Milestones
A Chronicle of
Uncommon Vision,
Uncommon Commitment
Historical
Archive
Recently discovered, this is the 100 Year History presentation that occurred in 1976 detailing Juniata's rich history.
All Class
Night
This clip is a silent excerpt from the "All Class Night" of 1969, featuring a spoof on a medieval showdown that manages to merge Batman and Monty Python into one glorious skit.
1876
Brothers Henry B. and John B. Brumbaugh and their cousin, Dr. Andrew B. Brumbaugh, ask Jacob M. Zuck to come to Huntingdon to open a college. April 17 marks the first day of classes.
1878
A smallpox epidemic in Huntingdon forces the College to close from January 13 to February 25. William Beery, Benjamin Bowser, and Levi Stoner - three students from Ohio who fear that going home will mean never returning - stay in an old ramshackle house until the quarantine is lifted. The smallpox exile of the three students leads to one of the great traditions of Juniata- an event known now as "Mountain Day."
1879
Jacob Zuck dies suddenly of pneumonia. The trustees create the new office of president and turn to James Quinter, an early advocate for Brethren higher education, to serve as the college's first president. "The Building," its unceremonious name before christened Founders Hall in the mid-1890s, is dedicated as the college's new home. Juniata's first graduating class includes: Linnie M. Bosserman, a future M.D., Gaius M. Brumbaugh, a future M.D., and Phoebe R. Norris, a future teacher.
1888
Henry B. Brumbaugh, co-founder of the college, is named as the institution's second president.
1893
Dr. Martin G. Brumbaugh begins the first of his two tenures as president.
1896
The first all-College outing that will become known as "Mountain Day" is made to Trough Creek Forge in May.
1897
"The Building" acquires its new name, Founders Hall.
1898
Dr. George Lyon composes Juniata's first alma mater, and Yale blue and Old gold are adopted as the College colors.
1899
Baseball, the oldest organized sport at the College, begins when the team plays three games against local sandlot players.
1902
The faculty adopt a motto ("Truth Sets Free"), a seal, flag, and pin.
The Eclectic Literary Society, Juniata's first extra-curricular acitivity, begins a 50-year tradition of good debate.
1904
A track-and-field meet against Susquehanna University begins Juniata's intercollegiate sports.
1907
Carnegie Library is built as a gift of Andrew Carnegie.
1909
Bailey Oratorical Contest established. Watch last year's winning speech:
1910
Martin G. Brumbaugh concludes his first tenure as president (1893-1910). In 17 years as president, he oversees a major transformation of the campus, which now consists of more than 23 acres and seven buildings.
1911
Dr. Isaac Harvey Brumbraugh is named as the fourth president.
1915
Martin G. Brumbaugh is elected governor of Pennsylvania.
The first volume of the College yearbook, the Alfarata, is published.
1920
Football is established after trustees yield to student demands. Video highlights from an unknown date.
1922
Juniata is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools as a "first-class College" - a distinction that qualifies the College for recognition by the American Medical Association.
1924
Dr. Martin G. Brumbaugh begins his second tenure as president. During his second term, Juniata holds its first leadership conference and Move-up Day, forms the Drama Club, founds the J-Club, and publishes its first issue of the student newspaper, The Juniatian.
1928
The Cloister, now the oldest residence hall, is constructed.
1930
Dr. Charles C. Ellis succeeds Martin G. Brumbaugh as president.
1931
The 1931-32 academic year marks the largest enrollment: 534 students. As trying as the Great Depression years of the 1930s are economically, the student population never drastically decreases.
1935
The Student Council creates the Juniata Senate, which centralizes all campus activities under one governing board.
1938
Highlights from 1938 - 1941 including May Day, Mountain Days, and the campus during the winter.
1940
Juniata is accredited by the Association of American Universities.
Oller Hall, with its 900 seats, is dedicated.
1942
The American Chemical Society recognizes Norman J. Brumbaugh, who built the chemistry department.
