Madison Seipp ’26
Doylestown, Pa.
POE: History

Finn Thornhill ’26
Rockville, Md.
POE: History

When you think about Juniata’s 150-year history, where do you see yourself fitting into that ongoing story?

Madison: Chronologically, I know I fit into just the most recent part of Juniata’s 150 years. I’ve only been here three years, which is such a small piece of the College’s long history. I hope that the work we’re doing now, especially with this project covering the last 25 years of Juniata’s story, will have an impact that goes beyond my own three years here. Even if my time as a student is short in the scope of Juniata’s history, the contributions I’ve made can still be part of something larger, something that connects to the College’s ongoing story.

“Juniata students Madison Seipp ’26 and Finn Thornhill ’26 are collaborating with Professor Jim Tuten to research and write the latest update of a book chronicling Juniata College’s rich history and enduring traditions.”

What was a moment when you felt most connected to the Juniata community, and how might that echo experiences of students from past generations?

Finn: During the third consecutive women’s volley-ball championship, everybody was down in Baker Refectory watching the game on the big screen, and it was a really proud moment. It was amazing to see everyone come together — from people who normally don’t care about sports, to students from countries where volleyball isn’t popular, to the team members themselves — everyone was celebrating, waving the inflatable batons. Similar moments happened in the past, like earlier volleyball championships or the ‘glory days’ of football in the 1950s. Those moments likely served as rallying points for campus pride.

What Juniata tradition has meant the most to you personally, and how do you imagine students 50 years from now will view that tradition?

Madison: My favorite tradition has always been Mountain Day. It brings the Juniata community together. I often see professors, staff, and faculty there. It’s really special to experience that sense of connection across the campus. Mountain Day has been a cherished tradition since 1896, and I think it will continue to be loved for generations. Even 50 years from now, I imagine students will still enjoy it for the same reasons we do: community, relaxation, and shared experiences. It’s one of Juniata’s enduring favorites, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

What challenges have you faced as a student here, and how do you think those struggles mirror or diverge from the challenges Juniatians faced in earlier eras?

Finn: A challenge that’s consistent historically for Juniata students is balancing academics with extracurriculars, clubs, and causes. Juniata has always been a very involved campus, with lots of organizations, performance groups, and athletic opportunities. For me, part of college is learning how to juggle different parts of your life. Every student has to learn that, because people come to Juniata and end up finding passions in the arts, athletics, or academic disciplines and put themselves fully into them. It’s a campus full of people who want to do a lot. Figuring out how to manage that is a challenge — but one that most students are capable of meeting.

The Big Question

Norris Muth, professor of biology at Juniata, explores the fascinating ties between pollinators, plants, and people, offering thoughtful insights into biodiversity, sustainability, and the small lives that shape our world.

How Do Pollinators and Juniata Reflect Sustainability?

Why are pollinators and their habitats so critical to both local ecosystems and global food systems, and how does Juniata’s work to become a designated pollinator-friendly campus reflect broader commitments to sustainability, ecological education, and student engagement?

It’s decorative gourd season, my friends, and what better time than the present to reflect upon the importance of pollinators? The great gourd itself, the humble pumpkin, produces separate male and female flowers, which require insect pollinators to act as reproductive couriers. Giant pumpkins, thankfully, do not require giant pollinators — no one would want that.

Juniata is certified as a Bee Campus USA, an initiative of the Xerces Society, which recognizes college communities that sustain pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites, and by reducing the use of pesticides.

I’ll tell you what I do want, what I really really want … pumpkin spice. But there’s no pumpkin spice without pollinators. No cinnamon or cloves without bees. No nutmeg or allspice without beetles. It’s a plain vanilla world out there without pollinators. Speaking of vanilla, the pollinators of the vanilla orchid are so rare and restricted in their range that commercial vanilla requires a tedious process of hand pollination. If humans aren’t more careful about the destructive impacts we too often create for the world’s pollinators, we could end up making other crops more expensive, or perhaps inviable altogether. Avocados and almonds, coffee and cocoa, apple varieties from Autumn Gold to Zestar! (yes, the trademarked name for Zestar! apples actually includes the punctuation).

What can we do to make our local environments more friendly to pollinators — bee, beetle, or bug? Our students and facilities staff, supported by Sustainability Director Celina Seftas ’07 have asked the same question and put in the effort to make Juniata both a Bee Campus (certified by the Xerces Society) and a Tree Campus (certified by the Arbor Day Foundation). As part of these certifications, we avoid the use of synthetic pesticides that are often lethal to beneficial insects. Students have created pollinator-friendly habitat using native plants — both in the form of flowers for nectar — and pollen-eating adults, as well as host plants for caterpillars and other juvenile insect stages. We avoid the showy invasive plants that, while they can feed adult insects, provide no food for baby beetles or butterflies. (The non-native butterfly bush, for instance, popular with adult butterflies, can’t feed the caterpillars.) The best habitats provide food and shelter for all stages of native insects, at the appropriate seasons. Most state natural resource agencies and local conservation organizations provide excellent information on how to create pollinator-friendly landscapes. Hopefully Juniata’s efforts can serve as an example to others, protecting biodiversity and safeguarding food security.

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An illustration of Founders Hall, likely by early faculty member David Emmert, appeared in an advertisement for the College in the 1890s.

Milestones and Momentum

150 years of innovation and integrity

Foundations and Firsts
Juniata’s story began in 1876 with the founding of the Huntingdon Normal School. In just a few short years, Founders Hall rose as the first permanent building, the Alumni Association was created, and traditions like Mountain Day and class reunions took root. By the turn of the century, Juniata welcomed its first international student and held its first intercollegiate athletic event — early signs of a college already looking beyond its borders.

Growth and Resilience
The early 20th century brought new traditions, challenges, and growth. The Bailey Oratorical began in 1910, and the Carnegie Library soon followed. Even through changing times, the College continued to expand enrollment, enrich the curriculum, and nurture the arts, including the founding of the Concert Choir in 1932.

Defining the Juniata Experience
By the mid-20th century, Juniata’s influence was felt locally and globally. Students and faculty marched for civil rights in 1965, while new programs such as Peace and Conflict Studies, the Program of Emphasis (POE), and the Raystown Field Station set Juniata apart as a leader in experiential learning and social responsibility. Traditions like Madrigal, established in 1970, further defined the unique character of campus life.

Innovation and Legacy
In recent decades, Juniata has embraced change while honoring its roots. From becoming the first college to partner with the United Nations to celebrating a Nobel Prize alumnus, from pioneering sustainability with a LEED-certified Founders Hall to launching graduate programs, Juniata continues to evolve. As the College marks its 150th anniversary, it celebrates a legacy of innovation, resilience, and community that will carry forward for generations.

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David Emmert (1854–1911) captured the earliest days of the College's history through his sketches and writing.

“When school opened in the new quarters, we were practically in the middle of a plowed field. Fences were not yet built nor walks laid out, and not a tree had been set.”David Emmert
Reminiscences of Juniata College: Quarter Century 1876–1901