(Posted May 2, 2006)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Barry J. Halbritter, a resident of Altoona, Pa. and president and chief executive officer of Midstate Tool & Supply Co., will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree from Juniata College May 13 at 2 p.m. during Juniata's 128th commencement ceremony.

The commencement address will be given by Philip Horn, executive director of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Halbritter, a 1965 Juniata graduate with a bachelor's degree in business, and his wife, Marlene, a 1962 graduate, are the leading donors for Juniata's new Marlene and Barry Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts, the latest architectural addition to the college's central campus. The center was recently dedicated, April 21, during the college's trustee weekend.

Halbritter is the president and CEO of Midstate Tool & Supply Inc. The company is one of the top three suppliers of automotive tools and supplies in the nation. Marlene Halbritter works for the company as well, as director of publications. The Altoona-based company also sells internationally and employs more than 50 people.

Barry Halbritter has been an active and enthusiastic volunteer for Juniata College, serving as campaign chair for Juniata's Uncommon Outcomes capital campaign from 1998 to 2005, helping the college exceed its original $70 million goal by 47 percent, to $103 million.

Halbritter also has been a loyal and dedicated volunteer for Juniata College. He has been a member of the board of trustees since 1993. He has served on the President's Development Council, and has served as chair of the college's annual fund. Both Barry and his wife, Marlene, have served on the college's Church-College Relations Council. He is a consistent participant in Juniata College Career Days and has spoken at lectures and seminars for the college's business department.

The Halbritters also donated funds for the construction of the Halbritter Plaza of the Cloister residence hall, and fund three student scholarships.

Halbritter also is active in the Altoona area as a donor for the arts. He is president of the Altoona Horseshoe Chorus. He serves on the board of directors of the Blair County Arts Foundation and the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation. He is a past member of the board of directors of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra.

"Our success has enabled us to give to Juniata and other local organizations," Mr. Halbritter says. "The seeds of that success were planted by the quality of education at Juniata."

The Halbritters, members of the Carson Valley Church of the Brethren near Duncansville, serve on the Church of the Brethren's National Leadership Committee. Barry has served on the church's District Board, District Stewardship Commission, the District Goals and Budget Committee and on the board of directors of the Morrison's Cove Home. For his local church, Barry served on the board of directors, chaired the long-range planning and constitution committees, served as deacon and Sunday school superintendent.

Marlene Halbritter is currently chair of the church board of directors, serves as a deaconess, and has been the church choir director for more than 15 years. She has also served as a delegate to district and annual conferences and served on the board of Bethany Seminary.


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