In addition, the Dales, who used to court around Founders Hall, made gifts for the renovation of Juniata’s “First Building.”

“Adding an art building has been on the agenda for every master plan, but it always would get bumped by something else of higher priority,” John explains.

The Dales had brought Benji Harris to look at Juniata, but their grandson knew he needed a much more extensive art training program and quickly moved on to consider art-only colleges. “We don’t want this to be a huge art program, but we do want to give students the space where they can collaborate,” John says.

“We are a cohesive department but right now we are all scattered throughout campus,” says Monika Malewska, associate professor of art.

“The new building will allow us to build a sense of community among students but also among ourselves because it is nice to see what your colleagues are working on or what other students are doing.”

“The liberal arts mean adding to an education from many different areas,” Irene says. “We have the science education down pat, but we could use a little more art.”

When John stepped off the board in 2011, he used his final speech to the Board to paint a picture of a new building. “My speech was about my dream of bringing a truly great art building to Juniata.”

“Adding an art building has been on the agenda for every master plan, but it always would get bumped by something else of higher priority.”—John Dale ’54

In 2016, after research, negotiations, brainstorm sessions, and, yes, many committee meetings, the still-to-be-named (Dale will unveil the name at the completed building’s dedication) structure will occupy a space not far from the area outlined in that 1926 Edwin Brumbaugh plan that inspired John Dale.

The building will be directly lined up with the von Liebig Center for Science, and Cloister Hall, occupying the site across 19th Street where the tennis courts and North Lawn currently stand. The symmetrical Georgian exterior will feature cladding stone from Roaring Run Quarry (a business once owned

by John Dale’s father during the Depression) and a central lobby. The building is designed by Street Dixon Rick Inc., an architectural firm from Nashville, Tenn.

The first floor features studios for photography and digital art, graphic design, and three-dimensional art and sculpture. The second floor has four studios for integrated media arts, painting, drawing, and digital art.

There are faculty offices and other amenities on both floors.

“What many people don’t realize is that art studios are not

just classrooms with seats and a blackboard. Separate rooms are required for painting, digital arts, and three-dimensional arts,” Malewska says. “Studios used for painting, digital art and sculpture all require different seating, different lighting. In addition, the building will act as a major recruiting tool for our department and others.”

With all their grandchildren grown up, the Dales know that Juniata’s newest building may not lure another relative to an artsfocused life and they are fine with that. In fact, they don’t really want the program to become any bigger than it already is. The Dales just want Juniatians to have fun— creating art.

“A lot of kids love art and want to continue doing it when they get to college,” Irene says. “If we can make that easier for them, that makes us happy.”

“The expectation is not to start cranking out famous artists,” says John. “I’ve sort of been a voice in the wilderness pushing this for about 20 years, so it will be great to say the College has an arts building that matches the quality of its education.” >j<

John Dale found a program outlining Juniataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan from 1926, the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jubilee anniversary, and saw it included plans for an Arts Building in the center of campus.

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Land for All Seasons

Altoona Couple Donates Bedford County Farm to Honor Two Sons

T

| Juniata

he couple stands atop a gently sloping hill covered in a verdant carpet of thick grass stretching out across a few hundred acres. The lush pastureland ends just before a thick stand of trees protecting an undulating bend of the Raystown branch of the Juniata River.

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By John Wall, director of media relations PHOTOGRAPHY BY: J.D. CAVRICH

2016 Fall-Winter |

Jack and Ca rolyn Sparks , both retire educators fr d om Altoona, Pa., stand in the expansi ve pasture land of thei family farm r , which has been in the Sparks fam ily since th e 19th the larger ph oto, the farm century. In farmhouse â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s barn and are in the co pse of trees center righ at t.

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Land for All Seasons

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Once a farm producing a few hundred head of beef cattle per year, the land is owned by Jack and Carolyn Sparks. The land has been in the Sparks family since 1810 and has been owned outright by the Sparks family since 1913.

The farm has produced tons of crops, livestock, and memories in that time, but perhaps its most lasting legacy is its use as a tool for building community and promoting education. To the delight of the Sparks, Juniata has agreed to take over the farm and continue to grow the College’s unique brand of handson education.

“As longtime educators, Jack and Carolyn recognize the need for experiential education and their ancestral farm offers an almost perfect field experience for a wide variety of disciplines, including environmental science, geology, chemistry, astronomy, archaeology, history, and probably a few we haven’t thought of yet,” says James A. Troha, president of Juniata. “Over the long term, facilities on the farm can be used or adapted for student housing or meeting spaces, giving Juniata the potential to develop this great gift into a faculty retreat facility or perhaps developing another field station.”

The gently undulating 378-acre farm, located in the “hollow” of the Laurel Mountains near Everett, Pa., in Bedford County, has been in Jack Sparks’ immediate family since 1913, when his father, Samuel Sparks, bought the homestead.

However, family ties to the property extend back almost two centuries to 1810, when Jack’s great-great uncle, Henry Rinard, took possession of the land.

The Sparks, both in their 80s and residents of Altoona, have made the gift of the farm and are working with the College to make provisions for an endowment for its operation and upkeep. The gift also memorializes their two late sons. Scott Douglas Sparks attended Juniata and after spending his junior year abroad, he attended Westfaeliscche Wilhelm’s Universitaet, in Muenster, Germany and worked as a translator.

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Until relatively recently, the Sparks farm was an active beef operation, raising Hereford, Angus, Limousin, and Charlais cattle. The farm also served as a camp for Altoona-area youth called â&#x20AC;&#x153;No-Dse-Wa-Ope,â&#x20AC;? where campers learned outdoor skills, Native American lore, and facts about the natural world.

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Land for All Seasons

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Todd Gardner Sparks attended Shenandoah University and Conservatory of Music and founded OZ International Salon.

Scott and Todd, along with family friend Jack Makdad ’85, pretty much grew up on the farm, at first playing in its vast acreage and then working at Camp NoDse-Wa-Ope (pronounced “knowdah-wah-opee”), the children’s camp Jack Sparks developed at the farm through Altoona’s Logan Township Recreation program.

Originally Jack, who earned degrees in physical education at Slippery Rock University (B.S.) and Penn State (M.S.), ran a sports-oriented summer recreation program, but over time the family began bringing children attending the Logan Township rec programs out to the farm.

Since establishing the camp in 1970, some 300 local children each year learned lessons in nature study, canoeing, archery, crafts, swimming, and safety until the Sparks chose to close the camp in 1982.

Carolyn Sparks, who taught school in Altoona and in Bedford County, always believed the camp was more a tool for education than a convenient location for kids to run and play—which made Juniata’s commitment to maintaining the site as a living classroom all the more convincing for the couple.

The Sparks had approached Penn State Altoona, where Jack had coached various sports from 1964 to 1970 and where the couple had endowed academic scholarships honoring Todd and Scott, to discuss various uses for the farm, but administrators at Penn State’s main campus could not guarantee the farm would be used educationally.

“It was very clear that Juniata’s interest and ours were in alignment. The sense of excitement we got from everyone we met was impressive,” Jack says. “What sealed the deal was when the College took us out to the Field Station and Grove Farm and we saw how those facilities were used.”

The Sparks were connected to Juniata’s Senior Leadership Team through alumnus Makdad,

who happened to be the College roommate of Rob Yelnosky ’85, vice president of finance and operations.

“I just suggested that the people I knew at Juniata would be more open to what Jack and Carolyn had in mind,” Makdad says.

“The opportunities for research would be endless, I would think,” adds Jack Sparks.

Indeed.

“One of the first things we want to do is start an oral history project with Mr. and Mrs. Sparks so we can get the history and land usage of the farm transcribed and archived,” says historian David Hsiung. Hsiung pointed out that a comprehensive history of the farm would lend insight to researchers in other disciplines. “If we can establish what kind of crops were grown and what kind of animals were on the farm, then that helps biologists and archaeologists answer questions of their own,” Hsiung adds.

For archaeologist Jonathan Burns, who teaches Juniata’s field course in archaeology, the Sparks Farm will be an unending resource for the study of prehistoric artifacts. Burns explains that one end of the farmstead is on a meander bend of the Juniata River.

Typically, wide bends in a river are prime areas for the establishment of Native American villages, camps and settlements because the bend’s periodic flooding deposits rich soil that is good for agriculture.

“There’s a good chance we will be able to find evidence of Native Americans living there going back for the past 8,000 years,” Burns says. “Mr. Sparks has an amazing collection of projectile points—he has found more than 1,000 over the years— that indicates continuous occupation, and that’s just what he has found on the surface. We can’t wait to start digging.”

Burns has focused his field course on exploring colonial settlements—“historical sites” to archaeologists—and the addition of the Sparks Farm will give the College unprecedented access to “prehistoric sites” of Native American artifacts. “One of the big hurdles for archaeology is housing

From left, Carolyn Sparks, Jack Sparks, and longtime family friend Jack Makdad ’85. Makdad suggested to the Sparks that Juniata might be interested in their family farm as a possible lab for research, a site for faculty and student retreats, or as a complementary site for the Raystown Field station.

2016 Fall-Winter |

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The 378 acres that encompass the Sparks farm includes invaluable riverfront access (most of the non-forested acreage on the farm is enclosed in the meandering river bend seen at lower right in the photo). Juniata faculty says the site can be used for research projects in biology, environmental science, chemistry, astronomy (it gets very dark out in the rural area of the farm), history, and archaeology. Environmental scientist Neil Pelkey says the farm can also be used for courses in sustainability and even as a training facility for athletic teams.

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Land for All Seasons

—Jonathan Burns COORDINATOR OF CULTURAL RESOURCE INSTITUTE AND LECTURER IN ANTHROPOLOGY

provides faculty with a vast canvas that can support many types of environmental research.

For example, wildlife biologist Uma Ramakrishnan can pursue studies on deer and coyotes, while environmental scientist Neil Pelkey can use the site’s ample pastureland in his agro-ecology course. “Many liberal arts colleges are using donated farms in sustainability courses and I think this kind of property also would be perfect for faculty retreats or athletic team training,” Pelkey says.

Biologist Gina Lamendella, who has already set up watersampling stations along the Sparks property, says the beauty of the gift is in the details of different terrain. “I remember looking at an overview map and I was really shocked at the different kinds of land use we can study on one property,” she explains. “You have native prairie, riparian areas, farmed areas. One of the many things we are interested in studying is how different types of land use affects an ecosystem.”

Perhaps the most significant advantage the Sparks farm gives to Juniata scientists is its location in relation to the established Raystown Field Station.

Environmental scientists at the College have created field programs centered on a lake ecosystem and have also studied how the Raystown dam has impacted the Juniata River. The addition of the Sparks property gives faculty unfettered access to a relatively pristine riverine ecosystem.

“This creates a kind of ecological corridor connecting Raystown Lake to a truly riverine headwaters system,” explains Dennis Johnson, professor of environmental science. “Most field stations, as does ours, focus on the ecosystem surrounding it.

This farm will allow us to look at a variety of different ecosystems, which, for most field stations, is truly rare.” >j<

2016 Fall-Winter |

for students on a dig, but that’s not going to be a problem here. We can live in tents near the site or use one of the camp cabins,” Burns says.

The Sparks also will affect Burns’ curriculum on campus.

Starting this year, Burns and several students will start cataloging the Sparks arrowhead/ projectile points collection in the College’s Cultural Resource Center in Room B314 of Brumbaugh Academic Center.

For many colleges and universities, rural stations in isolated places are a drawback, but for many Juniata science faculty the new land gift is a godsend for offering conditions that are unavailable close to campus or are marked off-limits by hostile landowners.

One advantage to the Sparks Farm is that at night it’s dark.

Really dark. For astronomers like Matt Beaky, associate professor of physics, the darker the night sky, the easier it is to see the stars, planets and even the odd galaxy.

The farm’s location—surrounded on all sides by wooded hillsides—is the perfect laboratory for seeing stars. Even in a relatively rural location such as Huntingdon, powerful lights (such as those burning at the two prisons and the local WalMart) can wash out the night sky. “When you do research with a telescope, you’re taking photographs of the night sky, and too much light pollution can cause the image to wash out,” Beaky explains. “It adds noise to the data.”

Beaky envisions farm visits for the Stargazer’s Club and for astronomy classes, taking two portable 8-inch telescopes to the farm, but he’s also mooning over an idea to build a remote observatory onsite. “More than likely it will feature a sliding roof, with room for about four telescopes,” he explains.

For Juniata’s environmental science department, the property

“There’s a good chance we will be able to find evidence of Native Americans living there for the past 8,000 years. Mr. Sparks has an amazing collection of projectile points— he has found more than 1,000 over the years.”

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TROUT TRACKING IN AMERICA ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE RESEARCHERS FOLLOW THE FISHES

By John Wall, director of media relations PHOTOGRAPHY BY: J.D. CAVRICH DESIGN BY: VALERIE HERSH ’16

T

he two streamlined watercraft cut effortlessly

through the glassy surface of the river. As the explorers come near, it’s clear that this is no ordinary float in a boat on a lazy river.

Indeed, the two Juniata environmental science students piloting kayaks on the Little Juniata River are on a voyage of discovery, looking less like Lewis and Clark and a lot more like Watson

| Juniata

and Crick, or maybe even Jobs and Wozniak.

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Environmental science students Emily Nye ’16, left, and Stevie Kitching ’16, paddle the Little Juniata River in pursuit of 24 brown trout that have been outfitted with radio transmitters so Juniata scientists can track the movements of the fish.

Emily Nye ’16, of Shippensburg, Pa., uses her oar with one hand while writing data in a logbook with the other. Next to her, Stevie Kitching ’16, of Mount Wolf, Pa., floats under an overhanging sycamore tree while holding what looks to be an old-school rooftop TV antenna. She looks at an instrument in the kayak and excitedly reads off an ID number, then listens for the strength of the signal.

These high-tech hijinx are a small part of a research project in brown trout telemetry. That is, using radio transmitters to track the travels and behavior of brown trout. The study, funded by a grant from the Little Juniata River Association, sought to find out where brown trout travel when water temperatures reach 80 degrees or more.

The women’s activity on the water is complemented by activity along the shoreline where environmental scientist Uma Ramakrishnan has set up what amounts to a MASH unit operating table. Assisted by student Megan Lemmo ’16, of Mogadore, Ohio, Ramakrishnan opens a small slit near the anal fin of a 14-inch brown trout, wipes away a bit of blood, and inserts a cylindrical transmitter about the size of a cigarette butt. She then adjusts the transmitter’s 10-inch silvery trailing wire outside the fish’s body and sutures the incision.

“This is a research project where the field work is very hard. The students kayak, hike and drive the entire length of the river and I don’t know how many times they’ve fallen in, but the only complaints I hear is when I ask them to go in the lab to enter data,” says Ramakrishnan, who is chief investigator for the study.

