Juniata College Spring 2021 Magazine Teaser Booklet

SPRING 2021

A COMPANION TO THE ONLINE MAGAZINE

PHOTO: CANDICE HERSH

Two of the stories featured in the Spring 2021 issue of Juniata magazine are shared here in our printed digest version. You can enjoy the entire issue digitally by visiting Juniata.edu/magazine.

We hope you’ll find the articles highlighting the efforts of Juniata students, faculty, staff, and alumni inspiring and join us in celebrating the achievements of our faculty. Class notes are a great way to keep up to date on the activities of your friends and colleagues, too!

As you flip or click through the pages of the magazine, we are #JuniataForever no matter where we are.

About the Cover: Maggie Taylor ’22, left, and Brenden Gardner ’21, celebrated their ascent of a rockclimbing tower with a high five at a special Spring Mountain Day April 14.

PHOTO: CANDICE HERSH

Not long ago, we marked one year since a virus brought the world around us to a halt. In a year marked by challenges and crisis, Juniata has redefined what it means to be a community.

We move into spring with renewed hope and appreciation for our place here in central Pennsylvania and the people around us.

As you enjoy this edition of the Juniata James A. Troha magazine, join me in celebrating our trohaj@juniata.edu outstanding programs, faculty, staff, students, @juniataprztroha and alumni. We highlight the experiences of our first-generation to college students as well as the mentorship offered by faculty and staff members who are themselves the first in their families to attend college. The vibrance of our ABE program is spotlighted as well, giving a glimpse into the work of our talented faculty and students who carry their spirit of service and leadership into the business world.

PHOTO: MEGAN BRENNEMAN

Dear Friends,

I hope you are filled with pride as you learn more about the outstanding work of Juniatians who have committed their time and talents to others, caring for those fighting COVID-19, baking cookies for those on the frontline, sharing camaraderie and spirit through video story-telling, conducting research, or serving in positions to advise change.

Every step of the way, we have felt the support from our community near and far. Your gifts continue to make our efforts to provide an engaging, personalized educational experience possible.

Sincerely,

PHOTO: JD CAVRICH

PHOTO: HOLLY USES ’22

PHOTO: CANDICE HERSH

2021 Spring | 1

| Juniata

Calvin Bembry II ’19, residential life coordinator, took a moment to pose for a picture at Juniata’s First Gen Celebration in November 2020.

2

PHOTO: CANDICE HERSH

First-generation Forerunners By: Amanda S. Drumm, a freelance writer from Altoona, Pa Recognizing first-generation students, alumni, and staff.

W

hat is college? The easy answer is a place to learn material for future gainful employment. But the response is more complex than that. It is an opportunity to study, to discover, to grow, to challenge, and to be challenged. It is likewise an institution with nuances and norms, many that are unfamiliar to their students.

Deciding to attend college is accompanied by visits, forms, and paperwork. Stepping foot on a college campus to begin the first semester, it may seem like the difficult decisions and confusing lingo are in the past.

But, for some first-generation students it is just the beginning piece in trying to navigate this new venture.

Kathleen M. Collins ’92, vice president for student affairs at the University of Rhode Island, encourages students to dive into the campus and take it seriously starting at orientation. “It is critically important. Orientation is much more than signing up for classes; it is the path into the institution.”

2021 Spring |

Those who choose to attend these beacons of knowledge are expected to immediately understand the various facets of the college educational model. But, for many first-generation students, the processes and even the language can be confusing. Finding common ground with other students and faculty who are or were once novices in the higher educational structure can have a profound effect on this educational expedition.

Uncharted Waters

3

“Orientation is much more than signing up for classes; it is the path into the institution.”

— Kathleen Collins ’92, vice president for student affairs at the University of Rhode Island Collins, who was a first-generation student at Juniata, is acutely aware of traversing the subtleties of higher education and draws on those experiences in her own work with college students. “It is important to humanize the first-generation experience for students, to give them someone to talk to. So many times, they have no idea of what a syllabus is, or what office hours are,” she said.

Collins found her way at Juniata and with the gift of mentors established her calling in higher education.

