President's Newsletter

Dear Juniata Community,

The excitement leading up to the start of the fall semester this year is accentuated by the fact that Juniata is poised to welcome its third-largest class of undergraduate students and the largest-ever class of graduate students.

That same spirit of welcome extends to the three new members of Juniata’s board of trustees, Jeffrey Craft ’00, David Christopher ’96, and Brad Sterl ’76, who will begin their terms on Sept. 1, 2023.

With the arrival of the Class of 2027, we are gearing up for beloved campus traditions like Lobsterfest, Storming of the Arch, and the eagerly awaited Mountain Day. These events, along with our fall sports teams, bring Juniatians together each and every year.

I’m incredibly honored to support student-athletes in a new capacity as chair-elect of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, the highest governing body for NCAA’s largest division. This division represents the very best in collegiate athletics, with student-athletes equally passionate about competition in their sport and the academic rigor in the classroom.

September is known in higher education as “rankings season,” and Juniata is already garnering well-deserved recognition for its commitment to creating a collaborative learning environment and preparing students for a life of ethical leadership in a global community. Money Magazine recently named Juniata one of the 2023 America’s Best Colleges, and The Princeton Review recognized the College as one of the Best Colleges for 2024, ranking Juniata as #6 for Most Accessible Professors (#1 in Pennsylvania) and #25 for Great Financial Aid.

Our growing national reputation has also contributed to a recent invitation to participate in an economic think tank discussion round table with incoming Rotary International President-elect Dr. Stephanie Urchick in Pittsburgh this evening. I will join a few select Western Pennsylvania college and university presidents for this important discussion.

Thank you for being a member of this community and sharing the excitement of a new semester. We hope to see you on campus this fall.

Warm regards,
President James A. Troha