1943
Dr. Calvert N. Ellis, Charles' son, begins his 25-year tenure as Juniata's president. During his administration, the number of buildings on campus doubled and student enrollment quadrupled.
1945
War veterans return, and the student body doubles in two years.
1948
The Small College Annual includes Juniata from the start as one of the "best" in the country.
1949
The Trytten Report, a five-volume study by President Harry S Truman's Scientific Research Board, comes out with kudos for Juniata. It said that five colleges combined - Hope, Juniata, Monmouth, St. Olaf, and Oberlin - have produced more candidates for doctoral degrees in chemistry than did Johns Hopkins, Fordham, Columbia, Tulane, and Syracuse combined. Juniata is rated eighth in the nation among smaller institutions.
1950
Juniata begins appearing in Good Housekeeping Magazine's yearly listing of notable small independent colleges.
1951
Dedicated to those from the College who served in World War I and II, the Memorial Gym serves as the center for varsity sports.
1953
The Ford Foundation for the Advancement of Education ranks Juniata among the top 50 colleges and universities with the best records for producing "young American scholars of promise."
1955
The College and Career Department of Mademoiselle Magazine rates Juniata College among the nation's outstanding liberal arts schools.
1956
The 1955 Juniata football team ends its season with an 8-0-1 record, which includes a 6-6 tie in the Tangerine Bowl against Missouri Valley State on January 2, marking Juniata's first bowl appearance.
1957
Commencement and surrounding events in 1957, including popular sports at Juniata and a glimpse of dorm and classroom life.
1959
From 1953-59 the Juniata College football team produces unparalleled winning teams and moves Juniata into the spotlight of the small college football scene. During that seven-year streak, five teams go undefeated on the way to a 50-2-2 record.
1961
A restructured academic curriculum is put into place. The new pattern of education calls for two basic courses - a yearlong course for freshmen and another for seniors. Freshmen take Great Epochs of World Culture, while seniors take Integration of Art, Knowledge, and Conduct, which is later renamed Nature of Man. A broad general education, long one of Juniata's commitments, is revised by a distribution strategy requiring students to take courses in a variety of disciplines outside their field of concentration.
1963
L.A. Beeghly Library is completed.
1964
The art department is moved to the renovated Carnegie Library, which is renamed Carnegie Hall.
1965
The Brumbaugh Science Center is constructed at a cost of $2.7 million.
Led by student Harriet Richardson (Michel) and poet-in-residence Galway Kinnell, a contingent of 21 (including Juniata students) faculty and community pastors took part in the civil rights Freedom Rides to register African-American voters in Alabama. Several members of the Juniata contingent were injured when police assaulted demonstrators in Montgomery, AL. Another group of 64 participated in civil rights demonstrations in Washington, D.C. the same year.
1967
Science Hall, the College's main classroom building, is renovated and expanded. The building was renamed Good Hall in honor of J. Omar Good.
1968
Dr. Calvert Ellis retires after 25 years, ending the longest presidential tenure in the College's history. Dr. John N. Stauffer is named as the eighth president, beginning a seven-year tenure during which the College doubles its endowment and receives its first gift of $1 million from J. Omar Good. Funding from the Margin of Difference Campaign leads to several campus construction projects, including Ellis Hall and the East Houses dormitory complex. Dr. Stauffer ends the College's run of presidencies by either a Brumbaugh or an Ellis, all of whom had been Brethren. Trustee Donovan Beachley Sr. and his family endow a Distinguished Professor Award to an outstanding teacher who is also active in college life and community affairs.
1970
Student activism reaches a peak when four students at Kent State University in Ohio are shot and killed by the National Guard. Juniata closes for several days as a result of the tension and divisions on campus. After much debate, a faculty Task Force implements a redesigned curriculum that is labeled "value-centered liberal education." The new academic program is more flexible, enabling students to tailor their studies to individual needs and educational goals. General education would no longer consist of a distribution pattern but of core units (courses).