The research project was born in the mind of Bill Anderson, president of the river association. “For years, fishermen have wondered where the trout go when water temperatures rise in late summer,” he says.

“Water temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees are well beyond the comfort level and survival level for brown trout.”

Anderson, whose group had previously funded research by Juniata biologists Gina Lamendella and Chris Grant, contacted Dennis Johnson, professor and chair of environmental science at Juniata, and asked if researchers at the College had ever done a telemetry study.

“I told Bill we had a lot of experience with telemetry with land animals, but we had never tried it with fish,” Johnson says.

Anderson funded the project by donating $8,000 to buy 24 radio transmitters and a receiver, while the College kicked in labor costs from the current students and previous researchers Garret Kratina ’15, Jessica Rolland ’15, Nathaniel Selleck ’15, and Michelle Hoover ’15.

In order to qualify for the grant, Ramakrishnan, Kratina, and Selleck were trained and certified by Dr. Jacob Werner, a veterinarian from Penn State.

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In top photo, Megan Lemmo ’16 removes the trout from the cart. Then, environmental scientist Uma Ramakrishnan works with Lemmo, of Mogadore, Ohio, to operate on the 14-inch trout. An incision is made near the anal fin of the fish, a radio transmitter in inserted, the antenna is left outside the incision, and the fish is stitched up.

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TROUT TRACKING

“We all started by practicing on dead trout and once we felt confident enough we went to the trout hatchery in Centre County and worked on live rainbow trout,” Ramakrishnan explains. “The trout seem to recover right away after we put the transmitter in. It takes about five minutes to get back to normal,” says Lemmo.

Each trout must be at least 14 inches long, so the fish has enough body mass to counteract the weight of the inserted transmitter. The fish used in the study all were caught by members of the river association using fly rods and barbless hooks to minimize trauma.

The trout study is the first ever attempted in Pennsylvania. Ramakrishnan hopes to add 24 more trout to the study population in 2016.

Of course, some of the “transmittered” trout in the study have met untimely ends since March. One was caught by a fisherman, who returned the transmitter to the Fish and Game Commission and others have been recovered by the students in the river. Johnson says the trout could have been killed or eaten by a predator— mink, herons, ospreys among the chief suspects—or fallen victim to a two-legged predator.

Preliminary data show some patterns of travel and behavior, but the student researchers attest that each fish has a mind and trip itinerary of its own. Some trout haven’t moved more than a few hundred feet from where they were released. Others have traveled great distances up or down the river. One or two have

disappeared from the river, which suggests they have meandered into a tributary stream.

Although the researchers have gathered reams of scientific data, the original mission for the project—to track trout in high-temperature waters—has been a bit of a wash because through early August the Little Juniata had not experienced many high-temperature days.

In November, the researchers used the telemetry equipment to track 24 trout during spawning season. “In spawning season, the brown trout will return to where they were born, just like salmon do,” Johnson says. “We hope to see many of these trout return to the tributary streams where they were born.”

Meanwhile, the three summer research students put many miles on their cars, boots, and kayaks as they followed the trail of trout up and down the Juniata. “We use our cars to get to the spot where we want to start the telemetry tracking and then hike down to the river,” Kitching explains.

Kitching also performs a valuable function as team spokesperson if members of the public or a stray fisherman asks for an explanation of the project.

“Stevie will talk to anybody and the rest of us are more introverted,” says Nye. The three researchers also are expected to recover each transmitter if one of the test group trout are killed or go missing. So far, all transmitters have been recovered including one found

“We all started by practicing on dead trout and once we felt confident enough we went to the trout hatchery in Centre County and worked on live rainbow trout.”

—Uma Ramakrishnan

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Mature brown trout about 14 inches must be used in the radio telemetry study because the fish must be big enough to counteract the weight of the transmitter.

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Bill Anderson, president of the Little Juniata River Association, casts out into the river to see if he can catch the next candidate for the College’s telemetry study. The association funded an $8,000 grant to study where trout travel to when water temperatures get too hot for trout in the summer months and where brown trout travel to spawn in the fall.

at the bottom of a river pool in eight feet of water. Imagine diving into the deep end of a murky swimming pool and recovering a miniTootsie Roll from the bottom of the pool.

“Its hard to try and do everything with the equipment if it’s a high flow day on the river and you’re trying to steer, take down data, and stay upright,” Nye says.

Once the rolling on the river is done, the students and Ramakrishnan retire to the lab in Brumbaugh Academic Center and test water samples for fecal traces, turbidity and presence of phosphates. These values and other factors are then entered into a GIS (Geographic Information Systems), which can call up a multilayered computerized map of the entire 32-mile Little Juniata River system and trace each trout’s travel movements, as well as mark the various levels of pollutants and other factors in the river system.

Ultimately, the recovered sample size was too small to provide publishable pattern data. Still, if an informal poll of the student researchers were to be taken, such ambitious research projects would be quite popular.

“I never saw myself going into research as a part of my job once I graduated because in my mind it was all lab work,” Kitching says.

“It’s been so interesting to realize that we are making new scientific discoveries. It’s an eyeopening experience.” >j<

“It’s been so interesting to realize that we are making new scientific discoveries. It’s an eye-opening experience.”

—Stevie Kitching ’16 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MOUNT WOLF, PA

2016 Fall-Winter | 57

FACULTY FEATURE

New World Explorer Juniata Professor Delves into Data

to Discover How Life Works

By John Wall, director of media relations

| Juniata

DESIGN BY: OLIVIA STENTZ ’18, ART EDUCATION

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When Regina Lamendella was really small, her mother noticed she loved to take things apart and put them back together again. Toys. Building blocks, Legos.

Whatever was available. Her mom thought to herself, “I think she’s going to be an engineer.”

Well, that part proved to be not quite as prescient, although Regina, known universally as “Gina” to friends, family, and colleagues, did earn a couple of graduate degrees at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Environmental Engineering. But we have jumped too far ahead in our story.

Growing up in Staten Island, N.Y., where her father, Joseph, had an orthodontics practice, Gina didn’t get many chances to explore the natural world. She made up for it on the weekends, however, when the entire family traveled to the Poconos to get out of the city. Staying at their house near Tannersville, Pa., the family hiked, skied, and generally spent most of their time outdoors.

“We were sort of at one with nature,” she says with a smile. “It was probably like therapy for all of us because we got to run around, and my parents could relax.”

Back in the big city, Gina found she had a talent for science and for chemistry in particular. In her small, private school (her graduating class was just 28), she was able to get very focused attention from her teachers. “I remember we were dissecting a (pig) kidney and the teacher said, ‘That’s the most beautiful dissection I’ve ever seen’ and I thought, ‘Wow, maybe I should be a surgeon.’”

With visions of a medical career running on a loop in the back of her mind, Gina knew that when she chose a college, bigger was not necessarily better. She felt the personalized attention she received in high school could be attained at a private college. She applied to quite a few places (including Harvard—waitlisted) and finally decided on Lafayette College, in Easton, Pa.

She started as a chemistry major, largely because her older brother, Joseph, studied chemistry, but there was no chemical reaction between the student and that science. She wanted to be able to see how things work outside the lab. “I didn’t see the application of chemistry,” she explains. “I wanted to be able to use science to solve some sort of problem I could see.”

The future biologist drifted through several different science courses, trying them on for comfort and fit.

It was in a class called “Environmental Systems” that Gina’s inner engineer and outer scientist were fused.

“One of my professors, Nancy Waters, pulled me aside and asked if I would be her TA for another class and asked if I was interested in research.”

Although she still entertained thoughts of medical school, Gina decided to get some valuable research experience before she had to start her application process. Her assigned project took her to a couple of local streams where she was to test for evidence of agricultural runoff from fertilizers. She had found the intersection between application and science—she could take a complex environmental system and discover how many smaller parts comprised the whole.

“It was exciting, my report was presented to the county board and as a result of my research, they voted to put in a buffer zone (to protect the stream),” Gina says.

“My professors sort of grabbed me by the ear and got me hooked on research.”

The hook was set so deep that medical school was set aside in favor of graduate schools with enviornmental science research programs. For Gina, the image of wearing a doctor’s white coat was replaced by visions of wearing a yellow hazmat suit working for the Envionmental Protection Agency.

That’s not hyperbole—she ended up choosing the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Envionmental Engineering specifically for its cooperative program with

“I worried myself into a frazzle, but the next day I was invited to a lunch with the biology faculty and I immediately felt relaxed and realized this is a very collaborative environment.”

—Regina Lamendella ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY

PHOTO: JASON JONES

Biologist Gina Lame ndella has always been fascinated by science’s capacity for solving problems . She originally envisioned her missi on as sort of an en vironmental crusa using science to he der, lp find solutions for ecological problems Although she still . is focused on the res torative powers of she believes teaching science, her students to fin d the for biology and oth ir own passions er sciences can be restorative as well.

This space is usually where the faculty profile reveals that a professor applied to Juniata because of its stellar reputation in science education, but in reality Gina had never heard of Juniata when she applied to teach at the College. Indeed, she was applying for faculty and EPArelated positions, but “I was just throwing spaghetti against the wall, applying everywhere,” she says.

When a call from biologist Jill Keeney came around the Thanksgiving holiday 2011, Gina was ready, but her tendency to break things down for analysis worked against her in this instance. “I remember putting on my suit in Baker House and practicing my research talk late into the night,” she recalls. “I worried myself into a frazzle, but the next day I was invited to a lunch with the biology faculty and I immediately felt relaxed and realized this is a very collaborative environment.”

Within a few months Gina was on campus and forming student research teams working on projects ranging from stream sampling to soil biomes to oileating microbes. She also has worked with biologists Chris Grant, Norris Muth, and others on cooperative grants and projects. She even managed to squeeze enough time in to work with chemist Richard Hark to test Juniata’s famous-now-debunked “human skin book.”

Her passion for collaboration and mentoring also drove her to set aside funds to begin endowing a research scholarship named in honor of her brother, Joseph. There is one more collaboration to be mentioned—the addition of son Joseph, now 2, to the Luedeker-Lamendella family.

Is he going to be good at science?

“I did notice he likes to takes his toys apart and put them back together,” she says, smiling. >j<

2016 Fall-Winter |

the EPA’s regional Cincinnati field office that allowed graduate students to work on EPA projects. Plus, Juniata has photos of her in a yellow hazmat suit taking samples on an oil-soaked beach.

Back to the story. In 2004 she started graduate school. She could see the future unfolding into a neverending string of projects where her research directly solved problems.

Of course, not without a few small problems of her own. It turns out an engineering program requires its graduate students to take quite a few introductory courses in engineering. “It was like talking to someone speaking a foreign language,” she says with a laugh. “I was checking the syllabus to see if I was in the right class.”

She even admits she failed one of her first exams, but after finding study groups and buckling down, she survived her first year and soon found herself working on an EPA-funded project on fecal source tracking, or as Gina puts it, “Who is pooping in your watershed?”

She worked on projects focused on water treatment facilities and earned master’s degrees in environmental science and in molecular genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry. As she studied more about microbes and bacteria, she realized these microscopic building blocks were integral to understanding the larger world of a healthy watershed.

Her doctoral research project went to the heart—or more accurately, the digestive system—of microbial science. She proposed developing genetic markers for microbes specific to the manure of pigs. Such markers would allow scientists to track fecal pollution to specific swine operations along a watershed.

“I took samples at all types of pig farms, big operations, Amish farms,” she says. “I even fell into a swine manure lagoon, but we were working on the buddy system so a colleague pulled me out. It was winter, so it was frozen, but not frozen enough.”

After earning her doctorate in 2009, Gina applied for a postdoctoral position at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley, with little confidence she’d get the job. “I thought, they’re never going to hire this fecal source tracker,” she says. However, the Berkeley scientists recognized her passion for research and invited her to California. Working her way up the alimentary canal, Gina’s new research project tackled how to develop genetic markers for microbes that cause inflammatory bowel syndrome in the human gut.

Gina’s one year postdoctoral sojourn turned into three years and she was able to work on many different envionmental projects, including on pollution from the Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill (see hazmat suit, yellow). But amid all the science, Gina was finding that the bureaucratic aspects of working as a government scientist can be almost as unpleasant as spending the majority of your time around swine manure.

In addition, during her time at Berkeley, her older brother Joseph died unexpectedly, and Gina felt that finding employment closer to the East Coast might be the best thing for her and her family. She also had married Chris Luedeker, a fellow Cincinnati graduate student, and the couple was thinking about starting their own family.

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FACULTY NOTES When we ask, So What, we’re asking the faculty to explain a little more about the work they do in research, developing courses, consulting, and other endeavors.

We wanted the info behind the paper title, the story behind the curricular change, the life and the thinking that make Juniata profs as interesting as —Read on they are.

Bethany Benson, associate professor of art, presented “Utilizing Ceramics to Invigorate the Community and Common Core,” with Sally Frehn ’95 and Sarah Varner ’09, at the annual National Council on the Education for Ceramic Arts conference in March in Providence, R.I. Her ceramic art was selected for the international exhibition, “23rd Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National” in Lancaster, Pa., and she received $1,500 from Project STREAM to explore a ceramics outreach program in local schools.

Kathleen Biddle, associate professor of education, presented a workshop “Improving Pre-service Teacher Training to Support Literacy Instruction for at-risk Readers” at the PAC-TE Conference in Harrisburg, Pa. Jim Borgardt, William W. Woolford Professor of Physics, gave a talk on “Galaxy Serpent: A Web-Based Table-Top Exercise for National Nuclear Forensics Libraries” at the annual conference of the International

Technical Working Group in July, in Budapest, Hungary. He also spoke on “Lessons and Methodologies from the Galaxy Serpent Exercise on National Nuclear Forensics Libraries,” at the International Nuclear Materials Management annual conference in July in Indian Wells, Calif.

Marlene Burkhardt, professor of business and information technology, co-authored a paper, “Unraveling the Mystery of Spiritual Intelligence,” which was presented at the Northeast Association of Business, Economics and Technology 2015 Conference in State College, Pa. Celia Cook-Huffman, assistant provost and W. Clay and Kathryn H. Burkholder Professor of Conflict Resolution, moderated the webinar, “High-Impact Learning Approaches for a Global Civil Society” for NAFSA. She also wrote the article “Barbara Deming: Feminism and Nonviolence” in Gender and Peacebuilding: All Hands Required.

Last fall, the Juniata Knitting Club adorned the campus clock tower with some cold weather gear of its own. Club members Hannah Bellwoar, assistant professor of English, and Scarlett Berrones ’17, published an interactive digital article in October titled “The Hatting of the Clock: Crafting the Juniata Community through Yarn Bombing the Clock Tower.”