“I still remember Dawn Scialabba, who hired me as a resident assistant, saying, ‘Kathy, you can do this for a living,’”. When Scialabba told Collins that she also was the first in her family to go to college and to see the difference she was making in students’ lives, it encouraged Collins to mentor students as well.

| Juniata

Collins’ mentor, Dawn Scialabba, Registrar, has been employed at Juniata in various roles since 1988.

Even with varied work she remains committed to first-generation

4

students and helping them move along on their college paths.

She said, “There is inside lingo, terms, and practices in higher education.

Not everyone instinctively knows what all of it means or how it works.

Our own first-generation experiences subliminally make us sensitive to this fact and we want to make sure we make college understandable and help students navigate college successfully.”

First-Generation Day Besides advising students and providing them encouragement throughout the Juniata experience, Scialabba participates in the annual First-Generation Day on campus.

Though the activities may vary from year to year, it is a time to gather first-generation students together to talk about experiences and to embrace their commonality. It is likewise a time of inspiration, hearing from faculty, staff, and upperclassmen about the possibilities afforded through the virtue of higher education.

“It was exciting realizing wow—you’re also first generation. You have a connection and an unknown understanding, knowing that you’re not out of place.”

— Kassandra Ayllon ’23, environmental studies

PHOTO: ASHLEY PURVIS ’21

Maggie Peck ’21 speaks with Dawn Scialabba, Registrar, outside her office in Founders Hall.

For Mayra Duarte Da Veiga, a sophomore studying psychology, the First-Generation Day reception during her first year opened up her eyes to how many students around her fell into that special category.

“You felt acknowledged that you are trying extremely hard and you got the feeling that other people are the same as you. We heard the seniors’ stories and how they did it. There were similar stories and the feeling that we see the hard work you do, and we recognize that. We were grouped together to support each other, and I even keep in contact with my mentor from last year. It is a nice day of appreciation,” she said.

For Kassandra Ayllon, a secondyear student studying environmental studies, the day was relaxed and involved pins, cupcakes, shirts, and videos. More than that, though, it was the understanding that she was not treading the waters of higher education alone.

“It was exciting realizing wow— you’re also first generation. You have a connection and an unknown understanding, knowing that you’re not out of place,” Ayllon said.

2021 Spring |

Freshmen bonding together with similar students is only one aspect of the day. The day provides upperclassmen with the chance to share their advice and impart their knowledge on freshmen.

5

PHOTO: CANDICE HERSH

Tammy Stuber, assistant director of career services, greets Miranda Madara ’23 at the College’s First Gen Celebration in November 2020.

“I’ve been involved for the last few years. I really liked how they recognized first-generation seniors.

It is important to be recognized for hard work and for what it has taken to get to the point where they are.

We can see that we can be in their shoes in the next couple of years.

I look forward to inspiring other students with my hard work,” said Jean Barrera, a pre-physical therapy sophomore.

| Juniata

While being the first person in a family to attend college may be exhilarating, it is also intimidating.

First-Generation Day tries to counter feelings of inadequacy and

6

instead focus on encouragement and recognition of the dedication and pursuit of academia. Students sharing information and guiding one another through college is a hallmark of the day. The connections serve students year-round and become networks of associates who impart their wisdom.

“One thing I learned is to not be afraid to ask for help. All the teachers and counselors around you at Juniata want to see you succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and to reach out to the people who are around you,” said Barrera.

Tracy Stough Grajewski ’86, executive director/chief human resources officer, led a storied career in banking, pharmaceuticals, and international travel before returning to Juniata. While not feeling uniquely first-generation while she was a student, she appreciated the significance of being the first person in her family to attend college and in participating in First-Generation Day. “It is unique coming back and seeing first-generation activities and celebrating that. Through the years I never thought about it much but coming back and celebrating that event and the significance of being first-generation is cool and impactful to me,” she said.

Along with her role in human resources, Stough Grajewski teaches courses at Juniata. She imparts her knowledge and insight onto others along with the value of her education—not just the degree, but also from a liberal arts perspective.

— Jean Barrera ’23, pre-physical therapy

Uniqueness of Liberal Arts For Dan Dries, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and chair of the chemistry department, the experience of liberal arts is equally important to him. “I can see the application of what I do in all areas. It is the desire to learn more. If I just do science, I lose other aspects. Liberal arts stretches me and makes me think as a citizen,” he said.

Dries was the first in his family to attend college. His interests varied from language to music to science.