1971
Juniata establishes the Program of Emphasis, a unique approach to learning that allows students to design any program of study that fits their interests.
1973
The 335-acre Field Station is established at Raystown Lake providing a bastion of educational opportunities in environmental science.
The Juniata football team advances to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the first NCAA Division III national championship game.
1974
Juniata introduces a program in Peace and Conflict Studies, a core of units exploring causes, morphology, and consequences of conflicts as well as methods of conflict resolution.
1975
Dr. Frederick M. Binder begins his 11-year tenure as the College's president.
1976
On Arbor Day, students, faculty, and administrators plant one tree for each decade of Juniata's 100 years of existence. The tradition continues today.
1979
The World Languages Center is completed. The Center houses the world languages department with classrooms for the study of international languages and cultures. The building is also used for Spanish and other language clubs to meet and plan events.
1983
The Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center is completed. The facility includes a varsity gym, an intramural gym, weight room, varsity locker rooms, coach’s offices, racquetball courts, and a pool.
1986
Dr. Robert W. Neff becomes Juniata's 10th president.
The Peace and Conflict Studies Institute is named to honor John C. and Elizabeth E. Baker.
1988
Knox Stadium is completed. It's home to the Juniata football team and named in honor of 1954 Juniata graduate, Chuck Knox, who went on to a stellar coaching career in the National Football League.
1989
The Elizabeth Evans Baker Peace Chapel, designed by renowned architect Maya Lin, is dedicated.
1991
The $30 million Transformations Campaign begins. The five-year campaign exceeds its financial goal, concluding with secured gifts and commitments of $37 million.
1993
The first International Seminar on Arms Control and Disarmament is held at Juniata's Williamsburg Conference Center.
1994
The mission statement is amended to reflect an international commitment.
The College adopts a new athletic mascot as the name "Eagles" replaces "Indians."
1995
The William E. Swigart Jr. Enrollment Center is opened. The center houses the enrollment offices as well as the financial aid offices.
1996
The Annual Fund exceeds $1 million.
Author Loren Pope includes Juniata in seminal college guide "Colleges that Change Lives."
1997
William D. Phillips, a 1970 Juniata graduate, earns the Nobel Prize in Physics. Juniata trustee Frances Hesselbein is presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The College receives the Worth B. Stottlemyer Collection of renowned artwork, a gift from Juniata graduate Quayton Stottlemyer '51.
1998
Dr. Thomas R. Kepple Jr. becomes Juniata's 11th president. Carnegie Hall is renovated to house the Malloy and Shoemaker Galleries. A Health and Wellness Center is opened. Men's volleyball team wins the Molten Division III National championship.
1999
The Oller Center for Peace and International Programs is dedicated. The College receives $18 million from William J. von Liebig '46, the largest gift in its history. John Dale '54 and his wife, Irene'58, contribute $4.2 million to create the College's Information Technology program and fund a science and technology scholarship program for entering students. The former 18th Street dividing the interior of the campus is removed, creating a new central quadrangle.
2000
Juniata launches the $70 million Uncommon Outcomes Campaign. Official groundbreaking takes place for the construction of the William J. von Liebig Center for Science, a state-of-the-art facility where instruction and research will be combined. Juniata graduates Barry '65 and Marlene '62 Halbritter commit $2 million to support the construction of the Marlene and Barry Halbritter Performing Arts Center. David Hsiung, professor of history, is named Pennsylvania (Carnegie) Professor of the Year.
2001
Juniata holds the first Celebration of Juniata Women. The College breaks ground on a $5 million improvement and renovation project at the Raystown Environmental Studies Field Station.
2002
The $20 million William J. von Liebig Center for Science is dedicated. Juniata's Language in Motion program receives national award from the Institute for International Education. Juniata volleyball player Brandy Workinger named Pennsylvania NCAA Woman of the Year.