Shannon Cotrell, instructor in College Writing Seminar, published “In a Far Classroom: Using Jack London for an Ecocritical Approach to Teaching Composition” in the journal of the Modern Language Association.

Ann Echols, associate professor of accounting, business, and economics, presented a research paper at the Northeastern Association of Business, Economics, and Technology Conference: “Managers that Value Making their Communities Better: What Differentiates their Communities?”

Grace Fala, professor of communication, gave a keynote speech, “Follow the Sun” for a Kish Bank professional development program in November. She also moderated a retreat on “The Ontology of Listening” at the Blair County Courthouse. Fala facilitated several retreats for Blair County Children and Youth on “Transformational Leadership and Positive Change” in November.

David Hsiung, Charles R. and Shirley A. Knox Professor of History, was named to the editorial board for the journal Environmental History.

Doug Glazier, professor of biology, gave two invited talks on metabolic scaling at the Ninth International Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry in Krakow,

hat?

W O S

Q: What is yarn bombing, anyway?

A: A lot of yarn bombs will cover something public, like a bench.

They covered the bridge in Pittsburgh, for instance. It’s really fun to yarn bomb something that’s very central, very visible, and to make something that’s fun and lighthearted. There should also be some sense of awe, like, ‘What’s that clock doing with a huge hat!’

Q: How did the article come together?

A: Scarlett and I worked on it last year as an independent study in the spring. We’d done the yarn bombing the semester before, and I thought it would be a really great opportunity. The journal issue was dedicated to rhetoric and crafting.

Q: Where do rhetoric and knitting meet?

A: Rhetoric is not only the crafting of words, but it’s also generally the art of persuasion. Words are one way to persuade, but there are other ways, too. The materiality of knitting, and how the actual act of knitting, the making of knitted things, brings people together. That’s where the rhetorical part comes in.

| Juniata

PHOTO: KLARISSA JULIANO ’18

Q: Why do you think knitting culture is growing in popularity?

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A: It’s very much about the ‘Maker Movement.’ Crafting and DIY is all over the place. We’re returning to all of this stuff we did before the digital age, but we’re using technology to connect and collaborate with others.

There’s also something really special about sharing a space, talking about things, and knitting at the same time. That aspect of it really brings people together, and the time that Scarlett and I spent together making this article reflects that same spirit.

—Tyler Ayres ’16, Juniata Associate for Media Relations

Kim Roth, associate professor of mathematics, gave a talk at MathFest in Washington, D.C., about the mathematics behind the cell phone game Ingress. MathFest is a national summer meeting of the Mathematics Association of America. Over 2,500 mathematicians were in attendance this year.

hat?

W O S Q: What is Ingress?

A: It’s a cell phone game designed as Capture the Flag, with other elements involved. There are two factions that try to take over portals, which generally are designated as public spaces. You get points and levels for taking these things over. The nearest one to my office is the Juniata Eagle statue in the quad. I’ve walked about 396 kilometers playing this game because you have to walk to the portals. It’s an international game, so you can log in to their website and see what the Ingress world looks like. The nerdery goes very deep.

Q: You gave the presentation with Erika Ward ’02. How did you get in touch and come up with the idea?

A: We both belong to a group on Ravelry, an online knitting community, called the Ivory Tower Fiber Freaks. Our times at Juniata actually didn’t overlap. When there was a “Math of Video Games” session proposed for MathFest, I asked her about collaboration. We had a great time writing it.

Q: So where does the math come in?

A: There are three main pieces of math involved here: graph theory; the triangulation of point sets; and the factoring of population density, which is an integral that decides the amount of points earned. Every graph in Ingress is a planar graph, because the lines can’t cross. If you’ve got all these portals, the way you get the most points is by making the most triangles. How can I guarantee that I’ve drawn the lines so there’re the most triangles I can make without overlapping? People have made hours of tutorial videos in an attempt to answer this question.

PHOTO: GORDON DIMMIG ’17

—Tyler Ayres ’16, Juniata Associate for Media Relations

Poland in August. He also published an article on aboreal herbivory by a South African crustacean in the journal African Invertebrates.

Festivals: How Cathy Herrera Triggered an American Avalanche,” in The Flutist Quarterly, a publication of the National Flute Association.

Chris Grant, assistant research professor, was named as a co-investigator for a $200,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant aimed at extending range of native brook trout. He also received a $30,000 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant for research projects centered on the Juniata River basin.

In addition, Grant was invited to edit Angelika Hofmann’s Writing in the Biological Sciences for Oxford University Press.

Kathy Jones, associate professor of education, was named chair of the School Safety and Prevention of Violence Committee for the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators. She also presented “Alternative Energy Field Trip: Collaborating with Pre-service Teachers” at the National Science Teacher’s Association regional meeting in Philadelphia in November.

Richard Hark, H. George Foster Chair of Chemistry, presented two papers at Pacifichem—The International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies 2015, in December in Honolulu, Hawaii. One paper discusses first-responder and forensic uses for LIBS instruments, the other concerns the use of LIBS in teaching and research.

Hark also presented three papers at SciX 2015 in September in Providence, R.I. The papers discuss: LIBS as first-responder and forensic tool (with Anthony Downey ’17, of Palmyra, Pa.); use of LIBS to analyze ice; classification and origin of garnets using LIBS (with Peter Defnet ’15, of Pittsburgh, Pa.), and scientific analysis of a Beeghly Library book purported to be bound in human skin.

Hark also made a presentation of the work on the library book at Death Salon 2015, in Philadelphia, Pa.

Monika Malewska, associate professor of art, was invited to show her work in “Elucidating the Obvious,” a group exhibition at Gallery Apostrophe ’S, in Syracuse, N.Y. and the “Benefit Art Auction Exhibition” at the Attleboro Arts Museum, in Attleboro, Mass.

She also was awarded Honorable Mention for a Photography Competition by Dave Bown Projects. She also had a solo exhibition, “Bacon Sunrise” at the Park National Bank Art Gallery at the University of Cincinnati.

Loren Rhodes, Dale Chair in Information Technology, taught a two-week course in Steinfurt Germany, at the Muenster University of Applied Sciences, on “Digital Sound and Computing” in May and June.

Karen Rosell, professor of art history, presented the paper “Art is Relevant,” in October at the School of Visual Arts National

Jennifer Streb ’93, associate professor of art history, was named chair of the Popular Art, Architecture, and Design area of the Popular Culture/American Culture Associations.

Belle Tuten, W. Newton and Hazel A. Long Professor of History, published “Power and Trauma in the ‘Maid of Arras,’ Cantigas de Santa Maria 105,” in Trauma in Medieval Society. She also spoke at Project Ampersand, a workshop focused on interdisciplinary, project-based undergraduate learning at Emory & Henry College, in Emory, Va. in September.

Polly Walker, assistant professor of peace and conflict studies and director of the Baker Institute, published “Indigenous Paradigm Research,” in Methodologies in Peace Psychology. She also presented “Computer Assisted Dialogue: A Systems Approach to Transforming Intractable Conflict,” at the Peace and Justice Studies Association Conference in Harrisonburg, Va. in October.

Sarah Worley ’00, assistant professor of communication, and Terry Anderson, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and JCEL director, were selected as delegates to attend “The Experiential Classroom XVI” hosted by the University of Florida and the Warrington College of Business in September.

Worley also team-taught a case study at the conference.

2016 Fall-Winter |

Cathy Herrera, lecturer in music, was profiled in the article “Thirty Years of Flute

Jim Latten, professor of music, served on the Reviewers’ Board for the Athens Journal of Humanities & Arts.

Conference in New York City. She also chaired a session on “Teaching Art and Young Artists.”

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ALUMNI FEATURE

Creating Communities Former Pilot Takes Relationship-Building to Lofty Heights

By John Wall, director of media relations

| Juniata

DESIGN BY: DEVON WEAVER â&#x20AC;&#x2122;19

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Jack Makdad ’85 is a successful businessman who assumed leadership of a small refrigeration, heating, and cooling supply business and helped build it into a regional success story, but the Altoona executive’s true talent may be most evident in building relationships.

Let’s start with his family. Jack is the only son with three sisters, all of whom are very close. Jack’s mother, Marian Makdad Love, was strong enough to take over Makdad Supply in 1972, when her husband died unexpectedly. Mrs. Makdad kept the business going for the better part of two decades.

Then there are Jack and Carolyn Sparks, two longtime educators in Jack Makdad’s hometown of Altoona, who stepped in as an extra set of parents, friends, and mentors to Jack and the rest of the Makdad family. Jack Sparks, who taught biology at Altoona Area High School and served as coach for various sports at the Penn State Altoona campus, made sure the young boy was always involved in sports and outdoor activities, and even made young Jack part of the staff at the camp held every summer at the Sparks’ family farm in Bedford County. Carolyn Sparks, who taught in the Altoona and Bedford school districts, made sure the Makdads were all involved in camp activities and family get-togethers.

“The Sparks have been in my life forever and they

continue to be part of our family as friends, surrogate grandparents to our kids, and as an influence on my life,” Jack says.

When it came time to pick a college, Jack knew of Juniata mainly through his experience attending campus basketball camps held by Pennsylvania coaching legend Press Maravich. Luckily Jack’s older sister Bonita ’77 and the Sparks’ son, Scott, had gone to the College, so the fledgling college student had a built-in familiarity awaiting his arrival in Huntingdon.

“I wasn’t a great student at first,” Jack says. “If it wasn’t for Jim Lakso, Ron Cherry, and Sue Esch ’68 mentoring me, I don’t know what would have happened.

I left Juniata with a lot more confidence.”

In addition to a group of dedicated mentors, Jack also found his wife, Marie ’84. By the time Jack graduated in 1985, the couple had bonded with six other couples on campus, all of whom remain friends to this day. This mini-community of ’80s-era Juniatians often visit each other and vacation together.

With his personal life falling into place, the business POE had to find a career. Unfortunately, his grades were not eye-opening for corporate recruiters. He had an interview on campus for a sales position at RalstonPurina and couldn’t visualize himself in sales. He made a

2016 Fall-Winter |

PHOTOS (LEFT): GORDON DIMMIG ’17; (RIGHT) J.D. CAVRICH

Altoona executive Jack Makdad ’85 says Ju niata focused him on his studies in a way that give him purpose and resolv e to pursue what intere sted him. After graduati on, the business POE de cided to enter the U.S. Na vy as an officer, where he was a helicopter pil ot for almost a decade. At lef t, he returned to his alm a mater last year as a Glaese r Executive in Residen ce, where he interacte d with business students.

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decision seemingly plucked out of nowhere.

Jack decided to become a U.S. Navy aviator.

To be fair, this career choice did not arise out of the deep blue sea. Jack had taken flying lessons at Altoona-Blair County Airport and in fact one of his first dates with Marie took them out to the airport to watch Jack practice touch-and-go landings. Plus, Jack’s sister was a Navy nurse.

So, he strode purposefully into the officer recruiting station in State College and signed up. “I was always looking for the opportunity to fly and, to be honest, An Officer and a Gentleman was a big hit then, and it presented an image of a glamorous life.”

He took the entrance tests, applied for the flight program, and was turned down twice

(“My grades were what was holding things up,” he admits).

The third time the commanding officer told him he had a few discretionary student admits to use for promising aviators and asked Jack point-blank why he should use one for him. “Because I won’t let you down,” came Jack’s reply.

He reported to Pensacola, Fla., in 1986 where he learned to fly fixed wing aircraft and then moved further into training to learn how to fly helicopters. When training is over, the Navy assigns its flight school graduates to squadrons that need pilots. Jack was assigned to fly HC-3 helicopters for combat support, which can mean flying reconnaissance missions, flying VIPs onto Navy ships, rescue missions, and many other duties.

“We were stationed in Naples, Italy and patrolled all over the Mediterranean, so we were in ports all over Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, I still miss the camaraderie of our squadron.”

—Jack Makdad ’85

| Juniata

Makdad g the Navy, is Af ter leavin take over h Altoona to Industrial d returned to da ak M siness, ny family’s bu sed compa e Altoona-ba into a Th . ly pp Su n d and grow has expande s. es n si bu e statewid

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PHOTOS (LEFT): GORDON DIMMIG ’17; (RIGHT) J.D. CAVRICH

Makdad, right, has bee n lifelong friends with Jack and Carolyn Spa recently donated their rks, who Bedford County farm to Juniata for use as educational site. Makda a research and d was instrumental in suggesting that Juniat interested in talking to a would be the Sparks about makin g a gif t to the College.

miss flying on my schedule rather than waiting around at the airport,” he adds.

Two of Jack’s more notable earthbound endeavors center around giving back to Juniata. Last spring (2015), he agreed to serve as a Glaeser Executive-in-Residence, a weeklong stint that also provided the opportunity to teach Behavioral Analysis of Organizations with Rob Yelnosky ’85, who was Makdad’s roommate long before becoming Juniata’s vice president of finance and operations. “The questions the students asked were outstanding,” Jack says. “They wanted to know the ‘how’ of everything we talked about.

It was rewarding to feel that I had helped some students.”

This fall, when Jack and Carolyn Sparks brought up that they were thinking of creating an endowment and donating their family farm to a local college, their

lifelong friend Jack Makdad gently brought up that Juniata might be interested in just such a vision (see a fuller version of this story on page 46). “We were having Christmas dinner and I told Jack and Carolyn that I thought there was a college where people would be much more open to hearing their ideas,” he says.

And who would know of Juniata’s willingness to listen than one of its graduates who hit the ground running as a freshman and hasn’t stopped since? At every stop in his journey, Jack Makdad has gathered family, friends, pilots, and colleagues in his wake, leaving communities of people who hold dear the same values he does— values he learned from his mother and father, Jack and Carolyn Sparks, and Juniata. >j< 2016 Fall-Winter |

“Helicopter guys got to do a lot of neat things, and you don’t have to be on an aircraft carrier to do them,” Jack explains. He was assigned to smaller ships and then received orders to report to the U.S.S. Iowa, a historic battleship that had seen action in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. “We were stationed in Naples, Italy and patrolled all over the Mediterranean (Sea), so were were in ports all over Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa,” he says. “I still miss the camaraderie of our squadron.”

Jack went on to serve during the first Gulf War (or Operation Desert Shield), stationed in Bahrain. As he neared the end of his commitment to the military in 1994, Jack had to decide whether to make the Navy his career or pursue another career.

“My dad passed away in 1972 and my mother had been able to keep the business going but we were at the point where we had to make a decision to expand, stay small, or close the business,” Jack explains. “My mom only had a few conditions, one of which was that there were three untouchable employees, one of whom used to take me to nursery school, so that was an easy thing to agree to.”

Makdad’s father founded Makdad Industrial Supply in 1948, specializing in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heating technology parts and equipment.

