Acting President's Newsletter
March 2024
Dear Juniata Community,
We are now fully immersed in the spring semester and the energy and promise that it holds. We will soon celebrate the many and varied accomplishments of our students, culminating in our annual commencement exercises.
Several of these noteworthy student accomplishments are featured in this newsletter.
Recently, I had the privilege of watching our two Mock Trial teams as they competed in the opening round of the National Championships in Cincinnati, Ohio. While they did not advance to the next round of competition, the students impressed me with their poise, professionalism, and skill.
We are proud of the recent expansion of our academic program offerings, including environmental engineering, exercise science and kinesiology, and civil engineering, as well as our recently announced exploration of nursing.
These additions reflect our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our region and beyond. We are dedicated to preparing students for successful careers while instilling in them a sense of responsibility and service to their communities. Through these offerings, we aim to empower Juniatians to contribute meaningfully to societal needs.
Our annual Career Day, organized by the Office of Career Development, encouraged students to network with more than 100 employers, which included many Juniata alumni, and learn about internships, research, and career opportunities.
Just before February ended, I was honored to congratulate Dan Cummins ’24 on winning the 114th Bailey Oratorical. This tradition, which has been continuous since its establishment in 1910, challenges students to deliver persuasive speeches on specific topics. Dan’s first-place presentation on the dangers of phone addiction was based on this year’s prompt inspired by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ launch of “Healthy People 2030.”
Soon after, Juniata celebrated the public debut of the second floor of the Statton Learning Commons, inviting our community to explore the spaces and services offered within. Residents of Westminster Woods also visited the facility and received personalized tours provided by the Learning Commons staff.
The Black History and Culture Dinner was a joyous, Mardi Gras-themed event that filled Baker Refectory with the sounds of jazz and a vibrant community in fellowship with one another. This occasion highlighted the talent and leadership of Juniata’s EDI Student Advisory Committee.
I am deeply grateful to all who made our fourth annual Day of Giving a tremendous success, and I hope you enjoy the photos of the moments that make Juniata the thriving community it is. Thank you for all you do for Juniata.
Juniata College to Receive $1 Million Toward 'Building Future Generations of Health Care Workers'
Across the nation, hospitals, health systems, and medical offices are experiencing a shortage of nurses, and the numbers in Pennsylvania are among the highest. According to a November 2022 study by The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, the vacancy rate for nursing positions increased to 30%. There are simply not enough nurses to fill the jobs that exist in Pennsylvania.
Dan Sunderland ’88 and his wife Kerry (far right in photo with their family) have generously pledged $1 million toward strengthening Juniata College’s commitment to educating and preparing students for careers in the health professions. Their philanthropy will support a feasibility study to determine the viability of a future nursing program at Juniata College. Preliminary analysis by Juniata suggests that a nursing program could help address regional health care shortages and recruit new students to the college.
Juniata College already offers a pre-nursing path that prepares students for nursing school. In addition, the college’s health professions director provides students with one-on-one advising to assist students with course selection and the application process. The exploration of nursing is an extension of an existing academic focus on preparing future health care professionals.
Over the coming months, Juniata College will finalize the curriculum, and then pursue approvals from the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing and Middles States Commission on Higher Education.
Faculty Member Honored for Civic Work
Henry Thurston-Griswold, professor of Spanish, was recently recognized by the Huntingdon Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Named in honor of Rotary International founder Paul Harris in 1957, the Paul Harris Fellow is the highest award in Rotary. It is given to a Rotarian or a member of the community that has made an outstanding contribution to the club and the community.
Henry was honored for his extensive work in Guatemala and his support of the Miguel Angel Asturias Academy in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. The Miguel Angel Asturias Academy was founded in 1994 to address Guatemala's educational crisis, with 20 percent of Guatemalans not entering school at all and less than 10 percent graduating high school.
Since 1999, Henry, along with the Stone Church of the Brethren, have been instrumental in providing medical and educational support and guidance.
In the News
Alumna to Speak at Juniata's 146th Commencement Ceremony
Juniata College’s 146th Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The commencement speaker will be Angela (Montag) Jones ’01, who is the director of business and legal affairs (original series) at Netflix, based in Los Angeles, Calif. Jones and Dr. D. Holmes Morton, a Pennsylvania physician specializing in genetic disorders affecting Old Order Amish and Mennonite children, will also receive honorary degrees at the ceremony.
