(Posted November 2, 2021)

As their 50th Reunion Class gifts, members of Juniata College’s Class of 1970 raised $4,886,370.70, with $750,000 designated for improvements to Alumni Hall within Brumbaugh Academic Center (BAC), top, and the Class of 1971 raised $2,628,258.71 with $251,133.76 to be used to renovate the second floor Student Commons within Ellis Hall, bottom.

As their 50th Reunion Class gifts, members of Juniata College’s Class of 1970 raised $4,886,370.70, with $750,000 designated for improvements to Alumni Hall within Brumbaugh Academic Center (BAC), top, and the Class of 1971 raised $2,628,258.71 with $251,133.76 to be used to renovate the second floor Student Commons within Ellis Hall, bottom.

HUNTINGDON, Pa. — Members of Juniata College’s Classes of 1970 and 1971 recently gathered virtually to announce their 50th Class Reunion gifts that will significantly impact the student experience well into the future. The Class of 1970 raised $4,886,370.70, with $750,000 designated for improvements to Alumni Hall within Brumbaugh Academic Center (BAC) and the Class of 1971 raised $2,628,258.71 with $251,133.76 to be used to renovate the second floor Student Commons within Ellis Hall.

Heading up the Class of 1970’s effort was Rich Paulhamus ‘70 who served as Chair of the Class of 1970 Legacy Gift committee. Their reunion gathering was paused due to COVID-19, but their fundraising and passion for Juniata College did not falter. This led to a substantial gift and an overwhelming sense of excitement in presenting the gift virtually.

“Participation in the dedication of our class project and announcement of the 50th Reunion Class Gift was indeed an honor and a reminder of just how special the Juniata Class of 1970 is,” says Rich. “Since we arrived on campus in August of 1966, this group has grown into a cohort of friends who care for each other and for Juniata College. This gift demonstrates, once again, the closeness of the classmates and the fondness we have for the school.”

When Rich and his classmates first came to campus, Alumni Hall in BAC was new. The space was the site of their first-year “Great Epochs” course and their senior capstone class, providing bookends to their academic journey at Juniata. The significance of the space directed their decision to support the extensive renovations.

Carol Ellis Paullin ’71 led the Class of 1971 Legacy Gift Committee. Their planning process was going very well until their face-to-face reunion was also interrupted by COVID-19.  Still, they persevered and were honored to present the class gift during a recent Zoom event.

“Although virtual, we had some fun with the presentation, engaging President Troha and our classmates in a contest to reveal the amount of our gift. When we announced the final number, it was a celebration!,” Carol says. “I think everyone was excited. We exceeded their expectations. When we first started talking about our class gift, I couldn’t envision being able to support the college in such a generous way. And we, as a class, did it!”

Gifts from the Class of 1971 supported the renovation of the second floor of Ellis Hall, a central location where students gather to eat, study, chat, and work.

Planning for a class’s 50th Reunion begins five years prior to the 50th reunion and part of that planning is leaving a lasting legacy in the form of a significant gift to Juniata College.

Outside of the class projects, alumni celebrating their 50th reunion often support areas at Juniata that were most meaningful to them including the Juniata Scholarship Fund, summer student research initiatives, specific academic programs, facility enhancements across campus, Juniata Athletics, and much more.

The 50th Class Reunion Legacy Gifts provided by the Classes of 1970 and 1971 contributed to the historic success of BELIEVE: The Campaign for Juniata College, which raised $128,600,351 over the past seven years.

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