President's Newsletter
February 2025
Dear Juniata Community,
February has been a month filled with conversation and community, centered upon the dedication and spirit that define Juniata College.
The cold weather and occasional snow lend a wintry beauty to our campus, providing a striking contrast to the warmth and vibrancy of recent cultural events at the Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts and the Juniata College Museum of Art (JCMA).
Time for Three, a Grammy- and Emmy-winning string trio, took the stage at Rosenberger Auditorium on February 15, treating the audience to an evening of high-energy musical entertainment.
A new exhibition featuring the works of Ann Tarantino opens with comments from the artist at 5:30 p.m. this evening. “Field Trip” charts the experience of place and the relationship between the natural world and the built environment with pieces that are varied in mediums and presentation and unified in interpreting place and abstract landscapes.
Early in the month, faculty, staff, and students were invited to gather in Ellis Ballroom for a conversation facilitated by Provost Lauren Bowen about recent executive orders with panelists including myself, Derek James, dean of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and Dave Andrews ’74, general counsel. Robust participation contributed to a thoughtful discussion that emphasized a sense of community and understanding.
Next week is Juniata’s 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 strong turnout of alumni, parents, and friends participating in Career Day is an ongoing example of what makes Juniata special.
I look forward to seeing you at campus events in the coming month. Thank you for your continued support for Juniata!
Warm regards,
President James A. Troha
The 115th Bailey Oratorical hosted by the Communication Department will be held on Tuesday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall, in Brumbaugh Academic Center.
This year, the speech prompt is inspired by the 40th anniversary of The Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. Reflecting on Elizabeth Evans Baker’s inspirational quote, finalists were given the prompt, “The quote, ‘Peace is everybody’s business,’ challenges us to view peace not as a distant ideal or the responsibility of governments alone, but as a shared, everyday commitment. In today’s world, where conflict, division, and unrest often dominate headlines, the pursuit of peace is often obscured but more urgent than ever.”
Established in 1910, the Bailey Oratorical encourages students from all areas of study to present persuasive speeches on a topic that changes annually. The competition features prizes of $1,000, $700, and $500 for the top three students. In addition, the name of the winner will be permanently inscribed on an antique loving cup. Audience members are encouraged to participate in a text-to-vote poll for the People’s Choice Award, for which one of the student finalists will receive $100.
On March 6, support what makes Juniata special. Every gift strengthens our community and fuels student success.
Your participation in Juniata’s Day of Giving can unlock more than $300,000 in special challenge gifts!
There are so many ways to make an impact! Choose challenges that reflect your passions—support Athletics, Academics, the Juniata Scholarship Fund, Experiential Education, the 50 States Challenge, and more.
Whether in person or virtually, there will be multiple opportunities to gather with your fellow Juniatians on March 6. Join President Troha for a Virtual Town Hall at 5 p.m. EST or RSVP for a Happy Hour event near you.
Visit www.juniata.edu/dayofgiving to learn more about ways to give or to RSVP for an event.
Make your gift. Unlock a challenge. Help Juniata soar!
Spotlight on the Communication Department
The Communication Department at Juniata continues to thrive as a hub for innovative teaching, community-engaged learning, and dynamic scholarship. Home to dedicated faculty and passionate students, the department fosters a supportive learning environment through impactful coursework and advising, and experiential learning opportunities.
We are also thrilled to celebrate our faculty colleagues for their outstanding achievements. Jared LaGroue was recently awarded Juniata’s Eagle Advising Award and NACADA’s Region 2 Faculty Advisor Award for Excellence in Advising, based on his work cultivating dialogic relationships with students through an existential approach to advising. Jared has also completed his doctoral dissertation at Penn State, examining the influence of streaming platforms and artificial intelligence on the music industry, and will receive his Ph.D. this spring.
Sarah Worley '00 was awarded the ATHENA Award by the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce last year. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding business and professional leaders in the community. In her dual role as a communication faculty member and the director of community-engaged teaching and learning, Sarah has secured multiple community health-related grants. One of these initiatives involves a campaign to prevent tick-borne illness, in which students played an integral role in developing the strategy and media assets for the campaign.
Lillian Case ’25 and Sarah Worley '00 coauthored a book chapter that will be published this spring in Pathways of Social Impact: Higher Education for the Public Good.
Lynn Cockett has developed a new First Year Seminar course, first offered in Spring 2024. The topic: Reality Dating Shows. In the course, she examines the shows’ social implications and production ethics. As a result, she has contributed significant scholarship on the topic. Her work highlights the intersection of entertainment and communication theory, providing students with critical insights into the media landscape. Her recent scholarly work has culminated in journal publications and national conference presentations, including one she’ll deliver this spring with Aspen Leskowsky ’25, at the Popular Culture Association conference.
Our newest faculty member, Robb Lauzon, who joined us in 2023, has focused on developing the department's Strategic Communication offerings. In this area, he aims to bring students into an understanding of how cultivating professional communication skills and an outlook informed by scholarly research practices can help engender a fulfilling life and rewarding career. His research with students focuses on hyperlocal land use issues with regional implications. This approach is informed by ongoing international collaborations with scholars from Europe and Canada. His opinions on controversial memorials and land use issues related to them have been quoted in publications like the Orlando Sentinel.