In the ’40s, most cities had at least one such supplier. However, as time went on, smaller businesses were either forced to consolidate or put out of business by larger regional suppliers. When Jack took over the family business there were two stores, one each in Altoona and Johnstown. In 1996, he expanded to State College, and established new stores in DuBois, Pa. in 2000 and Harrisburg, Pa. in 2002. “Many of the independent suppliers saw that we had to get larger to compete with nationwide companies, so most recently we were able to form a co-op that puts us in all 50 states,” he says.

These days Jack leaves flying up to the airlines, “although I really

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class notes

1945

Virginia (Latshaw) Hunt has moved to an independent living area in a senior citizens’ community in Fort Wayne, Ind.

1950

Robert L. Mohr

is retired from his general dentistry practice. He and his wife, Mary, still reside in Ocean City, N.J., and welcome fellow Juniatians to visit during their travels.

1954

F. Samuel Brumbaugh and Charles R. Knox

| Juniata

Sam and his wife, Martha, visited Chuck and his wife, Shirley, at Chuck and Shirley’s home in Anaheim, Calif., and shared this photo from their visit. Chuck is showing Sam a card he received from the Juniata football team, thanking him and Shirley for their support through the years.

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1956

We hope to see you at your 60-Year Reunion during Alumni Weekend on June 2–5, 2016!

1960

Frank A. Rocco

published his first book entitled Secrets are Forever.

Frank enjoyed a lengthy career in football, including stints at Penn State University and Liberty University, where he was director of football operations. Now retired, he resides with his wife in State College, Pa., and enjoys spending time with his family.

1961

We hope to see you at your 55-Year Reunion during Alumni Weekend on June 2–5, 2016!

Michael G. Farrow

was honored with the Altoona Area High School Distinguished Alumni Award for his work involving the genetic screening of the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. He is retired from Wyeth Pharmaceutical Company.

1962

Ronald C. L. Smith

was recognized by the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association for 50 years of service in the funeral business. Ronald is the funeral director of Ronald C.L. Smith Funeral Home in Duncannon, Pa.

1964

Ronald M. Smelser

was honored with the Altoona Area High School Distinguished Alumni Award. Ron is an accomplished scholar in German studies and history and taught at the college and university level for 45 years, 41 years at the University of Utah, until his retirement in June 2015.

Ron is recognized as an authority on German history and the Holocaust, writing the preface for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum tour book.

1966

We hope to see you at your 50-Year Reunion during Alumni Weekend on June 2–5, 2016!

John W. Lowe

retired from full-time ministry after 45 years of service, the last 20 as pastor of Peters Creek Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va.

1967

Saraunda (Andoniades) Loughlin

was inducted into the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Hall of Fame in April 2015. Sandy is a retired English teacher at the school.

1968

Joseph E. Peters

co-presented a workshop at the 16th World Congress of Psychiatry in Madrid, Spain, in September 2014. Joe is a practicing psychologist and a professor of graduate counseling courses at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. Joe’s wife, Nancy (Rodgers) Peters ’68, accompanied him on the trip to Spain.

1971

We hope to see you at your 45-Year Reunion during Alumni Weekend on June 2–5, 2016!

Ronald K. Beam

retired after 43 years as a principle shareholder at Retten Associates. In his retirement, Ron is managing commercialowned real estate, making trips to all major league ballparks when either the Phillies or the Yankees are playing, and enjoying his six grandchildren.

1976

We hope to see you at your 40-Year Reunion during Alumni Weekend on June 2–5, 2016!

1979

Angelina (Cialone) Kershaw and Craig M. Kershaw

celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Europe, visiting Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Carol (Eichelberger) Van Horn

was recently appointed to the role of president judge of the 39th Judicial District of the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. The district includes Franklin and Fulton counties. Carol is the first woman to hold the position.

Dear Fellow Alumni, I distinctly remember my first fall at Juniata.

I was an introverted theatre geek, quite nervous about being away from home. Three hours from Chester County didn’t seem very far until I was in Huntingdon without a car.

Somehow I ended up in a Klaus Kipphan senior-level history course. To my great surprise, I excelled. Also to my delight, I realized that I might get a free pass to play outside on my birthday, thanks to Mountain Day. I had no such luck, but Mountain Day was on my birthday in my sophomore year.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHRISTIE BROWN ’92

A Message from Your Alumni Council President

I was cast in Juniata’s 1988 production of Our Town, an experience that literally changed my life—I’m writing this from my office at New Dramatists, a prestigious artist-support organization in New York City. I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for Ryan Chadwick, a former assistant professor of theatre, Oller Hall, and my incredibly talented classmates— together, we made some pretty great theatre in the middle of the Pennsylvania mountains.

These memories inspired me to start volunteering, and giving, to Juniata more than a decade ago. It’s also why I said “Yes” when asked to join the Alumni Council. If you don’t know who we are, visit www.juniata.edu/alumnicouncil.

I’m writing today to ask you to think about what Juniata has meant to you, and how you might be able to give back. If this sounds interesting, check out the Alumni Council’s new Strategic Plan, which outlines key ways you can make a difference: ●

Encouraging prospective students to attend Juniata—the way only alumni can, as we really know the Juniata experience. You can even help recruit a student with a Gold Card—if they’re accepted and enroll, they’ll receive a $1,000/year scholarship, given in your honor. Really.

●

Introducing students to various career paths—another way alumni add unique value.

Attend Career Day or a student networking event, and answer questions about your field, and how you got to where you are today.

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Showing enthusiasm through financial support—it’s important: alumni giving carries real weight, and not just in dollars given. The alumni “participation rate” (percentage of alumni who give any amount) is an important measure for national foundations, and part of U.S. News and World Report’s ranking matrix. Your gift, no matter how modest, really counts.

●

Making sure our communities know about Juniata—Juniata stands out as a small school with outstanding academics that changes lives. We can help make sure that everyone knows it.

From Juniata, I went into nonprofit work. I know how important it is for people who care to show that they care, through words and through action. I invite you to join me as an active Juniata alum, encouraging and supporting the next generation of Juniata students.

2016 Fall-Winter |

—Christie Brown ’92, Alumni Council President

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1980

1985

1990

was appointed by Jefferson Health as director of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at both Abington Hospital in Chalfont, Pa., and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.

joined ClearWater Conservancy in Centre County, Pa., as its land stewardship assistant.

Colleen will coordinate the riparian conservation program, work with volunteers, and assist with other conservation initiatives. Outside of work, Colleen enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, and hiking with her dogs.

and wife Melissa launched a new company, Autistic Hero Teeshirts, featuring graphics by their teenage son, Jake, on T-shirts, rompers, and infant onesies. A portion of the proceeds from sales will go to benefit autismrelated causes.

Rohinton J. Morris

1981

We hope to see you at your 35-Year Reunion during Alumni Weekend on June 2–5, 2016!

Debra J. Adams

retired from Teton County Library in Jackson, Wyo., after serving in various positions there for 28 years, 11 as director. Deb was ordained as an Episcopal priest and is now serving at St. Francis of the Tetons Episcopal Church in Alta, Wyo.

1984

Michael D. Appleby

| Juniata

and his wife, Jan (Trissler) Appleby ’86 hosted James Lakso, provost emeritus, Bonnie Lakso, James Donaldson ’67, professor emeritus of accounting, business, and economics, and Karen Rosell, professor of art history, for a tour of the QVC studios in West Chester, Pa. Mike is senior vice president at QVC. After the tour, the group was joined for lunch by Marino Kaminski ’81 and LeeAnne (Ardan) Kaminski ’84.

Pictured are: (front l-r) Bonnie Lakso, Karen Rosell, Jan Appleby, and LeeAnne Kaminski; (back l-r) Jim Lakso, Jim Donaldson, Mike Appleby, and Marino Kaminski.

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Colleen A. DeLong

1986

We hope to see you at your 30-Year Reunion during Alumni Weekend on June 2–5, 2016!

Lynn (Basham) Fleisher

was named as a partner at the law firm of Keenan Ciccitto and Associates LLP in Collegeville, Pa.

1987

Sherri (Reed) Whalen

was recently awarded the Kaufman Award for Pro Bono Service by the West Virginia State Bar Association. Sherri received the award as the attorney who logged the most pro bono hours of all attorneys in the state in 2014. She also was recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America for 2015.

Sean F. O’Sullivan

1989

Douglas A. Spotts

was appointed to Pennsylvania’s first PatientCentered Medical Home Advisory Council, a group tasked with initiating a comprehensive review and development of a patientcentered medical home model for the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, Doug was selected to attend the Heart of the Healer Retreat, a weeklong retreat for physicians. Doug practices family medicine at Family Medical Care in Lewisburg, Pa., and is the chief medical information officer for Evangelical Community Hospital. He also is serving as the board chair for the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, as a trustee of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, and as an Alumni Trustee for the College.

1991

We hope to see you at your 25-Year Reunion during Alumni Weekend on June 2–5, 2016!

Joseph V. Fishel

was cast in a feature role in the season finale of Surviving Evil on the Investigation Discovery television network.

Lisa (Mitschang) Pyne

was appointed vice president of products and services for Lifestyle Improvement—Positive Changes Hypnosis Centers, a national franchise providing wellness through personal coaching and hypnosis. Lisa is responsible for all product and program initiatives and introducing new technologies for the company.

1992

Eric C. Donaldson

was promoted to the rank of lieutenant for the Milwaukee, Wisc. Police Department in July 2015.

Eric and his wife, Tammy (Mitsinicos) Donaldson ’93, live in Milwaukee with their twin daughters, Katherine and Melina.

We hope to see you at your 20-Year Reunion during Alumni Weekend on June 2–5, 2016!

Deborah J. Nardone

was appointed executive director of ClearWater Conservancy in State College, Pa.

1997

Michelle (Hutchison) Pasterick

earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in world languages education from Penn State University in May 2015. She is employed as an assistant professor of education at the Penn State University campus.

2000

Jamien P. Leckey

graduated in June 2015 from Walla Walla University in College Place, Wash., with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and is certified as a registered nurse. Her area of focus is hospice and palliative care. In addition, Jamien was inducted into the School of Nursing Honor Society.

Bridging the racial divide…

Although Frank Rocco’s 1960s football background is peppered through his first novel, Secrets Are Forever, the depth of the characters and difficult situations they find themselves in as the story unfolds makes this a compelling read.

Rocco takes on the complexities of race relations and family dynamics in the late 1970s on a campus that seems similar to Juniata. Rocco is working on his second novel and hopes to have it out soon.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF FRANK ROCCO ’60

Q: What was the inspiration for Secrets Are Forever?

A: I was inspired by several factors—the dynamics of families, how brothers relate to each other, and the idea that biracial athletes are much more accepted now than they were years ago. I’ve coached a lot of athletes during my time and heard so many stories. All of these experiences inspired me to write this novel.

Q: How did your Juniata experience influence your work?

A: Being involved in football at Juniata has been a definite influence for my work. The relationships, connections, and experiences I had during this time and throughout my life percolated over the years. You start to understand the meaningful impact of these experiences as you get older.

Q: Why did you decide to write a novel?

A: When I moved back to State College, I took a writing class and absolutely loved it. It provided the creative outlet I’d been looking for. I joined a creative writing group where we would write short stories and bring them back to the group to critique and discuss.

Secrets Are Forever started as one of those short stories and members of my creative writing group encouraged me to expand upon it. As I’ve gone through the process, I realize writing is a lot like coaching. You focus on getting better each time by writing, revising, and trying to make it better.

Q: What are your hopes for the novel and your readers?

A: I hope the novel resonates in different ways to different people. I want my readers of all degrees of pigmentation to experience the lives of people who may be different in appearance but who on the inside, share the same hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

For more information about Frank Rocco ’60 and Secrets Are Forever, visit: http://bookstore.archwaypublishing. com/AdvancedSearch/Default. aspx?searchterm=frank+rocco —Christina (Garman) Miller ’01, assistant director of alumni relations

2016 Fall-Winter |

PHOTO: COURTESY OF FRANK ROCCO ’60

1996

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American Ninja Doctor: Alumnus Overcomes Obstacles on TV Don’t let the white coat, scrubs, and comforting bedside manner fool you. When this ER doctor and father of four lets out his inner beast, he isn’t just Richard Shoemaker, M.D. ’99. He’s an American Ninja Warrior.

Rich takes us behind the scenes of his successful Season 7 run on the popular NBC series. For a chance at the national finals in Las Vegas and $1 million grand prize, competitors first converge on host cities across the country to tackle challenging obstacle courses.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF RICHARD SHOEMAKER ’99

Q: How did you get signed up for American Ninja Warrior?

A: To be honest, I’d never seen the show before my dentist and some friends suggested that I would be perfect for it. I didn’t take people seriously until my cousin and a friend both asked me to train with them so they could try out. In the end, neither of them went through with it, but I decided to go for it. I submitted my application and video in November 2014 and didn’t hear back until April when they called to report that I should be in Orlando (Fla.) in four weeks.

Q: What did you think?

A: I couldn’t believe it. I live outside Philadelphia, so I should have been assigned to Pittsburgh.

Instead, I had to make arrangements for Florida.

And I wasn’t ready. I’ve been rock climbing since college, I climb at a local gym, and I train in my basement, but I had never been to an obstacle gym. I found one and, two days after the call, I went for the first of four training sessions.

| Juniata

Q: How did it go in Orlando?

A: Watching the show, you have no idea how it really works.

They only feature a few contestants, and the qualifiers and city finals air six weeks apart. You don’t realize competition doesn’t even start until 6 p.m. And you don’t see the camaraderie and fast friendships among the contestants who give each other tips, even though you might knock them out of the running. I watched 82 contestants before I got my chance at 5:30 a.m. Luckily, I work the overnight shift in the ER and I’m used to being up all night. I thought I would be nervous when the time came, but I got a big grin from my wife and daughter, let out a sigh of relief, and before I knew it I was hitting the buzzer at the end of the course. It was an amazing feeling. I came in 12th and advanced to the Orlando finals, which started in 24 hours.

Q: The finals were right away that night?

A: Yes, so I got about five hours of sleep at the hotel, grabbed some food, had to sign a 50-page contract, and be ready again by 6 p.m. I felt confident I would beat the course, but unfortunately, I fell on Cannonball Alley. Throughout the night, I watched others beat my time, but in the end I was still in 13th place and I was going to Vegas for the finals. I had five weeks to prepare.

Did Rich win? No. Was the experience worth the sacrifice?

Absolutely. Will he try again? We’ll see. The unexpected camaraderie led to Rich being invited by the Orlando Ninjas to compete in another venue, where he pulled his quad on a rainy, warped wall. To compete in 2016 at the age of 40, Rich wants to be injury free. In the meantime, he’s content being a cool American Ninja Warrior dad and signing autographs for his pediatric patients.