Day of Giving Makes Huge Impact
We are still counting, but did not want to wait to say THANK YOU. More than 2,800 gifts totaling over $830,000 were made by alumni, parents, and friends from all around the world, making it our most impactful Day of Giving ever. Visit HERE to see where many of our challenges finished or to make a gift—it's not too late!.
Nominations Open for Sports Hall of Fame
The Athletic Department has announced that it will once again honor standout athletes and supporters through induction into the Juniata College Sports Hall of Fame in the spring. We welcome nominations for the Class of 2024, with a deadline of October 1. Nominations can be made HERE.
Men's Basketball Tops Golden Wolves, Crowned ECAC Champions
The Juniata men's basketball team won the ECAC (Eastern College Athletics Conference) Men's Basketball Championship 83-77. Juniata defeated #2 Alvernia 83-77. Juniata received a first round bye before knocking off Penn State-Behrend in last weekend’s semifinals. The team finished the year 17-11 and are ECAC Champions for the third time in program history.
Black History and Culture Dinner
Black History Month at Juniata College culminated in a joy-filled celebration at the Black History and Culture Dinner sponsored by the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Saturday night. The spirit of Mardi Gras infused every aspect of the event from the student performances and live jazz by Urban Fusion to the food and fellowship!
114th Bailey Oratorical
The winner of the 114th Bailey Oratorical was Dan Cummins ’24, who delivered his first-place winning speech on phone addiction. This celebration of articulate minds and the art of oratory also saw in Lillian Case ’25 take second place, Gillian Cunningham ’25 win third place, and Isabel Kruse ’24 awarded the People’s Choice Award. Their speeches, and those of finalists, Nicole Montes Pérez ’26, Yoselin Kearney ’24, and Molly Sheets ’26, highlighted thought-provoking topics that connected emotionally and intellectually with their audience.
Career Day
More than 100 employers—including many Juniata alumni—attended Juniata's annual Career Day event. Students received valuable experience networking and discovering opportunities for internships and employment.
JC's Got Talent
The crowd in Baker Refectory enjoyed performances and laughs at JC's Got Talent, an event hosted by standup comedian Aaron Kominos-Smith! Students showed off their skills for a chance at prizes up to $400.
Celebrating Statton Learning Commons
The completion of Statton Learning Commons was celebrated on March 4, 2024, with the official opening of the second floor. Community members gathered to explore the space together while learning about the many services and opportunities housed within the new facility.
Upcoming Events
The Maya Project
Through April 13, 2024 at the Juniata College Museum of Art
The Maya Project celebrates a rescue dog through the genre of pet portraiture. Maya is a rescue dog that, upon adoption as a puppy, had several potentially fatal health issues. To celebrate Maya's good health on her first birthday, friends created portraits in their choice of media limited only by size to honor how tiny she was as a puppy. Over the last two years, the Maya Project has expanded to over three dozen contributions by artists that met Maya in person or through social media. Watch for community-oriented programming and participate!
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.
Braver Angels Debate
Wednesday, April 10, at 6 p.m. in Neff Hall, von Liebig Center for Science
Juniata College will host a Braver Angels debate with the theme "The Potential Risks and Benefits of Artificial Intelligence" on April 10. Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide. Through community gatherings, real debates, and grassroots leaders working together, we’re creating hope — and showing Americans a braver way.
Physics Phun Night
Wednesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. in Alumnia Hall, Brumbaugh Academic Center
What do fiery displays, floating spheres and flying bowling balls have in common? All these phenomena and more will be featured at Physics Phun Night. Demonstrations will include students igniting flaming balls of methane gas, using liquid nitrogen to show the effects of extreme cold on everyday objects, and the ever-fascinating bed-of-nails experiment. Sponsored and presented by Juniata College’s Chapter of the Society of Physics Students, this free event, combining entertainment and education, is “phun” for all ages.
Liberal Arts Symposium
Thursday, April 18
The Juniata College Liberal Arts Symposium, also known as "Mountain Day of the Mind," is a day-long celebration of student research and scholarship. The Liberal Arts Symposium highlights the scholarly and creative work that students do in the classroom, in the laboratory, in the field, in the community, on the stage, and in the studio. Not only do students get to showcase their excellence in their own discipline, but they can see what other departments have to offer, and what their fellow classmates have been working on during the year.
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