Student Success
Students in the Communication Department are actively involved in hands-on experiences that prepare them for successful careers. Our students participate in internships, research, or creative projects as their Capstone experience. Additionally, faculty have also taken students to conferences to present their projects on a national stage and students contribute to community-based projects, gaining valuable experience beyond the classroom.
Each year’s Bailey Oratorical is a testament to the department's commitment to developing articulate, confident, and impactful communicators. We are grateful to the amazing alumni who return to campus each year to serve as judges for this event.
The department annually inducts high-achieving students into Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Honor Society. This prestigious recognition celebrates students’ academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to the field of communication.
The department also offers an exciting international exchange dual degree partnership with the Institute of Journalism and Public Relations at the Westfälische Hochschule - Westphalian University in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. This unique collaboration provides students with the opportunity to gain a global perspective on communication, enhance their academic experience, and develop valuable intercultural skills in an increasingly interconnected world, while earning a degree from both institutions.
Our students also take advantage of study abroad opportunities, including participation in the CzechMates internship program in the Czech Republic. It provides an engaging, immersive, and challenging experience that significantly enhances professional and personal growth, equipping students with valuable skills for their future careers. This past fall, Mahx Baptiste ’25 interned with a clothing brand named "Youngprimitive," directing videos for social media and designing men's shirt graphics.
As the field of communication evolves, the department remains committed to innovation, excellence, and new ways to use communication as a tool for positive change. The skills and experiences students acquire prepare them for success in graduate education and careers in an ever-changing media communication landscape.
Polar Pop
Challenge benefits Special Olympics
A campus-wide fundraising challenge dared Juniata Athletics staff to get doused in ice cold water for a good cause!
Knot-Worthy Creations
Fun at the Raystown Field Station
Students at the Raystown Field Station came together for a night of friendship and paracord bracelets.
Mystery Match
Class of 2027 hosts event
A night of surprises and new connections as students competed to match with volunteer contestants.
Athletic Excellence
Eagles Soaring in Winter Sports
Juniata men’s volleyball is ranked #7 nationally with an 11-2 record, while men’s and women’s swimming competed in Landmark Conference Championships after historic seasons. Basketball and track & field are making waves, with standout individual performances and record-breaking achievements across the board.
Criminalistics Students Blend Biology, Chemistry, and Forensic Science
Students in the Criminalistics course taught by Brian Baker, instructor, and Liz Mansberger, assistant professor of biology, with support from Amber Helsel-Ickes '04, assistant professor of chemistry, engage in hands-on lab work every Friday, progressing from processing a mock crime scene to analyzing evidence through the development of fingerprinting techniques, analysis of synthetic blood using DNA isolation and PCR, and identification of substances with chemical testing, and finally preparing and presenting an affidavit of probable cause.
With a mix of science, criminal justice, psychology, and business students working together, the course fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. By the semester’s end, each team must determine whether a crime occurred and who is responsible—bringing all their investigative skills to a culminating real-world application.
It’s a dynamic, immersive experience that deepens students’ understanding of forensic science and critical analysis beyond the myths of TV crime shows.
Summer Camps at Juniata College
Summer may feel far away, but now is the perfect time to plan for summer adventures at Juniata College. Summer camps are scheduled for students of all ages to explore new interests, develop skills, and experience hands-on learning.
Juniata’s popular Connections Camp is a week-long day camp for youth in grades six through 12. From July 14 to 18, participants will explore computer science, art, environmental engineering, geology, environmental science, and culinary arts. Half-day sessions are available for portions of the camp.
Athletes in elementary, middle, and high school can build or refine their skills, enjoy time playing as a team, and have a great time at sports-focused camp experiences under the supervision of collegiate coaches and players.
- Nike Tennis Camp I (ages 12-18), June 8-14
- Nike Tennis Camp II (ages 12-18), June 13-19
- Youth Soccer Camp (ages 5-14), June 9-12
- Summer Youth Baseball/Softball Camp, July 14-16
- Men’s Volleyball Prospect Camp (10th grade through first-year college), July 21-23
- Women’s Volleyball Positions Camp (9th grade through first-year college), July 22-24
- Basketball Day Camp, July 28 through August 1
Creative learning experiences abound at Juniata this summer.
- Digital Art Camp (ages 14-18), June 23-27
- Kids n Klay I (ages10-13), July 14-18
- Kids n Klay II (ages 14-17), July 28 through August 1
- Art Museum Camp (ages 8-12), July 21-25
Summer fun is not just for kids. A Wood-Fired Pottery Camp for ages 18 and up is a week-long workshop June 10-15, with a return June 21 for beginners and experienced artists alike. Participants will load and fire Juniata’s two-chamber wood kiln while refining their techniques.
Visit https://www.juniata.edu/offices/conferences-events/camps-conferences/ to learn more.
Inaugural Dr. Maurice Taylor '72 Lecture on Social Justice
Juniata College will host the inaugural Dr. Maurice Taylor ’72 Lecture on Social Justice with keynote speaker and author Dr. Edda Fields-Black at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025, in Alumni Hall, Brumbaugh Academic Center.
This event, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, is free and open to the public.
Fields-Black will discuss her new book, Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War, which offers the fullest account to date of Tubman’s Civil War service as a cook, nurse, scout, and spy, as well as her heroic leadership in a Union military operation. Her narrative tells the untold story of the Combahee River Raid, in which Union ships rescued and transported more than 750 former enslaved people–who had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation five months earlier.
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