“Because we believe in potential and opportunity because we believe in the inherent strength of individuals who grow better through fruitful partnership, we are asking our community to invest in the student experience at Juniata," says President James A. Troha.

At the Campaign Kick-Off, Troha announced that the campaign's quiet-phase efforts had already raised $80 million in gifts to the College which supports the three key aims of the campaign: supporting faculty, providing access for students to pursue their education, and enhancing learning spaces on campus. Among the gifts announced were a $1 million gift to endow a scholarship, from Carol (Heaton) '66 and Wayne Pletcher; a $1.5 million gift composed of cash and an estate intention to support student research, from Keith '75 and Elaine (Becker) '76 Jones; a $2 million lead gift to support a new music facility, from Barry '65 and Marlene (Robinette) '62 Halbritter; a $3 million lead gift to support the renovation and redesign of Beeghly Library, from Tim '72 and Kathy (Stavru) '72 Statton; and a $1 million gift to establish the George '75 and Cynthia (Hill) '76 Valko Endowed Professorship of Biological Sciences, about which it also was announced the initial holder of that professorship would be Regina Lamendella, associate professor of biology.

In the weeks leading up to the BELIEVE Kick-Off celebration, several individuals made significant provisions for Juniata through their estate plans. And, during the Campaign Kick-Off weekend, the College also dedicated the new Glaeser Center for Counseling Services, a newly renovated and expanded space for counseling, mental health, and wellness needs made possible by a gift from Carl '77 and Nancy (Nordberg) '76 Glaeser.

"The BELIEVE Campaign is roaring and, on behalf of the entire Juniata community, I am thankful to all of you for the part you are playing and the part you will play in moving this College forward.”James A. Troha, president

"These gifts signify momentum for the learning enterprise and they matter enormously to our students and faculty," says Provost Lauren Bowen. "The possibilities that a new library will create in terms of programs and spaces, as well as the support for mentored research and dynamic teaching by faculty, all strengthen the distinctive learning environment and partnerships on which Juniata thrives. It is gratifying and affirming that so many people have embraced our vision and have demonstrated confidence in what we do here.

The BELIEVE campaign began quietly on June 1, 2014, with an initial goal of raising $100 million. Due to the strong reaction from individuals and the wide participation of alumni, friends, faculty, and parents supporting the effort and the accumulation of gifts prior to its October 2018 meeting, Juniata's board of trustees voted to raise the goal for the campaign to $115 million.

The BELIEVE campaign's volunteer chairs are Barbara and Charles W. "Bud" Wise III and Keith '75 and Elaine (Becker) '76 Jones. The volunteer steering committee for the campaign includes Juniata College President Emeritus Tom Kepple Jr. and Pat Kepple, Nicole Close '02 and Chris Albrecht, Brian '02 and Lauren Dietrich, Doug '89 and Sue Ellen Spotts, Fred '75 and Susan Wulczyn, Barry '65 and Marlene '62 Halbritter, Rich Paulhamus '70 and Laurie Trexler '70, Jodie (Monger) Gray '88, Ron Seiler '77, David '77 and Elizabeth Beachley, Cindy (Gilbert) '76 and Geoff '75 Clarke, and Lisa (Kotary) '90 and Ken VanLuvanee.

The campaign is designed to hit its goal and conclude in 2021.

Learn more about BELIEVE: The Campaign for Juniata at believe.juniata.edu.