He understood the reality of being a first-generation student. “I kind of felt it and was self-conscious about what I didn’t know. I remember so clearly the exit consultation with the financial aid officer and my head spinning,” he said.

Amid the confusion he plotted his own trail and is gratified by his decision to pursue higher education and graduate degrees. Dries said, “The value of education and the exposure to other things is invaluable.

2021 Spring |

“Juniata opened my mind and led me in directions I was not thinking of going. Education forces you to be more of a critical thinker. You are taught to think and to do critical analysis in education. Then you enjoy being informed about all sides of the story for decision input. I almost never think things are done or finalized; the more we learn the more knowledge gets discovered.

Knowledge advances are a good thing for humanity,” she said.

“One thing I learned is to not be afraid to ask for help. All the teachers around you and counselors at Juniata want to see you succeed.”

7

If you stay in your community, you limit yourself tremendously. You only know what you know.”

Similarly, Anne Wood, assistant vice president and chief information officer, feels empowered by her education, but did not grasp the immensity of its influence until later in life.

“Education helps you build on your experiences, the way you understand others, how you respond in various circumstances, and gives you a path to move forward. As a first-generation college student, I saw it as a pathway to a better future but could not begin to grasp how multifaceted the benefits would be. I think you come to understand and appreciate that later in life when you look back and realize how much of an impact college had on your future,” Wood said.

A liberal arts education expands minds and equips students with lifelong skills. Sierra Waite, a senior studying communication and multimedia arts, attests to that.

| Juniata

“Critical thinking, communication, problem solving, self-expression, and other skills are important for a healthy work-life balance. I learned to be community focused and developed a growth mindset by trying new things,” she said.

8

Sage Advice to Grow Dr. Russell Miller ’90 knew as a young child he wanted to attend college. He was a voracious reader and by his freshman year in high school he was researching colleges. Medicine always interested him, as well as art.

He felt at home at Juniata and did not feel the intensity of being firstgeneration. He was content meshing the subjects he enjoyed.

“I always liked science and knowing how things work and the mysteries of the universe. At Juniata I was taught to think, not just to get the right answer, but how to arrive at it.”

Appreciative of what he learned and how he flourished at Juniata— studying abroad included—he wants other first-generation students to embrace the distinctive presence they have in college.

“Respect where you came from and remember your roots. Getting more education betters yourself and the world around you but does not make you better than anybody. I tell the medical students who come through my office to look for the understanding of things. Take your knowledge and apply it,” said Miller.

Embracing who you are and where you came from is prudent wisdom that will serve well in life and in helping others. Moreover, giving credence to the immense weight that being a trailblazer comes with is also important.

Jennifer Jones ’07, community engagement specialist for Gateway Health, did not know until she finished her education what an accomplishment it was to be the first in her family to attend college and then graduate school.

“I had distant cousins who went; my parents and grandparents did not.

At 18, I was not as aware of what it meant. It means more to me now as an adult than it did back then. Now that I know it, I sometimes think ‘Wow I did something great that no one else did’,” she said.

Comprehending and welcoming the intricacies of being first generation is crucial to success. Seek out and accept the support that is around and know that the people who want to help are also cheering for success.

Scialabba has nurtured numerous first-generation students throughout the years and has joyfully watched them flourish. She said, “In a place

like Juniata you will connect and be well prepared. You are going to meet people who will help you develop to your full potential. I see that all the time with our students. Some come in and do not realize how amazing they are and then blossom and go off and do incredible things.”

Alumni and staff share a common message: relish in the satisfaction of being a pioneer on the path to a degree and recognize the emotional depth that accompanies it.

Dries said, “Being a first-generation student can be really intimidating and scary, but I think students would be pleasantly surprised by knowing how many professors and coaches were first-generation students. It is less intimidating if they find someone who they trust. Remember, no question is stupid; many of us have been there.

You will be surprised by how much support is out there for students who are new to this whole thing.”

2021 Spring | 9

Critical Thinking Skills Vital for Alum on Pandemic’s Frontline By: April Feagley, assistant director of communication Front-line healthcare worker applies lessons learned at Juniata to pandemic challenges.

E

liot Fagley ’98, Section Head for Critical Care Medicine at Virginia Mason Medical Center, graduated from high school with a clear plan for his future. He wanted to be a doctor.

