Acting President's Newsletter
February 2024
Dear Juniata Community,
The past few weeks have been filled with activities that have brought our community together for arts, culture, and celebration. A spirit of joy resonates throughout our campus events and activities as captured by the photos in this newsletter. It is enormously gratifying to be part of gatherings that help us imagine the art of the possible and affirm our connections to one another.
The cultural dinners organized by our students are always a highlight of the spring as they are celebrations of culture and a great opportunity to gather. It was a privilege to participate recently in both the Chinese dinner (as you can see on the right) along with the Vietnamese dinner.
More than 400 people from the campus and Huntingdon communities enjoyed the first Juniata Presents performance in the newly renovated Rosenberger Auditorium on February 8. Canadian Brass enthralled the crowd with their high-energy concert.
This year’s Mr. Juniata competition took on a “boy band” theme and saw eight contestants vie for the crown as they donned formal wear, performed talents, and were interviewed by the evening’s hosts, Professors Jim Tuten and Jerry Kruse.
I appreciated being a part of our Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation and welcoming Dr. Wilson Okello to campus. The convocation is a wonderful way to begin each spring semester, but snowy weather delayed this year’s event. You can watch his presentation HERE.
Students are enjoying utilizing the spaces within Statton Learning Commons, which was featured in Lawrence Biemiller’s Buildings and Grounds column featured in The Daily News. The story is shared below or can be read online on the newspaper's website.
Two special exhibits now on display at the Juniata College Museum of Art (JCMA) feature the work of students, faculty, and staff. “On Display: The Art, Science, and Significance of Specimens” was entirely developed by PJ Squire ’24, whose dual programs of emphasis are biology and museum studies. To create this exhibit, PJ worked with Randy Bennett, professor of biology; John Matter, associate professor of biology; Jennifer Streb, professor of art history; and Kathryn Blake, director of the JCMA. You can learn more about PJ and his capstone exhibit below.
The second exhibit on display at JCMA is “Yours | Truly: The JCMA Collection,” a glimpse into what faculty, staff, and students select as their favorite pieces in the museum.
Tomorrow, I look forward to seeing the strong turnout of alumni, parents, and friends of Juniata who will be participating in our annual Career Day organized by Career Development. This important event highlights internship, research, and career opportunities for students. To prepare for the day, students can receive resume writing assistance and free professional attire from our Career Clothing Closet.
The many moments of celebration are possible through your support! Thank you for all you do for Juniata!
In the News
Mock Trial Advances to Championship
For the sixth consecutive year, and every year that the Team has been in existence, Juniata College will advance to the Opening Round of the Mock Trial National Championship Series. This marks the second consecutive year that Juniata will send both of its teams, A and B, to Nationals.
This year’s Opening Round of the National Championship playoffs will be hosted by Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati, held at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 15-17, 2024.
Guidebook Published by Juniata Press
The most recent publication by the Juniata College Press, “A Brief Guide to the EBT: Living Relic of the Industrial Age,” is the culmination of a collaborative partnership between Juniata College and the historic East Broad Top Railroad (EBT) located in Rockhill Furnace, Pa.
The guidebook was written largely by Juniata students and was edited by Lawrence Biemiller, writer and EBT volunteer; James Tuten, Charles R. and Shirley A. Knox Professor of History; and Ryan Kough, associate professor of integrated media arts.
Swimmers Recognized for Scholarship
The Juniata College men's and women's swimming teams earned the College Swimming & Diving Coaches' Association (CSCAA) Fall Scholar All-America Team Award. These teams, representing a total of 18,716 student-athletes, were chosen based on their outstanding academic performance during the specified semester.
Case Elected NCAA DIII SAAC Vice Chair
Lillian Case '25 has been named vice chair of the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The new leaders were welcomed during the 2024 NCAA Convention held in Phoenix, Arizona. Case became a part of Division III SAAC in the summer of 2023, securing a three-year tenure as the representative for the Landmark Conference.