—David Meadows ’98, director of alumni relations and parent programs

PHOTO: COURTESY OF RICHARD SHOEMAKER ’99

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF RICHARD SHOEMAKER ’99

2001

Mark your calendar for your 15-Year Reunion during Homecoming & Family Weekend on Sept. 23–25, 2016. If you are interested in being on your reunion committee, contact Alumni Relations at alumni@juniata.edu or 1-877-JUNIATA.

Stephanie A. Galloway-Maslanik

began a new position at J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon, Pa., in June 2015. Stephanie is serving as a behavioral health consultant in the integrated behavioral health-physical health program, which connects patients to a social worker when they are experiencing stress and health management challenges.

2002

David A. Damato

was appointed to a new position as chief security officer at Tanium, a cybersecurity firm headquartered in Emeryville, Calif. His responsibilities include strategic product direction and managing the company’s internal security program.

Douglas J. Hogan

began a new position as a lecturer at the University of Illinois at Chicago in August 2015.

2004

Laura (Krystek) Hanley

was named by Blended Schools Network as the 2014-2015 Learning Institute Teacher of the Year. Laura works for Blended Schools as a German teacher.

Johanna M. Holtan

is involved in product development and marketing for Penny in Yo’ Pants, a button and coin device that transforms a skirt into shorts. The goal of this product is to allow cyclists to ride a bike while wearing a skirt. A portion of each sale supports the women’s cycling team in Afghanistan in its training and development.

Douglas M. Schunk

graduated from Boise State University in May 2015 with a master’s degree in educational technology.

Doug is employed as a chemistry teacher at State College Area High School in State College, Pa.

2005

Alexis T. Donkin

released her book, Thrive: How I Became a Superhero, in June 2015. Her book is a true account based on her own life experiences, and how she transformed them into opportunities for personal growth and empowerment.

Nathan S. Thompson

was selected as the 2015 State Journalism Teacher of the Year by the Pennsylvania School Press Association. He advises both the newspaper and yearbook at Tussey Mountain High School in Saxton, Pa., and is nationally certified by the Journalism Education Association as a Master Journalism Educator.

2006

Mark your calendar for your 10-Year Reunion during Homecoming & Family Weekend on Sept. 23–25, 2016. If you are interested in being on your reunion committee, contact Alumni Relations at alumni@juniata.edu or 1-877-JUNIATA.

Michael W. Best

completed his anesthesiology residency and began work as an anesthesiologist for the U.S. Air Force at the USAF Center for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills at St. Louis Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Highlights of his residency included mission trips to the Philippines and Bhutan, serving on the board of trustees for the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and serving on the Governing Council for the Resident and New Fellow Section of the American Medical Association.

2007

Ashley R. Appleman

was promoted to chief strategic officer at Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education in Dayton, Ohio.

2008

Courtney M. Callas

was named as the girls’ basketball coach at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pa.

Joseph D. Houck

was the recipient of the 2015 Dean’s Outstanding Lecturer Award from the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland. Joe joined the faculty in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 2013.

2009

Natalie K. Machamer

earned a doctorate in organic chemistry in May 2015 from the University of Vermont and is now teaching as a lecturer in chemistry at the University of Maine in Orono.

Heather (Lecrone) Ott

was recently promoted to senior auditor/team lead at Connolly Inc. in Conshohocken, Pa.

2010

Shane R. Gallagher

earned a master’s degree in business administration from Shippensburg University (Pa.) in May 2015.

2016 Fall-Winter | 71

Dustin L. Gee

was appointed assistant director of employer relations in the Office of Career Advancement and Alumni Affairs at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

2011

Mark your calendar for your 5-Year Reunion during Homecoming & Family Weekend on Sept. 23–25, 2016. If you are interested in being on your reunion committee, contact Alumni Relations at alumni@juniata.edu or 1-877-JUNIATA.

Mark W. Berguson

earned a medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University and began his residency in anesthesiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He also published an article, “The Effect of Aspirin on Bleeding and Transfusion,” in the journal Contemporary Cardiac Surgery.

Morgan E. J. Booher

Samantha L. Weaver

Zachary A. Cupler

2012

earned a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in June 2015. She is continuing her medical training in obstetrics and gynecology at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. shared a photo of himself with Juniata classmates Brittany Rusczyk ’11, Wade Branstetter ’11, and Emily Koval ’11, at their Nov. 2014 graduation ceremony at New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, N.Y. All four graduated with a doctor of chiropractic medicine degree.

Kristin A. Noetzel

was named to the position of associate director of development for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins University.

Stephanie E. Strauss

was inducted into the Penn Hills High School Sports Hall of Fame in April 2015.

earned a doctor of veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2015 and was the valedictorian of her class. She is a veterinary intern at Peninsula Equine Medical Center in Menlo Park, Calif.

Valerie Deraville

was selected to take part in a professional development program offered by the YMCA Hispanic Latino Leadership Network.

Valerie, aquatics director at the Wayne YMCA in Wayne, N.J., was one of a select group of YMCA staff members selected for the training program, which is designed to prepare Latino/ Hispanic employees for leadership positions in the organization.

2014

Ashton L. Reynolds

was named as head women’s soccer coach at the State University of New York at Canton.

earned a master’s degree in social work and human sexuality studies from Widener University in May 2015.

Andrew S. Waplinger

began working as a digital media marketing specialist in the Booster division of Customink in Newtown, Mass.

2013

Jade M. Wronowski

| Juniata

earned a master’s degree in health administration from Penn State University in May 2015 and began working at Penn State’s Hershey Medical Center as an administrative fellow.

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Mackenzie D. Coulter-Kern was awarded a fellowship from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program to teach English in Mexico for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Brandon J. Felus

began working as a staff accountant at Irex Corporation in Lancaster, Pa.

Rose Lucidi

Chelsea M. Naglic

began working as executive assistant to the chief operations officer and the director of operations at PA Health Management in Lancaster, Pa.

2015

Taylor Johnston

began working in August 2015 as the residence director and field station assistant for the Juniata College Raystown Field Station.

Hats to Make You Flip Your Lid “Here comes the hat lady,” can be heard as Ibada Wadud ’07 walks up to the post office window in La Grange, N.C. Not only is Ibada known for the hat she wears, but also for the packages of Panama hats she ships all over the United States. Ibada conceived the idea for her social entrepreneurial venture, Run by Rural, when she worked with HELP International whose goal is “to empower people to fight global poverty through sustainable, life-changing development programs.”

She witnessed indigenous artisans in the rural village of La Campiña, located in the outskirts of Catacaos, Peru making amazing products without the benefit of connecting with potential clients and retailers outside of their country or designers who could help to support their process. After a session of late-night brainstorming, she returned to North Carolina with the idea to form Run by Rural which brings about awareness about the craftsmanship of the Panama hat and empowers the female artisans by making their products available to a larger market.

Q: Tell me about your Juniata experience.

A: The POE was a huge draw. And coming to Juniata was very eye-opening, because I hadn’t spent a lot of time away from Washington, DC. I discovered and cultivated so many different interests and was encouraged to do so in a very nurturing environment. Between the mentoring I received and the liberties I had to explore the things I found interesting, I really grew. After all that exploring was done, I had a POE in Global Justice and Human Rights with a secondary emphasis in Spanish and Hispanic Cultures.

Q: When did you realize you wanted to pursue social entrepreneurial work?

A: My study abroad in Quito, Ecuador in 2005 was a turning point for me. It was this amazing new experience in which I had to communicate despite language barriers or cultural differences. And I began to solidify my passion for Latino culture and human rights.

Q: Why is this kind of work important?

A: The thing that excites me the most about today’s entrepreneurs is seeing how the Millennials are redefining traditional ideas. You see so many examples of young entrepreneurs breaking away from the mold and infusing both creativity and social justice. Millennials are saying “I want something sustainable and responsible,” and their peers in industry are responding.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF IBADA WADUD ’07

Q: Tell me how Andrea Morillo ’15 was involved with Run

by Rural.

A: I shared with Henry Thurston-Griswold [professor of Spanish] the Innovation Fellowship, he encouraged Andrea to apply, and she joined us in Peru. It almost felt like it wasn’t real to have the responsibility for another Juniatian’s potentially life-changing experience. To think that I was somehow contributing to that for a Juniata student was extremely rewarding.

Q: Which is your favorite Run by Rural product?

A: My custom-made Chalán from my first year in Peru. I love all the designs, and I enjoy hearing from customers about what they want to see. A boutique requested different colors, so we worked with the artisans to develop natural dyes using avocado pits, banana leaves, and other local resources. Andrea was there, too, and she said that creating these dyes was something like “moonlighting as a mad scientist.”

Q: What’s next for Run by Rural?

A: I’m planning a new course with Parsons The New School for Design where students will work in Peru while developing their professional skills and their interest in social justice. It’s open to all kinds of students because the work is so interdisciplinary. The dream is to continue to grow Run by Rural in North Carolina and make the connection between rural America and rural communities around the world.

Learn more at runbyrural.com.

2016 Fall-Winter |

PHOTO: COURTESY OF IBADA WADUD ’07

—Katie (Padamonsky) Dickey ’97, associate director of alumni relations

73

Closet?

Photo: Maik Schuck

Time to Update Your

32nd European International Reunion You’re invited to join us as we celebrate the 32nd international reunion in Weimar, Germany. Weimar is known for being the historical epicenter of the German Enlightenment with a plethora of palaces, parks, museums, and monuments to visit.

Is your favorite Juniata sw eatshirt frayed and faded?

Maybe it’s time to update your clo set with some new Junia ta gear!

The Juniata College Books tore’s website makes it eas y to find just what you need to show your pride for ou r alma mater. Check out ww w.juniata.bkstr.com for Juniata apparel, gift ide as, and more.

May 27–29, 2016 juniata.edu/euroreunion Sarah Spencer ’17 and

Adena Delozier ’16 nee

d a wardrobe update.

| Juniata

Gold Matters

74

the Gold Card Alumni i who are confused about mn alu m ID fro r hea en oft We d? Nope. Is it the student the Gold Card a credit car Is m. gra ed? uir Pro p req shi ion lar nat ho Sc there a do issued since 1995? No. Is that Juniatians have been h your head. 35 atc scr to it might cause you y wh see we , OK . ive gat Ne i help by which alumn 30 wildly successful method a is m gra pro rd rd” via Ca “ca ld a t Go The : you submi It’s actually pretty simple ts. den stu ta t by nia den Ju t stu t rui to rec recruit tha 25 a student. Then, actively ing nd me om lies, rec , app t line den on stu or mail s. If the ghout their search proces ou thr her or ip him rsh h ola wit sch ng 0 checki e a $1,00 20 attend, he or she will receiv to s ose cho no ’s and ere d, Th itte . is adm ent from you with no financial commitm a valuable each year—in your name— p in recruiting 15 hel r you thanking you for of y wa r ou ply sim It’s cen catch. rs, 21-31 per 10t of the ss. Over the past five yea cla ing om inc the of er memb recommendation. ta because of a Gold Card nia Ju to e cam ss cla an freshm Card staple5d into the cholarship or use the Gold nis um /al du a.e iat un w.j Visit ww ruit students today.

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14 2015 2011 2012 2013 20

Alumni Weekend June 2-5, 2016

juniata.edu/alumniweekend

Special Reunion Classes 1961

1966

1971

1976

1981

1986

1991

1996

2016 Fall-Winter |

1956

75

I met a Juniata alum

in the most unusual place...

While visiting Hilton Head, S.C., with my family, I played a round of golf in Sea Pines. On the first tee, the starter had a name badge with his hometown listed as Pittsburgh.

I mentioned Huntingdon and that I was a graduate of Juniata. He surprised me by announcing he too was a graduate. Dan David ’67 and I spoke of our memories of school and campus life. Both of us shared stories of the business department and the impact Ron Cherry had on us and our careers. Dan is enjoying retired life in Hilton Head and I look forward seeing him again on my next vacation.

While vacationing in Avignon, France, Tom Kepple, president emeritus, and his wife, Pat, were approached by another couple who noticed the Juniata shirt that Tom was wearing. The couple were Richard and Barb Nickle, whose son, Christopher Nickle ’95 is a Juniata alumnus.

I changed roles at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the company where I work, which required me to learn about parts of the organization that I would be supporting.

During that process, I came across Russell Esterline ’81 in an organizational chart. In March 2015 my job took me to Mölndal, Sweden, which happened to be the facility where Russ was working. Fortunately our schedules allowed me to enjoy a wonderful dinner and conversation with Russ and his wife, Nancy, at their home in Näset.

We discovered that we have a lot more in common than we realized, including our work and life paths crossing unknowingly several times since graduation. Who would have thought that two guys from south central Pennsylvania would major in chemistry at Juniata, find themselves working for the same company, and 34 years later reconnect in Sweden. It really is a small world!

—Jack Follweiler ’82

—Lew Campanaro ’76

For my job as a medical technologist, I was visiting a hospital in Jamestown, N.Y., demonstrating a product to the laboratory staff, when I met Patricia (Nalbone) Lindquist ’82. During introductions on the first day, we discovered we both had attended Juniata. Throughout the week I was there we reminisced about the campus, the faculty, and our experiences. I do a lot of traveling for my job, and this is the first time in over 10 years that I have had the pleasure to run into a Juniata grad. It made my week!

—Shelly McLaughlin-Strobaugh ’88

| Juniata

Juniatians take Manhattan! A group of Juniata alumni and staff attended the same U2 concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City in July 2015. Pictured (l-r) are Deb (Kuback) Simpson ’94; Lauren Simpson (Deb’s daughter); Matt Scialabba (Dawn’s son); Dawn Scialabba, interim assistant dean of students; Shelly (Brown) Rivello ’97; and Jim Rivello ’97. Also in attendance at the concert, but not available for the photo, was Will Dickey, assistant professor of English.

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Jill Stone ’03, Reid Smith ’07, and Charlie Foster ’07 bumped into each other at the farmers’ market in Durango, Colo., where they were all selling their goods. Jill is an artist who has made and sold more than 5,000 pieces of polymer clay art in the past four years. Her business’s name is Beautified Essentials because she enjoys making practical art. Reid and Charlie are farmers at Adobe House Farm, an organic CSA (community supported agriculture) fruit and vegetable farm. Reid and Jill discovered that they both had geologist Larry Mutti as their advisor.

I was at Laudholm Beach in Wells, Maine, checking out tide pools with my family.

I was wearing a Juniata T-shirt. Matt Gibson ’92 was walking the beach with his kids, saw the shirt, and asked if I went to Juniata. I said I worked there, and he told me his graduation year. He was in Maine, at that beach, because it had been a summer vacation spot all his life. His grandparents had a house near there, and now his parents have it. But then it became even more smallworld: he is a middle school principal in Tredyffrin Township, which is adjacent to Downingtown School District, where I went to high school. So, a small, small world.