Choosing a liberal arts institution for his undergraduate degree was

| Juniata

“When I was looking at places to go to college, I met folks at Juniata who were fantastic.

It was a small school, close to home, and I’d get to play baseball. I ended up not applying to many other places. Juniata felt like home. I loved it there.”

10

— Eliot Fagley ’98, Section Head for Critical Care Medicine at Virginia Mason Medical Center

a decision that not only got him off to a successful start in his career, but helped him navigate the unprecedented challenges ahead.

The leadership skills and knowledge learned during his years at Juniata are invaluable as a healthcare worker on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When I was looking at places to go to college, I met folks at Juniata who were fantastic. It was a small school, close to home, and I’d get to play baseball,” he said. “My cousin, Stephanie (Lantz) Riggio ’89, went to Juniata before me. I ended up not applying to many other places. Juniata felt like home. I loved it there.”

The partnership and mentorship of faculty made all the difference in his academic career.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ELIOT FAGLEY’98

Dr. Eliot Fagley ’98 is the Section Head for Critical Care Medicine at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, a hospital on the front-line of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I came in as pre-med. I did not doubt what I wanted to be until about three months in and found Deb KirchhofGlazier’s (retired professor of biology), biology class difficult. I almost switched to a different program,” said Eliot. “She pulled me back in and encouraged me to keep at it.”

(Otorhinolaryngology or ears, nose, and throat), orthopedic surgeon, or internal medicine.

Eliot’s GPA and MCAT score landed him an acceptance to Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana, through an early decision agreement.

The early acceptance allowed him to expand his studies to include his deepening interest in philosophy.

“I found anesthesiology to be incredibly fascinating. It’s a team environment and it allowed me to do critical care,” he said.

Serving as the senior anesthesiology resident on call at Tulane Hospital in 2005, Eliot’s efforts to evacuate patients, families, and staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were recognized with the Juniata College Health Professions Hero Award.

2021 Spring |

As graduation and entry into med school drew closer, the question of his future specialty loomed. He was initially interested in pursuing ENT

After careful consideration and experience during med school, anesthesiology became the focus of Eliot’s aspirations.

11

Eliot would once again find himself practicing medicine in a historic place and time in January 2020 at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, when the first cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the United States.

“We started paying close attention when we started to hear about the virus in China because of how transmissible it is and the sheer number of people affected in Wuhan, even though at the time it had not yet escaped to other countries,” he said.

“We knew it was only a matter of time before it got out.”

The medical center, like many others around the nation, began planning to navigate the new disease process immediately. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States

was diagnosed Jan. 21, 2020, in Everett, Washington, in an individual who recently returned from Wuhan, China.

“The very first patient in the United States was in a town about 30 miles north of Seattle,” said Eliot. “That was when things got even more serious.

We started having more frequent meetings. Within two weeks, our first COVID-19 patient showed up.”

The rapid spread of COVID-19 brought a significant influx of patients to hospitals in and around Seattle, Washington, within a relatively short period.

“To figure out how to best treat our patients, we were reading primary literature out of China and looking at Italy, where the healthcare system

Dr. Eliot Fagley ’98 was selected as a flag-raiser at a Seattle Seahawks game and was recognized for his contributions as a healthcare worker caring for those fighting COVID-19.

| Juniata

PHOTO: SASKIA POTTER, FOR THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

12

was completely overwhelmed,” he said. “We were doing our best to forge a new path to counter a new disease process.”

During one of the most harrowing healthcare crises in living memory, the ability to think a problem through quickly and critically, a skill instilled at Juniata, was vital as lives hung in the balance and as treatments needed to be developed and implemented quickly.

Washington experienced three waves of the virus, the first in early April 2020, the second in July and August 2020, and the most recent in December 2020.

Community support that boosted morale for frontline healthcare workers was especially appreciated

by Eliot, his wife, Dr. Amy Lee, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and their children, Kate and Andrew.

While the tragedies and losses of the past year are immense, Eliot looks to the medical advancements made in a very difficult time.

— Eliot Fagley ’98, Section Head for Critical Care Medicine at Virginia Mason Medical Center One of the most notable strides in discovery is the implementation of messenger RNA vaccines.