Exploring the Intersection of Art and Biology: Student Curates Thought-Provoking Exhibit
The latest exhibit at the Juniata College Museum of Art (JCMA), “On Display: The Art, Science, and Significance of Specimens,” curated by P.J. Squire ’24, is an exploration of the interplay between art and biology and an invitation to consider the ethical nuances of museum curation.
“The exhibit accompanies my senior thesis, which is an overview of the use of zoological specimens and the history of natural history museums,” Squire said. “It also touches on the ethics of collection and looks at how museums are constantly growing and changing to match ethical standards.”
“On Display: The Art, Science, and Significance of Specimens” will be exhibited at JCMA through March 20, 2024. JCMA is free and open to the public from 1-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Amy Frazier-Yoder, professor of Spanish and Hispanic cultures, presented this month's Bookend Seminar based on her recently-published book, “Creators and Created Beings in Twentieth-Century Latin American Fiction.”
Sponsored by the Provost's office, the Bookend Seminars have been offered for 30 years to provide a forum for faculty members to report on research and projects and an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to gather and learn together.
Frazier-Yoder led those in attendance through an exploration of creator narratives within Latin American fictional works. Her research examines attitudes toward women and traditional gender roles.
Chinese Dinner
Lunar New Year Celebration
Ushering in the Year of the Dragon on February 10 was a celebration to remember! Members of Juniata's Chinese Club welcomed nearly 300 members of the campus and Huntingdon community for an evening filled with dance, music, fashion and a buffet-style feast of traditional cuisine. The event culminated in a fashion show, with club members and other fellow Juniatians modeling costumes designed by Li Shen, professor of marketing and the Chinese Club’s adviser.
Vietnamese Dinner
Hosted by the Vietnamese Student Association, the annual Vietnamese Dinner is a celebration of Vietnamese culture. Dinner guests enjoy traditional foods, games, and student performances. This year's event had a wedding theme, complete with cake and a fountain created from wine glasses.
Mr. Juniata
The Mr. Juniata Pageant, which is organized in part by the Juniata Dance Ensemble, is a tongue-in-cheek spoof of beauty pageants with men from each class competing for the coveted Mr. Juniata crown. Complete with formal wear, talent, and interview competitions, contestants entertain a large crowd and provide self-depreciating humor while showcasing impressive talent—all to benefit the charitable organization of their choice. Frank Dorman '25 won this year's Mr. Juniata crown.
Campus Career Closet
Juniata Presents:
Canadian Brass
The five virtuosi brought their trademark talent, wit, and charm to their dynamic and family-friendly performance in Rosenberger Auditorium on February 8 to the delight of their audience.
Upcoming Events
Day of Giving
Wednesday, March 6
Once a year, Day of Giving brings us together to celebrate the spirit of generosity that moves Juniata forward. Special challenges include the Juniata Strong Challenge, sponsored by Ken Malas ’69 and Dan ’88 and Kerry Sunderland, who will match all gifts to the Juniata Scholarship Fund or The Juniata Fund, up to $85,000; and the One Juniata Nation Challenge, sponsored by John Batchelor ’69, who will give $5,000 to the Juniata Scholarship Fund if we receive a gift from all 50 states on Day of Giving. More details will be shared in the coming weeks, but be sure to visit www.juniata.edu/dayofgiving to learn more and to RSVP for special event opportunities.
Juniata Presents: Lorelei Ensemble
Friday, March 22, 7:30 p.m. in Rosenberger Auditorium
Lorelei Ensemble is recognized across the globe for its bold and inventive programs that champion the extraordinary flexibility and virtuosity of the human voice. Led by founder and artistic director Beth Willer, Lorelei has established an inspiring artistic vision, curating culturally-relevant and artistically audacious programs that stretch and challenge the expectations of artists and audiences alike. Comprising nine women, the ensemble is celebrated for its rich and diverse vocal palette. Driven by its mission to advance and elevate women’s voices, Lorelei is committed to bringing works to life that point toward a “new normal” for vocal artists, and women in music.
"A library becomes a learning commons"
as published in The Daily News, Huntingdon, February 2, 2024
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