—Gabe Welsch, vice-president for college advancement and marketing

In June 2015 we were vacationing at Rehoboth Beach, Del., and went to Cape Henlopen State Park, where we found Kathleen LaForce ’14 working as an environmental ecologist. She was presenting programs on various nature topics to park visitors. We also visited with Helen (Herr) Stoner ’57 and Carolyn (Ambler) Walter ’66 on this trip. It was fun to cross paths with alumni. It doesn’t happen very often for us since we have lived in Colorado for the past 40 years.

A group of Juniata students and faculty attended a Social Work Legislative Advocacy Day in Harrisburg, Pa. in April 2015. While waiting for the elevator in the Strawberry Square parking garage, Marie (Custer) Rutherford ’06 spotted our Juniata gear. Marie, who is the daughter of Stan ’81 and Nancy (Bauer) Custer ’81, and her daughter are pictured with Meghan Swavely ’15, Megan Barber ’16, and Emily Severson ’15.

X

WE WANT TO PRINT YOUR STORY . . .

Tell us the most unusual place or circumstance where you met another Juniata alumna/us and we will highlight it in an upcoming Juniata Magazine.

PLEASE SEND YOUR STORY TO . . .

Dawn Scialabba, Alumni Relations Assistant Alumni Relations Office, Juniata College 1700 Moore Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652 Email: scialad@juniata.edu

2016 Fall-Winter |

—Beth Williams ’95, assistant professor of sociology

—Judy (Hershey) Herr ’67

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Marriages Kimberly E. Murray ’96

and Anthony Maroldo were united in marriage on April 1, 2015.

Joanna M. Acri ’04

and Gregory Burrows were united in marriage on August 2, 2014, in Hershey, Pa. Juniata alumni and friends in attendance at the wedding were Cynthia (Long) Roberts ’03, Jamie (Wallish) Hund ’03 , Jessica (Hebel) Edwards ’04, Alysia (Douglas) Marcoux ’04, Carla (Kifer) Stauffer ’04, Claire Coburn ’03, Jean (Silvey) Martin ’04, Travis Martin ’04, Dana (Groff) Huber ’04, Melanie (Cegelski) Weaver ’04, Katie (Baver) Bendas ’04, Jodi (Reiter) DeStefano ’04, Stephanie (Kaiser) Schetler ’04, Marc Frailey ’04, Lindsey (Habel) Frailey ’05, Anne (Laird) Huber ’05, Adrian Huber ’05, Jen (Gerhart) D’Orazio ’04, and head field hockey coach Caroline Gillich.

Valerie A. Meyers ’05

and Andrew Morningstar were united in marriage on March 14, 2015, in James Creek, Pa.

Anna M. Elias ’06

and Harley Shaffer were united in marriage and joined with Harley’s son, Zackery (age 7) on June 20, 2015, in Johnstown, Pa. Juniata alumni and friends in attendance at the wedding were (l-r) Harley Shaffer, Anna EliasShaffer ’06, Ryan Mathur ’96, Amy (Heptner) Mathur ’96, Heidi Shoemaker ’06, Shirley Powell, Staci Weber, Heather Fisher ’07, Anna (Eller) Langdon ’06, Shauna Morin, Gillian (Thomas) Martin ’10, Eric Martin ’09, Lisa Baer, Brenton Mitchell ’06, Athena (Gibble) Cospito ’06, and Rosalie Rodriguez ’01.

Brad M. Kissell ’06

and Meghan Michael were united in marriage on June 21, 2014, in Altoona, Pa.

Patrick D. Haskins ’08

and Brittany Pereira were united in marriage on April 25, 2015.

Jennifer E. Barry ’09

| Juniata

and Christian White were united in marriage on August 24, 2014. Juniata alumni and staff in attendance at the wedding included Sarah Worley ’00, Ryan Wetzel ’06, Katie (Cibort) Lengyel ’09, Andrew Sinnes ’09, Angela (Tribus) Ramos ’09, Rachel Kern ’09, Natalie Hershberger ’09, and faculty members Donna Weimer, Judith Katz, and Carol Peters.

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Megan A. Monahan ’09

and Tommy Keller were united in marriage on May 16, 2015, in Strasburg, Va.

Angela N. Smith ’09 and Andrew M. Henry ’07 were united in marriage on April 25, 2015.

Angela C. Tribus ’09

and Gregory Ramos Maleaños were married on Jan. 5, 2015, in Copey de Dota, Costa Rica. As a student, Angela was a member of the Juniata College Concert Choir. The concert choir happened to be touring in Costa Rica at that time and performed at the wedding. In addition to the current members of the concert choir, other Juniata alumni and faculty in attendance at the wedding included Elise Buckley ’09, Jane (White) Croyle ’95, Erik Dulick ’11, Rachel Kern ’09, Grant Miner ’12, Andrew Sinnes ’09, John Bukowski, Russell Shelley, Douglas Stiffler, Henry ThurstonGriswold, and Jingxia Yang.

Mallory R. Waller ’09

and Robert Tarves were married on June 13, 2015, in York Springs, Pa. Juniata alumni in the wedding party included Jamie Craige ’09, Katrina Staves ’09, and Ashley Tyerer ’09.

The couple resides in Millersville, Pa., and Mallory is employed at Clay Elementary School in Ephrata, Pa.

Anna N. Bloom ’10

and Jens Mueller were united in marriage on July 18, 2015, in Essen, Germany. Juniata alumni and friends attending the wedding were (l-r) Debra Reidy ’10, Jens Mueller (groom), Anna Bloom ’10, Benjamin O’Donnell ’10, Kristina Marshall, Matthew Marshall ’10, and Erin Satterthwaite ’10.

Jennifer C. Kline ’10

and Matthew Durney were united in marriage on Aug. 1, 2015, in Erie, Pa. Jen is employed as social media developer for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie.

Lindsay E. Norton ’10 and William T. Campbell ’10

were united in marriage on Oct. 18, 2014, in Hallam, Pa. Juniata alumni in attendance were (l-r) Kerri Magerowski ’10, Anne Wakabayashi ’11, Megan (Peterson) Slocum ’10, Lindsay (Norton) Campbell ’10, William Campbell ’10, Laura Rupprecht ’10, Manal Daher-Mansour ’10, and Meghan Jones ’09.

2016 Fall-Winter | 79

Gillian M. Thomas ’10 and Eric J. Martin ’09

were united in marriage on Oct. 8, 2012, in Corolla, N.C.

Carolyn G. Gibson ’11

and Matthew Lykens were married on June 27, 2015, in Reading, Pa. Juniata alumni in attendance at the wedding were Bridget (Rosensteel) Runk ’11, Kara (Fleischer) Kramer ’11, Derek Kramer ’11, Katrina (Shughrue) McGowan ’11, Jordan McGowan ’10, Kevin Rivas ’11, and Katherine Leon ’11. Carolyn is an international education advisor and Matthew is executive chef of catering at the College.

Elizabeth Linde ’11 and Nathaniel Alter ’14

were united in marriage on July 11, 2015, at Lindenhof Farm in Kirkwood, Pa. Juniatians in attendance were (l-r) Julie (Wenthe) Korenkiewicz ’90, Andrew Mellinger ’14, Matthew Bailey ’10, Conor Dimond ’17, Emily Wolf ’15, Matthew Guetzlaff ’15, Caroline Morgan ’13, Megan McQuillan ’11, Nikolai Klena ’12, Ceth Parker ’12, Anne Wakabayashi ’11, Stephen Kidhardt ’14, Kathryn Brown ’14, Joshua Jessell ’14, Trevor Stephens ’15, Kenneth Goodfellow ’11, Connor Robinson ’14, Peter Mullins ’14, John Lugg ’13, Mary Howser ’12, Caitlin Bigelow ’11, Stephen Park ’15, Kerri Magerowski ’10, Kevin Donahue ’11, Ryan Trexler ’13, Nicole Marks ’14, Casandra Hoffman ’12, Jonathan Pfadenhauer ’11, Kelsey Burton ’13, and Austin Nace ’14. Also in attendance but not pictured were Jessica Fox ’09, Kathleen Tavenner ’09, and Tessa Thomas ’14.

Brianne D. Rowan ’12 and John T. Huffstetler ’11

were united in marriage on June 27, 2015, in Port Townsend, Wash. Juniatians in attendance were bridesmaids Kristine Karkoska ’10 and Danielle Settimio ’12, along with Jigar Patel ’08, Sekani Tembo ’11, Marie Boller ’12, Jared Edgerton ’12, Alyson Glass ’12, Pamela Heinrichs ’12, Alexandra Irrera ’12, Caitlin Reisel ’12, Meagan Schneiderman ’12, Michael Thompson ’12, and former staff member Lindsay (Reedy) Monihen.

Emma K. Ruggery ’13 and Nicholas A. Deebel ’14

were united in marriage on June 6, 2015, in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Members of the wedding party included Hannah Pursel ’14, Clay Cooper ’13, and Patrick Oelschlager ’14. The couple resides in Richmond, Va., where Nick is attending medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Emma is pursuing a master’s degree in science education at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va.

Brittany E. Friedman ’15 and Wyatt R. Hall ’14

| Juniata

were united in marriage on July 24, 2015, in Lock Haven, Pa.

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Births Bryan M. Hannan ’91

and wife Bonnie are proud to announce the birth of their son, Bryan Harrison, on November 5, 2014.

Dale E. Miller ’97

and wife Ashley are proud to announce the birth of their son, Grayson Duke, on August 16, 2015.

Kristen (Holloway) Querriera ’97

and husband Charles are proud to announce the birth of their son, Matthew John, on April 15, 2015. Matthew was welcomed home by big brother, Daniel.

Jason C. Biringer ’99

and wife Gretchen are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Evan William, on June 18, 2015.

Steven H. Harbaugh ’00

and wife Jan are pleased to announce the birth of Paige, on April 13, 2013, and of Piper, on Feb. 15, 2015.

Stephanie A. Galloway-Maslanik ’01

and husband Scott are pleased to announce the birth of Hannah Ellen on Aug. 18, 2014. Big brother Landon also welcomed Hannah home.

Lena (Gowder) Kramer ’01

and husband Adam are proud to announce the birth of their son, Alden John, on May 6, 2015. Alden was welcomed home by big brother, Madden.

Rachel (Sachetti) Lanier ’01

Joanna (Acri) Burrows ’04

and husband Gregory are proud to announce the birth of their son, Joseph Wesley, on May 2, 2015.

Amber J. Helsel-Ickes ’04

and husband Ryan are proud to announce the birth of their son, Remington Allen, on May 5, 2015.

Angela (Gottshall) Hepner ’04 and Brian S. Hepner ’00

are proud to announce the birth of their son, Nolan Charles, on May 12, 2015. Nolan was welcomed home by big sister, Alivya.

Renee (Watkins) Schunk ’04 and Douglas M. Schunk ’04 are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Hannah Elizabeth, on Nov. 19, 2014. Hannah was welcomed home by big brother, Matthew.

Courtney (Jones) McLellan ’06 and Richard A. McLellan ’05

are proud to announce the birth of their son, Jack Alexander, on May 10, 2015.

Aimee (Boore) Mullen ’06 and Michael C. Mullen ’03

are proud to announce the birth of their son, Benjamin Michael, on July 8, 2015.

Erica (Rhodes) Hayden ’07 and James C. Hayden ’06

are proud to announce the birth of their son, James Loren, on May 17, 2014.

and husband Brandon are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Jace Paul, on April 16, 2015. Jace was welcomed home by big brother, Caden.

Lauren (Gates) Leonard ’07 and Jesse W. Leonard ’06

Alexander L. Metcalf ’01

Jennifer (Barry) White ’09

Sarah (Moyer) McGarry ’02

Bridget (Rieg) Hegemann ’11

and wife Libby are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Charlotte Covelli Metcalf, on March 24, 2015. and husband Ryan are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Lydia Adele, on Feb. 25, 2015.

Cheryn (Courtney) Whitehurst ’03

and husband Clint are proud to announce the birth of their son, Evan Blake, on July 23, 2014. Evan was welcomed home by big brother, Dillon.

are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Lucas John, on August 24, 2014. and husband Christian are proud to announce the birth of their son, Nathan Patrick, on May 20, 2015. and husband Patrick, who were married in August 2012, are proud to announce the birth of their son, William Daniel, on March 1, 2014.

Andrea (Gibble) Weir ’11 and Mark C. Weir ’11

are proud to announce the birth of their son, Elias John, on June 1, 2015.

2016 Fall-Winter | 81

Capt. Will Judy: Doggedly Supportive Captain Will Judy ’11 (that’s 1911), wore many hats—decorated World War I veteran, minister, lawyer, writer, world traveler—but it was his love of dogs which caught the attention of writer Lisa BeginKruysman. Her book Dog’s Best Friend aptly describes the life of one of our four-legged friends’ advocates, whose legacy lives on today.

Q: Why were you inspired to write about Captain Judy?

A: I read an article about National Dog Week which included a photo of a celebration in Rockefeller Center in New York City in the 1940s. It looked like a doggy paradise! I couldn’t believe that an event so big could have just disappeared. Upon further investigation, I found out that Captain Judy started National Dog Week in 1928. His establishment of National Dog Week, his position as publisher of Dog World magazine, and his influence in forming the Dog Writer’s Association of America (DWAA) in 1935, all changed the way Americans thought about dogs and their potential. He really was a dog’s best friend.

Q: How do you feel his Juniata experience impacted his lifelong work?

A: Judy had an intellectual curiosity which I feel he acquired during his time at Juniata. He was an incredible leader and also valued peace and justice. These are unique values which Juniata continues to instill in their students. I believe the co-ed environment at Juniata also influenced the way he regarded women in the workplace. He hired a large percentage of women for higher positions at Dog World magazine.

Q: Was Judy also ahead of his time in the way he thought about dogs?

A: Absolutely. Judy’s experience serving in Europe during World War I gave him an appreciation for dogs’ potential. European soldiers trained their dogs and utilized them in the military, whereas the United States did not. This experience began his passion of understanding the capabilities and talents of different breeds and training them for what they were bred to do. He understood that training dogs and treating them with fairness and respect was beneficial to both dogs and humans. He also understood that if a human and a dog didn’t get along, it was often the human’s fault. One of his sayings was “Don’t call a man a dog. It insults the dog.”

PHOTO: COURTESY OF LISA BEGIN-KRUYSMAN

Q: What is Captain Judy’s lasting legacy?