2003
Juniata begins the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (JCEL) program. Shuster Hall is completed. Elle magazine selects Juniata as one of 50 "Colleges that Dare to be Different."
2004
Juniata hosts the 2004 National Science Olympiad. Men's volleyball team wins the Molten Division III National Championship. Juniata breaks ground for the Marlene and Barry Halbritter Performing Arts Center, which adds a cutting-edge Suzanne von Liebig Theatre to complement Rosenberger Auditorium. JCEL moves to the Bob and Eileen Sill Business Incubator, in the former Alfarata Elementary School in Huntingdon.
2005
Juniata wins the Division III National Championship in women's volleyball and coach Larry Bock passes 1,000 wins for his career. Carli Dale, All-American setter, is chosen National Player of the Year and ESPN The Magazine's College Division Academic All-American of the Year. Men's volleyball team wins the Molten Division III National Championship.
2005
Former NFL coach Chuck Knox '54 and his wife Shirley, give $1 million to endow chair in the history department. David Hsiung is named the Knox Chair. Three Juniata seniors (Todd Ellick '05, Jeremy Weber '05 and Leslie Vogt '05) receive Fulbright Fellowships. JCEL gives first $5,000 seed capital awards to two student entrepreneurs. Former students and faculty who "went South" to work for civil rights return for reunion and educational panel discussion.
2006
Juniata completes the Uncommon Outcomes Campaign with a record $103,420,630 in donations. The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations grant $200,000 and the R. K. Mellon Foundation grants $300,000 to build two student residence lodges at the Raystown Field Station. The $8.3 million Marlene and Barry Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts and is dedicated on April 21. Juniata ranked high for its service mission in Washington Monthly Magazine. Senior Steve Knepper '06 receives Davies-Jackson Scholarship to Cambridge University. Senior Brian Wilson '06 receives Fulbright Fellowship to Germany. Juniata men's volleyball team claims its third Molten Division III National Championship in a row.
2007
Juniata builds and dedicates two student residence lodges and starts a residential fall Semester at Raystown Field Station program. The College also dedicates refurbished and reconfigured Dale Hall in Brumbaugh Academic Center honoring John '54 and Irene '58 Dale. Dale Hall houses the departments of business, communications, and IT. Later in the year, the Dales contributed $1 million toward the restoration of historic Founders Hall. Juniata Trustee David Goodman '74 gives $1 million to honor Professor Ken Rockwell '57 and endow the Goodman Chair in Biology. Gate of the '50s at Knox Stadium is dedicated.
2007
Field Hockey advances to the NCAA play-off and Men's Basketball participates in the ECAC championship. The women's volleyball team wins its second Division III NCAA national championship and senior Stephanie Kines '07 is the National Player of the Year.
2007
Juniata is rated in the top 100 in the U.S. News and World Report ratings. Senior Meara Kauffman '07 received a Fulbright Fellowship to Switzerland and sophomore Christopher Burlingame '09 received the St. Andrews Scholarship. Senior Alison Earnhart '07 received the American Physics Society's Outstanding Leadership and Future Teacher Scholarship. The Class of 2007 gives the largest class gift ever of $15,000 to move WKVR to a new home in Ellis Hall.
2009
Restoration of Founders Hall is completed. The LEED certified building houses administrative offices as well as classrooms for English and History.
2010
Juniata students set world record for mattress dominoes in October 2010
Four Juniata Seniors recieve fulbright fellowships.
Juniata receives the first annual Landmark Conference Sportsmanship Cup. Juniata is named as an "Overlooked Gem" in a new college admissions book, Acceptance, by former U.S. News & World Report writer David Marcus. Juniata band program performs 75th Anniversary concert. Heather Pavlik '95 is named head coach for women's volleyball. Tim Launtz '80 is named head football coach after Carmen Felus resigns to accept job at University of Tennessee-Martin. Eagles' women's basketball team reaches second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship, finishing with a 22-7 record. Greg Curley, men's basketball coach, accepts job as athletic director for Juniata.
