A vision for the future is taking shape across Juniata’s campus, brick by brick and beam by beam. Guided by the principles of experiential learning and community, this endeavor is an investment in transformative spaces designed to equip students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
“Whenever we strengthen infrastructure, we do so in the spirit of enhancing accessibility and promoting sustainability because those are values that matter enormously to us,” said Acting President and Provost Lauren Bowen.
“As living and learning in a campus environment changes with the needs of students today, our buildings have to adapt to those needs,” Jim Watt, vice president for advancement and new strategic initiatives, explained. “That can be hard because you must design a building based on your demands in 10 or 20 years.”
Juniata has risen to that challenge, carrying out projects that will be sustainable and easily adaptable for many generations to come. Recent examples are the Statton Learning Commons, formerly known as Beeghly Library, and the Halbritter Center.
The momentum continues with enhancements planned for South Hall and currently underway at the Sill Business Center. These developments promise to create a vibrant and dynamic space for Juniata and the community.
Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts
Shining a Spotlight on Creativity
Artistic expression takes center stage in the Halbritter Center for the Performing
Arts. Recent modernizations boast enhanced acoustics, lighting, and technology for
student performers, visiting artists, and community events.
“Whether it’s a rehearsal or the actual performance, the renovations will give students the capability to do things they couldn’t before,” said Barry Halbritter ’65. “I’m just one person, but one person can make a difference by pursuing a dream. It just so happened that I wasn’t the only one with this dream.”
He and his wife, Marlene Robinette Halbritter ’62, were inspired by their passion for the facility and the arts to support the renovation project. This passion was shared by the Class of 1973, who fondly recalled attending class and watching performances in Rosenberger Auditorium during their time at Juniata.
Whether it’s a rehearsal or the actual performance, the renovations will give students the capability to do things they couldn’t before. I’m just one person, but one person can make a difference by pursuing a dream. Barry Halbritter ’65
“One of the classes we had our first year was focused on film, and we spent at least once a week seeing a film at Halbritter, starting with silent movies and going up to Hitchcock—some movies were 3-4 hours long,” recalled Mary White ’73, chair of Juniata’s board of trustees.
Since they spent so much time there, the class wanted up-to-date, comfortable, and accessible seating for current and future students. The Class of 1973 raised $3,576,319.73 for their 50th Class Reunion Legacy Gift, donating a portion of those funds to replace the approximately 900 seats.
Renovations include new seating (with added accessibility), carpeting, curtains and electrically-operated blinds, house lights, audio/visual technology, and a stage extension in Rosenberger Auditorium; and repainting throughout the Center. Three updated practice rooms will be completed by early summer.
Statton Learning Commons
Where Technology Meets Scholarship
When the Statton Learning Commons opened its doors, the overwhelming enthusiasm and rapid adoption of the technologically rich spaces testified to the need for 21st-century collaborative learning and gathering spaces on campus.
“Walking into the Statton Learning Commons on the day it opened was thrilling. When I stopped in at 10 a.m., students started filling the space. By noon, there was a line at Fisher Café,” Bowen shared. “It was so exciting to see students collaborating and gathering, using the space as we had hoped and imagining new ways, too. The energy, enthusiasm, and excitement exceeded my expectations.”
Statton Learning Commons has been a dream, a plan, and an idea for years. To take the project from the initial idea to designing a building and watching the construction and to having folks in it may be the deepest sense of satisfaction I have had in my professional life. It’s been magnificent. Lauren Bowen, Acting President and Provost
Juniata broke ground in April 2022, with lead donors Tim Statton ’72 and Kathy Stavru Statton ’72 wielding shovels to mark the occasion. From the outset, the space’s concept blended traditional library functions with collaborative zones, individual study areas, and social seating, with cutting-edge resources at every turn. The Statton Learning Commons was designed to ignite the spark of knowledge and empower students to succeed in their academic ventures
“Statton Learning Commons has been a dream, a plan, and an idea for years,” said Bowen. “To take the project from the initial idea to designing a building and watching the construction and to having folks in it may be the deepest sense of satisfaction I have had in my professional life. It’s been magnificent.”
The Statton Learning Commons has changed how students learn and interact and will continue to positively influence many generations of students to come.
South Hall
Rethinking the Old with New Support
Soon to be named Gibbel Hall in recognition of their generous gift, South Hall is slated to undergo a metamorphosis. Located between Lesher Hall and Knox Stadium, South is home to students and athletic offices. Henry Gibbel ’57 and his wife, Joanie, have provided $1 million for an infrastructure update and have challenged alumni and supporters to match their donation.
“I’ve been so blessed and had the joy in life to go to Juniata College,” explained Henry Gibbel.
Renovations to South Hall will powerfully impact students’ lived experiences. Living facilities designed to sustain students through their four years powerfully influence the classroom experience.
“Your dorm room is your home away from home,” Joanie Gibbel said about why they chose to support improvements to South Hall. “College is a time to grow up, learn, and make friends.”
“Crafting common areas that meet students’ collaborative and interactive needs, thinking
about both the design and the aesthetic experience of the building, considering the
way students approach it and the way they approach one another in it—all of those
things matter in terms of thinking about and creating the spaces and places where
education happens,” Matthew Damschroder, vice president of student life and dean
of students, said.
Reconfigured floor plans will create additional communal spaces alongside upgraded rooms that offer comfort and privacy. Modernized bathrooms, improved energy efficiency, and the integration of new technologies will enhance a sense of well-being that directly supports students’ academic success.
Sill Business Center
Supporting a Stronger College and Community
The Bob and Eileen Sill Business Center (SBC), a launchpad for business leaders, will soon offer 8,630 additional square feet of office space in support of local economic development.
“It is part of our mission and strategic plan to be well connected to the community, and you certainly see that in Statton and in Sill,” said Bowen.
A $1 million renovation of Sill’s third floor was made possible through the work of Watt and his team, who worked to secure grant funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and $290,000 in philanthropic investment.
Sill amplifies the value of the College to the community. Businesses housed in SBC have distinct and different missions, and yet they thrive through their shared presence. The SBC also supports the economic vitality of Huntingdon by creating jobs and giving Juniata students real-world learning opportunities through internships, service-learning projects, and collaborative research.
“Having affordable space near Juniata gives us proximity to talented students who have done paid internships and helped our businesses succeed,” said Regina Lamendella, George ’75 and Cynthia ’76 Valko Professor of Biological Sciences, who is the co-founder of two businesses in the SBC, WrightLabs and Contamination Source Identification (CSI). “The other beautiful thing is that virtually all of our employees are Juniata grads. To retain that talent here has been wonderful for the town. These employees choose to live here, contribute to the economy, purchase homes, and are integral to the community.”
Envisioning the Future
More Than Just Bricks and Mortar
These infrastructure advancements are more than just bricks and mortar; they represent
Juniata College’s unwavering commitment to providing its students with an unparalleled
educational experience. These projects are possible because of the generous support
of donors who want to invest in the future, laying the foundation that will shape
generations of Juniata graduates.
“People give because they are committed to the student experience. Their generosity makes these expansions, for the buildings we are creating or remodeling, obtainable in the fastest, most affordable way possible,” Watt shared. “Our job is to connect donors’ passions to how they can help students today. Sometimes, that’s through endowment or scholarships, and sometimes, it’s through infrastructure. Connecting those passions to buildings that will make a difference in the lives of students today is one of the greatest jobs we have.”