A: Judy always promoted the fair and kind treatment of dogs. Even though National Dog Week isn’t as widely promoted today as it was in the heyday of the 1930s through the 1950s, the work Judy began continues today. We’re still learning about dogs’ potential, for example using dogs to sniff out cancer. Judy’s love for Juniata also lives on today in the form of the Will Judy Lectureship Fund which he established in 1958.

Numerous well-known personalities spoke at Juniata’s campus thanks to his lectureship including Ralph Nader, Dick Gregory, John Ciardi, and Isaac Asimov.

For more information about Lisa BeginKruysman and Dog’s Best Friend, visit her website http://www.lisabeginkruysmanauthor.com/.

—Christina (Garman) Miller ’01, assistant director of alumni relations

| Juniata

PHOTO: COURTESY OF LISA BEGIN-KRUYSMAN

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF LISA BEGIN-KRUYSMAN

Obituaries Minerva (Houck) Frank ’32

May 7, 2015—Prior to her death, Minerva was the College’s second oldest alumnus/a.

A. Kathryn Oller ’38

May 29, 2015—Kathryn was associate dean and professor of the College of Information Science and Technology at Drexel University for 30 years. Prior to her tenure at Drexel, she was an assistant professor at Florida State University and held various positions at different libraries. She was an active member of the board of directors of the Waynesboro Historical Society, the board of directors of the Renfrew Museum and Park, the Renfrew Institute, and Beta Phi Mu. Kathryn was a lifelong member of the Church of the Brethren and was active in leadership roles at the Philadelphia First Church of the Brethren and the Waynesboro Church of the Brethren.

She was preceded in death by sister Florence (Oller) Biss ’40 and is survived by nieces Carolyn (Biss) Wolff ’68 and Margaret (Biss) Behnke ’71.

James V. Thomson ’39

July 29, 2015—Jim served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After his discharge, he for worked the Insurance Company of North America, later to become CIGNA, until his retirement in 1979. Jim was an emeritus member of the Walker Odd Fellows Lodge in Philadelphia, Pa., and was a Boy Scout leader. He enjoyed playing bagpipes for the Springfield Kiltie Band and was an active member of his church. Jim was an avid reader and a history buff. He is survived by wife Lillian, son Ronald, daughters Barbara and Nancy, and eight grandchildren.

Fay (Adams) Snyder ’44

September 8, 2015—Bill earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa., and was a pediatrician in the Greensburg (Pa.) area for more than three decades. He served as the Greensburg Salem school physician from 1955-88. Bill was a Korean War veteran, serving as a triage physician on the front lines. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Greensburg and of the Greensburg VFW. Bill is survived by wife Diane, sons Edward, James, William, Robert, and Timothy, daughter Rebecca, and 11 grandchildren.

Doris (Beckley) Dantin ’45

July 11, 2015—Doris earned a master’s degree in library sciences from Columbia University. She worked as a librarian in the College of Business at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. and also taught library science courses there. She enjoyed traveling, reading, movies, theater, and visiting with friends. Doris volunteered as a docent at Magnolia Mound Plantation and was a member of several historical and professional organizations and of First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Sr., and is survived by daughters Susan and Betsy, son Jack Jr., six grandchildren, and brother, James Beckley ’56.

Paul A. Moyer ’47

July 28, 2015—Paul earned a master’s degree from Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa., and served as a pastor for Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Colorado, and Alaska. He was a master stained glass artist and also enjoyed woodworking, painting, and photography. Paul is survived by wife Mary Ellen, son Brad, daughter Susan, and three grandchildren.

Ralph K. Weaver ’47

June 7, 2015—Ralph was a retired teacher and veteran. He is survived by wife Freda.

Margaret (Buch) Harris ’48 March 21, 2015

Mary Elizabeth (Kiracofe) Weicht ’48

April 27, 2015—Formerly of Hollidaysburg, Pa. and most recently living in Milton, Fla., “Betty” was a home economics and substitute teacher at Hollidaysburg Area Junior and Senior High Schools. She was a member of Mount Zion Bible Church in Pensacola, Fla. Betty was preceded in death by husband Vernon and is survived by son David, daughters Elizabeth, Nancy, and Amy, and 16 grandchildren.

Lois (McMann) Patterson ’46

July 12, 2015—Lois was very involved with her community and spent much of her time volunteering. She enjoyed playing bridge, sewing, traveling, and having lunch with friends. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and is survived by daughter Suellen, son Jim, and three granddaughters.

Marilyn (Gracey) Roman ’46

April 4, 2015—Marilyn was a French teacher and was one of the early developers of university-affiliated senior learning programs. She is survived by daughter Nan, son Stan, and four grandchildren.

PHOTO: CHRISTINE REILLY ’18

2016 Fall-Winter |

May 15, 2015—After graduating from Juniata, Fay earned a master’s degree in government from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. She was a high school teacher and a homemaker. Fay enjoyed music, playing bridge, and oil painting. She is survived by husband Harry, sons Jim, Ted, and Greg, daughter Beth, and 10 grandchildren.

William B. Shope ’44

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Albuquerque, N.M., in the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, focusing on the development and testing of nuclear and conventional munitions. He later flew combat missions in Vietnam.

George retired from the Air Force in 1974 and pursued a career with GTE Lenkurt and Siemans Electric as an electrical engineer. He enjoyed traveling, skiing, hunting, and fishing. George was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia (Hetrick) Smith ’54 and his brother, Robert E. Smith ’57. He is survived by son Michael, daughter Robin, and two grandchildren.

Sarah (Keller) Ayers ’52 April 13, 2015

Marian (Fry) Blaylock ’52

PHOTO: HALEY CHANDLER ’16

Ruth (Bennett) Woffindin ’48

July 12, 2015—Ruth began her teaching career at Hanover (Pa.) High School and, after earning a master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was a teacher in both the Central Bucks and New HopeSolebury school districts. She was a founding member of the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra and was the narrator of the symphony’s annual holiday season children’s concerts.

Ruth was an active member of the Doylestown Methodist Church. She is survived by sons David and Philip and five grandchildren.

Kathryn (Fogle) Holland ’49

| Juniata

August 17, 2015—Throughout Kathryn’s teaching career in the Huntingdon (Pa.) school district, she taught geography, biology, Spanish, and library science. She helped institute a computer lab at the Huntingdon Area Middle School and also wrote the first K-12 sequential district-wide library curriculum. Kathryn was a member of the 15th Street United Methodist Church, where she served as chairperson of the board of trustees.

She was a member of the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, the Huntingdon Area Education Association, and the Pennsylvania Education Association.

Kathryn loved to garden, sew, knit, and watch the Pittsburgh Steelers and

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Pirates. She was preceded in death by husband Russell, and is survived by daughters Susan and Michele, and three grandchildren, including Brad E. Norris ’10.

Sara (Priestly) Skipper ’49

April 3, 2015—After working at Penn State University for several years, Sara was a homemaker. She was an accomplished pianist and organist and an active member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church in State College, Pa. She enjoyed making flower arrangements and stained glass pieces. Sara is survived by husband Robert, twin brother Samuel, daughter Wendy, and four grandchildren.

Ruby E. McFadden ’50

May 30, 2015—Ruby worked as a librarian at several different universities throughout her career, including Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pa., Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pa. and Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa. She enjoyed gardening, tole painting, and baking. Ruby is survived by her sister, Leona (McFadden) Hollaway ’45.

George L. Smith ’50

May 3, 2015—George enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduation as a navigator on the B-26 Invader. He then worked at Kirtland Air Force Base in

September 2, 2015—Marian enjoyed playing the organ, singing in choirs and choruses, crafting, cooking, and traveling. She was preceded in death by husband Marvin and is survived by son Mark.

Marvin L. Blaylock ’52

August 6, 2015—Marvin is survived by son Mark. His wife, Marian (Fry) Blaylock ’52, passed away less than a month after Marvin, on Sept. 2, 2015.

Thomas M. Hoover ’53

April 30, 2015—Thomas, most recently of Denton, Texas and formerly of Huntingdon, Pa., was known as the “Father of the Hemi,” due to his work as an engineer for Chrysler, leading the team that developed the legendary 426 Street Hemi engine. Tom served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attaining the rank of sergeant and receiving a Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Campaign Stars. He earned a master’s degree in physics from Penn State University and a master’s degree in automotive engineering from the University of Michigan. He was employed by Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, Mich., General Electric Company in Erie, Pa., and United Technologies American Bosch in Springfield Mass. Tom was a member of the Abbey Reformed Church of Christ in Huntingdon, Pa. and the Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke, Va. He had a great interest in model railroading and belonged to

various model railroading organizations. He was also an experienced racer, competing with fellow Chrysler employees. Thomas is survived by wife Margaret, children Thomas and Andrea, and four grandchildren.

Harry O. Yates ’53

April 8, 2015—Harry, of Gainesville, Ga., was a supervisory research entomologist with the Southeastern Forest Experiment Station of the U.S. Forest Service until his retirement in 1994. He also held an adjunct appointment with the entomology department of the University of Georgia and was active in a number of professional organizations. Harry published more than 70 scientific papers and books during his career.

He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army from 1955-57. Harry was an active community volunteer, an avid photographer, and a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Harry is survived by wife JoAnn, sons Harry IV and Mark, daughter Rebecca, and three grandchildren.

Frank Arasin ’55

September 11, 2015—Frank served in the U.S. Army and was a professional golfer. He had a successful amateur and PGA club professional playing career, and was routinely rated among the top amateurs in Pennsylvania in the 1960s. Frank was a member of the PGA and of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Elysburg, Pa. He is survived by son Michael, daughter Barbara, and four grandchildren.

Janet (Claycomb) Batdorf ’55

August 27, 2015—Janet was a highly engaged member of the Juniata community, having served as secretary and treasurer of the Central Pennsylvania alumni club from 1980-2010 and as the class fund agent of the Class of 1955 for more than 50 years. In 1998 she received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from the College. Janet taught in the Central Dauphin school district and was an active member of the Dauphin County Retired Teachers Association and of the Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren. She served on the board

for Camp Swatara, was president of Women’s Fellowship of the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren, and was a member and vice president of Lower Paxton Golden Age Club. Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin, and her son, Richard. She is survived by daughter Nancy Dodge ’85, son Steven, seven grandchildren, and brother Robert Claycomb ’50.

Shirley (Kleist) Burch ’55

August 23, 2015—Shirley served as a pediatric nurse at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital and the Children’s Hospitals in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. She served in many volunteer and leadership positions at Glenmont United Methodist Church and Rockville’s (Md.) historic Glenview Mansion. Shirley enjoyed traveling, visiting almost every U.S. state and more than a dozen countries. She was preceded in death by husband Douglas, and is survived by daughters Susan and Jennifer, and one grandson.

Frank Conly ’55

June 9, 2015—Frank is survived by wife Helen, children Karen and David, and five grandchildren.

Lila L. Englehart ’55

May 13, 2015—Lila began her teaching career at Southern Lehigh High School in Coopersburg, Pa., where she taught French and Latin, until moving to Connecticut where she took a position at Simsbury High School until her retirement. She loved sports, serving as a basketball coach, volleyball referee, and a member of softball and bowling leagues. Lila was an avid card player, enjoyed musicals and country music concerts, traveling, and collecting coins, stamps, and Hummel figurines. Lila was a dog lover and owned many dogs during her life.

Richard J. Fusco ’55

April 21, 2015—Dick enlisted in the United States Army National Guard during the Korean War and returned to campus as the first Korean War veteran at the College. After completing his studies, he worked for Sears Roebuck Co. for many years before eventually going into banking, becoming the executive vice-president

for the First National Bank and Trust Company in Newtown, Pa. Dick was a member of the St. Mary’s Hospital board of directors, a Newtown Presbyterian Church trustee and ruling elder, and a member and past president of Newtown Exchange Club.

Dick enjoyed playing cards, family activities, and traveling, especially to the coast of Maine. He is survived by wife Susan (Fawcett) Fusco ’58, children Christopher, Lauren, and Amy, and six grandchildren.

Fred P. Heydrick ’55

August 19, 2015—Fred earned a doctorate in microbiology and began his career as a researcher for the U.S. Army Biological Laboratories at Fort Detrick and then as a health science administrator at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. After retiring from the government, Fred served as the President and Director of Scientific Evaluation of BioReview, Inc., a consultancy he founded. He was a member of the Fredericktowne Rotary. Fred served as an alumni trustee on the Juniata Board of Trustees and as a member of Alumni Council. Fred was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara, and grandson Matthew. He is survived by his second wife, Margaret, children Stanley Heydrick ’82, David Heydrick ’84, Max, Sharon, and Douglas, and seven grandchildren.

Arthur D. Shriver ’55

July 7, 2015—Art retired as a senior marketing representative for IBM and was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Korean War. He was a member of Hillside Community Church in Bellwood, Pa., and was active in numerous community organizations. Art was a certified rifle and pistol instructor and a shooting instructor for adults and youth. He enjoyed shooting, scuba diving, flying, sailing, and traveling. Art was preceded in death by wife Mary Tipton Shriver ’50 and is survived by son Raymond, daughter Jennie, and eight grandchildren.

2016 Fall-Winter | 85

Joan (Schwartz) Alderfer ’56

May 3, 2015—Joan taught nursery school at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Cherry Hill, N.J., for 25 years. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Moorestown, an active volunteer for the Red Cross, and enjoyed traveling.

Joan is survived by husband Ferrill Alderfer ’57, son Mark, daughters Ann and Lynn, and 11 grandchildren

Charles R. Kimmel ’56

February 19, 2015—Charles, of Abingdon, Va. and born in Huntingdon, Pa., served in the U.S. Army in 1953-55. An engineer by profession, Charles was employed by Owens-Corning Corporation and later worked as a consulting engineer. A power boat enthusiast, Charles served as commander of the United States Power Squadron based in Portsmouth, N.H., and as a member of the Chesapeake Bay Power Squadron.

Charles was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Kurtz, and is survived by his second wife, Linda Brown, daughter Linda, son Greg, and three grandchildren.

Mary (Hoffman) Dibert ’57

June 5, 2015—Mary worked at various places of employment during her career, including Waynesboro Hospital, Glasgow Fabric Sewing Center, Church of the Brethren Pre-School, and Good Advertising. She was a member of the Chambersburg Church of the Brethren and served on the Chambersburg Election Board.

Mary also enjoyed volunteering, needlework, crafts, playing the organ, computer editing, traveling, and camping. She was preceded in death by husband J. Earl Dibert ’60 and is survived by sons David, Steven, and Kevin, five grandchildren, and sister Joyce (Hoffman) Parfet ’60.