“The power of this technology is incredible. Messenger RNA technology is incredibly flexible and allows us to create vaccines based on proteins expressed on the outside of a virus or bacteria,” said Eliot. “This could end in something as cool as the cure for the common cold. The way this has fast-forwarded science is incredible.”

He reflects back to the ways in which Juniata helped to prepare him for his career and for this pivotal time in the field of medicine.

“Something that Juniata does well is to teach you how to think and not what to think,” said Eliot. “That ability to think your way through a problem, even if it’s a new problem is vital.

That has always been an arrow in my quiver—the ability to think your way through a problem.”

2021 Spring |

“We have a lot of wins in what we’ve been dealing with in the last year. There are a lot of patients who have come through critical care and survived this,” he said. “Yes, there is a significant impact on their health going forward and many, many unknowns. But, we have gotten a lot of really sick patients through and out of very difficult situations.”

“Something that Juniata does well is to teach you how to think and not what to think.

“That ability to think your way through a problem, even if it’s a new problem is vital.”

13

In a game against Moravian College, Marcus Hall ’21 from New Cumberland, Pa., makes his way down the court at Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center.

| Juniata

Playing attack, Taylor Metz ’23 from Oaklyn, N.J., readies for a pass during a lacrosse game at Winton Hill Athletic Complex.

14

Aimee Buffington ’24 from Enola, Pa., drives the ball downfield in a field hockey game at Winton Hill Athletic Complex.

The Best of

JUNIATA SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOS: J.D. CAVRICH

Tabi Dettelback ’21, from Martinsville, N.J., competes in the backstroke at Binder Natatorium during a swim meet.

Football coach Josh Carter talks to one of his players on the sidelines during a practice at Knox Stadium.

Gracie Stauffer ’21 from Loysville, Pa., fends off the competition and prepares to make a shot.

2021 Spring | 15

Like what you read?

Check out the Juniata magazine in its entirety online at juniata.edu/magazine.

You’ll find the articles mentioned here, as well as class notes, faculty notes, and more.

As Nation Casts Doubt on Higher Ed, Juniata Department Excels at Workforce Preparation

PHOTO: CANDICE HERSH

Juniata’s accounting, business, and economics (ABE) department has launched a number of programs designed to prepare students to thrive in their chosen career fields. Faculty members equip students to use what they learn to create a bright future for themselves after graduation.

Cookies for Caregivers Becomes National Kindness Movement Scott McKenzie, associate director for athletic operations and associate athletic director, and his friend, Jeremy Uhrich, started a fun-filled cookie baking competition that grew into a national movement to spread kindness!

PHOTO: COURTESY OF JEREMY UHRICH

| Juniata

Students, Faculty, and Staff Form EDI Council

16

PHOTO: JD CAVRICH

The EDI Council, composed of students, faculty, and staff, was formed from the Summer Advisory Group on Racial Justice supported by President James Troha. Council members are charged with considering the needs of Juniata’s students and community and addressing racial justice and inequality.

Finding a Living Laboratory for Aquatic Ecological Research George Merovich, associate professor of environmental science, came to Juniata five years ago and found a living laboratory for research and instruction within the surrounding hill and valley terrain with plentiful waterways.

PHOTO: CANDICE HERSH

Partnerships Provide Transfer Pathways to Juniata Updated agreements offering admission to Juniata for associate-degree graduates from HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (Penn Highlands) were signed during the fall 2020 semester.

Team of Digital Storytellers Share Campus Life Four digital storytellers, Anna Sule ’22, Claire Alfree ’22, Rohan Bandekar ’22, and Daniel Muleady ’22, use experiences, talents, and interests to share life at Juniata via weekly vlogs. These vlogs provide authentic, in-the-moment content to engage Juniata community members all over the world.

2021 Spring | 17

Office of Advancement 1700 Moore Street Huntingdon, PA 16652

PAID

JUNIATA COLLEGE 16652

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

We’re social.

Tour Juniata Today

www.juniata.edu/virtualtour

Member Institutions: 271

PHOTO: HOLLY USES ’22

Emily Dowler ’21 picked up trash along the Muddy Run during a cleanup of Weaver Park as part of Juniata’s Day of Service event April 14.

E Recycle this magazine

Give it to a high school student and help spread the word about Juniata.