(Posted February 23, 2001)

Science in Motion, the Juniata College outreach program that brings cutting-edge science equipment and experiments to area schools, is itself going in motion as the program moves its facilities to Juniata's newly acquired Baxter Building at 1701 Penn St. in Huntingdon -- after the building has been renovated.

"This move will allow Science in Motion to streamline its preparation and loading for our clients," says Don Mitchell, professor of chemistry at Juniata and director of Science in Motion. "We will be able to gain much-needed storage space and have a laboratory dedicated only to the program."

Science in Motion, currently housed in the Brumbaugh Science Center, will relocate to the 14,000-square-foot facility some time before 2002. The officially renamed Baxter Building was donated to Juniata College by Carl H. and Marcia A. Baxter through a special gift arrangement. Juniata was able to purchase the building from the Baxters at a significant discount from its appraised value. "Essentially the Baxters made a six-figure gift to the college through the bargain sale of their building," says Ron Wyrick, associate vice president of development and gift planning. "It's in a perfect location for us, just a few blocks from campus and we also own the building next door."

The building, on a .27-acre lot, formerly housed the Baxter Machine Products company, a tool-and-die manufacturer. The building was originally constructed for the National Youth Administration as a youth training facility in 1938. It later served as the vocational arts building at Huntingdon Area High School. Carl Baxter moved his business facilities to the former Bonney Forge building across the street.

"I'm pleased Juniata College can use the building for the Science in Motion program," Carl Baxter says. "During the years that I occupied the building we introduced computerized machining and the training of machining programmers. The Science in Motion Program will continue to provide the Huntingdon area with valuable resources in the science and technology field. Marcia and I are glad we could help Juniata College and the Huntingdon community this way."

Inside the building, five existing offices will be renovated as offices for Mitchell and Science in Motion personnel. The non-office space in the building was used as a machine shop. New bathroom facilities will be built adjoining the office suite.

In addition, the college will build a laboratory space used to prepare Science in Motion experiments and lessons.

"The move for Science in Motion will free up space in the south wing of the Brumbaugh Science Center which will be renovated for Juniata's information technology program classrooms and offices," explains James Lakso, provost and vice president for student development. "Space is at a premium as the college grows, and the move to the Baxter Building will help alleviate space pressures in Brumbaugh."

Finally, part of the main shop building space, which features 17-foot ceilings, will be used as storage space for science equipment. The space also will incorporate a drive-in loading area for the program's science vans.

About half of the building will be used as storage by the Baxter company until October, whereupon Juniata College will take over the entire space. "The use of the remainder of the space in the building has not been finally determined," says Bill Alexander, vice president for finance and operations. "The building is structurally sound and in good repair."

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.