J. Vernon Johnson ’58

| Juniata

March 25, 2015—“Verne” owned several businesses in Erie, Pa., including Holiday-Rent-a-Bike, the first bike rental business on Presque Isle. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Verne loved football, playing on high school, college, and semi-pro teams, and tried out for the Baltimore Colts. He was a member of the St. Joseph Bread of Life Community and brought joy to many in his role as Santa Claus at the

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Millcreek Mall and other venues. He is survived by wife Norma, daughter Nannette, sons William, Joseph, and Jeremy, and four grandchildren.

and genealogy. Tex was a member of the American Forestry Association and attended the Cherry Grove Church of God.

George G. Hess ’59

Ann (Gresimer) Haines ’64

September 4, 2015—George taught chemistry for 34 years at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He received the College of Science and Mathematics’ Outstanding Teaching Award three times, served as department chair for four years, was the first in the department to integrate computers into the classroom, and went out of his way to enhance his students’ experience in the classroom. George was an active member of the American Chemical Society and Beavercreek Church of the Brethren, served on the Executive Committee of the Ohio Valley Chromatography Symposium, and was a visiting scientist at the EPA Research Lab in Athens, Ga. He enjoyed volunteering, music, birdwatching, reading, woodworking, traveling, and baking. He is survived by wife Sylvia (Middlekauff) Hess ’62, daughter Heidi (Hess) Rice ’86, son Jon, and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred (Hess) Grimley ’40.

Sydney (Himes) Miller ’59

August 22, 2 015—Sydney taught elementary school in State College, Pittsburgh, and Huntingdon, Pa., until her retirement in 1996. She was a member of the Huntingdon Presbyterian Church, Friends of the Huntingdon County Library, Huntingdon Area Education Association, and a charter member of the Muddy Run Watershed Advisory Committee. Sydney enjoyed sewing, playing piano, reading, and gardening. She was preceded in death by husband Jerome and is survived by daughter Elizabeth, son David, three grandchildren, brother James, and sister Sarah (Himes) Feltham ’66.

Tex M. Roher ’60

June 12, 2015—Tex served in the U.S. Army from 1963-1965. He was employed for 50 years as a journeyman lineman with Valley Rural Electric Cooperative. Tex had many interests, including draft horse farming, trapping, maple-sugaring and forestry, beekeeping, gardening,

February 19, 2015—Ann was a stay-athome mother until 1978, and then returned to the workforce in administrative and banking positions.

She then found her true calling as a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner. She volunteered in retirement and nursing homes and was active in her church, including service in clown ministry. Ann was preceded in death by husband Robert and is survived by daughters Sheila, Amy, and Jessica, stepchildren Corky, Michael, and Cindy, and seven grandchildren.

Thomas A. Mull ’64

July 2, 2015—Tom is survived by wife June, daughters Andrea and Michelle, and sons John and Thomas.

Eloise M. Swales ’64

June 9, 2015—Eloise taught in the Clearfield Area School District and then at Bermudian Springs School District. She served as the president for the local education association for three terms, the chairperson of the Adams County Coordinating Council for three terms, and as a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s Executive Board of the Department of Classroom Teachers.

Eloise presented many workshops and in-service programs on reading comprehension and also published three educational learning kits. She enjoyed singing and reading and served as wrestling scorekeeper for the Bermudian Springs school district for 25 years. Eloise is survived by son Mark, daughter Stephanie, and three grandchildren.

Larry R. Alwine ’65

April 25, 2014—Larry was retired from Hershey Foods and was instrumental in founding the Allison Hill Civic Association. He was active in several Church of the Brethren congregations during his life, serving as a deacon and singing in the choir. He is survived by wife Karen, daughters Linda, Lori, Melissa, and Jennifer, and nine grandchildren.

Earl L. Samuel ’65

July 10, 2015—Earl, of Dallas, Pa., was employed as an industrial relations manager with the Bethlehem Steel Corporation and the Certainteed Corporation from 1967-73. He then began a large property and casualty insurance agency, a mortgage banking operation, and a real estate firm, which he owned for more than 28 years. Earl served in the U.S. Army for 16 years, mainly in the reserves, and retired at the rank of major. He enjoyed sharing his faith, serving with prison ministries, teaching Sunday School, and as a church elder.

Earl was inducted into the Juniata Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary (Hoffman) Samuel ’36, and is survived by wife Pamela (Moss) Samuel ’66, sons Seth, Jared, and Matthew, three grandchildren, and brothers David Samuel ’62 and William Samuel ’62.

Judith S. Allison ’67

June 23, 2015—Judith is survived by husband Gerald.

James R. Myers ’67

June 4, 2015—James was a dentist and oral surgeon for 43 years at his family’s dental practice, Myers Family Dentistry in Westminster, Md. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church and of the First United Presbyterian Church of Westminster.

James was also active in the Maryland Dental Society, the Carroll County Dental Society, and the Westminster Kiwanis. He was an avid runner, participating in more than 80 marathons during his life.

He is survived by wife Elizabeth, daughters Jennifer, Jessica, Jacqueline, and Juliette, son James, and five grandchildren.

Paul S. Gipe, Jr. ’69

Stephen P. Chilcote Sr. ’70

April 25, 2015—Stephen, of Norwalk, Calif. and formerly of Duncansville, Pa., worked for Blair County (Pa.) Children and Youth Services. He was preceded in death by wife Linda and is survived by sons Edward and Stephen Chilcote Jr. ’94, daughter-in-law Erin (Cawley) Chilcote ’93, and three grandchildren.

Terry J. Turnbaugh ’70

August 24, 2015—Terry was a psychology and sociology teacher at Cumberland Valley School District in Mechanicsburg, Pa., for more than 30 years. He also worked at Penn StateHarrisburg as a residence living coordinator. Terry was a member of Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, the Mechanicsburg Club, American Legion, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Carlisle Lodge No. 578.

He had a great love for sports and was an avid fan of University of Notre Dame football. Terry is survived by sons Brandon and Derek and eight grandchildren.

Robert A. Boyd ’72

June 24, 2015—Robert is survived by wife Maria and daughter Mariel.

Patricia (Morgan) Wehler ’73

June 17, 2015—Patricia attended Juniata from 1969-72. She was telecommunications supervisor at the Harrisburg Hospital for 40 years. She was a member of the Conewago Chapter 532 of Eastern Star and Junior Chamber Internationale Senate. Patricia is survived by husband Nelson, stepson Pete, and two step-grandchildren.

Ronald A. Pergolini ’89

April 3, 2015—Ron worked at the Sands Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., until relocating to Hallandale, Fla., where he lived for the past 20 years. He was a partner and top salesman at Hunter Aerospace. He is survived by parents Ron and Carol, stepfather John, and sister Tina.

Andres K. Hulslander ’91

June 27, 2015—Andy was employed in human resources and as a store

PHOTO: CANDICE HERSH

manager for Bartell Drugs in Seattle, Wash. He previously had worked for John Hancock Financial Services, Bicycles West, Wall Street Services, and GM Nameplate, as a human resources professional and store manager. Andy was an avid cyclist and an accomplished musician and enjoyed many interests, including hiking, camping, photography, wildlife, astronomy, and cooking. He coached his daughters in volleyball and archery and was a regular volunteer at their school. Andy is survived by his parents, Richard and Carol, wife Dana, daughters Leah and Kate, and brother David.

Joel R. Reed ’98

June 22, 2015—Joel worked as an assistant informational technology manager for the department of educational equity at Penn State University in University Park, Pa. He owned and operated Xtreme Ridez LLC, a custom window tinting business. He was a member of State College Alliance Church and enjoyed shooting and collecting guns and customizing cars. He is survived by his parents, Jay and Joanie, sister Julie, wife Deanne, and sons Ethan and Holden.

2016 Fall-Winter |

April 14, 2015—Paul was a retired criminologist for the Pennsylvania State Police and was a member of the Ward 13th Political Club and the Retired State Police Association of Pennsylvania. He enjoyed watching baseball and hockey and was an avid fan of all Philadelphia professional sports teams. Paul also loved camping and fishing with his family, especially at Colonel Denning State Park. He is

survived by wife Phyllis, stepson Justin, and five grandchildren.

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IN MEMORIAM

Remembering Francis X. DeMar Even though Frank DeMar was a Missouri guy (rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals and his hero Stan Musial), he was committed to helping make Huntingdon a better place to live and work.

He served on a long list of community organizations. Even a partial list of his involvement is impressive. His friends and colleagues, Larry Newton and Joe Masciangelo, say that “Frank transformed the way the United Way in Huntingdon ran its campaigns.”

He also served for 27 years on the board of the J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital, including a five-year term Frank DeMar as chair. Huntingdon County Pride was another of Frank’s special charities. For many years he presented tables at the annual Pride Telethon. Finally, he served for 15 years (1990-2005) on the Juniata College Board of Trustees.

At Juniata and in all of his community service, his wife Peggy was his devoted partner. They were very generous to their adopted college in their adopted home town. One of the nicest seminar rooms on campus is Room 421 in Founders Hall. Outside the room is a plaque acknowledging the contribution of Peggy and Frank DeMar. Frank was also a leader in his church, Most Holy Trinity. He chaired the finance committee and ran many fundraisers. He also sang in the choir at every Sunday Mass and sang at many weddings and special events.

Many of his friends would agree that, “Frank, first and foremost, always had a big smile and a hug for everyone.” A story told to me by Shannon (Lang) Lekas, a close high school friend of my daughter Susan, speaks volumes about Frank’s personality. Shannon had heard Frank sing “Most Holy Night” at church on Christmas Eve every year as she grew up in Huntingdon. When Shannon and her husband left town and were unable to come “home” for Christmas, she told her parents how much she missed Frank’s singing this special song.

Her parents told Frank and for the next 15 years, Frank called Shannon on Christmas Eve and sang to her over the phone. One year she missed the call, but he left it on the answering machine. Shannon said, “I feel sad knowing that I won’t be getting that call anymore. I feel incredibly blessed and appreciative to have had this special bond with Frank…

When I think about it, it’s a pretty amazing story and I’m lucky to be able to have it and tell it. But as anyone who knew Frank would tell you (and I know you know this), he was a pretty amazing man.” Indeed.

| Juniata

—Jim Lakso, provost emeritus and professor emeritus of economics at Juniata.

He served the College for more than four decades.

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Francis X. “Frank” DeMar, retired national manager of manufacturing at Mead Corp. and a Juniata Trustee from 1990 to 2005, died July 23, at age 84.

A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., DeMar came to the Huntingdon area in 1975 when he was transferred to the area to be plant manager for the Mead Products manufacturing plant in Alexandria, Pa. He started his business career with Mead Products in St. Joseph, Mo., working in a variety of management positions before taking the job in Alexandria.

In 1987, DeMar was transferred to Dayton, Ohio, where he was national manufacturing manager for Mead. Upon his retirement in 1990, DeMar and his wife, Peggy, returned to Huntingdon.

DeMar was very active in his community.

In addition to his work with Juniata, he served on the board of directors of J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital for 29 years and was board president from 2002 to 2005.

He also served as a member and as chairman of the board of directors for the Huntingdon County United Way. He served on the board of directors of Huntingdon County PRIDE Inc. and regularly performed and worked on the organization’s annual telethon.

In addition, he was a member and past president of the St. Joseph Lions Club and a life member of the Boy Scouts of America. Rotary International also named him a Paul Harris Fellow.

He remained very involved with his church, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in Huntingdon. He currently served as president of the church’s finance council and also was a cantor and lector and sang in the folk choir.

He also was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Council 4644, Knights of Columbus. In the past he served on the church’s building committee and parish council and served as a Eucharistic minister.

DeMar was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Germany during the Korean War. He attended St. Joseph Junior College and graduated in 1980 from the University of Virginia Executive Program.

Endpaper

Getting Serious about Mr. Juniata

Amy, who teaches a few Shakespeare courses, knows that where Mr. Juniata is concerned, all’s well that ends well.

2016 Fall-Winter |

The Mr. Juniata competition is a spoof, but, to me, it is no joke. True, nothing is more hilarious than watching awkward young men nervously take the stage in front of a crowd of 800 people. In the beginning of each talent, I hold my breath, hoping each contestant doesn’t forget his lines and run offstage. something to share: optimism

But, the men who vie to Genna Welsh Kasun ’06 that can put people at ease and a wear the Mr. Juniata crown are knowledge of how community can fearlessly impressive, performing be achieved and enjoyed. talents that often shouldn’t be seen

The time-honored advice for outside a dorm room. In the past wedding to see Kevin’s other Mr. calming internal fears is to picture few years, one contestant made 14 Juniata-worthy talent—dancing. the crowd naked. My method is balloon dogs in 60 seconds, another His specialty is the Shopping to look out into the crowd and balanced a kitchen stool on his Cart. Usually, I do something that picture one particular Mr. Juniata chin, and a third impersonated 18-year-old Genna—the girl who contestant.

Arnold Schwarzenegger imploring, hadn’t yet attended her favorite

Most of the time, I don’t have “I’ll be back.” tradition—would never have done: to imagine him sitting there

I sigh in relief as each I dance along. because he actually is. It’s the performer finishes—not from

Even if you don’t have a twoguy I mentioned doing the Arnold seeing them succeed but from year winner of the Mr. Congeniality Schwarzenegger impressions realizing that they weren’t afraid to sash in your household, take my several years ago. After graduating fail in front of friends, classmates, word for it: carry Juniata’s tradition from Juniata, Kevin Kasun ’06 and professors. of having fun as a community with and I were married and so I’ve

And they’re not alone. As a you wherever you go. When it comes had a fearless ambassador for student, it was liberating to see to stepping out of your comfort community-building in my life English professor Amy Mathur zone, take my husband’s advice and for more than a decade. Some ’96, play emcee. This year she say in your own Terminator voice: people even invite us to their impersonated M.C. Hammer. It “No Problemo.” >j< takes bravery to dress in a roll of aluminum foil and dance to “U Can’t Touch This.”

Such bravado is something our students need. I certainly did.

I was sitting in Rosenberger watching my second Mr. Juniata when I realized: I was exactly where I needed to be. That night, I was sitting among a crowd of friends who learned how to laugh together, in a community that knows how to take risks.

Watching Mr. Juniata liberated me from many of my own fears, most specifically public speaking.

To this day, I’m unafraid to get up in front of a group of people, whether I’m giving a toast, accepting an award, or presenting Amy Mathur ’98, assistant professor of English, sings and dances her way into the a new idea at work. I know I have hearts of Juniata students every year as the master of ceremonies for Mr. Juniata.

PHOTO: KLARISSA JULIANO ’18

director of social media and content coordination

PHOTO: MEGAN BRENNEMAN

By Genna Welsh Kasun ’06

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PHOTO: SHALEN PEREHINEC ’16

Casey Lapham ’17, of Gaithersburg, Md., plays with children at Centro Cultural Guanin in La Piedra, Dominican Republic on the 2015 Cultural Learning Tour sponsored by the Unity House and Community Service Office.